Chapter 8: Picked it up (2)

Cale held a bag that was twice the size of yesterday's bag as he headed back up to the top of the slums. 

"It's weird seeing you work." TCF! Alberu said. "Don't you want to be a slacker?"

"I do." TCF! Cale nod. "Those are just my first steps to become one."

'Yep, that's just the first out of thousands.' Adalie thought with pity.

The two siblings were there to greet him once again. The children kept their mouth shut as they looked toward Cale. Cale smiled as he took out two small bags and pushed them toward the children.

"Take it."

The young girl slowly approached him. Cale frowned as he watched the girl with coarse grey hair approach him. She had a hand on her side as she limped over to him.

"Why were you limping?" TCF! Taylor asked in worry. He remembered the kittens who rode with him, Cage, and Cale on their way to the capital and found them cute so seeing them suffering made him mad.

"Ah...I tripped earlier that morning, nyah." On said while licking her paw, having no trouble watching her past self. Contrary to On, TCF! Cale was already finalizing his plans to torture the cat tribe.

'I guess it's a good thing to have many strong people with me.' TCF! Cale thought with a small smirk. 'More ways to torture people.'

"Hey."

Cale pushed the two bags toward the young boy.

"You come here and take it."

The young boy quickly rushed over and snatched the bags before quickly running back. Compared to Cale's bright red hair, the boy had coarse dark red hair that shook as he ran.

Cale then turned around and headed toward the man-eating tree.

"Wow."
"It's not bread. It's meat and cake."

He could hear the siblings talking about the food, but he did not care. He continued to walk toward the man-eating tree's territory.

Oooooooooooooong-

"...It's a bit scary."

"It is." Paseton agreed, inching a little closer to his sister.

The black tree without any leaves seemed to be moving its branches to welcome Cale. This eerie feeling made Cale nervous, but he still poured the contents of the bag into the hole underneath the tree.

The bread quickly disappeared.

It was at that moment.

...More, give me more.

Almost everyone flinched at the sudden voice they heard and looked at Adalie who had a big smile on her face.

"Hehehe, I thought that it was boring only reading the scenes so I decided to add the sounds TCF! Cale heard. Oh, and the following chapters will not be a reading anymore but will be watching the show!" Adalie announced proudly, thinking of all the begging she had to do for the readings to become a show.

"Show?" TBOAH! Glenn asked in curiosity.

"Oh, it's like... you'll see later." Adalie said, realizing that they never had any shows or movies in their world. 

'...It's driving me crazy.'

The response he read about in the novel showed up. It was the voice of a weak girl. Yes, the person who starved to death was a priestess who served a god. However, unlike the present day priestesses of the temples or churches, the ancient priestesses were shamans. The majority of the ancient shamans could be considered people who had superpowers or natural forces under their command.

"Oh?" many people looked at the shield in interest as she just smiled proudly, happy that people are recognizing her strengths.

Cale quickly grabbed the bag and started to move.

'Cale, come to my study tonight.'

That was what his father, Deruth, had said to Cale when he went to get some allowance. That was why he had to leave here before evening at the latest.
'Half.'

He came here with the intention of taking care of half of the gluttony of the tree today. He went back down the hill to get more bread. He could see the two siblings looking at him with cake on their lips.

"Tsk."

Cale frowned and clicked his tongue as he walked past the two siblings.

Cale then walked to the street where there were a lot of bakeries. He had already swept the stock of the bakery he went to yesterday this morning, so it would take them some time to restock. That was why he needed to look for another bakery. It was at that moment.

"Y, young master."

A woman's voice made Cale turn his head. A middle-aged woman smiled awkwardly as she pointed to her shop. Her hand was shaking and she was full of fear, but she still had some confidence.

"We have a lot of bread."

Cale started to smile. Now this was a woman who knew how to do business. The other vendors were peeking their way while looking at what was going on.

"She's a smart woman." TBOAH! Odeus said with an approving nod. "That is how you do business. Shyness and fear are useless."

The merchants in the room nod in agreement, thinking of the bold acts they did in the past.

Cale threw her a gold coin and the woman quickly picked it up.

"Give me everything you have. Pack it quickly."

In that instant, the smile on the middle-aged woman's face grew wider. She instantly went into the store and immediately came back out with a large bag full of bread. She had already packed it all up in advance.

"Here it is, young master."

'Wow. She really is a good merchant.'

TCF! Billos agreed with a smile, happy his friend was getting recognition. He remembered that day where the lady visited his shop to talk about what happened with excitement.

This was someone who knew how to make money.

"I can also prepare some more."

Cale liked this woman even more. However, at that instant...

"Young master! We can make even more bread than that!"

An old man across the street raised his hand as he rushed over. He was wearing a baker's uniform. Cale liked his fitting outfit and threw a gold coin to him as well.

