Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kim Rok Soo, just like any typical day, fell asleep as he read through the novel ‘the birth of the hero.’ Not expecting that we would wake up in a different room. 

A very different room. 

Things looked more extensive than it was supposed to. It looked luxurious than it was supposed to. 

He wondered, his eyes around as he came across his hand. His chubby little hands. Somehow his hands had gotten tiny in a mere second. 

His hands also held baby fat?

Putting all the pieces together, Rok Soo finally realized what happened. He had turned into a baby, that is. 

He looked towards his side as he saw another baby. The baby that has held his tiny little hands as he was sucking his thumb. Rok Soo sighed. He was afraid to take his thumb back. What if the baby started crying if he took his thumb away?

It would be really annoying. So, all Kim could do was let his thumb get sucked by the little baby next to him. 

Kim Henituse.

That was his name now, according to the beautiful red-haired woman who cradled him softly in her arms while giving soft kisses on his cheeks. 

With the soothing smell of roses that lingered around the woman and the warmth was radiating out of her hold, Kim strangely felt comfort through it. It was odd how comfortable he was in the woman’s arms. It always leads him to doze off. 

This sense of comfort was unknown to him. Never in his life as Kim Rok Soo did he ever felt this warmth and comfort. Maybe it was because he was an orphan. The one who was abused had to go through things that he would very much like to forget. 

As his drowsiness came back to him, Kim hummed in satisfaction as he drifted off to sleep. 

Even if this was a dream for him, he woke up back in his office or was still in this world. Kim was okay with it. 

He enjoyed the warmth of the person holding him. And strangely, he wanted to stay on that hold for a bit longer. Maybe it was to fill the gaps of his longingness for warmth in his childhood, or it was his baby instincts. Who knows. Kim right now just liked the hold of the person carrying him. 

But the satisfaction didn’t really last long as the other baby on the arm began to cry. 

“Cale? What’s the matter, baby? Did you poo on your pants?”

Her voice was soft as she cradled the children whose tears didn’t dry off. 

“Ron?”

“Yes, my lady?”

“I need to attend Cale for a while. Please keep Kim company while I take care of it? I’ll be right back.”

Kim froze at the words as he saw the man in front of him. Maybe it was because all the names that revolved around him were the characters of the book he had been reading [The birth of the Hero] before he woke up as a baby.  The middle-aged butler looked precisely like the runaway assassin butler, Ron Molan, who took him from his mother’s hold. 

Though he really didn’t have to conform as his brother was Cale Henituse, the character that he felt sympathy towards because of his back story. So, on the other hand, he, no matter how he looked at Ron. 

Ron was sort of scary for him. 

“You’re always so well behaved, young master Kim.”

Kim couldn’t really tell the man that he was afraid to do anything around him. On the other hand, he couldn’t help but think if Ron would assassinate him if he did any kind of annoyance towards the butler. 

‘He won’t assassinate a helpless little baby, right?’

That was the only sentence that calmed poor Kim down.

Not much later, to Kim’s relief, his mother had returned back with Cale, who had stopped crying.

“Mama is back, Kim~ Did you is me? Come here.”

‘Ha, finally take me away.’

“Goo aggh hhaa”

Kim reached out his hand towards his mother, who chuckled at the baby talk her little one did. 

By their first birthday, Kim was confident.

This world that he was living inside was not a dream. It’s already been a year. He should have woken up till now. However, it was impossible for him to really sleep this much with all the attacks and monsters that came. That meant he really transferred into the book [The Birth of a hero] somehow. He was right now in the body of Kim Henituse. Though there wasn’t much background on this twin, it was later revealed that Kim Henituse attempted suicide as his mental stability after his mother passed away wasn’t great. 

Though he wanted to change the future where he wouldn’t have to lose his mother. Kim really couldn’t do anything as he was a helpless baby. Also because the story never mentioned how his mother died. Cale’s background only was written after the death of the mother. 

Kim clenched his hand as he didn’t really want to think about it right now. Though it was a perfect time for him to achieve his goal to become a rich slacker as he likes to say it, he first had to make sure his brother didn’t hop on the road to becoming a villain. 

“Happy birthday, Cale, Kim,” 

A man with curly brown hair hugged the two twins in front of them. Count Deruth Henituse, the father of the twins. The man who grief for his late wife forgetting his responsibility as a father. The man leads Cale on the road to becoming a villain. 

“My children are growing up so quick. They have already started walking and talking small, easy words.”

He smiled as he caressed the twin’s hair with a bright smile on his face. 

“Our family will always be happy because of the two.”

A woman’s voice was heard. Soon the twins were sandwiched between the two adults, where one was laughing, and the other was grumbling about how hot he was feeling.

‘Family, huh’

That word hunts amid his dreams, and all the people he had called family had left him. However, he didn’t really mind it right now. 

Not in the moment. 

“Kim”

A soft poke.

“Kiimm”

Another poke was felt as Kim rolled the other side.

“Kim!”

Lazy as he could be, Kim half-opened his eyes meeting a pair of brownish-red eyes. 

“....Hyung”

He soft spoke, showing that he had acknowledged his presence, and fell back on his pillow trying to drift back to sleep. 

Cale gasped as he saw his brother try to go back to sleep.

“Kim! Wake up already! Mama said to make you do some exercise as she is busy today!”

“...Hyungie, I don’t want to.”

“... Kim!!”

It has been a few years already, and it never failed to surprised how different Cale and Kim grew up to be. They complimented each other with their own abilities and skills. While Cale was more of a hyper and loud child who always radiated the energy of the sun. Kim was more of a calm and quiet child who radiated the energy of the moon. 

“Haa, fine”

Kim grumbled in annoyance yet swiftly moved as he placed himself on his brother’s back. 

“Carry me there then.”

“Hoo, my lovely dongsaeng seems to be getting spoiled.”

“I am spoiled.”

Kim stated the statement as if he was really proud of it. Cale couldn’t help but laugh, yet without complaining, carried his grumbling brother to the training ground. 

“Go practice. I will be watching you from here.”

“You need to exercise too?”

Cale scolding while placing Kim on the bench. 

“Don’t worry, young master Cale. This Ron will make sure that Young master Kim does his exercise.”

Hearing the words coming from Ron, Cale nodded his head, trusting as he went for his practice. Kim could only feel shivers down his spine. Yet, he completed himself by showing it on his face. 

“Young master Kim? Would you like this Ron to teach you swordsmanship?”

Kim stared at Ron for a while as he stared at the sword hanging on the racks. He certainly didn’t want to use blades. He paused for a while as he thought, for swordsmanship, he would need to have too much strength. That wasn’t really his forte, and he would like to leave that for Cale. He was planing on getting ancient powers, but before that, he needed something to ensure his brother’s safety planning the safety of his brother if they are inside or he wasn’t able to use ancient power in situations. 

In his past life as Kim Rok Soo, though he was a team leader, he was always at the rare, but hand-to-hand combat helped him. However, he doubts that his body would do any heavy lifting for hurt people at the current strength. So, what he needed was stealth and power to protect somebody. So, won’t training as an assassin help him?

Who would be able to teach him that?

Kim’s eyes widened as he looked towards Ron. 

“Teach me assassination.”

As he said those words, there was only silence that lingered around them. Though before he could receive the answer, Han’s rushed towards the training hall, yelling. 

Everything happened all of a sudden. 

Jour Henituse, their mother, had fainted, coughing out blood. 

It was said that she was poisoned. 

Jour Henituse passed away one fall at night.

The doctors tried their best, though nobody could figure out the poison and how to cure it. Even if Deruth called many priests or doctors, nobody could save Jour. 

There was no warning; there was no goodbye.

It was all so sudden. 

And so, the family found themselves standing in front of a coffin. Surround by the weeping friends and relatives that have visited from other territories. 

Kim bit his lips while his eyes shook. Though he did not cry. He was used to this event. He was used to his family leaving him behind. He was used to seeing his family get killed. However, Cale did not. Cale had clenched onto his hand so hard that he could feel his hand turning red. Yet, Kim didn’t say anything; instead, he turned around as he embraced his brother onto a hug while caressing him from the back to relax him a bit. 

He let his brother grieve. He let his father grieve. The shock much have been harder for them. 

But he wanted his brother to know something, that was he was there for him. 

Cale’s hold became loose, but his arms didn’t let go of Kim.

That was alright because Cale understood that he didn’t have to be alone. 

He couldn’t really say anything for his father.

His father stood there, not willing to move. He was grieving for his dead wife. 

The two kids slowly walked towards their father as Cale was the first to clench on the hem of his father’s jacket. 

“Papa. We’re here for you”

With those words said the three of them were in each other embrace.

Soon Kim left the scene as he stood next to Ron.

“Did you find him?”

“The person who put the poison has poisoned himself as well. There is no trace of who the main culprit is.”

Kim stood still as he looked at the two grieving duos. 

“...... Ron”

“Yes, young master Kim?”

Kim looked at the duo once more. 

Though he didn’t really want to think about anything at this moment. He felt as if something was wrong? Maybe if this event had to do with future events as well. He always found it weird as to how Jour’s death happened. He was trying to figure out if it was due to some accidents as Jour was a healthy lady.

He was unsure. However, he had to figure things out. To ensure that his remaining family would be safe. Kim Henituse swore that he could find the person who caused the death of his mother and would torture them even more if they are related to all of Cale’s possible sufferings in the near future. 

[The player as entered the prolouge] 

Kim certainly didn’t see that.

Chapter Text

Silence filled the hallways of the once noisy household. The more you walk around it feels as if the house has been deserted. Nobody could be seen, only the sounds of birds and winds surrounded the place. The funeral of the late countess has ended a few days ago, yet the household hadn’t shown any subtle movement. 

Deruth had spent several days walking around the rose garden behind the manor, using as much of his time staring off at the field of roses, or he’d let himself locked up in his room with instructions that nobody should disturb him. 

However, being the lord of the territory many papers and work started to pile up on his desk due to his negligence. His vassals have tried to persuade him to work, but their lord never seems to get out of his grieving mind. The territory council eventually started to get desperate enough to reach out to Cale and Kim with the hope that they bring the man back to work. Though it seems that the man didn’t even want to see his children. 

The twins were 8 when their mother passed away. 

They were 8, so the council members couldn’t depend on the twins for the work to be complete. Yet, they sat there in surprise as Kim had voluntarily handed a helping hand to complete the neglected task of the Lord. 

It was even more surprising that all the work that Kim had presented was efficient and didn’t seem to be revised by the council member. Though it wasn’t really bragged or talked about, the Henituse children were geniuses, but they didn’t think it was the right time to talk about it. 

On the other hand, Cale had devoted himself to his swordsmanship training. He wanted to grow stronger. He wanted to be powerful enough so that, he could protect his family. He couldn’t save his mother. He was powerless to do so. Even so, he didn’t want to sit down grieving after seeing how Kim stood up to take the task that their father had neglected, which he was sure that Kim would do it flawlessly. He too wanted to help, so instead, he went to the training field to get better so that his brother didn’t have to worry about him. 

Kim had finished the entire week’s work in one day. He didn’t really want to spend each of his days doing what his father was supposed to do currently. He didn’t want to waste his time in such a thing when there was something else that he felt was important. 

Kim found it odd. 

Very odd.

Their father, who is said to have loved their wife so dearly.

Their father, who is said to have shut himself to grief for his late wife.

Why isn’t he doing anything? Why isn’t he trying to figure out the culprit? Why did it leave it at that? Why didn’t he try to find more clues?

Everything about this was odd. 

Or did their father know? Was somebody stopping him to act?

Many questions ran through Kim’s tiny head. Though it all came to a halt as the door opened wide. A familiar head popped in as they both made eye contact.

“KIM!!!”

“Hm?”

“Why are you still here! You have to sleep!”

Cale scolded as he got to the table which seemed to have been emptied. 

“Huh? There were so many papers… ah! Right.”

Cale looked towards the revision section where papers were stacked all around. Of course, how could he have not known? When he grew up with Kim, his reading skills along with analyzing things were done in a couple of seconds. 

It was usually done with the excuse that he could get more slacking off more. 

“This means you won’t be... You will be.”

Cale didn’t really know how to question it, but with the amount of time the twins have spent together, words didn’t have to be exchanged properly to understand each other. 

“Yes, I’ll be free the entire week. I won’t be coped up inside the room like our father. Plus we have to get him back to work. I am not doing this.”

Kim grumble as Cale chuckled.

“Hoo, I thought my lovely dongsaeng finally got interested in becoming the lord.”

Cale teased while looking at Kim’s ‘have you gone crazy’ questioning face. 

“I am going to be a rich slacker.”

Kim huffed as he hopped out of the seat while walking towards the door. Cale only laughed as he ran towards Kim hooking his hand on his side.

 As the kids walked through the hallway, they came to a halt. The door of their father’s room was slightly open. Both of them looked at each other debating whether they should try to talk to their father or go back to their room as it was already late.

They didn’t really have a choice soon as the door fully opened with Deruth sudden appearance. 

It all happened so suddenly when their father fell on his knees while pulling Kim closer towards him in a hug.

“Jour… oh Jour”

Kim froze on the statement as he felt his father start to shake. He was crying once again. 

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t I couldn’t protect you. I was at fault. If only I didn't-”

Deruth stopped talking as he began to cry even harder. With the words that he had been spoken. Kim was at once out of trace. So Deruth did know?

He shook his head and tried to comprehend the situation right now. It wasn’t time to focus on other useless things. He had to focus on what was happening right now.

“Father. It is Kim. Not Mother.”

Kim slowly spoke as he tried to get out of Deruth hold.

“Huh?”

“Father it is Kim. I’m Kim. Your son.”

Slowly realization struck inside Deruth’s head. He stepped a little back as he saw both his sons right in front of him. 

“Ah what are you doing at this hour?”

Kim walked behind standing right next to his brother, not wishing to be at that state again. 

“Father, you left your work. You are the lord of this territory. The matters of the territory cannot be neglected.”

Kim said looking straight at his father. 

