The library and the book of mushroom

Kai’s mind raced as he heard approaching footsteps. Panic surged through him—who was coming? Was it the mafia boss?

Frantically, he looked around the massive room. His eyes landed on a grand wooden bookshelf in the corner, its towering shelves packed with books. Without thinking, he rushed toward it, desperate for a place to hide.

But as he reached the shelves, he noticed something unexpected—a book stood out among the rest.

The cover was old and slightly dusty, yet something about it drew him in. The title, written in elegant golden letters, read: Mushrooms. It felt strange to find a book like this in such a luxurious place, but his curiosity got the best of him.

Kai hesitated for a moment before pulling it from the shelf. As soon as he flipped it open, a chilling sensation washed over him—as if the book held secrets meant to be uncovered.

He skimmed through the pages, his eyes widening at the strange fungi descriptions:

• The Fungi Crswpite: A large, attention-seeking mushroom that avoided other groups. Harvesting it was difficult due to its unpredictable spore release. “Be cautious—this fungus thrives in solitude and rejects company.”

• The Fungi Belussa: A pink mushroom that always grew in pairs. “Do not touch its juice,” the book warned. “Even the slightest contact can cause hallucinations, trapping one in a dreamlike state for days.”

• The Fungi Pavia Mushroom: Known for its dotted pattern, it grew in sets of three. "A popular delicacy in the village of Rosedale, yet also a deadly poison if not prepared correctly."

• The Fungi Spritate: A wide mushroom with faded colors and a spiral pattern on its cap. It only grew in sets of three and was nearly impossible to find.

• Champignons Fry: A mushroom with medicinal properties. When heated, it turned pink, signaling that it was ready to use. The book recommended pairing it with cream, vegetables, bread, mayonnaise, soy sauce, and garlic powder for a delicious sauce. “Highly recommended with pasta,” it added.

Kai’s stomach growled at the mention of food, but before he could read further—

Kai froze, his breath hitching. His entire body tensed, but he did not turn around. He could feel the presence of someone behind him, the air suddenly thick with tension.

Before he could even process what was happening, the person behind him pulled a book from the shelf.

A deep clicking sound echoed in the room.

Without warning, the bookshelf shifted, revealing a hidden passage.

Before Kai could move, strong hands shoved him forward. His body lurched as he stumbled straight into darkness.

He barely had time to scream before the floor beneath him vanished, sending him plummeting down into the unknown.

Thud!

Kai hit the ground hard, the impact leaving him breathless. His vision blurred as he struggled to push himself up.

And then—he looked up.

A figure loomed over him, half-hidden in the shadows. But one thing was unmistakable.

Those eyes.

The same bloodshot red eyes from before.

They glowed ominously in the dim light, burning into him like embers from a dying fire.

Kai’s heart pounded.

He wasn’t alone.

To be continued

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***