Quinn wanted to argue against what his friend said. He wanted to say that Peter didn’t deserve to be tortured like that, that he was a victim of the ability caste system, and he wanted to defend his actions to Fex.

However, Peter didn’t want to be defended. Even though Quinn was only gone for a short amount of time, it made him worried that Fex might’ve said something to his roommate during the time while he was away.

Quinn was going to protest against what Peter had said, but right as he was about to, he heard that disembodied voice again.

"If he doesn’t want to be helped, then you really can’t help him," the system AI said.

Quinn’s eyes widened, and he realized who it was that was speaking.

’Its you again! You’re that strange voice!’ Quinn thought.

"I’m more than just a strange voice, I’m an AI assistant meant to help provide useful information to the user of the system," the strange voice said with a tone of pridefulness.

Quinn realized that he wasn’t in a good position to talk with the system, so he left Peter’s side, and went outside the dorm. The system voice was right, if Peter didn’t want help, there wasn’t much more he could do. The only thing that Quinn had just hoped was that his roommate would keep on his promise to tell him if something was wrong.

Closing the door shut, Quinn was now right outside the dorm. The hallway lights had already turned off signifying it was getting late. Most people had already gone to sleep at this point, meaning he was alone now with the system.

’Who are you? Why are you here?’ Quinn asked to the system voice, ’And how can you read my mind?’

"Well it certainly appears that you didn’t see the same video your... system companion, saw," the system said, "But the short version of why I’m here is that your friend is showering right now, and didn’t want me to watch."

Quinn’s face turned red, ’I didn’t want Erin to know she’s showering! She’s not listening to us right now, is she?"

The system laughed at his embarrassment, "So long as I direct my words to you, then only you will hear."

He shook his head, "But I was able to hear you a bit earlier—? Damn, I’m getting distracted, I just wanted to know what you are.’

"Fine, fine. I could tell you to watch that video, but instead I’ll tell you what I am. The slightly longer version of it is that I am meant to aid the owner of the system learn more about the system, and answer any questions she may have."

’You were meant to answer our questions?" Quinn asked, annoyed, "Wait, if you were here the entire time, then why didn’t you help us sooner? We really could’ve used your help figuring this whole system thing out.’

"She only could’ve learned the ins and outs of being a vampire through trial and error," the system explained, "The mistakes you make along the way can only make you stronger."

"Although... There were certain things I could not help with," The system added, "The vampire system was not intended to be shared between two people. Somehow, you have features that she does not, such as the shop. To explain further about my conversation with Erin leaking onto you, that was simply because I was not accustomed to another user in the system. I did not expect you to be able to hear us."

This left Quinn with more questions than answers. So far, Quinn and Erin were sharing the system, and with the built in chat function, it seemed somewhat like it was meant to be shared. However, the strange voice did bring up things contrary to that belief. At least the system AI was doing its job and answering questions about itself.

’What do you mean by that?’ Quinn thought to the system.

"I could tell you, but I think it would be more interesting to watch you guys figure it out."

Suddenly, Quinn was feeling like Erin only lied about showering so that the system voice would leave her alone. Just when the voice was being useful, it stopped. Something about his annoyingly cheerful voice was getting to him.

’You’re really troublesome...’

—

Erin had finished her shower, and began explaining the general gist of what happened to her on the red portal planet to Layla. She was listening intently, taking everything in.

"So you have a new ability now?" Layla asked, looking at Erin expectantly, "And what was going on with that spider?"

Erin shrugged, "I saw it crawl onto the watch, but I didn’t see where it went."

There were other things on her mind. Why did Leo want to see her after class? Did he find out the truth about her ability number? Or did it have to do with the green portal expedition? Was it canceled?

"Anyways, is the expedition on?" Erin asked.

"Shouldn’t you be more worried about the spider than the expedition?" Layla replied, "Why would someone want to change your watch number?"

"I already thought about all of that, but what can I do about it? Sniff it down? hunt down spiders on the campus? Use my vampire influence power on everyone until I force someone to admit they did it?" Erin remarked before placing a hand on her chin, "Hmm... Actually, I’ll do that after the expedition."

"Seriously? Do you seriously care more about the portal outing than the spider?" Layla asked, perplexed.

"I can find the person behind the spider at any time, we can only go on this expedition once," Erin replied, then slammed a fist into the palm of her hand, "Besides, if this person behind the spider is an enemy and makes an attack on me, I’ll deal with them myself."

Layla stared at Erin, beyond confused about her priorities.

"After everything you’ve gone through, I thought you would’ve wanted a break from other planets," Layla pointed out, "I mean, why is the expedition more important than trying to find this ’Logan Green’ person?"

Erin had paused, and even though she had known on instinct why she wanted this, putting it into words was something she hadn’t done before.

"I..." Flashes of the past ran through her mind as a darkness clouded Erin’s eyes, "I... You know these expeditions are important. Everyone knows what’s going to happen in the future with the dalki, but I don’t have any backing. However, faction leaders will look at my score, and if I get a good grade then they’re more likely to take me in."

Perhaps in another universe where Erin hadn’t befriended people, she wouldn’t have had the practice or thought further about why she wanted this in the first place. Even now, articulating it all was difficult. She knew why this was important, but explaining it felt like she was making leaps in logic.

Layla, however, was surprised that Erin didn’t have any family backing or sponsorships. She thought that with her once having a level 5 ice ability, that it had to be the case. Sure, Erin could’ve lied, but she wasn’t the kind of person to do that kind of thing, and there was something genuine behind those dark eyes, something to do with loss.

They ended the conversation not long after, and got ready for bed. By now, the system voice had returned back to Erin, and she was fast asleep.

As Layla laid in bed, she was simmering on her strange feelings about Erin. At first, she thought that Erin was another snobby high level who didn’t care to remember the names of those weaker than her, but now she was starting to confide in her about her struggles.

Erin’s desire for power didn’t seem like it came from a superiority complex. It was a natural reaction to needing to survive the world the way it was now. Acquiring backing from a big family, faction, or company, was important in this day and age. It was the only way you could get protection, and avoid getting abused by others.

Layla understood, or at least thought she did. If it weren’t for her connections to Pure, she could see herself wanting to do the same thing.

Instead of wanting to help Erin because she’s a vampire, Layla decided to help her because she needed help like everyone else did in this new world. Humanity was built on community for a reason, even if those up top tried to convince them otherwise.

’Those eyes... they were haunted by something,’ Layla thought to herself, ’Erin... If you need me, I’ll be there for you.’