darklup-lite domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/eatapple/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114Beeeeeeep- Beeeeeeep-<\/p>\n
The noise of the alarm of the video communication device endlessly filled the room.
\nHowever, nobody could show any reactions to it.<\/p>\n
Cale naturally could not do so even if he wanted to, so it was driving him crazy.<\/p>\n
\u2018Rosalyn will only call for one of two reasons.\u2019<\/p>\n
She would have either been contacted by crown prince Alberu or checking in on Cale, who went to see Eruhaben with Raon in his arms.
\nCale was thinking that it was more likely to be the latter.<\/p>\n
His short time away was for three days. It had only been two days so far.
\nThere was still one day and 20 hours or so to go. The Alberu that Cale knew would not tell Rosalyn and the others who went to complete a mission about Cale’s status this quickly.<\/p>\n
Beeeeeep- Beeeeeeep-<\/p>\n
The video communication device continued to ring.
\nShe was not hanging up.<\/p>\n
\u2018I need to tell them to deal with her for now.\u2019<\/p>\n
Cale barely managed to open his eyes to tell his group to handle Rosalyn’s call.
\nIt took a bit of time for his eyes to focus.<\/p>\n
He then became anxious.<\/p>\n
\u2018…Why is Beacrox supporting Ron?\u2019<\/p>\n
Beacrox was supporting his father.
\nBut that was not it.<\/p>\n
\u2018What is that dagger for?\u2019<\/p>\n
It was the dagger that Ron used when he killed his enemies. The old man was holding that dagger while glaring at Cale.
\nCale was truly afraid.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, Ron could see Cale\u2019s bloodshot eyes as well as the tears in the corners of his eyes from the pain.<\/p>\n
Ron could not help but feel intense anger as if the entire world was flipping over.<\/p>\n
The Eastern continent. It was like the night he lost his wife, family, and household. It was difficult for Ron to calm himself while seeing this red-haired person coughing up blood and being in pain, just like that red night when everything burned away.<\/p>\n
That was why he was clenching onto the item that he had on him since he was young in order to calm himself.
\nThe coldness of the dagger helped calm his boiling body.<\/p>\n
Click, click.
\nRon calmed himself as he touched the dagger. He then gently moved his son Beacrox\u2019s hand away from him.<\/p>\n
Honestly speaking, Beacrox was not actually supporting Ron and keeping him upright.
\nRon knew that Beacrox was actually holding him to stop him from doing something crazy. On the day he had lost everything in the past, he was unable to hold back his anger and tried to go get revenge on his enemies.<\/p>\n
If he had not seen the way his wife looked at their son as she closed her eyes for the last moment…
\n…If he had not seen how Beacrox looked back and forth between his wife and him…<\/p>\n
He would have gone to get revenge.
\nHowever, Ron chose to run away rather than get revenge.
\nBeacrox was probably holding onto him, thinking that he would do something similar to that day.<\/p>\n
However, Ron was still able to stand it.<\/p>\n
All of this happened because of Arm.
\nHis old body was still full of fire.<\/p>\n
Click, click.<\/p>\n
Ron regained his rationality as he continued to touch the dagger. He slowly approached his puppy young master as he caressed his dagger.<\/p>\n
He was actually a tiger and not a puppy, but to Ron, he was still the trash young master-nim and the puppy young master-nim.
\nHe had no choice.<\/p>\n
Eruhaben told them that Cale would be like this until his plate finished fusing back together.
\nRon approached the bed and kneeled on one knee in order to make eye contact with Cale.
\nCale, whose expression still showed a significant amount of pain, opened his mouth.
\nWhat was he going to say?<\/p>\n
\u201cUuuuuuuugh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the only thing coming out of Cale’s mouth was a pain-filled moan.
\nRon felt terrible.
\nIt felt as if his heart was empty.<\/p>\n
Cale became more anxious after seeing Ron start to frown.<\/p>\n
\u2018What\u2019s going on?
\nWhy does he keep looking at me with a vicious expression while touching his dagger?
\nDid I do something wrong?
\nNo, I don’t think so.
