er full-length mirror, turni

nths ago on a rare whim, only to shove it into the dark back corner of her closet, terrified her mother would accuse her of tr

ating right beside her reflection. [Loo

her collar in th

'wow, System, you

rlett said dryly, grabbing her purse off the be

low is ver

escaping her lips as she stepped out

's corporate building, the atmosphere instantly shifte

k through the lobby wearing oversized sweaters, keeping her head down to avoid starting trouble

art was hammering against her ribs,

esk, and opened the first heavy filing drawer. As her finge

s, she thought

er phone out. "Give me a list of the absolute basi

. A neat checklist instantl

od (canned goods,

& broad-spect

r & purifica

actical gear

art buying all of this right now, right? I

imension is basically a giant black hole that freezes time! You can throw a

oney she had saved from her small stipend over the years. It was a decent amount.

itting on her desk. "You know... would it really be that bad if I took

ommitting corporate fraud now? Do you

e digital transfer portal on her computer. "I never got a promotion

r personal account,just enough to give her shopping powe

inding that quiet girl in the filing department. But as Scarlett stepped into the hallway, sh

mbled back,

became a terrifying metal-and-nature power-user who ended up shoot

t life, this girl had walked out the doors on this exact aftern

quickly, stepping into her pat

grip on the heavy box. "Are yo

h, b

you're here to tell me I can't leave until

ou, Miranda!" Scarlett forc

wo heads. "Is it? Is it really nice? Well,

edge of the cardboard box. "Pleas

ation, "is that I just quit my job! I can't work in this dump

ran

f anyone on this floor! I get passed over for every promotion! I get yelled at if a stapler goes missing! But he

total sincerity, "I don't enjoy anything around here. I ha

pletely caught off guard by

pressed on, lea

hard. Okay? How about... how ab

hter and I don't know what angle this is,"

eas

ren't eve

uldn't let her walk out t

dead in her trac

construct a semi-believable lie on the spot. "I need.

gaze skeptical. "Your priva

arlett lied smoothly, though her hands were sweating inside her po

wn. "And I'm supposed to believe that

ed someone who knows how to organize thi

e System giggled in her ear. [S

arlett thou

box. "How much were you planning

d her throat. "How much

ousand a

thousand," Scarlet

ousand. If I have to deal with whatever weird secr

usand a month?! I don't hav

iranda said, turning on her

five hundred!" Scarl

her head slightly. "Six

itted her t

aint, victorious smirk touching

ng at nine," Scarlett said quickly. "We

u actually have an apartment, I thought you

ve my own place!" Scarlett lied, puffing out her

cky note, handed it over, and walked o

lway, staring at the little yel

eyes we

whispered. "I don't

inside her mind. [You just hired an assistant for se

Scarlett hissed, rushing out to the e

the passenger seat, and gripped the steering wheel i

screen flared to life,

security apartm

of parents'

g apocalypse s

ressed sigh. "I can't live with my parents for another day anyway.

bright side!] the S

ers awaken during the outbreak, her plant and natu

it... nature control? I thought she crafte

eates vine armor and manipulates plants! Did y

n utter disbelief, her jaw dropping open as s