Chapter 10
Choi Han* is really curious how that meeting will go. Just what could the transmigrator have said to change him so much?
Chapter 10: Picked It Up (3)
Deputy butler Hans immediately ordered another servant to call Choi Han over.
"Where is he right now?"
"Ah, he is with Ron in chef Beacrox's kitchen."
Cale's heart jumped as he walked into the study. Were the three of them getting along as expected?
"No," came Beacrox's immediate response.
"Sorry, Cale-nim, but your plan there didn't really work at all," Choi Han said.
"Based on what I've been told, he is learning how to cook basic dishes from chef Beacrox."
"Cooking?"
"Yes."
One corner of Cale's lips went up.
'Cooking my ass.'
They were calling it, 'cooking,' but he was probably learning about torturing or Beacrox and Ron were admiring Choi Han's sword skill. Cale didn't need to see it to know the truth.
"Cale-nim! It really was just cooking!" Choi Han said insistently.
"And it will never happen again. You are forever banned from the kitchen as a lost cause," Beacrox informed.
"It's that bad?" Beacrox* asked?
"Indeed, make sure that one never goes near your kitchen," Beacrox said while pointing at Choi Han*.
Choi Han* felt wronged. He wasn't the one to do anything wrong, but apparently guilt by association (or being the same person from another world) is a thing he now has to live with.
Cale naturally walked over and sat down at his desk. He then casually asked Hans, who was idly standing in the corner.
"What did he ask for?"
"Ah."
Hans seemed shocked at Cale's sudden words, before quickly putting on a serious expression and started to report. It was the information Cale expected it to be.
Hans could not hide his sorrow and disappointment while sharing about what happened to Harris Village, and had gone to the Count with Choi Han to deliver the Village Chief's Plaque that Choi Han brought.
"Father met with him?"
"Yes. The Count immediately ordered for a funeral and will be sending inspectors, knights, and soldiers to investigate."
"Thank you again," Choi Han* said sincerely.
"Yes, thank you, Duke Deruth. It really does mean a lot to me," Choi Han added.
"No thanks are necessary. I truly am sorry I failed to protect all of them," Deruth replied while his counterpart nodded in agreement.
Mm. Hans stopped for a moment and hesitated before continuing to speak.
"However, the guest has indicated he will not be going back with us."
"What?" Choi Han* shouted angrily, standing as he did so.
"Why wouldn't you go back? Did you just not care about them as much as I did? Is that why you can be so okay with it now?" Choi Han* demanded.
At the accusation, Choi Han stood to defend himself.
"Of course I care about them. They were my second family, my second home and they were taken from me. I was angry, hurt, and grieving. I still am, but it's not all I have now.
I said my goodbyes when I buried them and Cale-nim's unconditional kindness helped me to see there were good people still in this world. Not everything was dark and lonely. It helped me to move on just a tiny bit by that point."
Choi Han* sort of hates the other him at that moment. To be able to start moving on that quickly was something he couldn't do. It's not fair and he hates that he feels that way. He should just be happy the other him didn't have to live with those crushing feelings as long as he has, but the jealousy makes that hard.
It's not Choi Han's fault though, so he takes a few deep breaths to try and calm himself, looks at Choi Han again and nods his head. That's all he can manage right now.
Hans recalled meeting the Count with Choi Han, as Choi Han explained the situation to the Count.
Choi Han was speaking normally, but the tips of his fingers were shaking. It was then that Hans found out that Choi Han was 17 years old. He was able to keep his life because he happened to be searching for medicinal herbs on his own at the time of the massacre, but he still had to watch his neighbors and friends all being killed at such a young age. Just how much shock would he have received?
"Will that be okay?"
That was why Hans had asked Cale. Will it be okay for him to not say his final farewell?
"It is his decision."
Cale answered Hans's question and changed the topic. He already knew why Choi Han did not want to return. He had already said his goodbye as he buried them. All that was left was to get his revenge on the people that took their future away.
