The shock of the unexpected arrival lingered, a cold knot in Ji-woo's stomach. He couldn't comprehend what had happened. One moment he was falling, the next he was… here. He backed away from the window, his gaze sweeping over the room once more. It was tiny, barely larger than a storage closet. The walls were rough-hewn stone, the ceiling low and beamed, and the single window looked out onto… well, not the sea he expected, but a jumble of thatched roofs and winding, dirt paths.
He cautiously touched the rough stone wall, its texture cool and damp. He noticed a small, crudely made wooden table and a three-legged stool. A single, flickering candle provided the only light. The air smelled of damp earth and something… sweet, like dried herbs. There was a rustic simplicity to the room, a stark contrast to the modern comforts he was used to.
He stumbled towards the window, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked out, and his breath caught in his throat. It wasn't the sea he saw, but a world unlike any he had ever imagined. It was a village, nestled in a valley surrounded by rolling hills. Small, thatched cottages dotted the landscape, smoke curling lazily from their chimneys. People, dressed in what looked like homespun clothing, moved about the village, some carrying baskets, others tending to small gardens. It was a peaceful scene, almost idyllic, but… different.
He saw no cars, no electric lights, no familiar technology. Instead, he saw carts pulled by strange, furry animals, and people carrying what looked like glowing lanterns. In the distance, he could see what looked like a castle, its towers reaching towards the sky. Everything felt ancient, magical, and utterly surreal.
A wave of dizziness washed over him, and he stumbled back from the window, collapsing onto the bed. It was a simple straw-filled mattress, covered with a rough woolen blanket. He lay there for a moment, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. Had he imagined it all? Was he still falling, his mind conjuring up this bizarre world as he plummeted towards the sea?
He sat up again, determined to explore. He had to know if this was real. He walked towards the door, a simple wooden latch holding it closed. He lifted the latch and pushed the door open, revealing a narrow, cobblestone path.
He stepped outside, blinking in the bright sunlight. The air was fresh and clean, filled with the sounds of birdsong and the gentle murmur of voices. He looked around at the village, taking in the sights and smells. It was a small community, seemingly untouched by the modern world. The houses were simple and charming, with flower boxes in the windows and vines climbing up the walls. The people he saw were friendly, some waving and smiling as he passed.
He started to walk down the path, his senses overwhelmed by the strangeness of it all. He passed a small shop with a sign written in a language he didn't recognize. He saw a group of children playing in a small square, chasing a ball made of woven reeds. He heard the sound of music, a lively tune played on what sounded like a flute and a drum.
He felt like an intruder, a stranger in a strange land. He didn't belong here. But at the same time, he felt a pull, a curiosity that urged him to explore further, to uncover the secrets of this magical village. He had fallen from a cliff, expecting death, and instead, he had found… this. He had no idea what it meant, but he knew one thing: his life had just taken a very unexpected turn.