"I will head to your shop next. Have a bag ready."
"Thank you very much!"

Cale was amazed by these vendors. They were still afraid of him because of his identity as the trash of the Count's family, but they had no issues coming up to him to make some easy money. It was probably because they knew that Cale did not hit anybody who was not a gangster, but he still could see why the Henituse territory was doing so well.

It was now the Henituse families smiling proudly at their citizens while TCF! Alberu felt a bit jealous at how many competent workers worked in the Henituse territory.

'Maybe I'll hire some of them if the Count allows me.' he thought before glancing at TCF! Cale. 'Or I can use him in some way to make it happen.'

The fact that Cale had spent a gold coin to buy a bag of bread yesterday had already spread like wildfire. 1 million gallons. The others gasped at the week's worth of profit while their eyes started to sparkle.
'I can go around to those three places tomorrow to get bread.'

Since he gave each of them a gold coin, he should be able to get another bag from them tomorrow. Cale was happy that things were going so smoothly.
However, there was someone who was watching him from afar.

"Hmm."

It was the chef, Beacrox. Just like his father, he had a bandage around his neck, and he was watching Cale from behind a corner. He just watched Cale buy the bag of bread and some medicinal herbs before heading back to the slums.

"...Did he go crazy?"

Cale seemed like he had gone crazy since yesterday.

"Hey!" TCF! Cale glared at TCF! Beacrox, only to stop and turn away. No matter how angry he becomes, the chef still scares him.

The others who saw this silently laugh.

Beacrox had never cared about Cale, even when his father had said that Cale was an interesting kid, but, the more he saw, the more he started to agree. It felt like it would be just as fun to watch Cale as it was to watch the black-haired punk. Beacrox's eyes started to sparkle.

Rok Soo just felt glad TBOAH! Cale was sleeping and not hearing these words. It was now worst since they could actively hear the voices and thoughts, both laced with emotions, and not just stoically read them. 

Billos, the owner of the tea shop with the highest view, took a sip of his tea as he received his subordinate's report.

"Young master Cale is going in and out of the slums?"
"Yes, Billos-nim."
"I see."

"Are you also stalking me?" TCF! Cale asked bluntly while TCF! Billos turned red in embarrassment. The others only looked at TCF! Cale in amazement, shock at how bluntly he spoke.

"I wasn't!" TCF! Billos denied with all his might.

"We also received communication from the capital."
"Is that so?"

Billos's round eyes, that were hard to see because of his fat, opened widely. The subordinate flinched for a moment before continuing his report.
"Yes. It mentioned that the crown will soon gather people. That is why they wish for Billos-nim to return and get to work."

Clank.

Billos put the teacup on the table as he motioned with his chin.

"You can head out now."

The subordinate quickly moved into the shadows and disappeared. Billos stared at the spot his subordinate was standing in as one corner of his lips twisted upward.

"Do they think I will be their dog and watch the house again?"

His gaze headed out of the window. It felt like his gaze could reach the far away capital.

Both Odeus frowned in anger, their hands twitching to hold those bastards (who couldn't even take care of his nephew)'s necks. 

***

"This, this isn't bread. Isn't bread."
"And?"

Seeing the young girl who was mumbling, 'isn't bread,' over and over as she held the medicinal herbs in her hand, Cale just snorted as he headed back to the man-eating tree. However, the young boy got in his way.

"You cannot die."

It was the young boy saying he cannot die now. Cale did not even frown as he just walked past the young boy.

Cale, no, Kim Rok Soo.

He was an orphan and didn't have anything to his name.

Many looked at TCF! Cale in sadness. 

That was why there were a lot of people who showed the poor Kim Rok Soo a lot of sympathy.

'Is there a reason to show sympathy for the needy?'

That was something he heard all the time when he was younger.

'Young beggar.'
'Poor orphan.'
'You don't need a reason to show sympathy.'

There was a time he just took that at face value, but he started to understand the real meaning of it as he got older.
There wasn't a logical reason for the things your heart draws you to do. You didn't need a reason.

Even though many were saddened by his past, the most affected were Jung Soo, Soo Hyuk, Rok Soo, and TBOAH! Cale who woke up.

"So annoying."

Cale hated to see young children being hurt. However, he didn't have any thoughts about nursing the young girl nor thoughts of consoling her. He frowned toward the young girl who was limping toward him and the young boy next to her as he answered them.

"I won't die."

The siblings finally stopped following him once he said that. Cale was unhappy at the thought that he did something he hated the most. He hated people who got involved in other people's business without being asked, but he had done just that by giving the young girl the medicinal herbs.

Oooooooooooong.

More, give me more.

"Yes. Eat it all."

