Chapter Text
No one spoke.
Well, at least the 'Birth of the Hero' people didn't spoke.
They're dead silent with their still fighting stance posture.
Because, the other side?
...
"Holy Shi-- Why is there another Cage?! Why is there another priestess suffering from that God of Death bastard?!" Cage almost choke on her words. Her arms that were covered with her black robe's sleeve is raised, pointing a finger to her counterpart.
Cage's face was contorted in horror, her voice is hinted of sympathy towards the other Cage knowing that both of them were experiencing the same thing.
With her outburst, a certain bluehead who's complaining about his departure immediately scream when his green irises caught sight of someone.
"EH?! My doppelganger?! Bud Illis, let's drink!" Bud quickly forgot what his complains are, inviting his other self to drunk the night away.
Bud Illis find himself grinning ear to ear like an idiot realizing how similar the two of them. He almost want to hug his other self from inviting him to drink, if only Glenn didn't choke him to force him not to move.
Toonka noticed this because he's just beside Bud. He quickly avert his eyes to search on his own counterpart.
'Oh, there he is.'
He crunch his nose noticing his other self is strong, well, not as strong as him.
Tonnka's eyes promptly look around him, he sees the other side is in a stance ready to attack them but couldn't speak a thing watching them screaming their lungs out.
"THERE'S SO MANY STRONG PEOPLE HERE! But where's my friend first?! MY FRIEND!!" Toonka didn't show an ounce of care to them when he remembered the disappearance of his oh bestfriend.
Toonka is not liking the way Toonka look at him as if he's an idiot searching for that weakling. Toonka instantly knew they wouldn't get along.
'I can't believe that was my past attitude.' Toonka just avert his eye and chose to ignore his counterpart.
He was in the Whipper Kingdom along with Harol when the two of them were suddenly engulfed in bright light. And when they arrived here, they realized that all of their companions is here.
But the man who should be the center of them all is missing. Toonka knew he needs to quickly find the redhead-- priority first.
"Quickly search for my Dongsaeng. I'm sure as hell this occurrence is because of him." Alberu recovered from his shock. He calmly put down his teacup before he put up his Emperor facade.
All smiles. Chin up. Handsome face shining brightly despite having his tanned skin and brownish irises on full show.
Alberu on the other side feels like fainting, the dread and horror is quickly spreading on his system seeing his other self standing in his Dark Elf form with all it's glory.
His limbs were all shaking watching the newly arrivals not giving them a fuck and is busy talking one after another. Alberu locks eye with his counterpart, and oh boy how much he want to punch his other self who have the guts to smile at him despite seeing the people giving the both of them the looks of criticism and disbelief.
'How can you stomach the looks they're giving? And how dare you put me in this situation! I freaking don't know you!' Alberu feels like he's the funny man, turning a blind eye to his counterpart because he don't want his disguise to blow up.
"You're right, Uncle Cookies! BUT WHY IS THERE NO OTHER RAON?! I want to see him if he's a great and mighty Dragon like me!" Raon was agreeing to Alberu when his eyes scan the room and noticed that he can't see his other self.
Because the others have counterpart, Raon wants to have one too.
Hearing the exclaimed of the baby mighty Dragon, the others almost faint seeing one in flesh but most of all...
'Who the heck is Uncle Cookie?! What type of nickname is that--'
On, being the intelligent little girl that she is, quickly deduct the situation. She felt her heart trembled which she quickly cast away. She cough to make sure her voice is not wavering.
She then answered to Raon.
"Youngest, isn't it great knowing there's no other Raon Miru? You're the one and only Raon Miru here!" On brightened her voice. She then get up on the picnic mat to get close on the black dragon.
"Oh, OH! You're right! I'm the only Raon Miru here! And the only great and mighty Dragon!" Raon quickly accepted her reasoning, the black dragon is back on his cheerful self.
Hong, the red kitten, followed suit.
"Then, we're also great and mighty because we don't have our counterpart here!" Hong rubbed his ref fur on Raon's scaly chubby body.
On still put up her bright smile as she nodded her head.
"You're right, Hong!" She said.
"You're right, Hyung! The three of us are the only great and mighty and handsome and pretty because we don't have our counterpart here!" Raon supported Hong's claim. Wings fluttering excitedly as he fly in circles above the two kittens head.
Eruhaben, the golden majestic dragon who's eavesdropping on the children's conversation, clucked his tongue.
Far from the North, Eruhaben witness the white haired transparent woman who's sobbing-- but didn't shed a tear because she's just an illusion, looking at the kicking and alive Raon Miru. Lord Sheritt feels like everything is now okay seeing his son's counterpart is safe and sound. She just want to stay in that white room for eternity if it means she can be with her son.
"Young Master were just in the bathroom, isn't he?" Ron muses. His lips stretching to let out a benign smile, the amusement on his eyes turning cold seeing Ron watching him like a hawk while holding the dual daggers collected on his left hand.
They're both looking at each other as if gauging each other's strength and checking if one of them have gone senile.
Smirk.
Ron didn't know he can still manage to break into a smirk in his age, well, he can't help himself smirking when he measured that he's stronger between them two. Heh.
"Father, how childish. Smirking like that to your other self.." He heard his son, Beacrox, speaking beside him. Ron's eyebrow arched a little noticing Beacrox putting a double white gloved despite wearing a glove already. This clean freak son of mine.
"Hush, you." Ron lowly chuckled, seeing his son having a non-existent battle to Beacrox to see who's the cleanest of them two.
"I can't believe this. We just let him do his business and this happened.." Rosalyn can't help but to show her disbelief, she then later laugh realizing how trouble magnet the redhead is.
"I told you i should've escort Cale-nim." Choi Han replied, a bit sulking and mixture of mirth is hinted on his tone.
Choi Han was just about to add something when he notice a same ravenette who's glaring at him all this time. Choi Han's expression turned blank as he look at the other side who's wary of them.
There's so many people on the other side who have their same face and body build, they are standing withdrawing their weapon that's pointing on them. Choi Han also noticed some of the neglected and turned upside down couches.
Seeing this, Choi Han subconsciously grab the hilt of his sword. Choi Han also did the same, they move at the same time mirroring their movements as if they practiced. They then both glared at each other.
'How dare you copy me?' that's what the two Choi Han's gaze seem to be implementing.
A clap was heard, and both side look at the man who's wearing an aquamarine pajama standing in the middle.
"You're the host." It's a statement coming from the smiling Emperor. Because Cale Henituse is not present at the moment-- Alberu is the one who's standing at their center, an akin to a representative in replacement of their Commander.
"Indeed." The man with black diamond irises nodded, he then put his right hand to his chest to introduce himself, acting well mannered and elegant infront of the Dark Elf Emperor.
"I am named Hunner. A God servant."
Their eyes turn sharp the moment a word God was mentioned.
Because their side have a not lovely relationship with every devine being out there--putting their redhead with some kind of testshit, always giving them headaches and problems. Then tell them, how could they vibe well with Gods if they're a pain in the ass? Forget vibing, they might just kill the God.
Trash of the Count's Family people is and will always be in bad blood against the Gods. Nothing could ever change that fact.
"Where's Cale-nim?" Choi Han asks Hunner, he ignored his counterpart who's disgusted by the words coming off of mouth.
"You're right, Strong Choi Han! Where's my Human?! I'll destroy this white room if you hurt him!" Raon seconds after, the cute black dragon is boosting with pride and ego seeing the Elves on the room worshipping him seeing him in flesh.
"Cale? He's on the other room talking with--oh, there he is." Hunner was responding at the question when he stopped and his index finger point at the door.
They all turned their heads.
The doorknob turned with a click, the door was soon opened before revealing the two redhead who stepped inside the room. They then watch the two people who revealed themselves, a gasp was heard again. The Family of Henituse County was glad and relieve seeing their family member who left.
The redhead who opened the door is a man with his clean, short red hair. A frown registering on his face, standing tall on his visibly expensive fancy noble clothes. With a painted unbothered expression, he eyed the whole room before turning around to invite the other man to come in.
Cale Henituse step aside as he swing the door lightly, opening it wide enough for the other Cale to come through.
A carbon copy of the redhead came after.
They first notice his long red hair cascading down his shoulder blades. A gaze that seems sharp, yet uninterested as he moves wearing a plain black clothes but expensive nonetheless. The way he walks was calm and serene--almost parring to laziness. His face was stoic, expression not faltering even when he saw the people inside who have counterparts.
