Lin Mu, despite the utter bewilderment of his current situation, couldn't help but raise a mental eyebrow. His actor's instincts were kicking in, analyzing this bizarre new character. "A 'system-bound soul'? And who might you be, little light ball?" His mental voice held a hint of his usual teasing charm, even in the face of the utterly unknown.

The orb pulsed a little faster, as if pleased by the interaction. "I am your System! Your guide, your partner, your bestest buddy in this brand new adventure! Think of me as… well, your personal cheat code to a whole lot of amazing lives!"

Lin Mu scoffed internally. "Cheat code? After getting stabbed on stage? Some cheat code." A wave of the earlier pain washed over him, a phantom ache that reminded him of his abrupt end.

The System seemed to sense his shift in mood. "Ah, about that… unfortunate incident. Let's just say that was a temporary setback. Thanks to me, your soul is intact and ready for a fresh start! In… well, other people's lives."

"Other people's lives?" Lin Mu repeated, his inherent laziness starting to surface. This sounded like a lot of effort. "What exactly does that entail?"

"World-hopping, my dear Host! You'll be inhabiting different bodies in different worlds, living out their lives and fulfilling their deepest wishes. Think of it as… method acting on a cosmic scale! And the best part? You get rewards! Shiny, useful rewards!" The orb seemed to bounce with enthusiasm.

"Rewards?" Lin Mu perked up slightly. He was always a fan of incentives. "Like what kind of rewards?"

"Oh, all sorts of goodies! We have the System Mall, a fantastic place where you can exchange Mall Points – earned by completing those wishes, of course – for amazing skills, unique items, powerful potions, even stylish props! Need to learn sword fighting in a medieval world? Bam! Skill purchased! Want a potion that makes you irresistible? We've got those too! And you even get your own personal System Space to store all your treasures!" The orb spun excitedly, its colors swirling.

Lin Mu considered this. "So, I jump into random bodies, fulfill their wishes, and get… shopping money?" He made it sound as mundane as possible, despite the sheer absurdity of the situation.

The System seemed a little deflated by his casual tone. "Well, yes, but it's so much more exciting than it sounds! You'll experience different cultures, meet fascinating people…"

"Will any of these 'fascinating people' be rich and willing to pamper me?" Lin Mu interrupted, his primary goal already taking center stage. "Because frankly, after all that drama, I could use a long, relaxing vacation where someone else does all the work."

The System stuttered for a moment, clearly not expecting such a direct question. "Uh… well, the specifics of each world and the people in them vary. But… you have a high charm stat! That should help!"

Lin Mu smirked internally. Charm was indeed one of his fortes. "So, the main objective is to fulfill these 'wishes'?"

"Exactly! Each world will have main quests tied to the original owner's desires. Complete them, and you get a big chunk of Mall Points! There will also be side quests based on how satisfied the people around you are. The better you do, the more points you earn!"

"And what's the ultimate goal of all this… cosmic method acting?" Lin Mu asked, a hint of genuine curiosity finally breaking through his lazy facade.

"Ah, yes! Our grand quest! After you successfully navigate 100 different worlds, you'll have the option to return to your original world! A chance to… well, see what's what. Of course, you can also choose to continue your world-hopping adventures! The universe is your oyster!"

Lin Mu mulled this over. A hundred worlds sounded like a lot of effort. But the possibility of maybe, just maybe, getting back to his old life… it was a dangling carrot. Still, the thought of all that work…

Seeing his hesitation, the System seemed to panic slightly. "Oh! Oh! And to help you get started, we have a Newbie Package! Just for you!" The orb pulsed rapidly, and three glowing icons appeared in the white space. "You get three free basic skills to help you adapt to new worlds, 2000 Mall Points to spend right away, and… a Body Transformation Pill! This handy little item will allow you to fine-tune your appearance in the first world if you're not entirely thrilled with the body you've landed in!"

Lin Mu’s eyes widened slightly at the mention of customization. That was definitely a plus. "Alright, alright," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his mental lips. "You almost had me at 'shopping money,' but 'body customization' is a nice touch. So, I'm in. Let's see what kind of ridiculous lives the universe has in store for me."

The System practically vibrated with relief and excitement. "Fantastic! I knew you'd see the fun in this! Now, let's take a look at your initial stats, shall we?"

Suddenly, a translucent panel appeared before Lin Mu, filled with glowing text and numbers.

[Host Status]

Skills:

Acting (MAX LEVEL): You possess unparalleled talent in embodying and portraying any character, capable of seamlessly blending into any role and captivating audiences. Your emotional range and ability to mimic mannerisms are unmatched.
Base Attributes:

Strength: 5 (Average)
Agility: 7 (Slightly Above Average)
Luck: 9 (High)
Charm: 10 (High)
Face Value: ∞ (MAX) - Your natural appearance is exceptionally captivating and aesthetically pleasing, capable of attracting positive attention and leaving a lasting impression.
Lin Mu stared at the panel, a wry smile touching his mental face. "Well, look at that. Seems like my past life wasn't a complete waste. Maxed out acting and… maxed out face value? Figures. Guess even the universe recognizes true beauty." He chuckled, a light, airy sound in the silent white space. "And high luck and charm? Looks like I might just get that pampered life after all."

The System chimed in happily. "See? You're already off to a great start! With your skills and a little help from me, you'll be living the high life in no time!"

Lin Mu leaned back in his mental space, a newfound sense of anticipation replacing the lingering shock and sadness. "Alright, my bubbly little cheat code," he said, a playful smirk in his mental voice. "Lead the way. Let's see what kind of chaos we can stir up in these 'novel worlds' of yours."

The white space began to shimmer and swirl, the feeling of anticipation growing stronger. It was the beginning of a new act, a grand, unpredictable performance on an infinite stage. And Lin Mu, the former God of Acting, was ready for his next role.

Red String Across Worlds: BL System Where stories live. Discover now