Chapter 177
Chapter 177
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: The Rundown Amusement Park
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Laughter wouldn't stop during mealtime.
After finishing our meal in such high spirits, we wrapped up all the remaining cleanup.
Once the move was fully prepared, Director Go spoke up.
"But is there really a decent place to stay around here?"
"There are plenty of rooms here, but they haven't been used in ages, so they're not great for sleeping."
"Yeah, then we'll need to book some lodgings nearby."
At that, Painter Oh smiled warmly and said,
"I figured we'd need a place to crash, so I already booked rooms at the inn we stayed at last time."
"Sounds good."
"Yeah, that works."
I nodded with a smile at Painter Oh's words.
"We owe you one."
"Alright, cleanup's done, so let's head back early and rest. We've got to start moving first thing tomorrow morning."
"Already?"
"The move prep's all wrapped up, isn't it?"
"True, but it's barely past lunchtime. How about I show you around Daegu? There are some pretty fun spots here."
"No, Daeun's exhibition is coming up soon, so we're busy. Right, Kanghyeok?"
Sure, we were busy, but we'd come all this way—heading straight to the inn felt like a waste.
Plus, Daeun might get bored.
With an awkward smile, I said,
"Well, true, but... what kind of fun places?"
Painter Oh nodded as if she'd expected that.
"There's a great spot not far from here. Kind of like a little amusement park."
"Ooh! An amusement park?"
"Daddy, what's a 'nori-dongsani'?"
"Um, it's a place with lots of rides."
Daeun's eyes sparkled as she asked,
"Are there play rides? For real?"
"Yeah, wanna go, Daeun?"
"Yes! Daeun wants to go!"
Painter Oh looked at Director Go and asked,
"Daeun's good to go. What about you? Wanna join?"
Director Go hesitated.
It wasn't on the schedule, after all.
But maybe because of what I'd said, she eventually nodded in agreement.
"Well, if Daeun's okay with it."
"Then today, I'll be your Daegu tour guide! Just follow me! I'll make sure we have a blast. Got it, Daeun?"
"Yes! Sounds fun!"
And so, instead of heading to the inn, we followed Painter Oh's lead to the amusement park.
After about thirty minutes by car, we arrived...
'Is this... the amusement park?'
It looked nothing like one—just old and shabby...
Well, an amusement facility, I guess.
"You're saying we play here?"
"Yeah, this fairground might not look like much, but it gets packed."
The entrance was on a steep slope, with no sign saying "amusement park" or anything.
It felt more like a back alley full of eateries.
But Painter Oh showed no worry as she led us up the incline.
A bit further up, and we could hear the rides whirring.
Rumble!
"It might not look it, but it'll bring back childhood memories."
"Really?"
Even Director Go sounded skeptical, but Painter Oh brimmed with confidence.
"Of course. Just follow me."
And that's when we arrived.
"Whoa!"
'No way, this is real.'
At the top of the slope, there were all sorts of rides crammed in.
Duck boats spinning around, a mini roller coaster called the Blue Dragon Train, even a carousel and airplane rides.
Just like Painter Oh said—everything you could want.
The ride operators spotted us and reacted unexpectedly.
"Aww, so cute! Hop on a ride. The kids love 'em."
'Ride barkers? No way.'
Stunned by the touting for the first time in my life, Painter Oh smiled and asked Daeun,
"Wanna try the duck boats, Daeun?"
"Can Daeun ride this?"
"Of course. They spin around and it's super fun."
"Daeun wants to ride!"
Painter Oh approached the hawking operator.
"How much for this?"
"Gonna ride it all?"
Smooth.
At the question of multiple rides, Painter Oh turned to Director Go.
"You riding too?"
Director Go's face screamed she wanted no part.
I wondered why even ask, but before she could answer, Painter Oh paid up.
"We'll take 'em all."
"Hee hee, you'll have fun."
"You..."
"But load us up good."
'Load us up... what?'
I had no idea what "load us up" meant, but the operator grinned knowingly.
"Hee hee, no worries."
Painter Oh carefully picked a duck boat and pointed.
"Then Daeun and Kanghyeok in one, me and you in another."
"I'm not riding."
"Aw, come on, just try it."
She grabbed Director Go's hand and practically shoved her into a boat.
Meanwhile, Daeun and I climbed into ours.
Clunk.
"Have a great time!"
The duck boats started spinning.
Just spinning in circles on a machine—how fun could it be?
Splash.
'Oh.'
There was water below, and the up-and-down motion was surprisingly enjoyable.
Even a bit of speed for some thrill.
Whoosh!
Daeun's face lit up with joy on the lively boat.
"Wow! Daddy, this is so fun!"
"Really fun, huh?"
"Yeah! Totally!"
Daeun, thrilled beyond words, kept waving her arms and yelling.
"So fun!"