The expression of the other side brightened seeing him unharmed.
"Cale-nim, I'm glad you're not hurt!" Choi Han beamed at him, innocent smiles and imaginary puppy ears appearing again now that he see his Liege.
'What kind of curse..?!' Choi Han deadpanned at the changed demeanor of his counterpart. He refused to believe that they're the same person.
"Cale nya~"
"Nyaa~"
"The human is here!" Raon flew in the ceiling, dashing forward towards the redhead. The baby black Dragon landed on Cale's shoulder to settle himself, as if he belongs there in the first place.
"Haah. Dongsaeng, what did you do this time?" Alberu asks him in accusation with an exasperated sigh, the tanned man already feeling the stress and headaches.
"But I did not do anything?" Cale let's out a confused noise, he's feeling offended for some reason. Alberu stare at him with suspicion.
'I didn't even do anything, except accepting Hunner's deal.' Cale internally nodded to himself.
"Hoho. Of course, the Young Master didn't do anything. This Ron would like to have a chat with Young Master-nim to ensure the truth." Ron benignly laugh, the old man not forgetting to sent shiver down his spine.
'Ron, damn it, you're still the same.'
"No thanks, Ron." Still keeping up his stoic face, Cale immediately refused the vicious man, he didn't even look at the direction of the butler.
His companion just snickered at him.
'These traitors..!' He shouted at his mind.
He knew how much his friends feared his butler, Ron. And he's very much informed how much them and Ron always have this 'chat' session whenever. How dare them laugh at him when at the end of the day they all shared the same misery under this vicious former assassin.
Cale's long red hair that's resting on his shoulder blew a little because of Raon's wings, he then caught sight of Hunner who just gave him a wide grin.
"I thought you said you'll teleport us sooner?" He asks his comrade with a soulless voice.
"I did." Hunner nod.
"I didn't even yet exit the bathroom and you teleport us immediately. I didn't even informed the others. Yeah, sure. That's soon." With his deadpanned tone, Hunner just snickered at him.
All the people were just watching the two of them talking back and forth. Their eyes jumping from the redhead then to the God's servant.
"Ehem. You two knew each other?" Alberu cough, catching their attention.
Alberu didn't know but he feels threatened when the long haired Cale Henituse smile brightly at him when their eyes met.
'Why do i feel like my treasury is in danger?' Alberu secretly rub away the goosebumps creeping in his arms. And why the heck is he thinking of his money right now? Alberu wonder.
"If it's the shining sun of the Roan Kingdom, i feel obligated to answer. Please let this humble soul--"
"Enough bullshit. Explain. Do you two knew each other?" Alberu cut him off before asking in a tired voice, even massaging his forehead. God, he's so fed up of his dongsaeng sucking up on him.
And his dongsaeng is now planning on scamming his counterpart? Well, even he the Emperor can't escape his schemes.
'I pray for your treasury, My other self. Guard it well.' Alberu sent a short prayer towards his counterpart. It's the least he could do.
'The Birth of the Hero' people on the other hand is experiencing culture shock seeing the fame blonde Crown Prince hoarding a coarse language. And most importantly, the 'other' Crown Prince is a Dark Elf?! Are both Alberu Crossman have the blood of that disgusting race running on their veins?
'Oh my god, a secret Dark Elf? So disgu--'
'What the--? I can't believe he have their blood! I can't accept this!'
'Such a loathing race! He doesn't deserve to be the Crown Prince!'
They didn't hide their distaste and repugnance from showing on their face while watching every movements of the two blondies.
"Sigh. I met him when i went to the bathroom." Cale tiredly explained. He saw the original Cale Henituse walking towards then stops on his side. Cale stare at him with a default frown as his eyes move from his shoulder to watch Raon with wonder. The eighteen years old redhead seems impressed with the black dragon as it's his first time meeting one.
"And? You met him in the bathroom and after that?" Alberu tried to pry further.
"That's it. Then he ask for my help." Cale shrugged nonchalantly.
"And you, Young Master, have agreed to help this Sir? Hoho." Ron kindly interject, his kind face is on full show while smiling benignly.
Cale shivered. He don't know why, but his eyes unconsciously seek Hunner to ask for help.
Hunner cough a little. Cale's companion look at him with an urging look.
"Ehem. Let me, Hunner, explain the situation to you all, folks." He said, kindly as his comrade's family is so vicious, before he started his long but precise explanation.
The 'Birth of the Hero' people can't do anything but to listen and just to watch the whole situation.
While the explanation is going-- Because Cale already knew this beforehand, he didn't pay attention to it. Instead, he focus his attention to the younger original Cale Henituse who's standing beside him.
"What?" Cale Henituse rudely spat at him--a silent tone enough for just them two to hear, an arrogant expression with it's eyebrow furrowed while looking back at him.
Cale smirks.
'Look at this punk. He seems comfortable to me now.' He thought amusedly.
When he was exiting the bathroom earlier, a sudden bright light engulfed him before teleporting him who knows where. Then when he arrived, he's already in a white room where he saw the younger original Cale Henituse.
The white room have the same structure and design such as Hunner's white room but more grand. There was this guy named Gibson--another God's servant who's hosting the World Conference Assembly Hall. There's some people from the other world who's taking a break and just simply having fun, something like that. And he find Cale Henituse crying and currently talking to the older Cale Henituse which is now identified as Kim Rok Soo.
Turns out, Kim Rok Soo explained everything to Cale Henituse including the soul swap thingy and so on.
"So you already told him anything. Guess that won't cost me my voice." Cale said which cause the two to look in his direction.
"Oh, you're here." Kim Rok Soo nodded on him, he then pat and whispers some comforting words to the younger Cale Henituse.
" Cale , this Cale would escort you back to your people's white room. Hunner then would show you how and why we met." Kim Rok Soo said, smiling like a mature man he is while lightly pushing Cale towards Cale.
Cale grimaced seeing the smile on his former body's face. He then spoke when he picked up some ideas to what Kim Rok Soo said.
"What? I'll escort him? How about you? You're not coming with us?" He pointed out unsurely. He watched Cale Henituse stand beside him while watching the two soul swappers talking.
"Yes. Hunner just brought me here to speak to this guy..." He pointed Cale Henituse . "..accompany him--no , take care of him in my place, please. He probably feels like he don't belong there." Kim Rok Soo shrugged, looking at his younger self with hidden concern and sympathy.
"No, i didn't!" Cale Henituse interject.
Cale smirks at the obvious lie.
"Well, yeah, whatever. As if i didn't experience that." Kim Rok Soo said in disinterest as if what he went through didn't pained him.
".. Anyways, i need to return home soon. Y'know, my niece is waiting for me." Kim Sok Soo faced him again, smiling at the mention of home and his reincarnated mother slash niece on Earth.
"Mother is? I want to meet her." Cale Henituse immediately said.
"You'll meet her soon." Kim Rok Soo respond, seemingly sure of his statement.
"But how?! There's nothing like soul swapping that happened to me, unlike yours!" The younger redhead cried in distressed, his hands drying his drenched cheeks.
"All i can say is, just don't drowned in despair and please have some hope. When you go back, talk to Hunner and you'll figure everything out." That was Kim Rok Soo's last word before they left the white room hosted by Gibson.
"Don't worry i won't tell anyone that you cried. That'll tarnish your trash reputation, no?" Cale smirks at Cale Henituse.
"Cale Henituse, you...!" The younger redhead silently fumed at him.
"It's okay. Real men sweats on their eyes." Cale nonchalantly said as he lazily snickered, his slender hands waving him off as if to say it's not a big deal.
"Don't speak to me. Speak with the blood you cough first." Cale Henituse scoff, remembering how this older redhead coughs blood while saying he's a trash.
"Oh, wow. Our two Cales is on their own world." Hunner pulled them out on their bubbles, the God's servant clasping his hands in a prim manner. Looks like the explanation is now over seeing the way he seeks the two redhead's attention.
The two redhead simultaneously look at him-- the younger scowling at him while the older just blatantly ignored him.
"So? We're going to watch now? Hurry up. I want to sit now." Cale completely ignored Hunner which the latter just laughed at.
'What an arrogant guy.'
Choi Han's eyebrows furrowed at his display of attitude. He looks at the older redhead with disappoinment, he then shook his head after.
'The people on their world treat him like a Hero but... guess a trash is a trash, after all.'
