Ian had nearly ended up nurturing a parasite in his soul. The image of the creature from his dream flashed through his mind.0

It sure liked to pretend it was helping.0

Not that he had any obligation to kindly explain himself to the thing. After all, the choice had been his own. He had been the one to grab hold of those fingers, knowing full well it might be a trap. Still, for it to have tried to tamper with his soul was shocking.0

No matter how friendly it had acted, its true nature as an ancient deity—one that could never be trusted—struck him with fresh clarity.0

—But it was impossible.0

The whisper had continued, unfazed by his icy stare.0

—I couldn't burrow into your soul. Something had blocked me. All I could do was cling to it, just like that seed of chaos you carry.0

Ian had figured the status window must have been the one to block it. After all, he had experienced similar incidents before. The status window had seemed to possess some absolute safeguard against divine intrusions and chaotic corruption. Although it hadn't been flawless—it hadn't stopped his insides from feeling like mush whenever such incidents occurred.0

—I can't survive like that. I needed a vessel. Besides, that chaos within you had tried to devour me.0

Ian had let the whispers roll past him, listening with only half an ear as he opened...0