Chapter 9 " Getting the first Ancient Power." Cales POV

"The next day, Cale Henituse headed to the slums as soon as he woke up."

"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.'

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.

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.

I can tack on Beacrox as my personal chef.

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."

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

'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.

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. 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.

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?'

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.

"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."

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

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

"Just wait."

The black branch started to sway, as if nodding at him. It felt like a scene out of a horror movie. 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.

'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.

– It was so, so good!

That voice was ... obnoxious.

– 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!'

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?'

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.

– 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.

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 hit.'

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.

"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?'

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

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.

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.

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.

"...It seems too divine."

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.'

He was planning on leaving the fighting to everyone else. 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."

"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.

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.

"Sigh."

Cale let out a sigh and started to walk. The two little kittens followed behind them. The tiny things somehow managed to keep up with Cale, even with their short legs.

"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!"

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.

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.

"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.

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."

"Tap. Tap. Even at the rough patting, the baby kittens could only stiffly stare at Cale. Cale thought about the moment when he first met Choi Han. The injured silver kitten was growling while the red kitten was whining next to it.

'The silver kitten should be the older sister with grey hair and the younger brother must be the red kitten.'

Cale had a bright smile on his face. He looked toward the kittens and started to speak.

"We'll talk later."

The siblings who seemed to be beast people avoided his gaze and Hans confusingly replied.

"...Are you talking to me?"

"Not you."

"Hans looked at Cale and the two kittens with an even more confused expression on his face, before holding the kittens even tighter. It was a movement that seemed to show that he was trying to avoid a dangerous person. However, he soon had to approach Cale once again.

"Are you heading back out?"

"Yes."

It was because Cale changed his coat and was preparing to leave again.

"Where will you be going?"

"I have a promise to keep and someone to meet."

"...Young master, you are going to keep a promise?"

Hans looked to be shocked again, as he questioned Cale.

"You seem to be getting ruder."

"My apologies."

The deputy butler's apology was very quick.

'Is he really the best of the butler candidates? He seemed decent by the way he handled Choi Han's issue."

"Cale felt like Hans, who was caressing the kittens with a wide grin on his face, was not very reliable.

'I'm going to take him to the capital as well.'

Cale was thinking about this, something that Hans would never expect even in his dreams, no, something that Hans would lament even if he learned about it in his dream, before Cale asked about the person he had not seen for a while.

"Where's Ron?"

Hans had a satisfied smile on his face at that question.

"I heard that Choi Han-nim will be going with you as one of your guards for the beginning part of your journey to the capital. Is that true?"

Hans was thinking about Choi Han, who had defeated all of the Count's Knight Brigade members today. He was more skilled than expected, making it easy for him to be Cale's guard as Cale wanted.

Of course, neither Hans nor the knights knew that Choi Han had hidden his true power.

"Mr. Ron found out that Choi Han-nim will be going with you and went out with "Choi Han-nim to purchase some clothes and other necessary items for travel. Ah, Chef Beacrox went with them a well."

"I see. I'm relieved."

'They seem to be getting along well.'

There was a rare, extremely bright smile on Cale's face. The smile was very fitting with his beautiful red hair. Hans started to speak while being happy about Cale's bright smile.

"Mr. Ron, Choi Han-nim, and even Beacrox seem to be excited about serving you."

He could see an instantaneous change in Cale's face as he said that. Why would Cale suddenly look like he lost his appetite? Hans could not figure it out.

Both individuals headed outside the main gates once again. As he got on the carriage, Cale asked Hans who was watching him leave.

"Oh, Hans. Don't the deputy butlers learn basic martial arts?"

"Of course."

"And you are the greatest Butler candidate?"

"The corner of Hans's lips started to move up and down. Count Deruth cherished Hans because he took care of things well and had the best personality as well.

"Yes sir. I know the basics for three different styles: martial arts, dagger arts, and spear arts."

A good butler needed to learn a couple different basic fighting styles, just in case something happened and the family members needed to run away.

"Amazing."

"I guess I am a bit amazing."

