"What… what was that?" Liria whispered, her voice trembling as she clutched the blanket like it was her only lifeline.
The system hesitated a pause that felt far too long for something that was supposed to have all the answers. Finally, it spoke, its tone unusually serious.
[...I don't know.]
Liria's stomach dropped. "You're supposed to be my guide, my all-knowing, snarky sidekick! How do you not know?"
[First of all, I'm more than just a sidekick, thank you very much. Secondly, I am checking, but this is… unusual. Whatever it is, it didn't come from you.]
"Didn't come from me? It sure as hell sounded like my brain going rogue," Liria snapped, trying to mask her growing panic with irritation.
[Relax. Panicking won't help—]
"I'm not panicking!"
[Oh, really? Because your heart rate says otherwise, and I know you're gripping that blanket like it owes you money.]
