Chapter 11
Kim Rok Soo* was wondering if it was possible to make a deal with the God of Death without being in danger of dying.
'Maybe it's best to see about making a deal with a different god. Perhaps the God of War? There are still plenty of monsters to be slaughtered. Maybe I can work with that. Although, making a deal with any god will leave a bad taste in my mouth (like this damn lemon tea), but it would be worth it if I could have the satisfaction of seeing Cale drowning in lemon tea. Is it even possible to curse someone to have any beverage they drink turn to lemon tea in their mouth?'
While Kim Rok Soo* plotted his revenge, the words on the screen changed again.
Chapter 11: Picked It Up (4)
'Young master. I heard about everything from deputy butler Hans. This Ron will do whatever I can with my lacking abilities to make sure you can shine at the capital.'
Stifled chuckles were heard from a few people in section 5.
"You did indeed shine in the capital, young master," Rosalyn giggled.
"Our Young Master Silver Light was a brilliant sight to behold," Hilsman added.
"My dongsaeng shone like a beautiful beacon of hope for the citizens of our kingdom," Alberu contributed.
"Yes!! The legend's radiant beginning dazzled everyone present and from the capital it spread to illuminate the continent," Clopeh praised.
"It sounds marvelous. Truly breathtaking," Joo Ho-Shik* appreciated.
At Clopeh and Joo Ho-Shik's* additions to the teasing, the others decided they had picked on Cale enough, especially with the absolutely disgusted look currently spread across his face.
Cale's shoulders were starting to shake as he walked out of the Count's estate. He was thinking about the conversation he had with Ron as soon as he woke up this morning.
'This is going to be your first time outside the Henituse territory, right? I am very good at hunting rabbits. I will hunt some rabbits for you when we are camping outside.'
Ron remembered this conversation and his puppy young master's reactions during it still amuse him.
Ron's calm and benign voice echoed in Cale's ears. He felt as if he could still hear Ron's voice echoing like a hallucination throughout the fog outside.
Cale was scared of the fact that Ron was explaining to him about how to hunt a rabbit first thing in the morning.
'You need to be careful when handling a small animal like a rabbit that gets scared easily. Since you don't know when or how it will run, you need to pay attention to the surroundings and kill it in an instant. Ah, you also need to remove the innards after catching it. I am also very good at that.'
The laughter returns with this section of reading, but wary looks are directed in Ron and Ron's* direction. The matching grins on their faces coupled with the mental image those words invoke is rather terrifying after all.
Cale had to turn away as Ron mimicked cutting open a rabbit with his hands. Ron was excited. However, the only thought Cale was having right now was that Ron was toying with him. Cale was just happy that Ron was heading to the capital with him.
"This Ron is pleased to see that his young master was happy to have me by his side," Ron said with a smile.
I can tack on Beacrox as my personal chef.
The smile on Beacrox's face showed he was happy at those words as well.
Ron. Beacrox. Cale had already told Hans this morning, so that he could bring the father and son duo with him. Of course, Ron was there as well.
'Hans, I want to take Beacrox as my personal chef for this trip.'
'May I ask, why Beacrox? He is extremely busy running Kitchen #2.'
'I don't know. But I can't eat anything other than Beacrox's cooking. I will be taking him, so you figure out the rest.'
"When we return, I will prepare a proper meal," Beacrox said with a smile.
Hans became anxious, but Ron seemed to be happy to be going with his son.
"I was indeed very happy to be able to travel with my son, young master," Ron confirmed.
'Young master, my son will be very happy. We had a need to go to the capital anyways. I will deliver your exact words to him.'
Cale relaxed after hearing Ron's words. He was worried that they would say no, but Beacrox should enjoy leaving the Henituse territory and traveling to the capital as well.
"I have enjoyed traveling with everyone," Beacrox stated.
"Now that the White Radish is gone, we can travel the world like you promised, right human," Raon reminded his father.
"……..Sure," Cale replied reluctantly.
"Yay!!!" Came the children's joint reply.
Cale walked through the foggy Rain City as he thought about the people he would take with him to the capital. The story was progressing a little differently than the novel, but it wasn't like he could give up on gaining some benefits for himself.
"We are very grateful that you didn't," Taylor said.
"Young master, you are here early today."
The baker seemed to be pretty relaxed around Cale after seeing him a couple of times. Cale just stoically asked the baker.
"The bread?"
The baker smiled as he handed Cale a bag full of bread.
"Of course, I have it all ready. But is today really the last day?"
