A moment later, after eating his fill of python meat, Merlin left a piece for the lynx and wrapped up a large portion in lotus leaves.
Only then did Merlin get up and walk past the lynx.
But just then, one of its forepaws hooked onto Merlin's pant leg. The lynx lay on the ground, gazing up at him with pleading eyes.
After realizing that Merlin wouldn't hurt him and had even saved him twice, and with that strange sense of closeness in his heart, the lynx had unconsciously come to regard Merlin as family.
At that moment, Merlin looked down and noticed the dependence in its eyes. His heart softened, and his gaze grew gentler.
That sense of closeness went both ways. With a Synchronization Value of 99%, Merlin felt an extraordinary fondness for him too.
It was just like the feeling he'd have for a relative bound to him by blood.
Merlin's gaze shifted. He crouched down and slowly rested his right hand on the lynx's head, gently rubbing it. The lynx promptly flopped onto the ground, gazing up at him expectantly as it exposed its belly, asking Merlin to pet it.
A rumbling sound came from its throat, like that of a clingy big cat.
Merlin obliged, stroking him.
The lynx narrowed his eyes in contentment. His big, catlike head began gently rubbing against Merlin's arm, and he opened his mouth to lick Merlin's wrist with his pink tongue.
After petting him for a while, Merlin patted his head and said with a chuckle,
"Want to come with me?"
The lynx's ears perked up and twitched. His pupils narrowed, as if he were thinking it over.
Merlin smiled, then stood and started walking away, leaving him to it.
But when the lynx saw Merlin leave, he sprang