28 Bond of Fate (II)

"My husb—are you kidding me? Him? No. He's not my husband. And he murdered me, and you know it. What is wrong with you?"

[The System Administrator avoids eye contact.]

"Eye contact?! I can't even see you!"

[The System Administrator crosses their arms in a huff.]

A scoff tears out of my throat. "Oh, so you're upset now? Don't you think I have a lot more reason to be upset than you?"

[The System Administrator is upset that you don't appreciate their help.]

"Help?!" I wave a hand around me. "You consider this helping?"

[The System Administrator wishes you would remember.]

I pause. This feels significant. "Remember what?"

[The System Administrator looks away, whistling.]

"Remember what? Come on. You can't say that and then stop."

[The System Administrator grants you the ability to access direct messages with Gryphon Vale.]

"Ahh!" I pull on my hair. "Are you kidding me?"

[The System Administrator loves a good romance.]

[The System Administrator blushes.]

[The System Administrator was moved by the scene in your room.]

[The System Administrator hopes you enjoy the trials.]

[The System Administrator is rooting for their favorite couple.]

A strangled scream makes its way out of my throat. My frustration only rises when a system window pops up.

[Gryphon Vale: Are you okay? Tell me everything about where you are. What can you see?]

I ignore it and try to open my inventory.

[You are restricted until the end of this quest.]

"System Administrator! Are you serious?!" I frantically check every window I can. The same error occurs every time.

The only things I can access are Gryphon's messages and the quest information.

[The System Administrator whistles innocently.]

[The System Administrator urges you to message Gryphon Vale.]

[The System Administrator is excited to watch your reunion.]

[The System Administrator blushes.]

"You talk too much." Reluctant, I open Gryphon's message. "System Administrator, just to be clear—will I be able to leave this place if he doesn't find me?"

[The System Administrator is silent.]

"I'll take that as a no."

[The System Administrator looks away.]

"Definitely a no, then. Okay. Fine. I'll play along with your stupid game." I type out a message as quick as I can, detailing what I've seen so far.

[Gryphon Vale: You didn't answer my question. Are you okay? Are you hurt? I'll be there soon. Don't worry.]

My teeth grind together.

[Aria Lucaris: I'm fine. Just hurry so I can go home.]

"Tell me, Administrator. Is this world real?"

[The System Administrator is frustrated.]

"Frustrated because I'm asking, or frustrated because you can't answer?"

[The System Administrator thinks you ask too many questions.]

I can't help feeling offended. "So you guys somehow drag me into this world and turn me into a player and have the audacity to be upset when I question things?"

[The System Administrator huffs.]

[The System Administrator hopes Gryphon Vale arrives soon.]

[The System Administrator sulks.]

I scoff loudly, rolling my eyes at the Administrator's antics. I begin pacing around the cavern, trying to find a way out. But no matter where I go, I hit an invisible barrier, trapping me inside.

Growling, I kick at the rocky ground. "Are you serious right now? This is such bull—"

[The System Administrator looks on with disapproval.]

I whirl around, glaring at the empty space. "Oh, like you're one to judge! You're the one who trapped me here against my will!"

No response. Of course not. I'm just talking to myself at this point.

With a huff, I plop down, leaning my back against the cavern wall. Crossing my arms, I glower at the floor, wishing Darius was here. At least then I'd have someone sane to talk to.

My fingers twitch with the urge to cast something—anything. But when I reach for my mana, it slips through my grasp like water. Gritting my teeth, I concentrate harder, but it's no use. My magic is sealed off, leaving me feeling vulnerable.

What is this place? And why was I brought here?

The questions swirl in my mind, mixing with a potent cocktail of anger, confusion, and just a dash of fear. I can't shake the feeling that there's more going on here than just some silly game quest.

I shake my head, pushing the doubts away. Now isn't the time for a breakdown. I need to focus on getting out of this cavern first. Then I can figure out my next move.

Closing my eyes, I try to center myself, focusing on circulating my mana. At first, it's like grasping at smoke, my reserves frustratingly out of reach. But I keep at it, my breathing evening out as I sink deeper into a meditative state.

Bit by bit, I become aware of the energy thrumming through me. It's faint, muffled, like it's being filtered through layers of cloth. But it's there.

My brow furrows in concentration as I work on unraveling those layers, unwinding the knots binding my power. It's an arduous process, but I refuse to give up.

[The System Administrator is excited.]

I squint an eye at the silver message.

[The System Administrator wishes you would check your messages.]

I roll my eyes.

[Gryphon Vale: I'm almost there. Wait for me, angel.]

I can't help it. My eyes roll again.

[The System Administrator swoons.]

[The System Administrator hopes for another kiss scene.]

I use a vulgar gesture in the direction of that. I'd managed to forget all about it. Either that, or I just shoved it so far out of my brain that I refused to think about it. Either way—no.

No way.

"Not on your life."

[The System Administrator thinks you're outmatched in this battle of the heart.]

"Battle of the heart? You're as insane as he is. You said you were watching, right?"

[The System Administrator swoons again.]

"So you saw how he threatened me and said I was working with someone, right?"

[The System Administrator waves a hand dismissively.]

"He was going to choke me."

[The System Administrator smiles slyly and says that choking isn't always a terrible thing.]

[The System Administrator covers their face.]

[The System Administrator blushes fiercely!]

Flummoxed. That's the word for what I'm feeling right now. "You—Administrator, are you a pervert?"