"Why? Greedy for more money?"
"Yes, I definitely am."
Cale started to smile. He liked honest answers like this. Cale patted the shoulder of the baker, who seemed to be a bit more relaxed around him, and headed for the slums.
"Young master Cale is really good at putting the people around him at ease," Litana commented.
"Unless they happen to be enemies or people trying to use or hurt his own people, then he is ruthless and makes them quake in their boots," Bud retorted.
"Yeah, that's completely accurate," Cage agreed.
"I'll come back when I want to eat it again."
The baker longingly watched as Cale disappeared into the fog and then started to pray. He was praying for Cale to come back and spend a ton of money.
"Hahaha, he sounds like you," Bud said with a laugh while pointing to Cale.
Cale naturally did not know about the baker's prayer as he walked over to the slums. He then saw the siblings waiting for him.
'Do these kids not have a home?'
"We have a home and family now. Thank you, Cale," On said.
"Yeah, thanks for giving us our home," Hong added.
"You don't need to thank me for that. The two of you survived and found it on your own," Cale told them while petting them.
Cale had come much earlier than usual. However, the siblings were curled up together and waiting for him, as if they had been waiting at the top of the hill all night. The younger brother seemed to be leaning into his older sister's embrace.
The siblings were quietly looking up at Cale. Their hair and clothes seemed damp, probably because they stayed here through the foggy morning.
Of course, Cale pretended not to notice.
"You are such a tsundere," Kim Min Ah said.
"What's a tsundere?" Hannah asked.
"Someone who comes off all cold and uncaring at first, but eventually they warm up and show their soft side," Kim Min Ah explained.
"Oh. Yeah, I can see that," Hannah replied.
"We all know how secretly caring my dear dongsaeng is. He's just shy, aren't you?" Alberu teased.
"Shut up, your highness," Cale pouted.
"Hyung."
"Not right now, you aren't," Cale grumped.
"Actually, it is a hyung's job to pick on their dongsaeng," Lee Soo Hyuk* joined in.
"In that case, I disown any hyung clinging to me," Cale said seriously.
"Hahahaha, so sad for you, but there are no take backs or exchanges," Kim Rok Soo added in.
"Face it Cale, you are stuck with them," Kim Rok Soo* pointed out.
"Then so are you," Cale informed.
The slight smile twitching at the corners of Cale and Rok Soo's* lips showed just how happy that thought actually made them.
Meanwhile, a hooded figure sitting quietly in the far back corner of group 5 smiled at the sight of his troublesome dongsaeng looking so happy.
"Here, take it."
The young boy took both of their shares from Cale. Cale waited until the boy picked it up before turning around and heading for the man-eating tree.
'I'm glad it is foggy.'
The fog made it difficult to see. Since this hill was the highest point in Rain City, other than the Count's estate, the fog was even thicker up here. Nobody else would be able to see what Cale is doing, or more importantly, what Cale receives from the tree.
– More, give me more. Please.
"It's still creepy that some dead person is talking," Park Jin Tae* shivered.
"It's definitely not normal anyway," Cage* insisted.
Cale poured a bag of bread into the hole while listening to the eerie voice of the grudge-filled soul as usual. The darkness inside the hole was slowly turning from grey to white. Cale started to smile, thinking that all his efforts were not for naught. It was at that moment.
– More, more, more!
'What?'
Cale flinched and stepped backwards at the voice that now turned into a shriek.
"That went from creepy to terrifying at lightning speed," Park Jin Tae* said. "Are you sure this isn't a horror story?"
'The novel didn't mention something like this.'
"For having such detailed information at times, it's completely lacking in other areas," Valentino* muttered.
– More, more! I will give you a present if you bring me more. A present.
"Hey, Cale, didn't you ever hear of the terms stranger danger and don't take candy from strangers?" Park Jin Tae* asked with concern.
"Can an ancient power be considered a stranger?" Cale wondered.
"I'm voting yes on that," Lee Chul Min* said.
Present. That word made Cale's eyes start to sparkle. Although he didn't expect the soul to go crazy like this, the end was near.
"I'm pretty sure the word present and all other variations will always make Cale's eyes sparkle. The word free too," Alberu voiced.
"Just wait."
The black branch started to sway, as if nodding at him. It felt like a scene out of a horror movie. Cale shivered as he started to move back through the fog. It was the middle of the morning now, but the sun was not out, and the fog continued to get thicker.
