The forest followed them into the city.
Jin could see it happening as they walked. The trees at the edge of the old forest were still stretching outward, slow and steady, a few meters every minute. Roots slid across the cracked asphalt like water finding its way downhill, curling gently around the potholes instead of tearing them open. Saplings pushed up through the gaps between paving stones and grew while he watched. Moss crept up the sides of buildings, soft and green, softening the sharp grey edges of the ruined city. Vines climbed the lampposts and hung from the dead traffic lights like streamers.
It was strange, walking through it. It felt less like a forest swallowing a city and more like the city slowly remembering how to be alive.
Byung-ho walked beside him, his head tilted back, staring up at a young tree that had shot up through the middle of a bus shelter and was now taller than the roof.
"It's kind of beautiful," he said quietly.
"Yeah," Jin said. "It is."
