Wandering the vast forest expanse reminded me of my simpler life as a child back on earth. Of course, back then I didn't have to you know, deal with the baggage of being a monster. But just the simple stuff is very nice and carefree, like not meeting a single monster this entire time. Funny considering you'd think a place with such a foreboding name would at least have creepy crawlies lurking behind a bush for its nest pray, but truthfully I don't think I've even seen a single insect in here. Or even the slightest sound, of course excluding the sound of the dead leaves I've been stomping on for the past hour. Hence why it feels so carefree. I just feel like a little kid going for a small walk around the local forest. Though I didn't really have a forest did I? No, wait I did, right? Ah, what's up with my mind today? I should probably practice some memory games while I'm walking.

Of course, I'm not naive enough to believe I'm totally alone in here. You don't name something it's not, that's just common sense. Though the map is old, so whatever lived here probably died of starvation long before I came here, if not leaving from the boredom, but optimism aside my goal isn't to meet that thing if it does exist, I just want my little treasure in the center of this forest before heading to the next place on the map. Hopefully, it doesn't turn out to be a classic game mechanic where I have to fight the boss of this area to obtain it. Spooky. Just think happy thoughts. Exp, Exp Exp, Exp. Oh, it's already helping, wonderful.

Conveniently there's no wind in here, which means that I don't have to constantly worry about the map that is just casually resting on my back. All it really takes is a small gentle, innocent-looking gust to ruin my possible future on this planet. No pressure. Just my future and life on the line. Calm down. Remember, happy thoughts. Exp, Exp, Exp, Exp. Perfect. I should've tried this back on earth, I might have not been as miserable as I was back then. At least I have Decorite to keep me company. It's not like I'm lonely or anything it's just nice to share your struggles with somebody else at times, like if I'm ever struggling to beat a mob I can always just chuck Decorite at it as a distraction, before escaping. Though I'd like to avoid that as long as possible seeing as my cultivation will probably slow to crawl afterwards. And so far my cultivation has been the main way for me to beat creatures of similar levels and class., so losing my edge would truly be tragic.

Hopefully, there's a stream on my way out, then I could finally wash off all this mud off my foot. It's ruining my intimidation factor. The other monsters would probably just take me for a pushover. Granted I don't know how regular monsters think or do they even think at all? Such deep questions indeed, I even shocked my self with them. Damn, I should've been born a philosopher. This world truly is unfortunate to have lost a potential scholar. What a shame.

As my ears perk up as a natural reflex, the sound of running water enters my ear.

Finally, about time I found a stream.

Sprinting as fast as I can I estimate that it'll take about 10 minutes tops, at least from what I can hear.

I don't really need to remove the mud off my feet, and it'll only serve to waste my time as I'll just be forced back on the mud anyway, as I still need to get the treasure. But If I can reach the stream then it'll serve as a guide and path for me to follow. It'll also serve as a direct line of escape if things turn sour. Besides, just doing something that's not just random wandering is good enough.

Hm, is it just me or is the ground getting softer? Wait I'm the only one here. Decorite is still sleeping in my mouth. Useless thing. Probably just my head playing tricks on me. I can hear the stream more vividly, and if I had to guess then I have 5 minutes left.

No, it's definitely getting softer. Way too soft. The consistency is slowly turning into an almost goopy mixture, and it's really taking a toll on my speed. At least I reached the stream, as long as I jump inside I could just swim away to solid ground.

The water in the stream was surprisingly hot. Like boiling. No, like my scales are being cooked. Well not like I have a choice, the ground has only gotten worse. Its current consistency is similar to that of quicksand, and it's only worsening. Even the tall ash trees that blocked off the sky started to destabilize. The bushes already long gone, absorbed by the ground.

Waying my options I really have no choice but to suck up to the pain and find the treasure, before leaving this godforsaken forest. No wonder nobody lives in this hell hole. I've been stepping on them this whole time. The end rewards better be the best thing I've seen or I'm going to surrender myself to the ground. I just hope nobody else has found that damn orb otherwise I'm just mindlessly chasing something that's not there. I'll have no dignity left if that's true. Arg, so much pressure. Deep Breaths. Just look for the treasure and think happy thoughts.