Cale dumped the whole bag into the man-eating tree without caring about how it landed. He was not afraid. The bread instantly disappeared into the darkness that was now too light to be called darkness. Cale could now see a new grey light. However, it would only seem grey to him.

'I guess it is paying off for the money I spent.'

Those who weren't very rich felt their hearts ache the more they see TCF! Cale treat money like throwing junks. 

'Just wait until he gets the fire of destruction.' Adalie thought. 'Your hearts won't be able to take it like mine.'

Cale poured the other bag of bread into the hole as he headed back home. He didn't see the siblings anymore, but that was better for Cale.

However, he saw the two struggling cats on his way back home and flinched.

'It's the cats from yesterday. They shouldn't remember me, right?'

Silver fur and golden eyes, dark red fur and golden eyes. The two cats did not even meow as they stared at Cale. Cale did not want to cause a scene, and just looked away as he headed back home.

"Nyah, do you know that we were planning on going with you that time?" Hong asked while smiling innocently. "We just didn't because we missed our timing."

He then heard something from his father that almost made him faint.

"... Could you please say that one more time."
"Yes. Cale."

Basen was standing next to Cale as well. The story of the Henituse family that was not mentioned in the novel was happening in front of Cale's eyes.

"You shall go to the capital as our family's representative."

Cale could feel a headache coming.

"Originally, Basen was supposed to go. However, you are the first born of our family."

Cale just opened and closed his mouth repeatedly as he watched Count Deruth sitting there with a gentle smile. Going to visit the crown at such a time. Cale was quickly thinking about the contents of 'The Birth of a Hero' as Deruth continued to speak.

"The crown is hosting a big event, and the noble families of each territory have been invited to gather. It will be your first time to go visit the crown, but Basen has been going to similar functions for the last two years. However, I am hoping for you to go this time."

Big event hosted by the crown. That made Cale think about a single incident.

The Plaza Terror Incident.

"So you knew about that." TCF! Eric said. "No wonder you were so calm."

A secret organization commits a terrorist act when many of the citizens of the capital are gathered in one place. Our hero Choi Han is the one who manages to block about half of their plot. That would be the fourth time that Choi Han and the secret organization would come into contact with each other.

As a result, Choi Han is able to save a lot of the citizens at the plaza and becomes connected with the crown prince. They then quickly develop a friendship with each other.

"It wasn't really friendship at that time." TBOAH! Choi Han said as TBOAH! Alberu nodded in agreement. "We were only acquaintances who could help each other."

"Of course, we are friends now but probably not as close as you and your Choi Han." TBOAH! Alberu said as TCF! Choi Han smiled while TCF! Cale frowned in disagreement.

'Friends?' TCF! Cale wondered. 'Can't they see that I'm trying to avoid him for the rest of my life?' 

Cale suddenly got the chills.

Since the novel described the event from Choi Han's point of view, it did not talk much about the gathering of the nobles. All it mentioned was that Choi Han gains some party members before and after the incident, as well as the strong backing of the crown prince.

But he had to go to the scene of that terrorist attack?
Of course, he did not know whether the nobles would gather in the plaza as well. Cale started to recall the information in 'The Birth of a Hero.

[Tons of people were gathered in the plaza. The platform was still empty. It was for the royal family that would soon arrive. Choi Han could see some other people who looked like they held important positions. However, more important to Choi Han, was the fact that a lot of citizens, young, old, male, female, were gathered here. Choi Han's heart started to beat faster.
He did not want to see a group of innocent people dying ever again.]

Would people who looked like they held important positions include the nobles?

"It did." TBOAH! Basen looked bitter as he spoke, inwardly hoping TCF! Cale to not go and let his other self go. He knows it was a cruel thought for his other self but he wasn't hurt that badly and, after reading his brother's other self's life, it was evil to wish for TCF! Cale to go.

Cale turned to look at Basen even as his father was continuing to speak. Basen stood there stoically, looking at his father without giving Cale a single glance.

'Deruth said Basen normally goes to events like this. Should I tell him to go?'

Cale's mouth continued to repeatedly open and close. He did not want to go to a dangerous area. However, he could not bring himself to say Basen's name.

"Hyung." TCF! Basen said with a small smile, touched that his new brother still loved him enough that early on to not want him to suffer.

A relationship that was neither good nor bad. That was the relationship between the original Cale and Basen. Basen found Cale to be difficult, but that was it.

"I don't." TBOAH Basen said indignantly.

Cale's mind started to get complicated. Would Cale have gone in the story? There was no way Deruth would send the trash to the capital. Just why was he trying to send him then? Cale was wondering if he had done something wrong to have caused this to happen.

"You will leave in five days."

Five days later. Hearing Deruth say that, Cale knew that the Cale in the novel had not gone to the capital.
In the novel, he was beaten to a pulp by Choi Han four days later and carried into the Count's estate. There was no way he could go to the capital in that condition.

