"Uh, judgement?" I squeaked, suddenly uncomfortable from more than the chair. "I don't recall requesting a judgement."

  The man turned his face to me, firelight flickering across his birthmark. His gray eyes glowed with an otherworldly light.

  "Words have consequences, [Adventurer]." His voice was lower, without a spark of his previous warmth. "You've claimed and I'm quoting you here: 'You [presumably the [System]] stick us into an unsought [Water] dungeon on the bottom of the sea, fill it with Legendary monsters, steal away our [Immortal], and then expect us to figure out this snail riddle? This stinks of a rigged dungeon and anti-slug bias!' Do you agree that these are your words?"

  Wow, I didn't know you had it in you.

  I nodded.

  "Very well. I have evaluated [Your Mom's Party] run through [Below, as Above] and have come to the following judgements: Against the accusation that the [System] stuck you in the dungeon, the [System] is innocent." The arbitrator looked at me, his eyes kind. "I'm going to let this accusation go, since you are a young [Adventurer] and although you possess the [Delver] skill you are limited in experience. Most dungeons will try to trick individuals into entering their depths, and the older and less satisfied the dungeon, the more likely this is to occur. The extreme behavior of the [Below, As Above] dungeon is within predefined parameters of dungeon behavior."

  "Against the accusation that the [System] made Legendary monsters appear unfairly, I have found the [System] innocent. If you recall, Cole, it was Richard who requested the dungeon difficulty to be increased to Legendary. This was done by the [System] per your owner's request. Because this was a request of Richard's, and not yours. And because I do not believe you or your party would have made such a ridiculous request. Richard being stripped of his role within the dungeon is punishment enough, as it resulted in material losses by [Your Mom's Party]."

  "Finally, against the accusation that the [System] has anti-slug bias, I find the [System] guilty."

  A ball of light, not unlike the SCMMOO popped into being.

  [This is an outrage. I'm found guilty? Guilty of what?]

  Anti-slug bias.

  Silence hung between the [Immortals]. I took a sip of tea.

  The blue ball of light spun in front of us silently.

  Richard slowly stretched and rolled.

  [Provide your evidence.]

  "We're going to do this, are we?" the librarian rumbled, as he leaned back in his oversized chair.

  This should be good. I've missed having Galgius take one of us to task.

  "The World Turtle was replaced by a World Snail. Every creature in the ocean had a +50 to its attraction to mollusks as a food source, to where the entire ecosystem started to collapse. You removed Richard from a dungeon in which he was appropriately helping his team. And finally, you put the exit portal on the cone snail's venomous harpoon knowing very well no one would survive."

  I was no longer drinking my tea. So that's what that tentacle from the sky was?

  [What is the fine for my oversteps?]

  I want to know why. I'm not saying we're going to save the world with [Your Mom's Party], but we both know they're a decent group. They have a chance of making a difference. Why are you sabotaging me like this?

  Richard had sat up, his tentacles pulled forward as he stared down the [System]. I got the impression that these two had held a grudge against each other for a long, long time. The fire gave a fake crackle as though it were real. I looked at Galgius. He took a sip of tea.

  "I find this very enjoyable." He winked at me. We both knew he wasn't talking about the tea. "I will issue the citation after you two discuss this sabotage."

  The [System] reversed its twirl as though to stare down Galgius. The construct sat in his chair primly, unaffected by the anger of the [System]. As though untouched by the will of our gods. I mimicked him, sitting back. The chair was growing on me. I took another sip of the tea, finally releasing the [Chill] of the dungeon.

  [I hate Richard.]

  Duh. We all knew that. Richard was unimpressed.

  Curling in on himself, he began grooming his belly.

  [I can't have you reassigned [Below, As Above]’s Faction Points. You’ve earned the right, but this [Ancient] dungeon is a primary source of my points.]

  The ball of light slowed its spinning as though admitting defeat. Richard stopped licking, tentacles curiously examining the ball of magic.

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  And why is that? Richard's words were measured, as if approaching a stray cat with a bit of food. Move too fast, and the reveal would vanish.

  The floating ball crackled. I idly wondered if the [System] would zap me if I touched it. Would it be the dull zap of the SCMMOO or would I be struck down by a god? There was no way I was going to reach out and try to tap the [System]. My hand shook with the urge as I gripped my tea.

  [We're failing Richard. The plan isn't working. I—] The [System] paused. For a ball of floating energy, its voice was capable of human emotion. [—I can't afford to lose the Faction Points associated with this dungeon. It's one of the oldest in the region.]