Choi Han scoff then turned around to sit on their respective couch, Lock immediately followed as well as Rosalyn who's eyes is lingering on the black dragon.
"Sure, he save their Henituse territory ONLY, what did he even do that makes him a Hero? And tsk, the attitude is still there." Lock spoke with doubt hinted on his tone.
The teen Wolf roughly sit on the couch as he slides to slouch his back and shoulder. He then crossed his arms where the bluish fur and claws is slowly retreating back.
Rosalyn who's fixing the turn upside down couches respond to the young Wolf's claim.
"Maybe they'd do something more than that. Erm, well, i say no comment to his attitude problems." Rosalyn lightly snickered, she then finally sit to the now fixed couch. Her two brothers also sat down.
While these three Hero is talking, on the other hand, the Henituse Family is fidgeting on their spot eyeing their Cale-- they can't go near them as they felt like they don't have the right to disturb them.
"Shall we start, then? I'll start the screen now." Hunner strides towards his glass table where he pick out the remote control, he then manipulates it to roll in the video.
Hunner then flick his finger and after he did so, the walls of the white room suddenly expanded much to their surprise. A bunch of new couch appeared in the thin air before it arranged itself on the left side. The 'Birth of the Hero' people's couch were automatically arrange on the right side.
Cale shook his head seeing the room reminding him of a school classroom. If he didn't know better, he'll suspect that Hunner is a teacher.
"Let's seat." Cale moved his head on one side to invite the other to take a seat on their respective side. Cale take the lead-- seeing this, his Family and companion followed after.
"Wow, this couch is so soft! Grandpa Ron, how about--" The cute Raon was cut off by Ron.
"Noted, Raon-nim. This Ron would have a talk with Sir Hunner to where we could get this." Ron said with a benign smile much to Raon's delight.
The black dragon then proceed to jump on the couch together with the two kitten who keeps kneading their nails while their fur is starting to spread.
Cale didn't paid any attention to them as he just slumps on his seat, he then turned to the younger redhead who's still standing infront of him like a lost baby tiger.
"You, how about you? You going to sit here or nah?"
"Didn't you understand what Kim Rok Soo said earlier? You need to take care of me. Y'know, cause i'm so fragile." Cale Henituse smugly demanded.
"Aigoo, this punk. Come, sit here with me." Cale decided to stop their meaningless small talks. He scoot over the couch to make way to the younger redhead, Cale Henituse didn't refute and just comply by sitting beside him.
Seeing the other settling down, the god servant made sure that everyone's ready before he started the episode.
"Before we start, i just want to remind you folks that there's this man who recommended something. So, we'll watch that first." Hunner informed him, he then push the final button to turned on the screen.
As always, the big screen glowed before a scene was presented to them.
There's a redhead laying on the bed while looking at the muscular ravenette who's standing near the vanity table. They were in a big room, completely absorbed on staring with each other.
'Omg, what are they doing?!'
'In the room, staring to each other as if they're the only people in the world!'
'Don't tell me we're watching po--'
They were about to voice their opposition out as the scene were inappropriate for the children but were stopped when they heard the people on the screen spoke.
They all froze and the gears on their brain is rapidly wheeling around to comprehend what's happening.
Kim Rok Soo who was in Cale Henituse's body...
And Cale Henituse who was in Kim Rok Soo's body...
The two of them could not take their eyes off of each other for a while.
"Cale Henituse."
The first to speak was Kim Rok Soo, who was currently using Cale Henituse's body.
"How am I able to meet with you?"
Cale felt himself stiffing on his seat, he can't turn his head around to see the reaction of his Family. From where he's sitting, he can also feel them frozen solid as they gaped on the screen.
'Shit, Kim Rok Soo. So, this is what you mean earlier.' Cale almost want to bang his head in the wall.
" W-What does this mean..?" They heard Count Deruth stammering on his word, his finger pointing in the screen as he eyed the younger redhead. His eyes searching for answers, it's also the same case for Violan, Basen and Lily.
On the other hand,
"Hah! Is this what i'm thinking about?" White Star scoffed at himself when he comes to a conclusion.
'Perhaps, transmigration? It must be really it.' White Star firmly believe his thoughts.
As an reincarnator himself, he knew transmigrator is not impossible-- tho he wonder in the case of regressor. But one thing's for sure, Cale Henituse is a transmigrator. That redhead is really full of surprises, but he wonder why he can't sense the smell of nature to their world's Cale Henituse?
Whit Star quickly cast that thoughts away. His eyes sparkled brightly, he tried to suppress his grin but failed. In the end, what he could just do is eyed the two redhead who's sitting side by side.
'No matter. Two Cale Henituse? Sweet.'
Nothing could get better than getting that duo. It seems like he'll be getting a two successor. Oh what luck he has.
With these thoughts going on in that white radish's minds, the other side is going on in a turmoil.
"Are you saying that, this man they called Hero, just stole that body? Am i right?" They heard someone spoke, mockery in his voice despite pretending to be asking out of curiosity. It was Imperial Prince Adin.
Cale Henituse was just about to curse on his face but he stopped himself, he instead just send a glare on that man's way.
"Why's that bastard here? I wasn't informed he's still alive." Hannah voice out. For her, it's fascinating seeing someone who's her carbon copy but seeing someone she loathe back in their world didn't sit right with her.
Imperial Prince Adin glance her with an absurd gaze, seemingly annoyed of how she questioned his existence with such loathe.
"What a rude peasant you are." Imperial Prince Adin spat. Hannah's eyebrows twitch and she almost killed him had not for Pope Jack's interference.
"Hannah.." Jack softly muttered, tho annoyed, he still hushed his sister while he lightly tugged in the hem of her clothes.
"Hey, Adin, that's quite rude, don't you think?." Prince Valentino awkwardly laugh, stopping his bestfriend as he didn't kinda like how he referred to her as 'peasant'.
I mean, right, he's an Imperial Prince but she's still the Holy Maiden of the church of the Sun God, you know? How about adding a little respect while speaking?
"What? Tss." Imperial Prince Adin hissed discreetly, he throw him a look before looking away, almost as if he had enough.
"That rude son of a--" Hannah stalely muttered, she then later turned away.
Prince Valentino can't do anything but to scratch his neck, unsure of what to do.
Meanwhile, the conversations happening near these people...
"H-Human, why's that strange big square showing you?!" The cute black dragon, Raon, is shook.
Cale was just about to answer-- even though he too is experiencing culture shock despite his stoic facade, when the silver kitten On replied on his behalf.
"Isn't this just an invasion of privacy?!" Her vertical golden pupil enlarged for a second, her clean paw that she was just licking earlier is left vacant in the air.
"You're right, Noona! Although the word 'privacy' is the only thing I understand!" Hong confidently seconds after, just wanting to agree to whatever his big sister's saying.
"Cale-nim..." He meets Choi Han's troubled gaze, and Cale completely understood what he's implying.
He dejectedly sigh when he caught sight of his hyung-nim who's massaging his temple. The tanned skinned Emperor is slouching on his couch with his head tiredly hanging low, seemingly already stressed knowing what to comes.
Cale just hopelessly closed his eyes, waiting for the Molan's duo and for everyone to voice out their surprise reaction.
"Young Master.." It finally come, huh? Ron's voice that he also expertly applied the 'benign' concept rang out. But seriously tho? How come the results of everything Ron does ended up benignly? Smiling, talking, his expression, everything about him screams benign. Eherm.
One, two.. Cale silently counted on his mind as he wait for his companions chaotic voice.
"Young Master, the time has come for you to teach me of all recipes from 'Earth'." Beacrox is the first to speak solemnly, his face completely stubborn with his firm voice reaching out to him.
'This is all Choi Han's fault! If only he didn't teach all the koreans food to Beacrox...!' Cale's eyes annoyingly search for that man, in which the ravenette just avoided his glance while innocently whistling.
"My friend! Is the world you came from have so many strong men?! I would like to fight them!" Toonka's cheery and loud voice vibrate the most.
"Choi Han said the current 'Earth' right now didn't hate darkness. Maybe they'll like the fact that I'm a necromancer if I'm given the chance to visit that world? Maybe.." Mary's small voice coming out from her mouth that was hidden beneath her black robe is almost buried by the others word's that were constantly speaking. It was a silent and an almost hoping tone that Cale can't help but to heard it.
