CHAPTER 45: WHAT A NIGHTMARE AND BLESSING I’M TRAPPED IN.

It would almost be ridiculous if my life weren’t the way it is right now. Actually... no, it’s still ridiculous. At least I can’t say I dislike it. For any farmer, the life of magic and adventure is the kind of dream they’d never even touch, and here I am—standing in a tavern I literally had to pay for repairs with money I printed out of thin air. Author powers, hehee. And now, in front of four people staring at me with expectant eyes, I’m somehow tasked with making a serious decision.

"So you’re telling me both Amara and Anna want to join? I mean... sure, why not... but my party’s not even complete yet. We’re missing a few members." I pause, thinking it over. "Actually, Anna could work as a healer, and Amara as a control expert..."

Yeah, that should work. And then I can also play control, secretly using my quill to launch devastating attacks. Perfect plan.

"Exactly. I will not leave your side, my love," Amara says with that sly, foxy smile. Right... guess it’s time I just accept that personal space doesn’t exist anymore.

"And what about you, Anna? Why do you want to join us?" I ask, genuinely curious. I mean, I’m grateful she saved my life after the fight with Glorius—aka, Loser—but it doesn’t make sense why she’d want to stick around.

"I simply admire you, Quill. I saw your battle. You beat him, didn’t you?"

The words hit like a bomb, so loud even Roxy and Powder gasp.

"He—our Quill—beat Glorius? But didn’t Glorius say he spared Quill’s life?" Both of them gape at me, scanning my still-weak body like it doesn’t add up.

"He was incredible," Anna insists. "Didn’t the two of you notice? Especially that secret weapon he’s hiding. Right, Mr. Quill?"

I freeze. Secret weapon? What secret weapon?! She doesn’t mean my quill... right? RIGHT?! My eyes dart over her every movement, but all I get back is that unsettling smile.

Before I can even lift my quill, a system screen flashes open in front of me. My heart nearly stops.

{I know your secret. Anna thinks as she studies Quill’s expression. Her heart races with thrill—she’s found the perfect plaything. Finally, her life feels meaningful. This man is the greatest entertainment she could ever stumble upon, and that quill in his hand... fascinating. She smiles wider. So he can control many things. A mage, perhaps? He even calmed those two women mid-fight, so some kind of brainwashing mixed with creation magic? Very interesting... but it doesn’t work on me, does it? That panicked face says everything. Is it because I’m not an NPC? Hahaha... this will be fun. Much better than following those idiots on their boring adventure.}

Her thoughts are laid bare before me. Main plotline...?No... this can’t be true. This is a disaster.

She knows. She knows!

And worse—I can’t even change her memories. My mind spins in panic. How did I miss her before? Was it because I was too exhausted, too beaten down? Damn it, this is bad. This is really bad. If I don’t let her join... she’ll turn into the biggest pain in my ass and probably run straight to Glorius.

AHHHHH! What do I do?!

I cough, clearing my throat, pretending I’m not panicking at all. Which is a lie. Shit...

"Right, so if everyone’s okay with this, I think we don’t need to explain how my fight went. It was a fluke, for your information. Anyway, let’s just head over to the Adventurer’s Guild and register this party officially." I say it with the straightest face I can manage and turn around—only to feel my hand caught in something soft. Softer than anything I’ve ever touched before. But also... completely unfamiliar. My eyes squeeze shut in disbelief.

Anna is standing there, both palms wrapped around my hand.

"Yes, Mr. Quill. But on the way, could you please tell everyone how exactly you beat Glorius? Please... pretty please?"

What is this?! What’s with those fake pleading eyes?! This has to be a joke. She’s messing with me. I glare at her, silently begging her to stop, but she only tilts her lips into a cheeky smile. This b—this asshole. How dare she?

"Not right now. Next time, alright?" I tug my hand free, only to realize again just how much strength she’s hiding. There’s no way she’s just a healer. No freaking way.

"I mean... if Quill doesn’t want to say it right now, we don’t need to listen, right?" Powder mutters, voice low, trying to patch the situation. His tone wavers though, thin as paper, like even he doesn’t believe what he’s saying. Typical Powder—always useless when I actually need him.

"What’s most important now..." Amara steps in, pulling my hand out of Anna’s grip. "Do not touch what belongs to me and Sister unless you’re ready to become a sister as well. If not, then know your boundaries."

Another system screen flashes before my eyes. Of course. Bastard system, doing this on purpose.

{Anna glances at Amara, then back at Quill. She can feel the two women’s eyes sharpening like blades around him. Tsk. This ruins my game... stupid NPCs. But fine, why not. I’ll play along. Her heart skips a beat as she studies Quill, and a crazy idea blooms in her mind.}

I stare at her, heart sinking straight to the bottom of a frozen lake. Please don’t do what I think you’re about to do. Please, no...

"Fine, then I also wish to marry Quill. If every woman in this party wants to sleep with him and be under his control, then who am I to be any different? Right?" She winks at me, and my heart nearly escapes my chest. No way. NO WAY IN HELL.

The silence that follows is sharp enough to pierce the air, like a needle falling on the marble floor.

"You—when did the two of you...?" Roxy’s gaze locks onto me, full of hurt. Why?! It’s not me, it’s her... AHHH! Big Boss, save me!

...

Nothing. Silence.

Great. Useless piece of junk. One day I’ll repay this "kindness" of yours tenfold. Just you wait.

"Then, if there are no objections..." Anna presses herself against me, leaning close, her voice dripping with sultry intent. "I claim this man for myself. I shall be the third wife, in respect to my sisters. Thank you for having me, Quill."

Dear readers. Today, I am officially killing myself. Thank you for reading this novel.

[Invalid request. The author must keep on living to write the book.]

...Right. Embrace it and keep going. What a nightmare and blessing I’m trapped in.