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 comprehend what

I was, I nodded to confirm my previous words,

what I said.

—Y…you…

find the right words to say, Waylan fumbled

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

a small

Send us your coordinates, we'll

me

with the aid of a small device,

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

me a moment… Ah, yes, I've

Need something else

again slid

anything else, just stay out

After a couple of seconds, in a low

not been for your help, the war

did everything myself anyway." I tiredly said,

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

to pick you up. Once they knock on the door, open

my eyes stinging slightly from the lack of

you soon. Great

"Mhm…you too."

I said before turning off the communication

***

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

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

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

were filled with dwarves, orcs, and

was clear that the war, although brought great suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of those who participated in it. They all held each other in

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

dampening system you

up in shock, his body trembling

her…? Or, do only you guys know?" The hooded figure asked, his tone containing a great

since we had 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 to be

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

don't recall wrongly, she was S ranked.

with a complex frown on his face. He lifted his face slightly, revealing the features of

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

talking about was

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

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

we're not that

worries were unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave him

she?" Ren

Hein responded, taking a small sip of the ale

up?" Ren's brow raised a little before he leaned back on

his chin, Ren had a thoughtful look on

thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to ask

are you thinking so hard about? You

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

with the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands and shook them

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

Ren asked,

up with you? What are

more precise, Leopold and Hein,

in the direction

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