The space would automatically repair its bound host's body. After An Jin stayed inside for a while, she was completely restored.
The flow of time within the space could be freely adjusted as needed. The initial setting was 1:1, so while An Jin spent the better part of a day inside, the outside world had just passed through the night.
At dawn, all of creation stirred. The first light of day surged forth as hazy rays pierced through the clouds, bringing with them the chorus of birdsong that heralded the earth's awakening.
The beasts that lurked in the darkness had all returned to their own caves to rest and recuperate, awaiting the next night's hunt.
Ling Hong's house was at the edge of the tribe, visible as soon as one entered. This solitary wolf was normally cold and aloof, disliking socializing with others. He had found a remote spot to build his den, which was very convenient for the directionally-challenged An Jin.
CLICK.
The simple wooden door was pushed open, and a small figure appeared, silhouetted against the light. Before the person even entered, a faint, small voice could be heard.
"I'm sorry, Ling Hong. The herbs you needed... I accidentally lost them on the way..."
"Who ambushed you?"
"Ah."
"Who ambushed you?"
An Jin was startled and froze. Stunned, she looked up. 'How does he know?!'
The man was lying on a haystack. The moment he heard the door, he quickly looked up. His handsome eyes swept over her neck and wrists, then slid down to her lower back...
There were obvious red marks on them.
The female's hair, still half-wet, was draped over her thin shoulders. Her animal-hide skirt was also damp, clearly having been soaked in water.
She hadn't returned all night, and he had tossed and turned, wondering if the female had met with some misfortune.
"Who did this?"
Ling Hong suppressed the strange stirring in his heart. His eyes darkened, a cold, sharp glint flashing in their depths. His deep, husky voice held a hint of danger.
"A male Beastman, from our tribe. But I don't know who he is." Since he had already found out, there was no need for her to hide it.
Initially, she had only wanted to hide it to avoid trouble. After all, she understood their relationship was shallow, and she didn't expect Ling Hong to stand up for her.
But since he had asked, there was no longer any need to be secretive.
An Jin took two steps forward and knelt, unwrapping the animal-hide bandage on his wrist to check if the wound was inflamed.
Her fingers moved nimbly over the bandage. Ling Hong lowered his gaze to watch her. From this angle, the red mark on her neck was conspicuous and jarring. "Have you seen that person before?"
An Jin paused for a moment, then nodded. "Last time, when I went to the Clan Leader's place... it was the Beastman next to the Clan Leader. I... I don't know why he would do that to me..."
"He snatched the herbs from my hands and pushed me into the water."
An Jin was a superb actress. As she spoke, her eyes reddened. She truly felt wronged, and the couple of tears she managed to squeeze out were completely genuine.
In truth, she had a pretty good idea why that Beastman wanted to harm her—it was because of Ling Hong.
Sure enough, the moment she finished speaking, she could clearly feel the man's body stiffen. Immediately after, an intense wave of killing intent erupted from Ling Hong.
Though it was fleeting, it was chilling and terrifying, enough to make one's blood run cold.
"...Sorry."
After a moment of silence, she never would have imagined that the first word Ling Hong said would be that one.
An Jin blinked, feeling rather flattered.
"Sorry. It's my fault. If you hadn't been helping me, you wouldn't have gotten hurt."
It was the first time in his life he had ever said that word. It felt stilted and awkward, but the man's voice was firm and resolute, carrying the sharp, intimidating aura of a soldier.
The little female kept her head down, not saying a word, as she diligently continued to bandage his wound.
After a long while, she finally said, "It's alright, Sir Ling Hong."
"You saved my life. I'm just repaying the favor. Besides, you're the tribe's number one warrior. You absolutely cannot afford to be injured. I'm doing this for the sake of the tribe, too."
'Following the script to a T was what she did best.'
She kept her head down as she spoke, not noticing how Ling Hong's gaze had grown deep and complex. Suddenly, she felt a warm touch on her neck, and the little female jerked her head up.
Like a startled rabbit, she stared with wide, bright eyes, only to see him calmly withdraw his hand in the next instant. "Does it hurt?"
A flicker of concern crossed his handsome, resolute face. "Did it hurt a lot when I just touched you?"
...?!
Her reaction had been so extreme that he thought she was in pain, but in reality, An Jin was just badly startled.
She had disliked being touched by others since she was a child, let alone having a grown man be so forward with her. Ling Hong, however, didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with it.
Primitive societies were generally open and passionate. Before becoming mates, there was little awareness of the need for propriety between the sexes.
He saw her wide eyes radiating intense anger and resistance.
As Ling Hong watched her, he suddenly gave a light cough and quickly turned his head away, suppressing a smile. To cover it up, his expression tightened even further, as if someone owed him a fortune.
An Jin thought she had made him angry.
But in the next second...
[DING—Ling Hong's favorability +5. Current favorability: +5]
An Jin: "..."