Chapter 5: The Awakening

A dull ache pulsed through Joshua's body as he drifted between wakefulness and unconsciousness. His limbs felt like lead, his muscles burned, and his skin was unbearably hot, as if he were running a dangerously high fever.

When his senses sharpened enough to recognize his surroundings, he realized he was lying on something soft. Unlike the rough bedding of his temporary village quarters, this felt luxurious and warm, almost alive beneath him.

What is this?

His fingers twitched, brushing against thick, silken fur. His body was too sore to move, but the sensation sent a small shiver down his spine.

Why does this feel… comforting?

Yet, no matter how much he tried to shift, his body refused to obey. He was completely immobilized.

Then came the nausea.

His stomach churned violently, the sickening sensation growing stronger. His head spun, his throat constricted, and his vision blurred.

What the hell is happening to me?

A light creak broke through his hazy thoughts.

The door to his room opened, and a familiar voice, smooth yet firm, reached his ears.

"You're burning up. This is a good sign."

A cool hand pressed against his forehead, sending a brief wave of relief through his fevered body.

"It means your body is finally being accustomed to the spirit energy of this world."

Joshua struggled to respond, but his tongue felt thick and dry. His eyelids, heavy as stone, refused to lift.

"Here, let me help you."

Maydee's voice was closer now, gentle yet laced with purpose. He could feel warmth radiating from her, a pulsing energy that resonated deep within his bones.

She murmured words in the unknown tongue of magic, her voice flowing like a river.

A moment later, she tapped his forehead, and a golden light flooded his senses.

The warmth spread through his entire body, soothing the unbearable pain, dulling the nausea, and lulling him into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Time ceased to exist.

Joshua floated in an endless void, his body weightless. He felt… different. The exhaustion was there, but underneath it, something stirred—an unfamiliar energy flowing beneath his skin, threading through his veins like an unseen current.

He could sense something changing, but he was powerless to grasp what it was.

And then, after what felt like an eternity, his body called him back to reality.

Joshua's eyes shot open.

His body no longer ached. His limbs, once paralyzed with exhaustion, felt refreshed and strong. His breathing was even, his mind clear.

For a brief moment, he marveled at the sensation.

Then—

A putrid stench slammed into him like a hammer.

His stomach turned, and he gagged, his mind struggling to process the horrific smell surrounding him.

What the hell is that?!

It was worse than rotten meat, worse than sewage, worse than anything he had ever smelled in his life.

Panicking, he sat up—and froze.

His entire body was coated in thick, tar-like sludge.

The black, viscous substance clung to his skin, slowly dripping onto the bed. It was sticky, slimy, and reeked of death.

"What the actual f—" Joshua choked, barely holding back the urge to vomit.

The door swung open.

Maydee stepped inside—and immediately recoiled, covering her nose with her sleeve.

"Good. You're finally ready."

Joshua stared at her, horrified.

"Ready for what?! What the hell is this?!"

Maydee ignored his outrage, her face half-buried in her sleeve as she waved him toward the door.

"Go to the river and wash up. Make sure to get rid of everything, including your clothes."

Joshua blinked.

"Wait, what?! Explain—"

"I'll explain everything later. Just go—before you make the entire house smell like a corpse."

She spun on her heel, walking out without another word.

Joshua, still half in shock, slowly looked down at himself again.

The black sludge continued to drip from his arms, pooling onto the floor.

His nose burned. His eyes watered. His stomach twisted.

"Goddammit."

Muttering curses under his breath, he stumbled out of bed and forced himself toward the door.

The river was at the back of the village, a few hundred meters away.

And unfortunately, that meant he had to walk through the village—covered in filth, stinking like a corpse, and wearing sludge-soaked clothes.

As soon as he stepped outside, the first wave of villagers noticed him.

At first, their expressions were filled with contempt—the same disdain they had shown since his arrival.

But then, as their eyes locked onto the tar-like substance dripping from his body, their expressions shifted.

Surprise. Then… respect?

Joshua narrowed his eyes.

What the hell was this reaction?

He was walking through the village looking like a swamp monster, and they were giving him… reverence?

A few villagers even whispered to each other, nodding in approval.

Joshua had no idea what was happening, but one thing was clear—

Something about this black sludge, this disgusting transformation, had changed the way they saw him.

For now, all he could do was get to the river, wash off whatever the hell this was, and get some goddamn answers.