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?

As though he couldn't quite comprehend what I

nodded to

what I

—Y…you…

find the right words to say, Waylan fumbled before eventually

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

no? I was just taking a small nap,

I give up. Where are you? Send

give me a

aid of a small device, I quickly sent

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

moment… Ah, yes,

something else from

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

else, just

of seconds, in a

Had it not been for your help, the war

myself anyway." I tiredly said,

had only slept for a total of three hours. This was clearly

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

replied, my eyes stinging slightly from the lack of

you soon.

"Mhm…you too."

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

***

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

alongside the others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone in the city rejoiced as the citizens and warriors

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

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

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

inside of a particular tavern in Henolur, on a round

on your way to the dampening system you

the hooded figures spoke up in shock,

you told the others about her…? Or, do only you guys know?" The hooded figure asked, his

you sent us. That's also where we met her… But her condition seemed quite critical. She looked to be on the verge

figure asked. His serious tone made the atmosphere

recall wrongly, she was S ranked. Her injuries

figure 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

members of Caïssa: Ava, Hein, Leopold,

talking about was probably

of information, Ren's face paled slightly, but

others on the table, Ren carefully worded his reply, "She's extremely dangerous. You

we're not that

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

is she?"

Hein responded, taking a

little before

Ren had a

Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to

are you thinking so hard about? You can't

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

familiar with the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands and

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

asked,

up with you? What

to be more precise, Leopold and Hein, grew

the direction

it plenty of times. Whenever he smiles like that, you should know that nothing good will come. Trust me, I've experienced