"See? Even he thought it was similar to a horror movie. Why would you keep messing with it if you thought that?" Park Jin Tae* asked Cale.
"I still needed the power in order to protect myself," Cale replied.
It looked like it would start to rain soon.
The siblings must have gone somewhere, as he did not see them, but Cale just thought they went to dodge the rain and put the third bag of bread in front of the man-eating tree.
'This should be the last bunch.'
The light inside the hole was now as white as the fog surrounding Cale.
'It should become transparent after I put this last bag of bread in.'
Cale was full of anticipation as he poured the last bag into the tree.
And finally.
"YES!!!! AT LAST!!! THE LEGEND!!!! IT HAS BEGUN!!!" Clopeh's sudden deranged shouting startled everyone.
"Okay, I've just been ignoring it so far, but what the hell is wrong with that lunatic?" Lee Soo Hyuk* inquiried.
Cough. Cough.
Several people coughing could be heard from group 5.
"Ahem, he came that way," Cale said deadpan.
"What?" Confused mutters filled the room and all eyes were staring at Cale waiting for him to elaborate.
"What? Don't look at me. The guy was born with a few screws loose. Ask Duke Sekka why his son is a nut job," Cale told them.
Everyone's attention moved toward the sputtering man in group 5.
"That's not on me. He was perfectly normal before he ended up in your hands. He came back like that when you returned him to me after the battle in the Henituse Territory," Rock answered.
All eyes went back to Cale. The look on his face as he stared back at them was the picture of innocence.
No one believed it in the slightest.
At that moment Clopeh chimed in.
"Cale-nim opened my eyes and showed me the true path to a legend. He is a hero the likes of which will never be seen again. He is a god!"
"Yeah, not buying it when you say you didn't do anything. Thank god our nut isn't that bad," Park Jin Tae* said while glancing at Joo Ho-Shik* only to quickly look away and regret his words at the look in the zealot's eyes.
'Fuck! Now we will have to deal with a loon like that guy.'
Ooooooooooong-
A rumbling that was worlds different than the past rumblings poured out from the tree toward Cale. This rumbling, that was only aimed at Cale, did not catch his attention because of the hole that was starting to turn transparent. It should be dark inside the hole because of the shadow of the tree, but such a realistic situation did not occur.
That was the Ancient Power.
The moment Cale saw the Ancient Power, he could hear the voice that had been asking him for more food until now.
– It was so, so good!
That voice was … obnoxious.
-That isn't very nice Cale. I didn't realize you thought I was obnoxious.
"Haaa. I apologize. I hadn't gotten to know you yet."
-That's true.
"Human?"
"It's nothing, Raon."
– That soft texture of bread! I especially liked the third bag of bread you brought. I guess even food develops as time goes by. There was no such thing as bread back in my days! The wheat itself must grow on a really fertile land! Yes, not all wheat is the same –
"What the hell? That sounds even more sentient than it did before. How the hell is that even possible?" Bud shouted.
"It really does sound sentient. That should be impossible," Cage agreed.
…The voice was evaluating the taste of the bread.
A storm caused by the voice started to rush toward Cale.
'This wasn't in the novel!'
"Again, I'm starting to think that things were either left out on purpose or even the god didn't know about what would happen," Alberu said with concern.
The spirit that was tied down to the earth because of its grudge was resolving that grudge by evaluating the taste of the bread. Cale started to frown further. He was only thinking about the Ancient Power in 'The Birth of a Hero.' This Indestructible Shield was the only Ancient Power that was written about in the novel but never claimed by anyone.
"Wait, why would it be mentioned if no one actually got that power? That's sketchy," Cale* pointed out.
"I agree," Eruhaben said, looking contemplative.
'No wonder nobody ended up taking control of it. But then why would the author mention something that could be useful but was never actually taken by anybody?'
"Even he found it sketchy. Why would you still get that power if you thought it was strange?" Cale* asked.
"Like I said earlier, I still needed a way to protect myself," Cale said with certainty. "Besides, it all ended up fine."
Shaking heads and sighs greet that statement.
That was the thought in Cale's head, however, the obnoxious voice continued to chatter away, making him unable to focus.
– … That's why I am so full! It was delicious!
Chatter chatter. It felt like the grudge was from not being able to speak instead of not being able to eat.
Many chuckles were heard at Cale's assessment of the ancient power.
-Cale.
"Again, I apologize. I was feeling a bit impatient to get the shield," Cale yet again apologized.
"Oooo…you are so busted. You are getting chastised aren't you," Bud asked.