"The world that Cale-nim previously lived in? Hah. Poor them who don't have their very own legend such us our God! They don't have such a living historical figure named Cale Henituse who live on their era!." The simp Guardian of the North is rejoicing on the sidelines.
Cale disgustingly look at him.
'Tell me again who told that lunatic about my transmigration?'
Because as far as he knows, he shared his circumstances only towards his Family and companions. And correct, he purposely left Clopeh Sekka out, yet, even he have caught on the wind?
Affirmative. Clopeh Sekka have eyes, ears, and recording device everywhere.
Cale just silently close his eyes with so much calmness. His ears blocking all the noise, not accepting all the words that's coming off his companions. Ah, peaceful.
Everyone, if not probably, knew his transmigration thingy. The only thing they didn't knew is that the two of them have already met, ehem, well he forgot to mention that matter. Can't blame him.
And you'll probably sympathize with him why he's paled and nervous earlier at the mention of his world of origin.
Right.
Everytime the word 'Transmigration' and 'Earth' were mentioned, all of his Family and companions would always rattled and their mouths would run continuously.
Beacrox asking for recipes. Toonka's obsession with sumo wrestler's body build. Rosalyn's interest with Earth's technology, as well as Eruhaben tho he's lowkey not being open about it. The kids numerous pleadings about stories, tales or sayings, just everything foreign they want to know that didn't exist in their world.
Sigh. Really, he's so fed up.
Please don't mention those words again, because they would just assault him with barrage of questions to feed their curiosity.
'You should be thankful, Rok Soo, that you're not here. It's all your fault why this video is showing here...'
"I'm not sure. I was working the night shift and fell asleep for a moment to see that you were in this bed. But you see..."
"Night shift..?"
"Hm, interesting. Such a simple would we're not used to, but hearing this would give you the gist of it."
"I think i get what you mean.."
"Is it like someone overtaking the nights duty? Am i right?."
The real Cale Henituse, who was making a kind of smile the original Kim Rok Soo would never make, mischievously asked.
"Why is is so true..?" Paseton softly mumbled for himself, he's just basically just saying it unconsciously but he became aware of his surrounding when he caught sight of his Noona's counterpart who's staring at him teary eyed.
'Why is she staring at me with such gaze..?' Paseton wonder.
His eyes wandered around the large room and one question emerge on his mind causing his eyebrows to furrowed. Such expression didn't fit to this meekly half blooded Whale.
'And... where is my counterpart?'
"Aren't you planning on living in that body?"
"Cale-nim, i trust the word you said that you'll stay with me...us here." Choi Han remind him in the sidelines, as if hypnotizing him to stay with him regardless but correcting himself with the word 'us' to include others.
"Right. Right." It was Hong, the cute red kitten nodding his head vigorously making his fluffy fur shook, as well as some red fur planting on the soft couch.
"Human, you're not allowed to go back on that world! Hmph! But you promise us that we'll travel together, maybe it's now the time to literally travel the world!" Raon brightly announced, the black dragon that's dangling comfortably on his shoulder put his stubby paw on his nape before shooking his body to convince him.
"Everyone, we should just watch." Cale just stoically said, absolutely terrified with the idea of hopping worlds after worlds.
'This vicious dragon...'
His feeble body continue to shake due to Raon, his long hair messily swayed back and fort.
Cale just simply let Raon do his thing with so much patience, letting the right side of the room look at them in disbelief.
'I know that the black Dragon-nim is close with that human.. but this?!'
'Cale Henituse, here, in flesh. With these Dragons hovering around him. Ohmygad , is that golden handsome man a Dragon-nim too?!'
Even when the video is playing, people and Elves in general continuously stole a glance from the left side. As they knew that one black Dragon and an ancient one is in terms with Cale Henituse, they can't help but be curious and to gauge the redhead to deem him worthy of the mighty being's presence.
And seeing the series of skinships, affections, and body language of these involved individuals proved how deep their bond is. Quite, no, it's tremendously astonishing this view is.
The sudden question that was asked mischievously felt quite heavy. The real Cale Henituse shrugged his shoulders and added on.
"I plan on living the rest of my life in this body. That's why I plan on throwing away the name of Cale Henituse and living as Kim Rok Soo."
"What?! Such ridiculous thing to say! What's throwing away what?!" Count Deruth Henituse can't control it anymore, he already burst out his inner thoughts watching this whole fiasco.
No one is giving them, him, answers, and he's so infuriated.
This involves his first born, he's the Father, so of course he's concern! They might have atleast consult him with this thing going on, he's so disappointed, how come Cale didn't even tell him anything about this?!
"Dear, calm down, listen to Cale first." Countess Violan kept her cool, she didn't bother stopping her shaking hands as she must calm his husband down first.
"No, Violan, didn't you heart what Cale said? He said he's throwing his name away, the name Henituse that i gave him?!" Count Deruth almost spat how ungrateful his son is but stopped himself, he then speak again.
"Why would he, right? When he can just leave that world, and just come back here!" Count Deruth continue.
"Father..." Basen Henituse spoke, his originally stoic face showing a complicated expression with his eyes alternating between his Father and Cale Henituse knowing that his brother is just listening somewhere in the room.
Hunner who's listening in this drama shut his ears out, he just longingly stared at the screen wondering if those Henituse Family can keep up with the episode.
'Hello, your son is here?' Cale mockingly thought, he threw a sideway glance to the younger redhead who's sitting beside him, his face void of emotion watching his Father exploding on the third row.
"How about listening first to his reasoning, Sir?" Cale kindly interject, his eyes that were solely focusing on the screen moves and then meets eye with Count Deruth Henituse. He just can't help it, he needs to reasoned him out so they can watch peacefully.
The average looking brunette man frowned.
"Young man, i dare say, the thief who stole my son's identify don't have a say on this."
The atmosphere in the white room dropped several degrees.
Even the 'Birth of the Hero' people on the right side who's minding their business can't help but start paying attention to the drama that's unfolding before them.
Hunner immediately paused the video.
"Milord." The first to spoke was Ron. His voice were dangerously low, obviously not liking the brunette's words directed to his Young Master, despite the man being his Lord.
Cale faintly flinch at this. Uh oh.
'I just want him to not speak and to just watch! Everything's going to be revealed later anyways, so what's the fuss?' Cale's mind is in frenzy.
He don't know why Ron is acting this way today when this vicious assassin is respectful with their 'Duke' Deruth Henituse. But seeing this old man refuting first on this matter, Cale can't help but help feeling the warmth that crept inside him. Still, he's still scared to that benign old man.
Eruhaben, who's majestically sitting in one of the couch have a frown of displeasure registered on his face, as if he can't believe the disrespect that was thrown to one of his children.
Rosalyn, however, is sort of uncomfortable and awkward between the rifts of these Noble Family, although you can't really tell amidst her confident demeanor belonging to that of a Tower Master. This 'Henituse Family' might be the exact carbon copy, but they too were just from another dimension thus she deem them unimportant.
Noble or not, Count Status or not, he don't have the right to blabber such contempt towards the person she respect and someone she confidently refers to as 'Family'. She's ready to assist using her magic if ever their side wage war, considering it's possible knowing how the others is protected over the redhead, and Count Deruth just came in time to say such words. Oh, the aura that's exuding behind her is no joke, the others almost flipped.
The silver kitten On, on the other hand, gather Hong and Raon by their head. They form a circle, she constantly remind the two youngest to not meddle as this is matters that involves 'adult'. The three kept their silence.
"Dad, you're leaking your unnecessary 'worries'. Everything happened for a reason, hence why 'I' decided to throw away that name." Cale took advantage of the silence, his voice that sound done penetrate in the air.
Count Deruth frown, but hearing his son speaking made him somewhat at loss.
He huffs, his redden face with slightly bloodshot eyes is in full view, he remain unmoving.
Hunner, still freshly woken up clothes with his cotton aquamarine pajama, held the remote then manipulate it to resume the video. Drama's over.
The real Cale Henituse's eyes were calm.
They weren't shaking at all.
The real Kim Rok Soo quietly looked at the person who was in his real body before opening his mouth.
"...So you want me to call you Kim Rok Soo?"
"That's right. Why? You don't want to? Don't you plan on finishing your life as Cale Henituse as well? Then you should throw away the name of Kim Rok Soo now."
"Pffft."
Kim Rok Soo inside Cale Henituse's body... No, the person who had made up his mind to become Cale Henituse nodded his head and continued speaking.