"Why does that sort of sound like young master Cale has experience with doing that?" Odeus pondered aloud.
"Ah!" At those words, Alberu, Choi Han, Kim Rok Soo* and the members of Team 1 from group 1 all realize that Cale is very much speaking from experience there.
"Has Ron been taking care of him?"
"Yes. He has made sure that the guest eats every meal. He has also been very friendly with him."
The three of them did indeed seem to be getting along.
"Not at all," Choi Han denies.
"Indeed. At that point in time, there really was only tolerance between us," Ron agrees.
"Ah."
Hans seemed to have remembered something as he continued to speak.
"Mr. Ron seems to have hurt himself while working again. He had bandages around his wrist."
"Really? Make sure to give him some medicine."
'He probably killed someone again.'
"Pfft. Well, he is sort of half right there. He didn't actually kill anyone, but he did try," Bud laughed as he pointed out.
Those involved just shrugged in acceptance.
That was what Cale was thinking. He heard Hans's voice at that time.
"…I will make sure to deliver young master's words and feelings to Mr. Ron."
"Sure, whatever."
Hans opened his mouth to say something as he looked at Cale's nonchalant expression, but a different noise filled the study.
Knock Knock Knock
Choi Han had arrived. Hans opened the door, and Cale could see Choi Han standing outside. Cale waved his hand to send Hans away, and Hans bowed his head as he quietly exited the study. Only Cale and Choi Han were left in the room.
Choi Han* pays close attention to the words appearing on the screen. This is when the transmigrator made him his bodyguard. He wants to know the details of the arrangement and why that other guy seems so loyal to someone forcing him to do that as a way to pay back a debt.
Cale kept the desk between them as he pointed at the chair across from him.
"Come sit down."
Choi Han slowly looked around the study as he sat down on the chair. Cale gave him enough time to look around the study.
Like a typical pure and smart hero, Choi Han liked books. That was why the first thing he did after coming out of the Forest of Darkness and arriving in Harris Village was to learn how to read from the Chief. After looking around for a long time, Choi Han's gaze finally landed on Cale.
"You like to read too, hyung?" Lock asked Choi Han.
"I do," came the reply.
"Do you also like reading, hyung?" Lock* asked Choi Han*.
"Yes," Choi Han* confirmed.
"What is the payment?"
'Getting right to the point.'
Cale smiled looking at how Choi Han didn't beat around the bush.
Payment. Choi Han was thorough when it came to debts he owed.
Cale, Kim Rok Soo, realized that he had changed the contents of the beginning of 'The Birth of a Hero.' He could see that even more things would change because of it. That was why he was trying his best to not change too many things, but…
"I'm really glad you didn't manage to keep things the same as the novel, young master Cale," Amiru declared.
"Me too," Gilbert added.
Everyone else in group 5 nodded their agreement.
He had to go to the capital. Then even more things will change.
Cale put a piece of paper on the desk as he looked toward Choi Han.
"There is a way for you to pay back for the meal, but I need to first determine whether you will be capable of doing it. In simple terms, this is an interview."
"Please go ahead."
Choi Han immediately agreed to Cale's talk of checking his qualifications. Cale started to ask.
"Do you know how to protect people?"
"Oh!" Choi Han* gasped. He wasn't expecting such a question.
"… What do you mean?"
Choi Han flinched for the first time and asked after a moment. Cale's gaze started to turn sharp. He was looking at the piece of paper on the desk and not at Choi Han.
Although he had to quickly change the plan, it might bring him more gains than before. He could prevent Choi Han's party from getting the ancient powers while taking the ones that he needs for himself.
"He is really quick to change and adapt his plans to the situation," Alberu* stated with a hit of jealousy.
"My dongsaeng's specialty, right after looting anyway, is his ability to plan for almost everything and then change them in an instant if the situation calls for it," Alberu said with pride.
