Chapter Text
Cale didn’t really remember how he got where he was.
All he knew was that it looked like home, and it smelled like home, and it felt like home, but it wasn’t the same home.
Cale blinked awake on the floor of an alley, within Rain City of the Henituse County—no it was supposed to be a Duchy now. Deruth had become a Duke because of Cale’s efforts in the war.
–Cale!
–Hm? What happened? Where are we?
–Why are we outside before… breakfast? What time was it before we got here?
–…Why does this place look like…?
Cale straightened as the Ancient Powers voiced what he was thinking… mostly.
Shakily, Cale stood on his feet as he scanned their surroundings.
“This is identical to Rain City from… when I first got here. Even the vendors’ behaviors are the same… but… to the day I met Choi Han.”
–Oh yeah. Glutton never mentioned how you two met.
–I feel weaker… and hungrier…
“Hm?”
Cale ignored the Cheapskate, and the Glutton, as he noticed the Glutton’s tree over on the hill was back to the form from before he obtained the Indestructible Shield.
‘What? If it’s different…’
Cale found himself grateful that he had a coat on with a hood, as he was beginning to suspect that he wasn’t where he initially thought he was.
‘The children…’
Ohn and Hong were probably still on the streets since…
Cale had a feeling that he wasn’t actually in his timeline. Or world.
Definitely not his past.
Cale put his hands in his pockets as he walked around with his Ancient Powers chattering in his head, just observing the slight differences he could see.
A slight twitch reverberated through Cale as he felt a small notebook in his coat pocket that definitely hadn’t been there before.
The key to his missing records, or perhaps a clue to where he was or why?
Cale pulled out the notebook and studied the black cover identical to the god of Death’s divine item.
‘That bastard. Did he bring me here?’
He flicked the miniature book open and only found a few instructions and details, quickly recording the pages in case the notebook vanished.
There wasn’t any hint to the bastard’s usual care for Cale, or any of Death’s warmth.
As though it wasn’t from Death at all.
‘Why am I getting all sentimental over that damn bastard?’
«Cale Henituse– An incident has occurred in your world that has caused you to be transported to a parallel version of your past world. You know it best as The Birth of a Hero. You may need a different name as the Original Cale still lives in this world, although not the same one you briefly encountered.»
‘Well, that gives me nothing to work with. Next.’
Cale replayed the words on the second page.
«As compensation for your sudden transfer, you are granted a slightly stronger plate—though your Ancient Powers have been weakened since parallel versions exist here. By recollecting your Ancient Powers, you can strengthen your abilities beyond their original strength with less cost to yourself.»
‘Basically… reimbursing me for a mistake on your end.’
Cale huffed and continued with the records of the mini book, pausing in his steps as he came across two small kittens he instantly recognized.
«Two extra boons are given to make your journey slightly easier. One, all your wealth and Artifacts will be returned in the other pocket with your spatial bag. Two, as an apology, you can grant the parallel version of a family member the memories of your family member for a day.»
Automatically, the fourth page played in his head afterwards as he tried not to record the sight of his precious children still suffering.
«The only means of return is to fully defeat the White Star in this world.»
‘I guess I can just collect all my ancient powers and just smite him off the face of the world.’
Cale turned away from parallel versions of his children and bought a whole store’s stock of bread with the money from his spatial bag.
The kittens, like before, took notice of him with all the food.
Cale stifled the sad smile that threatened to cross his face at the reminder of their suffering.
Opening the bag, Cale handed the kittens an entire loaf of bread with a chuckle at their excitement.
Like the first time, Cale started towards the Glutton’s tree.
‘A different name… I would hate to use Thames since he robbed me last time. I can just use my first name for both worlds and hope it works? Cale Rok Soo.’
Cale cringed internally at the name combination before murmuring it to try it out loud.
“Cale Rok Soo… Cale Rok Soo…”
‘Bleh. At least Cale isn’t a super uncommon name. I think. Cale Henituse, Cale Barrow. A third Cale makes no difference.’
–Cale Rok Soo? Is that the best you could come up with?
–Anyway, what’s happening exactly?
–Are you going to feed this world’s me?
