Chapter Text
Kim Rok Soo is a stoic man. He's confident enough in his ability to maintain a calm and composed expression.
Being the number one ability user and leader of Team 1, which fights monsters as the vanguard, constantly demands a cool head.
He must have a well-thought-out plan, broad thinking, and backup plans to mitigate various variables to minimize injuries and fatalities during his missions.
He grew up in a harsh environment.
He's accustomed to seeing death, whether it's of loved ones or not.
He's been injured so often, that each scar serves as a fresh reminder of worse before.
He's faced all kinds of monsters.
He's been through countless situations that required a quick, logical understanding of the system for his survival.
But he's overcome all of this because he's Kim Rok Soo. He's still Kim Rok Soo on the inside, of course, but not on the outside!
His sturdy body with its well-balanced muscles has transformed into the fragile and delicate frame of a child.
His once-strong hands were now barely the size of an adult's, with bones still prone to breaking.
And his once-awesome height had shrunk to barely an adult's waist.
Gone was the fit, adult body he'd trained to hide his emotions, and that was the worst part!
He was like a picture book, wide open for all to see. Furthermore, the current situation was making it difficult for him to think, let alone maintain the fortitude he usually prided himself on, because he was no longer Kim Rok Soo!
'What the hell is happening?!'
His mind screamed as his world spun as the record inadvertently used to record and recall the various things needed to understand and find answers to his current situation.
The only conclusion he came to through that five-minute trance was that he had died and been reborn.
He didn't know whether to take this as good or bad news, but one thing was for sure...
"Ah wuuu...!"
The small squeal from the tiny, red-haired creature in his arms was a sign of how unlucky he was.
In short, after Kim Rok Soo died from an unranked monster attack, he was immediately reborn as the eldest son of the Henituse family, Roksu Henituse, who he remembered never existed.
He had entered the last novel he had read before the attack, which forced him to endure the cliché endings and beginnings of his life.
But that was the reality he had to endure now, after learning that he had lived four years without knowledge of his tragic past.
He began to believe that children's memories only truly mature after the age of four or five.
But to hell with all that!
Now the real source of his headache was the fact that he had become a member of the Henituse family, whom he was grateful for all their wealth, and a big brother to a six-week-old baby named Cale Henituse, who was sure to be a walking disaster for the next 18 years!
"Shi—"
Roksu's mouth snapped shut before the harsh words could even be uttered.
He could feel the sharp gaze of someone, who might as well have been smiling, behind his back near the door.
It was Ron. A ruthless assassin currently playing the role of the most perfect butler in charge of watching him.
He was a sadistic character enough to send shivers down his spine.
The thought of his little head possibly being ripped off with a single flick of the dagger in his sleeve made him even more uneasy.
Roksu was starting to feel the effects of information overload and the use of previous records.
His head was spinning and nausea was starting to set in. His pounding heart was just a bonus to his nervousness, knowing there was an executioner nearby.
If it weren't for the baby in his lap, he would have lain down to alleviate the symptoms of hypoglycemia.
He wouldn't have even realized he'd closed his eyes if it weren't for the firm squeeze of the baby's hand on his finger. Demanding his attention, Roksu let out a small sigh as he stared into the round eyes that were now staring back at him.
Oh, how his baby brother, Cale, could be the perfect distraction! And Roksu couldn't miss a single detail of the baby's appearance in his critical scrutiny.
Look at him!
Soft, white skin with a blush running down his cheeks and under his eyes.
Hair as red as a ripe pomegranate, no less soft.
A pair of thin eyebrows forming a perfect line, with two large, reddish-brown eyes similar to his own, framed by thick lashes that made each innocent blink even more captivating.
His small nose wrinkled slightly, while his thin, red lips pouted, as his tiny hands followed the movements of his fingers, still too large for him to grasp, as he stroked his thin, chubby cheeks.
It felt like a dream for the second time, as Roksu was in denial that the adorable baby in his arms would become a troublemaker in the future.
His mind was now filled with questions and curiosity about the cause of Cale's future deviant behavior.
But he knew now wasn't the time to dwell on it, as it wasn't like his usual self. Not with his head still throbbing and Cale beginning to yawn sleepily, blinking until his eyes were fully closed.
This was truly the most adorable sight he had ever seen in his short four years of life.
How soft and cuddly the baby was. Even the slightest movement could be something he found adorable!
'Well, that doesn't mean I have to rush. We still have plenty of time before he starts being naughty at eight.'
Nodding in agreement with his decision, Roksu looked back to where Ron was still watching. He had to suppress his fear lest the assassin become suspicious.
"Ron, Cale is asleep, and I want to sleep too. Could you take him or return him to Mama?"
"Of course, young master."
Ron, still wearing his friendly smile, immediately approached to take the baby from Roksu's lap.
He gently released the small hand gripping Roksu's finger, while the other tried to restrain herself from looking nervous as his hand brushed against Ron's gloved one.
"Aawh... Au...!"
Cale began to whimper as he felt the loss of the finger he had previously held. Ron had to hum while continuing to rock him back to sleep.
Roksu, beside him, remained still and watched. He didn't stop to observe Ron expertly soothing baby Cale, who sometimes became very fussy due to his disturbed sleep.
He knew he should have taken the opportunity to return to his room and rest, as he had previously said. But on the other hand, he also felt the need to learn how to put a fussy baby to sleep for the sake of his childhood peace, even though comforting a fussy baby had never been on his list of future plans.
If others could do it, why should he?
Roksu only made it back to his room after Cale had fallen asleep. He even forced himself to kiss Cale's soft cheek, because Ron had forced him (not really) to kiss his sweet little brother goodnight. He could see how amused Ron was as he followed his lead.
He wouldn't admit how soft and pleasant it smelled, or he would make it an unnecessary habit.
He ended up spending the rest of the day in his room, pretending to be busy studying.
No one would have believed him, but no one bothered him, because they just thought it was a child's pastime, pretending to be busy like an adult.
Besides, Roksu hadn't even fully memorized all the letters and their correct pronunciation yet!
In his room, Roksu wasted no time in making plans for the future. Of course, it all starts with preparing as much funds as possible to ensure a peaceful life after the war.