“Ah. Right.”

As if Deruth had forgotten everything around him finally remembered he had work he needed to attend. 

“Ah, father?”

“Yes, Cale?”

“Will you be having meals with us?”

Cale looked at Deruth with little hopeful eyes. Yet, it got erased with the reply.

“I have work to do. I will call you once I am free.”

The twins could only nod their heads as they walked back. The only way they could be cheered up was by thinking, ‘the funeral just ended a few days ago. Father still needs time.’

The twins quietly went into the room as they sat on the bed. 

“Say, Kim?”

“Hm?”

“Will he really call us?”

The question only led to silence. Kim didn’t really want to give Cale false hope. He knows what having hope can lead to when it get crush again and again by the person you hold dear. While Cale was still a child, he didn’t really want Cale to face all of those. 

“If he doesn’t have dinner with you any time soon. I will make sure to give him a big lecture.”

Cale began to laugh at the statement as he turned towards his brother.

“You won’t leave me too right?”

“I don’t think I can.”

“Yes, I will tie you down with me and cling on you where ever you go.”

“Hoo, what a clingy Hyung I have.”

Cale finally began to smile once again as he slowly drifted to sleep. Because he knew Kim. Even if he shows annoyance to his clinginess. Kim wouldn’t ever leave him, because he secretly like it too. Cale never misses the lip twitching upwards when he embraces his brother. How much his brother tries to stop the smile to form. Cale grew up reading Kim’s expression more than words that have been thrown towards him. 

Kim watched his brother drift to sleep. Finally cheeking if he was fully asleep. He slowly hopped out of the bed heading towards the door and his study room. 

“Ron.”

“Here is the information you asked for young master Kim.”

Kim took the paper as he read it. Please that he suspects and people who could be involved in. 

“Zed Crossman. Tolz family. Stan Family. Mogoru Empire. The Molden Kingdom. The Endable Kingdom. Bear tribe. Lion tribe. Cat Tribe. Northern countries”

These were the suspects he needed to know more about. 

“Ron.”

“Yes, young master-nim.”

“I plan on learning Assassination.”

“I see.”

“From you.”

“Young master-nim. I do not know what you are-”

“Haa. Your sleeves contain daggers. Your footsteps can’t be heard. You stealthy got me information. You have always been polishing daggers as if you are preparing to attack somebody. I don’t think a normal human being would do that Ron.”

The silence was filled in the room yet again causing Kim to feel a shiver down his spine. 

‘What if he assassinates me because I know his secret?’

Kim was scared, however, he did not want to show it in his face. He needed to learn a few tricks and tips if he was going to go till the end of this matter. Learning these things won’t matter for his slacker life. He can just know things and sleep all day. 

“Hoo. This butler seems to have been caught.”

“I won’t tell it to father. However, you will need to teach me things. I need strength, but I do not wish to use a sword.”

Ron looked at Kim in full amusement. 

“This Ron will do as you say, young master-nim.”

Kim nodded his head as he went back reading few papers.

“What was your reason for hiding?”

Kim looked up at Ron as he wondered.

“An organization had infiltrated our household. I took my son and fled from the place as his safety is my utmost priority.”

“What’s the organizations’ name”

“Arm”

Kim nodded his head as he wrote the names on the suspect list. 

As this is a fantasy novel. Things can’t happen just because of a coincidence. Every event that takes place matters as it connects with each other in the later future. That meant that Ron finding his hiding space at Henituse estate could not be a coincidence. 

“I’ll be heading back”

“Have a pleasant sleep young master Kim”

Kim nodded his head as he went back to his head. He started at Cale for a while. 

“Hoo. You should be thankful. I am working my ass off just so your future turns out great.”

Kim joked as he looked at the peaceful Cale who managed to get a hold of his hands and gave out a satisfied smile on his face. Maybe it was because he felt sympathy towards this character or maybe it was his brother's instinct. He didn’t want to let that smile fade away from Cale’s face. 

Kim knew that the way Cale talks to his family and the way he talks to other people is different. He knows how openly blunt Cale can be which comes off rude. However, Cale wasn’t really trying to be rude. It was just the way he was. When he gets worried or scared, he doesn’t really know how to show it. He tries to convey it one method, but it turns out to come off the wrong way. though he would be there for Cale when he needs help, he would never change how his brother is just so his brother could satisfy other people, while having a hard time for himself. 

In the story, Cale drank too much that he was very intoxicated. He didn’t really know what happened around his surroundings and he couldn’t really control himself or his talk. When Choi Han had come to Cale in regards to talk to Deruth about an attack which happened to happen in a village he stayed at. The word dead and Deruth mixed together trigger Cale and to add to it, it was also the week of their death anniversary. So he threw a fit saying how useless it would be to report it and how people are meant to die. He even told him how nobody’s life really mattered and he should forget about it. 

Though Cale got attacked by Choi Han who thought he was disrespecting the dead, who he held close as a family. 

With that, the road of his villain adventure began as he got abandoned by Deruth right after. The whole story was cruel towards Cale as he always ended up losing things. 

Kim slowly brought his hand as he caressed his brother’s hair. Unknown to the fact that he woke Cale up in the process. 

“Among everything else in the world, you will always be my first priority. My stupid hyung”

This said brother had become an important person in his life. He couldn’t save other people. He couldn’t save the people who he called family. However, he knew what would happen in the future. Though things may change because of him. He could always find the clues to what else could happen to cause harm. This time he was prepared. He will save his family this time. 

“Because if anything happens to you. I think I’ll lose myself too.”

It was the truth. Kim couldn’t think of bearing the loss of one more person. Through his life as Kim Rok Soo, he has only seen his family lost life for him. Sacrificing themselves for him to live on.  Kim Can't bear it any longer. Though his tears have been dried off from crying so much and his emotions have lost their glee. The light that has been left, the only light that fills up his world, Cale, his brother, if anything happens to him. Kim was certain his desire to live on would also fade away as well. 

It was a hidden emotion that Kim or Kim Rok Soo had compressed so hard. He hopes, he really hopes it won’t burst out any moment. Because right now his emotions were important. His brother's happiness and the future were more important.

He shuffled a little as he held on to his brother’s tighter embrace. Unknown to the fact that Cale heard it too. Kim drifted off to sleep as Cale slowly opened his eyes. 

“Among us. You’re the stupid brother. Could have just said you loved me when I ask you all the time.”

Cale looked at Kim’s face as he sighed.

“My little dongsaeng is so stubborn about his feeling. Always making me worry.”

Cale smiled gently. 

“You too will always be my first priority.”

With that, both the twins fell asleep as the silence filled the room. 

[Player has passed the prolonge]

[System ready for installing]

[Installing in process]

[Installed]

[Kim Henituse

Status: Reader

Strength: 3

IQ: 500

MP:0

HP: 1000

Special abilities:

AP: 0

Affinity with animals

Affinity with elements

Affinity with nature

Affinity with god

Can talk to elements

Recorder

Instant

- To be added - ]

[Game starting]

Chapter Text

Kim woke up to an empty bed. Well, it wasn’t really weird. He slept in while Cale always went for his sword practice. 

[System starting]

‘Huh?’

Kim stared blankly at the window that popped up in front of him. If he recalled, it looked more like those games that he saw kids play while he took shelter from the rain near the internet cafe. 

[Hello Reader Kim.]

“Huh, what’s this? Am I dreaming?”

Kim rubbed his eyes and pinched his eyes. Yet, the window was still there.

[Congratulations! you have successfully passed the prologue.]

“I have?”

[Yes, as a reward. You have received a system]

“System?”

[Me.]

“What’s so rewarding about that?”

Kim looked at it suspiciously. His life has been a fairytale. So, anything was possible for him. However, he was in a novel that revolved around violence. So, how could he not have doubts to ensure his and everybody around safety. 

[I can help you]

“For what?”

[In becoming  a hero.]

Kim looked at the window as if it had gone crazy.

“What nonsense. I want to be a rich slacker.”

[but you..]

“I am not a good person to be a hero. Find somebody else.”

Kim waved his hand as he landed back on the bed. 

[I can help you find the culprit of your mother. I can help you change the future.]

Kim paused for a while as it looked at the system weirdly. 

“How?”

[I can provide you with the information you need. Gather data from any source. I can make sub seniors and main ones while rewarding you with artifacts, power, and surprise items.]

Kim looked at it again as he thought. Getting help wasn’t a bad idea as he didn’t want to do all the stuff. 

“Fine. What should I call you?”

Kim looked towards it.

[I am Lucas.]

Kim only nodded his head.

“Fine. Now let me sleep.”

Kim waved his head, not listening to anything else that came through Lucas as he fell asleep once more. 

If Kim had to say, Lucas was not much of a help. Or he didn’t need a system. He had read the story before. Meaning he knew all the critical events that would be required. 

He decided to keep Lucas aside till needed. 

However, that wasn’t the main problem he was having currently. 

Why did he ask Ron to teach him assassination?

Kim was on his feet. He was running for his dear life. He tried his best to make fake diversions as he ran through the woods. It wasn’t new to Kim. As his life as Kim Rok Soo, he had to be alert and always on his feet to save his life.

However, in this situation, it wasn’t the clueless dumb monsters, but a human being, and a really smart one, that is. 

He felt the knives that were thrown towards him. The creepy aura sent shivers down his spine. The fear that he bottled up on the old man was increasing, ready to be spilled. 

It all ended as his legs gave up on him, causing him to land on the ground.

Chuckle.

Ron was chuckling as he walked out of the shadows towards Kim.

“My my. I didn’t know our little master could make traps like that.”

Ron smiled ever so viciously. Kim, at the moment, wanted to run to Cale.

“However, young master. You should be really careful of how you have set the diversions. Also, you should have control over your breathing.”

Ron smiled as Kim nodded. He was done. He didn’t want to do anything for the rest of the day. He questions himself why he chose Ron for this. 

However, he couldn’t say anything. The gaze that Ron held. 

Kim Knew.

There was no turning back at this point. 

The two left the forest, returning to the mansion as Kim hurriedly cleaned himself while changing his clothes. His body was tensed. His mind had fear hovering around him. 

Not being able to control it anymore. Kim rushes his way towards the bedroom. He paused for a while as he scanned the room as found his comfort. 

His actions were done swiftly as he moved towards the bed. First, he shuffled a little, making himself look like a kola. Then, he hugged and wrapped himself on the side of the person. 

“Kim?”

Kim didn’t speak a word for a while. His heart was still beating fast. He took a few breaths as he finally let out a breath of satisfaction, and he hummed in response. 

“Are you alright?”

“Just tired”

Kim replied to the soft voice of his brother as he snuggled closer.

Cale observed his brother and let out a scoff, yet he didn’t say anything. He was relieved most of the time when Kim did this type of action.

These actions gave him reassurance.

Assurance that states, ‘his brother needs him.’

Cale had realized it after living eight years with his brother. 

Kim is always clingy towards him when Kim is stressed, lonely, anxious, scared, depressed, and angry.  Kim isn’t really a person who loved physical contact. Yet, he clings around him whenever he’s not feeling right. 

Cale just let off a smile as he played with his brother’s hair soothing him to go to bed. Of course, he didn’t ask anything. Cale knew Kim, and he knew how hard it was for him just to speak out his mind. He also knew that Kim just needed comfort without words to soothe his emotions or pain. So, Cale didn’t complain nor speak. The two just laid there in silence.

Kim didn’t know when he got this habit. Maybe it was because Cale always clung around him without knowing his mind was chaos too. Or he was just reassuring himself that somebody was here. Somebody, he could call family. 

However, Kim was thankful too. Cale never questioned his actions. Though he knew Cale knew he was sad. He was happy he just soothed him by ruffling his hair. Kim didn’t like to talk about it. He found it suffocating to express himself to people. He was happy. Happy to have a brother like Cale. 

Days passed by. Promised between family started to disappear.

The ones who had hoped to be together as a family, lost their hope in even trying. He didn’t want to try anymore as before with all these rejections. He knew he wouldn’t be able to spend his time with his father anymore. 

Though he didn’t want to get depressed over it, he was angry at his father. Yet, he didn’t want to lash out at him. 

It was because of his brother. 

He already had a family. That one person who cherished him. That one person who would grumble yet fulfill all his promises made to him. That one person who would complain yet listen to all his stories and adventures he did. That person who would be lazing around the house yet would always come to watch his practice when he had matches with the knights or learned a new skill he wanted to show. 

Kim. 

Kim was the only person that really mattered to him. 

Though he saw how Kim would sigh whenever Deruth rejected them or give a glare at Deruth when he made him Sad, Kim was the one who made sure he was happy. Maybe it was because of Kim. Cale started to spend more time with the knights. Or with Ron and Beacrox.Though the twins wouldn’t admit it. Ron had slowly become their family.

When they got sick, Ron was the one to look after them.

When they were happy, Ron was the one to smile at them, even though it was a vicious-looking smile.

Ron didn’t speak of anything when they were sad, yet he didn’t leave the room. 

Cale had found a new family, which he didn’t really complain about. 

As he remembered that one conversation. 

“Kim?”

“Hmm?”

“Aren’t you sad that father doesn’t spend time with us anymore?”

“Not really. Are you?”

“Umm. He is our father. And well, family is home? Mom always said we are each other’s home and happy. If- if”

“Hyung”

“Hmm?”

“Family doesn’t always to be blood-related.”

“Huh?”

“I believe family is people who care about you and your well-being. Who is always by your side even in tough times. A home is a place where you feel loved.”

“But-”

“Hyung. After mother left, I only consider you like my home. Hmm, Maybe if Ron and Beacros weren’t scary, they would have been considered home too.”

Cale looked at Kim with wide eyes. Kim didn’t mean the last part. He knew that much. Kim relied on the two more than anybody else. 

“So, it doesn’t matter if I-”

“Do whatever you feel like. If you still want our father to be with you. I will give him a good lecture. If you don’t, but what him to understand you. I will give him a good lesson.”

“Pfft. You’ll do that for me?”

“Hyung. I told you. You are the only person that I call my home.”

