Isabella folded her arms, tapping her perfectly looking fingers against her elbow as she narrowed her eyes at Cyrus. He was hesitating. Hesitating. And that just wouldn’t do.
She leaned in slightly, her soft pink lips curving into a too-sweet smile. "You’re taking too long to answer, darling," she cooed, her voice all sugar and silk. "I don’t love that."
Cyrus flinched, his pink eyes flickering with something unreadable. He wasn’t a bad liar—no, no, he was far too composed for that—but Isabella had been around enough powerful men to recognize when someone was holding back. And it bothered her.
She shifted her hold on Glimora, stroking the soft fur absentmindedly. The little creature had been enjoying the attention, purring contentedly, but at the mention of Duskspire, she suddenly opened her cute eyes.
And stared.
Not just any stare. No, no. This was the look of a highly judgmental baby who just realized the person in front of her was suspicious.
Isabella gasped dramatically. "Oh. My. Stars. Look at that, Cyrus. Even my baby doesn’t trust you. She can feel the bad vibes."
Cyrus blinked. "I—"
Glimora, who had been previously nuzzling into Isabella’s hand, pressed herself closer, shrinking back from Cyrus. The way she tucked her tiny snout in made it very clear: She did not approve of this man.
Isabella held her tighter, nodding in agreement. "I know, baby. I know." She turned back to Cyrus, lifting her chin. "So, are you going to explain why my precious, sweet, innocent angel is suddenly terrified of you?"
Cyrus sighed, looking down as if trying to choose his words carefully. "I..."
And that’s when Isabella decided, Okay, no, we’re not doing this.
She tilted her head and called through her mind:
"Bubu, are you sure you want me to take him in? I really don’t want trouble. Your tasks are already enough for me, you know."
Silence.
Then, her system’s perky little voice chirped in her head.
"Oh, you can skip the task, of course—"
Isabella’s face immediately fell.
Oh no.
That tone. She knew that tone.
"...but you’ll deduct my points, won’t you?" she deadpanned.
"Mmm... times two," Bubu hummed.
Isabella closed her eyes briefly, inhaling sharply through her nose. "...Bubu."
"Oops, wait, did I say two? My mistake! I meant times three."
Isabella almost screamed.
She knew it. This stupid system always did this to her. It would dangle freedom right in front of her, only to snatch it away with ridiculous penalties.
She sighed dramatically, rubbing her temples. "Fine. Fine. I get it. You’re a scam. Whatever."
Bubu giggled. "Aww, you always say the sweetest things."
Isabella cut the connection immediately before she lost her mind.
When she turned back to Cyrus, she found him watching her cautiously. Good. He should be cautious. She was in a terrible mood now.
"Alright, let’s try this again." She put her hands on her hips. "What do they do in Duskspire?"
Cyrus hesitated. Again.
Isabella gave him a look.
He exhaled slowly. "They... capture mateless women."
Isabella’s brows shot up. "You already said that?"
"...And rare beasts. Like the one in your hands." He repeated as he was trying to avoid the main point.
Glimora stiffened again, she hated hearing those words. She did not like this strange man anymore.
And then—
The tiny creature burrowed into Isabella’s arms like a baby hiding from a villain.
She was so with him, was he planning on taking her from her owner?!
Isabella gasped dramatically. "Stop saying that look at what you’re doing!" She cradled Glimora closer, whispering, "It’s okay, baby, I really won’t let the big bad snake man hurt you." Then she glared at Cyrus. "Why are you like this?"
"I didn’t—" Cyrus sighed. "I haven’t done anything."
"Hm." Isabella gave him a long, suspicious look before waving a hand. "Alright, whatever soooo...What do you do to the women?"
Cyrus’s jaw tightened. "I don’t do anything."
Isabella tilted her head. "That’s funny, because you already said you capture them."
"...I did."
There it was again. That careful phrasing. The way he was trying to distance himself from whatever actually happened to them.
And Isabella noticed.
Her voice dropped, softer but sharper. "What happens after you capture them, Cyrus?"
Cyrus didn’t answer immediately. His fingers curled at his sides.
Then, finally—
"They use them as playthings."
The words were simple, but the weight behind them was disgusting.
Cyrus swallowed hard, his voice quieter now, as if saying it too loudly would make it worse. "...They rape them. Use them for breeding."
Her fingers tightened around Glimora.
"And the beasts?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.
A shiver crawled up her spine.
Her fingers tightened around Glimora.
"And the beasts?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"...They kill them. Extract their cores for bigger cities."
Glimora trembled in her arms.
Isabella took a slow, steady breath.
Alright. Okay. She could handle this.
"So..." She forced a smile. "And where do you fit into this?"
Cyrus looked away. "I ran away. I cut all ties with them."
"How convenient."
Cyrus flinched at the iciness in her tone.
Isabella studied him. She didn’t miss the way his fists clenched, or how his pink eyes burned—not with anger, but with something... heavier.
Guilt.
That was it. That was what sat so thickly on him.
It was written all over him.
He believed what he was saying.
But did that make it true?
She pursed her lips, stroking Glimora’s fur absently.
The system wanted her to take him in. But was it worth it?
Was three times the penalty really worth bringing in a man who once stole women and hunted rare beasts?
She exhaled slowly.
She really, really hated this stupid system.
But if she were being honest, it wasn’t really about the points. Sure, Bubu was an annoying little scammer, but every task she completed always had a purpose—one she didn’t always understand right away. Maybe this one had a reason too.
She just hoped she wouldn’t regret it.
[Congratulations on completing the task! +669 points]
Isabella blinked at the glowing notification, her face utterly blank.
"...Could you at least have waited until I actually told him he’d be staying with me?" she asked dryly, almost rolling her eyes.
"Oh, my bad," came Bubu’s unapologetic reply.
Isabella exhaled sharply before looking up at Cyrus. He was practically sweating at this point, his pink eyes darting between her and the ground like a man waiting for an execution order.
She took a slow, measured breath. Then, in a tone that left no room for argument, she said, "You better not bring me any trouble."
Her words were simple, but the warning in her voice was crystal clear.
Cyrus swallowed, then—after a brief pause—gave a small nod, his lips curving into the faintest, almost relieved smile.
[Congratulations on completing the task! +669 points]
The system’s voice rang out again.
Isabella’s eye twitched.
Yeah. No. This thing wasn’t a system. It was a demon.
She turned back to Cyrus, catching the way he hummed softly to himself while nodding, as if processing everything that had just happened.
Isabella sighed. She had a feeling her life was about to get a lot more complicated.