Daldal: Main story

Chapter 57

"Hey! Look ahead! Look!"

As the hallucinations of his mother faded from memory, and Eun-oh was yanked back to reality, his body swayed. Just when it felt like the ground was getting closer, a hand gripped his nape. Thanks to that, he avoided the embarrassment of falling, but instead, received an uncomfortable scolding.

"Watch where you're going."

Eun-oh, belatedly regaining his senses, glanced around. The place he was in was not a spacious courtyard, but a narrow alley with stalls lined up. Although he had walked here on his own two feet, he couldn't recall when he had arrived. It indicated his mind had been elsewhere.

"Sorry..."

The child holding a lit stick bowed apologetically. While Eun-oh was somewhat careless, the cause of the collision lay with the child who ran into him while not paying attention.

"Are you okay?"

The child reassured and skipped away with their friend, swinging the stick gleefully. As Eun-oh blankly stared at the children happily playing, a sudden impact interrupted his thoughts.

Thunk!

"Ah!"

A spark seemed to fly before him-more precisely, it hit his forehead. Either way, an unexpected pain, similar to being burned, surged through him. Eun-oh clasped his forehead with both hands, his face contorted in shock, as he looked towards Chae Yoon-sa.

"Are you awake now? Or should I do it again?"

"I'm awake. Completely awake, Young Master."

Eun-oh didn't want another hit; the fear alone forced him to snap back to reality.

"So, where was your mind wandering off to just now?"

"Well, uh..."

He was about to honestly explain when his mother's words from earlier stopped him.

Don't tell anyone, don't show it. Let's treasure it between us. Understand?

For the first time in his life, Eun-oh sensed the imperative need for a lie. It wasn't just because of the promise with his mother. The direct cause that made telling the truth impossible was Chae Yoon-sa. His expression from earlier, the cold gaze when observing the Yokai mask in the play, still lingered vividly.
Instinct whispered to him: now is the time to tell a lie.

"Money... um"

"Money?"

"Yes, I was out if my mind because of money."

Eun-oh lifted the hem of his robe, revealing an empty waistband.

"I tied it securely here. Really tight, but... it's gone."

Originally a diversion to steer away from his mother's story, it somehow turned genuine, and Eun-oh felt genuinely disheartened. It was a substantial sum, a whole ten gold coins. Now, he couldn't use it and had simply lost it. Filled with genuine sadness, Eun-oh slumped down with a heavy sigh and shouted into the air.

"Ahh, my money!"

It was a wail of frustration and sorrow, unable to contain the sense of despair. It had been so enjoyable just a moment ago... and now, it was the opposite.

He even wished he hadn't come here at all.

"I was planning to buy a gift... I should have just returned the money as it was."

Eun-oh desired to return with a heart at ease, seeking forgiveness. Despite pledging to do his best, the harsh reality refused to align with his wishes. In contemplating blame, he recognized his fault in not adequately safeguarding the valuable money. Rather than succeeding, he inadvertently showed that he was a person lacking in every aspect, evoking a sense of sadness.