Chapter 28: Seventh Floor, The Eerie Forest and the Mad Weretigers (5)
The forest no longer felt eerie. It exuded a vibrancy now that the mist was clearing. The weretiger’s intimidating presence had vanished, replaced by the cheerful chirping of unfamiliar birds and the harmonious sounds of insects. Even the once swampy ground had firmed up, providing solid footing beneath our feet. It was as if we had stumbled into a picturesque retreat.
What happened to the ominous forest we saw earlier? Was it an illusion this entire time?
The traces of mud still clinging to the backs of our legs suggested otherwise. Now that the forest had changed, they were one of the few remnants from our frantic escape. The entire situation was perplexing, almost as if a ghost had played a trick on us.
“Dad! Look at this little guy. Isn't it adorable?”
“Wow, it sure is cute. I’ve never seen a bird like this before. Guess we're not on Earth right now, huh?”
“Probably. It doesn't look like any species from Earth.”
Our party had changed noticeably as well. Seo Ha-Rin had been quite reserved but was much more talkative now. Clinging closely to her father's side, she held his large hand tightly and chatted incessantly.
“Unnie! There's something that looks like a rabbit over here!”
“Hmm, looks more like a big rat. Maybe a nutria?”