Those powers were useless to them anyway.
Cale kept his gaze on the paper as he continued to speak.
"Simple. Are you capable of protecting people instead of killing people?"
Silence filled the room. Choi Han did not have an answer. Cale removed his gaze from the paper and looked at the person sitting on the chair. Choi Han was sitting there with his head down, but eventually answered.
"I am not sure."
Choi Han* sat there in silence. Could he protect anyone instead of killing them? Most of the time lately, he didn't really feel like he could. He failed to protect Harris Village and could only kill the assassins. He failed to protect everyone in the capital during the terror incident resulting in many deaths and he failed to protect Pendrick. Can he actually protect anyone? He doesn't know if it's even possible at this point.
Tsk. Cale clicked his tongue. This was why it was dangerous to provoke Choi Han right now.
"But you can kill someone?"
The answer came easily this time.
"Absolutely."
"Then you should be able to protect people as well."
"Oh," Choi Han* exclaims.
'Is it really that simple? I can kill. I already know I can, so does that mean I can actually protect others? It doesn't seem like it could be that simple though.'
Choi Han's eyes shook for a moment.
"That is difficult."
"But difficult does not mean impossible."
'It's not impossible. That's true. It's just difficult. I've overcome difficult before. I can do it. I can protect. I'll make it happen. Next time will be different. Next time I'll make sure to protect them.'
Choi Han* felt a new resolve burning in him at that realization. He would get stronger. Strong enough to protect what he loved.
There were not many things in the world you could avoid because it was difficult. The life that Cale had lived was like that. That was why he was so happy to possess the body of a trash like Cale who could do whatever he wants. But, unfortunately, there was now a mountain he needed to first climb in order to have that damn peaceful future.
The reminder that Cale had lived a hard life before coming here, saddened his family. They wanted to know everything, but were afraid asking would bring up bad memories.
Cale was looking for someone to climb and flip that mountain for him.
Choi Han had a bitter smile on his face.
"I guess that's true."
"Yes, it is. Now the final interview question."
"Yes. Please ask."
Cale looked into Choi Han's firm gaze as he asked the last question.
"What is your name?"
"You don't know my name?"
'Of course, I do. You're the person who was going to beat me up.'
"I have heard from other people, but I want to hear it directly from you."
"Choi Han."
Choi Han reached his hand out.
"My name is Choi Han."
Cale shook Choi Han's hand.
"Great. I am Cale Henituse."
"It really was a completely different introduction to each other," Pendrick said.
The short conversation called an interview quickly finished. Of course, it was a passing grade. Cale pushed the paper on the desk toward Choi Han.
"The way you can pay me back is simple."
There were two names written on the paper. It also indicated where he would meet them.
"Go to the capital with these people."
These were the party members Choi Han would meet on his way to the capital. Beacrox and these two people would grow and get strong with Choi Han until volume 5.
Rosalyn and Lock.
"Young master Cale sent you to find us?" Rosalyn asked.
"Yes, he is the reason I was looking for you both," Choi Han answered.
"That must be the reason you were so friendly right away," Rosalyn pointed out.
"I thought you were both important friends of Cale-nim and I should be friendly with the both of you since he sent me to get you," Choi Han clarified.
"Then young master Cale is the reason you came looking for me too. That means he is the reason Maes and the others are alive," Lock mentioned.
"That's right. Since I was actively looking for you, we must have arrived earlier than Choi Han* and Rosalyn* did in their world," Choi Han agreed.
"Thank you young master. Really, thank you so much," Lock said while bowing to Cale. His siblings all followed their hyung to bow at Cale.
"Thank you for saving my siblings. I am glad they are alive, even if it is another world," Lock* also bowed while thanking Cale.
"Why would you thank me? I didn't do anything. Choi Han, Rosalyn, the adults of your village, and even you, Lock are the ones who did the hard work. Don't thank me. Give your thanks to those who actually deserve it," Cale told them.
