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Chapter Text

When I opened my eyes, there were two sets of novels on my desk.

[The Birth Of A Hero] and [The Trash Of The Counts Family]

[The Birth Of A Hero] was a novel focused on the adventures of the main character, Choi Han, a high school boy who was transported to a different dimension from Earth, along with the birth of the numerous heroes of the continent.

[The Trash Of The Counts Family] was a novel that focused on a man called Kim Rok Soo who had transmuted into the other novel as the trash of the Count’s family, the family that oversaw the territory where the first village that Choi Han visits is located. He had read the first 5 volumes of the original novel and used that information to his advantage.

Now he had received those novels because apparently to God of Death felt like it.

So now he had to deal with Choi Han because he wasn't the sort to leave someone with that type of despair alone, his promise to Mother and Mama wouldn't allow it.

Chapter Text

The teen, borderlining young adult, awoke with a jump. He could sense a spike of powerful mana and a knock on the study door. He could smell the smoke of the died out fireplace, it was still warm. 

The study was mainly made up of dark brown wood, though the walls and floor itself was Marble, a dark carpet covering the floor except for around the fireplace, which had a step of marble to avoid any unwanted fires.

“Young master, are you there? It is morning.” The voice was easy to place, anyone who knew the truth would have chills down their spine but now he could easily feel the warm undertones… and concern. The teen looked to the door of the study to see an old man with a raised eyebrow.

“So, you're in the study once again?”

“... Lost track of time.”

“Of course,” The old man smiled benignly. “The master wishes to dine with the young master since it has been awhile. Fortunately it looks like it is possible today.”

The teen looked at his desk, confused about the two series of novels covering the table. One of the novels had his name on the back. Both written by a Nolan Barrow.

“Young master Cale?”

The teen turned back to the old man, in his usual servant garb.

‘Is that meant to be about me?’

Looking back at desk he noticed a note, picking it up he narrowed his eyes.

“Ron.”

“Yes Young master?”

“Fetch me some cold water, please”

“Of course Young Master”

The old man bowed, not something you would think someone as vicious as him would do easily, and left.

After the teen could not hear Ron’s footsteps he opened the note, not before removing an important document stuck on his face. Looking at the paper he scrunched his face, he had drooled on the paper. After he threw the document away he put his full attention on the mysterious note.

‘Dear Cale, I am the God of Death. Now I know you may not believe this but a few of your otherworldly counterparts have pulled my interest and I wanted to see what you would do, given your past and all. So, enjoy your other selves' lives in the form of a novel! To be fair you only have the first 5 volumes of [The Birth of A Hero] and you only get a few hours to get that info into that perfect memory of yours! With love, Death’

Cale scoffed, leaning back in his chair. If this was the God of Death he highly doubts that he or she would have signed off with love. This was obviously fake, Cale tossed the note behind him and went to push the books aside.

‘Can I take that risk?’

Cale froze as that thought popped up. He turned his head to the window where he could see that Lily was already outside, swinging her wooden sword around, her form had been greatly improving recently.

‘Could I risk them? What if something bad happened?’

Cale picked one book up and studied it, [Birth of A Hero Vol.1] It had to bee the first as he saw it mentioned on the other novel [Trash of the Counts Family]. With another glance outside he heard the door open. 

“Young master, your water.”

“Thank you.”

Ron must've noticed something was wrong as he brought actual water instead of lemon tea as usual, it had become a running gag with his true family at this point. 

“Ron, how long until breakfast?”

“Still a few hours.”

“Good, leave me be and make sure absolutely no one bothers me, no one.”

Ron’s, eyes sharpened as he looked over the Young master, some thing was bothering him, but he wasn’t sure what, but it was serious.

“Understood.”

As soon as Ron left, Cale started reading. 

A few hours later and two novels later Cale sighed, before summarizing what he learnt.

[The Birth of a Hero or BOAH]

The story was centered around a boy/old man named Choi Han who was originally from another world called Korea was suddenly pulled into this world by an unknown force, waking up in the Forest Of Darkness and forced to fight for his life, as time went on he noticed he wasn’t ageing, seemingly at all. When he finally does get out, his name and home languages being one of the few things he remembers, he finds a family made up of a small village called Harris Town, but it doesn’t last long, one day when he's collecting berries the town is raided and no survivors are found. Choi Han give into his darkness and slaughters all the raiders left, and is left regretful that he didn't question them, and makes his way to the Henituse land he was told about. When arriving he is turned away and so jumps the wall at night, bumping into Cale Henituse, the trash of the counts family who holds no sympathy towards the town and gets beat up by Choi Han.

Cale frown was that really him in that world. That what he needs to note for now.

[Trash of the Counts Family or TCF] 

Kim Rok Soo transmigrated into the body of Cale Henituse pre!BOAH. He managed to prevent being beat up by Choi Han and collect ancient powers while preventing bad events, the novel informed him about Ron and Beacrox and was terrified of them and the others calling them vicious.

‘Bit ironic, bearing in mind you could be worse.’

Cale sighed, his best move would be to follow tcf!Cale’s lead for now implement his own skillset as he went on and be less oblivious… and less of a stickman, Lily used to draw him as when she was younger. Cale is now very glad he didn't pretend to be trash. As he put down the last book, his table was caught in a black fire, making Cale jump away from the sudden burst of mana that ate away the books and nothing else.

The flames had barely disappeared when a knock sounded on the door and Ron entered at his call, holding a teacup and biscuit in his hands. Cale, deciding to act as if nothing happened, took a biscuit and passed the butler, leaving the study. Ron following close behind.

“New recipe?”

“Indeed Young master, my son, Beacrox wanted to know if you preferred this one of the old one.”

Cale hummed in thought as he entered his room, sitting on his bed and taking the last treat and the cup of tea, dunking the biscuit in and taking a bite. Ron headed to the closet full of his clothes.

“Something simple. It would have been better with less salt.”

“Understood, I’ll let him know.”

Cale blankly stared at the wall, he didn't know how to feel, he'd learnt his future, a bit. Half of it was blanks, but the other cales lives were in the form of novels, was his life a novel as well? He should probably be more shocked, but he's not. No, he’s more things to be concerned with like how he’s going to get the Ancient Powers. Unlike in the novels he didn't exactly have the reputation of trash but of a son who helps train his siblings in self defense and does favours around the town. Perhaps, he could do it during his visit to the tea and poetry shop.

‘Having a shield like that would be a lot of help, and maybe I can succeed in keeping Choi Han as the protagonist, I don't think I could leave my siblings that long.’

By now Ron was aware that Cale didn’t like other servants dressing him, since his hair would get pulled out of place, showing the usually hidden scar on his face, it wasn't a smooth scar but ragged, the young master had hidden it so long and well that only Ron, his son and Cale’s two siblings knew of it. After getting dressed Ron pulled the red head's hair into a high ponytail, and made sure some of his fringe was covering the scar.

Cale entered his bathroom to make sure his hair was fully covering it, he trusted his old butler but paranoia was a true enemy. The teen stared at his face, he had heard many call him as beautiful as the dragons themselves, He could not agree, afterall how could he be beautiful with such an ugly scar marring his face? While the main scar was covered there were still specks of scars over his face, small enough not to notice unless you were looking for them.

Cale sighed as he fixed his cuffs, his face will have to do.

“Ron, let’s go”

“Of course, young master”

The teen walked behind his trusted butler. It was nice to not need to focus on the route when he was in such a state. He just had to follow Ron to wherever he was needed. All the servants bowed to him respectfully before resuming their duties.

‘They seem to be working well, I’m glad’

Even though he was a Noble he couldn’t help but care for the staff, he spoke and learnt about them as if they were any old friend of his. Bella, who just passed him, had two children and the father had kicked them out of the house. He had noticed Bella looking sicker and sicker before he managed to get the truth out of her and moved her into an empty wing of the estate, now known as the Servant Wing, where the servants could live if they didn't have housing or were in an unhealthy household. Cale Henituse took care of his family and that included the servant.

Cale reflected on this peacefully. As they approached the dining room his thoughts soured, and his peaceful expression hardened as he thought about what was about to come.

“I will now open the door”

Cale took a deep breath.

“Sure.”

Cale nodded his head towards Ron. In the first novel Ron had just left in the second he stayed. The first novel had mentioned that other Cale treated Ron, someone who raised him like he was his own grandson since he was little, as nicely as he treated his own father. It mentioned that he always responded to Ron and treated him like a person. Of course, Ron did not really think that way. At least in the first novel, he didn’t treat Ron like he treated his father.

The other novel had mentioned that Kim Rok Soo aka other other Cale was terrified of the butler, not even willing to refuse a cup of lemon tea, Cale could understand.  If he was thrown into another world with assassins surrounding him he would be cautious, but not terrified… Then again he grew up knowing the truth about Ron and Beacrox, he could just sense they weren’t what they seemed and figured it out not long after. He wondered if had a strong enough bond with the Molans for them to stay, they even said he was family, but he couldn’t help the vice that captured his heart at the thought. 

“I hope you enjoy your breakfast.”

“Thanks… Ron, make sure the both of you have a good meal as well.”

“Of course.”

The teen strode past Ron and into the dining room, from the moment of entering you could feel a tension in the room. He could see his family sitting there, although separated. At one end of the table was his father, Deruth, the current head of the Henituse household, Next to him was Cale’s stepmother, the Countess. On the other side of the invisible split was Cale’s two siblings, Basen and Lilly. The four people looked toward Cale.

“You are late again, today”

Cale’s gaze turned toward his father who spoke. [The Birth of a Hero] described Cale’s feelings for his father like this.

‘His father was the one person that Cale listened to. The reason the trash did not leave the area and got everything he wanted inside the Count’s territory was because of his father, Count Deruth Henituse.’

But, unfortunately, Cale’s father was unlike the other strong fathers in this novel. He did not have any special skills or influence. He just had a lot of money. This was something Kim Rok Soo had liked, a family with a simple life.

But the teen could not agree due to the past events his own father had allowed to happen, it was very difficult to hold much affection towards the man, even if he was trying to fix it. His siblings finding out was an accident, but they had similar feelings toward his father on his behalf, to his surprise.

Then there were the other three.

His stepmother, who he liked to talk about art with.

His very smart dongsaeng was much more into the life of a scholar than he was fighting, a shame really he was deadly with a bow. He was smiling at his Hyung, he had been very obviously avoiding the Count moments before.

Also, there was his cutest, and only, Yeodongsaeng, who enjoyed watching Cale practice with all the weapons he knew how to use and him taking her through the first steps of sword fighting. She was beaming at Cale, happy for a distraction.

The tension is what made the family meals like this few and far between.

“Take a seat.”

“Yes, father.”

Cale looked at the feast on the table, he didn’t usually eat like this but whatever was left behind the servant got, so he indulged in it every once a while.

‘It’s nice to have a larger choice as well.’

Cale could feel Deruths eyes on him and looked up, his father quickly looking away.

“Is there something you need to say, father?”

“... No, I do not.”

Cale looked towards Lily who had scrunched up her nose at their father’s voice and silently chuckled, she was cut when annoyed. Basen and Cale shared looks of amusement.

“Hyung?”

“Yes, NamDongsaeng?”

“Can Lily and I join you today, we both have nothing on today.”

“Yeah! Can we Oppa?”

Cale looked at them and then towards Violan, his stepmother, who frowned.

“Didn’t you promise Mother to go see the paintings and gardens within our territory when you were next free?”

His younger siblings looked surprised and then apologetic towards Violan, who gave her eldest son a grateful smile.

“Sorry Mother.”

“Ahh, I’m sorry Ma!”

“That’s okay Cale was kind enough to remind you.”

Cale smiled at his family and then dug into his own plate, not yet touched.

Chapter Text

After he had finished his plate, looked at the other dishes. Basen sees his brother looking at the dishes and grabs the plate filled with grapes, pineapple and watermelon. These sorts of fruit were truly hard to obtain, so only the wealthiest could obtain them, but the count did it for his eldest son, the grapes being one of the few exceptions. Cale nodded his thanks and took the plate. It was at that moment that he made eye contact with his father Deruth, who was staring at him.

“Cale.” 

Deruth quietly called Cale’s name before hesitating. He then started to frown and move his mouth. 

“Well? What is it, father?”

Cale popped another grape into his mouth as his father glanced away and then back. Basen sighed.

“Do you have any plans for today Hyung?”

Basen was his smart, sincere, and very responsible dongsaeng. The people of the family were pushing for Basen or Cale to be the next head of household. Unknown to the people outside the three siblings, none of the siblings wanted to, they just wanted to be happy siblings, normal siblings together.

“I’m planning to go into town, I’ve got a few places to visit”

Basen nodded as Lily pouted, Cale wasn’t lying either, with the knowledge of the novels stored in his head, he had multiple favours to cash in specifically from a certain piggy bank. The eldest offered his siblings some fruit, Basen took some grapes and Lily, she took the largest piece of watermelon left.  

