The darkness of the forest swallowed Kyung Joo whole, leaving him disoriented and frightened. His parents' footsteps faded into the distance, replaced by the eerie sounds of the night. He stumbled forward, tripping over roots and crashing into underbrush. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs beneath his feet.
Kyung Joo had always been different from his siblings. Weak and sickly, he struggled to keep up with their rigorous training. His parents, renowned warriors, had deemed him unworthy. The pain of their rejection still lingered, but Kyung Joo pushed it aside, focusing on survival. Kyung Joo knew how to identify edible plants and build shelters.
As the days passed, Kyung Joo grew accustomed to his new surroundings. He learned to navigate the forest, avoiding predators and finding sustenance in the form of insects and small animals. He fashioned crude traps, using sticks and vines to snare unsuspecting prey. The taste of roasted rabbit and berries became his staple, sustaining him through the harsh days.
But survival came at a cost. Kyung Joo's hands were constantly scraped and bruised, his fingers numb from the cold. He suffered injuries while hunting, a gash above his eyebrow from a flailing squirrel's claws, a sprained ankle from a misstep. Despite the pain, he persevered, driven by a determination to survive.
At night, Kyung Joo constructed a makeshift shelter, using branches and leaves to create a lean-to. He gathered dry wood, starting small fires to ward off the chill and cook his meals. The smoke drifted lazily into the trees, potentially attracting unwanted attention. Kyung Joo knew the risks but couldn't help himself; the warmth and light were too enticing.
As the sun dipped below the horizon on another day, Kyung Joo's senses grew heightened. He heard strange noises, footsteps echoing through the trees. The sounds seemed to be closing in, and Kyung Joo's heart quickened. He readied his makeshift spear, a sharpened stick poised to strike.
The forest fell silent, and Kyung Joo's eyes scanned the darkness. He felt watched, his skin prickling with unease. The unknown dangers lurking in the shadows seemed to be waiting for their moment to strike.
Kyung Joo stood frozen, his breath caught in his throat. The darkness seemed to be coalescing into something tangible, something that threatened to consume him whole. And then, everything went black.
When Kyung Joo came to, the forest was bathed in an eerie moonlight. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the distant hooting of an owl. Kyung Joo's heart still pounded in his chest, his senses on high alert. He knew he had to be vigilant, for in this forest, survival depended on being one step ahead of the unknown.
The night wore on, Kyung Joo's eyes fixed on the darkness, waiting for whatever lurked in the shadows to make its move. Little did he know, his journey was only just beginning.