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

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

that's exactly what I said. I

—Y…you…

say, Waylan fumbled

I don't have the slightest idea of where you are, I'd have

a small nap, I

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

me

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

lowering my hand to stare at the communication

me a moment… Ah,

something else

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

anything else,

of seconds, in a low whisper, Waylan

you for your hard work. Had it not been for

everything myself

that I had only slept for a total of

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

my eyes stinging slightly from the lack of

you soon.

"Mhm…you too."

the last 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

others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone

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

orcs, and even elves as they happily chatted

was clear that the war, although brought great suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of those

particular tavern in Henolur, on a round table,

you're saying that on your way to the dampening system you

spoke up in shock,

her…? Or, do only you guys know?" The hooded figure asked, his tone containing a great

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

The hooded figure asked. His serious tone made the atmosphere on

don't 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

of Caïssa: Ava,

about was probably

of information, Ren's face paled slightly,

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

worry, we're not

the looks of things, his worries were unnecessary as Leopold and the

she?" Ren

taking a small sip of the ale in front

locked up?" Ren's brow raised a little before he leaned

had a thoughtful

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

thinking so hard

asked, raising his head, a sly

familiar with the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands

against it! Whatever you're planning,

wrong, Smallsnake?" Ren asked,

with you? What

to be more precise, Leopold and Hein, grew

in the

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