Daldal: Main story

Chapter 35

Chae Yoon-sa strung an arrow on the bow and pulled it back. The first to pierce the center of the target was his sharp gaze. Having determined the position of the target, he adjusted the angle of the arrow with subtle movements.

The taut bow, drawn to its limit, seemed tense. It was a black composite bow made of Yokai horns and iron tendons. Given its strong elasticity and durability, pulling the bow required considerable strength. As if to prove this, vivid blue veins protruded tautly on Chae Yoon-sa's arm and the back of his hand.

The arrowhead, prepared to take flight, gleamed sharply. At the moment when the center of the target met the arrow's gaze, he released the arrow.

Thunk-!

The arrow, slicing through the air, sadly landed slightly off-center. Chae Yoon-sa furrowed his brow, clenching and releasing the hand that had pulled the bowstring.

Today, his body felt oddly dull.

"It's my turn now."

This time, Yohwan stepped forward. In his hand, he held a black composite bow, just like Chae Yoon-sa's. Gazing at the center of the target, Yohwan took a deep breath and pulled the bowstring. Holding his breath, Yohwan precisely lodged the arrow in the center.

"Unfortunately, it seems I've won this time, Young Master."

Yohwan shrugged, and Chae Yoon-sa smirked. It was a nod of acceptance.

Given five arrows and one target, the large target had multiple concentric circles drawn around the center. The rules of the match were simple: take turns shooting five arrows, and the one with the most accurate hits closest to the center wins.

Yohwan hit the center with four out of five arrows, while Chae Yoon-sa managed to hit the center with three out of five. Consequently, Yohwan emerged as the winner. This outcome was not only a testament to Yohwan's skill but also a result of Chae Yoon-sa's compromised physical condition.

Chae Yoon-sa clenched and released his right hand repeatedly.

Despite choosing a bow with less tension to avoid exertion, it seemed to strain his body more than usual. Dull pain and slight cramps radiated through the entire arm that had pulled the bowstring.

"Are you alright?"

Yohwan, concerned, inquired about Chae Yoon-sa's condition.

"Not great."

"Your complexion looks better than usual."

"Does it?"

"Yes, indeed."

Chae Yoon-sa felt that, for him, his body was heavier than usual, or more precisely, sluggish. It was a sensation of dulled sensitivity throughout his body. He didn't particularly enjoy this feeling, but strangely, today it didn't seem too bad. Despite the heaviness, his mind felt refreshingly clear, perhaps a lingering effect of a deep sleep.

"Then, it must be thanks to a good night's sleep."

He hadn't experienced restful sleep often. Except for being ensnared in sickness, he usually resorted to light dozing. It was both a habit ingrained in the ever-changing battlefield and a precaution against occasional nightmares.

Yet, yesterday was an exception; he enjoyed a sound sleep after a long time. Unaware of morning arriving, he must not have slept lightly.

"You seem troubled."

"Well..."

Chae Yoon-sa's ambiguous response leaned closer to a denial. It was challenging to attribute his deep sleep simply to fatigue. Lately, his body hadn't tired easily, and he hadn't engaged in activities strenuous enough to cause exhaustion.

Then what was it? What led him to such sound sleep?

The tail of the mystery nibbled at his thoughts, revealing a nocturnal memory. Precisely, it was the image of that servant, who had lain beside him, breathing steadily, and lulled him to sleep.

"..."

Unintentionally lost in his thoughts, he came up with a hypothesis. Perhaps, just perhaps, it could be due to the sound and scent emanating from that servant.

Indeed, he had drifted off to sleep while listening to Eun-oh's voice. Waking briefly, he had become engrossed in the low, steady breathing and scent, then drifted back to sleep. Moreover, this wasn't the first time he had deeply slept with Eun-oh in the room. It had happened before. Hence, this could be a reasonably plausible conjecture.

Regardless, it wasn't an issue requiring an immediate conclusion. He set aside unnecessary thoughts and extended the bow he had been holding to Yohwan.

"Shall I fetch something else?"

Yohwan inquired as he took the bow.

"No, it's better to stop here."

Attempting anything more with his heavy body would be futile. After finishing archery in about half an hour, Chae Yoon-sa joined Yohwan to leave the shooting range.