Chapter 34: The Restless Afternoon
"System," he muttered under his breath, breaking the silence.
"«[Yes?.]» her voice responded, calm and ever present.
"Got any battle strategies I could learn to better prepare for tomorrow." he asked, his frustration evident." We both know I’ve never been in a battle competition before..."
«[And yet, here you are.]» the system replied, not bothered by his complaints. «[You’ve survived worse so I’m definitely sure you’ll survive this too.]»
"That’s not exactly comforting....but fine." he grumbled, running a hand through his hair.
The system didn’t respond, leaving Lin Mu to stew in his thoughts. He glanced toward the tent’s entrance, where the shadows of the guards flickered in the sun’s radiant rays. No matter how much he wanted to escape, he knew it wasn’t an option, plus maybe the system was right. He really has been taking it to easy after getting the system.
For now, all he could do was wait and hope that tomorrow’s contest wouldn’t be his last.
Lin Mu lay on the rough bedding(mat) inside the tribal tent, staring at the crimson hue of the ceiling as the afternoon sunlight filtered through the fabric. Despite his attempts to calm his mind, restlessness gnawed at him.
His body felt heavy, yet his thoughts ran wild, an unrelenting cycle of doubts, plans, and frustration. The looming contest weighed on him, but so did the uneasy truce with the tribe, the complex dynamics with Lian and i, and his lack of freedom in this alien land.
After tossing and turning for what felt like hours, he sighed heavily and sat up. "This is pointless," he muttered, rubbing his temples.
«[Why is it that your still troubled.]»the system’s voice chid in, her tone oddly neutral for once.
"Can you really bla ." Lin Mu let out a sigh, his voice seemingly tired. " I’m trapped in a place where everyone either wants to kill , marry off, or test my limits for their amusent."
" I can’t sleep, I can’t think straight, and I can’t even train properly. What do you expect to feel?"
The system paused before responding. «[Restlessness is natural when the body and mind sense incoming danger.]»
«[ Perhaps action is the redy you seek.]»
Lin Mu blinked, the suggestion cutting through his frustration. "Action, huh?"
«[You can sit here and stew in your worries.]» she continued. «[or you can channel that energy into sothing productive.]»
«[ The choice is yours.]»
Lin Mu silently pondered on what she’d just said before he eventually stood up abruptly. "Fine. If I’m not going to get any rest, I might as well do sothing useful."
With a listless countenance, he pushed aside the tent flap and stepped into the open air. The sun hung low in the sky, painting the blood-red sands with hues of orange and gold. The tribesn stationed around his tent straightened imdiately, their eyes wary as they watched his every move.
Ignoring their stares, Lin Mu strode toward the largest structure in the settlent, the tribal head’s quarters.
Inside the tribal head’s quarters, the imposing figure of the leader sat cross-legged, nothing by his side besides a steel sword and the gourd of alcohol beside him. The mont Lin Mu entered, the guards outside tensed, but the tribal head raised a hand to calm them.
"You wish to speak?" the tribal head asked, his deep voice resonating in the confined space.
Lin Mu nodded, steeling himself. "I want to leave the tribe’s grounds to train."
The tribal head raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "To train?, Do you not understand the dangers that lie beyond our borders?"
"I understand," Lin Mu replied, "but I can’t afford to stay idle. The contest tomorrow could cost my life if I’m not prepared. I need to get stronger, and I can’t do that cooped up here."
" And if I may recall, I’m sure you’re well aware that there’s a high possiblity of that Viscous beast from earlier still hiding admist the dessert at my clans boarders." The tribal head studied him for a long mont, his piercing gaze seeming to dissect Lin Mu’s resolve. "In my eyes you’re either brave or foolish.... risking your life for nial gains, aren’t you afraid of death." he finally said.
" To avoid death wouldn’t I first need to overco my fate... besides , even a simple fly is still at no matter how you look at it....in the midst of battle, even the smallest increase in power can decide the final outco." Lin Mu admitted with a friendly smile.
"Hahahaha, Well said my boy!"
A slow smile spread across the tribal head’s face when he saw this, he let out a breath.
’ Yes!, I can’t believe he bought it! Thank you grandpa!’
«[Well it was my plan to begin with, I deduced that the chances of you winning his favor with so proverbial words judging by his personality and character, were well within reach.]»
’ hahaha I never should’ve doubted you.’ Lin Mu thought with glee when recalling how doubtful he was at first as to whether the tribal head would’ve actually been willing to let him leave so easily.
"Very well. You may leave to train, but you won’t go alone. I’ll assign a group of tribesn to accompany you. They’ll join the hunting party heading out this evening."
"..."
Lin Mu felt hesitant. He had hoped to train alone, away from the prying eyes and judgnts of the Serinerians. But he knew better than to push his luck on such an impossible demand.
"Thank you," he said, bowing his head slightly.
The tribal head nodded. "Be ready to leave within the hour."
As Lin Mu made his way back to his tent, a familiar pair of voices called out to him. He turned to see Lian and i approaching, their expressions a mixture of concern and urgency.
"You’re leaving?" Lian asked, her voice sharp.
"I got permission from your father," Lin Mu replied eve
nly.
"You shouldn’t go," i said softly, her usually quiet deanor edged with worry.
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