Ren opened the map of Maze Forest on his screen and began following the winding path that led toward Hubert's Little Trinket Shop.
He didn't have the luxury to admire the scenery — the towering trees with canopies so vast they blotted out the sky, the clusters of glowing mushrooms and strange flowers, or the harmless forest critters scurrying between roots and ferns. Even the curious little creatures peeking from the bushes failed to catch his attention.
He was in a hurry.
Eyes fixed on the map, Ren didn't notice the figure ahead until it was too late.
Thud!
"Ofgh!"
Ren stumbled a step back and blinked at the small figure he'd just collided with.
It was . . . a kid.
But not an ordinary one.
The boy's sharp, childish voice didn't match his oddly bulky frame, nor did his youthful face match his hairy arms and tiger-like tail. His appearance screamed Beast race — feline features, golden-striped fur, tiger ears twitching above his head, and a long tail swaying behind him.