After a little while Deruth stood, finished with his food as usual, like he did every other day they ate together, Deruth turned to the redhead and asked.

“Cale… Is… Is there anything you need?”

Now usually Cale would just stare at the man until he left but today was different, so he pushed his resentment down enough to ask.

Please… Give me some money.”

The gap in the teen's speech was obviously to split the sentence but it didn’t stop Deruth from lighting up.

“Definitely, I will give you a lot.”

Their family was very well off, so Cale didn’t need to ask for a large amount.

As a territory that mined for marble and grew grapes for wine, they were overflowing with money right now.

“Great. Please give me as much as you can.”

Cale could feel his two younger siblings looking at him, he shook his head, and they nodded. He had simply signalled that this wasn’t something to be well hidden, they all knew his father would send Hans after him, he was of looking over the redhead the best he could with the little free time the count had but what Cale was planning on doing was something Hans wouldn't be able to find out without breaking his cover.

However, he was at a loss of words after returning to his chamber and receiving the cheque from the deputy butler, Hans.

The cheque that was issued through a partnership with the treasury department and the magic department made Cale's heart stop for a second.

‘I didn’t ask for this much!”

This family has a lot of money, and the teen knows this but still, this amount is a bit overkill.

The [Birth of a Hero] novel did mention that Cale received a large allowance, but it did not mention the exact amount. [Trash of the Count's Family] gave an amount after Kim Rok Soo asked for as much as possible. However, he could only realistically understand how large it was based on the amount listed on the cheque.

‘10 million gallons.’

He didn't even ask for the maximum and got the same amount as KRS, does that mean Kim Rok Soo would've gotten this amount either way.

The deputy buyer bid goodbye, not noticing Cale's internal panic as he left, stopping by the door as the teen spoke up.

“Ron, let’s get back to the study, I need to check something out.”

He needed to go to the study to form his plan. There were no desks or even any paper in his chamber.

“Excuse me, young master.”

“What is it?”

Cale looked toward the anxious-looking deputy butler.

“This, we have not been able to do our morning cleaning of the study just yet.”

“Is that so? It’s fine if it goes a day without cleaning.”

“No sir. We cannot let that happen.”

The deputy butler was extremely pushy about this for some reason. He then smiled brightly and put up a single finger.

“Please just wait one hour! I will put my name on the line to make sure that the study is completely clean!”

“Sure, whatever.”

He didn’t mind waiting an hour.

“Great. Then I will go report this to the master.”

“No need to do that, but go ahead if you want to do so.”

“Yes, young master. I will be off now.”

“Okay. Sure.”

Like a well-trained deputy butler, Hans closed the door without making any noise and disappeared. He seemed to be in a rush. Cale turned to Ron, raising an eyebrow.

“Are you sure we shouldn’t just let him in the know, we both know he’s aware of most of it? It’s kinda sad to see him panicking to go fix his mess under the guise of today’s cleaning.”

Ron gave the young master a benign smile, and Cale smirked both knew the answer.

“We will have to but not quite yet.”

‘It may be sad but it’s also way too entertaining.’

Cale put the precious cheque in his inner pocket as he asked. There was so much going on that he did not even have any time to ask about today’s date.

“What is today’s date?”

This question would seem odd coming from anybody else, but the servant Ron answered in a gentle voice.

“It is the 29th day of the 3rd month in the 781st year of the Felix Calendar.”

“Mm, that is a problem.”

‘He was hoping on using KRS’s plan for himself.’

“Excuse me?”

“Long story Papa.”

Ron frowned, his expression serious, his youngest son only called him ‘Papa’ inside the Henituse estate when seriously troubled, which didn’t happen often.

Yesterday, was the 28th day of the 3rd month in the 781st year of the Felix Calendar. That was the day that the villagers of Harris Village, the village that the main character Choi Han went to after escaping from the Forest of Darkness, the place that Choi Han felt human affection for the first time in this world, made friends, and created a second family, were all murdered by an unknown group of assassins.

Well unknown to Choi Han but Cale and his Molan family knew them all too well and Cale has his suspicions, even if [TCF] blurred most of its story to his eyes, there were enough hints to piece together the puzzle.

‘Seems like the God of Death wants us all to start at the same point.’

“Son?”

Cale looked over to his adoptive father and inclined his head.

“I’m fine there will be more work for us to do soon. The kind we like but I cannot disclose that at this time.”

“Ooh? Shall I tell Breacrox?”

“Probably best, know my siblings' attendance is still being considered.”

Ron nodded, patting his son on the shoulder, in a slight moment of softness he added.

“Know that we are both here for you.”

Cale hummed, patting the old butler's shoulder.

“I know, I do”

It was true, without Ron, his son and later on, his own siblings were the pillars that helped ground him, helped him to stay grounded and not back there, if he was left alone too long he would hear the clash of metal, the screams of betrayal as the copper smell grew stronger and stronger. If he got deep enough he could even feel the hand again. The hand of the one he failed. 

He didn’t realise that his pondering had turned into a panic attack, unlike others he just stood there, unblinking, his vacant eyes boring into whatever was in front of him, in this case, Ron. The old butler immediately noticed the young master's hazy gaze and tried to awake him to no avail.

He was running, the hand in his was clasped on tightly, neither wanting to let go. In a world like this where the unadapted don’t age and the Adapted can, their relationship had changed. He had to protect his brother no matter what, and if they targeted him for what he was, well they had something else coming. The twelve-year-old behind him had been there longer than him but not able to mature, adapt if you will, no unadapted could. They had been here for years, he had arrived after he was 8. Not long after his mother's death, his friend had been there longer, since he was 11 but he would have been older if he was an Adapted. 

Adapteds had the favours of the gods that took them there, the ones who came out victorious from the test. Frozens were shunned, usually, but the child beside him was different, he was supported. That caused the bounty on his head. After the war, this world, place, had no order, no laws. The gods made them cross each other's blades, although he had protected his Dongsaeng from it, there was blood on his hands, enough that he could bathe in it for the rest of his life. He didn’t regret it, no they wanted to kill his brother, the only lifeline he had in this life.

They had escaped, but he was not there when he returned, and now the redhead was almost convinced he was a figment of imagination if not for the earring in his ear, a moon at his lobe, with a smaller sun carved out of the crescent moon and a chain connecting it further up to a letter, the first of his brother's name, it was silver. They had made it, even though gold and silver were scarce, the other had a sun, a smiling moon inside and the beginning letter of his name in gold. They swore to wear it even when they returned so they could locate each other… He would find them, the doe eyes that shone with the hope of being free whenever he closed his eyes, powered him on, he would succeed.

The thing that brought him back wasn't the butler but his other two siblings, they had both trapped him in a hug from either side, glancing at the door he could see Violan there as well, concern shining in four pairs of eyes. 

Cale pats his siblings' heads.

“What are you all doing here?”

“We were about to leave and wanted to say goodbye!”

“Are you okay? You slipped again.”

Cale hummed and nodded, after another exchange of confirmation, the trio said goodbyes and left, leaving just the young master and butler behind.

“I’m alright Ron, nothing too bad.”

“If you insist, young master.”

Cale could tell Ron didn’t believe him but left it for now.

‘Avoiding the main character is not a good idea.’

He needed to run into Choi Han so that Ron and Beacrox run into him as well. That was the only way for the three of them to leave this place together to start their official journey. He wasn’t going to take that bond from them. Furthermore, even though Choi Han had aged for over a hundred years, he wasn’t going to leave a child like that in despair, not when he knew what it was like. He’ll give the child a helping hand before moving on. 

 Young master. We should be able to head to the study soon.”

“Great.”

Soon, his plan will be put into motion.

Chapter Text

Other than breakfast, Count Henituse’s family tended to take care of the other meals freely. To be honest, it was mainly because they each had their own responsibilities.

Nobody said that it was easy to be a noble.

Especially if you were in administration or politics, you had to follow a strict schedule, dropping everything else if you received an order from someone above you.

Count Deruth had responsibilities as the lord of the region, making it difficult to share other meals together, while Cale’s younger siblings timed their meals based on their studies. The Countess was busy interacting with the wives of the influential households in the region, as well as other tasks.

‘Now that I think about it.’

Even he himself had to deflect family meetings due to his work aka scamming .

Cale put the fork down after suddenly remembering something. Hans started to get nervous, thinking to himself that there had been signs of Cale receiving bad news but when he investigated the study, he had found nothing. He was worried because he couldn’t predict his next move and unlike many may think, half of the Young Master’s activities never reach his fathers ear, it was Hans' own concern. Unfortunately, Cale did not care whether Hans was nervous as he got lost in his own thoughts.

‘There are a lot of experts hiding as artists or craftsmen.’

The Roan Kingdom was pretty advanced in construction and the arts, especially sculpting. It was because there was a lot of marble in the Roan Kingdom. Thanks to that, the Henituse region became the fifth best marble mining region, bringing in a lot of money.

Furthermore, a mountain range took up most of Count Henituse’s region. Even though it was located in the northwest, the mountains were extremely fertile, allowing the residents to grow grapes in between the mountains for wine. Although there was not a large quantity of wine from these fields, it was still treated as one of the best wines in the entire continent.

However, Cale’s mind was filled more about the, ‘strong individuals,’ and not these facts. He had even missed lunch as he sat in the study thinking about that all day.

‘There are so many experts on this land? Yet there’s very few I would believe are capable of helping me stop this upcoming enemy..’

Beacrox. He was clean cut and was the son of the servant Ron. However, unlike his father, he specialized in the way of the sword and not assassinations. Beacrox was also obsessed with cleanliness and sharpened his spotless blade every day, using that same sword to slice the heads of his enemies off their bodies.

‘...He also specializes in torture.’

That kind of guy ends up admiring Choi Han’s sword skill and chooses to follow him. His father Ron makes a deal with Choi Han to help him, and chooses to leave with the two of them for the sake of his son. Although he may not look like it, Ron cherishes his son quite a bit.

‘I wonder if he’ll leave me like the original Cale, even though our past is very different…’

Hans watched the young master’s mood darken, frowning to himself, he made a note to talk to the father-son servants. They would know how to figure it out. Cale turned to Hans, and hummed.

“Why are you delivering my meals to me so suddenly?”

Hans turned to Cale, snapped out of his thoughts and answered his question.

“The Count-nim was concerned after hearing that the young master had missed a meal while working in the study and ordered me to make sure that the young master makes sure to eat every meal. As a result, I will be overseeing just the meal-related duties for the young master.”

To be specific, Hans was responsible for the meals.

“Is that so? My father did something he didn’t need to do. I would eat properly on my own. But I guess I would not have realised it was time for dinner if Hans did not come tell me.”

Cale was busy writing down all the fateful encounters in the first five volumes of the novel in an unknown, a language he had just known since birth and the novels were written in, he had learnt of a language called Korean from the novels but the likelihood of the two languages being the same was extremely low. Whenever he thought of it the name Barrow popped up into his head, whoever he was. It did occur to Cale that both the author and the name associated with the language shared a last name but he was certain it was two different people. After leaving the dining room, Cale smiled toward Hans.

Outside he saw Ron approached, probably just finished eating his own food. He nodded to Butler and sped to his office, pretending that he couldn't hear the whispers of concerns or the looks they threw his way as they followed him to the office, Hans breaking off to attend to Basen as the younger young master had called for the blond.

Once he had returned to the study, he ensured the papers had burned, neither Hans or Ron would have been able to read it, but it was better to be safe than sorry, nor did they have the chance to go into the office without him noticing. He sat at his desk, the paperwork had been pushed back to his father with the discovery of the novels.

It was time to make a plan, as it was too late to save Harris Village, he would have to ensure Choi Han had a proper environment to recover mentally and socially. He required someone to lean on and Cale was ready to do so. 

'The children.' 

In the novel it had mentioned TCF!Cale had three children, two being cat tribe and the last being censored, including the name. 

He could easily get the two kids but the last one, well it would be difficult but he'll find them, they won't be left in pain.

‘Lets focus on Choi Han tomorrow.’ 

Cale sighed, he wished he could do something sooner but the boy doesn’t reach Rain City until tomorrow.

‘I need to pick up a shield.’

Cale quietly hummed, he needed to protect those close to him. There will be quite a bit of fighting in the future and he doesn’t intend for those who care for him and who he cares for to fight without him.

In order to achieve that goal, the first step was raising his defences, he had to protect the others. Second was finding a recovery method, he was no help injured or being a dead-weight. Third was being faster than anybody else, he needed to cover their backs. Fourth was a strength that can kill others, him being able to control it was very important, he couldn’t risk harming them.

Cale thought about these so called plans of his as he slowly closed his eyes with satisfaction. 

Suddenly a familiar feeling came over him.