"Sure. We'll do as you said, Kim Rok Soo."
"Good, Cale Henituse. Now our outer appearances match our names."
Cale looked at Kim Rok Soo, who was laughing and making gestures that he would never have made, and nonchalantly added on.
"I guess you've really been happy."
Hearing the high quality sound coming off the screen broke them out of their reverie. The people began focusing their attention on the video.
Count Deruth were left standing on his own, he just sit later on when some bravado ordered him to move cause he's blocking the view. So brave of him, huh.
Basen covered his face with both of his large hands, seemingly embarrassed of the commotion they made seconds ago. The little girl Lily have no idea of what's going on, all she just knew is his Father is shouting. She tightly grab on her brother's pants while eyeing the pool of toys, wanting to played with it.
"Uhm, Mother?" She silently called her Mother's attention, in which the latter gladly do so.
"Hmmm?"
"T-That... Can i?" Lily stuttered on her words, but her index finger nevertheless pointed towards the space right below the screen, just infront of the audience.
Countess Violan, who's holding her husband's hand to calm him down, follow her daughter's line of vision. Her eyes landed to the pool of toys that were left untouched infront of them, no children from the left sight seemed to be playing as they didn't noticed it yet.
She's not sure if it's alright to let her daughter play with it, and the tension that were previously displayed didn't help her to rashly speak and to make decisions.
"Mr. Hunner. Is it alright if i let my child play with that... playground, perhaps?" She politely asks for permission.
"Yes, Madame. Feel free." Hunner also politely replied in return, his black diamond eyes flickered before it landed on Cale. Well, he build that thing for his comrade's children anyway.
Cale noticed this but chose to ignore it, he just continued watching. He simply nudged On who easily understood what he's trying to convey.
"Come, let's play!" On exclaimed, her snout pushing Hong's back to forcefully let him move. She also did the same to the black Dragon who's still clinging in the redhead's nape.
"What, where?" Hong is confused for the sudden movement. He looks around when On pointed into something.
"I wanna stay with Human..." Raon firm his ground, but his blue pupils trailed infront and he saw the pool of toys. The toys didn't necessarily interest him but some books in the sides are. "On the other hand, i guess it's fine to play for a bit." Raon then flapped his wings before flying away, the two kittens followed.
Raon is the first to arrive, even racing against Lily who was granted permission seconds ago. Her objective is the plastic swords that emitted lights as well as some sounds coming from it. Couple of this sword for children were neatly piled in the sidelines, with some of thin story books beside it which is Raon's main interest. On the other hand, the two kitten immediately dive in the soft pool of toys, immediately napping with comfort.
Seeing her daughter playing well without problems, Countess Violan set her attention in the screen to continue watching.
He recalled the moment he met with Lee Soo Hyuk and got the 'Embrace' ability.
"Is it just me or were these thoughts portrayed with Young Master Cale's point of view?" Lock quietly mumbled, his finger lightly scratching his neck in wonder. Surely, he's not the only one who noticed that, is he?
Sadly, despite almost whispering, the others have heightened senses thus his mumble didn't go unheard of.
"Phew. Right? It's not just me, right?!" Bud loudly said, he use his hands to pounded on his chest, in which Glenn smack his hands away cause he just finds it annoying.
"I kept my silence, but it truly is." Hannah stroke her chin as she eyed the screen, her elbow resting on her holy sword that were hanging on her hips.
"What do you think, Sir. Hunner?" Alberu directly targeted Hunner without shame, his lips curved in a polite smile but looking closely, you can see the hidden warning to urge Hunner to hurriedly explain himself.
Hunner sweatdrop at the attention he's receiving from his comrade's Family, but even so he remain passive under his aquamarine pajama. His black diamond eyes seek for the redhead to ask for help but the redhead just snorts in return, the biggest betrayal in the year of 2022.
Well, he understand it to some extent. He didn't give enough time to Cale to explain everything, he just transported him without a word to his white room. And now, he's feeling dejected while he faced this vicious people.
"You see, Folks, this entire video is portrayed using Cale's point of view. And yes, watching it means you can heard or read his thoughts." Despite his trembling heart, Hunner played it cool and explain it efficiently with so much ease.
"They've been watching it even when we came, means they'd been invading his mind's privacy then." Choi Han darkly said, his innocence face mixing with a twisted frown. He just doesn't like the thoughts of these hostile counterpart of theirs benefitting with their hard work and they're even reading his Liege's inner thoughts.
Choi Han is alright letting them obtain this information like a kind man he is, but giving it to the likes of these people who's giving them looks he didn't like just didn't sit right with him. For example when they arrived, even his counterpart is ready to pounce on him, but of course he didn't let it bother him because he's as ready to slice him.
He knows they need this--to win the war, he knows cause he experienced it first hand. And that's why he's feeling conflicted.
He knows it yet why can't he give it to them? Maybe because the looks he can see is not the looks of someone grateful for the information, they instead look at them with envy, wanting to switch in their place, so they don't suffered a loss. As if switching places is notable because they've done it already, so maybe they can do it again. Hell naw. How about working your ass off to win this batshit war? Choi Han, them, is not willing to go through it again. Nope.
"Please, don't fret. Of course, i asks for a permission with our esteemed Hero Cale Henituse who's sitting right there." Hunner said cooly, naturally shifting the attention towards his comrade who's watching but hearing the 'Hero' made him unfocused.
Cale's stoic face turned to lock eyes with Hunner. His lips twitch to keep himself from swearing. He then nodded afterwards, forcedly.
"Of course. I granted him permission." His voice that lacks emotion makes the God's servant smirk. Heh.
"Hoho. Is that so, Sir Hunner? Then we won't fret." Ron casually interject, it's so scary it's so natural as if they've chit chatting themselves.
"O-Of course, Ron Molan-nim." Hunner smiled politely, he then bowed his head a little before turning around to focus on the screen.
Hearing his voice earlier, Lock's counterpart eyed Lock with a knowing intent.
Sensing Lock's gaze, Lock reflexively look at him at the same time, with his beast senses planted on him he knew when someone is looking or not. He instinctively flinch seeing the disgusts, or maybe a disbelief mixed with disappoinment filled eyes checking him out from head to toe. Such gaze put him unease, and the flinch that Lock did just put further a massive frown on his counterpart face.
"Tsk. What a weakling..." Lock's eyes widen when he understood the mock words that were mouthed to him. His counterpart smirks on his obvious surprise expression, Lock then deliberately shake his head from side to side to blatantly showed his disappoinment, he then turn his head to focus his head on the screen--as if he's not worth his attention.
'W-What just happened...?' Lock blinks twice, his mouth open then close, just to open again in repetitive cycle. He don't understand why his counterpart part is doing that when he didn't even offend him, but he knew for sure that Lock bear hostility towards him.
For someone soft hearted and kind like Lock, he can't take face it when someone clearly hate him thus making him uncomfortable. And Cale clearly know this.
"Don't pay attention to him. Just watch, Lock." Cale who's sitting infront of him didn't face Lock, but he subtly look at him in his peripheral view before muttering a nonchalant but comforting words which makes him sigh in relief.
"Y-Yes, i'll keep that in mind, Young Master." And thus, throughout the screening, he didn't even bat an eyelashes to his counterpart.
Kim Rok Soo had a bright smile that suited a twenty-year-old person and not someone in his mid-thirties .
"Yeah. I met someone I wanted to see for a long time."
Cale felt quite odd facing Kim Rok Soo, who was smiling in a way he had never smiled when he had been Kim Rok Soo.
"Who was the person you wanted to see?"
"My mother."
Cale was at a loss for words.
Even the County Henituse is at lost for words.
With the shocking revelation earlier, regardless if they believe it or not, all of the people have an inkling of what unreal phenomena have happened. And that is..
Cale Henituse and the man named Kim Rok Soo switched bodies.
And this Kim Rok Soo who claimed himself the original Cale Henituse, saying that the one he wanted to meet the most is his Mother, it just means one thing.
If the identity he claimed is true, then there's only one woman he'd call Mother.
The Late Countess, Madame Jour Thames.
Having deducted down all things to this one, realization hit all hit them. And it's enough to make their bodies goes numb.
"Huh..Huh?" Count Deruth feels like losing his mind.
Even the ex-butler original Ron Molan has been rooted on his ground, even the blank looking Beacrox Molan is feeling the same. It's the same goes to Ron and Beacrox who didn't know that the two soul swappers have met.
