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[letcaleslack]

A moment of respite

[letcaleslack]

Cale in a hanfu w/ a fan 

[letcaleslack]

Can't wait lcf official english release!!!!

[letcaleslack]

Alberu Crossman is Ahn Roh Man

I have a hypthesis I want to share with you. But first some context:

Who is Ahn Roh Man again?

He's the AS representative of Taerang, Alberu's spear that the Sun God gave him. He was Taerang's previous owner on Earth 3. Earth 3 is a world that is somewhere in the middle between the Earth Kim Rok Soo and Choi Han are from and the world they currently live in with the Roan Kingdom. On Earth 3 there is no Korea, however, there is a nation called Roan with a capital called Seoul. And the people in Roan on Earth 3 have Korean names. Like Ahn Roh Man, who is the president of Roan.

Why is Alberu Crossman Ahn Roh Man?

We know that people can exist in different worlds, like how Kim Rok Soo also exists on Earth 2, where Cale went during the Sealed God's test. So hypothetically it's possible that there is another Alberu Crossman in a different world. And it's also possible that that Alberu Crossman is not called Alberu Crossman.

And it just so happens that Ahn Roh Man and Alberu Crossmann are very similar.

Alberu is Crown Prince, going to be King. He's very competent and sure to have a long reign. Ahn Roh Man is the president and is currently serving his thrid term. So they are both the long-serving top administators of their countries.

They also get along quite well. Alberu himself says "Ahn Roh Man is a guy who is very smart and easy to talk to.” Alberu and Ahn Roh Man immediately strike a deal of cooperation and information exchange.

But more importantly, Ahn Roh Man himselfs admits that Alberu is similar to him:

"…But it is quite interesting. You seem very similar to me. Are you of an impure bloodline as well?"

That impure bloodline bit is definitely an allusion to Alberu's Dark Elf heritage. It seems there are Dark Elves or something similar on Earth 3 as well and Ahn Roh Man is one of them.

Also their names are similar. Just look at them!

Alberu Crossman

Ahn Roh Man

(And wouldn't it be hilarious if the Sun God looted one version of Alberu Crossman only to give the loot to another version of Alberu Crossman?)

[letcaleslack]

You guys ever think about how funny it is that the whole reason why Cale did not have try at all to impersonate the original Cale, was because no one actually knew anything about him, despite the fact that everybody knew about him? On an international scale, even??

Cale: (doing an absolutely terrible job at being trash) Everybody else: That doesn't sound right, but I don't know enough about Cale Henituse to dispute it

[letcaleslack]

I meant to post something about when Cale received the letter from the God of Death, but that whole bit is just too damn good. I basically focused on reading it and didn't really think of writing about it.

This is where we truly start to learn about Kim Rok Soo's past. There were a lot of teasers before - learning that his Korea has monsters, that he was a Team Leader, that his company dealt with monsters and corrupt guilds. That he had an ability like Record.

There were some flashbacks, especially to some of his interactions with Choi Jung Soo (who we learned died before him back when Cale had that memory after fighting the golems) and Lee Soo Hyuk...

And then we got the letter from the God of Death, and Kim Rok Soo had a truly traumatic flashback to when they all died.

I think this is the first time we truly saw him shaken? The guy with the perfect memory, the guy who could record and playback everything, experienced something so traumatic that his records were broken.

We see that Kim Rok Soo was an analyst. A very good one. One able to predict a terrible monster (and thus felt guilty that his entire team died fighting said monster -though he seems to have worked through that. Some. Mostly.

We see how he interacted with his friends, really his family. And in a subordinate role, unlike most of what we've seen.

There's this bit where he'd overused his ability and had a bloody nose, and Lee Soo Hyuk tells him

‘Kim Rok Soo, wipe your nosebleed. You should get some rest if you have overloaded.’

Which contrasts with after their deaths, when he's briefing the reinforcements and notes

The reinforcements all focused on his explanation, but nobody said anything about wiping his bloody nose.

So much desolation from such a small thing.

And the request to retrieve their bodies! Over and over again, we've seen how much Cale cares about retrieving bodies and showing respect for the dead. Insisting on improving the graves at Harris Village, recovering all the remains from the Path of No Return, protecting the dead in the fight against Adin...

While that didn't solely come from this incident (the losses in his monster torn Korea played a role, this is why he truly understands how important that is for the ones left behind.

And we also see how he didn't want his team to fight that monster. He knew, with all his analytical skills, that it was too powerful. That it was likely that they'd all die. Even though even more people would die if they didn't (since the guild in that area had run away).

He straight up says how it made him feel.

The reinforcements had been too late. Boom. Boom. Cale’s heart suddenly ran wild. The sense of responsibility, anger, and sorrow that had made Kim Rok Soo’s heart boil had risen. 

A responsibility to stay alive (even if he doesn't really want to), to carry on in Lee Soo Hyuk's place ('I leave it to you').

We learn why he despises the concept of heroic sacrifice so much, why he works so hard to come up with plans that ensure nobody has to. That nobody is ever in the position where they feel compelled to do so (though if it does come to that, he'd rather be the one to do so... Than be the one left behind. Again.)

And there's this, that he thinks after Raon and Alberu break his flashback (such good friends and family) and he finishes the letter.

Cale knew that he was selfish and bad and that he cherished people who were important to him the most.

Selfish - because he wishes his team had run away and survived? Bad - because he knows that if they had, many more would have suffered instead?