\nSo, what is going on?\u2019<\/p>\n
Those were the questions he wanted to ask, however, seeing that the only word capable of coming out of his mouth was, \u2018ugh,\u2019 he could only make one decision.<\/p>\n
\u2018Let\u2019s just do nothing.
\nI’m sure things will work out.
\nI can\u2019t worry about anything else when I’m in so much pain.\u2019<\/p>\n
Cale just resigned himself to his current situation.
\nDid Ron read the resignation in his eyes? Cale felt a bit better after hearing Ron’s response.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease do not worry, young master-nim.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ron remembered what Cale had told him before he left.<\/p>\n
\u2018It\u2019s so hard.\u2019
\n\u2018As usual, please.\u2019<\/p>\n
He put on his usual benign smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will take care of everything, just like my usual self, so please get some rest, young master-nim.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cale felt better after hearing that.
\nHe was worried for a moment about what that this old man might do, but as expected, he was on the right track.<\/p>\n
Dealing with Rosalyn.
\nHe could relax if Ron took care of that.<\/p>\n
Ron would be his usual collected self and give a simple but accurate detail of what was going on.
\nFurthermore, as superficial as this may be, as the eldest human in the group, he will be capable of consoling them as needed.<\/p>\n
Cale closed his barely open eyes in relief.
\nThat was the problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cEruhaben-nim, please connect the call.\u201d
\n\u201c…Mm, alright. I\u2019ll do it since Cale seems to trust you and left things to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018Connect the call? Here? When I’m bleeding and in pain? Here? Really?\u2019<\/p>\n
Cale’s mind was chaotic.
\nHowever, the moment he tried to open his eyes again…<\/p>\n
\u201cCough!\u201d<\/p>\n
He coughed up another chunk of black blood.
\nFurthermore.<\/p>\n
– Hmm? Mr. Ron! Long time-<\/p>\n
Rosalyn’s energetic voice suddenly stopped.
\nIt wasn\u2019t that the video communication device was turned off.<\/p>\n
Ron could see Rosalyn, the confused Choi Han, and Lock all freeze up as if the world had stopped. Of course, he could see that a palace had lost its roof behind them, but that wasn\u2019t important.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung master-nim, I will head out for a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018No, don’t go out.\u2019<\/p>\n
Cale couldn\u2019t open his eyes, so he could not see why Rosalyn suddenly stopped talking. That was why he would rather have Ron stay here and continue to talk.
\nHowever, Cale could not say anything because of the pain.<\/p>\n
Click.
\nHe heard the door opening.
\nOnce Ron opened the door and went outside, he could see two kittens curled up in the distance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels like we shouldn\u2019t go in either, but noona, I still want to go in!\u201d
\n\u201c…Looks like we should just stay here. It seems like one of those moments.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hong was trying to convince On to go inside the room, however, On made Hong stay next to her without moving after seeing the expression on Ron’s face as well as the smell of blood that brushed past her nose.
\nRon patted On’s head and closed the door.<\/p>\n
He then quietly stared at the closed door for a moment.<\/p>\n
– Mr. Ron, just now, umm, what did I just see? Excuse me? That was definitely young master Cale. Hello, Mr. Ron?<\/p>\n
He could hear Rosalyn’s shaking voice.
\nRon held the video communication device in his hand as he headed to the farthest corner room on the second floor.<\/p>\n
-G, grandpa!<\/p>\n
He could hear Lock\u2019s scared voice as well.
\nRon did not respond to him as he entered that corner room.<\/p>\n
Click, click.
\nOnce the door closed and he was left alone…The person who had not said anything until now started to speak.<\/p>\n
– …What happened?<\/p>\n
It was Choi Han.
\nRon observed Choi Han through the video communication device.<\/p>\n
He recalled when this punk first followed the young master-nim and came to the Henituse household. His son and Choi Han had pointed their weapons at each other in the kitchen at that time.
\nThis punk was being respectful in front of Cale, however, once Cale disappeared after telling them to show him the way around the estate, he acted like a total jackass.<\/p>\n
\u2018Lead the way.\u2019<\/p>\n
This punk who had been so informal to someone much older than him had gone with them in order to fight against Arm and the mermaids after Ron had lost his arm and was respectful to him these days.
\nChoi Han and Ron made eye contact.<\/p>\n
– Please tell me everything without leaving anything out.
