Absolute VOID
Chapter 48 Tangled Bonds of the Void.

Chapter 48: Chapter 48 Tangled Bonds of the Void.

Chapter 48: Tangled Bonds in the Void.

The familiar chime of the system’s interface hummed in his mind, like a cool, mechanical presence that grounded him amidst the chaos of his emotions.

«[Atta boy, I was wondering when you’d finally get up!]» the system spoke up, its tone carrying a faint trace of smugness.

«[You surely don’t waste time in asking questions...]»

«[Before I answer, let me first congratulate you on successfully unlocking forty percent of my functions!]»

«[Didn’t think you’d reach this level of progress so soon]»

«[Your speed is commendable. As for your current situation, you have been unconscious for nearly nine days.]»

«[ Had you been forcibly returned to your original world in such a state, it would have caused significant alarm amongst the Serinerian tribe, who have been vigilantly watching over you ever since you returned to the tribe in a mess.]»

«[You should’ve seen how worried those people were, they actually thought you weren’t going to make it]»

Lin Mu blinked, his brows furrowing as he processed the information.

"Nine days?" He glanced down at himself, noting the smooth, unmarred expanse of his bare chest. Not a single scar or bruise marred his skin, despite the hazy recollection of a battle that had pushed him to the brink of death. "No wounds... not even a single scar?" he murmured to himself, his fingers brushing lightly over his ribcage as if to confirm the absence of injury. "How...?"

«[Your survival is owed to your body’s regenerative factor]» the system explained, its voice as matter-of-fact as ever.

The instant he activated the system, he also gained a few things as well, his Void state for one.

«[It counteracted the damage sustained during your reckless endeavor. A narrow escape indeed.]»

«[Normally I’d warn you to exercise greater caution in the future but... With this speed of progress, I’d say keep doing what your doing!]»

«[At this rate it won’t be long before all my functions are unlocked]»

Lin Mu felt a bitter taste in his mouth seeing the system so happy and jolly at his own expense.

Before Lin Mu could respond, a soft rustle broke his thoughts. Lian and Mei stirred, their long tails flicking lazily as they blinked awake, their slitted eyes catching the light like polished gemstones.

" Huh? Your awake?" They said simultaneously. For a moment, they seemed as startled as he was, their gazes locking onto his now-conscious form.

" Wait?!"

" Your awake?!"

" When?!"

" How?!"

In an instant, their expressions shifted from surprise to unbridled joy. With a synchronized cry of delight, they pounced, their lithe bodies colliding with his in a whirlwind of warmth and soft fur. Lin Mu grunted as their combined weight pushed him back onto the mat, their arms wrapping around him in a fierce, unyielding embrace.

"H-hey! Wait a minute!" he stammered, his face burning as their closeness overwhelmed his senses..the faint scent of wildflowers clinging to their skin, the gentle press of their claws against his shoulders. "What are you—?"

"You idiot!" Mei’s voice was sharp, her azure skin flushed with emotion as she glared down at him with moistened eyes, her fangs glinting in the dim light. "Why did you have to go and do something so reckless? The others told us everything!"

" Why would you go and risk your life like that as if you had a death wish! Did you really disregard our warnings? We told you we’d find a way to fix our mistakes, didn’t we?"

Lian, her violet skin glowing faintly in the morning light, leaned in closer, her eyes narrowed with a mix of exasperation and relief. "And you nearly got Autumn Wind killed!" she added, her voice softer but no less intense. Her lion-like tail lashed behind her, betraying her agitation. "My sister’s mount, You idiot! Do you know how much she loves that creature? You scared us half to death!"

Before he could respond, the twins descended into a flurry of gentle swats, their clawed hands tapping against his chest and shoulders like playful kittens. Even though they were upset, it was obvious they weren’t emotional to the point of actually hurting him when he’d just recovered.

"Stupid!" Mei huffed, her strikes light but insistent. "Reckless, thoughtless, boneheaded—"

"Alright, alright!" Lin Mu raised his hands in surrender, wincing under their onslaught. "I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to worry you both. I just... I wasn’t thinking straight." His voice softened, and he reached out, hesitantly placing a hand on each of their shoulders.

Seeing them so worried, even if they tried hiding it, made his heart feel worm, their actions reminding him of his cherished moments with his late grandfather.

"I’m really sorry. I promise I’ll try my best not to let it happen again."

The twins paused, their expressions softening as they exchanged a glance. Mei’s ears twitched, and she let out a small, reluctant sigh, while Lian’s tail curled around her leg, a sign of her calming emotions. "You’d better be sorry," Mei muttered, though the edge in her voice had dulled. "We’ve been waiting here for days, hoping you didn’t end up dead."

" You owe us a lot you know!"

Lin Mu’s heart twinged at her words, a warmth spreading through him at the thought of their vigil. But then a thought struck him, and he frowned, his gaze flickering between them. "I... I really appreciate you staying with me," he said carefully, choosing his words with the precision of someone navigating a minefield.

"But, won’t this look bad? I mean, to your fiancés? I’ve been out for days, so I must’ve been disqualified from the tribe’s battle for your hands, right? Someone else must’ve won by now."

’ And since that’s the case... I better stall them till the dimensional time limit is over. To think I’d be facing another deathly encounter just after waking up.’ Lin Mu grimaced inwardly.

Lian’s lips curled into a scoff, her eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and disbelief. "Oh, you really are an idiot," she said, her voice dripping with mock exasperation. She leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest, her tail flicking playfully. "Lang Shen fought in your place, Honestly I still don’t know why."