"Yes," Cale answered flatly.
After hearing the spirit chat on and on for a couple of minutes, evaluating all of the different types of breads that Cale had brought, Cale nodded his head and tried to cut the voice off.
– Things like this were not available in ancient times. The people of the Forest of Darkness claimed to be servants of a god yet only gave me tasteless things.
At the mention of ancient times and the Forest of Darkness, everyone paid more attention to the screen.
However, Cale decided to wait a little longer after hearing the spirit mention the ancient times.
– I was, naturally, banished from that place. They said I was a glutton. A glutton my ass. Of course, I left with my friends. We were planning on putting the world back on the right track.
"That's not ominous at all," Cage* said sarcastically.
"Hey, dongsaeng?"
"Yes, hyung?"
"That story you said you read about the ancient times that you told me before, the theory you came up with, you actually heard it from your ancient powers, didn't you?" Alberu questioned.
"I did," Cale confirmed.
"What story and theory," Alberu* asked the question on many people's minds.
"The Ancient White Star my ancient powers fought while they were alive was the Crossman household's ancestor," Cale replied.
"What?!" Both Alberu from group 3 and 4 and all three Zeds shouted.
"It's just a theory, since I can't prove it 100%, but I'm confident it's the truth," Cale stated.
"It's a lot to process, so let's leave it at that for now," Alberu suggested.
Blank faced nods were their only answer.
For someone like him who needed Ancient Powers, it was important to listen to stories about the ancient times. However, the story soon ended, and the spirit went back to talking about food and other useless things. Cale quickly cut it off.
– I don't think I could give up this taste even if I got fat. It's so unfair that I had to eat dirt and ended up dying!
"That's sad, nya," Hong said. "Dirt doesn't taste good at all."
At that comment from the kitten, many looked sad at the reminder of the suffering they had endured before Cale found them. Ron really wants to make the Cat Tribe leader suffer some more.
-Hey Cale. Give that little one something tasty.
Cale did as asked and gave Hong a cookie and a pat.
"Yes, it was an amazing and professional evaluation. You're a bit lou-"
The spirit cut Cale off.
– You understand my evaluation. You are a really good guy! Thanks!
…Cale couldn't tell whether he could really communicate with the spirit or not.
-I think we communicate just fine.
"Hahaha, I like her. She just plowed right over you and whatever you were going to say and only heard what she wanted to," Bud laughed.
Cale really could not figure out the situation at hand. At least the voice stopped after telling him thanks. Cale looked toward the tree in front of him.
"How interesting."
The man-eating tree, the originally black man-eating tree, was starting to turn white. It then started to slowly grow some blue leaves. The scene looked even more mystical because he was surrounded by fog right now.
"If only I had been enlightened then. I could have been there with a video recording device like last time," Clopeh lamented.
Cale shuddered and vowed to make sure Clopeh was banned from ever even touching a video recording device for the remainder of his life which may not be that long if he keeps this up.
Ooooooooong-
The noise held some heaviness compared to before. Cale kneeled on one side and sat down underneath the trunk of the tree. A bright white light was pouring out from the hole.
Cale put his hand into the light. He then closed his eyes.
'This must be it.'
A warm and strong power that wrapped around his hand. He started to smile before hearing the voice one more time. It was a pure and warm voice.
– It will protect you.
Those that know of Cale and his shield, smile at the words and think how accurate that statement is.
Shiiiiiine.
For a very short moment, a bright light wrapped around Cale. The light was silver in color, and the light started to become absorbed by his body. The absorbed light all gathered at Cale's heart.
"Huuuuuuuh."
Cale let out a long sigh as he opened his eyes. It did not hurt. It was warm, and the pure power was making him feel happy.
Cale quickly lifted up the shirt that he was wearing.
'I did it.'
There was a small silver shield inscribed over his heart. It was different from a tattoo. Such a beautiful and fancy shield left its mark over Cale's heart.
At the reminder of a mark over his heart, everyone aware of the absolutely forbidden action Cale had done, frowns.
"Stupid human," Raon grumbled.
"Yeah, dumbo Cale," Hong contributed.
"What?" Cale confusedly asked. "Why am I stupid?"
"You know why stupid head," Raon accused.
At Cale's completely dumbfounded look, On just shook her head while everyone else in the know sighed.
The shield will prioritize its owner's safety above anything else. The location of that promise was at the heart. This shield will be with Cale until his heart stops beating.
Knowing that the shield will protect him as long as he lives, helps to calm some of them down.