'How about listening to his reasoning first Sir?'
'Dear, calm down, listen to Cale first.'
The previous words keeps echoing inside Count Deruth's head. He recalled earlier when he caused a commotion, the others constantly remind him to wait and to hear the reason behind first before letting out a rash words. And yet he didn't, he let his emotions overcame him.
"Why would he, right? When he could've just leave that world!"
Recalling what he said earlier, Count Deruth can't help himself but to put both his hands to cupped his forehead before looking down, his shoulder slumping as regrets filled his system all the while feeling sorry.
He didn't know.
Count Deruth didn't know why his son is so adamant in throwing away his name. He didn't know that he's so willing because it involved his Mother, that the cost of meeting her is throwing his identity as well as leaving this world.
Unaware of the surrounding, Count Deruth continue to lower his head, afraid to look up just to see his son. If only he listened earlier, then maybe...
It was someone who had felt distant to Cale because she was not mentioned much in < The Birth of a Hero >.
Duchess Violan felt more like a mother to him.
Now that he thought about it, Cale had never heard anything about Cale Henituse's birth mother during his time at the Henituse Estate.
It was pretty much taboo to talk about Cale's birth mother in that house.
'Wow, amazing. Befitting of the 'The Birth of The Hero' people.'
The blonde prince immediately recall the first words of Hunner when they came here. Tilting his head aside when something click on his mind, the blondie turned around to spot where's that God's servant are.
"The Birth of The Hero? Can someone please elaborate?" Alberu Crossman politely raised his hand, his lips curved into a princely smile with his gaze directly looking at Hunner, clearly demanding an explanation--asap.
Alberu Crossman ignored the ongoing whispers as well as the alternating looks between him and his Dark Elf's counterpart.
Although he's keeping his silence and he's also staying still on his seat, his senses naturally pick up that the others distanced themselves away from him, afraid of his dark attribute even though he's in his disguise. It's as if they artlessly assume he's also a Dark Elf, which is of course true-- without his confirmation.
"So, we're just gonna accept that Cale Henituse really swapped bodies with that man?" Archie's brusque voice of wonder halted Hunner for answering. It seems this surreal phenomena have already registered on his mind yet didn't accept.
With this, others follows.
"Why bother? Their thing, not mine." Hannah nonchalantly shrugged off her shoulder, completely not caring as long as his brother and her is safe and sound.
"She's right! Swapping bodies or not, when he's just a weakling in the end!" Toonka's boisterous voice seconds after, his arms resting both sides of his waist while standing tall. His loud voice reached on the left side, the smirk on his face widing further seeing the murderous looks of his counterpart that's giving him.
"Indeed." Chief Harol Kodiang cough awkwardly before blessing Toonka's nape a smack once. "I have no regards to his body swapped thingy. As for me, nothing's more surreal than us, here, watching the future." He added.
Discarding this small chatters aside, Hunner looked back to the blonde prince to give his reply. The ears of the others is on standby, whether be it on left or right side. These trio--Cale, Choi Han, and Alberu is probably the only people here who didn't even bother pretend to act curious. Well, understable, as they already knew the answer.
Seeing these three laxing like this, they quickly assume that these men already have knowledge about it.
"So to speak, this title is what we called your world are." Hunner gave a short and concise explanation, even giving a nod to voice his satisfaction.
"That long and novel-like title, a name for a World?" Alberu Crossman tilt his head elegantly, his normal pace and balanced tone carried a hint of disbelieving tone. "How bizarre." He added slowly, blue irises narrowed into slits--studying the man's expression before him.
Hunner's left ear subtly flinched, in which the latter obviously latched on. Facing the God's servant that were smiling in a thin line, that lowkey small movement is enough to ignite his institution that there's something more out here.
"Indeed. How bizarre." Hunner casually nodded his head, not indulging him further. He cannot just say that their world is inside a novel, now is he?
Well, not technically inside a novel, of course. Written by the one and only uncle of our raven swordmaster, Choi Jung Gun, the book 'The Birth of the Hero' is simply a guidebook made for Kim Rok Soo as it's solely purpose is to give him in depth knowledge of the future of that World in case he finally ends up transmigrating inside the body of the original older Cale Henituse. Therefore working out of his slacker life so he can change their fate using his prior knowledge.
So, according to that, their world really exists--albeit in another dimension.
While this small interaction is happening, on the left side of the white room...
Cale Henituse's eyebrow arched a little seeing the trio huddling together, whispering to each other while sneaking a peek at Choi Han.
Cale's lip shot upward in amusement. Heh, they're gossiping.
The two Cale's were sitting together earlier, but he didn't when did the other redhead change his seat. He assumed that the Dark Elf Emperor managed to convince Cale to sit beside them.
There's an orange soft couch near him where they're sitting at. Cale in the middle with Choi Han in his side, the other side is occupied by Alberu's single seater sofa-- it seems like he likes that chair, not sitting beside the two men, but instead just attaching the sofa in the side so the three of them can gossip silently without separation.
Strangely, Choi Han is the who's initiating the whole conversation, from what Cale can observe from here.
He's like, reporting something to the redhead, obviously leaning on the complaining side seeing his distorted frown. The redhead, Cale, who's the receiving end of Choi Han's rant, is apparently enjoying this with his smirk as the evidence. The Dark Elf Alberu is the one who's just listening, someone who can do nothing but to just go along the flow of the two. Seeing the tanned Emperor leaning on Cale's arms with his curiosity filled face looking at Choi Han ranting is just so funny.
And because those three is not far from where he's sitting, he can hear bits by bits of their conversation.
"I'm telling you Cale-nim, that Choi Han is so--..." Choi Han's whiney voice can be heard although the end is somewhat hazy, he can't point out what he said at the end.
"Anyway, Cale-nim, what's that called again when someone is acting ou--..." The raven puppy asks something.
"Ah, you mean--..." The redhead answered with a hint of suppressing his snicker, throwing a discreet glance to the original Choi Han.
"What's that? Mind explaining, please?" Alberu acquire in the sidelines, now curious to the word's they're using which obviously came from Earth.
Their conversation have broken graps in between middle and end, prompting him to not understand the whole issue.
Unconsciously, a pout came out of his lips as he also wants to join them gossiping. Tsk, that guy saying he'll take care of me but then here he is just gossiping...
"What is he doing?" Alberu who's leaning in Cale's arms whisper at them two.
"What do you mea--" Cale immediately halt his questions when he caught sight of the younger redhead in the distance. Choi Han stopped his rant to and he turned his head so he could look too.
Lo and behold, Cale Henituse pouting while sitting in the couch. His body leaning in the armchair, his head profile sticking out in their direction while his ears is perked up.
"I-I..Is he supposed to be eavesdropping?" Choi Han breathlessly asks the obvious, still staring at the redhead who looks like a cast aside baby tiger.
"Pfft--" Cale immediately cupped his mouth when an unexpected abrupt laugh escapes his lips. He quickly raise his head to check if the latter noticed it.
Alas, his laugh didn't escape Cale's hearing which prompt the younger redhead to immediately look back at him. The two redhead locks eyes.
"Get a life, Cale." Cale snickered.
"Whatever." Instead of minding Cale's tease, his reddish brown eyes then soon lit up. "How about i join you guys?" He added, a boyish smile blooming on his face.
"Sure, no prob." Choi Han offered him a fresh, innocent smile--which taken him aback. Cause, yeah, their world's Choi Han and him is in hostile terms.
"Do as you please." Not minding it one bit, the Dark Elf Emperor majestically nod his head before he sit straight on his single seater sofa-- his body no longer leaning to Cale.
Cale Henituse quickly stood up then strides toward the trio, he then later take a sit in Cale's side, in which Choi Han naturally scooted away to give him space.
And so, the four began their gossip session.
Kim Rok Soo shrugged his shoulders and continued speaking after seeing the confused look on Cale's face.
"Cale Henituse, my mother reincarnated in the world you used to live in, the world I live in now."
"...She reincarnated on Earth?"
"Yeah. Earth 1. That's the world Team Leader Kim Rok Soo in his thirties is in."
Cale learned that his original world was Earth 1. He also recalled that Alberu's Unbreakable Spear Taerang came from Earth 3.
'Does that mean that the sealed god's test was on Earth 2?'
Cale pushed that potentially true but unverified thought to the side to focus on Kim Rok Soo's words.