‘Ah, So it’s time once again.’

Cale couldn’t control his descent into unconsciousness as he awoke in a room, obviously located in a cellar. The cell he was located in was covered to blood and the black limb he had come to know was now once again in his control.

Back in the eldest child's study awoke a young spirit in the body of the human he now felt as a safe place, somewhere he would never be harmed, and wish he could of met in his own very small and beaten body.

Chapter Text

Cale came to, still in his office. The phantom pains of what was obviously a body switch were still attacking his body, not quite matching the level in the dream. He sat at the window, a mirror clutch in his hand. He wasn’t asleep long half a few hours at most.

While Cale didn’t mind the swaps, but he never like the sort when a familiar blond man stared down at him with sadistic glee, recognisable from both lives, he would obviously be keeping a very close eye on Marquis Stan’s son, [TBOAH]  said he was hiding something there, some strong enough that they can use their own life force as a means of escape in trade for their sanity and Cale, well he knew exactly what species could do that. 

But why did they share dreams? Could it be- No, he was no longer connected to that part of his heritage, severing that connection was the only reason he was there right now. There was no way that he and αδελφός still had such a connection anymore.

Cale headed over to the sofa and slumped down and let out a full-body sigh before dozing off and catching what little sleep he could achieve as the sun tried the penetrate the curtains, he pulled close a moment ago.

The first step to any important Noble’s day was to have a proper, hearty breakfast. It allowed you to ponder, calm your nerves and socialise without any walls usually.

Cale glanced at Deruth at the thought.

Yet Cale felt like he had eaten most of the time since receiving the books from the God of Death himself, he wondered if Nyx had okayed it or even still kept an eye on him; he still kept her gifts on his person at all time, this was his last meal before truly getting to work.

He saw Deruth shuffle in his seat before glancing at Cale.

“Mm, I heard you fell asleep in your study again.”

“It sure ended that way.”

He curtly answered his father’s question and continued to focus on the food. The fact that he did not even look at his father probably seemed rude, but it was fine, his father broke their bond when he was 8.

Cale finished in time with his dongsaeng and stood up, Basen following his leave as the others turned to them at the sound of their chairs.

“We will leave first.”

He spoke referring to himself and Basen, it wasn’t proper etiquette for Nobles but Deruth merely folded for him, glancing between the two of them and smiling.

“Sure, feel free.”

“Right”

“Thank you”

Basen may dislike Deruth nearly as him but he stuck to his lessons far longer than Cale had.

Cale had to leave because Basen wanted to talk to him on top of the many things he had to do, not that he would ever mind, but Deruth spoke up, something not done often. 

“Will you need any allowance today?” 

Unlike his siblings, he often denied anything from their father so while they had an allowance, he never did even when he was 8, his umma was in charge of that, umma being Jour of course. He had fallen into the habit of referring to her as mother in the unknown language he knew.

“I could do with some”

His family had plenty of money, so Cale inclined his head as his father confirmed that Hans would deliver the cheque, ignoring his father's smile directed towards his mother as he left with Basen in tow.  As the door to the dining room closed behind them,  Basen turned to his Hyung, having got the message to talk to him as soon as he could.

“What’s up Hyung?”

“We may need to travel soon, something coming… So train hard okay? Both of you.”

Cal had a hand on his brothers shoulder, who looked at him determined.

“I’ll do it for Hyung,”

He declared, pumping a fist.

“I’ll let Lilly know as well.”

“Good”

Cale nodded at his dongsaeng and smiled fondly, his brother perking up at Hyung’s expression. Hans emerged from the dining room, the youngest sibling following closely.

“Hans there is a change to my mine and Lily’s plans for today!”

Hans look surprised, while Lily understood the other meaning in her older brother's voice, Oppa wanted help with something, so they had to practise, she look at Cale and nodded, her determined face mirroring Basen’s from moments before. Cale nodded back and they both headed to the training grounds.

Cale headed his own way and felt Ron approach.

“So, they will be joining?”

“Indeed, it’ll be easier for me to protect them and they need to learn how to fight, I don't know if… when I’ll disappear again.”

Ron tensed slightly at his words but understood nevertheless.

“I’ll let Beacrux know.”

“Ron, I’m going out. Don’t come looking for me.”

While for the Original Cale or [BOAH] Cale that was a message that he was going out to town to go drinking, this was their code to say ‘I’m doing our family business though I might lean towards connections today.’ but also let the other know that no backup was needed.

Ron would usually nod or saw to have fun running with the rabbits but today was different.

“Will you not use the study today Young Master?”

“Not today but there’s no trace”

Cale winked and Ron and headed for the entrance, beckoning a servant over as he left, the servant bowed and smiled as he joined the Young Master.

Once he exited the residence, he could see the garden and the gate of the exit farther away. It was only then that Cale let out a sigh and peeked backwards. He could see Ron’s stiff expression through the closing door.

Cale smiled, though bitter, no matter how hard his Papa looked he would find nothing in the study, after all, he was taught to be an assassin of the Molan family.

‘I’m glad I was able to shake him off.’

He was glad that Ron did not follow him. He had no clue if his plan would work and if it didn't he didn't want to have to admit it if he didn’t need to, his family had to feel like they could rely on him, if they knew what he failed at, simple socialisation outside his family, they wuld never trust. After all if he couldn't simply socialise, how could he help with a complex problem?

“Young Master are you sure this is the place?”

They had arrived, definitely at the right location.

The driver cautiously asked as he opened the door. He then peeked toward the shop in front of him. The driver’s face was clearly filled with confusion.

“Yes. This is it.”

Cale, who was wearing clothes that would be fancy to others but was the simplest thing in his closet, walked out of the carriage. He was trying to draw as little attention as possible. Nobody was around them, as they had moved away as soon as they saw the carriage with the count’s crest on it.

[The Fragrance of Tea with Poetry]

It was a tea shop that allowed you to read poems while drinking tea. This clean three-story building looked to be pretty expensive. It was true that the owner of the shop was very wealthy. In fact, as the bastard son of a concubine of a large merchant guild, he was even wealthier than Cale. The only thing was that he was living here while hiding that identity.

In [TCF] ‘If I recall correctly, the owner goes to the capital around volume 3 to meet Choi Han there. It is there that he claims that, he may be a bastard son of a concubine of the merchant guild, but that he will become the owner of the merchant guild.’ 

The man who shouts and swears to Choi Han that he will become the owner of the merchant guild. Cale only read the first five volumes, and thus did not know if the man ever ended up becoming the owner of that merchant guild, but since he was one of the main character’s partners, he probably will succeed.

In reality, he had already met Billos and found his true identity quite easily and was now owed a few favours for his silence and assistance in his securing the facade. 

Cale turned to the servant who stared at him in interest and gave an order.

“You can leave now.”

“Excuse me?”

“Are you going to make me say the same thing twice?”

“No, that, do I not need to wait for you, Young Master?”

Cale casually answered as he opened the door to the tea shop.

“Yeah. I’ll be here for a while.”

He could hear the driver sigh behind him, but a much clearer and more pleasurable noise filled Cale’s ears. Clang. A quiet but clear bell sound announced Cale’s entrance into the tea shop.

Cale stood at the entrance and looked around the tea shop. It was still early, and there were not many people there. Cale could see that all of them were shocked to see him there. He didn’t come here often after all.

“Welcome.”

However, the owner of this shop warmly welcomed Cale in. Cale looked toward the baby pig-like man who welcomed him in from the counter. Familiarity in the other’s eyes

‘Here’s the owner, good.’

The wealthy bastard, Billos. His round face and full body definitely looked like a baby pig, the novel described him quite accurately. His charm was his extremely bright smile.

‘He looks like a piggy bank.’

Cale took out a gold coin and put it on the counter as he ordered.

“I plan on staying on the third floor all day today.”

Billos stared at Cale with a smile on his face. Cale pretended not to notice as he pointed to the bookshelf.

“Any tea that is not bitter. Do you have novels here too or just poems?”

Clang. The sound of someone putting their teacup down rang through the shop. Cale just thought of it as someone putting the teacup down hard and looked toward Billos. He prefered novels to poems. 

“Of course. We have a lot of novels as well, young master Cale.”

“Really? Then send up the most interesting book and a cup of tea.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Cale’s gold coin fell onto Billos’s chubby hands. Cale turned away as Billos tried to give him change.

“I’ll drink more tea later so just keep it.”

“... I understand, but it is still too much, young master.”

A gold coin was worth 1 million gallon. Having that coin, was worth 1 million Korean won, according to Kim Rok Soo anyway.

“I have a lot of money. Consider it as your tip.”

Talking about how rich you are. Who cares if Billos actually has more money than he does? He also knew about many fateful encounters that will earn him a lot of money. Cale had to sweeten up Billos if he wanted this to work, he had a big favor to ask after all.

The coin symbolised one of his favours, telling him to keep solidifying the notion but he would normally take the coin back.

Cale simply gestured to the table on the first floor with his chin.

“Well, if it is too much, you can treat everyone here to a cup of tea on me.”

Billos nodded another message simply, keep them busy.

“Ah, enough. Just bring my tea.”

Cale did not care about being respectful as he headed up to the third floor. He could hear whispers coming from behind him, but he did not need to care because there were already enough rumours about him, there always had been since his return, not everyone liked him they made rumours that he abused staff and neglected his brother but the citizen and staff themselves, whoever had met him, treated those sorts with venom on his behalf.

“Just like it said.”

There was nobody else on the third floor right now because it was early in the morning. Cale took a seat in the innermost corner of the third floor. He then looked out the window.

‘This is the right spot.’

The spot where you could best see the Northern Gate of Western City. Cale planned to watch Choi Han from this location today.

Chapter Text

‘He gets chased away from the gate early in the morning.’

Choi Han headed in the direction he remembered hearing about from the villagers after he finished burying all of his beloved villagers. He was heading toward Western City.

Choi Han had been transported to this world when he was a freshman in high school, but he had lived here for tens of years already. Of course, the fact that most of that life was spent trying to survive in the Forest of Darkness made him mature in a slightly twisted way, and, as such, he was more rational than anybody would expect after such an incident.

‘I need to go report this to the lord at the castle.’

Harris Village may have been a remote village, but it was still under Count Henituse’s jurisdiction. That was why Choi Han headed to Western City, hoping to at least prepare a small funeral for the villagers.

He was also planning on looking for information regarding the assassins he had killed when he had lost his calm, as he was unable to ask them any questions. However, sending the dead off properly came before revenge.

‘If you think about it, he really is an affectionate person.’

But losing all of the first people who showed him love after tens of years in the Forest of Darkness at once made it impossible for Choi Han’s mind to not become twisted. In the BOAH novel, that was when Cale messes with Choi Han and touches a nerve. He remembered what the Cale in the novel said to Choi Han.

[“Why should my father care whether or not some useless villagers are dead? This cup of alcohol in my hand is worth more than all of your useless lives combined.”]

Choi Han starts to laugh at Cale’s words as he asks back.

[“What an interesting thought. I am very curious to know whether you will change your mind or not.”]

[‘Shall we test it out?’]

That test was beating Cale to a pulp so that he was almost dead. The amazing thing was that Cale never changed his mind even after he was beaten to a pulp.

While TCF Cale fed Choi Han and intended to send him on his way with Ron and Beacrux, which backfired since Choi Han grew attached to Cale.
‘It’s right here.’

[He found the right spot. The moment Choi Han jumps over the wall, a baby kitten is body slammed by the alpha cat of the neighbourhood and gets sent tumbling to the city wall. Choi Han quickly twists his body to avoid landing on the kitten. This was a world where coincidences played a big role.

‘He really is a good guy.’

Choi Han twists his ankle after unexpectedly twisting his body to avoid hurting the kitten. He had run like crazy to reach Western City after killing tens of people for the first time and burying the corpses of the villagers. His body had reached its limit making him unable to land properly after making such a movement.

‘I found him.’

The man who was wincing in pain while looking like one of the homeless that lived in the slums. Cale could see the shaggy black hair and the old and burnt clothes.

“You look like you are hungry.”

“You poor things. Go ahead and eat it.”

Cale didn’t know that the kittens would be this small. He hope that they could still eat the chicken breast. Tsk. He clicked his tongue as he ripped the chicken breast into pieces so that the kittens could eat it better.

He was wondering what the hell he was doing crouching here feeding these kittens.

To be honest, Cale did not like cats. However, Choi Han treasured small animals.

The injured kitten must have understood Cale’s dislike for cats, as it showed its teeth and started to growl, but Cale started to pet the kitten’s silver fur as he looked into its golden eyes. The kitten must not have liked it, as it did its best to avoid Cale’s hand.

“You poor things. Eat this and get better soon.”

He didn’t even look at Choi Han when he said that, however, he was thinking that Choi Han was definitely looking at him.

