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

to confirm my previous

exactly what I said. I took a

—Y…you…

words to say, Waylan fumbled before eventually

for the fact that I don't have the

a small nap, I don't

give up. Where are you? Send us your coordinates, we'll

me

room with the aid

stare at the communication device, I asked, "Did you get

a moment… Ah, yes,

Need something

once again slid down and propped my

don't need anything else,

of seconds, in

for your hard work. Had it not been for your help,

Not like I did everything myself anyway." I tiredly said, closing my

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

pick you up. Once they knock

stinging

you soon. Great

"Mhm…you too."

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

***

place on the outer walls of Henolur came to a halt as the demons stopped their assault

happened, once Gervis, alongside the others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone in

but they had stopped attacking and even showed signs of giving up did

bars and taverns were filled with dwarves, orcs, and even elves

bonds of those who participated in it. They all held each other in

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

that on your way to the dampening system you encountered a duergan lady,

hooded figures spoke up in shock, his

Have you told the others about her…? Or, do only you guys know?"

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

hooded figure asked. His

was S ranked.

his face. He lifted his face slightly, revealing the features of a young man with

of Caïssa: Ava, Hein,

they were talking about was probably Durara, the one who

information, Ren's face paled slightly, but he was

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

worry, we're

were unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave him confirmation that they had

is she?" Ren

currently locked up, thanks to the dwarves," Hein responded, taking a

Ren's brow raised a little before

his chin, Ren had a thoughtful look on his

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

you thinking so hard about?

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

the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands and

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

wrong, Smallsnake?" Ren asked, his smile only

you? What are you talking

more precise, Leopold and Hein, grew confused

his hand and pointing it in the direction of Ren's face, Smallsnake

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