He cares, he cares so damn much. And he also seems to hate himself quite a bit, though I say that not just because of this. Also his hypocrisy towards scars, where it's fine in Mary and Hannah and a sign of survival, but disgusting and something to hide in himself. That, and numerous other things that don't seem obvious at first because damn is he good at masking it and seeming normal, but yeah...

This whole scene is just so well done, means so much, answers so many of our questions, and once you know about it you can see how it affected everything.

Addendum: we also see a contrast between what Cale recalls here, and what Choi Han experiences with Choi Jung Soo's memories. Especially how he saw Kim Rok Soo use a metal board as a shield to defend him, and shortly after broke an arm.

Cale didn't mention that at all, didn't explain why he couldn't move when you he reinforcements came.

[letcaleslack]

I've thought for a while now that Raon's attribute could be related to fate. My reasons for that are pretty much the same reasons you just listed.

When can you change fate? It's only possible in the present.

We know fate is a theme in the novel. It was mentioned at one point that humans are one of the few species with the ability to change fate.

Raon is highly influenced by Cale and what is Cale really good at? Changing fate. He literally saved a whole world. He was fated to die, but CJS and LSH took his place.

Those passages you quoted. I interpreted them as Raon noticing the times Cale was changing fate.

Thoughts on Raon’s attribute

So his attribute is Present right? But we don’t know exactly what it does.

Well I’m reading some parts of the novel and I think it’s related to different/alternate timelines. There have been hints throughout the novel most of them during the Sealed God’s temple arc.

When Cale first used Instant here’s how Raon felt:

“It felt as if the entire world had stopped. It had not actually stopped, but it made him feel as if it had. It was because there was someone who seemed to be moving in a different timeline. Our young Dragon saw it. In that very short period of time… In that ‘instant’… He saw someone shooting forward as if he was made of light. That person was his human.”

Cale is supposed to be moving at superhuman speed here. Like he’s on a completely different world/dimension/timeline from everyone else. Yet Raon could see him. He saw him move, albeit with difficulty, yet he still saw him.

During the Sealed God’s temple tests Raon was the only one “feeling” what was happening inside.

He felt Cale using his powers during the sloth test:

“Goldie gramps! The human, something is weird! I keep sensing the human’s powers in that yellow piece!”

The chubby front paw was pointing at the yellow piece.

“The Super Rock, fiery thunderbolt, water, and shield! The human seems to be in a big fight right now!”

And he remembered the name Dodam:

“Do-, right, Dodam!”

“What is that?”

“I don’t know either! I just keep hearing Dodam!”

Now we don’t know if the worlds from the tests were different timelines, but I don’t believe that they were another set of worlds like Earth 3, Earth 2, Earth, 1. So they’re either alternate timelines or dimensions.

And this whole thing starts making sense when you read Present’s description:

"Present": the moment when things can change among many possibilities which allow unlimited growth.

And Eruhaben also said that during Raon’s first growth phase the moment his plate shattered the whole world became his plate. So his abilities are uncontainable and unlimited.

So yeah based on this information we can hypothesis that Raon can AT LEAST see through other timelines. How far his powers could go is not sure. He could perhaps enter different timelines or bring other people from other timelines into this timeline. He could go as far as to erase or create timelines. The possibilities are endless with Raon’s attribute.

I’m excited about what we’ll learn about Present on part 2. It’s weird, unique, complex and exciting. I don’t know if this theory has been done before but what are your thoughts on this?

[letcaleslack]

I love their reactions! Thank you for writing this. I definitely enjoyed it.

YOUNG MASTER CALE HAS SHRUNK?!

[TCF Masterlist] [Source]

This is a completed fic but I am having issues uploading to AO3 so it's here for now.

Summary: Cale and Hong prank mostly everyone. Shenanigans also ensue.

I'll be honest, I did rush this and so I don't think it "good" but an enjoying read nonetheless

