Enigma of Darkness//Vkook

In the Shadow of Fear

Gandok is a place rich in culture. The people here celebrate every occasion with music, carnivals, feasts, games, and more. They know how to live and enjoy life. Despite the various regulations and societal changes, this aspect of Gandok remains stable.

Taehyung stopped in front of a carnival entrance. The entry was embellished with traditional wolf lanterns and bustling with people in traditional robes, laughing, chattering, and taking pictures. The entry was quite beautiful, excited Moon Goddess about what was inside.

They walked up the stairs and passed under the giant entry arch, with a huge wolf lantern overhead. The place was colorful and lively. Lights hung from all sides and various stalls were decorated beautifully. Some vendors were still setting up their stalls, while many were already open for business. 

Attendants guided people around, and as Taehyung entered, they bowed and handed him a leaflet detailing the activities and information about the stalls. Taehyung took the pamphlet, but the attendant hadn’t released it yet, looking at him with a smile she added, “Find me where the old lady’s rice cakes are sweet, but the clock’s strike is bitter.” 

Taehyung frowned as the attendant released the other end of the pamphlet and looked away, attending to other customers. Moon Goddess stared at the girl or the attendant, “She has a creepy smile,” she commented, walking next to Taehyung, who was staring at the pamphlet.

He had a feeling that eyes were watching his every move. He checked the pamphlet and quickly looked for the rice cake shop. There were many, so he decided to look for the old lady mentioned, going through each stall that sell rice cakes. The last line said by the girl can mean that the time is limited, so Taehyung hurried to search for the old lady.

Not fond of crowds and being well-known among the people, Taehyung felt awkward. He bought a cap from a nearby stall and pulled it low to hide his face.

As Taehyung checked one rice cake stall after another, a man passed by nudging him. Taehyung stopped and asked the man to watch where he was going. The man turned and looked at him strangely as if staring deeply into Taehyung’s eyes. "I was waiting for this rice cake," he said. 

Taehyung was confused and creeped out; he didn’t even need to ask the man to repeat himself as the man, like a tape recorder, kept repeating, "I was waiting for this rice cake." Taehyung, scared of this madness, released the man’s hand. The man smiled eerily and walked away, still muttering the same words.

Feeling weirded out, Taehyung glanced around. The Moon Goddess suddenly pointed to a shop. “Is that the one?” she asked. Taehyung looked at the dull stall of rice cakes with fewer customers. The old lady was slow in her actions and smiled at the people mechanically. 

The stall felt out of place, devoid of any attraction or color. "Rice cake," Taehyung said as he approached the lady. The lady pointed to the board showing the prices and plate sizes. Taehyung frowned, looking at the board that was written in lazy handwriting. 

He smiled, looking back at the old lady, and asked again, “I was asked to meet you.” The lady was expressionless, still pointing at the board.

He looked at the old lady patiently, and framed his words to emphasize the point, "Ma'am, someone sent me here." Taehyung tried to probe, but the lady looked at him cluelessly and pointed at the board again with a smile.

Taehyung tried to ask her again, but each time she showed no sign of knowing or hearing anything. It was then that Taehyung thought of something and called out to her again, "I was waiting for this rice cake."