Cale smiled brightly that day.

“Let’s teach father a lesson then.”

“Hmm, when the time comes.”

“Huh, didn’t you say-”

“I’ll make him regret everything in life if tears fall from your eyes.”

“Hey, I’m supposed to be the big brother here.”

“Hey, this dongsaeng can protect his Hyung too.”

Cale only laughed at the conversation. However, he used to miss his once called family. After that, it all started to matter less. He was happy with Kim. He was delighted with what he had right now. Maybe he would give his father some time to recover as he too lost somebody he loved dearly. 

However, he knew. Even if his father wasn’t here with him, he wasn’t alone. 

He had his home to go to.

Though he hoped he could have his once family back. But everything really doesn’t work that way. 

It all ended up crashing down when their father called the twins. 

Cale, who was excited, dragged Kim all the way to the room where their father awaited them,

Thinking that their father had finally made progress to spend time with them.

Soon, the smiley and shimmery faces all vanished away as soon as they were introduced to the sudden news.

“Kids. I got married again. Meet your new family. She will be your new mother v-”

Crash

The room fell in silence as Cale knocked out the vase on the side. 

“WHAT NONSENSE ARE YOU SPOUTING”

Cale was on the verge of rage and sadness.

“I THOUGHT YOU FINALLY, FINALLY FOUND TIME TO SPEND TIME WITH US, AND THIS IS WHAT YOU DO?”

He yelled at the man who he called father as his range couldn’t be concealed anymore. While the range was in action. The woman brought her child behind her in a stance to protect him. 

“I TRIED TO ASK YOU TO SPEND TIME WITH US ALMOST EVERY SINGLE DAY. YOU KEEP PUSHING ME AWAY. YOU KEEP PUSHING KIM AWAY. YET YOU HAVE TIME TO GO OUT AND FUCK AROUND?”

“Cale!”

“DON’T TALK TO ME ANYMORE. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I FUCKING WAITED FOR YOU? DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH HOPE I KEPT WITH EVERY PROMISE YOU MADE TO ME? DO YOU FUCKING KNOW HOW MUCH IT HURT ME EVERY TIME YOU FUCKING BROKE THE PROMISE?!”

“CALE LANGUAGE”

“I GOT GIVE A FUCK ABOUT MY LANGUAGE. WHO ARE YOU TO TEACH ME WHAT I SHOULD SAY OR NOT?”

“Cale, I am your father.”

“FATHER? YOU CALL YOURSELF A FATHER WITH EVERY SHIT THAT YOU HAVE PULLED? WHO GIVES YOU RIGHTS TO CALL YOURSELF OUR FATHER?”

“CALE”

“I HATE YOU. DO YOU HEAR ME? I FUCKING HATE YOU. DO YOU KNOW WHY WE RUSHED HERE? I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO SPEND TIME WITH US FINALLY. TAKE US OUT. AND BE A FAMILY THAT I HOPED WE WOULD BECOME. AND THIS IS WHAT YOU DO?”

“We can do that now? We have a new-”

“I DON’T WANT A NEW FUCKING FAMILY. I DON’T WANT ANYBODY TO REPLACE THE SPOT OF MY MOTHER. AND WHAT DID YOU SAY? DO IT FROM NOW? THAT IS WHAT YOU SAY EVERY SINGLE DAY!”

“Cale, calm down.”

“SCREW YOU AND ALL THE EFFORT I PUT IN TO BRING THIS FAMILY BACK TOGETHER.”

Cale didn’t care about what language he spoke anymore. He didn’t care what his father thought about him anymore. He didn’t need such a father like him in his life. 

“I will never accept that slut as my mother-”

“Cale!”

Cale could feel Deruth raise his hand. He closed his eyes, waiting for the hand to touch his face. Yet, he felt nothing. Then, slowly as he opened his eyes, he saw Kim. 

Kim stopped their father’s hand. His face was stoic like always, but this time his cold eyes were glaring at their so-called father. 

“K-Kim?”

Deruth hesitated as he brought his hand back. 

“I don’t really care about what you do, father. However, I will not stand on the side as you harm my brother.”

Kim’s voice was sharply mixed with venom. All the staff who were in the hallway could feel chills running through their spine. 

Nobody.

Nobody in the household has seen Kim Henituse angry.

It was only Cale whose tantrum and anger was visible. Mostly Cale was the one who was angry instead of Kim. 

However, today, things were a bit different. 

“Kim, I- Cale said such stuff. I was only trying to. I mean, I didn’t know. I”

Deruth didn’t know anymore. He could not think of anything, nor could he think of anything to say. He was frozen as he watched his two son’s who looked at him with such… such hatred. 

“I am and will always be on Cale’s side. I don’t think he said anything wrong. Why should he be happy when the father he always cherished abandoned his duty as a father.”

“I never-”

“You never what? Never came to dinner with us when we invited you every day. Never spared a glance towards us when we knocked at your office door. Never talked to us saying you are busy. Never stayed home to figure out what is happening with your own children. Never was there when we were sick. Was never there to check if their child was going through something because the child too lost their mother.”

Kim’s voice was ice-cold, filled with venom. Deruth froze as he listened. He knew that.

He knew.

Yet, he wanted to deny it. He tried to deny everything he had done. 

“I was in”

“I get you were grieving too. We get it. That is why we never complained. We get that you didn’t want to see our face as we resembled mother too much.  We get it that you want to stay away from us because you were feeling misery. You lost your wife; we get it. But for fucks sake, you weren’t the only one who lost something.”

Kim glared at more.

“We lost our mother too; we were grieving too.”

“But I-”

“We are eight years olds. 8.”

Kim pointed towards Cale and him.

“We are still children. We are children who still don’t know what the world is like, as everybody says. But you know what. When you were there, locked up in that bloody room. I was the one who had to do the duty of the Count. Cale and I were the ones who your damn vessels called for to complete work you neglected. We were the ones who looked at the fucking house, which was your responsibility. And finally when we got to see you. You stumbled upon us forgetting that we are your kids and cried thinking I was our mother.” 

Deruth widened his eyes as the maid, along with the butlers, flinched. It was the truth. The unsaid truth that everybody tried to ignore. 

“And for god sake, do you even love our mother? Our mother was poisoned. She was murdered, for goodness sake. Instead of finding the culprit and working for it. What the fuck have you been doing?”

“Your mother’s case can’t. I-I was only trying to protect you two and make you happy.”

“Happy? This is what you call happy? Cale fucking cried today because of you. All those dumb promises that you make to us never once got fulfilled. You never were there when we needed you. You were never there for us. And you call that protecting us and our happiness?”

Deruth froze once again. He didn’t have anything to say.

“Enjoy your life with the new family you built. You already abandoned us and ignored us. Keep doing that. You do whatever the hell you want with that family. While we do whatever the hell we want.”

“You guys can’t. You are the”

“Cale nor I want to be your heir. However, I am sure that the little guys behind you would suit as an heir.”

Kim said as he held Cale’s hand. 

“Congratulations on your wedding. Count Deruth Henituse and Lady Violan Hirschel.”

Kim smiled while Cale just scoffed as he looked the other way. Violan had gasped on hearing her name. 

“You’ve heard of me?”

“Of course. As I said before, I did work of the Count. I know everybody who enters and goes in this territory. Brown hair. Aura of a merchant. The family crest resembles a lily and a son who is about 5 to 6 years old. There is only one family in Henituse Territory.”

Kim scoffed as he turned around. 

“I hope you fulfill this one wish of ours and life us alone.”

Kim said with a cold voice as he and his brother walked away. 

Finally arriving at the room. Cale kept quiet, yet he sat down on the bed, opening his hands a little. On a second, he felt the weight on his little brother, who clung to him he hind his face on his shoulder. 

Cale smiled a little as he caressed his brother’s hair. Both of them relaxing in each other’s warmth. 

Cale wasn’t mad anymore. He wasn’t sad about it anymore too. 

He was okay with what he has right now.

He was okay with Kim by his side. Screw his father. However, he was expecting to feel frustrated during the talk. Instead, Cale found a sense of comfort. Not because of the fight. But because of Kim. 

Kim was there.

Kim protected him.

Kim supported him.

Kim went against their father for him. 

He wasn’t alone. 

It was his first time seeing Kim angry. Angry Kim was scary; he would admit that. However, he didn’t have fear written anywhere in his body. It was because Kim only became angry when he saw tears spike in Cale’s eyes. 

‘You are the only person I call my home.’

‘If he makes you cry, I will make sure to teach him a lesson.’

Kim’s words. Kims promises never got broken. 

With that, Cale, too, had figured out the meaning of family and home. 

While Kim relaxed his mind, he was in deep thought. He wanted Cale to have a different childhood than his. Where Cale was happy, he tried, he tried to talk to his father. He tried to bring his father to have dinner with them. However, Kim had released days ago that his father wasn’t worth the try.

Since that day, Kim has made up a mind. Why chase after a person who doesn’t want you. He didn’t need Deruth’s help to make Cale happy. He would do it by himself. It was because Cale had become someone important to him. His light in the dark world. Cale had saved Kim Rok Soo or known as Kim Henituse. 

So Kim wanted to do anything in his power to make that person’s future a better place. Maybe it was called a bro-con. But who cared. As long as his brother was happy. Kim was delighted too. 

As Cale was the only person left who he called home. 

Not Choi Jung Soo, Not Lee Soo Hyuk

But, 

Cale Henituse.

The character he sympathies with. 

The character who was now his twin.

His only home. 

[System processing...]

[Achivement earned]

[Stats report

Kim Henituse

Strength: 10

MP: 10

HP: 2000

IQ: 550

Special abilities

Ap: 0

Affinity with animals

Affinity with elements

Affinity with nature

Affinity with god

Can talk to elements

Recorder

Instant

New section achieved

Immunity 

- Immunity to poison in progress

New Skills achieved

Stealth

Diversion

Traps

No sound of Foot steps

Parkour

Breath control]

[Status - Road to be a hero]

Chapter Text

Ron Molan. The fifth-generation patriarch of the fallen Molan family. His main goal was to survive with his son. After losing his home and, most importantly, his wife, Ron had given up on assassination and instead focused on his son’s survival. That is when he found the perfect cover. 

Henituse family. 

The family that’s well known for their wealth, yet never tried to step forever and gather more power. Nobody observed their move as they stayed neutral about who took the throne.

It was a perfect cover for him. He didn’t have to risk being in the eyes of his enemy, nor he had to worry about the condition he lived in.

Ron Molan cared for nobody besides his son. 

Or so he thought. 

It all started when the twins of the Henituse household were born. At first, it was only his duty as their butler to take care of the two young masters. But, who knew that the curiosity and interest that the twins raised caused him to actually start caring about his puppy and kitten-like younger masters. 

Of course, it was Kim who started his curiosity. The facial expressions that Kim produced or how he behaved were intriguing about that child. It always seemed like the innocent little child knew something about him, or you could say he knew all the secrets he was hiding undercover. 

It was even more amusing to see how he drank lemonade or lemon tea he served without any tantrums. Of course, Ron would have changed the drink if Kim had demanded it be that way, but Ron didn’t want Kim to know about it. 

Though when you start piquing interest and developing one sort of affection for one twin, it is natural that his affection for the other twin rose too. 

The two never left each other’s side. 

Though it was more shocking when Kim asked him to teach him assassination. 

Was his young master really that intelligent? 

However, that wasn’t what Ron was currently thinking of. He saw the fight that happened between the twins and their so-called father.

Though Ron couldn’t really yell at Count Deruth, he did want to drill in some senses into that man. 

Ron saw it all; he had been observing everything on the sideline. 

He saw how the twins comforted their father at the funeral.

He saw how the twins did the work of the Count, which their father neglected.

He saw how the twins did the winter preparations knowing that their father forgot to do it as it was their mother’s job.

He saw how Deruth cried as he pulled Kim thinking Kim was his late wife. 

He saw how the children didn’t complain yet simply asked their father to have dinner with them.

He saw how Cale always rushed to his father’s office to go out or eat then but got rejected in the end.

He saw how Kim tried to talk to his father yet got denied and ignored.

He saw how the twins anticipated for their father to fulfill his promise.

He saw how Kim was the first to give up on their father, and later Cale followed.

He saw it all.

As a father himself, he wished to talk to Deruth and lecture about how a father should act. 

Of course, nobody said that he couldn’t grieve his late wife’s death. Nobody said he couldn’t have some alone time. 

However, he, too, should have realized that he was a father. Not only that but a father of two who is only eight years old. A father of the kids who hasn’t seen what the outside world is like. 

He should at least check on his children. See if they are really doing alright. Make sure that his kids aren’t feeling lonely. If he couldn’t give all his time to the children, at least dinner for even twenty minutes would have been alright. It could be seen as an effort he tried to make.

Though he did nothing. Ron didn’t know if the man was stupid or stupidly ignorant. Deruth thought that his kids should understand him. Deruth thought that his actions were making the children happy. Deruth felt that he was a good father figure. 

Clearly, in everyone’s eyes, Deruth was not a good father figure. 

Ron clearly didn’t understand the logic behind Deruth’s thinking. How could he proclaim to love his child and think of their happiness when all he did was ignore the child. He neglected his duty as a parent. He always stayed out. And when he finally initiated something, it was to only introduce his new wife and stepson. 

Of course, the outburst that the children had was logical for everybody present here. Though harsh words had been thrown and some people were deemed innocent, clearly nobody was, well, except for the little child, of course. 

Deruth was at fault the most, of course. 

Why wouldn’t a child outburst when their father, who they thought need time to process everything, who they thought was busy with work all the time, so he rejected them, came out with a whole new family? 

And to the extent to say that, "This is your new mother and family?"

The children were still grieving for crisis’ sake. The children were still yearning for comfort from their own families. The children were still adapting to the fact that their mother was not with them anymore. 

And Deruth had an urge to replace their mother?

Of course, love is a thing that happens not only once, he could also marry again, of course. However, he should have been more considerate of his children. Help them heal, let them process the environment they are living in, and slowly take steps to create a new family. 