Rok Soo nod to show that it was true.

"Cale. Before Basen started to do it, you had participated in all of these ceremonies. Think back on those times and have a relaxed journey."

"Father."

Deruth looked toward Cale at his calling. Basen slowly turned to look at his older brother as well.

"I am a bit anxious because of this sudden development. I have not gone to any of these since two years ago. I don't understand why I would suddenly have to go. Please let me think about it."

Deruth agreed and told his two sons that they could leave. The siblings quickly left the study. Cale was busy thinking about all sorts of things. If Cale threw a fit and caused a scene, Deruth would probably send Basen, but that would leave a bitter taste in his mouth.

It was at that moment.

"Hyung-nim."

Cale could hear his young brother, Basen's voice. Cale turned his head. He could see Basen still stoically walking without looking at him. The 15 year old Basen always talked like this without ever making eye contact.
"Hyung-nim, there is no reason you cannot go."

Sigh. Cale let out a sigh.

Basen did not even look at Cale as he left the study and headed to his own room. Cale stared at Basen for a long time.

"...It's not supposed to go like this."

Cale had been pushed out of the successor spot. Cale could not stop acting like trash even when his younger brother flat out acted like he was the family's successor since two years ago. He was the joke of the family.
That was why there were a lot of reasons he should not go as the family representative to the crown's summon. However, Basen was saying that there were no reasons not to go to the event.

Basen was saying that there were enough reasons for Cale to go as the family representative.

Rok Soo and TBOAH! Cale smiled softly, happy that their brother still loved him even though he acted like trash.

'Things will become complicated like this.'

Cale stated to frown. He did not like how things were going.
But the other problem was...

'It's worth a shot.'

He thought it was worth going through the events that were about to come up.

The reason was that the chances of Cale coming back without dying or getting hurt were pretty high.

'It will also make it difficult for me if Basen dies without being able to take the Count position.'

"He really can't be honest with himself." TCF! Jopis said in amusement.

In order for Cale to live a peaceful life, Basen needed to survive. There was still their youngest sister, Lily, but she was too young. Furthermore, Cale needed to head out of Western City after taking the ancient power located at the man-eating tree in order to take some other ancient powers located outside the Henituse territory.

The scale inside Cale's mind started to tilt.

"Aren't you tired from thinking and weighing things all the damn time?" TCF! Bud asked while rubbing his head, having a headache from the combination of the alcohol and the readings.

He started to stare at deputy butler Hans who was heading his way. Hans's expression was intense, but not dark. He seemed to be a bit bitter, but his eyes were clear.

TCF! Choi Han just smiled sheepishly, thinking at how persistent he was with the butler as TCF! Hans twitched his eye unconsciously.

"Young master, the request that your guest has asked for-"
"Hans."

Cale cut him off as he said something else.

"Bring that guest here."
"Excuse me?"

Cale was not going to be pushed around. If he was going to have to move, he might as well do it in a way that was most comfortable for him and in a way that was most beneficial for him.

"Ah, if he doesn't want to come, just tell him this."

"Human, you look evil!" Raon said while TCF! Cale just shrugged.

Based on Hans's expression, Cale was certain that Choi Han's issue was settled properly. In the novel, Count Deruth gave a proper funeral for the villagers and took care of everything even after Choi Han beat Cale to a pulp. That shouldn't have changed at all.

"The Count was kind." TBOAH! Choi Han agreed, still not apologizing to TBOAH! Cale for beating him when the words still haunt him to this day.

"Payment."
"Pardon?"
"Tell him to come because a way for him to pay me back has come up."

"I like your style." a sly voice caught everyone's attention and everyone turned to the source, shock when they saw a girl in a black robe appearing besides TBOAH! Adin.

"You!" both Jopis suddenly stood up and shouted, pointing at the robbed person.

"You were here too, Elisneh?" TBOAH! Jopis said, regaining her calm while TCF! Jopis glared at the new robbed person sitting besides TCF! White Star. It seemed that both versions of Elisneh were with them.

"Of course." TCF! Elisneh smiled mockingly. "Did you think that only you were brought here?"

"Why is miss Elisneh there, Adalie?" TBOAH! Litana asked in confusion. "Shouldn't she be here with us?"

"How dense can you be?!" TBOAH! Jopis yelled at TBOAH! Litana. "Isn't it obvious she's an enemy?"

"W-what?" TBOAH! Litana stuttered in shock. "That can't be! She helped put out the fire in the jungle!"

"She's an illusionist." TCF! Jopis said while rolling her eyes. "That's easy for her."

"Illusionist, huh." TCF! Gashan said. "How rare."

"I'll give you all thirty minutes to sort everything out. I want to rest a bit." Adalie said before sleeping on her chair, ignoring the chaos happening around her.