Summary:
We shall start this one with Cale and Choi Han's first meeting!

This chapter is shorter than the last one but I hope it is still up to your standard! Enjoy!

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[SEGMENT 2: The Exceptions] ▼
▶︎ [Choi Han] ◀︎
[The World Tree]
[Choi Jung Gun]

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Novel Content Used:
Chapter 6 - They Met (3)
Chapter 386 - Decision (3)

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[Location: The Studio]

The Assistant, Cale Thames, had his face pressed against the table's surface as he mumbled tiredly.

"I want to retire."

The Emperor of the Roan Empire put a cup of tea next to the redhead's face.

"Stop complaining."

Cale sat up and drank the tea. It had been a while since the last time he got to drink the tea that Alberu Crossman made. The taste was quite nostalgic to him.

He looked to the side and saw Mary holding a plate of cookies. She pushed it toward him.

Cale took a cookie.

"Thank you, Mary."

The young Dark Elf gave him a sweet smile as she put the plate on his table. The PC was still on as all three of them looked at its screen.

Alberu pointed at the ridiculous name of the file.

"Who named this?"

Cale finished the cookie as he answered.

"The Editor."

"Who?"

"Someone who works for the God of Mystery. I haven't met them so don't ask more."

Alberu let out a quiet hum, showing his curiosity but did not ask more about The Editor. He, however, did ask another question.

"Which is the next one?"

Cale moved the mouse toward the next piece that would be shown. He circled it. Alberu chuckled at the name.

"It's about Choi Han?"

Cale clicked his tongue at the mention of that person.

"It's about the Transmigrator's first meeting with him."

"Interesting. I want to see how it went."

Alberu leaned in. He had heard about the first meeting between his Cale and his Choi Han before. Both versions of it, actually.

Cale pushes Alberu away. His eyes twitched.

"What's so interesting about it?"

"Ha, I'm quoting your other self on this. It's 'the starting point that can change the fate of our world'."

Alberu smiled brightly as he recited what the other Original Cale Henituse had said. Cale gave him an annoyed look when Mary nodded at Alberu's words, agreeing with what he had said. He grumbled.

"...It will be completely different."

Alberu gave him a look as if saying 'you're an idiot'.

"Of course, it is. The Transmigrator is not you."

"...I know. Let's get this over with."

Cale, no, The Assistant, sighed loudly as he clicked the next piece on the list.

[SEGMENT 2: The Exceptions] ▼
▶︎ [Choi Han] ◀︎

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[Location: The Viewing Room 0]

Alberu took a spoon of his chocolate parfait, looking super happy.

"~"

Choi Han stared at the humming Crown Prince. He turned and looked at his liege.

The redhead was taking a bite off his strawberry crepe, also looking super happy.

Choi Han nodded to himself while feeding Raon a piece of pizza.

His liege and the Crown Prince definitely acted alike.

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 2]

Cale Henituse, the young man with the soul of an old man, had gotten curious and tried kimchi for the first time.

"!"

Choi Han gave the redhead a side eye as the young man ordered more kimchi based dishes with sparkling eyes.

He did not say anything as he slurped his kimchi ramen.

Korean food truly is the best!

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 1]

Rosalyn took another sip from her cup. Her brother had ordered a new tea set for them.

While enjoying this foreign tea that she had never tried before, she gathered her thoughts about the previous record they watched.

The title was called The Variables. Or was it Cale Henituse?

The Variables implied there were more than one. Was it a reference to Kim Rok Soo and Cale Henituse?

However, the ending seemed to imply that the main topic of the record was Cale Henituse alone.

On the other note, the mention of Choi Han worried her.

What was that the real Cale Henituse had said?

The moment he met Choi Han, the starting point that could change the fate of our world.

Rosalyn recalled the story Choi Han had told her about his first meeting with Cale Henituse. It was not a pleasant first meeting for both of them.

Rosalyn looked at her reflection in the teacup and thought about something else.

If Kim Rok Soo was someone from another world, then what did it mean for Choi Han, someone who had the same kind of name as him?

Rosalyn stirred her teacup and took another sip.

Was Choi Han someone from another world too?

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 6]

The Dragon Half-blood licked the blood on his lips as The Assistant suddenly threw a handkerchief soaked in healing potion at his face.

[Clean yourself up. Don't act reckless like that again.]

