Because it started raining heavily in the early morning and continued for several hours. It continued to rain even after Ona and I woke up. As a result, we had to stay in the clothing store to wait for the rain to stop. Originally, we planned that if it rained for another hour, there would be no sign of stopping the rain.
If not, I would have to brave the rain. I’m glad I don’t have to do that now.
After the heavy rain, the already very thin fog here became even thinner, and the field of vision became wider and wider. The heavy rain washed away the dust of the city, and the air became fresher and fresher, with a slight smell of plants and trees.
It has a faint smell of moist earth and dust.
The heavy dark clouds in the past seemed to have become much lighter. The rare sunny day ushered in the long-lost sunshine on this day. It fell on this city that seemed to have become one with the plants and looked like ancient ruins. The sunshine was exposed on the high-rise buildings covered with vines.
The glass reflects the dazzling light, which is also reflected in the mirror-like pool of water on the roadside.
The morning glow meets the cloud edge, the city and nature coexist, how peaceful and beautiful it is.
"It's really beautiful... isn't it."
Ona stared at this scene with me, and she must have had the same feeling as me.
"Yes, but we should go."
Although the beautiful scenery is unforgettable, I still have a mission to do and cannot waste time just because I am nostalgic for the scenery.
We crossed Jishuitan and continued along the streets of the city to go deeper into the center. It was incredible. The closer we got to the center of the city, the more lush the plants became. Layers of fallen leaves were spread on the streets, and there were all kinds of big mushrooms.
Moss of different colors, grass longer than the knees, grow on the street, and vines thicker than arms are everywhere, climbing on the walls, or hanging between houses like cables.
It seems like you have gone deep into a strange forest, but there are clearly urban buildings here, but they coexist with plants and trees without any sense of incompatibility. It is as if the city, which has been abandoned for decades, is gradually integrating with the plants.
.
"Hey, don't you think you feel a lot warmer now that you're here?"
Ona's voice came suddenly. Because she was focused on the environment here and being wary of dangers, and the temperature change was too natural, she didn't notice it for a while. Now that I mention it, after feeling it carefully, it is indeed the case.
This temperature is quite warm compared to the outside. It is neither too hot nor cold. There is a breeze blowing from time to time, but it is not strong.
The fog gradually dissipated, but looking towards the road here, the fog gradually thickened as we looked outside, as if all the cold and strong winds outside the city and the thick fog that never dissipated all year round were just an illusion created to hide this place.
There was a sound of water coming from the front. As we continued walking in the direction of the source of the sound, the terrain gradually became less smooth. There were many sunken places, and we could see a lot of accumulated water, and even flowing creeks, maybe small ones.
A stream is just a very common thing, but its appearance in the city is very eye-catching.
Moving along the creek, I planned to find its source. The creek was very long, and I saw many other branches of creeks along the way. I don’t know how long I walked. The sound of water became more and more loud, even in some low-lying places.
A small waterfall has formed, and because the air is humid, moss grows everywhere. You have to be careful not to slip when walking. Of course, I would not make such a mistake.
"Stop, shush..."
I stretched out my hand to stop Ona and signaled her to stop and keep quiet, but my hand seemed to have caught a part that shouldn't be touched. A soft, full, and elastic feeling came from my hand. The next second I retracted my hand instantly, embarrassed.
Already.
"What's wrong?"
However, Ona didn't seem to care at all and asked in a lowered voice.
"Look there."
Well, since she doesn't care, I won't mention it on purpose. I just raise my hand and point to an abandoned rail bus covered with weeds and moss not far ahead. A stream passes by it, and there are creatures there.
Drink water.
"Is it a deer? Judging from the appearance and the shape of its horns, it is a Nile deer, a native animal in the Okork City area, but the Nile deer is not that big."
Ona was surprised at first, and then showed a confused look.
This is also what surprised me. The size of this deer obviously exceeded the size records of all deer species at this stage. Its size can even be comparable to that of an adult rhinoceros. However, I was not only surprised by this, because this Nile deer
Except for the huge size, there are almost no changes in other places. It has not become cruel or ugly, and it even makes people feel a kind of beauty.
Could it be...but it's unlikely?
"Go ahead and don't disturb them."
Next to the Nile deer, there is a young Nile deer. There is only gentle emotion in its big eyes. Just walk around them and let this peace continue.
Contact with the research team had been interrupted long before I came here, but my investigation must continue.
I saw more and more creatures along the way, Nile deer, macaques, flying squirrels... hmm? Isn't this my nickname? Regardless of these, without exception, the sizes of these animals have become much larger.
Here you can even see gorillas bigger than buses, like giants, and tigers as big as private cars hunting other animals.
The animals that have become huge are already incredible, but the appearance of these animals in the ruined dense forest city becomes even more astounding.
I thought it was impossible, but the scene in front of me told me that this was a miracle. The creatures here did not undergo terrible mutations like the creatures affected by disasters outside, but retained their original ecology, as if they were natural.
It seems that it has evolved in a good direction.
"This place is crazy, don't you think so?"
Ona's face was full of disbelief. In order not to be discovered by those giant aggressive creatures, we moved forward quietly.
"Just keep your voice down if you know."
To be honest, any carnivorous creature here may tear Ona into pieces. I don't have the confidence to protect her while facing a huge creature. I must keep my whereabouts as stealthy as possible and not make too much noise.
Maybe I shouldn't have let her follow me in here.
I took out the paper map from my backpack and looked at it, and then compared it with the surrounding buildings. Although the environment has changed drastically, I can still recognize some buildings. By now, I have entered the city center.
The sky is getting darker and it's almost night. It's very unsafe to stay in a place like this. You have to find a place to stay, preferably a little higher off the ground.
"It's getting dark, let's find a place to rest for the night."
I put away the map and looked around and said.
"good."
Ona nodded in agreement. It was obvious that she didn't want to stay in the dense forest streets at night where dangerous creatures were infested.
"Wait a moment."
I had a strange feeling in my heart. I called out to Ona who was about to find a place to stay. This was probably not my imagination.
"What's wrong?"
Ona stopped and became alert. Maybe she didn't know what was going on, but she had received strict training and raised the muzzle of the gun without any hesitation and started to be alert.
"Something is watching us."
Although it was very faint, I could feel the breath of the creature, and a feeling of danger surged from my heart.
I slowly turned around and saw an extremely terrifying scene.