Kang-hee gazed down at what he held in his hands with a unknown expression, it was a hairpin made from gold.
It was an item meant to be carefully returned to the secret chamber of the inner room, a possession of the Young Master. However, Kang-hee didn't comply, or to be precise, he couldn't bring himself to do so.
For a while, he delicately traced the hairpin with his trembling fingers. Kang-hee mentally pictured the woman who would have wore this on her hair. Though he had never seen her in person, his imagination painted her resembling the Young Master.
Suddenly, a burst of illuminated light flickered in the room. Kang-hee, engrossed in the contemplation of the hairpin, murmured under his breath
"You've arrived."
A faint vibration resonated, it was a signal.
It was an ominous signal indicating the imminent return of the Young Master.
The sound drew nearer. Disruption loomed over the quiet night, signaling an impending disturbance.
Kang-hee stood in the large courtyard, awaiting Young Master arrival. His expression was notably composed, yet his hand holding the lantern exhibited a subtle tremor. Given the situation, even someone like Kang-hee couldn't entirely dispel the tension.
The complexion of the servant who accompanied Kang-hee was far from looking better. He seemed pale, as if he had encountered a ghost.
The gatekeeper, leaving the main gate open, quickly retreated into his room.
Whether it was lamentable or expected, in any case, there was no servant to welcome the Young Master's return in this manner.
The rapidly echoing hoofbeats gradually slowed. Soon, Chae Yoon-sa entered through the wide-open gate, carrying the reins of a saddled horse. The servant by Kang-hee's side swiftly approached, offering a respectful greeting. Afterward, he took hold of the horse's reins and led it to the stable.
"You've arrived, Young Master."
Ignoring Kang-hee's somewhat reserved greeting, Chae Yoon-sa proceeded forward. Kang-hee, trailing behind him, cautiously spoke up.
"Young Master, there's something I need to discuss."
"Later."
"It's about Eun-oh, that kid."
In the midst of his indifferent demeanor, Chae Yoon-sa abruptly came to a halt. His gaze fixed upon Kang-hee, eyes sending a chill that hinted at an innate ability to sense an underlying problem.
"What's the matter?"
After a deep inhalation, Kang-hee spoke the prepared words
"Eun-oh ran away, Young Master"
Bang-!
Chae Yoon-sa forcefully opened the door and entered the inner room.
The dimly lit room remained empty, devoid of any presence. Familiar objects occupied their designated spaces, yet there wasn't that face that encouraged him to hurry home.
"......"
Beneath his gaze, a subtle twitch betrayed the tension within as he saw the empty room. Grinding his teeth, he turned around and headed straight for the side room, with Kang-hee hurriedly trailing behind.
Again, Bang!
A sound reminiscent of a fragile thread snapping echoed inside him.
The side room, too, was empty.
Eun-oh, and even the fox following him, were nowhere to be found.
He glared at the darkness gathered in the empty room and commanded
"Report what happened. With Honestly."
Kang-hee promptly knelt, recounting the events that had transpired.
Suspicion arose due to the ominous atmosphere caused by the disappearance of money and belongings from the dormitory. Therefore, the entire Chae Ga-won, including the inner room, was thoroughly searched, and the lost items and money from the side room were found. Surprisingly, the Young Master's belongings were also found. As Eun-oh was the only one with access to the side room, suspicion fell on him as the thief. However, knowing that he was favored by young master, the servants could do nothing but confine him, and yet, somehow he managed to run away.
Up to a certain point, it was all real. However, Kang-hee didn't stick to the truth, He subtly intertwined it with lies.
"We had a conversation last night. Despite denying it, he seemed uneasy. In fact, he has often mentioned wanting to return to the mountain. He lamented needing money to rebuild the hut that burned down. So, in my opinion..."
"Your opinions are unnecessary."
Ice-cold and razor-sharp, his voice sliced through the air with an unforgiving chill. While his actions exuded restraint, his quiet chilling nature held a large impact.
"Yes."
"When did you find out he had escaped?"
"This morning. It's speculated that he fled during the dawn. The fox that Seo Hwa
had with her also disappeared. We searched the vicinity of the estate all day but couldn't find them."
Chae Yoon-sa remained silent for a while.
He was still. Just standing there quietly.
He neither shouted nor broke any objects. However, Kang-hee understood.
The silence did not represent the Young Master's indifference.
Suddenly, a sharp metallic sound shattered the stillness. Kang-hee's attention fixated on
Yoon-sa's hand, tightly gripping the sword's hilt. Veins bulged on the robust, bone-enforced hand, tinged with a purplish color. The metallic sound was the cry of Hwando. It trembled as it could not match the owner's strength, letting out a weak wail.
Chae Yoon-sa slowly tilted his head.
Once to the right, then again to the left. Afterward, he murmured
"How dare you play hide and seek with me?"
Haha...he let out a laugh.
"It's fun"
What Kang-hee felt in that laughter was unfiltered anger and a subtle madness.
YOU ARE READING
Daldal: Main story
General FictionIn the secluded solitude of Mount Moak, 19-year-old Eun-oh has spent his entire life following his late mother's dying wish-to "live alone." However, fate takes a chilling turn when desperation leads him to steal from a mysterious man entering the...
