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?

was filled with incredulity. As though he

to confirm my previous words, even

that's exactly what I said.

—Y…you…

Waylan fumbled before eventually

for the fact that I don't have the slightest idea of where

no? I was just taking a small nap,

give up. Where are you? Send us your coordinates,

give me a

aid

stare at the communication device, I asked,

Ah, yes, I've

something

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

need anything else, just stay out

a couple of

it not

I did everything myself anyway."

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

pick you up.

replied, my eyes stinging slightly from

see you

"Mhm…you too."

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

***

raging war that took place on the outer walls of Henolur came to a halt as the demons

had happened, once Gervis, alongside the others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone in the city

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

and taverns were filled with dwarves, orcs, and even elves as

great suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of those who participated

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

the dampening system you encountered

spoke up in shock,

the others about her…? Or, do only

dwarf escort us to the location you sent us. That's also

His serious tone

don't recall wrongly, she was

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

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

was probably

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

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

worry, we're not

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

is she?" Ren

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

brow raised a little

chin, Ren had a thoughtful look on

to what he was thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to ask

thinking so hard about? You can't

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

Smallsnake raised his hands and

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

wrong, Smallsnake?" Ren asked, his smile

What are you talking

others, or to be more precise, Leopold and Hein, grew confused at Smallsnake's

in the direction of Ren's face, Smallsnake

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