😢 Chapter 6 — The Night Before
The night before the contest, Phakin sat keeping watch beside the bed.
Tao-In opened his eyes slightly.
“Phakin… don’t force yourself… just stay with Grandpa…”
Phakin’s tears flowed in silence.
“I will bring you back, Grandpa… I promise.”
🏹 Chapter 7 — The Day the World Was Watching
Laughter broke out… when he appeared.
A boy with an old wooden bow. No one believed he could do it.
💓 Chapter 8 — The Trembling Arrow
When his turn came, Phakin raised his bow.
But the image he saw… was not the target.
It was… Grandpa, breathing faintly. Hands slowly loosening their grip. A voice calling his name, growing quieter with every moment.
His hands trembled. Tears filled his eyes until he could see nothing.
“Please don’t leave me…”
He released the arrow… even though he could not see.
⚡ Chapter 9 — The World’s Laughter
The arrow landed… only 10 steps away.
Laughter rang out. “Is that all?”
Phakin said nothing. He simply stood… still. As if his heart had already stopped.
👑 Chapter 10 — The Truth No One Saw
But the King… did not laugh.
He ordered a red thread to be measured. And the result…
That thread traveled all the way around the world, returned to the same spot, and then continued 10 steps more.
“The winner is… Phakin.”
But Phakin did not hear it. He was already running. No waiting for the prize. No waiting for the applause.