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?

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

good guy that I was, I nodded to confirm my previous words, even

what I said. I took a

—Y…you…

say, Waylan fumbled

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

bit harsh, no? I was just taking a small nap, I don't

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

me

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

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

me a moment… Ah,

something

against the side of the wall, I once again slid down and propped my hand over

need anything else, just stay out of

After a couple of seconds, in

for your hard work. Had it not been for your

I did everything myself anyway." I tiredly said, closing

a total of three hours. This was clearly not enough

enough, someone should come to pick you up. Once they

replied, my eyes stinging slightly from the lack

see you soon. Great

"Mhm…you too."

the last words I said before turning off the communication

***

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

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

not fully retreated, but they had stopped attacking and even showed signs of

orcs, and even elves as they happily chatted amongst each

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

inside of a particular tavern in Henolur, on a round table,

dampening system you

spoke up in shock, his

about her…? Or, do only

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

rank?" The hooded figure asked. His serious tone made the atmosphere on the table turn

was S ranked.

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

of Caïssa: Ava, Hein, Leopold, Smallsnake,

duergar they were talking about was

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

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

we're not

and the others gave

is she?" Ren

Hein responded, taking a small

a little

his chin, Ren had a thoughtful

his mouth, deciding to ask

are you thinking so hard about? You

asked, raising his head, a sly smile appearing

Smallsnake raised his hands and shook them

I'm against it! Whatever

asked, his smile

you? What are you talking

or to be more precise, Leopold and Hein, grew

pointing it in the direction of

smirk over there? No? Well, I've seen it plenty of times. Whenever he smiles like that, you should know that nothing