As Lucian stood in tense silence, weighing his options against Selinthra's manipulative threat, miles away, Aeliana found herself face-to-face with the ever-intrusive System.
It chimed in her head, its usual monotone voice devoid of empathy.
[Do you wish to restart or save progress from this point?]
Aeliana froze, her spoon halfway to her mouth as she sat in the quiet kitchen, still nursing her hangover. Her headache pulsed anew, not from the alcohol this time, but from frustration.
"Save progress? Now you're telling me to save progress?" she snapped aloud, drawing startled looks from the cook and a passing maid.
[Affirmative. Saving progress ensures that any undesired outcomes can—]