Seeing her like that, I felt relieved.
I'd thought about taking her to an amusement park before.
We'd planned to go when we could, but even then, there weren't many rides she could do.
Most were for adults, or her height limited her options.
This place wasn't pricey, and it seemed perfect.
Whoosh!
Around ten laps in...
Step.
"Here, coffee for you, Boss Kong."
"Hee hee hee, thanks. Oh, that equipment over there today..."
A male operator came over, handed coffee to the female one...
'And... where you going?'
She left the controls and plopped on a nearby bench.
Ten laps—should stop soon, right? But if she just leaves...
Smooth.
Director Go, in the boat ahead, asked,
"So... when does this stop?"
"It doesn't."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"You get the value here."
"Value?"
"Yeah, this place's thing is bang for your buck."
Bang for your buck? What?
Painter Oh explained, and it all clicked.
"N-No way..."
"Yep. Keeps going till the next customers."
"Keeps going?"
"Keeps. going."
"You ride when you want, but you get off when they say. This ride doesn't stop."
That's why Painter Oh asked to be loaded up.
Whoosh!
Past twenty laps, I was getting queasy.
Not just forward—constant spinning.
But the owner lady settled in with her coffee, no sign of stopping.
Still.
"Wow! Daddy, too fun!"
Daeun showed no fatigue, still ecstatic.
'What... do I do?'
The two ahead weren't saying much—probably queasy too.
Finally, I smiled at Daeun.
"Daeun, wanna get off soon?"
"No! Wanna ride more!"
"There are other rides. Like the carousel."
"Carousel?"
"Yeah, wanna do that?"
I waited anxiously as she pondered, then she answered.
"Okay! Daeun ride carousel!"
Yes!
I raised my hand to signal the seated operator.
Then.
"Aww, cuties! Kids love this—hop on!"
New customers arrived, and she hurried back to the controls.
"How much?"
They decided to ride and paid.
'Finally!'
Five more laps, and the endless ride finally halted.
Rustle!
Director Go and Painter Oh hopped off immediately.
I went to lift Daeun off...
"Stay if you want more."
"Yes?"
"If you wanna keep riding, stay seated."
No, please don't. Let me off.
But her urging wasn't for me.
"Wanna ride more?"
"Of course! Ride and hop off as much as you want."
No! Where's the rule for that?!
Rides are one and done—unless you bought unlimited passes!
But Daeun had already plopped her slightly lifted butt back down.
"Wanna ride more!"
Couldn't stop her.
She'd made up her mind, gripping the belt with sparkling eyes.
Painter Oh and Director Go gave me pitying looks.
I pleaded with my eyes to switch, but...
Smooth.
They looked away, ignoring me.
Deep betrayal, but I was already trapped in unlimited hell.
Finally.
"Here we go!"
Clunk.
'Hahaha...'
Only after thirty more laps...
Did I escape the duck boat infinite loop.
"So fun!"
Shiver.
"G-Good thing."
I wanted to say Daddy got super dizzy, but held it in.
After disembarking, legs wobbling, I glanced at the two.
"You survived."
"Tough one, huh."
Their consolation fell flat.
But we'd made it through, so maybe that's why—a bit relieved.
Still, a twinge of unease crept in.
'No way the others are like this too, right?'
Blue Dragon Train, carousel, airplane.
Three rides left—nervous, but probably not.
Pushing down the worry, we headed to the carousel.
"Daddy! Daeun ride this!"
"Got it. Let's go."
More spinning.
My stomach churned preemptively, but I smiled.
Approaching, the operator here touted too.
"Give it a spin. Super fun."
I asked the two behind us,
"I'll cover this. You two riding too, right?"
"Nah, not me."
"Pass."
Painter Oh said no.
I'd asked politely assuming yes.
"Oh, not riding?"
"Nope."
Uneasy vibes.
She rode the ducks but skips carousel? Why?
"Why not?"
"Guess I'm getting old—stamina's not what it used to be."
Director Go picked up the bad omen and chimed in.
"Then I'm out too."
Smooth.
Strong feeling I shouldn't ride.
But couldn't let Daeun go alone.
Might be unsafe.
Carousel should be fine, but still...
"Uh, okay then. Just me and Daeun."
Smooth.
Painter Oh approached.
"Hang in there."
Hang in there? For a carousel?
No time to ask.
Daeun was already inside, by a horse.
Bad feelings aside, what could go wrong? I lifted her onto a horse, mounted next to her.
Moments later, the announcement blared.
"Grip the handles tight—carousel starting!"
Why "grip tight"?
Clunk!
It spun up with machine noise.
Whirrrrrrr!
'Whoa.'
At insane speed.
A speed carousel?!
My mind went blank.
But.
"Daddy! This super fun! Daeun love!"
Too late—the carousel was off.
S-save me!