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?

incredulity. As though

guy that I was, I nodded to confirm my

exactly what I

—Y…you…

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

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

harsh, no? I was just taking a small nap, I

give up. Where are you? Send

give me a

of the room with the aid of

to stare at the communication device, I asked,

moment… Ah, yes, I've got

Need something

once again slid down

anything else, just stay

of seconds, in a low

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

I did everything myself anyway."

I realized that I had only slept for a total of three hours. This was clearly not enough as

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

stinging slightly from the

see you soon.

"Mhm…you too."

turning off the communication device,

***

the events of Inferno, the raging war that took place on the outer walls of Henolur

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

they had stopped

taverns were filled with dwarves, orcs, and even elves as they happily chatted amongst each

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

Henolur, on a

your way to the dampening system

hooded figures spoke up in shock, his

the others about her…? Or, do only

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

figure asked. His serious tone made the

was S ranked. Her injuries were quite

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

his members of Caïssa:

talking about was

piece of information, Ren's face paled slightly, but he was able to recompose himself quite

extremely dangerous. You must be extremely careful around her. In fact, have you even restrained her

we're not

Leopold and the others gave

she?" Ren

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

a little before he leaned back on his

his chin, Ren had a thoughtful

to what he was thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth,

so hard about? You

what?" Ren asked, raising his head, a

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

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

wrong, Smallsnake?" Ren asked, his smile

What are you talking

to be more precise, Leopold and Hein, grew

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

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