"How nice."
Cale could feel the strength wrapping around his heart. It was not causing any issues. In fact, it felt like the shield had surrounded his heart, and was doing its best to protect him.
-Of course it will protect you.
Ancient Powers like this left their unique mark when they are activated.
Cale quickly used the method that was written in the novel to trigger the Ancient Power.
"Wow, the novel even covered how to use it. That just makes its lack of detail about the talking spirit bit even more sketchy," Bud complained.
Paaaaaat.
The 'Indestructible Shield' appeared in front of Cale's eyes.
It was a silver shield that was just large enough to cover Cale's upper body. There were two silver wings on both sides of the shield, which allowed the shield to move within a certain radius from Cale. The size of the shield was also controllable.
Cale started to control the size of this shield that already felt like it was a part of his body. This immediate familiarity was one of the special traits of Ancient Powers. That was why heroes used it, even if it was just as a support.
Cale started to smile.
'A maximum of two times.'
Cale was thinking in terms of Choi Han, the strongest person around him right now. The shield should be able to block two of Choi Han's attacks.
"What?" All three Choi Hans sputtered.
"Hahahaha!! That's quite the interesting form of measurement there, dongsaeng," Alberu laughed at Cale.
'The strength of this shield is stronger than I expected. Why would the heroes not use it all the time?'
"Haaaa. Did you already forget that you said no one actually acquired that particular ancient power?" Kim Rok Soo* pointed out to Cale.
The question caused quite a few laughs and a certain redhead to look away in embarrassment while mumbling something along the lines of "I was too excited and forgot".
The Indestructible Shield, unlike its name, actually is capable of breaking. However, it does not disappear upon breaking. If the shield receives an attack stronger than its abilities, it will store as much of its strength as possible to protect the owner's heart before it breaks. After a while, the shield will recover its strength and can be used again. The strength of the shield comes from the owner's heart.
"That's a very fitting power for young master Cale," Tasha said with a smile.
"It is. They are very similar. Even when young master Cale coughs up blood and faints, he always gets back up again," Cage pointed out.
At the causal mention of Cale coughing up blood and fainting like it's some normal occurrence, the members of Team 1 had concerned looks on their faces while those in group 2 remembered the fight with the unranked monster.
"Hey dongsaeng, should I be concerned about how she made that sound like it's a regular, common occurrence? The last time I saw you, it seemed like you had done something stupid then as well," Kim Rok Soo called out to Cale.
"It doesn't happen all the time," Cale retorted.
The disbelieving looks directed toward Cale seemed to say otherwise.
"Seems like we need to have a chat after this dongsaeng," Lee Soo Hyuk* added on.
"Haaa." Cale just sighed and thought his slacker life kept getting farther away with all the bothersome "talks" it seems he will be having when this is done.
The beating heart. That heart becomes the strength of the shield. The heart strengthens the shield while the shield protects the heart. So, what would happen if the heart gets stronger?
'It will get even stronger.'
There were many ways to strengthen Ancient Powers. Cale will be strengthening this shield on the way to the capital.
"In my 1,000 years of life, I've never heard of strengthening ancient powers being possible," Eruhaben* commented.
Those who have seen it kept their mouths shut. They will just wait for the moment everyone else's brains malfunction when they read about it.
Once that happens, he should be able to make a shield that can last 10, no, at least 5 minutes when someone of Choi Han's caliber tries to kill him with all of their strength.
"There you go using that strange system of measurement again," Bud jokes.
Choi Han and his counterparts aren't sure what to think of Cale's system of measurement. On one hand it's flattering that Cale thinks of them as the strongest person he knows, but on the other, he still thinks that Choi Han will snap and try to kill him.
Ancient Powers, as seen with this man-eating tree, are difficult to earn unless you, 'coincidentally run into them.' The person who knows the most about these 'coincidences' in the first five volumes is probably Cale Henituse, well, the current Cale Henituse.
"You even managed to stumble onto other ancient powers you didn't even know about beforehand," Eruhaben said. "You are a very lucky unlucky bastard."
Cale started to smile. He reached out and touched the shield. It felt nice. However, there was one thing he didn't like about it.
-What could you not like? I'm amazing.
Quite a few that know Cale well, can figure out what he doesn't like and smile.
"…It seems too divine."
At full strength, it looked like a Holy Shield that the Knights of God carry with their swords in myths.
"The legend will surpass all those myths," Clopeh gushed.