“Do you have somewhere to go?”

He did not hear a response. However, Cale continued to speak. The guards would soon come to patrol this area, and he needed to make a move before Choi Han started to limp away to avoid the guards.

“Or a place to stay?”

But Cale needed to focus on Choi Han.

“Are you hungry?”

There still was no response. Cale had expected this.

Choi Han was probably observing him right now, but he also probably wanted to rest.]

“I can understand.”

Cale started to drift off, memories resurfacing. He took a sip of the tea that Billos had brought for him. He then looked out the window once again, why was he suddenly remembering everything not only from his disappearance but also before? Before he could ponder further, the red-head eyes are drawn to a figure in black

‘It’s that kid.’

The moment the gates opened for the morning, a young man wearing clothes with black marks everywhere, such that it made it seem like the clothes were burnt in multiple places, approached the gate. It was Choi Han.

Cale did not get up from his seat as he observed Choi Han.

His speed was admirable, since he ran like a lunatic through a distance that would normally take a carriage a week to travel, but, as a result, he looked like a mess. Of course, the events in the village were responsible for a bit of his messy look as well.

The guard blocked Choi Han’s path as he walked in with his head down, looking completely exhausted. Cale didn’t know what they were saying, but he could see Choi Han shake his head at the guard’s question. Cale frowned.

‘I’m sure they’re asking if he has any identification.’

The guards of Western City were generally gentle, but they were strict when it came to the rules. They replicated their liege, Count Deruth’s personality.

“They kicked him out.”

As expected, Choi Han walked back out of the gate. He did not even throw a fit. After continuously running for a day, his slightly recovered conscience told him not to kill an innocent man.

‘Choi Han will now wait until nighttime before he stealthily jumps over the city wall to enter.’

He then runs into Cale who was busy drinking away.

Screech. Since Cale was alone, the sound of the chair being pushed as he stood up sounded pretty loud. He went downstairs and informed Billos who was at the counter.

“I’ll be back soon. Don’t clear my spot.”

“Yes, young master. I look forward to your return.”

Cale ignored the smile on Billos’s chubby face as he walked out of the tea shop, he could know the details of his favour later.

“Thank Gods, he left. I didn’t want his poison.”

Cale could hear someone’s voice coming from inside the shop, quickly being chastised by others but he couldn't care right now. He needed to set the foundation to earn that Indestructible Shield today.

The Indestructible Shield, an ancient power.

It is not talking about a physical item. The best comparison might be a mage’s mana shield. Something that does not actually have a physical form. However, it was very different from a mana shield, as it was closer to a superpower than magic.

The funny thing was that the human who created the power, but ended up dying, was someone who served a god but ended up being excommunicated.

‘All sorts of weird things are in these novels.’

As with the history of any world, this world also had its ancient history. During that ancient time, neither magic nor weaponry was developed.

Instead, it was a society where your own innate talent or talents gathered from supernatural occurrences played a pivotal role. The strongest powers in that society were superpowers, divine powers, and natural forces. It was a very primitive time.

Some of those powers have lasted all the way until now, staying hidden in certain locations or items. It was possible to take those powers for yourself if you meet the right conditions.

Ancient powers.

The heroes would find these powers, however, these powers were all supporting powers, not strong enough to be used as a hero’s mainstay.

These were the powers that Cale was looking to find.

‘Everything but the divine powers.’

Whether it be god or angels or devils, Cale did not want to get involved with any of them.

That was why TCF Cale was looking for the powers that people naturally developed or came from nature. In reality it worked for him so Cale knew it would serve his purpose. 

‘That is the way to make sure I can protect those who choose to join me.’

Those were the types of powers he was looking for. Something like sword art or magic would require him to be only focused on his enemy or until his mana pool is empty with ancient powers he wouldn’t have that limit, not that it was a problem. 

Unlike other books, the ancient civilization in the novel, [The Birth of a Hero and Trash of the Counts Family], was not that strong.

As civilization developed, the magic and summoning skills that were developed outshined the natural powers left behind by the ancient civilization. Superpowers were the same way. Most subtle superpowers would be blown away by a single hit from the ‘Aura,’ that was used in the present day.

It wasn’t like the heroes just used these powers sparingly for no reason.

‘And my goal is to collect these subtle superpowers to become decently strong.’

It was a satisfying goal. Especially because he also knew the ancient power that could strengthen these subtle superpowers.

In order to take the first step in his plan, Cale started to look for the ancient power that was hidden in Western City. He knew the requirement to earn that power.

“Young, young master. Welcome.”

Cale just nodded his head at the baker, who bowed so low that it looked like his head might touch the ground, to respond. Cale shuffled; he didn't leave his home often, out of a fear he wasn't willing to admit to anyone or himself, this caused any citizen to feel blessed if he spoke to them, much to his own embarrassment, this often made him close off any visible emotions.

“Allow me to buy some bread.”

“Excuse me?”

Cale pointed at all of the bread in the bakery and sternly responded.

“Everything from here to there.”

Clang. The gold coin that Cale took out started to spin on the counter.

“Pack it all up.”

The baker seemed to be frozen in place as Cale continued to speak.

“Two or three more gold coins should be enough for a week’s worth of bread, right?”

The baker’s gaze, which had been on the gold coin, moved to Cale. It was too much money to pay for the bread. Cale just stoically responded to the baker’s shaking eyes.

“I can go somewhere else if you don’t want it.”

“No, it is nothing like that! Young master! I will pack it as fast as possible!”

The baker was extremely respectful for a different reason than before as he moved around quickly. After a few minutes, Cale left the bakery with a bag full of bread over his shoulder.

Even though it was just bread, it weighed quite a bit. The weight would've been a problem if he hadn't kept up his training, and he ignored the baker who was watching him leave as he stepped into the street.

Cale leisurely walked down the street, noticing that anybody who made eye contact with him would quickly turn and walk away. The majority of the people even ran away to avoid eye contact with him.

Cale looked around as he wandered around the market.

“Mm.”

“Mmph.”

Any time he made eye contact with a merchant, they became shocked and avoided his gaze. Tsk tsk. Cale was talking about himself and his plan as he walked past the market and toward the western part of Western City.

The slum is located to the west. No matter how wealthy a territory may be, there are always going to be poor people. In a situation like this, most people would probably expect something along these lines to happen.

‘Ah, it is a fateful encounter that you can earn by sharing food with the poor.’

Unfortunately, that was not the case, not today.

Cale could feel people peeking at him as soon as he entered the slums. This was the place where both the idlest and the most vicious people lived together.

Although the poor may not know the face of their liege, the count, they knew Cale’s face. These people who had nothing needed to pay even closer attention to the type of person that would leave things behind, even though he had been leaving supplies disguised a few beings still saw his face due to their origin.

“Tsk.”

Even though they knew he wasn’t dropping off today, they couldn’t resist the sweet smell of the bread in Cale’s bag. Cale just ignored all these gazes as he continued to walk.

The tip of his expensive leather shoe started to become dirty from the dirty water. A now familiar, unknown stench also filled Cale’s nose, making him naturally start to frown.

This made him start to walk even faster. The slums were on one side of a small hill and constituted of old houses. Cale was heading toward the top of that hill. As he got closer, the gazes and steps of the people following him started to lessen as well. Cale’s sharp glare probably played a role in this as well.

‘It’s better here.’

After being freed from the stench, Cale stood at the top of the hill and turned around to look down at Western City. Of course, this hill was not as high as the count’s estate. There was no way that they would allow the lord of the territory to live somewhere that was lower than that slums.

Cale came back to his senses as he headed toward a tree that was fenced off in all directions. The fence, which was made of planks the width of Cale’s body, had an entrance that had rotted. It was easily broken once Cale pushed at the fence.

This large tree seemed to have lasted for hundreds of years. Trees in the slums were usually chopped into firewood or had their layers peeled off to make them useless, but this tree was not like that.

The reason was simple. The reason could be heard in Cale’s ear. These two were the only two who had followed him until the end from the slums.

“You can’t approach that t-tree!”

Cale ignored that warning. He heard another worried voice as well.

“You can’t go there! It’s a man-eating tree!”

A man-eating tree. Anyone who hung themselves on this tree became mummies overnight. Furthermore, any blood that lands on this tree instantly disappeared.

Finally, there was only dirt around this tree. Grass, and even weeds, were nowhere to be found. Cale could feel something else he couldn’t quite put his finger on, the answer at the tip of his tongue.

This was the tree that Cale was looking for.

A long time ago, during ancient times, there was a person who loved food so much that his gluttony in the place of worship got him kicked out. That person ended up starving to death.

This tree is said to have grown on top of his body, and that person’s grudge and strength were both in this tree. The Indestructible Shield that Cale was looking for was here.

How primitive, mysterious and strange was this! The majority of the ancient powers were mysterious like this.

Cale took a bread out of the bag and carefully observed a hole that was the size of an adult’s head. He needed to first send away the owner of that voice before starting his work. However, before Cale could even say anything, the voice was even louder this time as they could no longer see Cale from outside the fence because he crouched down. The voice was shaking quite a bit.

“You’re going to die! Don’t do it!”

Cale pressed his temples with his fingers.

“Sigh.”

The number of people following him decreased the closer he got to the man-eating tree at the top of the hill, however, the owner of that voice continued to follow him.

‘There are always nosy punks no matter where you go.’

Cale frowned, though thoughts fond, as he turned his head around. When he did, he noticed a girl who seemed to be around 10 years old, holding her younger brother’s hand while looking at him. Her eyes were full of concern.

Seeing that Cale was frowning and staring at her, the young girl stumbled on her words and started to mumble.

“It’s a man-eating tree. You’re going to d, die.”

“I won’t die.”

Cale took two breads out of the bag and threw it toward the little girl. It didn’t matter if it rolled on the ground because they were all individually wrapped, something he was glad of they were thin, unnaturally so, they looked like a slightly too hard hit would cause him to shatter, how his brother was when he arrived there.

“Take that and get lost.”

The young boy instantly grabbed the bread, but the young girl was still hesitating. In the end, Cale needed to use his identity. He stood up and pushed his head outside of the fence.

“You two don’t know about Cale the manipulator?”

The young girl’s eyes widened, and her expression was unrecognisable, she had turned pale. Her younger brother just looked toward Cale before picking up the other bread for his sister and started to tug on her arm.

“Noona.”

“Uh huh.”

The young girl looked back and forth at the tree and Cale even as she was being pulled.

“You can’t die.”

Cale clicked his tongue at the young girl who continued to say that, the status he used was connected to the theory that he had run away but decided to return to manipulate his father into doing whatever he wanted. There will always be people who hate the noble and spread lies, the slums got the worst, none particular to the noble family. Cale made sure nobody else was around as he sat down underneath the tree. Nobody would be able to see what he was doing unless they came right up to the fence.

“Let’s get started.”

He started by taking a loaf of bread out of the bag and putting it into that hole. His hand soon disappeared into the darkness underneath the tree, and Cale could feel a cold sensation as the bread in his hand disappeared.

He felt like his whole hand might be sucked in. He took it out.

The darkness in the hole underneath the tree was still the same.

“If you die with a grudge, you have to resolve that grudge.”

This man-eating tree wasn’t actually a man-eating tree. It was a tree that would eat anything. It was the side effect of the power that was left behind by the person who starved to death. But for such a thing to be related to an ancient strength...it was comical, but made it seem more realistic.

‘I remember it said I need to feed it until the darkness disappears. The novel when the other actually did it was mainly blank here’

The darkness in the hole underneath the tree was not the result of shade. It was darkness formed by the grudge, the soul left in unrest had no limit in its powers, it will always seek to placate the soul, after all the powers wish to serve the soul that created it.

This could not be done with other people, a single soul can console a single soul, at a time that is. One person had to continue to provide a large amount of food until the darkness disappeared. Once the darkness finally disappears, the light that was hiding underneath would appear.

Once he eats that light, the, ‘Indestructible Shield,’ will become Cale’s. The soul does this as a thank you, after all, they were finally free, how Cale actually knew this escaped him, if he focused he could hear a calming feminine voice talking to him, though he could never see.

“Eat all you want.”

Cale put the opening of the bag into the hole and emptied all of the bread into it. In a normal situation, that small hole should have become filled with bread, however, only the darkness continued to remain once Cale removed the bag.

“I guess I’ll need about ten more large bags, approximately.”

The darkness in the hole was slightly fainter than before.

Ten bags. Only someone like Cale, with 3 million gallons as an allowance, could casually say such a thing.

Rumble-

An odd cry seemed to resonate from the tree. It seemed to be saying that it was hungry and asking for more food. Cale felt like the darkness might suddenly reach out and grab him.

“...It is a bit scary.”

Cale quickly got up. He felt like he should not be here for a long time.

“Just what can such a grudge do?”

Gluttony was a scary thing.

“I’ll come back tomorrow promise.”