  Holy shit! The all-powerful [System] that ruled our very existence was admitting... what exactly? I had a million questions, but I felt like a kid watching the adults talk. I'd find out more if I just kept my mouth shut.

  Rhi needs the energy too. They've burrowed through. Richard's voice held a thread of triumph and steel resolve.

  [I know.] The [System] snapped. [But the Wall is failing. I'm losing Guardians every week.]

  How long do we have? Richard's voice was quiet. It held none of his earlier triumph.

  [A year, five. What does a matter?]

  What the hell were they talking about? We only have a year or five until [Corruption] comes over the wall? My tea forgotten, I was on the edge of my seat. No one knew. The Ursine Wall and the Guardians were a permanent barrier that repelled most of the [Corruption] from the cataclysm from destroying the known world. I mean, I knew Rhi was in trouble, intellectually. But there was no part of me that thought that we were truly in danger.

  If we were, the Adventurers Guild would do something. The elders of Woodsten. The more my mind traced through all the people that should or would do something, the less certain I was that they had the capability to do anything.

  I refocused on the two [Immortals] in front of me, realizing that the conversation had continued while I panicked.

  [—It's not my fault the rest of you abandoned me.]

  You monopolized the Faction Points by setting up the Adventurer's Guild. What choice did the rest of us have? We don't have any power. Why do you think the Everbear has started to deliver the next crop of [Heroes]?

  [It's too early. The cycle is broken. This could be the end of humanity.]

  I'm sure there's a little humanity left in Baquel, [Corruption] can't destroy everything that makes you human.

  The [System] sighed, as though this was one of many, many debates they'd had over the years.

  [A year or two. That's all I can promise. Potentially a lot less if I lose this source of Faction Points.]

  Richard had stopped grooming himself and looked up at the orb. His eyes squinted as though he was trying to find out how believable the [System] actually was.

  You've lied to us before.

  [I know.]

  This is Rhi we're talking about. Richard turned away from me and the [System], staring into the fire.

  [I know.] This second time the words were tinged with sadness.

  "So, for the ruling against the [System] for anti-slug bias, I am willing to hear recommendations on remuneration." Galgius put his own cup of tea down on a side table. The Librarian leaned forward towards Richard, neatly cutting me out of the conversation.

  "I want Leyla back. If we had had a fair run at the dungeon, she wouldn't have died." I cut in before anyone else could open their mouths.

  Galgius leaned back, his eyes finding mine. The construct raised his eyebrows, as if surprised I didn’t mind my elders.

  "I am sorry, young one. That is beyond even the power of the [System]. Your party member partially reanimated her after she died. Once a reanimation curse is placed upon a body, there is no hope for true revival. Even a [Resurrection] skill would fail if there was anyone with such a skill left in the world.”

  My heart turned over slowly in my chest. There was nothing we could do for her.

  We will relinquish our remuneration rights for the bias, grant the Faction Points to the [System]. I opened my mouth to protest. Richard was giving them everything. Shut up. His voice echoed in my mind, meant just for me.

  [That seems very generous of you. There's got to be a catch.]

  Richard's eyestalks left me. He slithered towards the [System] orb and paused. Silence stretched between the two as though a silent test of wills was taking place. Finally, a [sigh] could be heard as the [System's] orb floated down to be at eye level with Richard.

  I want the rewards from the dungeon to be in full, and to be based on the old method of choosing. What the hell did that mean?

  The swirling of the orb in front of Richard slowed, as though considering what the slug was proposing.

  [Do I have a choice?]

  No.

  [Very well. I agree to these terms.]

  Galgius clapped his hands.

  "Very good, I'm glad you boys finally came to an agreement. If we're done, we can return everyone to their respective tasks."

  [Actually,] the [System] spoke softly, almost inaudible. [could we just sit here a while longer? Have another cup of tea.]

  Richard looked up at the construct, his tentacles also hopeful.

  The big man leaned back, studying the two [Immortals].

  "You both know I'm just a construct of your Librarian Galgius. I'm not really him."

  The orb spun wordlessly. Richard bowed his head, with a note of deep sadness in the action.

  "Very well, another cup of tea won't hurt anyone. The world spins with or without us." The Librarian reached for a tea kettle that had magicked into being next to his cup. "Cole, I'm assuming you'd like a cup?"

  I nodded. Richard relaxed into the hearth again, his eyestalks focused on the movements of the big man. He looked like he was seeing a ghost, reveling in its presence.

  Watching Galgius pour another hot, strong cup of tea, I nursed it as long as possible. I wasn't exactly sure who this man was to these two [Immortals], but even the [Systems] orb seemed to pulse warmly. As though Galgius was a balm to long-scarred wounds.

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