Of course, the former owner of this shield was a priestess who was tired of the term god, and the current owner, Cale, just didn't like gods.
"I'm not too fond of them myself at the moment," Kim Rok Soo mumbled.
'It's not like there will be many reasons for me to use this.'
Group 5 burst into laughter.
"Not too many reasons to use it?" Bud questions.
"I'm pretty sure that's the one you are most famous for using," Rosalyn added.
"You use it so often, human," Raon pointed out.
To those listening, it sounds like Cale has once again done the exact opposite of what he thought he would do.
He was planning on leaving the fighting to everyone else. The terror attack at the capital. He may have to use it if something dangerous happens there. But he will make sure it is small and faint so that other people will not notice it.
"Pfft. Small and faint. That wasn't even slightly close to being small or faint, dongsaeng," Alberu chortled.
Cale returned the shield to his heart and patted the now white tree as he started to walk away. The misty rain inside the fog started to wet Cale's shoulders.
Cale liked the fog, but did not like rain. He started to walk faster toward home. He needed a carriage.
Kim Rok Soo* knows very well why Cale doesn't like the rain. He, too, doesn't like the rain. It brings back memories of being trapped in the dark under concrete, hearing the sounds of people screaming and monsters growling, and the taste of dirty water filling his mouth while his stomach aches with hunger. They have many memories associated with the rain and few of those have reasons to like the rain in them.
It was at that moment.
Meeoooooow.
Meow.
"Hehehe, it's time for us to get our home noona," Hong giggles.
"That's right, nya," On happily agrees.
Cale suddenly felt a chill on the back of his neck. It was the alley right outside the Count's Estate. He could see two pairs of round, golden eyes. Cale started to frown.
There were two kittens who looked extremely pitiful and drenched in the rain. They continued to meow as they approached Cale. They then started to rub their cheeks on Cale's legs.
"Sigh."
Cale let out a sigh and started to walk. The two little kittens followed behind him. The tiny things somehow managed to keep up with Cale, even with their short legs.
"Haa. I'm sure you didn't even realize you were walking at a pace they could easily keep up with," Sheritt sighed.
"Young master, what is going on?"
The person who greeted Cale at home was deputy butler Hans. Hans had a confused expression as his eyes opened wide. He seemed to be shocked. Cale clicked his tongue and handed Hans the things in his hands.
"Don't ask stupid questions and just take them."
Hans's eyes started to shake.
"W, what cute and lovely kittens!"
"They are still cute and lovely," Hans said with affection.
Murmurs of agreement are heard throughout the room.
This deputy butler really did seem to be butler material. Cale carefully put the two kittens in the hands of the extremely excited Hans.
Hans glows at the praise coming from Cale.
The two kittens, that were dangling in Hans's hands, continued to look at Cale, even when they were in Hans's arms.
"Young master, may I take care of these two lovely kitten-nims?"
"I'm pretty sure Hans enjoys taking care of On and Hong and puts more effort into their care than he does young master Cale's," Rosalyn whispered to Choi Han and Lock.
"Whatever you want.
Hans started to smile in joy. Cale started to walk past the excited Hans as he added on.
"Ah, for your information, they become quiet if you give them food. The two of them are also siblings."
The two kittens flinched and started to shake. Their golden eyes opened widely as they looked toward Cale.
"We were so surprised. We didn't think you knew," On informed her father.
"Yeah, it was very surprising," Hong agreed.
"Excuse me?"
The moment Hans asked in confusion, Cale moved back toward Hans. He then lowered his head and caressed the two kittens.
He had wondered about it for the last few days, but how could he not know by now?
"I'm pretty sure most people wouldn't have put the pieces together. You are very observant," Alberu* complemented.
"He is. He pays close attention to the little details, it seems," Alberu added in.
"Thank you hyung," Cale replied.
"Ah, I suppose I'm the hyung in this instance and you're the dongsaeng," Cale pointed out to Alberu.
Hearing Cale call himself his hyung, Alberu felt a strange yet warm feeling well up in his chest. He didn't dislike that feeling.
The silver kitten had a faint smell of the medicinal herbs he had given to the girl. When he picked the two kittens up earlier, he could also smell the beef steak and bacon cream pasta that he had given them this morning as well.
That made Cale certain. The events of the last few days were finally resolved in Cale's head.
"Did you think I wouldn't know?"
"We did think you wouldn't know," On confirmed.
The two kitten's golden eyes continued to shake. Cale looked at the siblings he had been feeding the last few days and started to smile.