"Such a dense bastard," Rasheel muttered under his breath.
One was the princess of a neighboring kingdom who was returning to her kingdom after surviving an assassination attempt, and the other was an injured kid. Of course, that kid was the heir to the Wolf King. It was possible for him to transform into a wolf.
Princess Rosalyn was strong and cold. She had the most explosive strength after Choi Han and used her strength logically.
She was not interested in taking control of the throne. Instead, her goal was to create the continent's greatest Magic Tower, and she would grow into a hero as she moved closer to her goal.
'The Archduke of the kingdom, who attempted the assassination on Rosalyn, will be tortured by Beacrox in the future.'
"Huh, so that's what happened there," Rosalyn said.
"It didn't happen that way for you? What did happen?" Rosalyn* inquired.
The palace destroying trio were all suddenly very interested in the snack tables.
"Hahahahaha!! That's not even close to what happened here. Thinking about the amount of paperwork they generated with their little escapade, gives me a headache," Alberu gasped out between laughs.
"The news even made it all the way to the Eastern Continent," Bud added, laughing as well.
"What did you do?" Rosalyn* asked curiously.
"Let's just say my sister's resignation from the throne was rather explosive in nature," John answered.
"Rather explosive is putting it mildly, brother," Pen complained. "An entire noble household ceased to exist."
At this point Rosalyn* doesn't even want to know anymore.
Cale's heart started to shake as he recalled just how clear and descriptive that torture scene had been in the novel. His heart seemed to be shaking quite a bit these days.
"Rosalyn. Lock."
Cale nodded his head at Choi Han's voice.
"Yes. Those two people. I'm glad you know how to read."
Choi Han continued to stare at the two names. Cale's gaze fell on the name Lock.
Lock. This world had other races such as Elves, Dwarves, and Beast People. However, the most secretive of all races were the Beast People.
Beast People. This included beasts, birds, and even insects. Beast People were different from monsters because of the existence of a conscience.
"He seems really knowledgeable about the different races of that world," Kim Woo* mentioned.
"It was probably all in the novel he read," Doctor Kang* replied.
"That's true. It was sort of meant to make it easier for him to survive there," Heo Sook Ja* pointed out.
"It would have been a rather terrible guidebook, if it didn't at least have some information about the people living there," Lee Soo Hyuk* contributed to the conversation.
'Lock has the purest blood of the wolf people.'
Lock had received the bloodline to dominate the wolves. The Beast People with the purest bloodline tend to look weak and average when they are in their animal form or their human form. However, once they enter their berserk state, they become more cruel and violent than anyone else. And Lock was the only survivor of the entire Blue Wolf tribe.
He already knew about it, but seeing it in writing feels so much worse than he expected it to. Lock is so glad that seeing it confirmed in writing is the worst he will ever have to experience of that. He knows he is truly lucky, but he also knows that Lock* was not that lucky and for that he is sorry. He can't spare the other him that pain, but maybe knowing they are alive here with him will offer just the slightest bit of peace.
With those thoughts in mind, Lock looks at his other self and finds him staring longingly at his siblings. When they make eye contact, Lock* gives a sad smile and slight nod before turning back to the screen.
Cale took a map out of a drawer and opened it up on the desk.
"You will start the journey with me."
He then pointed to a location on the map.
"We will separate at this point. You just follow what I wrote on the paper."
Choi Han didn't ask any questions and just quietly listened. Cale watched Choi Han for a bit. There was a reason Choi Han had to go with him until that specific point.
'I need to avoid the crazy dragon.'
"WHAT?!" Every dragon in the room focused on the screen at those words.
Sheritt feels her heart clench. She knows what happened to her son, but without their Cale in that world, she knows her son wouldn't have been rescued and the pain that knowledge brings is immense.