Cale said goodbye to the rumbling tree as if it was a person and exited the fenced area. Cale noticed the siblings eating the bread as soon as he entered the slums.

For someone who was claiming that he should not go there because it was a man-eating tree, they seemed to be enjoying the bread. They must be liking the flavour, because both of them seemed very happy.

“My my.”

Cale snorted at the siblings before ignoring their gazes. However, their gazes were not on him, but on the bag that was filled with bread earlier but was now empty. They were probably curious.

But what could they do? They couldn’t do anything, not in the conditioner they were in, he could see the yellowing bruises.

These children were probably too scared to even go near the man-eating tree. However, it is always good to be on the safe side. It would be bad if they went up to the tree and put their head into the hole and got eaten.

[The children of the slums have no fear. It was because they treasured a single grain of rice more than a blade coming their way. Death is always around them, so they do not fear death. They fear being hungry more than death.]

It was something that was written in [The Birth of a Hero].

That was one of the reasons why Cale decided to speak to the pair of siblings.

“If you want to eat bread again tomorrow, don’t say a thing.”

The two siblings did not say anything. They were immediately following Cale’s order. The young girl, who seemed hesitant earlier, put her hand on her brother’s mouth and pretended to not see Cale. Cale smiled and thought that she was pretty clever, as he quickly left the slums.

The people in the slums who knew Cale had gone to the top of the hill were looking at him wondering what crazy thing he was doing now, but Cale liked that kind of gaze.

The people outside the slums looked at Cale weirdly as well, but Cale didn’t care about these gazes.

“Ah, young master. You are back.”

Once Cale returned to the tea shop, Billos greeted him pretty happily, he hadn't visited him like this in a long time.

“Yes. Bring me a new cup of tea. A refreshing one this time.”

Cale headed back to his seat on the third floor. It should have been pretty busy at this time, but there was nobody else on the third floor. They were all avoiding the eldest child of the Count’s family. That was why Cale could relax, good or bad, the rumours would keep them away.

“Here is your tea, young master. I also brought up some desserts.”

“Ah, great. Thanks.”

Cale only continued to look toward the city gate as he took a sip of the tea. Billos observed Cale’s face with an odd expression before he quietly left the third floor. It was weird for Cale to hold back requesting his favour but then again he always did it undetected.

Cale continued to order tea and desserts as he looked outside the window until the sky slowly turned orange and the sunset. He only got up when night arrived and it was dark outside, his favourite time had come, and he could be in his element once again.

It was now time to go interact with the dangerous dude who will come from outside the wall.

Chapter Text

The boy who had just lost his home was but a puppy.

Just like Cale had been to Ron, Choi Han would become to Cale.

One does not kick an injured puppy, they nurture it and care for it and if the novel were true, he would care for this puppy.

The other Cale’s had hit the puppy with jabs, but he would not. This puppy was young both physically and mentally, he may have lived longer but that does not matter.

“Are you heading out?”

“Indeed.”

There were few left in the tea shop, all throwing Cale a polite smile before resuming their conversations or light reading.

It made sense it was past 9 pm, after all, no doubt the bars would be full giving perfect cover for any family jobs they might have to have done, not only for the darkness but also the people. 

Drunk people really gave the best alibis, Cale thought as he approached Billios’ desk.

And those who know how to lie for a little extra.

“I look forward to your next visit, Young Master.” 

“The tea was good, keep the book for me will you, it’s… interesting.”

The book itself was a grim one, to find a similar one your would have to turn to the brother Grimm tales.

Billions nodded a grin on his lips.

“Of course, Young Master.”

The book in question Billios had brought specifically for the Young Master, not that Cale would ever know, to him he wasn’t worth the effort and so believed that others naturally thought the same. Cale had always preferred violent and dark books, a side effect of his unknown past and nicking Ron's book; it was a simple one he had given to Beacrux and passed to Cale, who passed it to Basen, which Lilly had received not long ago. I detailed in the Molan code of how certain kills and stealth opportunities were taken and exploited, it was a guide on how to be a Molan. A skillset that all four of Ron's children were happy to have.

Cale nodded and tapped the desk twice and made his way outside.

Cale was intrigued; he was excited for a puppy of his own but he still wasn't sure if the books were real, he wouldn’t take the risk. The bell had rung for the second time Cale could hear inside get louder, they were probably talking about him.

However it was almost impossible to tell as outside the teashop was much louder, miners who were finished for today taking up residence at local bars. Not to mention that for a territory so far from the capital they still had many Artists here for the view that not many other territories could carry, but also, their special product.

Cale walked alone.

Not uncommon for him, someone with his past didn’t fit in with others that had not felt the same despair.

His siblings had, even though they had never met. His αδελφός had as well. As so did the Molans.

Cale looked over at a group of gangstas staring a woman down, one caught his eye and paled, grabbing what he presumed was the leader and pointing to him. The leader paled as well and pushed his arm down as the whole group ran, the woman none the wiser.

‘Good, he thought.’

He didn’t want her to know. It had backfired on him in the past, rumours were that he hired the gangsters to harass women and men even though it was obvious that every group was terrified of him.

He gave up after the third time, then on making sure he wouldn’t be seen.

(He didn’t hear the people that sang his praises, tearing apart anyone who thought the opposite with logic that the eldest son inspired them to use. He never did, he wouldn’t allow himself to.)

Cale entered the bar when he was sure they left.

“Ah! Young Master, it is a pleasure to see you!”

The owner of the bar smiled, seeing Young Master Cale wasn’t an often occurrence but after he prevented his wife from being harassed he couldn't help but view the boy in high regard.

“Greeting Ernest.” 

Cale greeted, and the bar having heard his arrival raised their drinks, Ernest didn’t allow anyone who disliked the kid in, not that Cale knew that, Cale nodded to them in return.

“Give some of the best chicken breast you’ve got, no salt.”

Cale chucked a gold coin over the desk.

“Ah, not staying again Young Master? I'll let Cecil know you’re doing well.”

Ernest took the coin and headed into the back to repeat the order to his wife, Cecil. The couple were in their fifties and ran the bar Cecil’s mother had passed down to her together with their children. Cecil wasn’t able to have kids until they were older, not for a lack of trying. The twins were both 15, one girl, Emma, and one boy, Henry. The kids worked as servers, making sure every order reached the correct tables. Ernest ran the bar, managing the Alcohol, Cecil ran the kitchen with an orphan they had taken in from the slums when Cecil was saved by Cale trying to protect the poor child, though Noah did his best, he still wasn’t sure how to accept their praise. Though one problem had arisen, they couldn’t afford to keep the 9-year-old around anymore.

Ernest came back out but it was a few more minutes before Noah emerged with Cale’s order, the kid's face splitting into a large smile when he saw the redhead. He sped up his speed slightly, still keeping the package perfectly balanced, his short blue hair bounced with each step. 

“Cale!”

Cale smiled and held his arms out as an invitation, which Noah took readily. Even though Cecil and Ernest had given him a home, Cale was obviously his favourite. 

Cale looked to Ernest, who shook his head and mouthed,

Tomorrow.

Noah would have to go tomorrow, or the family themselves would starve. Noah knew this and was determined to leave so the family who cared for him for the past half a year would survive. Cale wouldn't let that happen, he wouldn't let a child be abandoned for the second time. Cale pulled back from the hug and Noah returned to the kitchen.

"Can I talk to you and Cecil?"

Ernest smiled.

"Of course, follow me."

Ernest led Cale through the kitchen where Cecil told Noah to watch the stew and joined them before coming to an office where they all went inside. Ernest directed Cale to behind the desk and they sat in front together, giving Cale their full attention. 

"What is it, Cale?" 

Ernest had taken a long time to drop the -nim from his name and at this moment it felt right.

"I know you have to let Noah go, that's why if I have your permission, I would like to take him in, I have more than enough money to look after him and I don't want to see him in the slums again."

Cale ranted, if they said no then Cale would respect their wish and leave him but Cale saw Noah as his son already, the lid hadn't given up, ever and showed skills that proved his worth. There was a reason he was in the kitchen. 

To his surprise they shared a look of relief, Cecil looked near tears.

"I'm so glad you offered my boy."

Scratch that she was crying,

"I was so worried what would happen to him and Henry and Emma were willing to fight for him to stay unless someone else took him in."

Ernest nodded in agreement with his wife.

"We didn't know who to ask, so we never did, but if he was with you I know, we all in the Val family would know he's safe. So yes you have our blessing."

Cale stood a smile on his face, one that grew surprised when the others hugged him.

"Thank you,"

Cecil whispered.

"When does he go?"

Cale scratched his neck,

"Tonight would be best."

Cecil nodded and left the room, calling Noah's name.

"I'll let the twins know."

Ernest left as Cale once again sat down, two minutes later the door banged open and he was assaulted by a blur of black and orange. Emma had gotten her black hair from her father and Henry's ginger from their mother though both had their mother's green eyes not too far from their father's blue.

"Are you really taking Noah in?" 

Asked Emma, as Cale nodded, Henry spoke up.

"And you'll take care of him?"

Another nod

"And we'll get to see him."

"Of course, you can, he is still your brother."

The twins looked at each other and back to Cale and spoke together.

"Okay, we approve."

After a few minutes, Noah arrived with a leather pouch over his shoulder. He had a bright grin on, so Cale presumed he was okay with the arrangement. 

When the family exchanged their goodbyes there were many tears and many hugs, which Cale also got pulled into.

A few minutes later Cale and Noah left the bar, Noah hiding Cale's hand as they walked quickly, when he came up to the guards he slowed down.

"Noah, I have a few things to take care of before I can return home so you are going to go with this guard, ok?"

Noah nodded his head, looking confused, his nicked eyebrows scrunched up.

"You, take him to the front gates and tell them to look after him until I arrive."

The guard nodded, and Cale turned back to Noah.

"Give them this, it'll prove that I gave the order."

Noah nodded now determined.

"Of course Cale!"

The guard leads the child to the estate, leaving his fellow guard to protect the gate.

Cale disappeared behind a house, ensuring the chicken wouldn’t fall out of his pocket and scaled the house, hiding on the roofs, this would allow him to arrive at the location where Choi Han was apparently. Cale moved quickly and swiftly across the roofs of the Henituse citizens.

The Tall walls were meant to protect the territory from enemy threats or intruders. 

‘Depends on the person, really

For someone like himself or his family, it would be no problem to jump over, now Cale can add someone new to that shortlist.

Because at 98 steps from the gates, not quite 100, the two balls of fur take up the 105th step. The 100th goes empty, easy to see from his advantage from above.

The two balls were curled up, their meows quickly reaching Cale’s sharp ears. The balls were two kittens, one red and one silver, one of the kittens had been badly hit by the leader of the cats in this neighbourhood, it had sent them into the wall, just as Choi Han had jumped over. 

Choi Han, not yet been consumed by his despair had twisted out of the way of the fallen kitten. He was unable to prevent himself from being injured, after having to fight tens of people for the first time and running like he had the devil on his heels after and then having to jump over the wall while keeping watch, all of this led to his twisted ankle.

Meeeeoooow meeeooow

Cale looked toward the injured silver kitten they were curled into a ball, a red kitten, and a smaller red kitten was curled around them licking the other kitten.

‘There he is the novels were real, this means I have to take this much more seriously.’ 

Cale moved closer to the edge of the building and swung his legs over the side, still unnoticed by the three beings below.

The man could easily be mistaken for a homeless man that came from the slums, his hair was shaggy and his clothes were burnt, not having a change of clothes that he could access.

In the novels, RokSoo would meet Choi Han tonight and Cale would meet him tomorrow, The former gaining a loyal ally and the latter gaining a scar and then a beat down.

Cale sighed and jumped down from the roof, Choi Han only noticed him when he landed on his feet, he stared at Cale with cold eyes as the noble walked passed without a glance at the swordsman and up to the kittens who were also shocked to see him.

Cale crouched in front of the kittens to see how bad the injury was. Cale didn’t need to look at Choi Han to know his eyes were full of despair and guarded from how he had arrived. It was necessary, Choi Han wouldn’t lean on him if he thought Cale was weak.

Cale started to speak looking at Choi Han for the first time that night.

“You look hungry.”

Tsk, Cale clicked his tongue as he turned back to the kittens as he pulled out the chicken package and placed it out in front of the shivering kittens that had the aroma of bread. The bread wasn’t nearly enough to keep them alive. 

“C’mon eat little ones, it’s for you after all.”

Cale silently cursed, the kittens were tiny, he could see the bones poking through their fur. Tsk. Cale pulled the chicken apart for them, in case they couldn't chew properly. Cale wasn’t looking at Choi Hanbut he could definitely feel his gaze, good, that meant it was strong.

“Do you have somewhere to go? I doubt it, after all, it’s not every day you see someone jump over the wall and then change their trajectory midjump to avoid the kittens.”

