"I think I know what the soul 'business' has been happening. I think for now at least, my current soul is divided into three parts. Caster part, Kieron part and a common part. The soul in control seems to be the Kieron part and the soul which is considered the base is probably caster. Hence why the Spell treats me as caster. It's like I am a parasite and caster is the host. This is kind of fucked though."
But why is the soul sea the same? Isn't the soul sea basically soul itself. Hah, this is confusing. Nothing is clear for now. I should focus on surviving for now.
Kieron had been resting for the last few hours, after finishing his 'meal' he was contemplating on what to do. It wasn't easy to make that decision. Going deeper into the forest would be dangerous, but he needed to do something at least.
He ended up deciding to rest for the day, as nightfall was about to arrive. Tomorrow, or if he gets ambushed in the night, he will travel deeper into the forest. He needs to find something. Anything.
I'm thirsty…
The lack of water nearby was catching up to him. He had suffered a lot and had no water. He was dying of thirst. Even the bad habit of talking to himself had decreased because of his dry throat.
The weather on this hillside was abnormally hot on top of his thirst and how he didn't have anything to guard him if he sleeps.
Damn, can I even fall asleep in such conditions? No, a better question would be if it's a good idea to sleep.
As if answering his questions instantly, Kieron heard shrieks. He instinctively covered his ears because of the earlier onslaught by the terror, but these shrieks seemed to come from deeper the forest, from something's prey. And they seemed to get closer.
I can't even rest damn it.
Focusing, Kieron cleaned up the place roughly and took his 'camp stuff' with him to the top of a tree. He rested there, trying to hide from whatever was behind the shrieks, or to be exact, their prey.
This is strangely exciting.
Suddenly, the shrieks died down, all the 4 distinct ones he could hear. It irked him. The screams unnaturally disappeared in an instant.
How did the shrieks die down suddenly? After all they didn't for around 3 to 4 minutes, but suddenly all four or five of them died in an instant?
"Something terrifying is out there."
***
Just like that hours passed. Kieron was terrified of whatever was around. The surroundings had gone completely dark by now, not giving Kieron anything to work with. He could simply be ambushed at any moment and die. So, he kept quiet. As quiet as he could.
The nature itself didn't seem to have any plans for that, though. It was not hesitating to leave behind windy sounds, leaves crunching, howls echoing.
Kieron had this gut-wrenching anxiousness right now. Despite his aspect, he was unnaturally, or perhaps naturally, not in his right mind.
A screech from the sky suddenly jolted him, breaking a branch on the tree, getting the attention of a nearby beast.
Shit.
This was the worst-case scenario, he didn't want to fight in the dark, well nobody apart from sunny would. What was worse was that, even if he won the fight, it would probably attract way more beasts. And even if he ran, it would still cause enough commotion for him to lose his advantageous and hidden position.
Not to mention, Kieron hadn't had something to drink in nearly 18 hours that too in this exhausting situation with a hot and humid climate. Overall strength and mental capacity were almost at their limits.
The beast seemed to growl in hunger as it tried to locate the prey. Kieron had only a few more seconds to plan something, if it was even possible.
The beast seems to be coming from the left side of the tree; it should be around 20 or meters away from here. I can't see it so far, but the sounds are still low. It also doesn't seem to be very big, perhaps the size of a husky? No, bigger than that... Way bigger than that. Ah… my vision is blurring… fuck… focus. Focus...
Right after that, the figured travelled closer to tree Kieron was at. The figure appeared to be a wolf-like creature with majestic, white fur. It was alertly smelling around.
The climate is hot and humid! Why does it have thick fur? The dream realm really doesn't make any sense.
Soon after that, the wolf got attracted towards the smell of the camp Kieron had set up in the afternoon.
I need to kill it with one hit, if not, I might as well have to fight a dozen beasts consecutively, or perhaps simultaneously.
The camp was set on the tree next to Kieron's, the wolf had its back turned to Kieron. Taking advantage of this moment, Kieron jumped from the tree, breaking another branch and alerting the wolf. He generated momentum by spinning in the air and summoned his sword at the same time, landing on to the wolf and slicing its head of in one swift, singular motion.
Or so he thought. The wolf was smart, smarter than he expected at least. The wolf had been alert at all times, even the ambush was predicted by the wolf.
A wolf of all things god damn it!
However, the wolf was still not in the best position. Despite dodging the strike, Kieron was still on its back. Not giving it a chance to fight back, he swung his sword at the wolf's neck again, this time, the wolf failed to dodge. Its thick fur stopped the sword from severing its neck.
In pain, the wolf howled loudly.
"Fuck! Shut up you beast!" Kieron lost his composer for a moment and shouted at it.
Putting all his force onto the sword, he pushed it against the neck further, finally severing the neck.
[You have slain an awakened demon, White Demonic Wolf.]
Panting, Kieron hurriedly took out the soul cores the wolf had. Blood spattered all over his face in a hurry, but he didn't care. Greed had consumed him.
Three awakened cores… that's great. I'll absorb them soon... when i am out of this shitty situation.
Suddenly remembering the situation he was in, he started running. He needed to find a safe place before he is caught by a dozen nightmare creatures. The howl was loud, and it was in the calmness of the eternal night.
Kieron lousily ran in utter exhaustion and blurry vision. He needed water. As he ran, he fell into an aperture in the ground. It went down several meters. Without much control over the fall, Kieron simply gave in and slid down.
It led him to a cave, a massive, beautiful cave. From one end to the other, his eyes darted as if he was entranced by the view.
It was simply astounding. It was filled to the brim with bright, beautiful minerals, a small water opening went through the middle of the cave, with light vegetation around it.
River! Water! Yes!
Kieron excitedly went over to it, dropping the soul shards on the ground nearby as he jumped into the fresh water. He needed the water so much. He drank excitedly, not caring about the impurities in it.
Letting out a content sigh, he looked up in peace…
"That was great."