Raon and Dodam look at each other at that moment. They already knew there would not be a version of them still living in that world. They knew there was no life for them outside that cave without their human. It's sad that another them doesn't get to have the freedom they do, the joy of family, good food, and a life without the darkness of that cave and pain of torture. It's even more sad to know that the other them will never know what it feels like to snuggle up with their father to sleep at night or even for a nap during the day, to see his warm, proud smile directed at them, to feel his hand pat their head or caress their scales to cheer them up. The other them will never get to feel their father's love and that is sad, but they do have that, so they will make sure to experience enough of it for all three of them. Since the other them won't get to experience all the joys of life, they will do it for them.
The beginning of 'The Birth of a Hero.' Like any other novel, new villains had to appear after Cale. However, those villains were not easy picking like Cale.
The next villain involved a Marquis who led one of the noble factions. Throughout the beginning of the novel, he gets in the way of the crown prince and Choi Han. He ends up being ruined around volume 2, but Choi Han runs into the Marquis for the first time on this trip to the capital.
'That bastard raised the crazy dragon.'
Those in group 5 that know what happened, remember the suffering of said bastard with sadistic glee.
It definitely was a crazy dragon.
It was still just a baby dragon. That black dragon was being tortured by the Marquis's future successor in secret. They were training it to obey the Marquis's commands.
"What. The. Fuck!!! Who fucking did it? Who do I need to tear to pieces?" Rasheel* demanded. All other dragons that don't already know agree.
"Venion Stan," Cale happily threw that bastard under the bus.
Everyone in group 3, especially the dragons, vowed to themselves that Venion would not see any more peaceful days.
'They're crazy too. Dragons are the strongest beings in the world. How do they think they will be able to tame a dragon?'
"No pathetic human will ever tame a dragon," Eruhaben* exclaimed.
It actually does make sense.
The Marquis managed to get his hands on a Dragon egg through the secret organization and chained it down with mana restricting chains as soon as it hatched. Cale could not fathom the extent of the strength of that secret organization.
Groups 3 and 4 realize that the organization they will have to fight in the future is a lot stronger than they ever imagined.
But would dragons be called the strongest beings in the world for no reason?
"Of course we are the strongest," Dodori* huffs.
This black dragon, that was less than 5 years old, was still a dragon. In the end, the dragon goes crazy and berserk.
"Ah!" "No!" "Oh!"
Many exclamations ring out in the room and all eyes look to the two little black dragons cuddled up to Cale.
Knowing didn't soften the blow and Sheritt closes her eyes in pain. There is only one ending for a berserk dragon and she's not sure if she can read the rest without wanting to kill someone, but she owes the other version of her son at least that much. So she opens her eyes again to continue.
Eruhaben knows it's coming. He has for a while now. Ever since he noticed a lack of children in group 3. He knew, logically, that his Cale not being there to save Raon meant he was never saved, but to see it written and know that he can never be saved, hurts. It hurts more than anything he has felt before. Knowing his child is gone in that world is something he wishes he had lived his, now longer, lifetime without ever knowing.
On and Hong don't like this part. They don't want to know that their dongsaeng is gone in another world. They knew that like their other selves, Raon's other self didn't have their Cale to save him, but they didn't want it literally spelled out for them. They know they can't do anything for the Raon that is no longer in that world, but they can at least comfort the two that are still here, so they snuggle up with the two and their father to offer what comfort they can.
It may be young, but in the novel, it exploded with enough mana to remove the mana restricting chains. Since its mana was restricted, the mana it exploded was actually its own life force.
To hear that a child was so desperate for freedom, that they cut into their own life to find it, is a terrible thought. No one in the room likes knowing that. Everyone wants to make the person responsible pay.
Those close to Raon in group 5 feel the sudden need to murder someone. They know that Taylor is now the Marquis and has cleaned house, but they are sure they can find at least a few of the bastards that helped hurt their family.
After living in a cave and being tortured every day without ever being able to see sunlight, the young dragon cuts into its own life force to find freedom.