\n\u201cShut up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rosalyn and Lock flinched. They had never seen this side of Ron before. Even if he was an assassin, he was always nice and gentle to them.
\nHowever, Choi Han, Ron, and Beacrox were more used to this type of Ron.<\/p>\n
– I don’t want to. Please tell me.<\/p>\n
Rosalyn and Lock looked back and forth between Ron’s vicious expression and Choi Han, who had no issues talking back, before choosing to be quiet after seeing Ron starting to laugh.
\nRon started to speak at that moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re always so impatient.\u201d<\/p>\n
Choi Han had taken his sword out extremely quickly the day they met as well.<\/p>\n
– Please tell me-
\n\u201cShut up. I will tell you what I feel like telling you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Choi Han stopped talking after seeing Ron’s angry expression.
\nHe could tell that Ron was not angry at him. This sly and cold assassin who was also an old man who cherished his relationships did not get angry easily.<\/p>\n
\u201cShut your trap and listen up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Choi Han chose to stay quiet and listen.<\/p>\n
Cale was right to leave this to Ron. Ron was the only one who dealt with Choi Han, a sword master and a strong individual, as relaxed as Cale did. No, Ron was the only one who could treat Choi Han however he wanted to do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is regarding the young master-nim’s ancient power.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ron returned to servant mode and calmly started to speak.<\/p>\n
– Ah.<\/p>\n
Rosalyn let out a gasp as if she already understood what was going on. She started to frown.<\/p>\n
– What is going on? Why are you all standing around after destroying the palace? Did someone die? Why do you all look like that?<\/p>\n
The Killer Whale Archie who suddenly appeared and brushed off the dust from the walls off his hands shut up and walked to a corner after seeing three pairs of eyes glaring at him.<\/p>\n
– Uh…Mm, okay. I’ll be quiet.<\/p>\n
Ron started to speak again once it became quiet.
\nThe group’s expression became worse as Ron’s story continued. Even the Killer Whale, Archie, was looking at the sky in order to prevent himself from tearing up as Ron calmly explained the situation.<\/p>\n
Cale did not know what Ron was saying as he started to relax.
\nHe was starting to get used to the pain.<\/p>\n
\u201cCough.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018Fuck this shit!\u2019<\/p>\n
He was not getting used to it at all.
\nCale just gave up and tried to relax his body.<\/p>\n
\u201cGet some rest. Beacrox, let\u2019s go.\u201d
\n\u201cDo we not need to be by his side?\u201d
\n\u201cRaon is here. He is even better than me and can figure out Cale’s condition.\u201d
\n\u201c…I understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everybody left the room and silence filled the void.
\nCale was sweating and breathing heavily because of the pain that felt as if his entire body was breaking apart before being put back together.<\/p>\n
It was at that moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cHuman.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cale could hear Raon’s voice.
\nHe seemed to have woken up after everybody had left. Cale could feel Raon\u2019s round front paw wiping blood off of Cale\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n
\u201cHuman are you still in pain?\u201d<\/p>\n
The round head that was still the same after his first growth phase rubbed on Cale’s side.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will tell you first, weak human.\u201d<\/p>\n
The young Dragon scooched up to Cale’s ear and quietly whispered.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know what my attribute is?\u201d<\/p>\n
Raon wanted to tell Cale first before he told anybody else.
\nHe wanted to tell Cale what he had achieved.
\nRaon whispered to Cale.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe present.\u201d<\/p>\n
That was what Raon realized.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy attribute is the present.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to natural attributes, Dragons could also have unique or abstract attributes.
\nRaon’s attribute was abstract, but something that could be felt very easily.<\/p>\n
Raon curled up next to Cale. As Eruhaben had said, there was nothing he could do right now. That was painful and frustrating, but Raon just laid down next to Cale in his spot and continued to speak.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight here and now is my attribute.\u201d<\/p>\n
He was able to return to the real world and be present right here.
\nThat was the most important thing to Raon, so that became Raon’s attribute.<\/p>\n
Tap.<\/p>\n
Raon rubbed his head at the shaking hand that was trying to caress his head.<\/p>\n
It really was best to be alive right now.
