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?

filled with incredulity. As though he couldn't quite

I was, I nodded to confirm my previous words, even

exactly what I

—Y…you…

to find the right words to say, Waylan fumbled before eventually

fact that I don't have the slightest idea of

taking a small nap, I don't think that warrants

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

give me

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

sent the message, lowering my hand to stare at the communication device, I asked, "Did

Ah, yes,

Need something

of the wall, I once again slid down

need anything else, just stay out

pause ensued. After a couple of seconds, in

thank you for your hard work. Had it not been

Not like I did everything myself anyway."

checking the time, I realized that I had only slept for a total of three hours. This was clearly not enough as my mind was

to pick you up. Once they

replied, my eyes stinging slightly from the lack

see you soon.

"Mhm…you too."

were the last words I said before turning off the communication device,

***

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

others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone in the

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

filled with dwarves, orcs, and even elves as they happily

strengthened the bonds of those who participated in it. They all

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

way to the dampening system you encountered a duergan

the hooded figures spoke up in shock, his

do only you guys know?" The hooded figure asked, his tone containing a great depth of

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

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

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

face slightly, revealing the features of a young man with pale blue eyes resembling the ocean. It was

his members of Caïssa: Ava, Hein, Leopold,

was probably Durara, the one who killed

paled slightly, but

reply, "She's extremely dangerous. You

worry, we're not that

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

is she?"

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

little before he leaned back on

his chin, Ren had a thoughtful

Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to ask directly. He

are you thinking so hard

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

familiar with the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands and

against it! Whatever you're planning, I'm totally against

Smallsnake?" Ren asked,

you? What are

precise, Leopold and Hein, grew confused at

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