With that, he also found fault with the new countess Violan. But, of course, she didn’t do something severe. However, as Deruth was going out to continuously meet her, in that process, it was clear that Deruth started to bond with her child. She should have also taken a few steps to get to know the twins and slowly proceeded to marriage with the same step. 

All these actions Deruth made cause the twins matured in a way they weren’t supposed to. At this age, they were the ones who were supposed to cry, they were the ones who should’ve thrown tantrums, they were the ones who should seek comfort. Not the other way around. 

Childhood is the most precious thing for a human. It’s the period where they start learning and exploring. Seeing what things suits them the most and what doesn’t. It’s a time of trial and error while having fun. 

Ron wanted to drill some fundamental guidelines to be a good parent in Deruth mind. 

However, thinking about that wasn’t really the top priority here. 

Ron, along with his son, strolled the trolly filled with food and drink’s proceeded towards the twin’s room. 

“Young master’s, your food is ready.”

The door slowly opened as the two father and son saw the twins snuggled up with each other on the bed. A bed table was placed neatly as food started to be served. 

Kim slowly took a sip of his cup as he paused. Then, although his eyes sparkled for a while, he slowly peeked over towards Ron. 

“We were out of Lemons today. This Ron will make sure to arrange lemons starting tomorrow.”

Kim quickly scowled fearfully as his eyes shook for a while, decided to just focus on his sweet hot coco. Cale seeing his brother’s actions, snickered under his breath as he looked over at the dish. Today, everything was made to their liking.

Their favorite dessert.

Their favorite Main course

Their favorite appetizers 

Their favorite drinks. 

This, too, causes Cale to slowly peek towards Beacrox.

“I just happened to be in a mood to cook different dishes. Nothing more.”

Beacrox said with a poker face while looking in the other direction. 

The twins could clearly tell that was a lie. 

However, nobody spoke about it. It was between the twins and the father-son duo; words didn’t matter when their actions spoke louder. 

“Ron?”

“Yes, young master Kim?”

“Did you hear our argument with uh Count Deruth?”

Ron paused for a while as he gave out his friendly smile. He could see how the twins were trying hard not to make any eye contact.

“I believe everybody in the household did, young master-nim.”

The twins flinched a bit as they continued to eat.

“What do you think about it?”

Cale was the one to initiate the conversation this time. 

“Young master-nim. I am a mere butler working under the Henituse family. We as a servant of the house do not have right to think about it.”

The twins eyed each other wavy; however, they widened their eyes when Ron continued to speak. 

“However, if the young master wants to hear my thought about it. I believe that the young master’s had a valid reason for their outburst.”

“Even when I said such harsh words?! I even called that woman an sl- mmmm.”

Cale stopped himself a moment as he looked the other side. 

“I know it wasn’t wrong of me to support Cale. I did nothing wrong. Was that- haa.”

Kim stopped himself as the twins looked away. Ron smiled gently at the twins (even though it looked vicious in Kim’s eyes.) as he saw his son eyeing him to continue talking to the twins. 

“Though Young master Cale did use such harsh words-”

Ron could see how Cale flinched as he talked.

“I believe that when a person is angry, they tend to speak things without thinking about it. These actions lead to the person blurting out such words. Although it is good that you acknowledge that you went a bit far and seek an apology for it-”

“But!!”

“Though for you to blame Lady Violan is also has a valid reason. I do not believe young master Cale was wrong for thinking that his father got stolen away from hi-

“That wasn’t the case!!”

Cale’s ears turned bright red as he looked the other way as Ron continued. 

“-and think that she stole the spot of your mother.”

Ron could see how Cale slowly started to ease down a bit after hearing that. 

“As for young master, Kim. If you want to know what this butler of yours thinks about it. I believe that you made the right decision. If I say so as a parent myself, your reasoning was valid as he did neglect his duty as a father. Adults make mistakes too. Even though they have lived more than a child, they make decisions that are not suitable for certain circumstances. So it is good that you pointed out his flaws and the mistakes he made.”

Kim slowly peeked towards Ron and looked away again.

“So… You aren’t mad at us?”

Ron paused for a while at such a sudden question. This wasn’t really a question he expected the two to ask. 

“How could this mere butler be mad at his young masters.”

Ron gave out a smile at the twins as the twins huffed out of frustration.

“Not like a butler but-”

Cale paused as he shook his head. 

“Never-”

“As I said, young master. I am not mad at you for the outburst you had. On the contrary, I believe that you had every right to do so.”

Saying that Ron could see how the twins started to relax a bit as they didn’t pay attention to anything but eat. 

“Father… I think I got two annoying younger brothers out of nowhere.”

Beacrox whispered to his father in annoyance; however, Ron could see how beacrox lips twitched upwards. 

‘Hoo, seems like the family did increase.’

Ron smiled as he viewed Beacrox and Cale’s little unless arguments and Kim shoving cakes in both their mouth to shut them up. 

Soon as the duo left. Silence filled the room. The twins looked up to their ceiling as they still held each other. Kim wasn’t really used to giving affection or receiving it back. In his past life, sure, he was dumped with affection from his two self-entitled hyungs, who he appreciates greatly. However, after their death, he isolated himself and tried his best not to get involved with other people. 

Meeting Cale made a massive impact on his life. Finally, he got a family, or more so a brother with whom he shared his blood. A brother who looked out for him and gave him all the affection a person could possibly give. 

This feeling always made him question himself. In the past, he always acted mindlessly; he wanted to do things independently so that nobody else would have to suffer. Though it did lead to his loved one’s death in the end. He realized it was because they cared for him a little too much, loved him a little too much, and would sacrifice their life for him anytime without hesitating. 

He blamed himself.

He blames himself. 

Kim, when he arrived here, he thought he would do the same. As isolating himself after becoming a team leader and doing the difficult tasks alone caused no more deaths around him. However, as Cale started to become closer to the point that he became the little light in his dark world. 

Kim was scared. 

He was afraid to lose someone again. 

He knew his mother was going to die, yet he couldn’t save her. Moreover, he didn’t know the method to save her with such little information. Yet, he still blamed himself for it. 

Maybe 

Just maybe if he had looked into the matter a bit more.

Could he have saved his mother?

He knew if he acted rashly, he would end up losing the only source of light once again. 

Though he doubted if he should tell Cale about everything. About his past life, his knowledge of things around him, and how he couldn’t protect their mother even though he knew about it. 

He wondered how Cale would react to it. 

Would Cale believe in him?

Would Cale get mad at him for not saving their mother?

Would Cale find him weird?

Would Cale start to hate him?

Kim got out of his trace as he felt somebody shake him. 

“KIM!”

His eyes slowly met with familiar brownish red eyes. 

“Kim? What’s the matter?”

Cale looked at him with a face filled with worry.

“H-huh? I’m fine?”

Kim said as he tilted his head in confusion. 

“Why are you crying then?”

Kim slowly touched his cheeks as he felt something wet. 

‘Ah, when did I-’

He didn’t know anymore. 

Cale calmly held his brother’s face as he wiped the tears off.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Cale’s voice was gentle and soft. Anybody aside from Kim would have been shocked if they had ever seen Cale talk this way. 

Kim turned his gaze to the other side as he mumbled something. Yet he Cale heard it clearly in this quiet room.

“You would hate me.”

Cale looked at Kim in disbelief as he pulled his brother in a hug.

“I won’t hate you. No. I can’t hate you. I can never hate you. You know about it, stupid dongsaeng. I can never get mad at you.”

Kim sighed softly as he dug his head on his brother’s shoulders, seeking a comfortable position. He knew Cale was patient with him. Though Cale was only 8, Kim knew that his brother had matured more than he was supposed to. Though he acts rash at times and childish, which in fact is what his age’s children are supposed to act like. Cale was understanding and gentle when it came to him. 

However, that wasn’t the problem. Kim couldn’t bring it in him to talk about it. 

He didn’t know how to start. 

“I’ll listen to everything you have to say. I’ll listen to both the painful and happiest moments you have to share. I’ll believe everything you say.”

Cale paused a bit to make sure Kim was listening to him. 

“But please. Please talk to me about it. Don’t hide in and cry alone.”

He pulled Kim away a bit as he held his face.

“I’m your hyung, idiot. I’m here for you too. You aren’t alone. You don’t have to go through everything alone. If you need time. Take your time. But don’t suddenly burst into tears alone. I’ll give you a shoulder to cry on as you do for me. I’ll give you an ear to listen as you do for me. So please let me in. I will not. No, I would never in my life hate you for anything you do. Nor I would judge you. So please, let your hyung in?”

Hearing this, Kim felt some sudden emotions burst in him. 

He knew all this.

He did.

Though hearing all these from that said person made him relieved. 

He didn't understand what he was feeling anymore. Mentally he was supposed to be the oldest on here. Yet, he felt as if he was the childish one here. Was it because of his child-like instinct, or was it because he received this kind of affection after so long? 

Kim didn't know. But for now, he wanted to be a little selfish and act immature. 

Kim cried that said nigh in the arms of his brother. 

Chapter Text

Emotions.

They are the most beautiful thing in the world. Yet, the most painful and dangerous factor in human life. Why? Because of the risk that follows through it. The anxiety that gobbles oneself, the fear that eats up their mind causing them to be in a state of chaos. Even though people argue that they can handle every bit of burden it gives off. 

They cannot. 

The more a person believes that they can handle it and conceal it, the more they are on edge to burst it open. 

Once that happens, nobody knows how the said person would react towards it. Would they fall into the depth of despair that they find everything around them useless, or would they fall under the influence of negative intakes that could ruin one’s life? 

The emotions that Kim tried to conceal in the back of his mind. The emotions that Kim thought were useless to touch upon as he was already an adult by mentality. Yet, these emotions were slowly bursting open for him in the form of a wet substance that streamed down his eyes. 

Concealing emotions was a habit for Kim. Though in his current stage, it was more dangerous. He may have the mind of an adult, but his new body hasn't developed as an adult. It was still in a growth process. His body can’t handle the load his mind wants him to. 

Even though his mind was older, that didn’t matter. His current body was in a developing stage. His current brain was still developing. So no matter how strong his barrier was as Kim Rok Soo, it was way different from Kim Henituse. 

“Kim?”

Cale spoke softly and gently as he could, afraid that if it went a little more harsh and cold, it would break his brother. 

“You don’t have to tell me everything at once. But please don’t keep everything inside of you. You know you have this hyung of yours will listen to you.”

Kim paused as he took every word Cale was telling him. 

“We are eight. I may not be able to understand everything and give you advice like the adults. But if you want to rant out everything inside you. You have me, bubs.”

Cale slowly caressed his brother’s back as he continued.

“You told me you would be here for me. You told me you would protect me. And Kim.”

Kim slowly pulled away as he looked at his brother, who continued talking. Cale’s hand slowly cupped Kim’s face as his fingers gently wiped the tears.

“It's the same for me too, Kim. I am here for you. I will protect you too. So trust your hyung a little, hm?”

Kim’s eyes widened for a while. These words. Nobody had told him these. Though they may have said it indirectly, Kim’s dense and oblivious mind never let it pass through. However, now, Cale made sure it was direct. He knew how to get things through his brother. He has been observing his brother. He has been learning about every little habit of his brother. 

Cale wanted to proudly say that he was the one who understood his twin the best. 

Even if Kim were to lie or hide something, he knew how to differentiate it. 

Kim got startled by the whole comment; however, his voice didn’t seem to come out of his mouth. So, to show he understood Cale. Kim hugged his brother back tightly as he nodded his head. 

Cale smiled in the process as he caressed his twin’s back head. 

“Just promise me that when you are ready to let it all out, that you will tell me everything.”

Kim slowly got out of the hug as he popped out his picky. Cale chuckled a bit at his brother's action as he wrapped their pinky as they made a sealed it. 

“Then I’ll wait. But for now.”

Cale smiled as he got his brother back in a hug. 

“Cry out as much as you want. Your hyung is here.”

With that, Kim followed as he cried out his pent-up emotions. 

Silence filled the room, as one couldn’t help but sign. The words that his sons spoke pierced straight to his heart. He knew. 

Oh, how well he knew.

That all the things that happened were because of him. He knew what he did. 

Very well, that was.

However, he didn’t want to acknowledge it. He didn’t want to believe the words. 

He was a coward. He had to admit. 

He liked to be in his own fantasy world where everything he believed was true. He believed he was a great father. He believed that whatever he had been doing was a better choice for everybody around him. He believed that his sons would happily accept his new family. 

He wants to believe that. Though he knew it wasn’t true. 

He had to do something. First, of course, he had to mend things back with his son’s, yet his anxiety took the better of him. To add more oil to the fire, there was more to this relationship. He was sure Kim noticed it as he didn’t speak much after even though his eyes looked like he had so much to say. 

“They told me to leave them alone.”

A shape pierce was felt inside of his chest. 

“I’ll let them cool down for a while.”

Yet again, Deruth became a cowardly father who didn’t take a step forward to mend the relationship. As he believed that his children would understand him. 

Maybe it was because of his lack of ignorance, or perhaps it was because of how highly he thought of his decisions. Deruth realized that things between him and his sons weren’t getting better. Instead, it was breaking apart. 

Right here, right now, his son, Kim, was sitting in front of him, looking at him as if he was some piece of garbage. He didn’t want to point it out, maybe because he was scared to hear what his son had to say to him if he did. 

He wouldn’t say, “you’re a piece of garbage, father.” straight to his face, right? … right?!

Deruth gulped slowly as the room turned cold and silent. Each of them waiting for the other one to speak. Deruth flinched as he heard Kim sigh at the action as his eyes gave a message saying that he was tired of everything. 

“Father. May I ask you a question?”

Kim’s voice was cold, filled with thorns poking out of it. Deruth felt his voice stuck, so he could only give a nod as a reply.

“Are you trying to make us despise you?”

Deruth’s eyes widened at the sudden question but froze as he heard the next line. 

“If that is so. You are doing a very good job at it.”

