CHAPTER 43: I THINK I MESSED UP BIG TIME...

"Quill? Help me out here... I’m stuck..."

I blink a few times, her voice pulling me back to reality. Finally, I snap out of it.

But—under the bed?! Of all places, why there? Couldn’t she just appear normally, in the middle of the room, like a sane person? And how the hell did she even make it here? She’s Death! How does Death just stroll into my world?

Well... whatever. I should really stop talking to myself when things are supposed to be serious.

I jump off the bed. My body feels sluggish—so sluggish I can’t even stand straight. My legs betray me at the worst possible time, and I collapse to the floor. Thanks a lot, stupid legs.

[Author powers have been restored. As compensation for the anomaly beyond the system’s reach, your cooldown has been merged with the days of punishment already served.]

What the hell was that about? I mean, I’m happy... but damn it, why does it feel like the whole world is out to get me? This constant jump from punishment, to no punishment, to whatever else the system throws at me—it’s ridiculous...

My eyes lock with Amara’s. She’s desperately trying to crawl out from under the bed, but the problem is... well... her two very round, very prominent obstacles are making escape impossible.

"What are you even doing down there?" I almost laugh at the sight of her face, all twisted in frustration as she struggles to get free.

"I..." Her eyes well up with tears, and instantly I know something’s wrong. Panic kicks in. I reach for her, pulling at her arms, but she won’t budge. My legs are still dead weight, completely numb, useless to me now.

"I just wanted to follow you... wherever you were being pulled... sob... it’s my fault you almost died... sob... it’s my fault you were hurt... sob... I... I... I’m so irresponsible with my powers..." Her words dissolve into sobs, and suddenly Death herself is a crying maiden. It’s kind of cute, but also... damn, it hits hard.

Shit... Hope she doesn’t notice.

A sharp pain shoots through my finger, but I grit my teeth and use my quill to nudge the bed just enough for her to squeeze out. At the same time, I secretly patch myself up, strength creeping back into my legs. With one last tug, I pull Amara free.

"It’s okay." I stroke her hair gently. "It’s not your fault. Something else messed with me, not you. And now that you’re in my world, you don’t need to worry ever again. Here, I’m invincible!"

...Big words, I know. And no, reader, I did not say that just to look cool in front of the girl. Absolutely not. Ahem...

"You mean it?" She lifts her face from my chest, her eyes locking onto mine. Sparkles. Actual sparkles. What kind of witchcraft is this? I suddenly feel like I want to...

My lips inch closer to hers, but then—

"QUILL, YOU’RE AWAKE?!"

Powder slams the door open, because of course he does. Always the worst timing, always the loudest entrance. This damn bear. His eyes fall on me and Amara tangled together, and the corners of his mouth twitch. Then he shuts the door again, but not before giving me that look. The one that screams: "Nice one, Quill. You’ve finally become a man. But also—seriously, where the hell did this goddess just spawn from?"

Or maybe I’m just imagining it. Hard to tell with that creature.

And trouble, naturally, never walks alone—

"The hell do you mean Quill is with some woman... kissing?!" Roxy’s voice booms through the hallway like an angry war drum. A second later, the door doesn’t just open—it flies off its hinges. I’m not even exaggerating. It flies.

"How dare you touch my man?!" she shrieks, storming inside like an executioner.

Amara instantly steps forward, snapping into a defensive stance, and shoves me behind her as if she’s shielding me.

Wait. Hold up. Shouldn’t this be the other way around? I’m not some weakling to hide behind a woman. The hell is happening to my life right now...

"Who are you?! What do you want from my husband?!" Amara shouts back. From her fingertips, an umbrella blooms into existence—sleek, black, elegant. I’ve only ever seen nobles carry things like this, and even then it was rare. Hell, even the king probably doesn’t own one. The only man I’d ever seen with one was some foreign traveler who once visited my village... and the king himself went out to greet him. Makes me wonder what kind of power is behind something so simple.

"H-husband?!" Roxy freezes, her eyes snapping to me like daggers. I immediately whip my gaze to the side, pretending I didn’t hear a thing. Maybe if I don’t make eye contact, I won’t die.

"How dare you claim him for yourself?! Quill is mine to marry! Nobody else can have him!"

...Woah.

My heart skips, then slams against my ribs. I had no idea Roxy was into me that much. Did she... mean it? I don’t know whether to be flattered or to start writing my will. Because let’s be honest—if I ever shared a bed with Roxy, she’d crush me in her sleep with those bear-like arms. Too strong. Too powerful. But also... hot.

NO. Stop it, Quill. Don’t think about your friend like that. What the hell is wrong with me...

I glance at Powder, begging for backup with my eyes. He just shakes his head, slow and pitiful, like he’s saying, "You made this mess, you clean it up. Women are terrifying, I’m not getting involved."

...Shit. Traitor! One whole year without ladies for you! ...No, that’s too cruel. I’d be stepping over the line with that kind of punishment. Maybe half a year. Three months? Fine, fine—I’ll cancel it.

The air thickens with tension. If I don’t step in, someone’s going to get hurt. Time to man up. I’m nearly an adult already—how dare anyone still treat me like some helpless kid?

"Enough!" I bark, stepping in front of Amara. My voice cracks a little, but I pretend it doesn’t. "I will settle this right now!"

They both open their mouths, but I raise a finger, silencing them. "Don’t. Not a word. You’ll listen to me!"

Two sets of shocked eyes blink at me. Ugh, here we go...

"This might sound crazy, but it’s the only way to solve this without bloodshed. I’ll marry both of you. Officially. That should settle things, right?"

I stand tall, arms crossed, nodding with confidence. Silence follows, so heavy I can hear my heartbeat hammering in my ears. Yes. Perfect. Situation solved.

...Or not.

"So battle to the death it is!" both women roar in unison.

"Wait, WHAT—?!"

Roxy’s axe cleaves down toward Amara, who meets it head-on with her umbrella, the impact ringing like thunder. She leaps back, cold mist spilling from beneath her feet, twisting around her like a living shroud. With a flick of her wrist, the umbrella whirls, and the mist answers, coiling like a serpent under her command.

I gape. Huh? Where did I mess up?