As much as I'd like to throw Decorite into the water, it's unfortunately not very practical.

Sigh

A true tragedy indeed.

Of course, I could always try lowering Decorite into the water, but such a peaceful scenario would simply be a pipe dream. Worst comes to worst, I get some of that horrid substance into my system.

Personally not a huge fan of having my insides burn. But to each their own I guess.

Well at least I know the map can float, and it doesn't seem to be wet. It's surprisingly dry. Too dry.

Now that I think about it, I don't feel wet. I couldn't tell because of the initial shock at being boiled alive, but now that I'm consciously thinking about it, I can tell that it's not wet. But can a liquid even be wet? How would that work? What even is the definition of wet? Or is being wet just...

Ah, focus! Stop getting distracted.

But that's really odd. It's definitely a liquid, there's no doubt about that. But in a world of monsters and magic, my common sense probably doesn't apply.

Hm, is it just me or is the water getting darker? Of course, it's only me, I'm the only one who can probably even see it changing colours. As for Decorite? He probably uses some form of echolocation, or something at least equivalent to it. I refuse to believe Decorite is able to see through his gems. At best the stuff he is able to see would be incredibly blurry, and unfocused. So my point stands.

As the most well versed in the subject of seeing changes, I can indeed, confirm the water is darkening. Oh boy, it's really getting dark.

The waters transformed from it's you know, water colour, to an almost ethereal black. No light's reflecting off the water at this point, it's the same as being in a pitch-black room, except the contrast between the pitch-black water and the still relatively bright surroundings is quite fascinating.

Although the sight is quiet peculiar, I have more pressing matters, such as the reason for the in explicit change in the water's colour. I don't feel any additional effects aside from an acute sense of nausea, which is most likely from the constant swimming, at least that's what I hope.

------

Unfortunately, I still haven't managed to find the treasure, to add to my problems the stream is still pitch black, and the nausea from before that had only been in the background has come full swing, making it difficult to keep my body from swaying. I've even had to move Decorite onto my back, along with the map, as in my current state I'm afraid I might just drop Decorite if I continued to hold him in my mouth. To my surprise he didn't fight back, which was a nice silver-lining to the situation if I might add.

But this nausea is really gonna make me slip up even if no monsters show up, but the river only seems to continue going, atleast from what I'm able to see. Turning to land in its current state will also only prove more dangerous then this river. So my hands are tied about what I can do at the moment. Through it's looking bleak.

The throbbing in the back of my head has only seemed to amplify the nausea, which in turn amplify'ed the throbbing.

What is this god forsaken luck?

Ah, my vision is fading. My eyes won't stay open, it's as if somebody's pulling them shut. Oh, this is-

A sudden jolt knocked me out before I could finish my sentence.

-----

[Failed "The Trial of the Mind"]

[Punishment: Purging Participant's soul...]

[Error: Soul overload {2}...fixing..]

[Success: Soul Purged]

——————————

Dragon Evolution System

Race: ?Baby Dragon?

Status: Weak

Lv: 15/25 - > 23/25

{Purged}Cultivation: Body Refining Stage 4

{Purged}Cultivation Technique: 9 Stage Refinement Technique(Mortal)

Rank: E-

Abilities:

[System] [Status] [Analyze] [Roll: Lv2] [Dragon Breath: Lv3] [Scratch: Lv3]

Titles:

[System Wielder: ——] [Survivor: Lv2 -> 5] [Little Bad Guy: Lv4] [Strong Mind: Lv3] [%^#(]

——————————

[Strong Mind - Increases resistance to mental attacks. Boosts hosts mental capacity.]

[$^@) - %(&%(& Q%#&(W#% )$)$ Q%*)]

[Success! You have passed the "The Trial of the Mind"']

[Obtained: Corrupted Orb]

[Corrupted Orb - Originally a cultivation orb, this piece of gemstone has been corrupted by "Baby Dragon" and has been converted to a basic nest. Summons one goblin every hour. Maximum of 10 goblins.]

In a small forest I slowly opened my eyes. Shaking off the fatigue, I scanned over my new notifications, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at least mildly shocked.

The river I had been floating on was the apparent key to the treasure it'd seem, but the more pressing issue would the apparent purging of my soul.

It looks like I had 2 souls in me..? Though I don't believe I'm being possessed by any ghost, and it clearly stated the purging go my soul. If I had to take a crack at it, then it's likely I had 2 souls, one for this world, and one for earth. That would explain why some of the my features are no longer accessible to me, as it looks like they were connected to the purged soul, which in turned purged the skills.

But looking at it again, my levels spiked even though I didn't kill anything. So I either got exp from the trial, or my levels were being restricted by my other soul..?

Then wouldn't that mean I am no longer bound? If so, then that'd really simplify things a lot. For one, I can level up faster, and two, I like leveling up faster. So in my opinion it's a win win scenario as some might call it.

Finishing looking over the notifications I closed the messages, and grabbed my reward, the Corrupted Orb, and carried on.

As interesting the orb might be, I have to think long term. The map is my priority, and seeing as it's still night, I can keep Decorite up with the map on my back, freeing up my jaw for the orb.

It's bit of a tight fit, and it sort of hurts my teeth, but the jewel fits. Which is all that really counts. Now I just need to move on to my next destination, but before that, I have to get stronger.

I'm not naive enough to believe I can luck my way out the second trail, and I only have one soul left, so I can only try it by the rules. But until then, I'll have to find some creatures to kill. But first, I'm going to need a little break after what happened in the Forbidden Forest.

I still get the shivers thinking about it, as it happened recently.