\nHe was happy that he, as well as everyone else, were alive.<\/p>\n
Raon stuck right next to Cale so that Cale felt the child’s body heat as he continued his time in pain.<\/p>\n
* * *<\/p>\n
The next day.<\/p>\n
Click.
\nThe door opened.<\/p>\n
Beacrox entered the bedroom with a wet washcloth in his father\u2019s place. He then became anxious.<\/p>\n
Tap.
\nThe washcloth in his hand fell to the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cB, Beacrox-\u201d
\n\u201c…Young master-nim?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cale was up.
\nHowever, something was weird.<\/p>\n
Beacrox became shocked while watching Cale barely getting up toward him before he rushed over to support Cale.
\nCale\u2019s shaking fingers grabbed onto Beacrox\u2019s sleeves.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung master-nim, what happened?! Should I call Eruhaben-nim?\u201d
\n\u201cB, Beacrox-\u201d<\/p>\n
Cale’s voice was weak and shaky.
\nBeacrox\u2019s face slowly turned pale while listening to Cale’s weak voice and looking at the chilly expression on his face.
\nIt was at that moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cHehe.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was someone laughing.<\/p>\n
Beacrox turned his head after hearing the laughter. Raon was snickering and rubbing his head on Cale\u2019s side.
\nHe heard Cale\u2019s voice at that moment.
\nIt was as weak as a transparent glass marble.
\n\u201c…Meat.\u201d
\n\u201cExcuse me?\u201d
\n\u201c…Beef, pork, chicken…\u201d<\/p>\n
Beacrox’s expression slowly changed.
\nCale tightly grabbed onto Beacrox\u2019s sleeves and asked with a desperate gaze.<\/p>\n
\u2018I’m hungry.\u2019<\/p>\n
Beacrox calmly asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you not hurting?\u201d
\n\u201cYes. I’m hungry.\u201d
\n\u201c…You really seem to be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cale was not hurting at all. He could feel that his body was better than before.
\nHowever, he was still hungry.<\/p>\n
– Your plate is fused together again now. You did well. Let\u2019s not put yourself through pain like this again.<\/p>\n
It was the voice of the Super Rock.<\/p>\n
– It\u2019s me, the fiery thunderbolt! Time to go throw some money away now!<\/p>\n
The fiery thunderbolt was cheering.
\nCale completely ignored the two of them.<\/p>\n
Instead, he grabbed his stomach that was extremely hungry. Raon seemed concerned as he took an apple pie out of his spatial dimension before looking at its condition and pushing it to a corner before speaking to Beacrox.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am hungry as well! Thanks for carrying me, Beacrox!\u201d
\n\u201cIt\u2019s our youngest\u2019s voice!\u201d
\n\u201cThey\u2019re both better! I’m hungry too!\u201d<\/p>\n
On and Hong, who were roaming outside the bedroom door, rushed in after hearing Raon and Cale’s voice. The room started to become filled with energy as the children averaging nine-years-old started to talk.
\nEven the cold Beacrox had a small smile on his face.
\nIt was at that moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, young master-nim.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beacrox remembered what he needed to say now that Cale was not in pain.
\nIt was the information that Ron had heard from Rosalyn yesterday. It was urgent, however, he did not say anything until now because of Cale\u2019s condition.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe received information that the Empire is preparing to take back Maple Castle that they lost to the Whipper Kingdom.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018Hmm?\u2019<\/p>\n
Cale blinked his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u2018Who did what?\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201c…The Empire is going to strike the Whipper Kingdom?\u201d
\n\u201cPublicly, they are claiming that they will only take back Maple Castle.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018Isn\u2019t that the same thing?\u2019<\/p>\n
Cale’s expression turned odd.<\/p>\n
\u2018The Mogoru Empire is going to take on Toonka’s Whipper Kingdom right now?
\nImperial Prince Adin and Toonka are going to fight?
\nIs it finally time to strike the Empire from the back?\u2019<\/p>\n
Cale stopped the corners of his lips from twitching before blinking once more.<\/p>\n
\u201c…Beef steak.\u201d<\/p>\n
He needed to fill his belly first.
\nHe couldn\u2019t do anything with an empty stomach.<\/p>\n