Kim spoke as his voice was filled with anger. Slowly Kim threw a stack of paper on the desk as he glared at Deruth. 

Deruth, without a word, held the paper as his hands shook. His eyes widened in horror as he looked at the paper and back towards Kim. 

‘How did an eight years old child manage to get this?’

His mind shook in horror at what information he had acquired. 

“Kim… i-it’s not what you think it is.”

“Then what is it, father?”

Kim’s eyes were throwing daggers towards Deruth. 

“I was just... I was-”

Deruth couldn’t continue anymore. What excuse could he have given? 

“Mother was murdered, father. It hadn’t been too long. Just four months.”

Kim picked up the papers again as he waved them at his father. 

“A poison that couldn’t be cured? Never heard off? Why does the report state that the following poison was snake and Scorpio venom? I am pretty sure they have a cure available for that, father.”

Deruth’s hands shook as he heard Kim’s voice starting to get even colder. He has heard criticism as a noble. Getting criticized for things you do is normal. However, getting criticized by an eight-year-old child with such evidence and to top it off his own son? Deruth was in a state of horror. 

“Lady Violan arrived at the Henituse territory about nine months ago. It was clearly reported that she was not pregnant at the moment. However, after one month of her visit, it was reported that she was pregnant.”

Deruth tried his best not to look into Kim’s eyes.

“Is that soo.”

Deruth could feel Kim’s boring gaze. How can an eight years old hold such capability? Deruth wondered, but he didn’t point it out yet again. It was because Kim Henituse was angry right now. 

“I suppose... I heard from mother that you didn’t come back home often.”

“*cough* isn’t that pure coincidence.”

“I see. It must be a coincidence that each time you disappeared from home, you had a meeting with lady Violan. Why is that father?”

Deruth felt as if hundreds of swords were pointed towards his throat. If he spoke something wrong. He felt as if he would die right on this spot. 

“It is not a matter young children should poke their nose in.”

Deruth tried to calm himself down. But, unfortunately, the guilt was creeping back at him once again. 

“I suppose so. However, why is mother’s room being considered to be renovated?”

Deruth paused as he looked back at Kim.

“Violan is my wife now. So I thought it would-”

“Count Deruth, you already took mine and my brother’s family away from us. So why are you taking their last memories away too?”

Deruth froze again as he saw a small hint of hatred, just like the day they fought, burn through Kim’s eyes once again. 

Kim sighed as he took the papers away.

“I only came here to check something, Lord. So, I will take my leave now.”

“K-Kim…”

“Just like how the days are going on. Ignore us. Leave us out of your life. So you can stay happy with that side of the family while we will stay with ours.”

“N-no Kim I-”

“However, Count Deruth. Just like you saw in the papers. If this evidence relates to you. Or if I find out that you are anywhere related to my mother’s death, know that I will not stand still.”

Deruth jerked his head up with a wide eye.

“I was not related to the murder! Kim, you better not look into the case. I am trying to protect you!”

“Oh, so you do know.”

“I am telling you, Kim. Listen to your father! I am only trying to give you guys happiness!”

Kim looked back at Deruth with a faint smile. 

“If this is how a father is supposed to be like… if this is what happiness feels like given from a father… I don’t want it.”

Those said words pierced right through Deruth’s heart as he kept quiet. 

“You haven’t acted as a father till now. So I doubt your relationship with our mother. Did you grieve because of your guilt or because you loved her? So… actually, don’t answer that. I don’t want to ruin my mood further and worry hyung about it.”

Kim turned around as he started away towards the door. 

“I hope you enjoy the rest of the day, Count.”

Deruth could only watch his child walk away with an aching heart. But, he couldn’t really deny it because it was the truth. 

The sin that he and Violan had done together. The hurt and despair he saw in his wife’s face when she found out the truth. The murder that took place in the house, which didn’t allow him to ask for forgiveness. 

It wasn’t that he didn’t love his wife. He did. It was just a mistake done by his intoxicated self one night which continued as a habit until it was too late. 

On the other hand, Kim only sighed as he closed the door. 

Now he fully understood why Cale Henituse turned out the way he did in the novel. Though this caused his affection side for Cale to increase. 

Now no matter what path Cale took further, Kim would stay by his side, protecting him, of course. He’ll let Cale do anything, well, not things that could harm himself but anything else, of course. 

He didn’t need Deruth to play the role of a parent. After so many talks, Kim believed it was hopeless.

Though it is okay. 

If Cale needs a mother, he’ll fulfill that role.

If Cale needs a father, he’ll fulfill that role

If Cale needs a brother, he’ll fulfill the role.

If Cale needs a friend, he’ll fulfill that role. 

He lost his loved ones once. He lost them before he could repay what they gave him. However, this time would be different. He would make sure to have no regrets with Cale. In this life, Cale is his hyung, and he would forever protect and make that man feel loved. That was his goal in life. 

Kim was really not in the mood. He still had much more to think through. Figure out why his mother’s death occurred and how he could stop future events. It was no use to talk to the Count. Kim realized his father lived in a delusional world. A place that only made him happy but not the people around him. 

Kim quietly walked out in the garden of his beloved mother, sitting on the bench they always sat together in. He only stared blankly ahead with thoughts overflowing in process. 

He was going to have a baby sibling. Sharing the same blood as the person who cheated on his beloved mother. Though he didn’t have resentment against the child. Why would he? The child did nothing. He wasn’t angry with the adults of the household either. No. Anger wasn’t the word. Disappointment? Ah. That was what he was the word he was looking for. 

Not knowing when he got so consumed with his thoughts. He felt a light tap on his shoulder. 

“Kim?”

“Hyung?”

Cale sighed slightly as he sat beside Kim. 

“I was looking for you all over the house. But here you are.”

“Do you need something hyung?”

Cale didn’t speak as he watched Kim innocently look at him tilting his head sideways with confusion. Kim somehow got this habit from staring at the kittens or birds that visited the window. For Cale, it was quite amusing and cute. Both his brother and the animal would tilt their head towards the side then another side in sync looking at each other oh so innocently with confusion for amusement. 

However, if Cale had to say, these moments were only for him to watch. Well his late mother too, But now it was only for him. Kim would bring out another side. An innocent and cute side which would make anybody fawn over and wish to cup his face and squish them or eating him up. 

*ahem* we are getting sidetracked here. 

Anyways, Cale let out a soft sigh as his hands reached out to Kim’s fluffy long hair ruffing them. He could feel how Kim closes his eyes as he leans more towards his palm. That was a sign. A sign saying Kim wasn’t feeling well and is in a state that he needs reassurance. 

“Kim remember this?”

Kim tilted his head once again as Cale took out a music box. Kim’s eyes open wide as he remembered. 

Kim, Cale, and Jour had one thing they shared in common and that was their love for music and performance. Though the musical instruments perfect for them took time to produce, their mother had gifted them a music box. It held a beautiful tune while she taught the twins to dance. 

The dance was simple. Yet because of how their passion lay in these types of activities, it lightened their mood up. It made them joke around while dancing or try different types of movements to entertain themself. 

Cale slowly twisted the rode many times possible as he kept it on the side. The silent garden flooded with a beautiful tune of music. Cale slowly walked in front of Kim as he held his arms out.

“My dearest Dongsaeng,  would you care to dance with your beloved hyung?”

Kim scoffed as he saw Cale’s cheeky grin. He couldn’t help but let out a soft smile as he held his hands. 

“Of course.”

Soon Cale and Kim danced through the melody of the music in sync just like how they did in their mother’s presence. The small giggles made by the twins added a sweet melody to the sound of the music. 

“We should do this kind of activities time to time.”

Cale smiled as he took the lead guiding his brother who was trying his best to put an annoyed face to hide the grin. It was very like Kim causing Cale to chuckle a bit. 

While the two danced along, they didn’t notice the pair of eyes that looked towards them. 

“It seems like, we have to prepare a set of their favorite dishes again.”

“Indeed. Our kitten and puppy-like young master needs break from time to time.”

The Molan's eyes soften as they watched the twins dance ever so gracefully. They did need a break. A break before things starts to get even messier. 

“Mother would I be able to talk to them?”

Violan looked down at her son who watched the twins with mesmerized face. Of course, who wouldn’t be mesmerized when they danced so gracefully that nobody could take their eyes off them. Being interested in the art field Violan knew these twins had more talent in this field. 

Though she shook off the thought for now. She too knew the event that took place today. She too felt guilt as she broke apart a lovely family. Well, the guilt went even above when she received a gift…

An apology gift. 

It was a lily flower, the flower that symbolized her family. With a cute note attached to it saying: 

“I apologize for my behavior during our first meet. I did not mean to offend you using such words. Happy marriage life, Lady Violan Henituse.”

That apology made her even more guilty. 

She looked at her son as she ruffled his hair a bit. 

“You should try talking to them.”

Basen looked at his mother with a little hope. 

“Maybe they would treat you better than us two.”

She whispered as her gaze went back towards the twins. 

[system updating]

[Data calculating]

[1%...]

[50%...]

[90%...]

[100%]

[system updated]

[Unlocked quests]

[Reader: Kim Henituse]

[Skills:

Strength: 100

IQ: 1000/- Max 

MP: 50

HP: 10000]

[Special abilities:

AP:0

Affinity with animal

Affinity with elements

Affinity with nature

Affinity with god

Affinity with weapons

Ability to talk to elements

Ability to talk to gods

Recorder

Instant

Stealth

Diversion

Traps

No sound of footsteps

Parkour

Breath control

- To Be Added - ]

[Immunity:

Poison ]

[Starting quest

Long quest - Make Alberu Crossman the King

Major scene: Gain the indescribable shield and Vility of heart

Minor scene:

• Make ally’s with Billios Flynn and Alberu Crossman
• Find secrets of the crown prince

Reward: 1 billion gold coins for each quest]

Chapter Text

The large hallway stationed near the ICU room, filled with anxiety and worries. Everybody held their breath in, not knowing how the results would turn out. High priests, mages, healers, knights, and shamans all were hired by Deruth to make sure that his newlywed wife and his newborn child would be safe. 

The atmosphere was overwhelming, causing the youngest child to feel fear. Everything was new to him; the people surrounding him were new too. The brown hair child slowly crawled into his new father’s side, grabbing the edge of the shirt’s hem. Deruth was startled with an unknown presence on his legs as he looked at his son. He let out a small smile patting his head, reassuring that everything would turn out great. 

The sudden performance between the new father and son duo didn’t go unnoticed. People eyed them filled with admiration. Who wouldn’t? It was a lovely sight to see how the father consoled the little one that their mother would be alright. 

Murmurs went around as the other whispered about how Deruth was a great father figure. How he was indeed a nice person to treat a child, who is not his by blood, so gently and lovingly. 

However, two pairs of eyes looked at the scene with amusement. They found the whole situation funny. Well, for them, the words Deruth and good father figure didn’t belong to each other. They could only scoff at the sight. Who could blame them? Deruth here was worried out of his breath for his new wife as if she was near death’s door, yet this scene was nowhere close when his late wife was literally on death’s door. 

The twins turned around at once as they heard loud cries fill the hallway. Seeing that Deruth and his son rushed inside the room, they were ready to head out. They had no reason to go visit anyway. 

“Ron. Prepare to leave.”

No questions were asked, nor did people argue for them to visit their new sibling. The twins didn’t consider the people inside the room family; everybody knew that.

The reason.

The newborn child. 

Lily Henituse. 

Though the child did not commit the crime of being born. Though she knew nothing that happened due to her birth. 

She was the symbol of the sinful act her parents did to ruin a happy family. 

Though the twins would argue that it was not. 

“If we were truly a happy family, this incident would have never occurred.”

They would say. 

The birth of the youngest child in the territory caused an uproar across the territory. Deruth had to spend gallons of money to celebrate the moment inviting every noble possible. 

Cale sat down on his given spot, waiting for his brother as he observed the nobles that arrived. He scoffed at their fake action showing gratitude towards the family. 

‘Pests are everywhere here.’

Cale mentally rolled his eyes; he let out a smile whenever nobles met his eyes. He sat in the far corner on the second floor, meaning that nobody would be able to disturb him. 

He didn’t want to talk to them anyway. 

He would turn nine in a few months, yet he felt as if he lived a very long life. A tiring long life that he cared about nothing other than his precious twin. 

They say the environment that you grow up in shapes the person you become.

He smiled slightly as he agreed to the thought. 

People saw him as a bundle of sunshine. The one that needs to be protected at all costs. A child that lost their mother and has an unworthy being carrying the title called father. They petty him. Looked at him with sympathy-filled eyes. 

Cale felt disgusted by that. 

He didn’t believe they felt sad for him or his brother at all.

They didn’t, not one bit. 

Cale wasn’t academically bright; however, that didn’t mean he was stupid. 

He could analyze things. Could figure out one intention by observing them. 

He grew up learning things from Kim. 

Though he wouldn’t admit that he found Kim’s lessons more entertaining, as Kim would show his sly smirk and tease him. 

Kims lessons were entertaining. 

He didn’t talk about history. Not those boring subjects. 

Kim taught him survival among the nobles. Their thought process. How power is distributed among the nobles and how greedy they can be. He learned about how to analyze one’s behavior and what one intends on doing. He learned how to make the game that the other party was playing on his own and lout their wallet out of it. 

Cale was no saint, nor did he wants to be. 

Though the people closest to him think he’s angelic.

From others’ perspectives, he, along with his brother, was known as cold beauties. They look ethereal, of course; however, they come out cold for other people. Making themselves unapproachable. 

“Hoo, I never thought this day would come.”

A dramatic gasp was heard, causing Cale to come back to his senses. 

“Huh?”

“Who knew my dear hyung would start thinking and observing people.”

Cale scoffed at the remark yet let out a smile towards his twin. 

“What can I say. I have been living with this person whose behavior started to get to me.”

Kim chuckled a bit as he sat beside Cale, observing the nobles that had arrived. 

“Stats?”

Cale smiled as he caressed his brother’s hair, beginning to talk. 

“It seems like they have planted rats around the venue.”