Cale pushed some humour into his voice even though Choi Han didn’t answer, time was running out, the patrol would come soon and Choi Han would move to avoid being seen.

As he said this he had started to pet the growling silver kitten, doing the same to the red one when asked via their paw batting their hand, both of their yellow eyes locked onto his brownish red.

Even though Cale wanted to scoop them up and take them home, he had to focus on Choi Han and get back to Noah as soon as he could.

“Are you hungry?”

No response from the Korean, Cale wasn't surprised.

Choi Han was watching him, observing him, but he was also resting.

Both his body and mind had reached their limit. In addition, he had received a huge shock just the other day. For someone like Choi Han who had lived on his own without any human contact other than the villagers of that small village, Western City was completely foreign to him. He may have lived for tens of years already, but he was still young.

“Are you going to stay silent?”

“…Why are you talking to me?”

Choi Han finally seemed to have decided that Cale was weak enough to beat, even though he was able to stay hidden for so long.

Cale was weak enough that he could easily kill him even though he was at his limits. That was why Choi Han felt that it would be okay to accept Cale’s goodwill even though he had no idea why Cale was being nice to him. That and he had incorrectly judged him, seeming weak was one of the many unique abilities assassins were able to learn.

Cale stood up and walked toward Choi Han. The guards would soon come patrolling through this location.

“Hey.”

He could see Choi Han’s situation better once he got closer. He was a mess. However, maybe it was because he was the main character, but his eyes were clear. The black hair and black pupils that showed that Choi Han was Korean were actually quite nice to see. That was why Cale smiled as he casually spoke to Choi Han.

“Follow me. I’ll feed you.”

The best first impression was to be the one who provides delicious food. Beacrox had taught him this much when he had returned.

Chapter Text

They met in peace (5)

Choi Han stopped leaning against the wall and pushed his body up.

It was obvious that his right leg was injured as he gained his balance by leaning to the side. Cale decided to hold any offers of assistance due to the mistrust he could still feel emanating from the protagonist. It was not yet time to offer more help.

Choi Han nodded slightly as he told the korean to follow him.However, an existence blocked his path.

Meeeeeeeeow.

The red furred golden eyed kitten ran toward Cale and rubbed its cheeks on Cale’s shoes, he complied. Cale frowned; it was quite obvious that the cats and the orphaned kids from before were one in the same, but the problem was that he had to settle Noah into his new home, not to mention that Choi Han was now following him. He could suddenly feel Choi Hans' gaze on his back, no doubt planning to use his response and a judgement of Cale’s character.

“He seems to like me. I'm sorry but it’s time for me to go.”

Cale couldn't understand those who did not love animals, they were beings that didn’t betray you, they seem to love you regardless of what you did

The silver-furred golden-eyed kitten growled as if it was telling the red-furred kitten to come back while telling Cale to get lost. The red-furred kitten seemed to not want to go back as it continued to look back at Cale as it walked away. It took some effort but Cale didn’t glance back.

Meow, meoooooooow.

The cries of the two kittens were getting farther away. Cale took a look backwards, Choi Han was limping, but keeping up with him.

He made eye contact, he nodded and looked forward again. Choi Han resembled a kicked puppy in his eyes. The puppy was keeping up just fine, there was no need for him to slow down and continued his normal stride.

They reached the residential area as Cale returned greeting those who called out to him.

The bars. Market. Plaza. They then passed the residences of the wealthy and finally arrived at the Count’s estate located in the rear of the city.

“What are you doing?”

Cale looked toward Choi Han, who had stopped moving. Choi Han must have seen how the soldiers greeted Cale, as well as how the citizens were split in greeting him like an old friend or avoiding him, on their way here.

Choi Han was probably questioning whether it really would be easy to kill Cale, not that his initial assessment was correct..

Cale asked once more.

“Are you not going to come?”

As he had expected, and hoped, Choi han continued to follow him. His reason for following Cale now was probably to get some information as well as to host the funeral for the villagers of Harris Village.

“Young master.”

“Cale!”

As soon as Cale stood at the main entrance of the estate, the guards and knights greeted him. Noah charging at him from the guards side and hugged cale’s legs,

‘Sigh. I wish they would stop with that young master business.’

“Hello Noah, did they treat you well?”

“Mmhmm, I showed them your badge and they kept me company while we waited for you.”

“That's good.”

Cale looked at the guards, the two on guard tonight were ones who refused to believe the rumours that circulated about him and decided to protect him.

“Thank you Andreas, Lucus.”

“No problem Young Master.”

“Anytime Young Master.”

Lucus went to open the gate as Andreas looked Choi Han up and down.

“Who is he?”

Cale turned back to look at Choi Han. The rest of them looked at Choi Han as well. They were probably curious about this beggar that followed their young master back. Andreas observed Choi Han with suspicion in his eyes.

“Someone who needs a place to stay tonight, he was injured and requested asylum. I am merely granting it for tonight at least.”

Andreas nodded but still look at Choi Han with mistrust as the puppy looked to Cale with curiosity. Lucus held the gate open as Cale started to go through, Noah’s hand in his own.

“Follow me.”

Choi Han should know of Cale’s status by now or at least be close to figuring it out. He continued to limp as he approached Cale. Cale looked bored and turned back as soon as he saw that Choi Han was behind him and entered through the gate.

‘He’s probably trying to figure out why I lied, I'll have to figure a lie out. I can't say that these people are so paranoid on my behalf.’

Cale looked back to the two knights who were about to follow the three.

“Don’t follow me, we’ll be fine.”

The knights flinched at Cale’s clear order. They looked back and forth between Cale and Choi Han before Lucus approached Choi Han and Cale with a stiff expression on his face.

The knights on guard tonight cared more about Cale’s wellbeing than following his orders, he guess this was a reason they were the two called upon by Violan when one of the kids needed additional guards.

‘Well, I guess they have to act like this to be good knights.’

Cale was grateful at the knight’s response to this beggar-like foreigner and left the knight alone to follow them. He just led the puppy to the entrance of the Count’s residence.

“Young master, you’re back.”

“Yes, Ron.”

His papa stood ahead. He had been waiting for Cale outside the door. Cale had expected this, he did this often.

“Mr Ron!”

Ron looked at Noah and smiled.

“Hello Noah, are you here to stay for a while?”

Ron, Beacrox and Cale had spoken about Noah a few times and therefore he was not that surprised when he joined his son home. Noah nodded as Ron turned his gaze to the dirty stranger.

The boy in question reeked of bloodlust, he knew his son could tell as well but didn’t react. In fact, Ron was pretty sure that the boy had no clue what his son’s true nature is.

“Cale said I’m staying here now!”

“Is that so?”

“Mmhmm!”

‘Ron can definitely feel the bloodlust coming from Choi Han, I let him decide on his own, probably with Beacrux as well.’

“I'll handle Noah’s settling in, his rooms near mine anyway. Before that, follow me.”

Cale called out to Choi Han once more and started to walk. The servant, Ron, quickly followed Cale. Noah sped up so he could grab Cale’s hand.

“Young master, what is going on? I will take care of this guest if you tell me what is needed.”

“No need.”

Someone else approached Cale as Ron was speaking.

“Young master. You returned.”

It was the deputy butler Hans.

‘Ah, he was responsible for me.’

Cale rolled his eyes.

“Yes, I’m home”

Cale took Noah’s bags and passed them over to Han, who took them easily.

“Place them in the room opposite mine.”

“Sure!”

With the inclusion of Hans, there were now a total of five people following him. Cale peeked every so often to make sure they were following him properly and arrived at his destination.

Kitchen #2. Cale pushed the door open as soon as he saw the sign.

“Young master?”

He could hear Hans’s confused voice behind him. However, there was a thick smile on Cale’s face. The end was near.

Now, Beacrox and Choi Han will meet. The door easily opened. Cale’s expression slightly brightened at the scene in front of him inside the door.

Clang. Clang.

Second Chef Beacrox was smiling while sharpening his blade. He seemed to be enjoying himself while sharpening his blade all alone in kitchen #2. The smile widened when he saw Cale and Noah. However, that smile disappeared as soon as he saw Choi Han.

That was why Cale was excited. It was always invigorating to deal with his family and surprising scenarios. You never knew what crazy things his family would do.

Cale made a move before Beacrox could respond. He put a hand on Choi Han’s shoulder and pointed at him.

“Give him something to eat.”

“Excuse me?”

Beacrox asked with a stiff expression on his face. The sharp blade in his hand was shining as it reflected the light. Cale smirked, heart racing in anticipation as he said it once more.

“Give him something to eat. He’s hungry.”

Ho. The knight let out a shocked noise from the back, but Cale did not have the time to pay attention to that right now. He waited for Beacrox’s response in excitement. Finally, Beacrox answered with a stiff expression still on his face.

“I will do as you instructed, young master.”

It was done.

Beacrox and Choi Han. And even Ron, who would lead their movements. The three of them were connected now.

A bright smile formed on Cale’s face. He could finally relax as he gave Beacrox another order with a slightly higher tone.

“Also prepare something for me and Noah. I’m hungry and no doubt Noah is as well.”

Cale thought about the steak from last night’s dinner.

“Your steak last night was the best. You are a great chef.”

The tip of Beacrox’s knife slightly shook.

“Something like that steak would be a wonderful meal. Prepare it quickly.”

Cale turned around without waiting for Beacrox’s response. He then left the kitchen and headed towards his chamber. Noah still holding his hand with a pep in his step. The knight and Hans followed him, and Hans quickly asked.

“What should I do about that guest?”

“I guess he is my guest. You take care of it, I’ll look after Noah.”

Since he connected the three of them, he didn’t want to deal with anything else for today.

Beacrox and Ron should be able to tell Choi Han’s strengths. In the novel, Beacrox originally swears his loyalty to Choi Han because of his strength, but Cale was certain that he wouldn’t leave, they were family and the Molan’s lived via a blood bond. Of course, Cale had some other plans in the case that Beacrox was unable to determine Choi Han’s strength.

All Cale had to do was make Choi Han beat someone or something up. Oh, and Beacrox had to be there to watch.

“Hans. Stop annoying me and just bring the meal over to my chamber when it’s ready. Both meals.”

As expected, Ron did not follow him. Cale left the knight and Hans outside the chamber door That was soon to be Noah’s, Hans leaving his stuff just out side the door. Noah looked at the room in awe as Cale grabbed the stuff and started to put the clothes away.

“We’ll have you measured tomorrow for some proper clothes.”

“Okay Papa”

Cale looked over to Noah and smiled, the blue-haired boy mirroring it back full force. Focusing on making Noah feel at home.

That was why he did not know that Beacrox’s cooking knife slashed toward Choi Han’s neck and that Ron’s sharp dagger was flung toward Choi Han’s heart. Of course, both of their attacks had failed.

Well, this was actually a situation that nobody, other than the three involved individuals, would know about.

Until Cale took one look at Beacrux, who delivered their dinners instead of Hans, who was getting their guest settled in.

“You weren’t too harsh were you?”

Cale smirked at Beacrux as he nodded. Noah looked at the two confused.

Chapter Text

It was late at night, the moon high in the sky, a persistent observer.

Deputy butler Hans was standing in front of Count Deruth, having been summoned only moments before. He started to make the requested report while Deruth listened, not making a sound until the butler had finished.

“He is currently sleeping in his room, Ron moved Young Master Noah back to what will now be his own room.”

Hans finally finished his lengthy report prompting Deruth to reply.

“The driver reported that he went back to Flynn Merchant Guild's illegitimate son’s tea shop, once again. Then went to a bar where he acquired Noah, who we believe is to be an orphan of the whale tribe, and an unfamiliar man, whose identity we can’t confirm. In terms of the people, he managed to stay within the area of the people who like him live.”

Han’s report was lengthy due to the new addition of the household, but Deruth was interested in everything that had happened almost equally.

“Should we tail him?”

He waved his hand in opposition to Han’s question. He had no doubt that Cale knew Hans was being told to give back reports and didn’t want to break the fragile bond his son had shown this morning, he wouldn’t fail his son again.

Not after he let tha- 

This wasn’t the time to dwell on the past, he must focus on the now.

“No need. As long as he is in the city, no matter where he is, he will be under my protection. If someone tries to cause trouble for him, then they will have the Henituse family to deal with.”

Deruth cherished Hans the most out of all the young deputy butlers. It was because he fulfilled orders well and was a good person.

Out of all the new workers, Hans was the first and for a while the only one that held and treated his eldest son with the respect he deserved.

“Do what you have been doing in terms of observing Cale inside the house and reporting what you see.

“I understand.”

Hans did not say anything else as he bowed his head.

He didn’t need to.

Deruth was well aware that Hans had left multiple things out of his report from him, he knew very well that Hans held Cale higher in terms of loyalty but couldn’t find it in him to care, his son needed more people on his side.