[AO3 Link]

~~~~~~~~

——The Planning——

"Cale-nya, even though I am his noona but, sometimes I think you and Hong look very alike."

"Human! You have your scamming smile! Who are we scamming?"

"Everyone….except the wolves, tigers and dragons, their enhanced senses will ruin the prank. Hong, let's practice. Raon and On, I need your help too."

'I will need to tell Ron too so that he does not force Hong to drink lemon tea.'

——Henituse Duchy & Choi Han——

It was one of the rare days where Cale would return to the Henituse household and spend some time with his family. However, it was also the first place where Cale and Hong would enact the first of many pranks. After a few days of peaceful slacking and maybe spending time watching with the children in the wolf & tiger tribes. Cale bid his family goodnight and shut his door. A teleportation circle glowed in the centre of his room and out came Hong wearing the same exact sleepwear as Cale would wear.

"Remember the plan?"

"Be clueless but cute! And call everyone hyung and noona!"

=========================

The next morning, a scream was heard throughout the Henituse Mansion that brought everyone panic-charging into Cale's bedroom. Everyone was stunned by the sight of a young child with familiar red hair and wearing a smaller version of Cale's usual sleepwear. The culprit of the scream? Lily Henituse squealing and hugging the waking child.

"Aigoo, so noisy….What is happening?" the young child said, cutely rubbing his eye with a small fist

"Cale??!?!!?"

"Young Master, I have brought your lemon tea." the child frowned "Oh. Perhaps sweetened tea would fit your current palette. Please excuse this Ron so I may inform Beacrox."

"Cale-nim? You… you are tiny."

"Wha-... Oh, I have shrunk… my hands are tiny…"

'Cale' pouted, attacking those in the room with a critical hit cute attack. Then a gleam entered his eyes just as Beacrox entered with the sweet tea.

"Hello Beacrox… -hyung? Didn't I used to call you hyung? Does this mean I have to call Basen hyung too? How old do I look?"

Beacrox, who is stalled at the door with a foggy gaze, just stared at his mini young Master in disbelief. Deruth was about to have a panic attack because he suddenly remembered how absent of a father he was during Cale's childhood. Basen was pale and mumbling to himself in the corner about protection. Lily still has not let Cale go from her hug, even with him wriggling. The guards, maids and butlers who came in swooned at the adorable sight of their heroic young Master.

"I wonder if my powers still work-"

"NO!!" Everyone shouted, causing the child to flinch further into Lily's hug.

"But who would-

Everyone shook their heads in unison, watching their normal young master spit out black blood was harrowing enough, they refused to see it for the child version. Choi Han and Beacrox had inadvertently released their killing intent to anyone who made their shrunken young master use his powers. Cale pouted again, wriggled out of Lily's hold and hid under his blanket. Double critical hit to everyone else in the room.

"Beacrox-hyung, I'm hungry…" a small voice came from the blanket a few minutes later, "can you carry me?"

The chef visibly preened and picked up the child and brought them to the second kitchen while everyone stewed in jealousy. While everyone was busy glaring at the chef, Cale winked at the communication orb hidden in the corner of the room.

Meanwhile, from beyond the magic orb of communication, the true Cale Henituse was on the floor shaking, desperately trying not to laugh out loud. On and Raon had no such qualms and was laughing uproariously at the actions of Hong.

For the next few weeks, the guards (and Lily) trained much harder, motivated to protect their young master Silver Shield. And Choi Han was in charge of the training regime. Except for Hilsman, he was busy between laughing and general training since he had seen Hong before.

——Rosalyn & Eruhaben——

"Hello, Rosalyn-nim, Eruhaben-nim"

"Unlucky bastard, what happened to you?"

Rosalyn stood with mouth agape at the young child wearing Cale's signature clothes with Raon the black dragon floating beside him. And quickly snapped her head to her mentor's nickname for the young master.

"Hello Eruhaben-nim, Rosalyn-nim and young master Cale!" The wolf and tiger tribe children greeted the three excitedly as they ran past. 'Fuck, it really js young master Cale. Oh no, I must protect.' Rosalyn thought to herself.

"Rosalyn-nim, or can I call you noona?"

"And down she goes. Hong, you are too good at this."

"I didn't expect her to faint! Cale-nya! What should I do?!"

The actual Cale, who was hiding with On behind one of the houses, wheezed in reply. Raon and On weren't any better in controlling their laughter. Eruhaben chuckled at their antics.

——Alberu & Tasha——

"Alberu-hyung, I want a cookie."

Alberu places a cookie on the small hand of his sworn brother.

"Alberu-hyung, I want a golden plaque."

Alberu places a golden plaque on the small hand of his sworn brother and gives another cookie for good measure.

"Thank you, Alberu-hyung. I will go shopping now"

"Al-"

"Hush, auntie"

"He is adorable though."

Cale slams the door open again (with the help of the guards for that Dramatic effect), Alberu can see his guards doing their best to suppress their giggling outside the door.

"I want another cookie."

Tasha gives him a jar the size of his torso and waves him off.

——Northeastern Allies——

The northeast meeting location rotates with the territory, for this time, the location was at Ubarr Territory.

"Why is Eric-hyung crying… Why is Amiru-noona also cryi- Gilbert-hyung don't you dare."

Witira and Paseton sipped their tea to hide the smile on their faces, though the trembling cup does not hide much. Archie had long since returned to the seas so he could remain sane.

"Hyungniiiimmmm!! Let me go!!"

Witira and Paseton's trembling increased after watching the young kitten glare and mouth "Help me!" at where On, Raon and the actual Cale Henituse were hiding with invisibility.

——Whipper & Jungle——

"My friend! I heard you were in the kingdom and I have come to- Friend?"

"Hello Toonka."

"Friend, Cale, what happened? You are tiny."

"I don't know…" the child pouted, "everyone is too tall now."

While Toonka was smiling externally, internally he was having a crisis. For his friend had been de-aged and looked a lot weaker than he used to. He sent a message to the other warriors, knocking the senses back into Harold, to keep an eye on C- where did he go?! Everyone that came with Cale panicked at their disappearing master.

"Hello!"

They sighed in relief as the young master reappeared riding on the Jungle Queen's trusted cat, Ten, without the Queen of the Jungle.

"Queen Lina fainted and won't be meeting us."

"Cale-nim" an exasperated tone from someone

"Not my fault! … maybe."

Meanwhile, the people of the jungle shouted in alarm when their queen suddenly fainted after being asked by the adorable younger saviour something.

"Aigoo, I should get used to the ladies' faintings, shouldn't I?"

The 'young master' stared at an empty space beside him with a disgruntled expression. In that said space, Raon had casted a silencing spell on himself, his noona and his human as they laughed while being invisible.

——Valentino & Sun Twins ——

"Young Master Cale! You are not allowed in there!"

The people of Caro Kingdom were treated to the sight of their King and guards chasing a red-haired child. Said child was attempting to enter the casino and auction house.

"But my money!"

"No! Don't you dare!"

"Young Master, I have a cake. Please come here to eat."

"Oh… okay Ron."

The guards collapsed, being in armor to defend the country is a whole other ball game from chasing a child boosted by an ancient wind power (Cale was helping while invisible).

-{Scene Cut}-

"Do I call you noona and hyung now?"

"Yes, call me noona" Hannah said with a gleam in her eyes.

"Scary noona…good for p-p-protection..."

The red-haired child hid behind the smiling Saint.

——Mary——

"Hello Mar-"

"Hello Hong."

"Sugar sticks… Cale-nya, it's a failure!"

"In case you want to know. The bone structure is different to facilitate shifting."

Cale and his children (now all visible) nodded. It made sense-

"And I also saw Hong and On shift once."

Damn, failed one.

——Clopeh & Fredo——

Cale specifically ended the prank so that they will only hear from the others. He refuses to put Hong in any of their vicinity.

[letcaleslack]

I love this idea!

Canon divergence from meeting Choi Han

Can be TBOAH or OG Cale.

[TCF Masterlist]

'Cale' says shit about Harris Village, Choi Han punches only to panic because humans are not suppose to fall and shatter like the wall in Raon's dungeon when TCF!Choi Han punched it. The guards who tried to interfere are also shocked because their trashy young Master just crumbled. The "blood" just tasted and smelled like whatever alcohol he just drank.

So turns out, the real Cale left Henituse County (after finding a way to leave something behind so no one would search for him) He somehow managed to make alcohol a viable fuel source and skedaddles of for an adventure. Hence the "alcoholic" rumors that spawn and spread

Deruth is panicking, Violan is stunned, Lily is crying, Basen has shut down. Because their 'son/stepson/older brother' was actually a fake and they didn't notice.

Ron and Beacrox are shocked because Young Master? Escaped? Under their noses? Master spy like him/his father? How?

Choi Han is panicking because oh god oh no I killed an innocent human is he considered human am I going to jail I just want a proper burial.

So it came out to everyone that 'Cale Henituse' was a well made fake and the real son of the Count is currently missing. Now everyone is panicking because how long had the young Master left? What if he left long ago and the fake was the one that acted like trash, not the real Cale Henituse. Then the frequent escalating poisoning 'Cale' underwent by the maids and butler gets exposed but failed because there was nothing for the poison to attack in the fake body. It was also the first time everyone saw Deruth fly into a rage and then into a heavy depression.

Plot proceeds as per TBOAH except now Ron and Beacrox's motive is to search for the Real Cale rather than seeking revenge with ARM. Choi Han is just depressed. The Black Dragon also turned out to be a well made fake that crumbled as well. At least that showed Cale was alive...

Up until Henituse's destruction where the real Cale pops up (with longer hair, 4 children who call him appa and a few people in cloaks) and just sweeps the battle. Then he disappears again only to appear in the capital, smacks Choi Han for destroying his fake, greets everyone and presents the cloaked figures (and child number 4) to be dragons... and Mary... and the sun twins....two dark elves... and the three other kids.

"How did you defeat the wyverns!?"

"mana-powered Guns, wanna see? Faster than spells"

Rosalyn and the Mage Tower were offended until they saw Cale shoot and reload with a pistol faster than the fastest fireball. Also this new Cale is a sassy Bitch™ and he knows it but no one dares refute the person with a gun that can oneshot a wyvern or have dragons backing him.

He finds a way to tackle the dead mana bombs with the help of Mary, the dark elves and a fucking leaf blower that blows the dead mana back to the enemies.

Problem solved!

until it's not because Cale disappeared again....

