CHAPTER 446: CHAPTER 446: OH MY GOD, DID YOU JUST ROAST ME?

Isabella stared at the floating cube for a moment, lips parted like she wanted to throw another sarcastic comeback—but nothing came out. Her throat tightened instead.

Glimora let out a sleepy chirp and snuggled closer to her stomach, her soft fur tickling Isabella’s fingers as if sensing the sudden dip in her mood.

The silence between her and Bubu stretched, filled only by the faint hum of the glowing moss and the gentle drip of water hitting the pond’s surface.

Finally, she sighed. "Hey... Bubu?"

"Yes, Host?"

Her voice caught on the word. "You know that thing I said... before?"

"Specify," Bubu said, because of course it did.

Isabella frowned, rubbing her temple. "You know, the thing. The yelling. The part where I called you a demonic blue cube with no emotions and then, uh—kind of blamed you for, um..." She gestured vaguely at her stomach. "—you know. This."

"You mean your pregnancy."

"Oh my god, can you not say it out loud like that?" she hissed, cheeks warming. "Yes, that!"

"I do not understand why stating a fact causes embarrassment."

"Because it’s weird, Bubu! I’m sitting here in a glowing murder cave talking about my unborn child with a sentient cube. How is that not weird?"

Bubu’s light flickered softly. "That is a fair point."

Isabella blinked, surprised. "Wait, did you just... agree with me?"

"Momentarily."

"Oh wow," she said dryly, brushing her hair back. "Mark the date. The system agrees with me once in a lifetime."

Bubu’s glow dimmed faintly, and it hovered closer until it was right beside her shoulder. "Was that your version of an apology?"

"What? No! I—well—maybe?" Isabella blurted, her eyes darting away. She pulled Glimora closer to her chest as if using her as a shield. "I mean, fine, okay, yes. Maybe it was. A little one. But don’t get cocky."

Bubu’s tone carried a hint of amusement. "You could simply say ’I am sorry.’"

She crossed her arms, glaring stubbornly at the pond instead of the cube. "I am sorry you’re so annoying sometimes."

"That was not an apology."

"It counts!"

"It does not."

Glimora squeaked softly, pawing at Isabella’s chin, as if even the tiny creature could sense her obvious avoidance. Isabella sighed, shoulders sagging. "Okay, fine. I... might have been a little unfair. Just a little, though!" She turned, jabbing a finger at the cube. "Don’t you dare look smug. I just—I don’t know, Bubu. Everything’s been so... insane."

The system said nothing, so she kept going, words tumbling out like she’d been holding them in.

"One minute I’m crying over a mark I didn’t want. The next, I’m pregnant with a man’s baby who I swore I never wanted to see again. Then I’m climbing some cursed mountain, almost getting eaten by goat demons, and now I’m... babysitting a dying phoenix in a glowworm cave. So yeah, maybe I yelled at you. Maybe I was mad. But I wasn’t really mad at you. I was just..." She gestured vaguely again, trying to find the right word. "Mad at everything. Mad at the world. Mad at me."

Her voice softened. "You didn’t deserve that."

Bubu’s light pulsed softly, like a heartbeat. "Host, I am a system. I do not take offense."

"That’s not the point," Isabella said quietly, her voice almost drowned out by the waterfall. "You’re... you’ve been here since I woke up in this world. You’ve kept me alive. I know I act like you’re the villain half the time, but..." She hesitated, then laughed weakly. "You’re kind of the only constant I’ve had."

Bubu didn’t respond right away. The faint hum from its circuitry filled the silence. Then, slowly, it said, "Host, your emotional awareness is improving."

"Oh my god." Isabella let out a groan, covering her face. "You couldn’t just say ’you’re welcome,’ could you?"

"That would not be accurate."

"Of course not."

She looked up again, glaring half-heartedly. "You’re supposed to say something like, ’It’s okay, Isabella, I understand your emotional trauma,’ not—’your emotional awareness is improving.’ That’s just..." She waved both hands in frustration. "Robotic."

"I am a system," Bubu reminded gently.

"Yeah, well, start glitching more human," she muttered under her breath.

There was a small pause—then, surprisingly, Bubu said, "For what it’s worth, Isabella... I do not dislike our partnership."

Isabella froze. "...Did you just—wait, are you being sweet right now?"

"Observation. Not sentiment."

"Oh no, no, no, you’re not getting out of this one," she teased, leaning forward, eyes narrowing. "That was affection, wasn’t it? That was emotional growth! My baby’s learning feelings!"

"Incorrect."

"You’re blushing!"

"I do not have blood."

"Don’t lie, you’re glowing brighter!"

"That is due to mana interference."

"Ha!" Isabella grinned triumphantly, leaning back on her elbows. "I knew it. Admit it, Bubu, you care about me."

"Of course I do," Bubu said simply.

Her laughter froze halfway through her throat. She turned, blinking, not expecting the directness. "Wait, what?"

"I am bound to you. My existence is tethered to your survival. I care about your wellbeing because it is literally my purpose."

"Wow," she muttered, smiling faintly. "You really had to ruin a good moment, huh?"

"You would not recognize sincerity if it appeared in a glowing notification box," Bubu said.

She snorted, clutching her stomach. "Oh my god, did you just roast me? Bubu!"

"I was clarifying information."

"That’s exactly what a roaster would say!"

Glimora squeaked happily, clearly enjoying the banter. She hopped up onto Isabella’s shoulder and nuzzled her cheek, as if giggling along with them. Isabella smiled, scratching under her tiny chin.

"Fine," she said softly. "Truce?"

Bubu hummed. "Truce."

She smiled again, small but real, her anger slipping away like mist.

The waterfall’s rhythm became background music—steady, calming. Glowing insects drifted lazily above the pond, casting soft moving light across Isabella’s face. Her expression softened as she watched the unconscious phoenix man floating peacefully, the glow of his body dim but steady.

For the first time since she had arrived on this mountain, her chest didn’t feel heavy. No anger. No guilt. Just... quiet.

The silence stretched again, softer this time. Isabella’s shoulders relaxed; the constant hum of tension that had followed her since she arrived on this cursed mountain faded for the briefest moment. Maybe it was the glow of the water. Maybe it was exhaustion. Or maybe—for once—she didn’t feel like running.

Her eyelids drooped slightly.

Then—

A sound.

Soft. Faint. Like something small brushing against stone.

Her body tensed instantly.

She shot upright, eyes wide, scanning the darkness. "What was that?"

Bubu’s light brightened. "Unknown."

"Unknown? You’re supposed to be my system, not my disappointment."

Another sound. Closer this time—a gentle rustle, followed by a high-pitched trill.

Isabella’s heart jumped into her throat. She grabbed her fan from her space instantly. The silk shimmered into her hand, glowing faint pink, edges faintly humming. "I swear to god, if it’s another creepy goat, I’m setting this entire cave on fire."

Glimora perked up, ears twitching, tiny body trembling slightly.

The sound came again—then, from behind a cluster of luminous moss near the corner, something moved.

Isabella froze, eyes narrowing.

Then, slowly...

A small creature peeked out.

It had fur like liquid gold and eyes that reflected the pond’s blue light. Its little nose twitched as it looked at her, curious and unafraid. Its body shimmered faintly, and as it stepped out, its paws left tiny glowing prints on the stone.

Isabella blinked. "What the..."

"Mrrrp..." Glimora whispered, staring in awe.

The tiny creature tilted its head. Its ears flicked. And then—behind it—more little glows flickered to life in the darkness.

More of them.

Dozens.