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I only have 10 potions left...
I have to take one for every three that my companion takes. So, at most, we have about 15 hours left...
But the problem with health potions is that they are demanding on the body. And that, added to the lack of sleep, may end up killing us before the poison does if we're not careful.
It's a big plus that Azur can receive regeneration from the potion I drink through the link, since we need to have as many eyes as possible if we want to discover the secret of this room and, otherwise, I would have un-summoned him to save supplies.
"There's nothing, master... I checked again, but it's just dry grass and stones on this side. I looked under the stones as you told me, but there's nothing..." says Deirdre, returning from one of the sides of the plateau with a slow and tired step, since we decided to split up to investigate sectors, again...
At the same time, Azur conveys to me through the link that it is the same on his side.
The therian has a tone of voice of discouragement and resignation that I had never heard from her until now, and hearing her like that puts even more pressure on me to find the way out of this hellish place.
We haven't slept or rested since we entered this shitty room. And we're only still awake thanks to the constant consumption of energizing potions and the constant worry that we have to quickly find a way out so we don't die.
Who knew a plateau that appears peaceful and harmless at first glance could turn out to be so dangerous?
If only the sun didn't bother me so much, maybe I could think better... I would love some shade.
It's always daytime in this place, and the sun is physically in the position it would be at noon, so I can't really tell how long we've been here. But I'm already starting to feel irritated by the glowing dial due to a lack of sleep.
Unlike Deirdre, who seems to have somehow accepted our fate, I refuse to die in this stupid way.
Unfortunately, there is nothing that can shade me in this place, and neither can Azur help me, because if his body is in the sun, I will likewise feel its heat through our bond.
How I would like to hide from the sun for a few minutes...
From the sun...
Suddenly the realization hits me, and I look up hopefully.
"AZUR" I shout with all my strength, and my partner understands my intentions instantly, whereupon we begin to synchronize our minds to perform the spiritual fusion.
It is difficult because of the tiredness. Since, although I am tired, Azur isn't.
But, after a few seconds, we get the ability to work. And, as I watch Deirdre come running worriedly towards me, I spread my two wings, formed with the energy of the spiritual fusion, and propel myself with all my strength towards the sun in search of the only thing we haven't checked in this damned room.
After flying for about 10 minutes or so, I arrive at a yellowish sphere that seems to function as the sun in this room.
I start flying around it curiously and see that it is not a sphere but thousands of tiny luminous moths flying in circles around something at its center.
These little bugs generate an imposing heat, but that's nothing for a dragon's resistance.
As I try to get closer to see what's in the center of the sphere, I'm hit by a bolt of violet-colored mana that momentarily stuns me, and I watch on my interface as the poison that's been affecting us since we entered this place becomes more potent.
"I found you!" I say with a smirk as I pull out a health potion and hastily drink it.
And, taking a good gulp of air, I shoot a torrent of flames from my mouth at the unknown enemy.
The moths are quickly incinerated, and I see how they were covering what appears to be a purple-colored globe, which starts emitting squeals of pain as soon as the flames lick its surface.
It seems they couldn't stand the real heat…
After a few seconds, the screeching is over, and there is no trace left of the moths or the purple sphere.
As I swoop down to tell the little kitten about my discovery, I think to myself, 'Looks like we can finally get out of here!'
But, either because of accumulated fatigue or because I did not look at the remaining time, the spiritual fusion ends when I am still a good 6 meters from the ground.
So, I'm going to fall head-first to the ground…
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
Shit... This is going to hurt... Good thing I have 82 points in Constitution, otherwise, I'd probably be dead...
And with that thought, I feel like I lose consciousness as I hit the ground....
"MASTER! Don't leave me alone, please" I hear the ragged cry next to my ear and, when I slowly open my eyes, I see Deirdre lying on top of me, hugging me with strength and tears in her eyes.
"I-I'm okay, Deirdre. Don't worry, just... could you just let me get up?" I ask, half dazed from the blow, as I notice how Azur scoffs at how I 'landed'.
"What? Ahh, yes, sorry," she says and hurriedly steps aside to let me sit up.
"That sure was a good hit, wasn't it?" I say with a smile, trying to cheer her up.
"You're such a jerk! why did you fly away without telling me anything?" she says, and suddenly her expression changes to one of irritation, despite still having her face wet from tears.
"I... I just wanted to check something," I explain meekly, because I understand that she is right about her anger. I should have meditated a bit more on my discovery before going straight to the air. And I certainly should have told her what my plans were... but it was an emergency, and the lack of sleep was clouding my good judgment.
"Don't you ever do this to me again, ever! Do you understand me?" she says, and the fury and irritation in her gaze leave me dumbfounded.
How can such a sweet and cheerful girl make such a threatening expression?
I guess I'm not the only one being affected by the lack of sleep…
"Yes, yes, I understand," I say meekly under my breath. "Changing the subject, how do you feel about getting some sleep in this room? We've been awake for over two days, and I wouldn't want to pass out on the way home..."
"D-does that mean we can go out now?" she interrupts me hurriedly, as hope and joy peek back into her gaze.
"Yes, it should be possible. I think those monsters were the challenge in this room. And, even if they weren't, we should rest, taking advantage of the fact that there's no more poison," I say, yawning and rubbing my head in the place where I hit the floor. I think I'm going to have a flower of a bump in a few moments…
"Ahh, I hadn't noticed... but, yes, the air doesn't seem polluted anymore. And I no longer feel that heavy sick feeling I felt since we came in here," she says, looking around distractedly while wiping the tears off her face with the back of her hand.
"Didn't you say that you were okay?" I ask, raising an eyebrow, because, even though I already knew she was lying to me, it's still fun to tease her.
"I...it was no big deal, I thought it wasn't worth mentioning," she says, looking to the side, embarrassed.
"It's okay," I say, laughing. And, after those words, we get ready for bed.
Now that there is no poison, we have a whole meadow to ourselves.
And conveniently, it is dark, since I eliminated the only source of light in the place. Strangely enough, it is not a darkness that impedes our vision but one that allows us to sleep peacefully.
So, after taking out two tents and some wood to light a small fire, we crawled into our tents to get a good night's sleep.
Before sleep overtook me, I checked that I had a notification alerting me of the level-up of the Survival skill, so it's now at level 6.
Hmm, that makes sense...