Taylor regrets not letting young master Cale do more to his bastard of a brother. He doesn't know exactly what happened, but he knows that whatever did happen, it made his brother crazy. He knows it must have been horrifying to have driven someone to madness, but at this moment, it is not enough. He didn't suffer enough. He deserves far worse.
After managing to escape, the dragon ends up losing its rationality and goes berserk.
The village that Choi Han is staying at the time almost ends up in danger because of the berserk dragon, and Choi Han ends up fighting against the black dragon.
Choi Han* feels sick. He killed a child. A child so desperate for freedom and an escape from the hell his life had been, that he had cut into his own life to escape it. He is a murderer. A child killer. He hates himself so much at that moment. This is yet again, another failure. One more time he failed to save someone. The people of the village praised him as a hero that saved them, but what kind of hero kills a child?
[Choi Han gazed at the small dragon that was less than 1 meter long. It managed to blow up a mountain with that small body and put the villagers in significant danger. However, Choi Han could not easily attack this dragon.]
[The eyes of this dragon that had lost its rationality, were in pain and full of sorrow. However, the black dragon's mouth was smiling. Choi Han found that to be extremely sad.]
Choi Han can't breathe. He knew that he hadn't saved Raon in that other world, but knowing that he not only didn't save him, but that he killed him is more than he can handle. He murdered his family. In this instant, he hates himself. He hates that any version of him could ever harm his family. He really wants to kill Choi Han*. Then he feels small paws on his shoulders before a weight settles on his back and a quiet, sad voice let's him breathe once again.
"It's okay Choi Han. It wasn't you and the other Choi Han* isn't at fault either. The other me is free now. It's not the same freedom I have, but it is freedom and you can't take that from him," Raon insisted, looking not just at Choi Han, but at all those in group 5.
At the little dragon's words, everyone in group 5 settles down. They are still sad and angry, but they will respect Raon's wishes.
Sheritt looks at her son proudly, at the wonderful little one he has grown into. She hasn't been able to be there for him as she wanted, but she can now and that is all thanks to one person. She owes him a debt she can never repay. She then looks at Choi Han* and the urge to kill him is hard to suppress, but her child has asked her to let him be so she will. She can also see the horror and guilt on the man's face and thinks that he is suffering, not enough in her opinion, but still suffering and she will make due with that.
The dragons in the group all have one thought in mind. They will wait and see what happens to the bastard that dared touch a dragon and if they don't think he suffered enough, they will have to fix that themselves.
Choi Han ends up killing that black dragon and gifting it the freedom called death.
"Choi Han's mind is blank. He can't wrap his head around the words he just read. How could he have killed his family? How could he do that in any world? How could he possibly hurt Dodam? The very idea makes his skin crawl. He wants to kill the bastard that has taken his family away. He doesn't care if it's some other version of himself and that the dragon was a different Dodam. He wants to make him pay for harming his family. Then a familiar weight settles back on his shoulder and a soft, sad voice reaches his fuzzy mind.
"It's okay Choi Han. It wasn't you. I'm still here. I know you would never hurt me. It wasn't the other Choi Han's* fault either. The other me was free. He didn't get to have the same freedom, but he got to be free, so don't be mad."
Choi Han nods his head and reaches up to feel that Dodam really is still there. Once he reassures himself that Dodam is safe and unharmed, Choi Han settles back down into his seat.
Now that Choi Han and Choi Han have calmed back down, Raon and Dodam both fly to Choi Han* in group 3's section.
Choi Han* can't bring himself to look up or even acknowledge Rosalyn* and Lock's* concerned voices. All he can do is stand there blankly and remember the sad, relieved look in that child's eyes as the light faded from them and hate himself even more. Then he feels an unfamiliar weight settle on both of his shoulders and hears a young voice in his ear. When he looks up, he can see two sets of deep blue eyes looking back at him.
'They are the same, but different. There is so much life in these eyes. So much happiness.'
