After leaving the forest, Siu Jou took the little child back to the village. The villagers welcomed them with relief and gratitude. Laughter and cheers echoed through the air, but Siu Jou remained cold and calm. He knew that the adventure was not over—it had only just begun.
As the child was handed over to their parents and received medical care, Siu Jou sat at the edge of the village, gazing toward the now distant and tranquil forest. He looked at the tall trees as if something hidden lay behind their silence.
"The forgotten track," he muttered quietly. He remembered the small footprints he found at the beginning of his journey—footprints that seemed different from ordinary animal tracks. Tracks that appeared to be made by something more than just a beast.
He took out a piece of cloth from inside his shirt, which he had previously used to cover a small wound on his hand while fighting the tiger. On the cloth, there were traces of mud and bloodstains from the footprints he followed.
"These tracks... aren't animal tracks," Siu Jou thought firmly. "There's something in this forest that has been forgotten, something important."
He knew that the footprints led to the deepest part of the forest—a place long considered the center of power and mystery. With growing determination, Siu Jou decided to return to that place, despite the great risks awaiting him.
As the day began to darken, Siu Jou packed his belongings, gathering some food and tools he needed. He refused to lose the trail again. With steady steps, he re-entered the darkness of the forest, following the forgotten footprints.
As he journeyed further, the atmosphere grew increasingly ominous. The sounds of wild animals could be heard again from afar, and large shadows flickered between the trees. But Siu Jou remained focused, carefully following the trail.
Finally, he arrived at a different area from before. The trees here appeared older and smaller, as if hundreds of years old. In the middle stood a large stone covered in moss and roots sprawling in all directions.
On the stone, there were strange markings—ancient carvings depicting mysterious creatures and strange symbols that he could not understand. Siu Jou stepped closer, examining the carvings carefully.
"This... looks like a clue," he muttered. He touched the carvings, feeling the rough texture of the ancient stone. Something was hidden behind them—like a secret waiting to be uncovered.
Suddenly, the wind blew stronger, bringing a mysterious aroma and strange sounds from within the forest. Siu Jou realized that these footprints were not ordinary signs but a call to uncover something greater.
With curiosity and burning resolve, Siu Jou gazed into the dark, mysterious depth of the forest. He knew that his next step would determine his fate—and perhaps the fate of the village and the entire forest itself.