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?

filled with incredulity. As though he couldn't quite comprehend

nodded to confirm my

I

—Y…you…

to find the right words to say, Waylan fumbled before eventually giving up, letting

If not for the fact that I don't have the slightest idea

harsh, no? I was just taking a small nap, I don't think that warrants getting

are you? Send us your coordinates, we'll

give me a

room with the aid of a small device,

to stare at the communication device, I asked,

Ah, yes,

something else

against the side of the wall, I once again slid

else, just stay

a couple of seconds,

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

everything myself anyway." I

a total of three hours. This was

up now. Soon enough, someone should come to pick you up. Once they knock on the door, open

my eyes stinging slightly from the lack

see you soon. Great

"Mhm…you too."

said before turning off the communication device, and my eyelids slowly came

***

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

end of the war, everyone in the city

of concern was the fact that the demons had still not fully retreated, but they had stopped

were filled with dwarves, orcs, and

although brought great suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of those who participated in it.

inside of a particular tavern in Henolur, on a round table, were six hooded

way to the dampening

spoke up in shock, his body

about her…? Or, do only you guys know?" The hooded figure asked, his tone containing a great depth of

weren't the only ones present back then since we had another dwarf escort us to the location you sent us. That's also where we met her… But her condition seemed quite critical. She looked

the Duergar's rank?" The hooded figure asked. His serious tone made the atmosphere on the

I don't recall wrongly, she was S ranked. Her injuries were

He lifted his face slightly, revealing

with his members of Caïssa: Ava,

talking about was probably Durara, the

face paled slightly, but he was able to recompose himself quite

Ren carefully worded his reply, "She's extremely dangerous. You must be extremely careful around her. In fact,

we're not that

from the looks of things, his worries were unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave him confirmation

is she?"

up, thanks to the dwarves," Hein responded, taking a small sip

Ren's brow raised a little before he leaned

chin, Ren had a thoughtful look

was thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to ask directly.

so hard

what?" Ren asked, raising his head, a sly smile appearing on his

familiar with the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands and shook them

I'm against it! Whatever you're planning, I'm totally against

wrong, Smallsnake?" Ren asked, his smile only

with you? What

others, or to be more precise, Leopold and Hein, grew

and pointing it in the direction of Ren's

there? No? Well, I've seen it plenty of times. Whenever he smiles like that, you should know