~~~

Do I like making Cale OP af with magic? Yes I do.

[letcaleslack]

One of my headcanons is that at some point after the transmigration Kim Rok Soo got a tattoo of the Henituse House Crest, the golden turtle. It's to remind himself of his past because in the monotony of life in South Korea he sometimes forgets he wasn't always KRS. It's also to honor his family, who he's damn proud of and he wants to show it. They might have died a long time ago but he still loves them. And finally it's a physical manifestation of his desire to save his family, it represents his wish that they will live happily and safely with the new Cale Henituse.

The tattoo is always covered. No one but his niece (mother) knows about it. She's completely cool with his scars and hasn't asked about the tattoo yet, but he thinks she believes he's a turle nerd. He's fine with letting her believe that. Turtles are cool.

Also, both Cale and KRS have absolutely no respect for each other's body. They both semi-permanently to permanently alter their appearance. KRS with a tattoo (probably got a fancier haricut too) and Cale with loosing all his muscles and starving himself.

[letcaleslack]

Cale and co in Korea Part 14

[Part 1]

The next morning a loud sound suddenly filled team 1’s office. Through the intercom came a voice: “Monster attack in Gangbuk-gu. The local guild has asked for assistance. Team 1 will head out. I repeat: Monster attack in Gangbuk-gu-”

Everyone in the office immediately stood up, left their desks and headed for lockers, donning protective jackets and gear. Cale was the only still person. Rok Soo had said they wouldn’t take interns out on missions and this would be an opportunity for him to research the hunter’s whereabouts in peace. After the little work he’d gotten done yesterday he felt this opportunity was solely needed.

Rok Soo came up to him and patted him on the shoulder. “You can stay here and continue with your task.”

Cale nodded. “Yes, team leader-nim.”

Kim Min Ah grinned at him, a jacket slung over her shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ll be back soon.”

