Anindira who, a few moments ago, had felt horror. Suddenly, she disappeared into oblivion with the surrounding natural scenery that she began to absorb in a calm state.

*****

DEG!!!

Suddenly, Anindira's feet stopped walking.

''What should I do now?!'' asked Anindira in her heart.

Her feet, which had been walking steadily, suddenly slowed down, moving with doubt. The fine hairs on her body stood up. Her heart began to feel a horror that she didn't know what it was. Her legs felt increasingly heavy to be able to continue moving forward.

Anindira didn't know why her body was moving before her brain processed a warning in her subconscious that there was something bad in front of her.

Anindira's body trembled with her eyeballs continuing to monitor the surrounding situation. Her jaw tightened, there was a debate between instinct and logic that was being processed by her brain cells.

''I don't know what's up ahead. But, I also don't know what will happen to me if I turn around...'' Anindira muttered while walking back and forth. Her brain was busy debating between the feeling of fear in her heart and the fact that there was water up ahead, ''If there is a river there, then there is most likely a settlement. Or, even if there isn't, at least I can secure a water supply while continuing along it looking for another way... they (Anindira's family) must be looking for me now. At least until help arrives, I have to be able to survive!''

Logic and instinct were fighting in her little brain, testing her ability to survive now.

''This is cool...''

Anindira's eyes widened, she began to be fascinated by the magnificent appearance of the rows of large trees that towered so high that the end was invisible.

''Awesome...'' Once again, praise came from her mouth.

Anindira's head tilted up, curious about what the vast sky above her head would look like if it were not covered by the natural umbrella of the lush trees standing proudly.

The sunlight entered, penetrating between the shady leaves that shaded the vastness of the silent forest. The shady trees did not block the bright sunlight from illuminating the forest and the scorching heat. However, the air felt cool and clean. A sustainable forest with a distinctive wilderness aroma. The smell of leaves, and the smell of soil, felt very comfortable and refreshing without any strange, disgusting smells.

Anindira's eyes sparkled, her mouth gaping, it was difficult to close it again. She was amazed by the surrounding scenery.

''Huh, what's that?!''

Sporadically, Anindira screamed in surprise at the sounds that made her alert. But as soon as she found out the possible owner of the voice, she calmed down again.

Her ears were very comfortable hearing the sounds of various summer insects calling out to each other.

The rustling sound of plants whose leaves rub against each other, and also the chirping of various species of birds, are heard noisily.

The beautiful yet gloomy view of the dense wilderness that stretches vast and endless. It looks amazing with its authority, the towering trees accompany it with their gallantness, challenging anyone who looks at it.

The giant trees stand upright, towering high, leaving a mighty impression.

The bushes of grass around it are also very dense and tall. As if cows were hiding, they might not be seen.

Amid her solitude, various amazing views occasionally make Anindira's mind wander.

What's behind the grass that sways comfortably with the wind?

''Going in and out of the forest is not the first time for me... but a forest like this, of course, is the first. Which forest area am I entering?'' Anindira muttered with several questions in her solitude, ''The problem is, earlier I was also in the forest... in the river... well, how did I get here?!''

''My grandparents would jump for joy if they knew there was a forest like this. But, how do they know the location if I don't even have a smartphone... I am a fool, why didn't I put my cell phone in my pocket earlier...'' Anindira complained, feeling annoyed because she couldn't capture the scenery in front of her now.

Anindira was born and raised in a big city. However, forests, gardens, and rice fields are nothing new to her.

Hiking and camping are things that Anindira and her family, who come from the countryside, like. These activities are common things for her family to do when taking a break from the busy city atmosphere.

Accustomed to village life where Anindira's grandparents lived, of course, things that were considered disgusting by most women who lived in urban areas never bothered her in the slightest. Farming in the rice fields, hunting in the forest, and gardening in the yard are common things to do when Anindira and her family return to their hometown. Activities that are currently awaited to change the atmosphere from the hustle and bustle of city life.

''Dira, enough melancholy!'' Anindira shouted, reminding herself, ''I'm alone now... really, I'm really alone!''

Anindira returned to the reality that she had to face. After being down several times, she then calmed down again. This time, she realized that she was not dreaming.

''Wake up Anindira!'' Anindira shouted again, ''You have to monitor the situation immediately. These are just the trees... it could be a big problem if a predator appears.''

Immediately, Anindira stepped as fast as she could. It was clear that Anindira was panicking and anxious, but she also tried to stay calm. She tried to find a way out. At that moment, she couldn't think of anything else. There was only the thought that she had to get out of that place as soon as possible and seek help.

''Do I have a problem with my eyes?!'' asked a man in his heart, ''She, a woman?! What is she doing here?!''

Unbeknownst to Anindira, since earlier there had been a pair of sapphire blue eyes that had always been staring at her from a distance. The pair of sapphire eyes continued to watch every movement Anindira made.

''What's this?!'' screamed Anindira in a confused tone, ''There's nothing... I feel like I've walked quite far, but I haven't found anything...''

Anindira kept walking, there was no path, nor were there any scratches on the trees that were usually left by climbers, hunters, or even villagers who usually went in and out of the forest.

''Really, I'm entering a forest that has never been entered before?!''

Anindira's mind began to spread terror in her heart.

''No. No. N-no way!'' Anindira screamed again in confusion, even though she tried her best to push away negative thoughts.

''How is this?!'' she screamed again in a panicked tone, ''Its true there's no... there's no sign of human presence in this forest.''

Anindira tried to calm the logic in her head, which kept thinking negatively because she was in a very unusual forest. She kept trying to suggest to herself to be calm and that nothing bad would happen to her if she could stay calm.

''Calm down... calm down Dira... try, let's just explore the gentle path. No matter what, we have to get water first...''

She walked for quite a long time, trying to feel for traces or clues. At least that was what she had learned so far.

Time continued to pass, and without realizing it, she was actually getting further and even further into the border of the *Forbidden Forest. The deepest part of the forest is very dangerous.

{The place where Anindira arrived was not far from the border of the Forest and the Forbidden Forest, which usually only those of the lowest Emerald rank dare to enter}

Chapter 2 Strange Place

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