Chapter 34

When Idan opened his eyes, he felt confused. His head was buzzing so much that he couldn't think clearly. This condition was so excruciating that compared to it, a hangover seemed like an easy workout.

He did not know how long he had been lying in this state. Gradually, the pain began to ease, and he began to come to his senses, remembering who he was. After a while, he finally woke up and looked around.

He was in an unfamiliar room, lying on a bed. His body was stiff and it was difficult for him to move. He was wearing a simple thin white robe. He breathed a sigh of relief when he realized that he wasn't naked. He noticed his adventurer's clothes neatly folded on the chair next to the bed.

With difficulty, he raised his hand and began massaging his temples. While he was doing this, he had a strange feeling that he had forgotten something. Something very important. Or rather, someone.

Then he began to remember who he was. Images of his family surfaced in his memory: his mother, father and sister. Then he remembered the disaster their world had faced, the awakened and the heroes of the Federation. And finally, an image of a girl with long red hair and a System appeared in his mind.

It was only then that he realized Arabel wasn't with him. This discovery alarmed him. He struggled to his feet and tried to stand up. His legs wouldn't obey him, and his attempts to get up were unsuccessful.

After a while, he felt the tingling sensation returning to his legs. After a while, he managed to get to his feet and staggered towards the door. The door was unlocked, and he easily opened it, finding himself in a small hallway.

At that moment, he saw the door of the next room open, and a figure came out with a slight limp. After taking a closer look, Idan recognized Arabel in her and breathed a sigh of relief. She was wearing light white clothes that covered her entire body.

Arabel, coming out of her room and still adjusting to her body after a long sleep, also saw Idan and breathed a sigh of relief, making sure that he was okay.

At that moment, both were thinking about the same thing: after they woke up and remembered everything that had happened to them, and realizing each other's absence, the first thing they decided to do was make sure their partner was safe.

Although they were connected thanks to the System, the few days they spent in the forest trying to survive had already strengthened their bond a little. In this unfamiliar world, they were the only people close to each other.

"Oh! Look, what do we have here? It looks like someone is not fulfilling their duties," a playful female voice rang out from the far end of the corridor.

When Idan and Arabel heard the voice, they turned around and saw a smiling elf woman in front of them, who was watching them intently.

"Damn it! What's wrong with this elf? Why is she so beautiful, and why does she have such a curvy body?" thought Idan, unable to take his eyes off her.

At that moment, he forgot that he was connected to Arabel, and when she heard his thoughts, instead of getting angry, she completely agreed with him. Even she, being a woman, was fascinated by the elf's appearance and felt envious.

"Don't drop your jaw, boy," Milisa said to Idan, noticing his astonished look. She was already used to such displays and did not say anything.

"Ah, I'm sorry!" apologized Idan, looking away in embarrassment.

"It's okay, I'm already used to it. I see you've just woken up, so feel free to rest a little more. As soon as you're ready, come downstairs and join me, I'll cook you breakfast," with these words, Miliсa, without waiting for the couple's answer, went down to the first floor.

The couple watched her go in silence. When she disappeared from sight, they both looked at each other and, embarrassed, looked away.

Idan felt uneasy about being captivated by the beauty of another woman when Arabel was around. In turn, Arabel felt embarrassed that, being a woman, she was also impressed by the stranger's beauty. Luckily for her, Idan didn't notice her reaction.

"Are you all, right?" asked Idan, pulling himself together.

"My head is still buzzing, and I haven't fully adjusted to my body yet," Arabel replied.

Idan felt the same way.

"Let's go to my room, we have something to talk about," Idan suggested, inviting Arabel into his room. She followed him without hesitation.

When they got inside, Idan invited Arabel to sit on the bed, and he took off his adventurer's clothes from the chair and sat on it.

As the two sat down and looked at each other, Arabel realized that she was still wearing the ghost mask. She took it off and put it next to her. At that moment, her black hair changed to scarlet, became longer, and fell onto the bed.

Idan had not seen her real appearance for a long time, so he was mesmerized by her beauty and stared at her. Arabel noticed his gaze and was slightly embarrassed, but deep down she was happy to see him like this. However, she did not show him her joy.

Realizing that he was distracted by her beauty again, Idan closed his eyes and sighed, and then finally pulled himself together and said,

"System?"

— the familiar monotonous voice of the System was heard.

Upon hearing it, Idan and Arabel breathed a sigh of relief, making sure that the System had not abandoned them. But then, remembering what had happened, they began to get angry.

— System, do you even realize that you almost fried our brains? Idan asked indignantly. The echoes of that event hadn't passed yet, and there was still a buzz in their heads.

, the System replied succinctly.

When Idan heard this answer, he became even more angry. However, instead of yelling at the System, he began to calm down. He understood that it was pointless to argue with the System.

"System, can you explain what happened and why you didn't respond to our calls?" asked Arabel.

Yes, Host. Answering your question, the System made a mistake that was discovered by the consciousness of this independent world. The consciousness of this world was trying to invade the essence of the System and learn its secrets. With the current strength, the System couldn't withstand the invasion and suffered some damage. In order to protect the System, it was forcibly blocked, and all connections with the owners were lost. Everything happened in a matter of seconds, and the System didn't have time to warn the Hosts.

After listening to the explanation of the System, the couple fell into silence. They learned several important things from this conversation. First, the world has its own consciousness. Secondly, this consciousness is able to detect the presence of the System and influence it. This was not the most pleasant news.

The System's words seemed to calm the couple down. However, when they heard the next words, their mood soured again.

"Damn it!" said Idan and Arabel at the same time.