CHAPTER 46: LET’S BE PARTNERS IN CRIME

This situation can’t possibly end so easily... right? Ugh. I still remember the days when it was just me and my scythe, cutting through tall grasses like a simple farmer. Feels like it was only a week ago...

Wait. It actually was only about that long ago... I wonder how my sister’s doing now. She must be so worried about me. I should go back home, but not like this. Alone, and not with... these.

Anna’s clinging to me, Powder’s standing off to the side, pretending he doesn’t exist. Coward. I can see he wants nothing to do with my love mess—traitor. Roxy is swinging her axe around, yelling at Anna to let me go. She refuses to accept this, not that I do either... And Amara’s watching me with sharp eyes, scanning me like she’s trying to read my every twitch and breath.

What can I even say? Help? This is my mess...

"Can I talk this over in private with Anna? I have some questions for her." I finally say, trying to man up and take back some control. What a shitty life...

"Quill... this..." Roxy’s voice wavers, her eyes glistening with tears. Damn it. I never wanted things to turn out this way, but...

"Please?" My voice comes out soft, almost begging. I’m tired... so damn tired of all this. But I can’t dodge the main plotline. I can’t just wipe her memories like I do with the others.

Roxy’s eyes tremble, and I can see she understands. She always does. Maybe—when I think about it—she knows me better than anyone else in this room. Even Powder, my so-called best friend, doesn’t know me the way she does.

"Understood." She lowers her axe with a heavy thud that makes the whole room shake. Then she takes Amara’s hand and nods for Powder to follow.

"Sister Roxy?" Amara blinks, startled, but she still follows along. Maybe it’s a woman thing, that silent understanding between them. Somehow, just from Roxy’s expression, she knows exactly what’s expected.

"Bye, bye." Anna waves them off, still glued to my side.

"Just... don’t take too long, alright? We’ll be waiting at the Adventurer’s Guild." Roxy’s voice carries an expression I’ve never seen on her face before—pain and sadness, but also... trust. At least, I think it is.

Finally, once the door shuts closed, Anna peels herself away from me, brushing down her clothes as if dusting off filth.

"Finally, they’re gone. Now..." Her lips curl into a playful smile as her golden hair catches the sunlight. She drops onto the bed, crossing her legs with deliberate grace. "Tell me, my lover. What exactly are you?"

"Drop the act. I know you’re only messing with me because you find this entertaining." My tone is sharp as I snap back, lifting my quill. With a stroke through the air, a chair blooms into reality, soft and comfortable. I sit down, and Anna’s eyes widen at the display. If she already knows... then what’s the point in hiding it?

"You’re truly a wonder to my eyes..." she murmurs, propping her chin on her arm. "So you can read my thoughts, it seems. And here I thought I was untouchable, since I’m not an NPC like you... or could it be? You’re also a _______?"

"I’m a what?" The word makes me flinch. What in the world is a ______? I glance down—only to see the system itself blotting out my words. My stomach twists. What’s going on?

[Error. Confidential information. You are not allowed to learn this.]

My face contorts in annoyance, but when I lift my gaze, Anna’s expression isn’t smug. It’s shock.

"Seriously... what are you? I’m not even allowed to speak of this with you. The goddess herself gave me a warning..." Her voice lowers, eyes narrowing in a way I can’t decipher. "Quill... I’m more and more curious about you now."

Her gaze shifts. For the first time, I can’t read her thoughts at all. Nothing. No whispers, no stray feelings. Just a wall of silence.

[You have activated the third anomaly.]

The system flashes crimson, warning symbols cascading before my eyes.

[You are no longer able to read Anna’s thoughts. They are too dangerous for you.]

Great... just fucking great. This whole life is great. Why are there so many rules shackled on me? Am I not the damn author of this novel? Shouldn’t I be allowed to do as I please?!

Yet no matter how loud my rage burns inside, it’s ignored. I’m nothing but a puppet for some higher force pulling the strings.

No. I refuse. I won’t remain a puppet forever. I’ll find a way to break this curse. I’ll make sure no one can silence my author powers, and one day, this story will belong to me—and me alone.

"You seem deep in thought. Are you alright, my lover?" That teasing tone cuts into my anger like nails on glass.

"I said drop the act." My patience snaps, the words sharp.

"Who said I’m acting? Maybe..." She rises from the bed, moving slowly toward me, hips swaying from side to side in deliberate rhythm. "Maybe I’m actually falling for you. After all..." Her smile tilts as she closes the distance. "I’ve never met such a funny man in my life. You’re not boring like those other losers who only thirst after me."

I stare at her, baffled. What the hell is she even saying?

"As if." She reaches her hand toward me, but I slap it away. "I’ll let you into my party. You can mess with me, do whatever you want, but you follow my orders. I’m the leader. And that look on your face just now... it tells me you’re not allowed to speak about my matters anymore, am I right?"

Her eyes narrow. Bullseye.

"How do you know I won’t turn on you?" Her voice dips lower, daring. "I could tell everyone you have the power of creation. With that quill of yours, you could probably shape a mountain in seconds. So why are you holding back? You’re such a mystery to me. If you wanted, you could’ve killed Glorius. That arrogant bastard... he’s not worth half of what he has."

Her words almost make me laugh, and I can’t help smiling.

"At least we share something in common. We both hate the same man. So how about this—while I’m not allowed to kill him, I can give you one hell of a show." I extend my hand, meeting her sharp gaze. Finally, something that might tame this wild creature. "Let’s be partners in crime."