Fearful, Ji Nuan's hands were weak, unable to muster any strength. The stick slipped away from her grip and smashed into the little black dot in a perfect falling trajectory.
The anticipated critter did not spring forth as expected.
Rather, a slightly annoyed and incredibly cute "awoo" sound echoed in Ji Nuan's ear.
She incredulously dug around in her ear, wondering if she had just heard the cry of a little cub.
Oh my God!
Which orc had been careless enough to let their child run loose in this forest, susceptible to being snatched away by some vicious beast?
Now that she was certain it wasn't a snake, Ji Nuan's courage started to creep back, if only a little.
She bent down to retrieve the stick, carefully parting the grass in front of her. The sight that met her gaze made her heart instantly relax, followed by an outpouring of compassion.