You tried to ignore it. The odd trees without their foliage could be dismissed as natural. Maybe it’s a species that doesn't grow leaves, or maybe the plants are unhealthy. The animals you encounter sometimes, with their pure white eyes, could have genetic issues. They stare at you intently - unsettlingly - so leaving is more of a priority than studying them in return. The constant, pressing feeling that you’re being watched.. Well, this is a single player world. You aren't used to the loneliness; it's making you paranoid.

Your base away from civilization is quite peaceful, but maybe a visit to civilization is in order. There's a village not too far, only a day or two by horseback.

You saddled up, preparing for the journey. The feeling of eyes on you remained, but no danger arose, even after the sun set. It never did. All hostile mobs avoided you, and they certainly never attacked you. It wasn't exactly clear why, but it was as if they all had some reason to fear harming you.

As you rode, a figure vaguely registered ahead of you on the path, shrouded in fog. A zombie, maybe? No reason to worry. You didn't stop, expecting it to move once it noticed you. Zombies tended to react a bit slower than other mobs.

It wasn't a zombie, though. It wasn't even a mob. It was a human, standing in casual clothes. He wasn't a villager; he looked more like a player, but that isn't possible. His white eyes glinted, appearing to glow in the darkness as they bore into you.