Chapter Text
Cale Henituse, who had been living as Kim Rok Soo, blinked as he took in his surroundings.
He was at... an area he was quite familiar with. The Henituse Castle's dancing hall? That is, indeed, where he is. It appears to be brighter than the previous time he saw it. Then he looks about at the folks in his close surroundings. His father and step-family, whom he hasn't seen in a long time, are staring at him with disbelief. Basen appears to be older. Lily is approaching her adulthood. His stepmother's hair has acquired a few white streaks. His father, on the other hand, was older, living, breathing, and wrinkling.
A lump formed in the back of his throat, and his eyes sting.
He never thought he'd see them again.
However, he couldn't get his mind off the fact that everyone in this hall was taller than him. He had to struggle to see everyone. When he lifts his palm up to his face, he sees why this must be the case. His hands are little, like a child's. No, he's a child, since his body is... as small as his eight-year-old self.
They were all standing together with a group of... strangers. No, he knows these folks. Cale had seen a few of them before transmigrating into Kim Rok Soo. Choi Han, Rosalyn, Lock, and the ex-priestess Cage Cale did everything he could to avoid making eye contact with Choi Han.
"Young master-nim?"
That old voice... he vanished one day without a trace. But the fondness is weird behind the slightly concerned tone. Cale knew that no matter how long Ron had served him, he'd never come close to being anything he valued. It's almost as if the old man regarded him for an adorable pet, but Cale had been so starved of love previously that he didn't mind.
Everyone in the room, including the old butler Ron, was staring at him with concern. Cale wanted to laugh. Kim Rok Soo, the ever-loved person who transmigrated into his body. He attracted a large number of people who are eager to be his ally, his friend, his family.
Cale has no idea what's going on or why he's here, but it's definitely something to do with the God of Death. He wasn't supposed to be in this world anymore, so he'll have to investigate. He needs to bring back Kim Rok Soo and return to his adorable little niece, his reincarnated mother, who keeps calling him 'ahjussi.'
But for the time being, he must answer. And what is the best approach to go about it?
Cale let out the sobs he had been holding back after seeing his father and family. He burst out crying.
People began trying to comfort him, and even a childlike voice screamed in his head.
"C-Cale-nim! Please don't cry!" he heard Choi Han say.
Cale used his fear of Choi Han to cry louder, because 'Holy shit, Rok Soo. You got this monster of a hero to be worried for you? That's amazing and terrifying!'
"Cale, my son, what's wrong?" his father asked. Strong arms he's longed for, to embrace him and comfort him... he couldn't revel in the feeling because of his underlying guilt of deceiving these people. But he allows himself to snuggle into the crook of his father's neck. Then, he closes his eyes and uses his training in Kim Rok Soo's world to even his breathing, to relax his body, to fake his sleep.
He feels himself being carried.
As he's brought to a room, changed, and laid gently into a soft bed (his bed, this is his bed. The lump from hiding things under the foam is still there), he feels the warm hand of his father caressing his head. He wanted that hand to stay there forever, until he truly fell asleep.
But the hand leaves, and only its warmth lingers as small tingles.
He hears fading footsteps and then the clicking of the door.
He dares not open his eyes. Cale knows that Kim Rok Soo had earned allies, powerful allies. After all, he made a deal with the God of Death to have someone save the world. Cale wouldn't be surprised if there's an unseen presence in the room watching over him right now.
Cale soon finds himself drifting off to sleep. And prays (demands) to the God of Death to explain what's going on.