But he wasn’t worried?

The team was about to head out when Director Kim opened the door and came in.

Director Kim looked around at them all dressed in protective gear and his gaze rested on Cale for a second. He opened his arms widely and smiled. “You’re as quick to respond as ever! I won’t hold you up. I know you have to hurry. I just wanted to see how you were dealing with the intern. I’m sure you took appropriate care that he won’t get hurt on the field, but as director I have to double-check these things.”

Rok Soo didn’t answer him. Instead he turned to his team members. “Get the vehicles and other equipment ready. I’ll join you soon.”

The team members immediately left the room and only Director Kim, Rok Soo and Cale were left.

Rok Soo turned back to face the Director. “Bob won’t join us on the mission. He’ll remain here.”

Director Kim’s lips twisted into a smirk. “Isn’t the role of an intern to learn as much as possible? How can he really experience the work our company does if he’s excluded from missions?”

Rok Soo stepped closer to Director Kim and towered over him: “I don’t plan to exclude him from missions. I’ll take him out on planned missions, where I can explain the circumstances and his role to him beforehand, not on emergency missions, where he’ll be thrown into a chaotic and dangerous situation.”

Director Kim wasn’t intimidated. “Team 1 mainly deals in emergency missions. When the intern applied for the position he should have been aware of the dangers. The intern is now a part of your team, team leader Kim Rok Soo, and your team was ordered to deal with the monster attack. So he’ll accompany you.”

Rok Soo scowled down at the director but he couldn't oppose a direct order of his superior.

He ignored Director Kim and strode to the door. “Bob, follow me.”

Cale hurried after him, also not sparing the director a glance.

*************

Alberu leaned back in his chair and allowed himself a small pause as he massaged his aching hand. The room was only illuminated by the moonlight shining in through his window and the desk lamp.

Alberu was once again doing paperwork late in the night. He was behind as he’d spent a large portion of his time the last few days with organizing the search for Cale and his comrades. It had all started three days ago when Mary, Bud and Glenn had contacted him to tell him that they couldn't find Cale and the others. They had apparently been fighting a hunter and Mary, Bud and Glenn had gone to assist them but by the time they arrived the area was empty with only scorched grass and damaged trees remaining as signs of a fight.  

Since then they had been frantically searching for their missing friends throughout the western and eastern continents. Cage and Jack had even asked the gods but got no answer. It was a frustrating situation where they didn’t know what condition their missing friends were in. Eruhaben, Raon and Rosalyn should be able to contact him but they didn’t. Were they too injured? Had the hunters taken them hostage and were keeping their abilities and magic suppressed? (Were they dead?)

Each day with no news continued to fray Alberu’s nerves. He was barely sleeping and had developed a seemingly permanent headache.

He stared down at his hand and the red spots from holding the pen so tightly. He still had a stack of papers to do before he could sleep. With a sigh he grabbed the pen again and began to read through the next document.

The moon moved across the sky while Alberu worked in the light of the flickering lamp. He suppressed his tiredness until the last document was signed, the papers neatly stacked and the ink bottle capped. Then, when he could finally leave the desk and go to bed, all energy left him and he felt too tired to even stand up. He laid his hands across the desk and nestled his head on them. He just intended to rest for a minute before going to bed. Half a minute later he fell asleep.

It felt no different from normally falling asleep. Alberu had wondered about this before. He felt that it should be different, that there should be some indication that his soul was about to be transported into a different universe. But no, one second the was in his office and the next he was looking down at black and white striped paws resting on a concrete pavement. His tired mind couldn’t immediately comprehend it, so he blankly stared down for a minute, then slowly lifted a paw and yes, this was his body, he was a tiger.

Alberu shook his head to clear the last vestiges of tiredness and glanced around. He was in an alleyway surrounded by broken and uninhabited buildings. He quickly concluded that he was most likely in South Korea, that Cale and his friends were probably also here and that the Sun God had interfered again to allow him to travel here.

None of it made sense. Was this a repetition of the sealed god’s test? How did Cale end up here again? But he pushed his questions aside and decided to focus on what to do. From what he knew the Dark Tiger obeyed the humans at the shelter even while he wasn’t inhabiting it’s form. So if the tiger wasn’t at the shelter it was likely that it was out on a mission with some of the people from the shelter. Should he just wait for them to return to him? Or should he look around?

Just as he was contemplating this he heard explosions in the distance.

Ah, fuck it. He was overthinking. He just needed to follow the sounds of explosion and chaos. Then he would automatically find Cale.

So he set off.

[letcaleslack]

Cale and co in Korea Part 13

This high-school drop-out can’t teach

[Part 1]

On rested her head on her forearms and watched the people gathered around the dining table. Hong was sitting next to her and tracing the korean letters Choi Han had drawn on a sheet. On’s own sheet laid already finished before her. Raon was across from them and enthusiastically writing a list of questions about the korean language he was planning to ask Cale. On didn’t tell him that Cale wouldn’t appreciate that.

Beacrox had left the lesson early to prepare dinner, Ron was helping him. Rosalyn and Eruhaben were having a stilted conversation in korean. The ancient dragon had quickly absorbed the language and was now helping Rosalyn. On thought that dragons really were special. Not that she didn’t already know before, but she felt it more directly in that moment. She could barely keep the letters straight, remembered only a handful of words and could only speak sentences like “Hello, my name is On” and “I’m 13 years old”. Raon and Eruhaben meanwhile could converse fluently and had memorised the alphabet in what felt like an instant.

