Before the next reading began, a loud sound echoed in the room. Adalie blinked before grabbing her phone from her pockets, talking a little with the caller before hanging up with a big smile on her face.

"Okay, starting from now on, we will watch instead of reading!" Adalie cheered, pressing random buttons until the screen turned on with the face of Ron appearing with a flash.

"Let's start the show!" Adalie commented before pressing play, everyone besides the Koreans being amazed at how the pictures began moving as they weren't able to pay much attention to it before with the heart-dropping scenes. "Oh, and this is the last chapter for the day. It's getting quite late and children needs beauty sleep."

"Amazing, I wonder if it's possible to make this." TCF! Alberu wondered. They might have magic balls who could record things but not in this way. It was very clear and felt like they were literally there when it happened.

Chapter 10: 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.'

Rok Soo looked at TCF! Cale in pity as TBOAH! Cale laughed.

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'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.

"You're really scared of him." TBOAH! Rei Stecker said in amusement.

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.'

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.

Everyone looked at TCF! Cale in shock. What did he mean, wasn't he trying to avoid his butler and the son? Why the change of heart?

'I can take on Beacrox as my personal chef.'

Everyone understood why he was happy the two he always avoided would come and smiled in amusement.

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.'

Both Beacrox and both Rons looked amused as TCF! Hans sighed in sadness, remembering his stress in finding another chef to handle kitchen #2.

Hans became anxious, but Ron seemed to be happy to be going with his son.

"I was." TCF! Ron nod as TCF! Beacrox smiled a little.

'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.

"My...mother would take me out to travel sometimes when I was young." TCF! Beacrox softly said as TBOAH! Beacrox and both Rons looked sad at the reminder.

(Note: This isn't canon. I made this idea myself because when I first read this, I wondered if there was a reason why Beacrox liked to travel. If there was a real reason, please tell me so I can correct it, thank you!)

Cale walked through the foggy Western 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.

"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.

Many nod. It was better to face honest people who answers bluntly compared to those with a glib tongue. Unconsciously, TCF! Choi Han and his party, TCF! Witira and her family with TCF! Archie, and TCF! Ron with TCF! Beacrox turned to look at TCF! Cale while both Tasha's looked at their respective nephew.

Cale patted the shoulder of the baker, who seemed to be a bit more relaxed around him, and headed for the slums.

"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.

TCF! Cale sweat drop at what he just watched. So they can also hear other people's thoughts? Well, that was... amusing (creepy).

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?'

Many frowned at the reminder, glad that TCF! Cale took them with him.

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.

"Huh." TBOAH! Adin snorted as Adalie and some others felt annoyed at him.

'I want to duct tape his mouth so bad but I can't because I bought them here to react.' Adalie thought while trying to stop herself from grabbing a duct tape.

"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 Western 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.

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.

Just like TCF! Cale, the others flinched in surprise at the loudness of the voice, especially the bad group where the voice was much louder. Everybody was busy rubbing their ears to notice Adalie, who had a small smirk on her face, as she subtly kept the remote back to her pockets.

'That's what you get for mocking Cale.' she thought with a pout.

'The novel didn't mention something like this.'

"He's still awfully calm though." Maes said in awe. "I want to be like that when I grow up, hyung!"

TCF! Lock just smiled, not having the heart to say that he wishes no one to become like TCF! Cale. Just one was enough. Not only was TCF! Cale giving them heart attacks with his sudden coughing of blood or fainting, he also seemed to gather strong allies every time he goes out and that was scary, not knowing when TCF! Cale would die if he offends the said strong ally.

More, more! I will give you a present if you bring me more. A present.

Present. That word made Cale's eyes start to sparkle.

"Cute." Dodori commented with a smile. "He looks like a child who got his Christmas present early."

"True." Mila nod with a smile, thinking that TCF! Cale looked like Dodori when he saw something he wants.

Although he didn't expect the soul to go crazy like this, the end was near.

"I wasn't crazy!" the shield shouted with a pout. "I was just hungry."

"Just wait."

The black branch started to sway, as if nodding at him.

"I was." the shield confirmed.

It felt like a scene out of a horror movie.

"Now that you mention it..." Jung Soo said with a wry smile. "The setting is perfect for something to pop out from the ground and drag you down."

TCF! Cale didn't say anything but shivered, reminding himself to be more careful in the future.

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.

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.

The two kittens smiled mischievously at TCF! Cale, remembering what they were doing that time.

'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.

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.

No one said anything, amazed at their first time seeing someone gather an ancient power. Even the Buds and the White Stars were quiet, comparing their dull experience with TCF! Cale's.

It was so, so good!

That voice was ... obnoxious.

