Daldal: Main story

Chapter 58

Strolling across the wide courtyard, they reached the opposite side, where a river awaited. As the moonlight and city lights danced on the water, a different atmosphere unfolded compared to before.

This street was dominated by towering buildings, comprised an entertainment district with inns and taverns.

Crossing the street, Chae Yoon-sa soon entered the largest and tallest building, guided by the bustling atmosphere.

"Welcome, sir. Where would you like to be seated?"

"Somewhere less noisy and with a good view."

"We have a perfect spot available."

The waiter led them to the highest floor of the building. After ascending the stairs five times, they reached a floor with an expansive view, surrounded by openness.

Soon after settling into their seats, a delectable spread of food and drinks graced the table. Despite Eun-oh's prior indulgence in sweet fruits, the sight of these mouthwatering dishes stirred his appetite. He savored each bite leisurely, relishing the delightful flavors.

The melding of flavorful dishes, the inviting scent of fine wine, the vibrant city lights, and the refreshing night breeze prompted Eun-oh to spontaneously murmur.

"Ah, this is wonderful..."

I hated it so much that I thought I came here for no reason, but now it seems good again.
Eun-oh found his own mood fluctuating, feeling absurd and whimsical. However, what could he do? His feelings were genuinely like that. It was distressing before, but now it felt good, truly.

The vibrant and bustling streets of the city were filled with sights and people, an unfamiliar spectacle for Eun-oh. It was fascinating and fun, yet simultaneously frightening and tense. Perhaps if he were alone, he wouldn't have explored so enthusiastically. Well, he might have ended up crying and returning home if it weren't for the Young master. After all, losing money today would have made this experience a bad memory.

Once again, Eun-oh felt grateful for the Young master who brought him here.

"Thank you for today, Young Master."

His sincere thanks were met with no particular response. Chae Yoon-sa simply tilted his glass and gazed outside. It didn't bother Eun-oh; he was not expecting any special response.

After a while, suddenly a loud noise from outside caught their attention, and in an instant, the surroundings became brightly lit. Startled, Eun-oh leaned over the railing to look outside. What he saw was a display of fireworks soaring into the sky.

The flames briefly exhibited their brilliance before disappearing. There was no time to feel the regret of their vanishing act as they continued to explode and bloom, creating a spectacle. With each burst, the cheers from the people grew louder.

"Young Master, what's that?"

Curiosity arose in Eun-oh, who had never witnessed such a scene.

"It's firework. A performance held when the seasons change."

Fortunately, this time, instead of being ignored, a response comes back. Eun-oh was happy and added a question.

"Does it have any meaning?"

"Well, there is a meaning of overcoming ghosts and Yokai. However, it's more of an entertainment rather than a serious ritual."

The notions of ghosts and yokai lingered in Eun-oh's thoughts. Abruptly, the image of an unsightly mask adorned with horns and yellow eye sockets flashed through his mind.

In an instant, Eun-oh's expression darkened. And as Chae Yoon-sa witnessed this, a strange look appeared in his eyes.

Eun-oh, momentarily lost in thought, soon became aware of Chae Yoon-sa's gaze and flinched. Without hearing anything specific, he felt a sting, and the discomfort prompted
Eun-oh to awkwardly scratch his face.

"Oh, haha! Chasing ghosts and Yokai... But, is that really a thing? I've never seen it before."

Chae Yoon-sa remained silent, casting doubt around, but it seemed like his skepticism wasn't well-received. Suddenly, Eun-oh felt thirsty. He filled his cup with liquor and downed it in one go. The moisture eased the dryness in his throat and lips, slightly relieving the tension.

Eun-oh continued to chatter more energetically.

"Of course, aside from that, there are many things I haven't seen. Actually, that mask from earlier, I saw it for the first time. It looked incredibly scary. That... they called it a Yokai mask."

"You don't need to see such things often."

"Have you ever seen it, Young Master? Those things... I mean, a person with horns on their head and yellow eyes."

Chae Yoon-sa chuckled at Eun-oh's question.

"A person?"

Chillingly.

"Can you even call that a person?"

Eun-oh's heart felt frozen.

"Are they... not a person?"

"Didn't you just call it a Yokai?"

At this moment, Eun-oh witnesses it again. The hatred his Young master has for beings called Yokai.

"Y-Yes, that's right. A Yokai. A Yokai..."

Chae Yoon-sa's direct gaze shifted downward, unveiling Eun-oh's trembling hands. As the attention landed on them, Eun-oh swiftly concealed his hands beneath the table, forcing a awkward smile.

"Haha. It's a bit scary, you know. I heard that those creatures... well, Yokai, eat people. ... It's not true, right? It's just a rumor, I guess?"

"Do you really know nothing? Haven't you ever heard anything?"

"Yes, I've never heard anything."

The statement that he had never heard anything was true. Eun-oh truly had no knowledge about Yokai. After all, the term "Yokai" was entirely new to him. However, saying he had never heard anything might be a distorted truth with a potential for lies.

But the good news is that it worked for
Chae Yoon-sa because it was the truth.

"It seems your mother taught you letters but failed to impart what truly matters."

He mocked as if finding it pathetic but dismissed his suspicions.

"Haha, yes."

Eun-oh couldn't deny his words. He was acutely realizing how limited his knowledge about the world was. His mother taught him many things, but there seemed to be even more left untaught.

"Ghosts exist in the realm of belief. They exist if you believe, and they don't if you don't. But Yokai are real."

"So, do they really eat people?"

"Similar. They possess the body, consuming body or spirit, it's the same."

"So, people... really fear them?"

"Somewhat. They possess the spirit, intoxicating the body. Whether they consume the flesh or the spirit, the result is the same, so the distinction isn't significant."

"And that's why people... hate them?"

Eun-oh finally understood why the crowd directed unfiltered disgust towards the Yokai.

"Do you also hate them, Young Master?"

Haha. Suddenly, Chae Yoon-sa burst into laughter. It was a pure, genuine laughter.

"It's hard to believe. It's probably closer to enjoying them."

So, Eun-oh shuddered even more.

"There's nothing as fun as finding them and tearing them apart. That's why I can't help but enjoy them."

Because he recognized that Young Master cheerful laughter was the product of pure madness.