As I was pondering whether to cry just to see if she'd return, the door creaked open — and there she was again.
I couldn't help but let out a giggle.
Honestly, it wasn't me trying to be adorable — it's just this baby body acting up!
When my mom scooped me up into her arms again, I finally got a good look at her. Her hair, usually a messy high ponytail, was now neatly braided.
She wasn't in her usual comfy clothes either — instead, she was decked out in some serious leather armor, the kind you only see in stories.
The armor had a sleeveless top that showed off her strong, toned arms, and she wore a fur-trimmed cloak that made her look fierce.
Her boots were metal-plated, both practical and stylish. And strapped to her back was a pitch-black battle axe, its blade covered in glowing red runes that pulsed softly with energy.
I looked up at her in total shock.
Before I could even wrap my head around what I was seeing, she gently wrapped me in a soft white cloth, tucking me snugly in her left arm, leaving just my face out.
The warmth of the fabric made me feel so sleepy — it was incredibly soft and cozy that my eyelids began to droop.
But no, not now! I wanted to see what she was up to dressed like this.
Was she going to put on some kind of cosplay show?
Apparently not.
To my surprise, my mom headed straight for the door.
'Wait… are we going out?!'
A wave of excitement washed over me at the thought. I'd never seen the world outside this house — and finally, I might get my chance!
As she opened the door, a rush of fresh, cool air swept in. The smell of wet soil, leaves, and rain enveloped me — so crisp and clean.
Then my vision brightened, flooded with sunlight streaming through the misty green forest beyond.
For the first time since my rebirth, I was about to see the world I now called home.
"Whaaa!"
Seeing my excitement for the first time ever, my mom burst into a bright, cheerful laugh. She lifted me up with both hands and started spinning me around playfully.
The world around me blurred and twirled — but instead of feeling dizzy, I was mesmerized. Everything seemed so enchanting.
As she twirled me, I caught glimpses of what was around us.
Towering trees with dark, nearly black bark reached high into the misty sky.
Their thick branches stretched out like ancient arms, blocking much of the sunlight from reaching the forest floor.
Below, the ground was covered with unusual plants — mosses, glowing mushrooms, and flowers I had never seen before, even in pictures.
The air buzzed with the soft chirping of birds and the gentle rustling of small creatures — probably squirrels — scurrying through the underbrush.
Wait… this world has birds and squirrels too?
My mom stopped spinning and lifted me high in her arms, as if she was proudly showing me our home.
At first glance, it was stunning.
In the heart of the forest, surrounded by those tall black trees, stood a two-story house, made from the same dark wood as the forest itself.
The whole exterior seemed almost alive — green vines with a soft glow crawled along the walls, wrapping around every stone as if they were holding the house together with a gentle, natural force.
At the roofline, clusters of colorful flowers bloomed, glowing softly in shades of blue, violet, and gold, illuminating the dim forest around us like floating lanterns.
There wasn't another house in sight — not even a distant chimney.
It felt secluded, yet oddly serene.
Are we… living deep inside the forest?
The sunlight barely touched the ground here, filtering through the leaves in soft golden beams. The air was thick and humid, filled with the earthy scent of moss and rain.
"Hehe!"
I couldn't help but giggle.
My little heart raced with excitement as I took in the dreamlike scenery around me.
It all felt surreal — as if I had walked right into one of those storybooks I used to read before bedtime in my previous life.
After giving me a tour of the house, my mom started to wander along the foggy paths nearby, holding me close like I was her most cherished possession.
The air was calm yet cool, enveloped in a light mist that sparkled in the soft light. In the distance, I could hear the soothing sound of water flowing — the river trickling over the rocks.
Even though the air was chilly, I felt perfectly warm.
The soft white fabric wrapped around me kept me cozy, and being in her embrace made me feel secure — as if nothing in this unfamiliar world could ever harm me.
As we approached the river, I spotted something amazing. Tiny, sparkling green lights started to pop up all around us, floating softly in the air like fireflies.