Everyone else was far away from being able to understand this world’s language. It didn’t help that Choi Han was as good a language instructor as he was an actor. There was a reason Raon was writing that list. It was because Choi Han didn’t know the answer to most of his questions. He’d looked embarrassed as he explained that it had been a long time since he’d been in school and while could still speak korean fluently, he didn’t remember any rules the language had.

On sighed. “I wonder when Cale is coming back.”

Eruhaben and Rosalyn stopped talking. Choi Han also looked up from where he was correcting Lock’s work sheet.

Rosalyn smiled. “I expect the young master-nim will be back in time for dinner. His work shift cannot reasonably be longer than that.”

Hong scowled and traced the next letter more forcefully. “I don’t understand why he has to work. We should just smack some bad guys and loot them dry.”

Eruhaben cleared his throat. “While I agree, I think Cale isn’t actually working for money’s sake. That punk … there’s no way he would do honest work with that personality of his.” He met Choi Han’s gaze. “That work … it must be a part of Cale’s plan.”

Choi Han frowned. “Why are you looking at me like that, Eruhaben-nim?”

Eruhaben: “Don’t you know what Cale is up to?”

Choi Han answered with a stoic face. “I don’t. Cale hasn’t told me anything.”

Everyone believed him. Choi Han had very obvious tells when he was lying and he had just spoken normally.

Thankfully a certain black dragon was much better at lying and avoiding blurting out secrets. Cale had told him to keep the meeting with Rok Soo a secret so he was doing that, just as he had kept Cale’s transmigration a secret.

Eruhaben: “Then can you guess what Cale’s plan is?”

Choi Han had been thinking about that for a while. However, he wasn’t actually familiar with this world. What little information he got from Jung Soo’s memories was outdated by now. He had a few ideas, but – “Cale is unpredictable. It could be anything.”

Eruhaben sighed heavily. “Isn’t that just right? He does the craziest shit.” He clenched his fist and looked down at it with an intense stare. “I don’t like that he’s out alone. There’s no one to stop him when he gets a stupid idea.”

Everyone’s expression darkened as they remembered Cale stabbing himself with the world tree’s dagger.

Raon flared up. “That won’t happen again! The human promised! And I’ve made a lot of progress learning korean so I can soon help the human out! Ah, but it would be even earlier if Choi Han were a better teacher.”

No one objected Raon’s assessment of Choi Han’s teaching. Choi Han’s shoulders slumped and he lowered his head. Lock patted him comfortingly on the shoulder.

***************

On the way back home from work Cale stepped by a bookshop and picked up a couple books on the korean language as well as childrens’ picture books. The children didn’t have any toys right now and Cale would rather pay for the books than have them bother him.

As Cale opened the front door he could hear many feet approaching.

Raon flew straight at him, stopped just before hitting him and gently grasped his jacket with his paws. “HUMAN!”

On and Hong also ran up to him and rubbed their faces on his legs. The adults and Lock also gathered in the entrance, but stayed a few metres back.

Cale: “Did something happen?”

Ron smiled benignly. “Everything was peaceful, young master-nim. This butler wasn’t able to catch any rabbits.”

Why did he sound regretful? And wasn’t the hunter much more dangerous than a rabbit? Cale frowned. “I see.”

He observed the group and his gaze zeroed in on Choi Han who looked very exhausted. It was a big difference from the usually energetic swordsman.

Beacrox: “Dinner is nearly finished. I’ll go set the table.”

Cale: “Perfect timing.”

Beacrox turned around and left for the kitchen. Lock followed him, saying he’d help.

Cale looked down at the children averaging 10-years-old. They were looking at him with expectant gazes. He tried to unpluck Raon from himself. Raon tightened his grip.

Maybe they had somehow anticipated that he’d bought them a gift? Children could be strangely perceptive.

Cale pried one of Raon’s paws off his chest and closed it around the bag with children’s books. “That’s for you, On and Hong.”

As expected, Raon let go and held the bag with both paws, staring at it in wonder. On and Hong also focused on the bag and moved away from Cale.

Cale stepped forward and gave the other bag to Choi Han. “I thought that would be useful for you.”

He moved past the group until he came up to Ron.

The butler spoke up as Cale passed him. “How was your day, young master-nim?”

Cale immediately stopped at the calm and somewhat frightening voice. He thought back on the boring lecture, the overheating due to using record, hearing and smelling the difficult pooping session of Ma’s secretary before he could flee, then replacing that secretary and doing coffee and copying runs.

Cale answered with his usual stoic face and voice. “As good as a work day can be.”

Ron chuckled and Cale quickly fled from that creepy sound.

Rosalyn kneed down before the children. “What did the young master-nim get you?”

The children were gathered on the floor and each held a book.

Hong: “They’re korean story books!” He could easily tell from the illustrated covers.

On looked toward Choi Han. “Did you also get story books?”

Choi Han was staring at the books in his hand with a difficult expression. They had titles like “Korean for Dummies”, “Korean Grammar and Phonetics Part 1” and “Korean Language Workbook”.

Choi Han sighed. “Haaa … Cale-nim, he really … ” He shook his head and smiled faintly. Cale had anticipated that he’d have difficulties teaching and found something to help him.

[letcaleslack]

Ron to cale : Usually in this kind of situation I'll say "listen to your body needs"...

Ron: but its seems that you're deaf.

