Daldal: Main story

Chapter 3

The mountain dawn, particularly in winter, unfolds in serene silence. Even the crickets withhold their song in this silent realm. Thus, any disruption in this pristine stillness, regardless of its magnitude, resonates with a profound sense of presence.

"...?"

Eun-oh's eyes flicker open. An unusual sound shatters the silence-a dull thud echoing in the quiet surroundings. He wasn't particularly sensitive to sounds, usually too fatigued to be easily awakened. Yet, the occurrence of this unusual noise and the uncanny unease it brought made it impossible to ignore.

He wasn't alone in sensing the anomaly. Yeoul, exhibiting keen awareness, had already risen, his large ears twitching as he scanned the surroundings. Then, as if catching a scent, he sniffed the air, his black nose twitching.

"Shh" Eun-oh signaled to Yeoul. Since they couldn't determine the source of the sound, caution was essential. If it were a hungry wild beast wandering nearby, it was best to wait quietly until it moved away.

However, after a short while, it happened again.

Bang-!

The sound echoed once more, more defined than before. It didn't resemble the footsteps of an animal. What could it be? Eun-oh gazed into the empty air, placing his hand on the ground, yet it proved insufficient to discern the origin of the mysterious noise.

What was it? Did he mishear something? He doubted his own ears and scratched his head.

Suddenly, Yeoul lowered his body, emitting a sharp howl. Simultaneously, a particular smell pierced Eun-oh's nostrils. It was a pungent odor.

Following the scent, Eun-oh turned his head. There, crawling up the wall of the hut, was a snake-like line of fire.

"Huh!"

It was fire.

Fire!

Why all of a sudden!

Eun-oh couldn't believe it even as he watched, so he opened his mouth with a dumb expression on his face.

The unexplained fire inflated rapidly, emitting a noxious smoke. The thick, hazy smoke rushed towards Eun-oh, choking him and causing tears to stream down his face. Coughing and gasping for air, he struggled.

In the blink of an eye, the fire grew into flames, reaching out towards Yeoul. He yelped, shaking off the sparks clinging to his tail.

If this continues, I will die. Even if I held on, I would either burn to death, suffocate, or die anyway. I couldn't hold on any longer.

"Yeoul, we need to get out! We must go outside!"

Yeoul jumped out first. Eun-oh followed suit. His legs, stiff with tension, collapsed as soon as they exited the hut. Coughing violently, he lay sprawled on the ground, struggling for breath.

It was then.

"Looks like a mouse got what it deserved."

A mocking tone echoed from somewhere.

Eun-oh was startled, lifting his head.
A dense darkness clouded his vision, tinted with hazy smoke and tears.

Within that darkness lurked a figure-a man unsure if he was shrouded by darkness or embodied the darkness itself.

Eun-oh raised his head in bewilderment.

The man's features remained elusive, partially due to the billowing flames behind him. Yet, one thing was evident - the imposing stature of the figure surpassed even the largest man Eun-oh had encountered, the butcher from the slaughterhouse.