The shield just pouted further while the other ancient powers started paling, realizing that TCF! Cale must have been annoyed at them when he was getting them, especially the crybaby who kept whining that time. To think that people would hear them... they wanted to go back to the past and change it.

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 –

...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!'

Even though they knew he would be safe, TCF! Cale's friends and families were worried for him. The unexpected was always the hardest and scariest one.

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.

'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?'

"Because it's the god of Death who sent the book." TCF! Cage said with a frown.

"Who knows what he was thinking about." TBOAH! Cage continued. "Maybe he was drunk and added that part or something."

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.

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.

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.

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!

"Yes, it was an amazing and professional evaluation. You're a bit lou-"

The spirit cut Cale off.

It was an amusing sight to TCF! Alberu who was always being cut off by the rude guy.

'Have a taste of your own medicine.' he thought with a happy smile.

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.

Cale really could not figure out the situation at hand. At least the voice stopped after telling him thanks. Called 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 green leaves. The scene looked even more mystical because he was surrounded by fog right now.

The kittens had shining eyes, amazed at the sight they were seeing while the adults looked on with interest.

TCF! Deruth sighed, now knowing how the black tree suddenly turned white in a day. At least that was one mystery down.

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.

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.

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.

TCF! Cale's friends and families smiled in happiness before frowning.

"Cale-nim." TCF! Choi Han said seriously. "Why do you keep bleeding and fainting when you have a shield that will protect you?"

TCF! Cale didn't answer, knowing that any answer he gives will earn him wrath.

"He's sacrificial." TCF! Mary said with her robotic voice. "Did I use the word correctly, grandfather?"

"You did." TCF! Obante smiled while ignoring the fuss the TCF! people are doing.

"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.

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.

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.

'The strength of this shield is stronger than I expected. Why would the heroes not use it all the time?'

"Because they were strong enough to destroy the danger before it could harm them." Rok Soo commented with a yawn.

The Indestructible Shield, unlike its name, actually is capable of breaking.

Many frowned at the thought and wondered why it earned its name when it is destructible. It almost seemed redundant.

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.

Oh, now they get it. Still, it seemed pretty useless if the owner dies the moment the shield breaks. No wonder no one ever bothered getting it.

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.

"Eh?!" both Bud's exclaimed in shock. "You can do that?"

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.

"Cale-nim, while I am happy you respect my strength, can you not think like I'll kill you?" TCF! Choi Han whined, feeling like he was hit every time they see TCF! Cale think about him attacking.

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.

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.

"Which is?" TBOAH! Valentino curiously asked while those who knows TCF! Cale had an idea of what the problem was.

"...It seems too divine."

"Pfft." TCF! Rosalyn and Adalie laughed again. They couldn't help it since TCF! Cale kept acting like he didn't want to be the center of attention when all his actions were very extravagant.

"Perfect for someone like you!" TCF! Clopeh praised with happiness as his other version copied him while TCF! Cale groaned, hoping he wouldn't have to deal with this soon and the future.

At full strength, it looked like a Holy Shield that the Knights of God carry with their swords in myths.

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.

'It's not like there will be many reasons for me to use this.'

Many smirked, thinking of TCF! Cale's nickname, young master silver shield.

He was planning on leaving the fighting to everyone else.

'Uhuh, try becoming a commander. No, not just a commander but the commander.' Adalie thought with pity.

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.

Those who saw the shield just smiled awkwardly. Looks like the plan failed.

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.

"Young master, you should have bought an umbrella or someone." TBOAH! Ron scolded. TCF! Cale might not be his young master (puppy) but he looked so much like his young master that he felt the need to say it.

It was at that moment.

Meeoooooow.
Meow.

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.

"Poor kitten-nims." TCF! Hans wailed.

"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.

"You're just slow." the ancient powers began teasing their owner again.

"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!"

"He's a slave to the kittens." TCF! Hannah laughed.

This deputy butler really did seem to be butler material. Cale carefully put the two kittens in the hands of the extremely excited Hans.

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?"

"Whatever you want."

"He totally is." TCF! Jopis smiled in amusement, ignoring her sister who was in the same room as her.

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.

"How did you know it was us, nyah?" Hong asked while TCF! Cale just pointed at the screen.

"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?

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.

"Oh." Hong answered in embarrassment.

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?"

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.

"You looked scary in that moment I wondered if it was the right choice to follow you, nyah~" On said.

"I... look scary?" TCF! Cale wondered.

'What the fuck? I mean, compared to others like Archie, don't I look kind?' he thought.

"Well, that's all for the day, let's all get some sleep and start watching another set tomorrow!" Adalie said with a yawn before disappearing with an orange smoke, leaving a letter filled with instructions from where the rooms are located and who sleeps with who as a reminder in case they forgot since they don't know each other too much.