Kim hummed as Cale continued. 

“That goldfish blue hair seems to be the most restless out of them all.”

Kim averted his direction towards the said person as he smiled. He raised his hands with a click; the goldfish blue hair vanished into thin eyes in a second. 

“I feel like we are the main characters of the movie. Running the underworld because your family is a piece of shit.”

Kim scoffed at him, saying they were no main characters, while Cale shook his head as he just observed the rest, remembering how Kim had opened up to all his antics. Well, there were still secrets that were yet to be open; however, Kim was slowly letting him know about everything. 

Kim’s midnight classes with Ron, which Cale figured out the reason why Kim looked like shit early in the mornings. Kim’s poison immunity training, which Cale was furious about and threatened that he would do it too if this continues; in the end, Cale did the training for safety measures for future events. Kim’s underworld intel source gathering. Kim’s underworld business that louts the unworthy beings and erases their existence from the world. 

Cale did ask why to bother doing that…

Kim never pokes his nose on things that could be annoying. 

However, the answer was simple. 

If they wanted to separate from the Henitus family, they would need money along with shelter. Kim was preparing. Waiting for Cale in the process. Cale knew when he said two words.

‘Let’s leave.’ 

Kim would pack his bag right away, already prepared with what they were going to do next. 

But it wasn’t time. 

They couldn’t leave right now. 

There was still evidence they needed to gather.

People they needed to observe.

Have a little bit of power to gather intel. 

So, for now, staying low, they would act as members of the Henituse family. 

Only for their mother’s revenge. 

Nothing more, nothing less. 

The hallways rattled with chatters as the twins made their way down starts. They let out small smiles as the nobles greeted them as they stood together with no intentions of separating from each other. Kim glanced on the side as he found his target.

Billos Flynn, 

The illegitimate child of the Flynn family. Of course, he would be here. The nobles were gathering intel, the dirt of the Henituse family. The murder wasn’t a piece of hidden news, and the birth of the youngest child was much proof for them to take notice of things that had taken place in the territory. 

Henituse Family may stand low.

However, their wealth was what they were after. People were greedy for money and power. 

Billos was one of those people.

Now he only needed to make an opportunity to talk to that said man. 

“Young master Cale! Young master Kim. I am happy to meet you again.”

Cale frowned a bit yet gave a smile with a nod. 

“It is good to see you too, Young master, Eric. Young master Gilbert and Lady Amiru.”

Kim replied. These three were friends with the twins since they were tiny babies. Jour wanted to make sure that her children had kids to play with their age. That was how their play date with each other started. However, Cale always seemed to be annoyed. It was not that he disliked them. But he disliked them in the sense of-

“Young master Kim, I told you, you can call me hyung.”

“Me too.”

“You can call me noona.”

That. That was the reason Cale disliked them. Why were they trying to become Kim’s older sibling? It was frustrating, to say the least. Only he could be Kim’s older sibling. 

Scratch that.

His only sibling!

“I told you already. I am his hyung.”

Cale resorted, causing the group to have a little argument. 

“How about you call us hyung too, Cale?”

Eric smiled brightly, only for Kim to glare this time. 

That eyes were already giving them a message without anything needing to be spoken. 

‘My hyung. Mine.’

They said. The three friends chuckled at the twin’s reaction. It was always amusing how they would get defensive about somebody addressing themselves as one of their siblings. 

While the chit chat took place, Kim side-eyed, finding an opening to mark his target. He quickly excused himself, getting a ‘get back here quickly.’ from Cale as he moved towards the refreshments area. 

He eyed the drinks he could take. Sadly, he was only eighty, about to turn nine, so he couldn’t take any alcohol with him. However, fortunately, his sweet tooth made him choose a chocolate milkshake, causing him to hum in delight. He turned around as his eyes widened. 

“Ah. I apologize. I did not notice you here.”

“No need to apologize, young master Kim.”

The person in front smiled brightly. 

‘He looks like a piggy bank.’

Kim thought as he nodded his head towards the person. 

“I am-”

“Billos Flynn. The owner of Fragrance of Tea with poetry shop. I know.”

Kim said, looking for more milkshakes as he finished his own. Billos looked at the boy with amusement. 

“You have heard about me?”

“You took shelter in the Henituse Territory. Nothing in this territory goes unnoticed by me.”

Kim spoke as it was the most obvious thing. 

Billos smiled silently as he observed the young master. 

“I will be honored if Young master Kim visits my shop.”

Kim paused for a smile as he smiled, turning away. 

“I like quiet space. Fantasy novels and sweet drinks.”

Billos watched Kim heading back towards his brother. 

“I will make sure to accommodate your request.”

Kim only waved his hand in the air as he went back to the group. 

Now that he got his target’s attention. He needed to prepare for other things. 

Screams and cries were heard as the twins walked closer towards their underground prison. 

The twins tapped their earrings as they walked inside the corridor. Their hair color shifted to jet black while their eyes turned dark jewel red with a black outline. 

They received the earring from their late mother. She had passed down quite a few pieces of jewelry with special functions added to them. It was said that they were made by god’s blessing, yet nobody knew which god it was. 

They entered the room as the stretch of blood covered the room. Kim’s nose squinched at the bitter smell as he proceeded to walk forwards, with Cale following behind. 

“Ron. Is he ready for questioning?”

Cale asks as he looks the at goldfish-looking blue hair guys they caught. 

“Yes, young master. Should we walk him up?”

Kim nodded his head as the water was spilled on the guy. Then, slowly opening his eyes, the guy struggled. Beacrox quietly held his head up, pulling the blue hair making sure the guy looked at the twins. 

“Mmmm mmmm mmmm”

The guy starts to struggle as Beacrox strengthens his hold on him. 

“I know I said he looks like a goldfish. But look, he is behaving that way too. It’s like taking the fish out of the water.”

Cale whispers towards Kim, who nods his head in agreement. 

He slowly moves in front of the guy as he motions Ron to take the gag off. 

“W, who are you?”

The man asked, fear present in his voice as he looked at the twins. Who would have imagined that their kidnapper was eight-year-old twins?

Cale rolled his eyes at the question as Kim sighed. 

“That doesn’t matter. What matters is, who sent you to the celebration?”

The guys tried to keep quiet; however, Beacrox wasn’t the one to stay still. Instead, he gripped the hair even tighter as he made another cut on the man’s flesh. 

“Marquis Stan!”

“Why did he send you here? Why were you snooping around mothers chamber?”

“H, he said there was a portal- ackk.”

Kim raised his hand towards Beacrox to wait a bit.

“What portal?”

“I, I don’t know. He said… I needed to find the Thames symbol. The portal would be there. Once I find it, I have to return back with the answer.”

Silence filled the room as Kim started at the blue-haired guy. 

“What else did he send you here for?”

“He, he said that the organization needs the family to fall. So, so he asked us to gather the evidence or anything that can bring down the Henituse family.”

“What organization.”

“Arm. I, I don’t know anything else about it.”

Kim nodded his head. Turning around. 

“Ron, you know what to do.”

Cale spoke as Ron nodded his head. 

“Guess we have some digging to do dongsaeng.”

Cale cheered as Kim sighed. 

“I really feel like I am in a movie now.”

Cale laughed as Kim could only shake his head. 

He already had a mission given by the system to do… 

Yet again, he got his own things to do as well. 

The two had gotten home as they lay on the bed. 

Kim held his brother’s hand, pulling him to a hug. 

“You know… You don’t have to do this, right?”

Kim whispered softly as he caressed his brother’s back.

Even though Cale has acted as if everything thing was fine. The torture scene was just a normal thing for a kid to see. Kim knew that it was not. 

Kim knew his brother.

Kim knew how these sights could trigger some people. 

Because he experienced it.

Still experiences it. 

He gets nightmares about it at times when he gets too anxious.

Panic attacks in the middle of the night when he is unable to hold his emotions. 

Though he made it through.

Because Cale was there for him

Patient as he helped him gain his consciousness back.

Helped him relieve the pain. 

Kim didn’t want Cale to see all these.

Kim didn’t want Cale to take part in this. 

However, he couldn’t stop Cale from doing so. 

Cale refuses to do so. 

“Shut up. You’re shaking too.”

Cale argues as he cuddles more into his brother’s embrace.

“I can take it.”

“So can I.”

Kim sighed. 

There was no turning back from this, was it… 

All he could do was hold his hyung tightly in his embrace, helping him calm down. 

It was because of him, so I’ll have to take responsibility for the outcome, right?

Plus, Kim doesn’t know till when this all would end. 

There are still many events that will take place in the future. 

I mean, he hadn’t even reached the starting of the novel yet. 

However, here he was, already in some scenario he had to find a way to solve. 

Chapter Text

Light sparked up the abandoned big room. There were hints of dust, along with the sour odor of the expired food abandoned on the table. Yet, the room was left untouched. Ever since the incident took place. Slow yet soft footsteps approached the room as the reddish-brown eyes examined the room. 

His arms clenched tightly as he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He didn’t want his records to go off, not at a time like this. Though a few months have passed away since his late mother’s death, it still felt as if it was just yesterday. 

The warm embrace of safety. The loving and gentle voice soothed him to sleep as his nightmares got cured. The little nagging just so he could get up and exercise. The little teasing as he made faces while drinking the lemonade. 

The new sensation he felt after he got reborn… All vanished away in a blink of an eye. 

He felt as if he was cursed. Or maybe he was just too weak? 

He couldn’t tell, yet he felt so useless. 

Slowly shaking his head, he tried to regain his composure. It wasn’t time to think about these things. What was done was done. He can’t turn back time just so history could rewrite itself. 

‘Ping’

[You have triggered a sub-scenario]

The red-brownish eyes shook a little bit as he released a long breath. Then, retaking composer of himself, he looked towards the window that popped up in front of him. It was odd, a very strange feeling when he saw the blue window as if he was playing virtual reality, solving the murder scene, or whatever a murder game could be named. Yet, at the same time, all were fake, and he was here just for temporary. 

He was afraid, even though he knew that this was reality. 

God, he hoped it was real... 

He would go crazy if it wasn’t.

Not when he found his source of life. A purpose. A light. 

Cale Henituse. 

He couldn’t lose him too. 

‘Slap’

His cheeks turned red as he slapped both his cheeks a few times, feeling the stinging sensation. 

To proceed forward, he needs reassurance. 

Reassurance that says, ‘this is reality'. And...

  Pain 

Was his reassurance. 

Humming in satisfaction, he acknowledged the window pop-up. 

[Sub-scenario: Roleplay: Detective 

Scenario: 

1. Find the evidence of murder 

- 0/3 found

     2. Find the Thames logo - To the portal we go-

Level: E

Time: 1 day

Reward: 1 thousand gold coins each

Punishment: xxxx]

The small eyes widened as he saw the first task. Though it was true that he came here to look for the Thames logo due to the rat, they found snooping around. 

He didn’t think there was any evidence left. It had been months; wouldn’t somebody have already erased their traces? 

A soft sigh released from Kim’s mouth as he smiled a little. He did regret that he didn’t come here sooner to gather clues as well as evidence. It wasn’t that he wasn’t allowed to visit, but it was because he couldn’t get himself to visit the chambers. 

His regrets.

His first ever regret after he arrived in this world. 

He didn’t look deep into how his mother had died. He was foolish to think it was related to any illness. Why did he think it was an illness in the first place? Maybe because her death wasn’t talked about in the novel? Was that it? 

He bit his lips harder as he tried to focus on the important task ahead.

‘Sigh’

He really did need Cale by his side. 

Only then his thoughts would stop wandering around. Only then he could have a sense of warmth and safety. Only then his monsters would retreat. 

He shook his head, scolding himself to gain his senses back as he pressed -Accept- 

[Sub-scenario has started]

With a light smile on his face, Kim walked into the chambers. 

Skimming through the room, two buttons of his white shirt were off. Analyzing every single detail as his tiny body moved around the room. 

He was overheating.

There were too many details in the room. 

Guess Jour really was a bit to be found with art and music.

‘Clap’

He stopped recording the room as he stood still. Flashes of the room played among his mind as he analyzed the room more in-depth.

A smile crept up his lips as he moved his way towards the table. The glass was still there. The stain was still there. 

“How does this thing work?”

Kim questioned himself as he remembered his blue screen system. It did say it could do anything for him, right? As it was made for him? 

“Analyze?”

It came out more like a question as he didn’t have much experience with Lucas, the system, he didn't think it would be of any use for him. However, as he had no magic nor tools, he did end up requiring the help of Lucas. 

[Analyzing]

[Please wait…]

With those words in front of his eyes, he couldn’t help but smile. So it seems like Lucas was useful after all. 

[Analyzing complete.]

[Result: Tea Cup

Data: 

1. Source of poison - Snake and Scorpion Venom
2. Trace of Poison - teacup
3. Location of poison - bottom of the teacup
4. Fingerprint found :

• Jour Thames
• Lilian 
• (unidentified identity) - No records of the following person 

X- unidentified identity meaning that the reader has not unlocked the character or hasn’t met the character yet. - X ]

Lilian was Jours' maid. She was accused of having poisoned Jour. 

‘Sigh’

Kim knew Lilian couldn’t mix poison. However, before anything could be concluded, it was told that she took her own life, regretting her action towards Jour. 

“So the clue, I presume... Is it that unidentified person?”

[⅓]

“So… if I meet this person, or see this person’s name, would the identity be relieved?”

[yes.]

Kim let out a hum with satisfaction. At Least he would know the person who put poison in the cup after they met. He knew that it couldn't be some nobles who did it by themselves, but if he figured the person out, that person would be of great help. 

Making his way towards his mother’s study. Kim took the books out, which seemed to have market pages. 

‘Time manipulation’

‘Source of life’

‘Types of life’

‘Categories of life’

‘Immortal beings’

‘Dimension travel’

‘Godhood’

‘Hunter’

‘Demi-gods’

‘Angels’

‘Demons’

Chills went down Kim’s spine as he read the titles. He had a gut feeling that his slacker life planned for his late twenties would go further away if he got into these subjects. However, he also had a gut feeling that these were related to why the murder took place. 

