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?

though he couldn't quite comprehend

was, I nodded to

what I

—Y…you…

right words to say, Waylan fumbled before

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

was just taking a small

you? Send us your coordinates, we'll send someone to pick

me a

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

my hand to stare at the

me a moment… Ah, yes, I've

Need something else

again slid down

don't need anything else,

brief pause ensued. After a couple of seconds, in a low whisper, Waylan

not been for your

did everything myself anyway."

checking the time, I realized that I had only slept for a total of three hours. This

should come to pick you

my eyes stinging

you soon. Great

"Mhm…you too."

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

***

raging war that took place on the outer walls of Henolur came to

many knew what had happened, once Gervis, alongside the others, returned and announced the end of the war,

retreated, but they had stopped attacking and even showed signs of giving up did not go

orcs, and even elves as

that the war, although brought great suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of those who participated

of a particular tavern in Henolur, on a round

to the dampening

spoke up in shock,

her? Have you told the others about her…? Or, do only you guys know?" The hooded figure asked, his tone containing a great

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

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

she was S ranked. Her injuries were quite

muttered with a complex frown on his face. He lifted his face slightly, revealing the features of a young man with pale

of

they were talking about was

that piece of information, Ren's face paled slightly, but he was able

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

worry, we're not that

his worries were unnecessary as Leopold and

she?"

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

raised a little before he leaned

chin, Ren had a thoughtful look on

to what he was thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to ask directly. He had an

you thinking so hard about?

be what?" Ren asked, raising his head,

the smile, Smallsnake raised his

against it! Whatever you're

Smallsnake?" Ren asked, his smile

What are you

to be more precise, Leopold and

in the direction of Ren's

smiles like that, you should know