MTLNOVEL Chapter 5: 5: Awakening
As Anos stirred from his slumber, a strange sensation washed over him—a profound vitality, as though the exhaustion that had once consumed him had been nothing more than a fleeting dream.
His body felt restored, invigorated, yet his mind sharpened with a singular thought—Iris.
His ruby eyes snapped open.
His gaze flickered across the room in search of her, a subtle tension coiling within him until it melted into a quiet sigh of relief.
There she was.
Nestled beside him, her bare form partially hidden beneath the silken sheets, her chest rising and falling in peaceful rhythm.
If he thought she was breathtaking before, it was nothing compared to the sight before him now.
Soft, serene, utterly vulnerable.
The sight stirred something within him, a feeling both possessive and oddly tender.
But before he could reach out to her—
[Morning, Master…]
A voice. Ethereal, mechanical yet strangely emotive, echoed in his mind.
Anos stiffened.
Before he could react, a translucent blue holographic screen flickered into existence before his eyes.
The words on it sent a ripple of confusion through him.
[Master, I've long awaited your return… 😭]
The message was accompanied by a crying emoji, an odd contrast to the usually rigid, emotionless interfaces of such systems.
As Anos processed the unfamiliar voice and the holographic screen before him, his mind sharpened, instincts remaining poised.
He knew power when he felt it, and this was something deeply intertwined with his existence.
Anos's expression remained unreadable, but his voice, despite his lack of immediate alarm, carried its usual commanding presence.
"Who are you?"
The ethereal voice responded almost eagerly, carrying an undercurrent of devotion.
[Master, I am the awakened system within Iris, now bound to you. Upon fully conquering her, you unknowingly unlocked me—'Overpowered Dual Cultivator.']
A faint smirk tugged at Anos's lips.
"Overpowered Dual Cultivator…?" he murmured, intrigued by the name alone.
The system continued.
[Just as it suggests, my purpose is singular—to elevate you into the pinnacle of Dual Cultivation, an Emperor whose mere existence surpasses all others in this path.]
A path tailored specifically to him? Interesting.
He cast one last glance at Iris. She still slept peacefully, her body faintly glowing with residual energy from their night together. As much as he enjoyed her presence, he had no intention of disturbing her rest.
Silently, he stood from the bed.
The cool air brushed against his bare skin as he conjured his defensive obsidian skin with a flick of his fingers. He strode toward the doorway, stepping into the dimly lit hallway.
A long, grand corridor stretched before him, adorned with obsidian pillars and intricate demonic carvings. The architecture resonated with power, a forgotten legacy now about to be reclaimed by its rightful king.
[Do you have questions, Master?]
The system's voice chimed once more, drawing his attention back. As he leisurely explored the halls, memorizing his surroundings, he decided to test its capabilities.
First Question—"How exactly will you help me?"
The system responded promptly.
[I am your guide. I will provide you with lust-related missions, each designed to enhance your cultivation. Completing these missions will grant you powerful rewards—skills tailored for Dual Cultivation, techniques that will make you unstoppable in your… journey of pleasure.]
The words carried a teasing weight, as though the system itself found amusement in his destined path.
A deep chuckle rumbled in Anos's chest.
"So, in short… I take women, I grow stronger. Is that it?"
[Precisely.]
Second Question—"Can I trust you?"
The system's response was instant.
[Yes. As you are Iris's Master, you are also my Master. Nothing can alter this bond, for we are fundamentally soulbound. Betrayal is impossible.]
That answer satisfied him. A soulbound system meant absolute loyalty—something no external force could corrupt.
Third Question—"If I am your master, what stops me from taking all the rewards without completing these so-called missions?"
A brief pause, then the system answered.
[Nothing. You have absolute authority over your rewards. However… power taken without preparation will weigh heavily upon your soul. If you absorb too much without a foundation, it could cause irreversible damage.]
Anos nodded thoughtfully. Greed without control led only to ruin. He would claim everything in time, but wisely.
Fourth Question—"Since you are the essence of Iris, does that mean my nine other deceased slaves also had systems?"
This time, the system hesitated.
Then, the reply came—somber, but firm.
[Yes, Master. Each of them had a system bound to them, just as I was bound to Iris.]
Anos stopped walking. His expression darkened.
His fists clenched at his sides as a familiar burning wrath simmered beneath his skin. Those who killed his people… stole from him.
And he would return the favor.
The system fell silent for a brief moment, as though computing an appropriate response.
Then, its voice chimed back, this time tinged with an unusual hint of surprise.
[Master… Your conclusion is understandable, but there is something you should know. Though your slaves were killed… they are not lost. They have reincarnated.]
Anos's ruby eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh?"
[Because of your soulbound connection, their souls never truly severed from you. No matter how many lifetimes they go through, they are fated to find their way back to you. It is inevitable. In due time, you will meet them again, and when you do… you may reclaim what was stolen.]
A smirk curled onto Anos's lips. His possessions were still his, even across lifetimes.
[And before you worry, Master…]
The system's tone grew assuring, almost amused.
[Though they have lived new lives, their hearts and bodies remain untouched. They will not feel true romantic affection for anyone but you. That is the nature of your bond. Even through reincarnation, their souls recognize only one master—you.]
That information pleased Anos. It would be irritating if his women had been tainted by lesser beings. But now, he knew they belonged to him just as they always had.
[Furthermore, they were exceptionally talented in their past lives, and reincarnation did not strip them of their gifts. They have undoubtedly risen to power in their new forms, most likely as rulers, warlords, or unparalleled cultivators.]
Anos chuckled darkly. "Powerful, thriving… and yet still mine."
The thought alone entertained him greatly. He had lost nothing—only gained the satisfaction of reclaiming what had been unjustly taken.
Yet, the system's explanation did not change one fundamental fact.
Anos's smirk widened, a dangerous glint flashing in his ruby eyes.
"You misunderstand something, system."
[Master?]
"My wrath, my thirst for revenge—it was never about reclaiming my people."His voice was calm, smooth, but the menace beneath it was undeniable. "Even if my slaves are alive and thriving, my revenge remains."
He exhaled slowly, as if savoring the mere idea of what was to come.
"How could I possibly pass up such a golden opportunity to refine my torturing techniques? To test them on intelligent, living beings? Their screams, their broken minds… such a reward far outweighs mere vengeance."
The system faltered.
There was an eerie silence before it finally responded, its tone tinged with disbelief and something akin to intrigue.
[Master, you… you are different from before. Your mind has twisted into something far more… fascinating.]
A pause. Then, as if speaking to itself, the system murmured—
[A certain system will love this new side of you…]
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