They glimmered gently, reflecting off the water and lighting up the fog with a soft, emerald hue.
The lights surrounded us from all sides, but they didn't seem threatening — more like curious little creatures just observing.
Only a few floated closer, hovering near me as if they were attracted to my presence.
For a fleeting moment, I thought they might be friendly.
But then my mother suddenly frowned and waved her hand sharply, shooing them away.
Her face darkened with annoyance — maybe even a hint of anger.
Wait… are those things dangerous?
They didn't seem harmful at all.
If anything, they appeared gentle, almost sacred — like something out of a fairy tale.
Could they be spirits or elemental beings? I had no idea.
There were so many things in this world that I didn't understand.
Yet, as the glowing specks danced above the river, their reflections rippling across the water, the scene felt nothing short of magical. I could've watched them forever.
But the beauty didn't last long.
As we strolled along the riverside, the lights began to fade one by one, disappearing into the mist until the world grew dim again.
Gradually, the fresh scent of the forest air shifted — replaced by a foul, rotten odor that hit my nose so sharply I nearly cried.
The stench was unbearable, thick and heavy like decay.
My mom's expression changed instantly. The calm and warmth she usually had disappeared, replaced by a cold focus.
Her red eyes sharpened.
Without saying a word, she reached behind her back, gripped her battle axe, and pulled it out in one smooth motion.
The faint red runes along its blade started to glow ominously in the fog.
She adjusted her stance, holding me tightly in her left arm while keeping the weapon ready in her right.
Every movement she made was silent and precise — like someone who was used to danger.
I couldn't tell what she was getting ready for, but the scent was getting stronger.
My stomach knotted up.
Then, a noise shattered the quiet.
"Grrrrhhhhhhdhhdhhhdhd!"
It was a rough, guttural scream — not quite human, not quite animal.
A shiver ran down my spine.
Is that… some sort of monster?
We hadn't even gone far from home, and already there was danger lurking close by?
So much for a calm fantasy world — this place was definitely not safe.
Before I could think of anything else, my mother's body stiffened.
Then she moved.
Quickly.
With frightening speed, she lunged forward, the black axe shining in the dim green light as she vanished into the mist.
The world around me became a blur. The trees, the river, even the fog — everything zipped by like I was in a fast car on the highway.
Can a person really move this quickly?!
Before I could think any further, the sharp, guttural roar of the monster echoed again — followed by the wet slash of a blade and a horrible tearing sound that made my small body tremble.
What on earth was going on? Was my mom actually battling monsters while holding me in her arms?!
That's just crazy!
The sounds around me turned into a chaotic symphony — heavy roars, the whoosh of her axe, and the sickening thud of bodies hitting the ground.
Every movement was so rapid I couldn't keep up, but somehow I managed to catch a glimpse of her right hand.
The black axe she wielded was glowing — its crimson runes burning like fire.
The entire blade radiated a red aura, pulsing in sync with her strikes.
Drops of fresh blood splattered across her arm and dripped down the edge of the weapon.
"Whaaa!"
A startled cry slipped from my lips before I could hold it back.
For a brief moment, my mom looked down at me. Despite the chaos, she gave me her usual warm smile — calm and reassuring, as if nothing in the world could harm us.
Then she turned back and swung her axe again, moving even faster than before.
The monsters howled in pain.
One after another, they fell — sliced apart with terrifying precision.
It wasn't just one or two of them; there were dozens, lunging from the mist, only to be cut down instantly.
Left. Right. Behind.
Every direction — every shadow that moved — was torn apart by her flashing blade.
And just like that, it was over.
Silence descended, broken only by the faint crackle of red energy fading from her weapon.
My mom exhaled, then gently placed the axe back onto her back.
Her expression softened as she lifted me up with both hands, smiling like she hadn't just single-handedly wiped out group of monsters.
Only then did I notice what lay around us.