The morning mist curled around the ancient trees like ethereal ribbons, lingering in the crisp, cool air. Dewdrops clung to the leaves, reflecting the golden hues of the rising sun. The forest stretched endlessly, its vast canopy breathing with life, as birds sang melodious tunes, hidden within the dense foliage. The gentle rustling of leaves and the occasional chirps of unseen creatures filled the silence.
Shree stretched his arms as he stood outside the cave, breathing in the fresh air. His body felt stronger, his muscles firmer, his movements lighter. Each day, he could feel the subtle changes—his endurance increasing, his reactions sharpening. He had already spent a few days in this unknown world, yet the sheer surrealism of it still lingered in his mind.
"You know, Chat, waking up in a paradise-like forest is way better than waking up to alarms blaring for exams," Shree mused, rolling his shoulders.
Chat's voice echoed in his mind, laced with amusement. "And yet, you're still stuck in survival mode, genius. No breakfast, no bed, no WiFi."
Shree chuckled. "Touché. But at least I'm not stressing over physics equations."
"True, but now you're stressing over whether you'll find civilization or die trying."
Shree scoffed but didn't deny it. This world was still a complete mystery to him. Even though he had discovered his new abilities and the odd connection he had with this place, he still had no idea whether humans even existed here.
After a quick session of stretching and warming up, he practiced his Plum Blossom Style martial arts. His movements were fluid yet powerful, his fists slicing through the air, his footwork steady and sharp. Each strike carried precision, each step was balanced like a natural dance. He could feel his body adapting, learning, growing.
"Not bad," he muttered as he finished his routine. His breathing was steady, not even labored. "Alright, time to continue our search."
Following the markers he had left, Shree ventured deeper into the forest, his eyes scanning for signs of human presence. His mind constantly analyzed his surroundings, alert for anything unusual.
But hours passed, and disappointment gnawed at him.
No trails. No pathways. No smoke in the sky.
Nothing.
"Still nothing…" he murmured, exhaling deeply.
His shoulders sagged slightly, but he refused to give in to frustration. He wasn't lost—he had a cave to return to. But the idea of being alone in an endless forest unsettled him.
Then, a thought struck him.
"Chat, I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner!"
"...Oh boy. What ridiculous idea have you cooked up now?"
Shree smirked. "Climbing a tree to get a better view. If I can get high enough, I might spot a river, a settlement, or at least some change in the landscape."
Chat was silent for a moment.
"...I hate to admit it, but that actually makes sense."
Shree puffed out his chest. "Of course! I'm a genius!"
"Sure, sure. Now go on, Tarzan, let's see if you can actually climb."
Shree approached a massive tree—one so colossal that its branches seemed to touch the sky. Its bark was thick, its roots like ancient serpents burrowing into the earth. The sheer size of it made him hesitate for a moment.
"...Why does this feel like I'm about to climb Yggdrasil, the World Tree?"
"Careful, there might be elves living up there," Chat teased.
Shree's eyes lit up. "Yo, if there are elves, I'm staying here forever!"
"Pervert."
"Shut up."
With a deep breath, he leaped onto the tree, gripping the rough bark. His fingers dug in, and his legs pushed him upward. His movements were surprisingly natural—effortless, even. He climbed swiftly, his body adjusting instinctively.
"Holy crap… this is easier than I thought," he muttered, scaling higher. "It's almost like I've done this before."
"Well, your body has evolved beyond an average human's. It makes sense."
Higher and higher he climbed, the dense canopy parting slightly, allowing streaks of sunlight to filter through. The wind grew stronger as he neared the upper branches.
And then—he reached the top.
His breath caught in his throat.
The view was both breathtaking and daunting.
The forest stretched endlessly in every direction, an unbroken sea of green. The vast sky above was a brilliant azure, dotted with drifting clouds. The horizon seemed so far away, as if he stood on the edge of the world itself.
Shree was silent.
"...It's all trees."
"Yep. You're in Forest World."
Shree exhaled slowly. "This place is ridiculous. How big is this forest?"
There were no cities, no smoke trails, no clearings—just an infinite wilderness.
A chill ran down his spine.
For the first time, he truly felt the weight of his situation. He was in a completely unknown world, alone, with no civilization in sight.
He let out a quiet sigh. "Chat… did you know? I used to be scared of heights."
Chat was caught off guard. "Really?"
"Yeah. Back on Earth, I'd freeze if I stood on a high place. My legs would shake, my stomach would twist."
"But you're fine now?"
"Yeah," Shree said softly. "I don't feel fear at all. It's weird."
Chat hummed. "Maybe you've just adapted. Or maybe your body doesn't see heights as a threat anymore or Maybe because you've already been through crazier stuff," Chat spoke "After running from a bear, transmigrating, and finding an ancient artifact, heights probably don't seem that scary anymore."
Shree smirked. "Or maybe I've unlocked my ninja potential." He crouched on the branch. "From now on, call me Shadow Shree, the Silent Assassin of the Forest!"
"You're about as silent as a marching band."
"Rude."
As they joked, a sound suddenly reached Shree's ears.
A voice.
Faint. Distant.
He froze.
"...Did you hear that?" he asked in a low voice.
Chat was silent for a moment. "...Yeah."
Then, the forest fell silent again.
Shree's heart pounded. "Did I imagine it?"
Then—another shout.
Louder this time.
Shree's eyes widened. "That's a human voice!"
Without hesitation, he leaped from the tree, moving with swift, precise motions. His body reacted instinctively, landing on one branch, then another, then sliding down the trunk. He barely touched the ground before sprinting toward the source of the sound.
"Wait, WAIT! You don't even know what's happening!" Chat protested.
But Shree didn't slow down. He moved like a beast through the dense forest, dodging trees, leaping over fallen logs, his heart racing with adrenaline.
Then—silence.
The voice was gone.
He skidded to a halt, panting. "No… where did it go?"
He frantically searched the surroundings. Anxiety clawed at him. Had he imagined it?
Then—he caught a scent.
A strange, metallic tang.
His breath hitched.
His sharp senses guided him toward the source. His heartbeat quickened as he approached.
And then—he saw it.
His eyes widened.
The scene before him was utterly shocking.
(To be continued..)
< THE END >