In the gloomy fog, the trees had become especially blurred, making them somewhat troublesome to distinguish.
Yet although the unbroken fog looked thick from afar, within a few steps, the scenery could still be seen clearly.
Clusters of short shrubs grew beneath most of the trees.
Weeds and hardy plants fought the trees for what little nourishment there was.
The entire forest looked malnourished.
Several small animals with tawny-brown fur were gathered amid a patch of low shrubs, frolicking about. Whenever they rolled over, their little white bellies were exposed.
They were small, adorable beasts. Though their limbs were short, they ran quickly, could climb trees, and could burrow. They usually fed on wild grass and the branches and leaves of shrubs, making them one of the gentlest kinds of animals in the forest.
They usually lived in groups, with large packs dwelling underground in densely burrowed lairs. During the day, they liked to play aboveground.
Morning was when they came out to forage, and the fresh blades of grass still beaded with raindrops at dawn were the favorites of these herbivores.
Suddenly, a strange change erupted in the forest!
A violent gust swept down, and carried on that wind was a faint yet unmistakable aura belonging to a large bird of prey!
That aura frightened the small animals, who had been peacefully playing, out of their wits!
Animals were exceptionally keen when it came to sensing danger!
In no time at all, not a single animal sound remained anywhere within a thousand-meter radius!
Any animal with the slightest instinct for self-preservation desperately held its breath and concealed its presence, determined not to be discovered by the bird of prey that had suddenly descended!
"Lightning, you're becoming more and more impressive." A faintly teasing voice suddenly rang out in midair.