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?

filled with incredulity. As though he

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

exactly what I

—Y…you…

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

do with you? If not for the fact that I don't have

just taking a small nap, I don't think that

I give up. Where are you? Send us your coordinates, we'll send someone to pick

me a

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

sent the message, lowering my hand to stare at the communication device, I asked, "Did you get

Ah, yes, I've

something else

the wall, I once again slid down and

don't need anything else, just

of seconds,

not

myself anyway." I tiredly

had only slept for a total of

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

eyes stinging slightly from the

see you

"Mhm…you too."

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

***

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

the others, returned and announced the end of the

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

bars and taverns were filled with dwarves, orcs, and even

had also strengthened the bonds of those who participated in it. They

particular tavern in Henolur, on a

on your way to the dampening system you encountered a duergan lady, and

figures spoke up in shock,

you told the others about her…? Or, do only you guys know?"

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

was the Duergar's rank?" The hooded figure asked. His serious

I don't recall wrongly, she was S ranked. Her injuries were quite

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

of Caïssa:

were talking about was probably Durara, the one

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

reply, "She's extremely dangerous. You must be extremely

worry, we're not

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

she?"

dwarves," Hein responded, taking

Ren's brow raised a little before he leaned back

had a thoughtful look on

was thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to ask directly. He had

are you thinking so hard

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

Smallsnake raised his hands and shook

against it! Whatever

Ren asked, his smile

What

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

hand and pointing it in the

times. Whenever he smiles like that, you should know that nothing