“Why was mother reading this anyway?”

He questioned, though he froze on one of the titles. 

‘ Dimension travel ’

“Did she… did she know?”

Kim gulped as he opened the book, finding a paper slip from it. 

“She did…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My little moon, 

If you are reading this letter, it means I am not with you anymore. I could have left the household or could have died… 

However, before I talk any further…. 

My adorable little moon, or should I say my cute lazy kitten? Pfft, I can already imagine your face scrunching with a little smile on your lips as you read these words. 

How have you been doing?

Are you taking care of yourself?

My lazy boy isn’t skipping exercise, is he?

My baby isn’t putting all the pressure on top of himself, is he?

Please take care of yourself, Kim. 

And remember. Mommy loves you and has never regretted giving birth to you. 

I am proud of you, and I will always be by your side looking after you even though it is from far away. 

Forgive your mother for leaving you… 

 Don’t blame my death or disappearance on yourself. 

It wasn’t your fault. 

Things happen, and I was the one late to realize it. 

So, let me tell you a story. Are you up for reading it, my moon? 

So it all starts back, the History of Thames family. xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx

xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx  xxxxxxx  xxxxxxx   xxxxxxx

xxxxxxxx xxx  xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx   xxxxxxxxx  xxxxxxx

xxxxxx xx xxxxxxxxxx  xxxxxxxxxx 

[A/n: Yes, I am leaving you guys clueless…. We still haven’t finished the first part of the story. No fun if I reveal everything so soon, right? :) hehe]

So, take Cale with you and gain the ancient power, annual of life when you get the chance. I have divided it into two parts. Though I cannot say if it would still be there if those people get the clue for it. However, our family is the only one who can bring the full potential of power.

With that being said. 

This is the end of the letter. 

I hope you and Cale grow up happy and wealthy. 

If you do end up having a problem. 

Just find them. 

Love,

Your mother

Jour

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Closing his eyes tightly as possible. Kim was trying to prevent himself from crying. 

[2/3]

As expected…

Soon his eyes led to the papers left on Jours desk. 

‘Magic?’

Or…. 

The scripts were in the ancient language. 

Though he never saw them before. 

( we use a language that only our family, along with the ancient dragon slayer, knows. )

[3/3] 

'Guess I will have to start learning about this language to read these papers… '

Kim sighed heavily. More works have been added. 

As expected, there weren’t any big clues for the murder’s identity. However, he had three key pieces of information. One, he had to learn more about his mother’s side family; two, he needed to retrieve the annual ring of life before anybody else could do and lastly, unlock this unidentified person. 

After figuring out their identity, he could get more information as to why his mother was targeted. As the greedy bastard has gotten all the way to hide the person's identity. He must be important, no? 

He grabbed his special dimensional bag as he stored all the paper works including the books that would help him decode the papers. 

Slowly moving forward, his last destination. 

He wasn’t really sure if this was the location, yet he recalled the movie he once watched on earth. Portraits usually hide things behind them. It's just that you need to find the correct one. 

He stood in front of the enormous portrait. It was the portrait of Jour and the twins. 

Steadily and gently pushing the portrait towards the side, careful that the portrait would not get harmed in any way. A small smile crept up his face as he saw the logo of Thames household. 

His fingers gently touched the symbol as he traced over it, seeing a small glow. 

Stepping back a little, the wall opened a bit, showing a safe with a box and books. 

[Key to the Thames portal acquired.]

Kim took the box and books as he kept them in the bag again. He will examine the box with Cale later. 

[Sub- scenario complete]

[2 thousand gold coins added to your inventory bank.]

Kim smiled at the window. It was not much as he earned per hour, but it was still money, so...

Water dripped down his hair, too lazy to even dry it off. His body was burnt out; maybe it became he used record too much and then went straight for assassination training. 

Or maybe he was just lazy and wanted to roll around the bed, embracing the warm, comfortable comforter. 

“Kim.”

His movements halt as he turned in his brother's direction. Tilting his head towards the side, asking for him to continue. 

‘Sigh’

Cale made his way towards the bed without replying, watching his twin's face turn innocent and confused. He shook his head as he placed the towel on top of Kim's head as he started to dry off the wet hair, ignoring the grumbling of his adorable little brother. 

“You’ll get sick if you leave it like that.”

Hearing the comment, Kim went silent, letting his hyung dry off his head. 

“Hyung, I found the logo and the box.”

Feeling like it was time to let it out, Kim broke the silence. 

“I see.”

After properly drying their hair, the two twins sat in front of the box.

An odd box 

It was a metal box with beautiful roses engraved on top of it. However, the box did not contain any openings. 

“How are we going to open this?”

Cale questions as he looks at the box from every angle.

“Its gonna sting a bit, hyung”

“Huh?”

Before Cale could react, Kim poked his as well as Cales's fingertip a little. Then, he put both fingers towards the box as the blood dropped on top. 

“Huh? I won’t wor-”

The box glowed as it opened. Cale’s eyes widened as Kim shook his head, too used to this thing happening today. 

As the glow disappeared, there were four pieces of jewelry and a note. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thames descendants 

The jewelry is passed down from generation to generation. It is said that the celestial being left these to our deposit. Not because we have the jewelry, but because only people with our blood can use these artifacts. 

It is said that the jewelry magically increases or decreases their copies depending if they find the descendant worthy of their power. 

The scarlet red crystal on the black dragon engraved ring. The jet black sun and moon pendant with a dark purple crystal. 

Although it has been years, we do not know its full capability it. 

However, as this passes down, our family are required to write down their finding on the Thames dictionary in the Thames lab. 

You will find the key to the portal after you read the guidelines handbook. 

Lastly, 

Welcome to the family, our honorable Thames descendants 

Please wear the jewelry at all times as once it is one, only you can take it off. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The twins' eyes shook as they read the note. Their eyes moved towards the jewelry and then towards each other. 

They put on the ring first then stared at the pendant. 

“I’m the moon.”

“I am the sun.”

The pendant designs were different from what the note had written. Although there were two, it seems like it was broken into half. One held the moon while the other held the sun. If placed together, then the crystals would connect, making it look like a whole set. 

“What is this? Are we in some novel or something?”

Kim grumbled as he thought of the event that took place. Yes, he was in a novel, but… these weren’t there. Well, he didn’t finish the entire series, but this was not included until the part he read. 

The books that his mother kept marking flashed into his eyes as he sighed. 

‘Was somebody trying to become a god?’

That was the only conclusion that he could come up with.

“Kim?”

“Hm?”

Cale kept quiet as he kept staring at the note as Kim looked at him in confusion. 

“Why don’t we do it?’

“Do what?”

“Let’s grab our new titles.”

“Huh?”

“Let's become the Thames.”

“Huh?”

“Let's become Cale Thames and Kim Thames.”

Kim widened his eyes as Cale smiled, looking towards him. 

“Let's bring our mother's family back. Let's make people never forget the Thames Family.”

Kim kept silent as he listened to his twin.

“Mother left everything when she married father. Everything was stolen from her, and even he didn’t treat our mother right.”

Kim nodded his head, asking him to further explain.

“So, let us bring back everything that got stolen from our mother. Let's bring back the family that those scummy greedy bastards tried to get rid of. I don’t want to be associated with the Henituse family anymore.”

Kim looked at Cale's determined and serious face. 

“I am tired of chasing after people who don't want me. I am tired of forgiving him for each mistake he pulled off. I tried... I tried to understand him. However, I don’t understand him anymore. I want to be away from them. I don’t want to be associated with people who meant harm to my mother.”

Kim slowly scooted forward as he hugged his hyung. 

“I told you before, hyung. Whatever you decide to do. Whatever step you want to take. I will be by your side. Even if you don’t want me to. So, we’ll leave. Just hold on a little longer with me. I’ll make sure that when we leave, the Count’s wealth would also be useless to bring us back.”

Kim's voice turned soft as he caressed the soon-to-be nine-year-old. He held anger towards Deruth, the man that made a little child, no, his own eighth year's old son, suffer so much. However, he calmed himself as comforting his hyung was important right now.

‘Smack’

“Oww, Hyungie!”

Kim whined as Cale flicked his finger on Kim's forehead. 

“Why are you talking as if you will do this all alone. Did you forget I am the Hyung here? We are doing this together.”

“.....”

Kim forgot the pain that he once felt in his forehead as a smile bloomed on his forehead. 

“Mhm. Together…”

Although Kim wouldn’t say it out loud, he liked the tone of it. 

“By the way, hyung..”

“Hm?”

“Let's go to mothers grave tomorrow.”

“... okay”

Cale looked at Kim oddly as the topic came out of nowhere. However, not paying attention to that look, Kim rolled into the bed, getting himself comfortable. Both his hands went up in Cale’s direction as they made a grabby sign. 

He made a puppy face with a cat demor. He was cutely seeking attention; however, they weren’t pleading no, it was demanding. He was demanding attention with that cute look and behavior. 

“Hyungie!!”

Cale let out a sigh of defeat as he smiled, moving towards his adorable brother as he let Kim snuggle near him getting comfortable. He watches his brother fall asleep peacefully as he caresses his hair. 

Cale's smile dropped as he looked towards the door. His eyes turned darker as his face turned cold. 

“Ron”

“Young master, they are held captive in the cell as you ordered.”

“Torture them as much as you like. But make sure they don’t die.”

“Yes, young master-nim.”

“How dare they try to target my brother. I will deal with them later. Prepare for a trip tomorrow. Kim wants to go to mother’s grave.”

Ron paused for a while, startled at the words that he heard for a bit. Then, he brought his smile again.

“Yes, young master.”

After the funeral, it was the first time Kim said he wanted to visit the grave. 

“Be on guard. These talks always lead him to sleepwalk.”

“Yes, young master.”

Ron looks at Kim, sleeping so peacefully, unaware of what goes on after he falls asleep. It started after Jour’s death. Kim started to sleepwalk. At first, it was just him walking around the house and going back to bed while the staff made sure he was returning well. 

However, after it started getting worse as he... Cale didn't even want to think about it. 

He just knows that he needs to protect his precious baby brother. 

He made sure that Kim was unaware of his unconscious behavior. The chaos that takes place. 

This incident was the reason why. 

Cale's hatred towards his father ignites.

The cheating case and all the other deeds he did were just oil that got added to the lit fire. 

Chapter Text

You can skip the timeline if you want.

Timeline till last chapters event as my dumbass didn't consider how many months there are in a year to make these all possible.

(a/n: I thought it was more than 12 months. thank god T-T I was gonna build a whole new calendar with more than 12 months in it)

30 July - Lady Violan's arrival in the Henituse Territory

30 July - 30 August - Deruth and Violan rendezvous 

30 August - Omg, lady Violan is pregnant?!?

8 November - Twins happy birthday :) ( Kim Rok Soo, Choi Han, and Choi Jung Soo Happy birthday T-T) (even though I am late...)

30 November - Jour's death 

1 December - Funeral 

8 December - Mistaken as Jour + Assassin class talk with Ron

9 November - System introduction to Kim + Assassination class begins 

30 December - Introduction to Violan (Our Kim is mad for the first time) 

30 March - Kim and Deruth confrontation 

30 May - Lily was born (Idk her real birthday, but according to the math I did for this fanfiction) 

11 June - Lily birthday celebration

12 June - Detective Kim (Road to Kim Thames and Cale Thames) 

In a shabby dungeon under the newly brought building in the Henituse Territory, tiny footsteps were heard as it passed a few prison cells. The smell of blood reeked the hallway along with the sound of the groaning of the prisoners. Each cell in the dungeon was designed based upon the crimes one committed. 

No. the design wasn’t related to the furnishing and hygiene of the room, but rather the equipment, the placing, and how tortuous one would feel once placed there. The room level was measured from theft to rapist. Assasins to drug dealers. Spies to suspects. 

Taking their role as the leaders of the underworld in the western continent. They didn’t just look for clues related to their mother’s death. Instead, they were working their way to the top. To spread fear among the underworld. 

Although it looked like they were playing hero’s in the underworld by capturing people who did hideous deeds, it was clearly not like that. 

The twins were no saints, nor did they ever wish to be. 

They would sell any information or send out assassins according to their client’s wish, depending on their reward. Though they still had a long way to go, Kim had plans, plans to engulf the underworld in two years, then gather people and groom their talents before the main event took place. Of course, their mother’s case was the priority; however, he also needed to focus on the main event that would take in the near future. I mean… if there is no Roan Kingdom, how will they be able to restore the Thames household, right?

Plus, he had doubts that his mother’s death was related to the events that took place in the novel, as the main journey did kick off from the Henituse family. Everything has connections; he just needs to pay close attention to it. 

At last, the cell door at the end of the hallway opened as the tiny footsteps walked inside. Putting his disguise on with black hair and dark red eyes with a hint of black. 

Though the twins planned to visit the Harris village today, the event was postponed due to the heavy rain. 

For safety precautions, the twins made different plans for the day. Kim was going to visit Billios, while Cale… well, his excuse was swordsmanship practice. 

The prisoner in the cell groaned as he felt the hand pull his hair, making his face turn upwards. He felt as if his body was paralyzed from all the torture. But, of course, how could he not when Beacrox, the torture expert, was the one behind it? 

He felt the sharp eyes look at him as the room temperature decreased. A shiver ran down his spine as the eye watched him as if a panther were watching its prey. How could a child have such aura? How could they have such a gaze? 

“W-who are you?”

Stuttering as he asked. He was afraid. He was afraid of the little guy in front of me. 

The said little guy smirked. Red-eye flashing as he observed the guy in front of him. 

Silence.

No sound was heard as the guy froze due to the gaze. 

‘What did the little guy want from him?’

The prisoner’s eyes shook. 

Slowly moving forward, the silence was replaced with the shoe clicking against the cold stoned floor. 

“Who sent you here?”

Sweat dripped from the prisoner’s face as he heard the venomous voice. There was no sense of pity nor warmth radiating out of the voice. 