Cale could not hold back his smile watching Hans shrug his shoulders, while his lips continued to flicker. The two kittens could only shake their head as they watched Hans and the sly smile on Cale's face.

"I'm leaving now."

Cale made up his mind to take Hans to the capital to take care of all annoying things he didn't want to deal with, and then closed the carriage door. The carriage headed into the fog and the now stronger rain to head to his destination.

[The Fragrance of Tea with Poetry]"

"Cale looked up at the sign before opening the door.

Ring.

The clear ringing of the bell and a desolate shop welcomed Cale.

"I guess nobody is here because of the rain."

"Welcome, young master."

Billos. The bastard of the Flynn Merchant Guild. He welcomed Cale as if they had known each other for a long time. Cale sat in front of the counter and made eye contact with Billos.

"I promised to come back. I needed to keep my promise."

"Of course. Promises need to be kept. Should I prepare the book and tea from last time?"

"Yes. 3 cups of tea please."

"Which teas should I make?"

Cale ordered three types of tea and set a time for Billos to bring the teas up before turning around and heading up to the third floor.

Drip drip-"

"The rain was getting even worse. Tsk. Cale clicked his tongue and went back to sit at the same spot near the third floor window and looked out.

"The rain is pretty strong, isn't it?"

Billos came up and sat across from him and put down a single cup of tea. Cale was observing Billos closely.

'Choi Han, Beacrox, Ron. And finally, Billos.'

These were the names of the individuals who continued to show up in the novel past volume 1. Of course, Billos only has about two sentences written about him in volume 1, as the owner of the tea shop that Choi Han stops by to rest. He returns in volume 3 to swear his loyalty to Choi Hand and reveal his ambitions.

'Reveal.' That word was important.

'He's always been a greedy person.'

Billos was different from Hong Gil-dong. (Hong Gil-dong was a Korean outlaw during the Joseon Dynasty who had a similar story of being an illegitimate son)

He was not sad that he could not call his father, 'father,' or his brother, 'brother.' In fact, he was just trying to beat them.

"He wanted to make it so that they had no choice but to accept him. He wanted to create a situation where they will have no choice but to introduce him as son, to introduce him as the younger brother.

'He must be exhausted.'

Cale thought Billos lived an exhausting life. However, he did not hate that. In fact, having that type of greed made him seem more human.

He didn't like the people who had the abilities and strength, but said things like, 'Hoho, I'm just going to give up. I have no choice.' Why would you give up on something that could be yours? You should always take what is yours.

Anyways, this person had to meet with Choi Han at least once during the time frame of volume 1. It had to just be a short encounter.

Cale could hear Billos's voice breaking his train of thought.

"Young master, I heard that you are going to head to the capital."

"Are you going to keep sitting there? Don't you have work to do?"

Seeing Cale pretending to be annoyed made Billos smile. He did not even try to "hide it. This really was a very, very interesting young master. However, Billos could tell that he had a pretty sharp mind.

"I will be heading to the capital as well. I guess I will be following after you."

"And?"

Cale already knew about it.In order for Billos and Choi Han to have an encounter in volume 3, Billos needed to head for the capital soon as well.

Billos had a stoic expression as he asked Cale, who was sipping his tea and looking out the window, a question.

"Young master, it seems like you have changed."

Seeing Cale turn to look at him, Billos started to smile. Cale motioned with his chin for Billos to continue.

"You seem different than your nickname."

"Which one? Trash?"

Billos could see the corners of Cale's lips starting to go up. He definitely was different. This Cale was not the trash that he knew about. That trash did not know how to make such an expression. It was a slightly bitter smile."

"...Should I have gotten a bit drunk and broken a chair or something?'

Billos did not know what Cale was thinking.

"Yes. You are right. Trash. Haven't you always been a trashy young master?"

Did he not have any fear? Cale could not help but wonder, as Billos said such a thing to the Count's son, the first born of the ruler of the territory. Was Billos the one who had something to drink?

But Cale did not want to fight with Billos. Billos was someone who was going to take over a large merchant guild. And Billos was being sincere. He was not smiling, he was actually sincerely asking the question.

'Haven't you always been a trashy young master?'

