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Waking up, I stretched my limbs, feeling the ache from the previous day's walk. At this point, it had become a routine—try to keep up with the hunter as he moved ahead with purpose. [If I keep doing this, I'll become a chunky lizard.] My little legs could barely keep up with his long strides, and I had to sprint just to match his pace. [At least this works on my strength and agility.]
After what felt like hours, I crawled back into my cozy nook behind his bag. Despite the short distance, it felt like a marathon. My limbs trembled, and my body longed for rest.
The road ahead was littered with strange stone tablets, marking the path toward an overgrown trail leading through a cut between the forest and a winding river. Thinking it would be a shortcut, we ventured in. But as we moved deeper, the world around us began to shift. The forest that had once seemed familiar transformed into a desolate wasteland, a barren expanse of withered trees. The air grew still, eerily quiet. The path before us was lit by mushrooms glowing a faint blue, casting an otherworldly glow in the darkness.
I leaned down to examine one. It had a strangely sweet, earthy smell that made me wonder what it tasted like. [It could be poisonous.] But curiosity got the best of me. "Ding."
Species: Joureafla Soul Mushroom
Common
Mana regeneration effect, potentially fatal for humans, but a delicacy for most monsters and animals. Over-consumption may cause strange effects. Said to absorb the souls of those lost in the Joureafla River Passage.
+1/second
The text floated in front of me, and I blinked. [Dangerous for humans, but not me.]
With that thought, I couldn't resist. I took a bite, and the texture was surprisingly spongy. It tasted like cake—sweet and light, an unexpected treat in this strange world. I chewed and swallowed, my hunger slowly ebbing away.
As we continued on, a strange feeling gnawed at me. Something was calling us deeper into the forest, tugging at me like an invisible thread. The deeper we went, the more unnerving the air became. Something watched us from the shadows.
I climbed higher on the hunter's bag, trying to keep myself hidden. The oppressive silence of the forest was broken only by the faintest rustle of wind, and yet it felt as though eyes were upon us. My heart raced as I looked around, but there was nothing. Was I losing my mind?
And then I saw them—figures, ethereal and glowing, their forms humanoid with wings. [Angels?] I blinked, rubbing my eyes, but they remained, drifting through the air like ghosts.
"Ding."
Effect Gained: Overdose Terror
Duration: 37 minutes
Mana Regen: +8/s
[Great. I'm hallucinating. Thanks, system.] Panic washed over me as the figures danced around, their glowing eyes burning into me. The mushrooms were poisoning me, no doubt about it. But the hallucinations weren't just in my head. They felt real. Real enough to make my skin crawl.
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the nightmare. I focused on the sound of the hunter's footsteps. His steady pace was the only thing grounding me in reality.
For what felt like hours, I stumbled through the forest, the visions growing more vivid. I kept my head low, afraid to look up. The mushrooms had twisted my mind, but I needed to focus. I had to hold on. [I think I'm fine?]
When we finally emerged from the dense forest, the air felt fresher. Birds chirped around us, and the oppressive feeling of being watched faded. The hallucinations receded, but the dread still clung to me like a second skin.
A familiar smell wafted through the air—cooked meat. I perked up. [A human settlement?] We must have reached civilization.
I couldn't contain my excitement, bouncing around and tugging at the bag to hurry him along. But then he stopped, pulling out a long, dark cape and donning a leather-like jacket. A mask covered his face, leaving only his eyes visible. [Who is he hiding from?]
He reached into the bag, and my stomach dropped. Was he selling me? I wanted to escape, to crawl out of the bag, but my fears kept me still. His hand brushed against the fabric, and my heart skipped a beat.
Suddenly, there was a voice from the gate. "Who might you be? What are your reasons for entering?" A guard's deep, raucous voice pierced the air.
The hunter's voice changed, trying to mimic the guard's tone. "Just a traveler. I'm only here for a couple of days."
The guard's reply was skeptical. "We need to check your bag."
"No need. I'm no merchant," the hunter said, his tone sharp but calm.
"You're suspicious. What are you hiding?" The voice pressed.
The implication stung. [Are dragons merchandise? And is he selling me?] The thought was unbearable. I huddled deeper into the bag, trying to stay hidden.
I heard a clink, metal against metal. The bag shifted. Was it over? The tension was unbearable.
The door creaked open, and I risked peeking out. There, standing in front of the gate, I saw the guards' faces—twisted, almost unnatural.