Cold. 

“I’m asking you again. Who sent you to poison Kim Henituse?”

The person’s eyes widened as it shook. 

He was caught. 

“H-how did you-”

How could they find out? He made sure to be subtle. However, unfortunate for him, Ron and Beacrox were in charge of the twin’s food. Nobody except for them was allowed to serve the twins food. Being members of the assassin household themselves, they know if the food or drink were tampered with. 

The plus point was that they made sure the twins were immune to poison, although that has nothing related to this topic. 

“Don’t. Make. Me. Repeat. Myself.”

If it was even possible, the voice got even colder. 

“Who sent you here.”

“Ackkk..”

A dagger pointed towards the prisoner’s neck as a drop of blood dripped down. 

“I- I only accept the request. I- I don’t know. Ackk”

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“T-the client was wearing a mask. H-he said I needed to poison the youngest twin. He paid 1 billion gold coins, so I accepted it. ackk”

The dagger dug even deeper as the prisoner spoke. 

“H-how did he contact you?”

“H-he said somebody r-recommended him to me. I -I didn’t ask much because of the amount he gave me.”

Cale stood up, turning away. 

“Finish him off. We have no use of him.”

“Why! I told you everything you asked!”

Cale looked back as his hair, and eye color changed original for a short while as it turned back. The prisoner’s body shook as he realized who it was. 

Cale Henituse. 

The eldest twin. 

“I don’t spear lives of people who try to harm my twin. There is no use of a bug like you here.”

With that being said, Cale left the cell.

This was the true nature of Cale Henituse. He was no sunshine nor a saint. 

Devil disguised as an angel, you may say? 

He has no mercy. Once he eyes a prey, he makes sure the hunt is eventful. 

There would be times when he shows mercy. A pity is what he calls it if his prey isn’t worthwhile. 

However, if you touch his twin. 

There is no mercy, to begin with. You have accepted the nightmare, or you could say, a ticket straight to hell, once you have set your eye on his brother. 

Cale is like a baby panther. Looks cute and fluffy. However, once you are marked as his prey, he would hunt you down. 

Cale got back to the mansion, making his way towards his room. A smile lit up his face as he saw Kim was still sound asleep on the bed. 

If Kim was given a chance to sleep in, he would wholeheartedly seize the opportunity. Which was right now. The Molan's, along with Cale, were busy with the guy that there was nobody to nag Kim to wake up. 

Which Kim, of course, seized the opportunity of sleeping more. Even though he said, he would be visiting Billios today. 

Cale jumped on the bed as he poked the twin up, smiling as he received a groan. 

“Hyungie. Let me sleep.”

Kim grumbled as he buried his face into the soft pillow. 

“My adorable dongsaeng, even if I let you sleep more. You have to go visit the fragrance of ‘tea with poetry’ tea shop.”

Kim let out a groan again as he turned towards Cale. 

“Common, let’s go out!”

Kim could swear he saw a dog's tail wagging furiously behind Cale. His brother was such a puppy. 

Kim put his hands up.

‘Sigh’

“I spoil you too much.”

Cale complained as he picked his brother from the bed, dropping him in the bathroom. 

“Get ready. I’ll tell Ron to prepare food.”

Cale said, ruffling the already messy hair. Kim yawned, rubbing his eyes while nodding his head. 

After getting ready, Kim made his way next to his brother, getting comfortable. Finally, he opened his mouth, letting his brother feed him as he lazed on the sofa. 

Yes, Cale spoils his brother too much. 

Though he complains about it and makes remarks about it. 

He won’t stop spoiling his adorable younger twin. 

For Kim, if he had to say so, he would have grumbled or shaken Cale off. However, as he grew up receiving this type of treatment from Cale every single day, he was used to it. The plus point was that these actions also helped him compose his mind. It didn’t let his mind wander off to unnecessary overthinking or let his mind take over him. 

So now, even though he lived a whole thirty-something year as Kim Rok Soo and was too old to receive this type of treatment. He lets it happen. Maybe he was being selfish. Perhaps he was being greedy. He didn’t care. 

He wanted to hold onto this warmth as much as possible. 

The warmth he never experienced as Kim Rok Soo. 

Well, we could talk about Lee Soo Hyuk and Choi Jung Soo. However, he couldn’t get this type of warmth when there was a whole cataclysm going on, could he?

The twins stood in front of an elegant tea shop. The huge board neatly wrote ‘Fragrance of tea with poetry’ welcoming the citizens of the territory. 

Though it was called a shop. Kim called it a hideout. Billios is the owner of the tea shop. He was known as a greedy person. A person who was not sad that he couldn’t call his father ‘father’ or his brother ‘brother,’ instead he was just trying to beat them. 

He wanted to make it so that they had no choice but to accept him. He wanted to create a situation where they had no option but to introduce him as a son and a younger brother. 

Kim, reading about it, thought Billos lived a rather exhausting life. 

However, what Kim saw was that Billos didn’t hate that kind of lifestyle. Rather than giving up, his greed overpowered the cons of his life. 

He had a mindset of ‘why would I give up on something that could be mine? One should always take what should be theirs.’

This was why Billos was the perfect target or an ally if he deemed worthy upon this met. 

The mindset was perfect for Kim to work with. After that, however, it was up to Billos to show if the twins should invest in him or not. 

The sound of the bell rang as the twins stepped into the shop, giving the employee a signal stating they had a customer. 

Eyes moved towards the door as the room turned silent. 

It wasn’t because they were afraid. I mean, why would the twins scare the poor innocent customer or the people of their (for now) territory. 

They were just silent as they admired their young master’s beauty. The twins were famous for their beauty. Cold beauty, if they may add. Thought they would give you a slight smile if their eyes met yours. They always have stoic and cold expressions in front of other people, making it difficult to approach the twins. 

“Welcome”

They were warmly welcomed in as Cale looked towards the owner of the voice. 

“He looks like a piggy bank.”

Cale whispered towards Kim, who nodded his head in agreement. It was the same thought as Kim, who first met Billos at the ceremony. 

Kim took out a gold coin and placed it on the table. 

“We plan on staying on the third floor the whole day.”

Billos stared at the twins with a smile. Kim pretended not to notice as he pointed towards the bookshelf. 

“Any drink that is not bitter. Also, I was told that there were novels to read here. Did you prepare them, or are there just poems?”

Both Kim and Cale weren’t fond of poems and preferred novels over them. However, in books, the twins had one thing in common, they both like fantasy novels. 

“Of course, we have prepared a lot of novels for your arrival, young master.”

“Really? Then send the most interesting one with a sweet drink for both of us.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Kim filled Billos chubby hands with money. It was to emphasize that even though they were just kids, they were still powerful enough to have this much money. 

Money meant power. 

More money you have, more the power you have. 

A title may make people respect you or fear you. But money can make a person do all sorts of things for you. 

The twins turned around towards the stairs. 

“We’ll drink more drinks later, so keep it.”

“... but still, it’s too much, young master.”

A gold coin was worth one million gallons. So having that coin worth 1 million Korean won, Kim did something he always wanted to try. 

“I have a lot of money. So consider it your tip.”

Talking about how rich you are. Of course, it was like a dream as he was an orphan when he was known as Kim Rok Soo. Who cares if Billos was actually the one who had more money than he did currently. He wanted to say the line he heard in the movie once. 

Plus, it was not even his money. The reason why he still agreed to stay in the Henituse household was so that he could build his foundation. The allowance he and Cale receive. Maybe it was because Deruth had guilt or he was trying to persuade them with money. Their allowance was worth more than a few million gallons. Plus, they could ask extra if they wished to. They did not have a limit.

Which Kim thought was a wrong move of Deruth. He should know, Kim loves throwing money. Mostly money that isn’t his. 

“Young master, still….”

“Ah, enough. Just bring what we ordered upstairs.”

With that, the twins headed upstairs as Cale snickered from the side. He could see how Kim’s eyes lit up on the act he performed. 

It’s true that nobody could love money as much as Kim loves money. 

However, nobody could love throwing money around as much as Kim does. 

Plus, for the fact that throwing the money was even worth it. Right now was the start of Kim investing in Billos. However, how much money Kim would willing to throw out money like this would depend on how well Billios performed. 

As they arrived at the third floor, Kim moved near the humongous window portraying the beautiful scenery outside the walls of the Henituse territory. But, of course, the walls were not too high; it’s not like there were any titans outside the wall that would eat people inside or anything. 

Setting himself on the couch. Cale hopped right next to him, turning around as he laid his head on Kim’s lap. While they waited for their ordered item and the person they were supposed to talk to, the room fell with comfortable silence as Kim brushed his hyungs hair looking outside the window while Cale relaxed himself a bit. 

The peaceful silence got disturbed as it got replaced by the sound of footsteps climbing upstairs. 

It was Billos himself who had shown up with the novels along with the drink. 

“I hope you like these novels, young master-nim.”

Billos placed the novels as he served the drinks to the twins with a smile.  

“Ah. Yes, thank you.”

Kim returned the smile as he held whatever novel that was in front of him. He didn’t care about the novel. No, he was observing Billos. Would he take his chance, or would he give it up? Right here, right now. He was in front of  (for now) the two heir candidates of Henituse County, the wealthiest family in the Roan Kingdom. 

Yes, Kim was taking advantage of the household he currently resides in. I mean, if there is an opportunity, you got to take it for the betterment of the future even if you dislike being related to it, right?

Billos then sat down across the twins as he pulled a cup of tea for himself. 

‘Ah, he chose to take the chance.’

Kim smiled as he observed Billos closely. 

“Young master Kim, I heard you took on the responsibilities of the Lord when the Lord of the territory was absent.”

‘And he did his research. So nobody except the vessels and the employees of the household knew that Kim took on the responsibility of the Lord for a while.’

“Are you going to keep sitting there? Do you not have any work to do?”

Seeing how Kim pretended to be annoyed, Billios couldn’t help but smile. Kim didn’t try to hide it. He could see Cale snickering, covering his face with the book. The two young master-nims were very amusing, if Billos had to say. 

They were only eight years old. Yet, their intelligence, along with their performance, was outstanding. 

“I even heard that young master-nims work didn’t require to be checked by the vessels to get approved.”

“And?”

Kim was amused. How much did Billos dig into this? He didn’t really cover his work. Of course not, not when he was trying to get a stable platform to get away from the household they currently reside in. 

Billos had a stoic expression as he spoke while Kim looked down, playing with Cale’s hair drinking his hot cocoa. 

“Young master-nim seems to be different from what the rumors talk about.”

The rumors. If people didn’t dig deeper, they were seen as pitiful cold beauties of the Henituse family who had no power whatsoever. The rumors of their father neglecting them were foretold. Meaning the new child of the household could be given the title of the heir instead of the two. 

Which was not true. If they did, dig deeper. The twins are more than capable of taking over the County at this age. 

The twins gazed headed towards Billos as he continued. 

“You two behave differently from your nickname.”

“Which one? Pitiful, hopeless children?”

Billos could see the twin’s lips twitch upwards. They were definitely different. The twins that the rumors talked about would not know how to make such an expression. It was a sly smirk, saying, ‘oops, we have been caught’ with no hint of regret added to it. 

‘Hoo, he does his research precisely. So the investment won’t be of waste.’

Billos didn’t know what the twins were thinking. 

“Yes. You are right. Pitiful, hopeless children. Haven’t you always been pitiful young masters?”

The twins found it amusing. Did he not have fear? Saying such a thing to the twins right in front of their face? Even higher nobles spoke of it behind their back. Was he testing them? If it was, it was rather amusing to watch. 

Billos was someone the twins were going to push to take over the largest merchant guild. And he was being sincere. He was not smiling. He was actually asking the question seriously. But, of course, the twins did act pitiful in front of others’ eyes, who they didn’t deem worthy. Since they were already targeted by assassins. What would the number of attacks be if everybody figured out that they weren’t pitiful? 

“Billos.”

Kim smiled ever so kindly. 

“You can’t call your father, ‘father’ and your brother, ‘brother.’”

Billos’s gaze turned chilly as he observed the young master, who had no problem touching upon his sore spot. Just like how he did. Kim was just returning the favor he did. That gave him the conclusion. 

‘The rumors were false. These children aren’t pitiful nor hopeless.’

Kim’s eyes met Billos’s eye for a minute as he continued asking. 

“Are you going to keep being the bastard? Are you satisfied?”

Billos could feel the sharp gaze of the twins observing him as Kim continued. 

“I know you’re not.”

Kim got into an even more comfortable position as he looked at his fingers playing with Cale’s soft fluffy hair. 

“We have been acting pitiful, hopeless children in front of others all of our life. However, there are moments when you have to take away that facade to achieve something greater."

Kim’s gaze moved past Billos as he saw Ron climbing the stairs to take them back to the state. 

“Billos.”

Billos stoic face seemed rather chilly. 

“It’s okay to throw away something you have done for years.”

Cale smiled as he got up from Kim’s lap. 

“We can’t stay as pitiful, hopeless children forever.”

Cale wanted to restore the Thames household. But, for that, they needed power and a firm base to start with. 

“Aren’t you the same?”

Cale smirked as he ended Kims questions. They could see how Billos’s lips started to move upwards. He bowed and started to snicker. He raised his head up as he looked at the twins after snickering for a while. 

“I am indeed tired of it.” 

Billos was laughing as he said that. 

“See? we told you.”

Cale shrugged his shoulders as he got up, helping Kim in the process of it. 

“Young master.”

“What?”

“I hope you come visit again.”

The twins shrugged as they moved towards the stairs. 

“I told you before. I like fantasy novels, sweet drinks, and a quiet space.”

“I will make sure to prepare it before your return.”

The twins only raised their hands, waving them as they walked away. 

Billos looked at them with amusement. How were they even eight years old to begin with? He wondered. (A/N: Me too, Billos, me too T-T) 

On the other hand, the twins smiled brightly. Finally, they had captured their target. 

[Minor scene - Ally with Billos Flynn accomplished]

[1 billion gold has been transferred to your inventory.]