The count was not someone who had any abilities nor did he hold any solid networks. However, just like the previous Count, he was able to rule over the Henituse territory and grow his wealth. He was someone who was able to protect his territory properly.

Something that has drastically increased in the past 5 years, he wouldn’t be as lacklustre as he was before, it was his fault. He deserved the hatred his son held for him.

That his children held.

‘Cale has changed.’

Deruth wasn’t talking about the change in the last 5 years, but seemingly overnight.

Cale felt different than normal. It wasn't that he got smarter or stronger, but his actions were clearly different than before, they held a new purpose.

“Ah, Hns.”

“Yes, Count-nim?”

“I think it’s finally time for me to ask you to bring me some information about the Flynn Merchant Guild again.”

The tea shop owner, Billos. One of his sons has many contacts. Deruth knew about this bastard son of the Flynn Merchant Guild. This was because the Henituse’s largest trading partner for wine was the Flynn Merchant Guild.

“I will get right on it.”

“Great.”

Deruth watched Hans walk out of his office as he started to think. There were a lot of things for him to think about other than the change in Cale’s demeanour.

The atmosphere around the continent was dangerous. It was like a volcano right before it erupts. Deruth could clearly feel the dangerous atmosphere despite the fact that he was in the corner of the kingdom. It was because he was always receiving an endless amount of information about it. But the message from the Imperial Court that he received today made Deruth even more certain about the current atmosphere of the continent.

The former Counts of the Henituse territory always passed on a single piece of advice to the next in power.

‘There is no need to be recorded in history. Just live for peace and happiness.’

“I guess I need to reinforce the city walls.”

He may not be a good fighter or even a good father, but Deruth was always thinking about ways to protect himself and his family.

There are times when the body is stronger than the mind.

Cale turned to his αδελφός. They had settled down in a darker part of the forest, the other Adapted had lost their trail. The bounty upon his brown-haired companion had increased, and the other gods had started to crave his death.

This was the first time in a fortnight they had been able to rest.

Cale was 12 now, he was unable to see his αδελφός as anything other than his younger sibling. 

The redhead turned toward his αδελφός, who had started to shuffle around. Dark brown own met his own lighter ones. 

“What do you want to do when we leave, μεγάλος αδερφός?”

“Hmm.” 

Cale hummed. 

“I definitely want to be a slacker, or, well, more slackerish. After this, I don’t think ill ever stop being paranoid enough to stop my training.”

The brown-haired boy's eyes sparkled in excitement.

“I can ensure that happens when we get home, I have standing at home, I can make it happen! We can be slackers together!” 

Cale put his arms around his αδελφός as they watched the fire slowly die out.

“Yeah, together.”

Cale shot up from his bed. He wasn’t alone, his dream had woken him up again. Yet a firm, but soft hand was placed in the middle of his shoulder blades as he adjusted to his surroundings.

“Tch.”

Cale knew he would be unable to sleep again, though judging by the presence next to him, he was already due to wake up.

 Promises like that were made to be broken.

"Let's retire and own a farm! Just the three of us, we’ll drag you with us if we have to @#[ ~]@ $]]!"

Cale knew he still yearned for the day he could find his αδελφός and become a slacker but with their family. He doubted it would come but he couldn't help but hope.

“You were sleeping so soundly earlier that I didn't wake you up, son.”

Cale had slept in, his newly adopted son missing from his room, something deep inside yearning for contact again. Noah was his son, he should know where he was as often as possible. Cale pushed aside the feeling. Ron had brought lemonade instead of cold water once more, instead of fighting his papa against it he just chugged the thing, it worked almost as well as cold water, at least it would have had it not been bitter. 

Cale eyed the bandages around his neck, one of the many things the books didn’t mention.

He was desperately ignoring the openly worried look from Ron when he had a partially bad memory.

“Did he really get a hit on you?”

Ron smiled widened.

“I had not foreseen him dodging both of our blows but even so we were all holding back to a point.”

“Practise then.”

“Indeed.”

Cale knew then that was all that happened that night, they must’ve had fun if Ron didn’t go out later on and stayed by his children's sides. Ron gave another smile as he hated towards the chamber’s window, he needed to move faster due to his sleep-in, something Ron knew well.

“Will you be heading out right away?”

“Yes. I have some more preparations to do, I’ll take care of everything.”

“I understand. Oh, Cale.”

Cale let go of the door handle and looked back to his father figure. Ron had an odd smile on his face, the one he had whenever Cale or one of his siblings were kidnapped or when Beacroxs was gone a few days too long. 

He was concerned.

“What do you think about the lemonade?”

“If I had left much longer it would’ve been even more bitter.”

Ron's smile twitched and his voice lowered.

“... Is that so?”

“Yes.”

‘We both knew things could get worse.’

Ron was someone he could not lie to, no matter how much he had changed after his return from Limbo. Ron was the first to hold out a hand, to provide the traumatised teen stability in a world he no longer recognized.

Time inside the Inner World never moved the same, the opening to his world moved every second, through space and time. His family had no clue how long he really was gone, he let Deruth and Violan believe what they liked, and his blood-bonded family knew the truth to a point. 

“Young Master Noah has been measured and clothes are being made, he’s requested for some to match yours.”

A distraction tactic, one he’s used himself.

“That's good, I don't mind matching with Noah.”

“You’re close.”

“He’s called me Papa a few times when I visited the bar, Ernest was Dad, Cecil's Mother and I'm Papa not just to Noah but the Twins as well, somehow.”

Cale didn’t know why that family treasured him so, he didn’t deserve it.

“Ron.”

“Yes.”

“Whose outside.”

Cale pretended to not notice the tension leave Ron's shoulders as he realised that his son was okay after the nightmare, sometimes it would take Cale days to recognise his surroundings again.

“Your guest from yesterday wished to see you again and is outside.”

“The swordsman is?”

Cale was surprised he hadn’t expected for the swordsman to seek him out once again so soon, the books definitely left many details out so his life wouldn’t be one easy path. He reached his hand towards the 10 million gallons in his pocket, not a dream then. 

Ron continued.

“I did tell him to wait in his room to be more comfortable, but he insisted he had to see you and waited outside the door when I entered.”

Cale could hear the question hidden in his words.

“Worry not, he is nothing more than a puppy.”

“Ah.”

“The puppy will thrive with multiple teachers.”

Ron's smile sharpened.

“Couldn’t have said it better.”

Cale reached out to the door once more and came face to face with Choi Han and feigned surprise.

“What's going on?”

Cale started to chat with Choi Han as if him being right in front of the door was a normal thing, both assassins were glad the door was made to be soundproof. Cale took a moment to look Choi Han over.

After taking a shower, servants sorted out his hair and wore new clothes, a pure, clean and relieved feeling was coming from Choi Han. However, his eyes gave away the truth.

The puppy was still in a twisted state. That wasn’t surprising to the redhead, one didn’t heal overnight. Choi Han was also staring back at Cale before finally starting to speak.

“Pay you back.”

“Pardon?”

“I will pay you back for the meal.”

Choi Han was speaking formally unlike yesterday. More importantly, Cale started to frown at the words, ‘pay you back.’

‘Pay me back? I just want you to heal.’

Who in their right mind would use Choi Han for manual labour? Cale just wanted Choi Han to get out of his twisted state as fast as humanly possible, if he was left to himself he could fall into despair, and that can be an impossible place to come back from.

Of course, Choi Han would agree to help Cale out if he said it was to pay him back. He was that kind of person. However, Cale didn’t have anything he needed from Choi Han, he was able to do things himself and had a family more than happy to help him out..

“No need. Is there anything else you need?”

He quickly rejected Choi Han’s offer and asked if there was anything else he needed. Choi Han started to observe Cale even more closely. That gaze made Cale think about how it seemed that even in his state that he could still observe people without allowing his sorry to take over... Choi Han started to speak at that point.

“There is something I would like to request for your help.”

Cale closed his eyes at the word, ‘help.’ He wanted to help Choi Han. The ‘help,’ that Choi Han would ask about could be nothing other than something regarding Harris Village.

“Tell Hans your request. He will take care of everything.”

After opening his eyes again, Cale made eye contact with Choi Han, who was standing there as still as a statue.

“He is a talented deputy butler. He will be able to help you out with almost any normal request. Not only that but if I am correct about what your request is, I can only influence the man you need to talk to.”

Cale then put a hand on Ron’s shoulder. He could feel Ron flinch, but Cale decided to use Choi Han to prevent Ron from questioning how he was doing but also what he was doing.

“Ron here is pretty useful as well. He will also be able to help you out. Ron, he is my guest. Make sure to take proper care of whatever he needs.”

Cale also gave Ron a message under the guise of an order before moving his hand off of Ron’s shoulder. He then heard Choi Han calling out to him.

“But you don’t even know who I am.”

Cale turned around to look. He could feel that Choi Han was still observing him. The scary feeling emitting from him had disappeared, and Cale could only feel an unexplainable purity coming from Choi Han.

“Why do I need to know who you are? Is there a reason to help someone who does not have as much as I have?”

Choi Han started to frown a bit at Cale’s words. It was very faint, but Cale, who had been closely observing Choi Han, definitely saw it.

‘Is he annoyed that I said someone who does not have as much as I do? Or could it be that he doesn’t know how to take it?’

Cale quickly continued on.

“I doubt you will ask for too much either way, I’m sure Hans will know where to draw the line.”

He pushed Ron toward Choi Han as he turned away from the two of them.

“Then goodbye. I have a lot of things to do.”

Cale quickly headed towards Deruth’s office. He needed to get a large amount of allowance today. He could hear Ron’s voice coming from behind him.

“Young master, I will do as you commanded.”

‘You know I don’t care whether you do or do not.’

Ron knew that his son was just trying to shirk him off, but Cale had made Ron look at Choi Han differently, he had caught the interest of his second oldest as someone to heal, take care of and teach, similar as to how Cale used to be Ron’s puppy until the ‘purgatory’ event had taken place. 

Purgatory was what the Molan family called it, others called it the disappearance.

Ron looked toward Cale, who was moving away from both of them, before looking down at the empty cup in his hands.

“Interesting.”

His son often didn’t like sour things but if leaving it longer truly would have made it more bitter then what was coming needed more preparation than he had let on.

Ron touched his neck. He had been hurt for the first time in a long time, but something more interesting than the injury kept nagging at him.

His son wanted them to be prepared, for something big.

Does he know something?

“Lead the way.”

Ron turned his gaze toward the source of the voice. He could see Choi Han looking at him with disgust. This punk seemed to have figured out that he was someone who has killed after their short spar last night.

“Sure.”

This punk, who also gave off a similar scent of blood, was pretending to be clean. Ron found it funny that his son’s twisted puppy was acting that way.

This punk, that they met last night, gave off the violent, disgusting, and murderous aura of the Forest of Darkness. It was an aura that Ron and Beacrox, and his other children, could instantly tell apart from other auras.

Of course, that murderous aura was not Choi Han’s own. Choi Han had gotten that aura from the assassins he had killed, and now that he had showered and cleaned up, the murderous aura was no longer surrounding him.

‘I guess there is no way those people would cross over.’

Ron thought about the events of last night as he started to talk to the puppy who seemed to have gone through a lot in the past few days.

“Follow me.”

Ron started to walk in order to follow his puppy young master’s order, and Choi Han followed behind him. Choi Han’s gaze momentarily headed toward Cale’s direction before turning back to Ron.

Chapter Text

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Chapter Text

Noah splashed through a puddle, a small bag of bread in his bag.

We’re lucky he’s still in his old clothes.

Cale sighed, a larger bag hefted on his back, the largest so far. He was once again travelling the slum, Noah not willing to be left behind. The two siblings greeted him at the top.

Noah looked between the two and his father figure.

The children looked towards the father sun duo, silent. Cale offered a smile to the siblings as Noah took out two small bags, thrumming with excitement, he took a few steps forward and placed the bags on the ground when the two started to tense.

“Here.”

The child offered as the elder sibling limped over, a hand on her side. The bluenette frowned at his father figure. 

“Hey.”

Cale nodded towards the pouches and directed Noah, who was once again holding the gifts, towards the other boy.

“You take it, I’ll stay back.”

The young boy rushed over to Noah and hesitated before snatching the pouches and bolted back. The boy's dark hair reminded Cale of dried blood, It was coarse dark hair, that reminded Noah of Cale’s.

Cale then turned around and headed towards the man-eating tree, Noah bounding close behind.

“Wow”

“It’s not bread. It’s meat and cake.”

He hid a smile as the sibling whispered about the food, children should eat well. He continued to walk towards the man-eating tree.

Oooooooooooong-

“Is it trying to be scary?”

The obsidian-like tree lacked leaves, its branches turned to him as if to welcome him. The eerie feeling didn’t bother Cale as he poured Noah’s small bag in first, he was sitting on the fence, as agreed.