Cale decided to answer the question. It was not a hard question to answer anyways. It was easier than figuring out how to make money when you have no money.

"Billos."

Cale had a smile on his face, but did not laugh as he called out to Billos.

"You can't call your father, 'father.' You can't call your brother, 'brother.'"

"Billos's gaze turned chilly. He started to take notice of the young master in front of him who had no problem touching his sore spot. Just like he had touched Cale's sore spot, he was returning the favor by touching his most painful sore spot. Cale just silently made eye contact with Billos for a bit.

The rain started to pour even harder outside. Cale broke the silence and started to smile as he asked.

"Are you going to keep being the bastard? Are you satisfied with that?"

Billos could feel Cale's sharp gaze on him.

"I know you're not."

Cale leaned back on the chair and continued on with an expression that seemed to be thinking about the past.

"I've acted like a trash for about ten years, since I started when I was 8."

'Wow. Now that I think about it, Cale Henituse has been doing trashy things since he was 8 years old. He started drinking when he was 15. What a guy.'

Cale thought about the past of the original Cale that was present in his mind, and started to smile. That smile looked scary to Billos.

"At that moment, a small noise cut through the rain to reach Cale and Billos.

Squeak. Squeak. It was the sound of someone coming up the stairs.

Cale looked past Billos's shoulder to the entrance of the third floor. He could see someone's head. Black hair. It was Choi Han. Behind him was Ron. Cale had told a servant to tell Choi Han to come to this tea shop later in the day.

Cale moved his gaze away from the two of them, and started to speak to finish his conversation with Billos. Choi Han and Ron finished coming up the stairs and looked toward Cale as he started to speak.

"Billos."

Billos's stoic face felt pretty chilly.

"It's okay to throw away something you've been doing for around ten years."

Cale's eyes started to look more alive as he continued.

"I can't live as a trash forever."

Of course, Cale would still spend all the money he wants and do whatever pleases him, even if he wasn't a trash. He was going to live peacefully and enjoy life as the son of a rich noble. Although that was "different than the direction of Billos's life, what mattered was that both of them were not going to continue living the way they had been living.

"Aren't you the same?"

The corner of Billos's lips started to slowly move upward. He then bowed and started to snicker.

After silently snickering for a bit, Billos raised his head up and looked toward Cale.

"I am indeed tired of it."

Billos was laughing as he said he was tired of it.

"See? I told you."

Cale shrugged his shoulders and motioned for Choi Han and Ron to come over. At that moment, Billos got up from the seat and started to speak.

"Young master."

"What?"

"I will see you at the capital."

Cale started to frown. It would be complicated if they met at the capital right away.

"Why bother?"

"Cale motioned for Billos to go away, and Billos respectfully bowed before leaving. Ron, Choi Han, and the descending Billos made eye contact, but they all just ignored each other.

'Good.'

Cale welcomed that scene. Choi Han and Billos just barely ran into each other. It was just like in the book. Cale started to smile at the other two people with satisfaction.

"Ron, I knew you would come with him. According to Hans, Beacrox went with you too, but I presume he went back to the kitchen. He has a strong sense of responsibility for that kitchen."

"Young master, are you close with that person?"

Cale shrugged his shoulders at the unexpected question from Ron.

"No?"

"...I see."

Cale pushed it aside as nothing important, but Ron definitely heard it. He heard Cale say that he cannot keep living as a trash. Cale stopped looking at Ron whose response trailed of and made eye contact with Choi Han."

"I guess you can't trust the rumors."

'What the hell is he saying?'

Cale ignored Choi Han's words. At that moment, Billos brought up the other two cups of tea that Cale had ordered earlier.

"Should I give these cups to these two gentlemen?"

"Yes."

Cale started to smile again.

"I ordered them in advance."

Cale personally picked up the teacups and put one in front of each person. In front of Choi Han was the tea he just randomly ordered from the menu. As for Ron.

"I specially ordered this for you since it seems like you like it a lot. Why else would you bring it for me everyday?"

It was warm lemon tea. Cale could see Ron looking odd and felt the biggest satisfaction he had felt all day.