"It's okay other Choi Han*. You did the right thing. Thank you for saving the other me. It isn't the same freedom that I have, but it is freedom, so thank you," Raon comforts.
"Thank you other Choi Han*. Thank you for helping the other me. You did the best you could and I am sure the other me is happy wherever they are now," Dodam consoled.
"Please don't blame yourself or be sad anymore," Raon and Dodam ask him together.
Looking into those eyes full of forgiveness and acceptance, Choi Han* feels something in him break. He feels the tears come and he doesn't bother to stop them. Here confronted with two versions of a child he has failed to save, one he has killed with his own hands and seeing not blame and hate, but forgiveness and caring, he breaks down and cries. He can't take back what he has done, he can't save those he has already lost, but having a version of someone he couldn't save telling him that it's okay and he did his best, that it isn't his fault, takes some of the weight off of his shoulders. He still feels the guilt of not being able to save those he failed and he always will, but perhaps they don't blame him either. Perhaps it's okay if he moves on.
Choi Han* takes a deep breath and lets some of that blame and self hatred fall from his shoulders. He opens his eyes and looks back at the two children that have helped to save him even though he couldn't save them and smiles. It's not a wide, happy smile and in fact could probably barely be called a smile, but it's there even if it's sad.
"Thank you. Thank you for forgiving me."
They give him a nod and one last squeeze before returning to their human.
Cale had to go to that village.
'Either Choi Han takes care of it or I prevent it from going crazy and find a way to release it.'
There was no other choice because it was on his way to the capital. He would need to take an extremely long detour to avoid that village, and that would require a long time and change the flow of the story. He would also be late in arriving at the capital if he took that detour.
"He does know that he could just go through the village before the dragon goes crazy and not worry about it at all, right?" Bud* asks before wisely shutting his mouth at the many glares he receives.
'For being a crazy dragon, it's described as being a really cute dragon.'
"That's right, human! The great and mighty us are very cute!" Raon says, striking an adorable pose.
Dodam right there next to him in the exact same pose.
"You are correct. The great and mighty you are extremely cute and very wise," Cale tells them with a proud smile on his face at the way they have handled all of this. He makes sure to pat them on the head too.
The novel described it as a cute black dragon with short legs. It mentioned that it was even scarier that such a cute existence had gone crazy and caused chaos. Cale decided to stop thinking about the dragon for now, and instead gave Choi Han the rest of the order.
"Hey, Cale Henituse."
"Yes, Eruhaben-nim*?" Cale responds.
"You made them pay?" Eruhaben* demands.
"Of course," Cale informs him.
"Thank you, I will trust you made them pay in your world. You can trust that we will make them pay in this one," Eruhaben* promises darkly, Rasheel, Mila, and Dodori* nodding along with him.
"We did indeed make sure the bastard got what was coming to him," Cale said with a truly vicious smile on his face.
Many shuddered at the sight of that smile. It was the kind of smile that promised pain and terror to those it was directed toward. As terrifying as it was, no one pitied Venion Stan having that promise pointed at him.
"Come to the capital with the owners of these two names. That is your way of paying me back."
Choi Han asked a question.
"…I just need to protect these two people?"
"If you want to."
These two people should be strong enough to not require Choi Han's protection. Especially princess Rosalyn, she wouldn't even budge an inch even if a truckload of Cales with the Indestructible Shield attacked her at the same time.
The adorable mental image that conjured up was too much for anyone in the room to handle. That being the case, the entire room burst into boisterous laughter while a certain young master's face felt as if it had burst into flames.
"Pfft. That's so freaking cute!!" Tasha cackled.
"It really is. I can just picture a bunch of tiny Cales with miniature shields hopping around you," Cage laughed along.
"I would actually love to see that," Rosalyn happily said.
At that moment, a certain god felt a chill run up his spine and shuddered.
"It seems I should watch my back for a while," he chuckled.
