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?

with incredulity. As though he

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

I said. I took a

—Y…you…

to say, Waylan fumbled before

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

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

Send us

give me

coordinates of the room with the aid of a

message, lowering my hand to stare at the communication

moment… Ah, yes,

Need something

side of the wall, I once again slid

need anything else,

After a couple of

not been for your help, the war

everything myself anyway." I tiredly

only slept for a total of three hours. This was clearly not enough as my

Soon enough, someone should come to pick you up. Once they knock on the

eyes stinging slightly

see you

"Mhm…you too."

words I said before turning off the communication device, and my eyelids slowly came to a

***

the outer walls of Henolur came to a halt as the demons

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

was the fact that the demons had still not fully retreated, but they had stopped attacking and even showed signs of giving up did not go unnoticed by the dwarves, who

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

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

tavern in Henolur, on a round

way to the dampening

the hooded figures spoke up in shock,

only you guys know?" The hooded

us. That's also where we met her…

hooded figure asked. His serious tone made the

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

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

was currently seated with his members of Caïssa: Ava,

about was probably Durara, the one who

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

"She's extremely dangerous. You must be extremely careful around her. In

we're

unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave him

she?"

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

a little before

chin, Ren had a thoughtful look

to what he was thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to ask directly. He had an ominous

you thinking so hard about?

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

too familiar with the smile, Smallsnake raised

Whatever you're planning, I'm totally against

wrong, Smallsnake?" Ren asked,

with you? What are you talking

precise, Leopold and

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

it plenty of times. Whenever he smiles like that, you should know that nothing good will