80. A Corpse in the Cornfield
The sun slowly began to rise behind the mountains surrounding Blue Cloud Traditional Village, its dawn light spilling across the entire settlement. Yet, the serene morning routine was abruptly overshadowed by an atmosphere of horror. An unprecedented tragedy had unfolded.
Villagers gathered at the edge of the forest, in the middle of a sprawling cornfield. They encircled a dismembered body strewn across the rain-softened ground.
The victim's limbs had been torn apart as if savaged by a frenzied pack of wild beasts. The traditional woven garment he had worn lay shredded, fragments scattered among the corn stalks.
A little girl sobbed in the arms of an older woman, recognizing the mangled body as her father, who had been missing since the previous night. Meanwhile, her mother clung to her tightly, struggling to remain composed despite her tears.