[letcaleslack]

Cale and co in Korea Part 12

Cale chooses his next scamming victim

[Part 1] 

After a lunch break Jung Sejong thankfully didn’t resume his lecture. He gave Cale an insignificant task, told him he could come to him with any questions and left to get some actual work done. Cale finished the task within 5 minutes and was free to do his own research for the rest of the afternoon.

The company’s system was something similar to the mercenary guild’s directory. It was an accumulation of information which included data on everything that could be of use for the company’s work. While the guilds themselves also collected information about monsters, monster attacks, battle strategies, useful abilities etc, the company went beyond that and also saved data on geography, historical events, demography, recent news etc. It wasn’t rare that a guild would request some information from the company.

However, the system could only be accessed from the computers connected to it within the company’s building. That was why Cale couldn’t just research this information from Rok Soo’s home and also why he couldn’t just take the laptop home. Jung Sejong had also made Cale look away while he typed the password into the laptop as he logged into the system.

Cale had decided to work backward and start with the most recent entries. He quickly read and memorized the entries. He couldn’t go as fast as he was capable of as his team would become highly suspicious if the new intern suddenly started typing at an incredible speed and flushed red from overheating. That was a sight they were very familiar with due to their team leader. But still as time went on and Cale read entry after entry, he felt himself heating up. He subconsciously raised a hand to loosen his tie, before realizing what he was doing and lowering the hand again.

Jung Sejong came over to check up on the intern. He grew concerned as the intern seemed to have  become ill. “Bob, are you alright? Your face is red.”

Cale looked up from the screen. “I think I’m overdressed. It’s hot. Do you mind if I take a short break?”

Jung Sejong frowned. “Take as long as you need. Make sure to drink something. You know that if you’re ill you can go home?”

Cale brushed off his concern. He closed the open tabs on his laptop and deleted the search history so they wouldn’t notice anything off if they used the laptop while he was gone.

Then he left team 1’s room. In the corridor he finally loosened his tie and unbuttoned the first button of his shirt, sighing in relief. He went to the restroom, heading straight for the sinks and rolling up his sleeves. He then let cold water run over his wrists. For a while he just stood there and enjoyed the cooling sensation.

Suddenly the door to the restroom flew open and a person hurried in, running straight to the toilet stalls. As the person passed him Cale felt like he should recognize their face but he couldn’t put a name to it.

Soon some unholy noises and smells were coming from the stall. Cale twisted his nose in disgust. Even if the cold water was nice there was no way he suffering through this. He quickly dried his hands and left the restroom.

He still didn’t feel like going back to work. Jung Sejong wouldn’t miss him for a couple more minutes and Cale wanted to make the most of his break. So he went to the vending machine at the end of the corridor to get a drink. He stood staring at the choices for a few minutes because he couldn’t decide. Just as he had decided he could hear a door slam open and heavy footsteps approaching him.

Director Ma came around the corner, a heavy scowl on his face and a stack of papers clutched in his hand. The director was loudly grumbling. “Where’s my secretary? I have important things to do and he takes a break in the middle of that.”

Cale felt a light bulb go off in his head. So that’s why the person in the bathroom seemed familiar, it was the unlucky secretary of Director Ma. Well, Ma would have to make do without him for a while as the secretary was busy dealing with a case of diarrhea.

Director Ma stopped when he saw Cale. “You! Who are you? I don’t recall seeing you before.”

Cale bowed respectfully. “I’m Bob. I just started today as an intern in team 1. It’s nice to meet you, sir.”

Director Ma instantly disliked this person. He had a sloppy appearance: loosened tie, first button undone, rolled up sleeves, several stands of long hair escaping from his tie. Plus, he recognized the name. In the company meeting yesterday Kim Rok Soo had suddenly declared he was taking on an intern in an off-hand comment. For that intern to already be starting today … Director Ma frowned. He thought Kim Rok Soo and the intern were close and Kim Rok Soo had offered and accelerated the internship as a personal favour. This caused him to want to make that intern’s life difficult.

Director Ma smiled. “I’m Director Ma. We don’t often take in interns. You must be feeling very grateful for the opportunity.”

Cale flinched at the sight of that sleazy smile. He could tell from experience that the old man was plotting something terrible for him. Director Ma didn’t appreciate chit chat during working hours. A more genuine reaction would be telling Cale off for taking too long breaks. The man was only interested in his own position and reputation and treated his employees badly.

Cale: “Yes, I do feel grateful.”

Director Ma held out the stack of papers toward Cale. “My secretary seems to have gone missing. Can you make a copy of these documents? Also get me a coffee from the shop across the street. You can bill it to my account.”

Cale didn’t take the papers. “I’m expected back at the team room. I have tasks to complete.”

Director Ma shook the documents impatiently. “If team leader Kim Rok Soo complains just tell him I had you run errands for me. I don’t have the time, you know? I’m very busy as a director.”

Cale reluctantly took the papers. “Yes, sir.”

Director Ma left without another word. Cale stared at his retreating back, feeling anger rising within him. He decided then and there that Director Ma needed to be dealt with.

[letcaleslack]

Cale and co in Korea Part 11

Thank you all! I appreciate everyone’s comments, reblogs and likes.

Writing this has become more difficult as the plot thickens, but I’m trying to just have fun with this story and not worry about the quality.

Because I’m lazy I’ve decided to name the guilds after the Seoul city districts. Yangcheon and Guro for example are two neighbouring districts at the edge of Seoul.

**********

Our team leader has become an intern!

