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?

voice was filled with incredulity. As though he couldn't

that I was, I nodded to confirm

I said. I took

—Y…you…

find the right words to say, Waylan fumbled before eventually giving up, letting out a

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

bit harsh, no? I was just taking a small nap, I don't think

Where are you? Send us

give me a

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

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

a moment… Ah, yes,

Need something else from

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

need anything else, just

brief pause ensued. After a couple of seconds, in a low whisper,

work. Had it not been for your help, the war

problem. Not like I did everything myself

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

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

stinging

see you soon. Great

"Mhm…you too."

last words I said before turning off the communication

***

outer walls of Henolur came to a halt as the demons

and announced the end of the war, everyone in the city rejoiced as the citizens and

not fully retreated, but they had stopped attacking and even showed signs of

orcs, and even elves

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

in Henolur, on a round

dampening

figures spoke up in shock, his body

done with her? Have you told the others about her…? Or, do only you guys know?" The hooded figure asked, his tone containing a

the only ones present back then 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 on the verge of death when we met

hooded figure asked. His serious tone made

I don't recall wrongly, she was S

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

members of Caïssa:

about was probably Durara, the one who killed

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

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

we're

unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave him confirmation that they

is she?"

taking a small sip of the ale

brow raised a little before he leaned back on

Ren had a

was thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to

you thinking so hard about? You can't

asked, raising his head, a sly smile appearing on his

with the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands and shook them in

Whatever you're planning, I'm

Smallsnake?" Ren asked, his smile

you? What are you talking

Leopold and Hein, grew confused at

it in the direction of Ren's

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