The next morning.
The first rays of the sun had not yet fully reached deep into the forest. Drops of light filtered through the gaps in the leaves, falling onto the ground as if carving a slow path through the darkness. The air carried a cool freshness, mixed with the scent of dew-soaked grass all around.
Professor Jones and Martin woke up very early and got ready. They knew—the sooner they could grasp the beginning of this mystery, the better.
They took along some essential equipment—a camera, a notebook, binoculars, and a small compass. Jones opened his notebook and wrote down a few observations from the previous night, while Martin slung the binoculars over his shoulder.
As they left the hotel and began walking toward the forest, the sunlight gradually started to brighten the surroundings. The chirping of birds grew louder. In some places, groups of monkeys had already begun their daily activities.
As soon as they reached the entrance of the forest, they stopped.
Martin looked around and said,
"This is where it begins."
Jones smiled lightly and replied,
"Let's see what this forest wants to show us."
They slowly stepped inside.
The moment they entered, the atmosphere seemed to change. The light from outside was much dimmer here. Dense shadows of trees, and a thick layer of dry leaves underfoot—each step made a crisp, crackling sound.
After walking a short distance, they noticed something on the ground.
Jones bent down.
"Look at this."
There were large footprints on the ground. At first glance, they looked like those of a bear, but upon closer inspection, something didn't quite match.
Martin crouched down and examined them. He measured the depth of the prints with his hand and touched the edges with his fingers.
"Are these really from a bear?" he asked.
Jones slowly shook his head.
"Not exactly. Look—bear footprints are usually a bit round, and the claw marks are quite distinct. But here…"
He pointed at one of the prints.
"The claw mark here is strangely straight, almost as if it was artificially made."
Martin remained silent for a moment.
"You mean someone made these deliberately?"
Jones didn't answer directly.
"It's too early to say. But this isn't natural."
They continued moving deeper into the forest. The jungle was becoming denser. In some places, light could barely penetrate. The air now carried a heavy smell—of soil, decaying leaves, and something unknown.
Suddenly, a sound came from a nearby bush.
Both of them froze.
Martin whispered,
"Something moved."
Jones raised his hand, signaling him to stay quiet. They stood still for a few seconds.
Then suddenly, a deer darted out from the bush.
Martin let out a soft breath.
"False alarm!"
Jones smiled faintly.
"Better to stay cautious in a place like this."
After walking a little further, they saw an elderly tribal man sitting under a tree. He wore earth-colored clothing and held a stick in his hand. His eyes carried the weight of deep experience.
Seeing them, he looked slightly surprised.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
Jones politely stepped forward and said,
"We've come from the city. We're trying to learn about the bear situation."
The old man looked at them silently for a moment. Then he slowly said,
"There are bears… but…"
He paused.
Martin leaned forward with interest.
"But what?"
The old man looked around, as if to ensure no one was listening. Then in a low voice, he said,
"Sometimes… we see something else too."
Jones grew curious.
"What is it?"
The old man whispered,
"A man… who roams with the bear."
For a moment, time seemed to freeze.
Martin and Jones looked at each other.
"A man?" Martin said in astonishment.
The old man nodded.
"Yes. But he is not always seen. Only at night… sometimes from a distance… and then he suddenly disappears."
Martin's eyes sharpened.
"Are you sure?"
The old man replied,
"I have seen it with my own eyes. And others in the village have seen it too."
Jones said slowly,
"This is very strange…"
The old man stood up.
"Be careful. This forest is not what it used to be."
With that, he slowly walked away.
Jones remained silent for a while.
"A man and a bear together…"
Martin said,
"It sounds like a story, but if it's true, this is something much bigger."
They started walking again, but now their focus was sharper.
That day, they wandered through the forest for a long time. In several places, they found those unusual footprints, but no direct evidence.
When the sun had risen overhead, they decided to head back.
On the way back, Jones suddenly stopped.
"Look."
Martin looked ahead.
Several large sal trees lay cut down on the ground. The trunks were cleanly sliced—as if cut with a sharp saw.
Martin stepped forward and touched one of the trunks.
"These were cut recently. At most, a day or two ago."
He looked around and said,
"So someone is stealing timber here?"
Jones slowly stood up. There was a glint of mystery in his eyes.
"Possibly…"
He paused, then said,
"And that's why this 'bear story' has been created."
Martin's face grew serious.
"You mean people are being scared away from the forest?"
Jones nodded.
"Exactly. If no one comes into the forest, it becomes much easier for the thieves to operate."
Martin thought deeply.
"And that 'man with the bear' story…"
Jones said,
"Maybe the whole story isn't entirely true… but hidden within it is the real truth."
Both of them remained silent for a moment.
A gentle breeze flowed through the forest. Leaves rustled, and somewhere in the distance, a strange sound echoed.
The mystery was growing deeper.
They knew—this was only the beginning.