Chapter 212: System Failure

Althea came in at full speed, her tiny legs churning with a determination that suggested she had escaped whoever had been watching her through sheer force of will. Her pink ears were flat against her skull, and her face was scrunched up.

Nadia rushed in after her sister, and the two climbed onto their mother’s chest, crying.

Tera wrapped her good arm around both cubs, pulling them close, and the guilt that had been sitting in her chest swelled until it pressed against her ribs.

They looked so scared, and from the heavy look in their eyes, they had been crying for a long time.

And she had done this to them.

"I’m sorry," she said quietly. "I worried you all so much."

Everyone relaxed slightly, but her cubs were still clutching her chest, crying.

Tera pressed her face against her daughters’ heads and breathed them in.

Nadia nuzzled her face in Tera’s chest, smearing snot all over, but Tera barely even registered it.

Althea had clutched a fistful of Tera’s hair and refused to let go.

They had remained like that for several minutes, and eventually, the room cleared. The beasts drifted out, and her mates took her cubs away after they had fallen asleep from the nonstop crying.

Soon, she was alone.

Tera stared at the shelter ceiling. Her arm throbbed but her mind would not stop replaying the moment that tongue had wrapped around her hand.

She had almost died.

If she hadn’t made proper use of the portal at that point...

[(っ??? c)]

[This system owes Host an apology]

Tera’s jaw tightened.

’Yeah, right.’

[This system’s instructions during the encounter were contradictory and poorly timed]

[This system is deeply sorry]

Tera stared at the screen for a long moment.

’What right did you have to panic like that?’

The screen flickered.

’You were not the one in immediate danger.’

’So, what right did you have to panic so badly that your instructions nearly got me killed?’

The system was silent.

[This system acknowledges the criticism]

[I was merely afraid for Host—]

’Being afraid does not give you the right to make things worse. Oh my God!’

Tera shifted carefully, making sure she didn’t injure her arm.

’Do you not know what safety protocols are?!’

’In my old world, on construction sites where I worked, there were rules for emergencies.’

’Strict rules!’

’And the first rule, the absolute FIRST rule, is that you do not cause the person in danger to panic!’

’You give clear, calm, consistent instructions.’

’You do not scream contradictory orders at someone whose life depends on making the right decision in a fraction of a second!’

Tera nearly screamed.

’You told me to move back immediately. I moved back.’

’Then you screamed at me not to move quickly.’

[...]

’If you had said "move back slowly" from the start, just those three words, I would have done it!’

Tera groaned from the slight pain in her arm and shook her head, tired.

It wasn’t entirely the system’s fault since Tera had gone to that dangerous place by herself, but the system’s unclear instructions had made it react to her sudden movement.

’Damn it...’

The system’s screen was dim. The emoji had disappeared entirely.

[This system understands]

[(っ??? c)]

[Host is correct]

[In certain high-stress situations, clarity is more important than speed]

[This system failed to provide that]

’At this point, if I die. At least let it be quick.’

The screen brightened in alarm.

[HOST—]

’If it is going to happen, and I am not going to survive it thanks to something outside my fucking control.’

’Meaning, a fault of yours. Do not let me suffer.’

’It should be fast, like the way it was in my past life.’

[Please do not say that!]

[(???)]

[Host—]

’Oh, stop it. I think I am going to meet my early grave with you involved.’

[(?•?︿•??)]

[Host is being too harsh]

[This system does not want Host to die]

[Please, I will do better!]

[(っ??? c)]

Tera didn’t respond. A wave of sadness washed over her at her own words. Dying would mean leaving her cubs, mates and newfound life behind.

Tera sighed again.

Even if she didn’t put herself in certain situations. Her main goal granted by the system was a dangerous one. Corrupted monsters aside, injuries would happen on site if one wasn’t so careful.

Especially now that the scope of her projects was getting bigger.

Her mind drifted back to the swamp.

The slime coating its tongue was one thing, and Tera did not know what it looked like, but she had a sinking feeling she knew what sort of beast it was.

It was likely going to be some sort of prehistoric mutated frog.

And a poisonous one at that.

She remembered seeing the blood on the ground and how it was eating away at the ground.

This was not something the beasts could kill.

She thought about what Xavi had told her months ago. How the beasts’ teeth hurt when they bit into corrupted flesh. But no one had said anything about a beast with blood that burned them.

Tera could not think of any way these beasts could kill the corrupted monster.

Her chest went cold when she came to the slow realisation that she was the only one who would be able to kill it.

None of the beasts could fight it in close range. What use were their claws and teeth when the blood would kill them before they even damaged it.

Tera’s chest tightened.

As much as she didn’t want to hurt her clan members, she needed to do this.

That moment flitted through her memory multiple times.

The teleportation portal could also work as a cutting tool.

And she could do it from a distance.

Tera sat up abruptly and stiffened, holding her bandaged arm with a sharp hiss.

The system’s screen flickered meekly.

[Host?!]

[Please, lie back—]

’I want to see the data you have on that beast. You have something like that, don’t you?’

[(? ó ? ò)]

[Yes]

’Show me.’