[Part 1]

Cale had successfully navigated rush-hour mass-transit and was now walking from the bus stop to the company's building. While he was walking he texted Rok Soo that he was nearly there. Just then he heard voices from the walkway on the other side of a couple of bushes and trees. Cale looked up from his phone and saw Director Ma and Team 2 leader Park Kyung Ho.

Director Ma: „The guild leader of Yangcheon has asked me again to look into the Guro guild. She said the Guro guild has been interfering in monster attacks within their territory.”

Park Kyung Ho sighed and brushed a hand through his hair. “We already audited the Guro guild and nothing came up. Those attacks were at the common edge of the guilds’ territories. If Yangcheon wants the reward for defeating the monsters they should arrive at the places of attack earlier.”

Director Ma huffed. “Of course it’s just a power struggle between the guilds. There was never a question about that. But I need an excuse I can give the Yangcheon leader so she stops bothering me!”

The two walked past Cale and were now out of earshot. Thank goodness he didn’t have to deal with that anymore. Power struggles within and outside of the company had been the most troublesome aspect of his job. At least now back home he had a helpful hyung who would deal with annoying nobles for him.

His phone lit up and Cale read Rok Soo’s message, saying that he was waiting for him in the entrance hall. Cale quickly walked the rest of the way to the building and entered through the automatic doors.

Rok Soo was standing by the secretary’s desk and waved Cale over when he saw him.

Rok Soo: “You need to sign these non-disclosure and secrecy agreements. Then I’ll take you to meet the team.”

Cale signed the documents without reading them. It was all just a farce. Even if he shouted the company’s best-kept secrets from the roof, there would be no consequences for him. Rok Soo’s lips twitched in a way that Cale understood he was thinking the same thing.

The two then entered the lift and Cale pressed the button for the floor number.

Rok Soo: “Is your companion here?”

Cale deduced that he meant Raon.

Cale: “Everyone’s remained home.“

Rok Soo nodded slowly. “That’s probably for the best.”

The lift stopped and they walked out of it into a hallway and then to a door with the number 1. Rok Soo stepped in front of him before Cale could take a good look through the window in the door. They walked into the room.

Rok Soo: “Everyone! Listen for a moment.”

The room hadn’t been loud before but now it was completely silent as not even the typing on a keyboard could be heard. Everyone was looking at their team leader and the stranger next to him.

Cale looked around the room. There was assistant team leader Kim Min Ah sitting at her desk with a large pile of paperwork in front of her. Jung So Hoon was next to her, then the newbie Jang Sejong … one after the other he looked at all the members of his old team. They all looked healthy. They were all present. Cale felt himself smiling gently. He couldn’t suppress it. It felt like a weight he hadn’t been aware of before had dropped from him.

Of course Rok Soo had told him his team was doing well and he’d believed him, but it was different to see it himself.

Rok Soo patted him on the shoulder. “This is Mr. Bob. He’ll be an intern here for the next few weeks.”

Cale bowed. “It’s nice to meet you. I recently moved back to Korea after having spent the last few years in England. I’ve heard a lot about the work this company does and I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to experience it myself.”

Kim Min Ah stood up and walked toward them, holding out a hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Bob. I’m the Assistent team leader Kim Min Ah. If you have any questions or problems you can come to me.”

Cale shook her hand. “Thank you. And please speak informally.”

Jung So Hoon came up next. They also shook hands.

Jung So Hoon: “Will you be working with the advance team or the rear-support team?”

Rok Soo: “He’ll be on rear-support. Bob, Jung So Hoon will be your senior in the rear-support team. Make sure to listen to him.”

Cale nodded.

Rok Soo and Kim Min Ah went back to their respective desks. Cale followed Jung So Hoon to his desk and was introduced to Jang Sejong, who wasn’t a newbie anymore and would be his direct superior during his internship.

Jang Sejong took him aside and started explaining the way the rear-support team worked and showed him his desk and laptop. Cale listened with one ear as information he had taught the man himself was now explained back to him. At least it’s nice to know that he learned so well, Cale thought, even if it’s boring.

Jang Sejong was very enthusiastic and thorough in his explanations. Cale had to pretend to be the kind, oblivious intern and so couldn’t say that he already knew everything. But as the morning went on and Jang Sejong still continued with his lecture he felt his mind shutting off more and more. He was barely paying attention now, being silent instead of asking questions as he had in the beginning. He looked toward Rok Soo with an intense stare, wanting the man to notice and free him.

Hadn’t Rok Soo said that his team was very busy? Surely Jang Sejong wouldn’t waste more than one morning with the training of a mere intern?

Cale just needed to be left alone with the laptop!

************

In the end he was saved. But not by Rok Soo.

Jung So Hoon laughed. “Aigoo, Sejong, didn’t you overdo it a bit? I can see the intern’s head spinning from that lecture!”

Jang Sejong’s shoulders slumped and he nervously massaged the back of his head. “Ah, sorry, I guess that was too much information at once? I’ll go more slowly from now on.”

No! Go quicker! Or stop! But not slower!

Jung So Hoon: “Let’s get lunch first. A break and food will help with digesting the information.”

[letcaleslack]

Our kingdom Sun!

[letcaleslack]

Cale has a philosophy that goes:

Running away is not cowardly

Running away and leaving people to die is cowardly.

That's why he tells Raon to run away if the enemy is stronger.

And gets mad at Lee Chul Min and leaving the people behind.