A lot of information is being displayed right infront of their eyes; all the matters regarding god's test, the possible existence of other worlds and whatnot etc etc. Their brain is loaded of such complicated and unexpected predicament that some of them can't handle, the others getting the gist of it all the while the others just willingly giving up on deciphering this.
The Henituse County focusing on the certain 'revelation' that an individual does indeed reincarnate in other worlds, namely Earth 1--according from original Cale Henituse, now known as Kim Rok Soo.
On the other hand, Alberu Crossman, is currently focusing on something that caught his attention.
The conversation that just passed between the two body swapper rendered him slightly surprise, but this 'Unbreakable Spear Taerang' that the redhead talked about is making him curious.
Based on what the redhead said, he presumes, that this particular weapon is in his possession, naturally making him the owner or probably holder.
Shifting his gaze apart the screen, his blue pupil landed on the four individuals who's not caring and is obviously gossiping on their little huddling group.
He shook his head in disbelief seeing his Dark Elf counterpart even joining the ongoing discussion, but his eyes then soon dropped to scrutinized something that were faintly visible on his other self's tanned skinned hand. Alberu is unconsciously playing it's trigger using his index finger, circling it absentmindedly while still listening to what they're gossiping about.
He don't know what's that thing is, clad in white with it's foreign looking shaped--which he assumed to be something aligning to weapon and the likes. Considering that even Hunner have that one too, albeit colored in black.
"My reincarnated mother lost her parents when she was very young because of an unranked monster's attack and was left all alone. I'm trying hard to become her family."
A bitter yet proud smile was on Kim Rok Soo's face. Cale thought for a moment before asking.
"If she reincarnated, she should be younger than you, no?"
"Ha. She currently calls me uncle."
Kim Rok Soo shook his head as if he still couldn't believe it.
But the fact that he did not seem lonely made Cale understand why the real Cale Henituse made up his mind to live as Kim Rok Soo.
Cale Henituse shortly watched the video, seemingly interested in the topic on hand. His ears pick up something about Choi Han criticizing his sole uncle and the original Choi Han, but he didn't pay it any attention and instead listened to what Kim Rok Soo is saying in the screen.
A faint smile crept in his lips, enough to ensure that he's feeling relieved upon knowing that somewhere in this world, his beloved Mother is well and alive, under the care of his other self no less.
While watching Kim Rok Soo storytelling his life on the side, his reddish brown orbs landed at the man who have black diamond pupils.
Hunner. A God's servant. And someone who's helping everyone here to avoid the massive destruction that would befall them.
Seeing his original counterpart talking about their Mother, he can't help but envious. Then, he remember something that Kim Rok Soo told him earlier.
He said, all he just need to do is seek Hunner's guidance and he'll eventually know the method of how he can meet his Mother.
Dimension-wise, or world-wise-- he'll travel that distance if it means meeting his loved ones again. If only Hunner would help him, that is.
'Okay. I'll talk to him after this.' Cale clenched his fist.
"...The family is all well?"
"Of course."
Kim Rok Soo smiled differently after hearing Cale's nonchalant but firm response. His sorrowful smile made Cale a bit emotional.
That was why he added on.
"Everybody is doing well. Father and mother are healthy. Lily is learning to use the sword. I want to make Basen be the territory Lord. But for now, he is just helping out with the administration of the territory."
"Hmm."
Kim Rok Soo scratched his forehead with his index finger.
"Cale, don't you think that Basen should be the next territory lord?"
"I'm not going to do it. Lily or Basen can do it if they want. Basen seemed almost willing to do it when I saw him last time."
Cale looked disgusted at the thought of becoming the territory lord, and Kim Rok Soo looked at Cale Henituse's expression that he would have never made if he was still in his body and started to speak again.
"His personality is a perfect fit for the territory lord. I guess he still doesn't think that the position should be his though."
Alberu embark in an elegant and heartly laugh seeing his dongsaeng in the screen obviously disgusted by the Lord position alone. What can he say, typical Cale.
"He didn't want the seat?"
"How surprising, really.."
"He's the oldest, isn't he? Is it irresponsibility or.."
A silent whispers echoed in the right side, well, it's just right to say that it's no longer called a whisper considering that their small voice even reach the left side.
On the other, Basen Henituse felt like a lighting struck him knowing that even that other redhead wants him on the seat.
He don't even, ever, have tiny weeny bit of consideration in ascending the Lord position. But upon seeing the helpless, almost disgusted, horrible expression in Cale's face, he can't help but ponder...
'Should I...?' Basen is seriously pondering over this.
"Basen... Yes, you're curious about Basen, right? You've probably been thinking about his age. We're only three years apart. You probably thought it was weird. It wasn't mentioned in The Birth of a Hero after all."
" The Birth of a Hero? You know about the book?"
"Of course. I was in your room when I opened my eyes and the book was there."
Kim Rok Soo answered as if it was nothing before debating for a moment and looking at Cale.
"When I first spoke to Basen..."
It had been less than one month since Basen came to the Henituse County with Countess Violan.
"I said these things to that kid at that time."
Kim Rok Soo recalled that moment and repeated the words he said to Basen to Cale.
"Basen. You are part of the Henituse household. Remember that. No matter where you go, your family name is Henituse. Got it? Don't you remember what father said? Listen to me unless you are an idiot. Tell people that the Henituse blood flows through you. Tell them that no matter what."
Basen had responded back saying he couldn't do that, and the young Cale had responded like this.
"Shut the hell up. Do as I said. Otherwise, you won't be able to live in this house. Do you think that the cousins and the collateral family will leave you alone? Are you going to be dumb?"
Kim Rok Soo gently grabbed Cale's shoulder.
"I don't know whose blood flows through Basen Henituse's body, but that kid is my younger brother, Lily's older brother, Count Deruth's son, and Countess Violan's son. He's definitely someone with the mindset of Count Henituse's family."
Cale looked at the emotions flowing through Kim Rok Soo's eyes before closing his eyes for a moment and then opening them back.
He recalled Basen's face in his mind when he closed his eyes. Even if their hair color was different... He could see the weak yet stubborn face that resembled the pale Cale's face than Deruth's or Violan's .
"Basen is my dongsaeng as well."
"......He is. What else do you need other than that?"
Reminiscing over the past where their young and naive thoughts were, a bittersweet feeling endowed both Cale Henituse and Basen Henituse.
They're not your typical bullying and shitting type of stepbrother is, but have a rather awkward, tolerable, and fending type of relationship.
They knew they're not that close hence why they both keep their distance and didn't stick their nose into each other's business, but they can't never deny that they too once have that desire to get close to each other. The one shielding him from the bullies, and the other one knowing the truth behind his trash facade but couldn't do anything. However, the circumstances made them that way, or maybe their stubborn and meek mindset respectively do the trick.
Nevertheless, their thoughts were buried deep down their guts. The smart looking Basen displaying his stoic face, and the frowning Cale who again focused on the gossip happening to the three men beside him.
"You can ask Countess Violan about the details. You'll probably need to chat with her if you want Basen to be the territory lord."
Kim Rok Soo shook his head with nostalgic eyes, as if he was thinking about the past.
"... Haaaa . No matter how much I acted as trash and the cousins wanted to kick me out, the Countess and Basen wouldn't budge. You'll need to convince Countess Violan if you don't want to be the territory lord."
"Ah."
Cale let out a small gasp. Kim Rok Soo looked at him with confusion as Cale sternly corrected him.
"It's the Henituse Duchy now. It's no longer a County."
"Wow. That's amazing."
"Yeah. It is. We're quite an amazing household."
"A mere County soaring high to Dukedom?"
"What a massive jump.."
"What, just saving their Henituse Territory ALONE made them a Duke?"
A murmured was heard again, the humans naturally leading the pact. The other races didn't care that much, so what if they're a Duchy now, when something like wealth is worth useless in Elven domain, when the Dragons literally have gold cave in their lair, and the Whales is a royalty themselves.
Anyhow, the human quickly realized that such things is possible considering that Cale Henituse and Alberu Crossman is sworn brothers through and through.
Kim Rok Soo had a bright smile on his face as he watched Cale nod his head. Cale frowned.
"...Hey."
"What's wrong?"
"...You... Don't the others say anything when you smile like that in my body?"
Kim Rok Soo touched the corners of his lips as if he was wondering what the issue was.
"What's wrong with my smile? They were all happy that their team leader-nim let them go home early."