'Death. That's the only redemption for that bastard of a god now.'
Cale plotted the God of Death's inevitable demise while everyone else continued to chortle.
"Do as you wish. However, you must definitely come to the capital. You must also meet me there without being injured. You can at least keep yourself safe, right?"
"Awe, look how concerned my dongsaeng is for you instructor-nim," Alberu teased.
Cale and Choi Han should have no reason to meet again after that. Choi Han has another negative encounter with the secret organization after getting involved with Lock. Meeting with Lock should allow Choi Han to stop the danger in the capital like in the novel.
"Yeah, the two of you will totally never meet again after that," Bud jokes.
"Why are you not answering? Can you do it?"
Choi Han's gaze became a bit clearer.
"Yes. I can do it."
He seemed to be speaking in a more respectful tone than before, but Cale just let it be. He relaxed a bit after seeing Choi Han put the paper in his chest pocket.
'I should have been drinking as I did that.'
'Really? Is he that much of a coward?' Several in group 3 think.
It was really tiring to talk to Choi Han with Cale's body.
"You can leave now."
Cale waved his hand at Choi Han. Choi Han started to walk toward the door after seeing Cale's gesture. Cale leaned his back on the chair and watched Choi Han reach for the door before starting to speak again.
"In addition, everything we discussed here is a secret. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that?"
"It's not now," Bud* pointed out.
Choi Han did not look back and answered as he opened the door.
"Of course."
Choi Han's voice seemed to indicate that he was smiling, but Cale did not care. Once he was alone, Cale took out a piece of paper and pen and started to write in Korean. After writing for a while, he left the study and headed for his father's office.
"Father."
"Yes?"
"I need money."
"Okay. I will tell Hans to give you some."
"It's completely your fault if everyone ends up broke, Duke," Alberu stated.
-Your father is truly a wonderful person! Such a generous allowance. Do you think we can get some more when we get back?
"No."
-But, money!!! Gold coins!! Cale, come on, it seems like he's got plenty.
"No."
-Fine.
"What is it, young master?"
"Nothing."
Cale needed a lot of money. Once Cale laid down on the bed with another 10 million gallon check in his chest pocket, Ron approached him and put a bottle on the nightstand as he started to speak.
"Maybe it's more like a teddy bear than a security blanket," Kim Rok Soo* poked fun at his older self.
The betrayed look and offended scoff from Cale, had laughter ringing through the room again.
"It is warm lemon honey tea. My son made it especially for you, young master. Please have a good night. I am always by your side."
Cale's sleepiness went away in an instant.
No matter what happened, he needed to make sure the two of them went away with Choi Han.
More laughter filled the room at Cale's reaction while Ron directed a benign smile in his puppy young master's direction.
Cale shivered at the smile while his face glowed red at the laughter. Then he thought of the perfect way to share his misery and get some much deserved revenge.
"Soo Hyuk hyung*."
"Yes, my dongsaeng?" Lee Soo Hyuk* asked curiously.
"It seems like Rok Soo* could use some refreshments. He's much too thin after all. Raon, you should take him some apple pie and hyung, perhaps you could get him some of that refreshing lemon tea on the table there to accompany it?" Cale said sweetly with his most innocent smile.
"Pfft. Sure, dongsaeng. It would be my pleasure," Lee Soo Hyuk* replied with a chortle.
"You're right, human. He is very skinny. He should eat a lot. Here you go, it's our human's favorite apple pie," Raon said, presenting the treat to Kim Rok Soo*.
Having the adorable dragon staring at him while waiting for him to eat and drink combined with Lee Soo Hyuk's* grinning face and the expectant faces of pretty much everyone in group 2, Kim Rok Soo* caved to the pressure and drank the hellish beverage.
With that, victim number 4 was claimed by the vile yellow fruit and Kim Rok Soo* swore vengeance upon Cale.
The next day, Cale Henituse headed to the slums as soon as he woke up.