Cale nodded stiffly before finding himself confronting two children no longer in cat form, keeping him from the tree.
“Do you want food?”
The siblings flinched, but didn’t deny it. Just like last time.
Cale handed them some bread before moving to fill the tree.
Unlike before, he had a better estimate of how much bread would be needed in one sitting.
‘I shouldn't burden these children with memories of another life, in case I can't care for them forever here… I don't want to get attached more than I have to.’
This time, the bread instantly filled the Glutton, though she remained silent and simply strengthened the pre-existing shield.
–I feel so much stronger now!!!!! And less hungry!!!!!!!!!!!
‘Should I grab the ones in the forest of darkness, and the crown? Hyung would probably appreciate the dead mana too if we end up as close as before…’
Cale hesitated at the thought.
Since Cale wasn’t a noble in this world, he probably would never even have the chance to meet Alberu personally.
‘Man… could I steal cookies from the White Radish since Endable already exists?’
Cale shook his head instantly when the thought crossed his mind.
‘First things first. Basen will have to go in my place since this is the day I met Choi Han.’
The best way to do any of this would be to travel with Basen, but he didn’t have any relation to them aside from his close appearance to Cale Henituse.
The tree was purified now, so Cale could leave, but he didn’t have anywhere to bring the kittens.
‘…I can't just leave Ohn and Hong…’
That reminded Cale of another part of the novel.
Raon.
‘I have to move faster. Harris Village is maybe a few weeks trip out. I can't go there at this moment.’
Cale turned, and he realized quickly that the siblings had left since it was safe enough now.
‘Haaah… seriously.’
Cale laughed softly at the similarities, which was to be expected for a parallel past.
It was parallel, so it wouldn’t affect Cale’s original timeline.
Cale began walking to where he thought Choi Han might still be. Somewhere near the Henituse Villa.
Cale flinched when he heard shouting from inside a harsh crack.
‘Oh no…’
Cale moved past the guards who were confused seeing their young master outside with longer hair.
At least, Cale hoped that was why they were letting him in.
Cale moved through corridors, passing servants now and again who doubled back to scan his appearance, flushed brightly, and ran off before he could get a word out.
Cale stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of Choi Han about to beat Cale Henituse viciously.
Cale didn’t want Choi Han, any Choi Han, to find out what another version of himself did.
Cale didn’t know how the memory-transfer ability worked, but he had a rough idea.
“Stop.”
The command pierced through the air like lightning as authority crackled in the space of the hallway.
Cale used Dominating Aura on Choi Han.
The Korean’s nerves twitched at the aura of power radiating off the interloper, as he turned to see a man nearly identical to the one who insulted Harris Village, had it not been for his weary, pained eyes and longer hair. (And thinner body but Choi Han chose not to focus too much on that.)
Choi Han was quiet as he stared at the man who looked so unassuming compared to the authority that radiated off him in waves.
The aura lessened slightly as Choi Han made no move to approach or finish what he started.
The aura had actually made Choi Han calm down slightly, but he still eyed the stranger with suspicion.
The stranger sighed, and Cale Henituse stared at the eerily identical man with surprise, fear, and a hint of awe in his gaze.
“Well. Shall we introduce ourselves? Although Cale Henituse is already well known. No need to be so angered, Young Master. Swordsman-nim, call me Cale Rok Soo.”
Choi Han twitched at the Korean part of the stranger’s name, although it was weird that he shared the same first name and appearance as the Henituse trash, but a different ‘surname’ than him.
The Korean still stared at Cale Rok Soo warily, muscles tight and on edge.
Cale Rok Soo sighed before holding out his hand and dissipating the oppressive aura.
“Come then. If you won’t introduce yourself, then you do not feel comfortable here. You should always eat in a place that feels safe.”
The long-haired Cale waited patiently for Choi Han, who moved to spare the definitely weak human the strain.
Without the aura pressing down on Choi Han, Cale Rok Soo felt somewhat as weak as he looked.
“…Choi Han.”
He finally spoke to the stranger, who simply smiled with a slight nod.
“…I had a reason to meet the Count.”
Choi Han tried to make conversation with the man who was listening. He had a reason for attacking Cale Henituse, and he was trying to explain himself.
