"Are you okay?" Shen Linger's soft voice came from his right, pulling Merlin out of his reverie.
He turned to see worry and anxiety etched on her stunningly beautiful and enchanting face.
"I'm fine, don't worry," Merlin replied with a calm tone.
As he attempted to sit up, a sharp pain shot through his body, forcing a hiss of discomfort from his lips.
Shen Linger's panic deepened as she quickly moved to support him.
"You lied to me," she protested with a frown of concern. "If your wound still hurts, just say it. Don't try to hide it."
Her voice carried both frustration and sadness, emotions she couldn't fully hide. It was only natural—Merlin's injury was her fault, and the guilt weighed heavily on her.
Though she barely knew him, his selflessness and bravery in saving her had stirred something deep within her heart.
Merlin let out a soft sigh, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "I apologize. My wound was severe, and I've endured the pain. I simply didn't want to worry you."
His pale, fragile face and weak tone carried a charm that could effortlessly touch any woman's heart, earning their trust without hesitation.
Unfortunately, it was all a facade. The scratches from the dog monster were painful, and Merlin truly endured the suffering from them.
However, the pain didn't prevent him from getting up or losing strength. He deliberately pretended to be weaker, aiming to make Shen Linger feel guilty and indebted to him.
By doing so, he could ensure that Shen Linger would stay by his side, gradually earning her complete trust.
Shen Linger bit her lower lip, her gaze filled with confusion as she looked at Merlin. She couldn't understand why he was so determined to sacrifice himself to save her.
In reality, they were all competitors. Her death would have been an advantage for Merlin and the other participants. Despite her innocence, Shen Linger understood the harsh truth.
Conflicted and filled with unrestrained curiosity, her body trembled slightly as she asked in a hoarse voice, "Why are you helping me? Please explain. We don't even know each other. You must know that if I died, your chances of entering the Altheran world would be much greater. So, what's your true reason for saving me?"
There was sadness, hope, and wariness in her tone, and Merlin could feel it clearly.
He wasn't surprised by the question.After all, it was illogical for anyone to do good for others in this test. All the participants were competitors, and deep down, everyone secretly wished for the others to fall first.
The silence of the participants in the safe zone as they watched Shen Ling'er nearly be killed by the dog monster was the clearest proof of that truth.
Yet Merlin remained calm and unbothered. To him, it was just a minor issue. Moreover, he had already prepared a convincing explanation for his actions.
Taking a deep breath, Merlin shook his head slightly and offered a faint smile.
"I know you're wary and suspicious of me," Merlin said softly, sighing. He lifted his gaze to the bright blue sky above and continued, "But the truth is, you don't need to feel that way. I helped you out of my own selfishness."
"Your selfishness?" Shen Ling'er was taken aback by his response.
Merlin nodded slowly, lowered his gaze, and looked at her with a soft expression.
"In my previous world, I had a little sister who resembled you a lot. It was just the two of us, as our parents died when I was ten," he said with a bitter smile. "We relied on each other to survive and were incredibly close. But I was chosen by the gods as a sacrifice, which forced me to leave her behind. When I saw you being chased by those monsters, I saw her in you. That's why I saved you. So, there's no need to be suspicious of me."
Merlin paused, sighing softly, then added with care, "However, you still have every right to be wary of me."
As he spoke, Shen Ling'er's heart skipped a beat, and her mouth parted slightly, unsure how to respond.
She had never expected that Merlin's actions were driven by love for his little sister. Now, she regretted having been suspicious of him.
Her body trembled slightly as she opened her mouth to speak, but just then, Merlin suddenly rose to his feet, staggering.
Shen Ling'er gasped in surprise and instinctively grabbed his right hand.
"D-Don't go! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to suspect you! I... I..." Shen Ling'er stammered, struggling to find the right words.
In her world, she was a neglected princess with no special talents. Hated and ostracized by everyone, including her father, her mother, and her two siblings, the painful experiences had left her with low self-esteem and a natural wariness toward others.
Though Merlin had acted out of genuine kindness, her deep-seated caution had unknowingly hurt him, and the guilt weighed heavily on her, making her want to cry.
Merlin's expression remained troubled, but inwardly, he couldn't help but smile sarcastically.
"An innocent woman like Shen Ling'er is so simple to deceive," Merlin muttered with a soft laugh.
Unlike Sherlin, who was cold and mature, Shen Ling'er had a more innocent and pure nature, as reflected in her status panel. This wasn't too surprising, given that she was only nineteen years old.
Merlin also suspected that Shen Ling'er might have been a princess of an ancient Chinese dynasty or kingdom, as suggested by her traditional and elegant style of dress.
Based on his understanding of the culture of China's past dynasties, Merlin knew that women from that era were often highly conservative, reserved, and innocent—traits that perfectly aligned with Shen Ling'er's character.
As such, he didn't need to exert much effort or create unnecessary drama to deceive her.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Merlin looked back and gave her a gentle smile.
"Alright, no need to panic. I understand what you mean," Merlin said affectionately as he softly patted her head.
Suddenly, his expression shifted slightly, as though he realized his mistake.
"That... I didn't mean to. I'm sorry," Merlin said, his voice laced with embarrassment as he quickly withdrew his hand. "In my previous world, I often patted my little sister's head, and I didn't expect that habit to carry over here. If you're uncomfortable, feel free to hit me or anything else in response to my impoliteness."
Shen Ling'er's face turned as red as a tomato. Embarrassed, she lowered her head and quickly shook it.
"I understand. You don't need to apologize," she replied nervously, then added in a soft voice, "In fact, your hand feels very comfortable, and I... really like it."
As she spoke, a faint blush appeared on her face, and she quickly covered it in embarrassment.
"W-What did I just say? Why am I so stupid?" Shen Ling'er panicked inwardly. "Is he going to think I'm a cheap woman? Ouch! I truly regret that!"
Her face grew even redder, all the way to the base of her ears, causing Merlin to smile playfully.
Seeing her emotions begin to unfold, Merlin realized that Shen Ling'er had been successfully won over.
However, just like seedlings that need nurturing and care to grow, human emotions also require time and attention.
To make Shen Ling'er fully loyal to him, Merlin knew he needed to cultivate and deepen those feelings. Of course, for someone like him—an experienced con artist—this was no challenge.
"By the way, we haven't properly introduced ourselves yet. May I know your name?" Merlin asked, feigning curiosity.
Shen Ling'er slowly regained her composure, though the redness on her beautiful face remained evident.
"My name is Shen Ling'er," she replied softly. "And yours?"
As sunlight gently bathed Merlin's back, he smiled warmly and replied, "My name is Merlin Crown. It's a pleasure to meet you, Shen Ling'er."