"...Are you doing your job properly?"
"Of course. I'm going to make sure to save this world I'm living in right now. I'll make it so that the people around me can live in peace."
Cale closed his mouth after hearing Kim Rok Soo's response. He had the same desires as the real Cale Henituse.
This world where he was living as Cale right now... He wanted to protect this place. He would definitely protect this place.
"Human, don't worry! This great and mighty Dragon would protect you too!"
"Me too~"
"Me three nya~"
"Hoho. Indeed. You can count on to this Ron, Young Master."
"..." <------Beacrox
"Unlucky bastard. Fine, i'll protect you in return of giving me that jar. Consider this an honor."
"My Friend, you can leave to me all the protection! You see this muscle?! It's enough to ensure you safety!"
"Me, protecting you? Okay, fine. But i take liquor as commission-- ouch, Glenn!"
"Bud, please practice keeping your mouth shut. Ha-ha."
Meanwhile...
"Why are they so noisy?" Cale asks in confusion, seeing his Family in their little commotion while looking at him with their determined looks.
Because he's so absorbed in listening with Choi Han's rants, he can't keep up in the video, thus he had no idea what they're talking about.
Alberu can only sigh at his dongsaeng while Cale Henituse just shook his head.
"They're right, Cale-nim. Just like how you'll protect our world, I'll also protect you!" Choi Han declared with passion. A burning determination in his eyes, gone the puppy ears and tails all the while forgetting his rants.
"Huh.What?" Cale could only let out a confused noise.
"When I was forty... Umm, basically, the God of Death offered me a deal when I was about to die and I accepted it."
Kim Rok Soo. The real Cale Henituse had accepted the deal with the God of Death.
"The conditions the God of Death offered me were simple."
Cale could finally see the remorse deep inside Kim Rok Soo's eyes that was clearly different from Kim Rok Soo's bright smile.
That emotion was similar to Cale's own emotions.
Kim Rok Soo continued speaking to the one person he could share the conditions of his deal with.
"As soon as I returned to the moment I met Choi Han, the starting point that could change the fate of our world, I would go into the body of a person named Kim Rok Soo in a different world. That was the condition of the deal."
The God of Death had also told him that his mother had reincarnated into this Kim Rok Soo person's world and was living a lonely life.
"Do you know why I accepted that deal?"
Kim Rok Soo put his hand against his forehead as if he had a headache. He closed his eyes.
The eyes that were full of remorse could no longer be seen.
"Where should I start... Hmm..."
He was silent for a bit before finally starting to speak again.
"I hate Harris Village."
The high quality sound coming off the screen alongside Cale Henituse's solemn voice made Choi Han flinched.
Harris Village is the place of his beginning.
He's a Knight now because that village was massacred. He's seeking revenge because he's new found second Family who lived there was killed. He's in despair because of that place, as well as his salvation who housed him the moment he escaped that fear inducing forest.
Hearing someone hate his that place is making him feel indifferent, and also coming from someone he beat the shit out of him no less.
Cale Henituse. Is that trash his, maybe, enemy? No way. That guy is as weak as a twig. He's not even worth considering an enemy with his low calibre. That redhead is almost just a mob, a person with no presence, someonelike an extra that were meant to be forgotten in the first five chapters of a novel.
His dark orbs sunken low watching the screen, resting his palm on the hilt of his sword.
Regardless if he have reason or not of why he hates the village, it doesn't mean he'll forgive that trash when he's the the one who curse and called them lowlives in the first place.
He neither forgets not forgive. It's so toxic and suffocating.
Kim Rok Soo's eyes were still closed as he continued to speak.
"My mother said that she was going to visit Harris Village. There was something she needed to bury there. I found it odd that my mother needed to go to a village she had no connections with, a village that was just one of many in our territory."
His voice was calm, but the things he was saying were quite shocking.
"My mother left for Harris Village even though it was pouring rain and the wind was strong. I was quite worried because her body had always been weak. And then..."
Kim Rok Soo stopped for a moment as if it was difficult to say before continuing with a stoic expression on his face.
"She ended up seriously injured because the carriage tipped over on her way back due to the storm. She received treatment back home after that but unfortunately, she passed away."
Cale felt as if he could hear the roaring wind from that day despite never having heard it.
Kim Rok Soo was calm.
"But the carriage accident was not the reason my mother passed away. It wasn't that bad of an accident. Nobody other than my mother got hurt either. But everybody thinks that my mother passed away because of the injuries from the accident."
He sighed while keeping his eyes closed.
"I only learned about the real reason for her death after meeting the God of Death. My mother..."
He stopped for a moment and opened his eyes to look at Cale.
"I think that my mother expected things would end up like this."
It's only the people from Henituse County and it's people affiliated to it who reacted strongly, starting with Deruth Henituse who's obviously shaken with the revelation.
That in truth, his original firstborn, is already fourty years old and have already died but transmigrated in another world when the God of Death offered him a deal together with his reincarnated Mother who in return have foresight that everything that's happening have already been predicted by her.
No one can handle all of this at once.
"So, that's the reason..." Choi Han narrowed his eyes, mumbling. Balancing the odds and cons of forgiving that redhead trash.
As if he was opening a chest that had sunk deep down inside a lake... Kim Rok Soo started to share these old stories with the person who was living as Cale Henituse in his place.
"Cale."
Kim Rok Soo spoke with sorrow visible on his face.
"My mother possessed an ancient power."
'...What?'
Cale couldn't hide his shock this time.
Cale Henituse's birth mother possessed an ancient power. He had never expected that.
The Birth of a Hero...
The story of someone who was neither the main character nor a supporting character, the story of an extra in the story was being shared.
However, it was also the story of someone who just lived her life, even if it wasn't mentioned in the story.
-TO BE CONTINUED-
The screen glowed dark with the use of Hunner manipulating the remote control off.
Everyone heave a sigh, while some were dissatisfied with today's video as this is not something that would help them in the war. Duh. This is all private matters, an outsider like them don't give a damn.
With all of this going on, Cale Henituse immediately broke away from the three gossipers and stride towards Hunner as he have something to asks.
"Why's that body thief always spoke as if we're inside a book?" Imperial Prince Adin voiced out. The left side immediately throw him a glare.
Alberu Crossman shares his sentiment. As he too feel something amiss, and just the title 'The Birth of the Hero' is not befitting as something as the world's name.
Seeing that their chatters is going nowhere, everyone sought to the three men who's huddling together while talking to each other. It even looks like they haven't noticed that the video had already ended. The three don't give a fuck in their surrounding...
Choi Han darkly stood up on his couch before approaching Alberu Crossman, Lock and Rosalyn following in his heels.
"Should we ask those men, Your Highness?" Choi Han suggested.
"Yeah, as it seems they have knowledge in this area." Alberu nodded his head.
And so, they have decided. They calmly walks towards the three. The trio keeping up a silent snicker while conversing to each other.
The shadow of four individuals cast above them, darkening the view infont of the three men. Realizing that someone is standing before them, the three men simultaneously raise their head just for them to be greeted by a familiar face.
Alberu Crossman, the blonde Crown Prince, is princely smiling towards them--but you can clearly see his rage eyeing his counterpart who's sporting their Dark Elf bloodline on it's full glory.
Lock and Rosalyn squinted their eyes, not kinda welcoming when it comes to someone who uses dark attribute. The Crown Prince didn't even yet confirmed if he too have it's blood, but there's nothing they can do if it turns out to be true or not. They should just suck it up.
Next to the Crown Prince is his Knight, Choi Han. This ravenette is exuding heavy presence as if pressuring them, too bad as Choi Han rendered it useless. It tickles him, that's all.
Seeing these four individuals gauging them face to face, as if ready to assault them just for the information, they can't help but show indifference.
"What can i help you, gentleman?" The Dark Elf, Alberu, benevolently smiled upon them. His brown pupils, brown hair, and tanned skin seemed to always glow despite his disguise in absence.
The four didn't immediately response, their eyes straying towards the redhead who's suppressing his laugh and with the ravenette puppy who's complaining while murderously looking at Choi Han.
"I'm telling you, Cale-nim, this Choi Han is so OOC. " The ravenette swordmaster's voice reach their ears.
The four individuals in front of them have creased in their forehead, seemingly not understanding what he's saying.
"Pfft--" And there's his Liege, just chuckling as if finding everything he says funny.
-TO BE CONTINUED-