I stood there for a few seconds longer than necessary, staring at absolutely nothing and somehow feeling like that "nothing" was staring right back at me. The clearing had not changed in any visible way.
The walls were still in place, the ground was still empty, and there was still no clear threat. Yet the longer I stood there, the more certain I became that this place was not empty at all.
It was simply choosing not to reveal anything yet, which somehow felt far more unsettling than if something had just jumped out immediately.
The pressure from the coins lingered at the edge of my thoughts, steady and persistent, like a reminder I could not dismiss.
It was not overwhelming, but it was consistent enough to keep my attention anchored to it no matter how much I tried to focus elsewhere.
I adjusted my grip slightly, more out of habit than necessity, and let out a slow breath.
