章 3: New World and Encounter
As I made my way carefully through the dense forest, following the chaotic path I had created, I couldn't help but notice the towering ancient trees that spread across the land. The strange flora gave me the feeling of a primordial forest, with flowers and plants I had never read about constantly catching my attention, forcing me to stop every few steps. It helped distract me from the lingering worry about my current situation, but it also increased my fear, solidifying my suspicion that this place was not my world.
I need to focus. I can learn about the flora later. Right now, I have to understand where I am.
Determined to ignore the wondrous sights around me, I pressed on toward the side of the mountain, refusing to waste any more time. Though I was still clumsy, I was beginning to get used to walking on four legs, even though it still felt wrong. However, an even stranger feeling came from my back, where I could sense two extra limbs that I couldn't move much. I pushed that unsettling sensation to the back of my mind and concentrated on reaching the mountain.
A few more minutes passed, and with every step, I grew more accustomed to this body. My speed gradually increased, and after what felt like ten minutes, I finally arrived at the base of the mountain.
Looking up at the huge hole I had created in the side of the mountain, I once again wondered just how powerful my new body was. Clearly, such a creature didn't exist in my world. Though I still clung to hope, it was fading fast.
I forced myself to push the depressing thought aside and began to climb. Thankfully, with my growing familiarity with my new body, I managed to climb somewhat steadily.
After a worrying ascent, I reached a plateau high enough to offer a view of the entire forest.
From here, I could see the vast expanse of ancient trees that seemed untouched by human hands, mountains that stretched across the horizon, and strange flying creatures in the distance. Creatures I had never seen in my previous world. Yes… previous. I couldn't deny it anymore. This wasn't my world.
I spent a few minutes digesting the reality before me, staring out at this new, unfamiliar world. Then, a thought struck me. I would survive here. I would find books again. No one would stop me from getting my claws on them. And if they tried…
Was I always this violent? I wondered, feeling strange. Such thoughts weren't typical for me, but I chalked it up to the emotional rollercoaster I'd been on since waking up.
I didn't even consider that my new body might be affecting my chaotic thoughts.
Suddenly, a strange sound broke through my turbulent thoughts. My attention snapped toward the source, my gaze fixating behind me.
A few minutes earlier, while the monstrous beast was making its way toward the high platform that overlooked the forest, an unlucky goblin archer was cautiously approaching the same spot.
"Why did the chief pick me to scout Death Mountain? Even though the Death Snake isn't here anymore, we all saw the dark sky. This place is terrifying... But the chief said we need to know what happened since the mountain's near the nest. Still, why pick me, Red Arrow?"
The goblin muttered under his breath, silently cursing his bad luck. Was it because I was talking to the chief's daughter?
After a few short minutes, the goblin, Red Arrow, arrived at a plateau with a clear view of the ancient forest below.
"From here, I can see the whole forest. This should be enough. No need to search the whole area," he said, congratulating himself on his cleverness. "I can head back to the nest now."
But as he looked down, something caught his eye—a long, clear path of toppled trees stretching through the forest.
"What happened? Did the Death Snake do this? Only it could have the strength for this... I need to tell the chief. I'm just here to scout, so I can go back now!"
Relieved to have a good excuse to leave the eerie mountain, Red Arrow turned to head back the way he came, his heart light with the thought of returning safely to the nest. But just as he started to move, a sharp, screeching sound of rock being torn apart reached his ears.
Terrified, the goblin froze for a moment, before leaping into action, running toward a boulder to hide behind it. With no other path to take, he was trapped, forced to cower as the terrifying sound grew closer.
His heart pounded in his chest. The screeching grew louder until it seemed just a few meters away. Then, silence.
The goblin's mind raced. Damn it! Damn it! he cursed internally, hating the chief more than he ever had in his life.
The silence persisted, dragging on like an eternity. Desperate, Red Arrow decided to take a peek, hoping to find nothing there so he could make a run for it.
Please let there be nothing there, please... he prayed, his heart pounding.
But the gods of this world were not kind to goblins.
There, standing where Red Arrow had been moments before, was a monstrous beast as tall as the trees. Its thick, white fur was marked with black stripes that slithered across its massive body like serpents. On its head, a pair of thick, curved horns pointed toward the sky as if defying the very heavens, and on its back, folded wings glinted with a metallic, sword-like sheen.
What kind of magical beast is that? the goblin thought, his heart pounding harder than ever. No creature like that should be here!
The monstrous beast suddenly turned, its lightning-fast gaze locking onto the hiding goblin, as if it could hear the terrified pounding of his heart.
Is that… a goblin? I thought, staring at the small creature hiding behind the boulder. So there are goblins in this world... But why does it look so scared?
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