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

nodded to confirm my previous words, even though he couldn't see

I said. I took

—Y…you…

to say, Waylan fumbled

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

taking a small nap, I don't think that

I give up. Where are you? Send us your coordinates, we'll send someone to

give me a

with the aid of a small device,

lowering my hand to stare at the communication device, I asked,

Ah, yes,

something else

the side of the wall, I once again slid

don't need anything else, just

brief pause ensued. After a couple of seconds, in

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

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

a total of three hours. This was clearly not enough as my mind

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

I replied, my eyes stinging slightly from

see you soon.

"Mhm…you too."

before turning off the communication device, and

***

the outer walls of Henolur came to a halt as the demons

once Gervis, alongside the others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone in the city rejoiced as

the demons had still not fully retreated, but they had stopped attacking and even showed signs of giving up did not go unnoticed

dwarves, orcs, and even elves as

suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of those

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

your way to the dampening system you encountered a duergan lady, and she's

figures spoke up in

only you

another dwarf escort us to the location you sent us. That's also where we

hooded figure asked. His serious tone made the atmosphere

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

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

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

talking about was probably Durara, the one who

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

reply, "She's extremely dangerous. You must be extremely careful

we're

things, his worries were unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave him confirmation that they

she?"

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

up?" Ren's brow raised a little before

Ren had a thoughtful look

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

thinking so hard about? You

his head,

smile, Smallsnake raised his hands and shook them

Whatever you're planning,

Smallsnake?" Ren asked,

up with you? What are you talking

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

in the direction of

you should know that nothing good will come. Trust me, I've experienced it too