To make sure he was safe.

His bigger bag followed a moment later.

The bread quickly disappeared.

“More, give me more.”

A voice pleaded.

The response he read about in the novels showed up. It was the voice of a weak girl. Yes, the person who starved to death was a priestess who served a god. However, unlike the present-day priestesses of the temples or churches, the ancient priestesses were shamans. Most ancient shamans could be considered people with superpowers or natural forces under their command.

Cale gazed at the hole, his eyes drawn to the blankness, before the roots seemingly moved, covering the hole, nothing large could get through.

“So- Cale, could you come to my study tonight?”

Deruth had requested, he was only there to collect more allowance. Although reluctant, Cale guessed he owed Deruth due to the allowance he was receiving, He had to leave in the evening, at the earliest.

He would take care of half the gluttony that the tree held. He spun on his heel and joined up with Noah once more as he walked past the two siblings and hefted Noah onto his hip when the bluenette started huffing. They soon reached the bakeries once more, Noah had one hand clutching onto Cale’s shirt tightly when a few supporters of the KCA glared at the duo, they had been coming down when they found out that the Count’s eldest ‘son’ would be there. Many had already been dragged out by the residents there.

Focusing on his task he walked by the bakery from yesterday, the one he used this morning, they were stocked out of bread, minus their usual, it would take time for them to restock.

“Young Master!”

A middle-aged woman called as he passed and proudly pointed to her shop, her head held high as she announced herself with confidence.

“We have a lot of bread.”

Cale smiled, Eve was a lady who knew how to do business, this wasn’t his first run-in with the lady, no her twin, Zoe worked in the estate and Eve was one of the suppliers they used for big events. Zoe mainly helped Lily and now Noah with their calligraphy, she and her sister had learnt it from workers in the estate when their father worked there. 

Cale noticed the other vendors were peeking their heads out when Cale threw her a gold coin, which she caught.

“Give me everything you have. Pack it quickly.”

“I have some Juice too.”

She offered nodding to Noah, Noah turned to Cale, who nodded and grinned.

“Yes please!”

Eve grinned wide, walking back inside, only to come out with a large bag of bread and a bottle of juice for the kid who took it thanking her, while his papa shouldered the bag over one shoulder, his son still perched on his hip. Eve had been efficient and had packed it up in advance.

“Here it is, young master.”

‘She definitely earned her title of merchant.’

She was efficient at making money and backed t up with her baking skills, when he was younger it was the only bread he really liked.

“I can also prepare more.”

Cale was about to agree but another voice called out.

“Young master Cale! We can make even more bread than that!”

An old man across the street raised his hand as he rushed over, he was wearing a baker's uniform. The outfit fit him well and Cale felt he could trust this stranger, business was business. Cale held out a gold coin, which the man took quickly.

“I will visit your shop next. Please have a bag ready.”

“Of course, Thank you very much!”

Noah was amazed by the vendors. He noticed a few sneered at his papa, but the others who smiled at him stayed out of view of the others, but when they saw a way to make easy money had no issue approaching his papa and throwing away their fear.

The news that Pheonix, the member of the Count’s family that had returned from the dead, was spending a gold coin for bags of bread had spread like wildfire, 1 million gallons. A whole week's worth of profit, had them gasping in surprise, their respect for the count growing, seeing it as a way for him to simply support the smaller bakeries, not knowing of his more personal goal.

A misunderstanding.

Cale nodded to himself, with that coin, he should be able to return tomorrow, things were progressing smoothly. Cale glanced at a familiar figure before moving on.

“Hmm…”

It was his brother, the elder one, Beacrox, just like their father, he also had a bandage around his neck, he was watching his red-haired sibling from behind a building, not bothering to hide when his brother was the batter tracker. Besides had Cale not wanted him to see then the chef wouldn’t have known where his brother was. He simply watched as he brought a bag of bread and pass some medicinal herbs to his new nephew, who was leaning his head on Cale’s shoulder, before heading back to the slums.”

“There will be more work for us to do soon.”

Beacrox recalled his father’s message, his brother had gained some troubling news, and was, once again holding that weight on himself. At least he would be able to help, not to mention the black-haired punk was interesting enough.

Chapter Text

Billos, the owner of the tea shop with the highest view, took a sip of his tea as he received his subordinate’s report.

“Young Master Cale and his newly acquired charge are going in and out of the slums?”

“Yes, Billos-nim.”

“I see.”

“We also received communication from the capital.”

“Is that so?”

Billos’s round eyes, which were hard to see because of his fat, opened widely. The subordinate flinched for a moment before continuing his report.

“Yes. It mentioned that the crown would soon gather people. That is why they wish for Billos-nim to return and get to work.”

Clank.

Billos put the teacup on the table as he motioned with his chin.

“You can head out now.”

The subordinate quickly moved into the shadows and disappeared. Billos stared at the spot his subordinate had stood in as one corner of his lips twisted upward.

“This isn’t bread, this isn’t bread.”

“And?”

Seeing the young girl mumbling, ‘Isn’t bread,’ over and over as she held the medicinal herbs in her hand, Cale just snorted and smiled softly as he headed back to the man-eating tree, Noah hopping down to stay by the two. However, the red-haired young boy got in his way.

“You cannot die.”

It was the young boy saying he could not die now. Cale did not even frown as he just walked past the young boy.

Cale had been a boy betrayed and taken away, to that game . He had nothing to his name, being the son of a count meant nothing, some didn’t know what a count was. There were few who showed him any sympathy in that world, one more than the others.

In another life, he had been told a recurring phrase. 

‘Is there a reason to show sympathy for the needy?’

That was something he heard all the time when he was younger.

There was a time he just took that at face value, but he started to understand the real meaning of it as he got older. There wasn’t a logical reason for the things your heart draws you to do. You didn’t need a reason.

“So annoying.”

Cale hated to see young children being hurt. He had considered nursing the young girl or consoling her. But now, with Noah, he had to focus on helping his boy adjust He frowned toward the young girl who was limping toward him and the young boy next to her as he answered them.

“I won’t die.”

The siblings finally stopped following him once he said that, Noah stopping with them as he took a seat again, sipping on his juice. Cale didn’t care about getting into others’ business, if you could help, why shouldn’t you? Of course, there were some people, many , he wouldn’t even think of helping. This young girl wasn’t one of them, he didn’t even need to think twice before getting the girl some medicinal herbs.

Oooooooong.

-More, give me more.

“Yes. Eat it all.”

Cale dumped the whole bag into the man-eating tree making sure it easily fell down the hole. He was not afraid. The bread instantly disappeared into the darkness that was now too light to be called darkness. Cale could now see a new grey light. However, it would only seem grey to him.

‘I guess it is paying off for the money I spent.’

Cale was glad most of his father's money was going towards the shield, if Deruth couldn’t protect him, then maybe his money could help instead, Cale brushed his hair out of his face and sighed. He poured the other bag of bread into the hole as he headed back home. He didn’t see the siblings anymore, but that was better for Cale. 

Noah jumped up as he walked beside him, he smiled at him and held his hand as they headed back.

“They left not long before you finished.”

“I see.”

Cale then saw the two struggling cats from the night before

‘It’s the siblings from yesterday. They must be using their other form to survive.’

Silver fur and golden eyes, dark red fur and golden eyes. The two cats did not even meow as they stared at Cale. Cale did not want to cause a scene and just looked away as he headed back home. 

Noah’s eyes lingered on them, they seemed familiar to the boy, but couldn’t put a finger on why.

As Cale and Noah returned home, Ron greeted him at the door, reminding him of his upcoming meeting.

Time to get this over with. He thought with the hope of a quick conversation.

He then heard something from his father that almost made him faint.

“… Could you please say that one more time.”

“Yes. Cale.”

Basen was standing next to Cale as well. He was looking at Cale in concern, his own surprise shown on his face.

“You shall go to the capital as our family’s representative.”

Cale could feel a headache coming.

“Originally, Basen was supposed to go. However, you are the firstborn of our family.”

“I haven’t needed to go before.”

While he said this, he was running through all the events of the books, TCF, unlike BOAH was vague in its information.

Count Deruth sitting there with a gentle smile. Going to visit the crown at such a time. Cale was quickly thinking about the contents of ‘The Birth of a Hero’ and ‘Trash of The Counts Family’ as Deruth continued to speak.

“The crown is hosting a big event, and the noble families of each territory have been invited to gather. It will be your first time to go visit the crown, but Basen has been going to similar functions for the last two years. However, I am hoping for you to go this time.”

Big event hosted by the crown. That made Cale think about a single incident.

The Plaza Terror Incident.

A secret organization commits a terrorist act when many of the citizens of the capital are gathered in one place. 

In BOAH: Our hero Choi Han is the one who manages to block about half of their plot. That would be the fourth time that Choi Han and the secret organization would come into contact with each other.

As a result, Choi Han is able to save a lot of the citizens at the plaza and becomes connected with the crown prince. They then quickly develop a friendship with each other.

In TCF: Cale uses his connections with Choi Han and Rosalyn to detect where the Mana bombs would be. Only finding four but soon detecting the other six.

As a result, although the book didn’t mention where the other six bombs were or how he prevented them from going off, he managed to defend the plaza with minimal casualties, starting a good relationship with the crown prince.

‘I could use this to my advantage but Basen had been to these before, he would know what to do.’

Just why was Deruth trying to send him? Was it because he asked for allowance, did he seem more open? Cale was wondering if he had done something wrong to have caused this to happen.

“You will leave in five days.”

Five days later. Hearing Deruth say that, Cale knew that the Cale in the BOAH novel had not gone to the capital. In that novel, he was beaten to a pulp by Choi Han four days later and carried into the Count’s estate. There was no way he could go to the capital in that condition.

In the TCF novel, it was vague and mainly blocked any interactions the Henituse had along unless it wasn’t very important, like the fact Cale had gotten his siblings gifts. Now he knew why he ended up heading to the capital.

“Cale. Before Basen started to do it, you had participated in all of these ceremonies. Think back on those times and have a relaxed journey.”

“Father.”

Deruth looked toward Cale at his calling. Basen turned to look at his older brother as well, having looked back to his Deruth during the explanation..

“I am a bit anxious because of this sudden development. I have not gone to any of these since before, minus a handful of times, since my return. I don’t understand why I would suddenly have to go. Please let me think about it.”

Deruth easily agreed and told his two sons that they could leave. The siblings quickly left the study. Cale was busy thinking about all sorts of things. If Cale simply said he didn’t want to go, Deruth would probably send Basen, but that would leave a bitter taste in his mouth.

It was at that moment.

“Hyung.”

Cale could hear his young brother, Basen’s voice. Cale turned his head. He could see Basen still looking at him with concern. The 15-year-old Basen always looked out for his older brother, trying to help him adapt to the more relaxed side of things, Basen would spend his free days studying with his brother, who was in Basen’s eyes, highly intelligent.

“Hyung, I know it has been a long time since you have gone but Ron said things are coming. That you know things are coming. Maybe we could do this together if you asked, Deruth would probably allow us all to go. Lily as well”

Cale hummed, thinking about his brother's proposal. 

He spun on his hills, looking at Basen out of the corner of his eyes.

"Donsang, let our Yeodonsang know to start packing, for five days from now.”

“Right.”

Basen nodded and spun on his heel.

“I’ll let Papa and Hyung know as well.”

Cale turned back towards the office and knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Cale stepped inside, Deruth looking at him in surprise.

“Cale! What do you need?”

“I’m still considering but should I go, I wish for my siblings to join me, both Basen and Lily.”

Deruth looked at him, thoughtfully. He looked towards some of his papers before looking back to his son.

“Should you go, I don’t see why your siblings can’t go.”

Cale nodded and left before being dismissed.

To protect those important to him he needed to head that way there were some other ancient powers that he could collect to assist the shield he would soon collect.

Maybe accepting the request would be worth it, he could feel it in his heart.

The scale inside Cale’s mind started to tilt.

He started to stare at deputy butler Hans who was heading his way. Hans’s expression was intense, but not dark. He seemed to be a bit bitter, but his eyes were clear.

“Young master, the request that your guest has asked for-”

“Hans.”

Cale cut him off as he said something else.

“Bring that guest here.”

“Excuse me?”

Cale was not going to be pushed around. If he was going to have to move, he might as well do it in a way that was most comfortable for him and in a way that was most beneficial for him. Even if that meant agreeing with his father

“Ah, if he doesn’t want to come, just tell him this.”

Based on Hans’s expression, Cale was certain that Choi Han’s issue was settled properly. He expected nothing less of Count Deruth. He had always been like that, Cale thought bitterly.

“Payment.”

“Pardon?”

“Tell him to come because if he’s determined to repay me, an opportunity has come up.”

Chapter Text

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