The Author's POV

Vrr— Vrr—

"Hmm?"

Waking me from my slumber was a low buzzing sound coming from my right side.

It was quite subtle, reminiscent of a bee's buzz. Needless to say, it was fairly annoying.

Opening my eyes slightly and lowering my head towards the direction of where the buzzing sound was coming from, my sight soon paused on the communication device tightly held in my right hand.

Vrrr— Vrrr—

The buzzing sound continued, and as my mind cleared up, I could feel my hand vibrate slightly.

'How long have I been sleeping for?'

My thoughts felt groggy as I propped my body up with the aid of the wall.

'Since the communication device is working, they should already be done by now…'

Lowering my head and turning the communication device on, I spoke in a thick, hoarse voice.

"Hello? You guys done already-"

—Ren!

The moment I answered the communication device, Waylan's voice sounded from the speaker, cutting me off.

His voice was quite loud and sounded a bit panicked. Instantly, my head sobered up and my brows furrowed tightly. My body tensed slightly.

"What happened while I was gone? Did something go wrong? Did the enemies perhaps have a secret weapon that we were not aware of?"

Many possibilities rushed through my head as my heart sank.

Thinking of all the possible things that may have gone wrong while I was asleep, my previous relaxed attitude completely vanished as I prepared for the worst.

—What are you talking about?

"Huh? What do you mean? Did something go wrong or not?"

But it looked like I was overthinking too much as Waylan's words allayed my fears.

—No, everything is fine. I'm only calling because we were worried that something happened to you. You just left out of nowhere, without even telling us what you were going.

"Ah…"

'Right, the dampening system was back on and I couldn't quite tell them that I was taking a nap.'

Smiling wryly, I scratched the back of my head.

"Sorry about that… I was taking a nap. Since I couldn't participate in the fight, I figured that I may as well just go to a random room and sleep. I was gonna be a burden anyway."

Silence.

Once my words faded, I was met with total silence.

Even though he wasn't present at the moment, I could vividly imagine Waylan opening and closing his mouth, speechless, trying to find the right words to say.

It might have looked amusing to an onlooker, but I was feeling a bit guilty...just a little.

The silence continued for a brief moment before Waylan repeated.

—…A nap? Did you just say…that you were taking a nap?

with incredulity. As though he

I nodded to confirm

I said. I took a

—Y…you…

to say, Waylan fumbled before eventually giving up,

that I don't have the slightest idea of where you are, I'd have already strangled you to

I was just taking a small nap, I don't think that warrants getting strangled

know what? I give up. Where are you? Send

me

coordinates of the room with the aid of a small device, I quickly sent Waylan the location of the

hand to stare at the communication device, I asked, "Did

moment… Ah, yes, I've

Need something

against the side of the wall, I once again

need anything else, just stay out of

a couple of seconds, in a low

your hard work. Had it not been for your help, the war would've never been

everything myself anyway." I tiredly

time, I realized that I had only slept for a total of three hours. This was clearly not enough as my

to pick you up. Once they knock on the

replied, my eyes stinging

you soon. Great

"Mhm…you too."

turning off the communication device, and

***

war that took place on the outer walls of Henolur came to a halt as

announced the end of the war, everyone in the city rejoiced as the citizens and warriors alike

concern was the fact that the demons had still not fully retreated, but they had stopped attacking and even showed signs

with dwarves, orcs, and even elves

suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of those who participated in it. They

in Henolur, on a round table, were six hooded figures

saying that on your way to the dampening system you encountered

figures spoke up in shock, his body trembling

have you done with her? Have you told the others about her…? Or, do only you guys know?" The hooded figure

location you sent us. That's also where we met her… But her condition seemed quite critical. She looked to be on the verge of death

Duergar's rank?" The hooded figure asked. His

recall wrongly, she was S ranked. Her

slightly, revealing the features of a young man with pale

was currently seated with his members of Caïssa: Ava, Hein, Leopold, Smallsnake,

about was probably Durara,

slightly, but he was able to

worded his reply, "She's extremely dangerous. You must be extremely careful around her. In fact, have you even restrained her

we're not

unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave him confirmation

is she?"

dwarves," Hein responded, taking a small sip of the

little before he leaned back on his

a thoughtful

thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to ask directly. He had

thinking so

his head, a sly smile appearing on his

Smallsnake raised his

No, I'm against it! Whatever you're planning, I'm

Smallsnake?" Ren asked,

What are

to be more precise, Leopold

it in the direction of Ren's face, Smallsnake raised

times. Whenever he smiles like that, you should know that nothing good will come. Trust me, I've experienced it too many