‘…Why?’
“Well, you followed me for food, so whatever business you have with Deruth Henituse has already concluded? I would ask you to pay me back for the meal, but you already seem stressed enough, Choi Han-ssi.”
Cale Rok Soo deduced precisely, and Choi Han fumbled for a response as the redhead continued and concluded with Choi Han’s name.
Choi Han didn’t feel hostility for this man who treated him like a person. Who treated him like… almost like family?
‘What am I thinking? That's ridiculous. I'm delusional for even thinking it. No way. We just met.’
Choi Han berated himself for trying to dig deeper into this man’s kindness.
Cale Rok Soo’s kindness had to have some sort of deeper meaning to it, since people were usually untrustworthy eventually.
“Are you alright, Choi Han-ssi?”
Cale Rok Soo asked, examining the Korean with those sad eyes and blank face.
“I. Am. Fine.”
Choi Han tried to play off the strange reaction from the redhead as amusement, but Cale seemed used to 'bad acting' from people.
The redhead shook his head with a fondness that caught Choi Han off-guard, but he again attempted to restrain himself from asking.
No one ever humored curiosity without hidden motives. He was fine not knowing, as long as he stayed sharp.
“Ah. Choi Han-ssi?”
The Korean blinked as the shorter man stopped in front of a few market stalls to pick up two kittens.
‘He took care of the cats?’
Choi Han remembered the cats from when he jumped over the wall. He shouldn’t mention that to a decent person without authority in the matter.
“What would you prefer for dinner?”
Cale Rok Soo gently pet the cats in his arms as he gestured vaguely with his head towards the stalls.
Cale really looked like a good person. Well, decent, Choi Han supposed.
‘Depends if he actually feeds us.’
–CALE!!! I’m HUNGRY again!
‘Shut up. We're about to eat.’
Choi Han had chosen bread and skewers, and the kittens each picked an extra dish.
Cale had readily purchased three-four servings of food, since the kittens liked some dishes more than others.
Cale watched as remnants of his family ate together. The few he could find so far were only the ones currently in Rain City.
With a playful exasperation, Cale wiped Ohn and Hong’s faces with his handkerchief since they were still in the messy stages of childhood.
Choi Han watched with an unreadable expression, studying Cale’s features as he looked over the kittens and their apparent close relationship with Cale.
“…What are their names?”
Choi Han asked after a few minutes of eating in silence.
Cale hummed before he pat both kittens’ heads and gestured them toward Choi Han.
“Go on. Introduce yourselves.”
The kittens stared at Cale with wide surprised eyes, and he just gave them a teasing look.
“I met you twice, remember? You two look the same. Go on.”
Cale smiled mischievously, and the kittens relaxed in his odd warmth.
“Ohn.”
The silver-furred kitten spoke first, brushing her tail against her brother as encouragement to speak.
“Hong!”
Choi Han nodded to the red-furred kitten and his sister.
“Nice meeting you.”
Cale watched their interaction distantly, remembering how they met in the other world.
‘Ohn and Hong looked too thin at this age. They should eat more.’
Cale sighed and shifted in his seat to watch the sun drift across the horizon.
‘I still have to meet Deruth and approve a ride to the capital. Save Raon, and Taylor Stan, and get the upgraded version of the Vitality of the Heart. A glass plate is still glass.’
He didn’t notice the three pairs of eyes on him. Two from kittens, one from the swordsman.
All three had noticed his odd shift, the seriousness that engulfed his demeanor.
‘When and who should I try the memory ability on first? I think that would be interesting to test.’
“Do you think the notebook messages are too detached? Angelina?”
“Oh shut up. Stop talking about it already! He obviously can read them.”
“But—I wasn’t able to write about—”
“You didn’t even know the child’s attribute even worked like that.”
“How could I have known?!”
“Ask Time?”
“Eh?”
“No! Not what I meant. Put that down and leave the souls alone!”
“But—”
“I’m just gonna leave if you don’t stop it this instant.”
“Instant! That might be—”
“Ugh. Not again. I’m leaving. Alberu!!!!! My child!!!!!”
“At least you have a child. Huff.”