The Dragon Half-blood grumbled but used the handkerchief to heal and clean his lips anyway.

A tiny bit of warmth spread through his body at the strange yet caring gesture.

He looked at the countdown on the screen. It nearly reached zero already.

▹▹▹

[Location: The Theater]

The sound of popcorn chewing could be heard.

"...Where did you get that?"

A girl asked her friend who somehow had a box of popcorn.

"Dunno, I just asked out loud for a snack and this appeared."

"...I want a snack."

To the girl's surprise, a box of popcorn indeed appeared in her hands.

"..."

The countdown hit zero.

[The new phrase showed up on the screen.

〔The Exceptions〕

A completely new scenario greeted them. It did not continue the previous scene much to the audience's hope. Instead, it showed them a bar and a familiar redhead.]

"...Cale Henituse again?"

"Hang on, this one looks younger. Is he already switched with Kim Rok Soo yet?"

"Oh yeah, he looks about the age in that one image before!"

"Which one???"

"You know, the one with Cale Henituse, age 18 thingy."

[As if hearing the audience, a note box suddenly popped up next to the redhead.

〔Cale Henituse〕
〔Age: 18〕

"Aigoo, young master, you're here?"

The owner of the bar seemed to be extremely afraid of Cale Henituse.

The redhead did not respond to the owner's greeting and just threw a gold coin at him.

"Bring a bottle of my usual. Oh, and roasted chicken breast. Don't put salt on it."

"Excuse me? Y, you don't want to find a seat first?"

The redhead started to frown. The owner immediately waved his hands and bowed his head.

"Immediately! I will bring it immediately!"

The owner was moving quickly, but it looked like he was smiling. Cale Henituse looked around the bar that became quiet once he walked in. Everyone was avoiding his gaze and turned their heads. It was like they were wondering why he had to choose this bar of all bars in the city. The gangsters and scammers in the bar all looked extremely nervous right now.

"Tsk."

The sound of the redhead clicking his tongue could be heard through the silence in the bar.

"Young master, here is the bottle you requested."

"Great."

The young master grabbed the bottle and bag of chicken, and left the bar.]

"...This is quite boring. Why are we watching this?"

"Compared to the previous video, this one is boring for real."

"Oh hush, you two."

[The redhead immediately opened the bottle and drank about half of it as soon as he stepped out of the bar.

"Oh."

The young man immediately flushed, making people think he was a lightweight.

The redhead quickly walked along with the bottle in his hand.

He walked back past a tea shop until he saw the guards stiffen up after seeing him.

"Ah, I'm starting to get hot."

As he continued to drink, the blush on his face got redder. He walked a bit further until he reached the city wall not too far away. The tall city wall that started at the gate seemed to defend against any potential intruders.

The voice of Cale Henituse suddenly narrated, sounding like it was voicing the redhead's current thoughts.

"Well, it depends on the person."

An image of a book with a title in a foreign language flashed through the screen.

〔 영웅의 탄생 〕

The voice continued.

"Approximately 100 steps from the city gate."]

"...that's Kim Rok Soo right?"

"...How should I know?"

[The redhead on the screen clenched the bottle in his hand as he suddenly ran toward somewhere. There were not many people on the streets.

The young master took a deep breath once he slowed down.

Exactly 100 steps away from the city gate. It was a corner of the residential area so there wasn't any other light other than the torch the guards put on top of the wall, as well as the lights coming out of the residential windows.

But that was enough light. The young man slowly approached his destination after letting his eyes adjust to the dark. His voice carried out his thought.

"Just as I expected."

There was something curled up underneath the city wall. Actually, there were multiple things.

Delicate-looking things that were shaking because of the cold. Cale continued to walk toward the location. He, along with the audience, could hear the voices of the curled-up lifeforms.

Meow Meeeeeow.

Two cats were meowing as they lay curled up underneath the city wall. The redhead started to smile as his thought once again was being voiced out.

"It's right here."]

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 5]

"...That's us, right, Noona?"

Hong whispered to his sister. On nodded.

"Yeah, I think I remember this time."

Hong tugged his sister's dress.

"We didn't meet the red-haired human tho."

On patted her brother's head. Hong continued.

"...But there was that black human who avoided hurting us when he jumped down."

"There was. Let's continue to watch."

▹▹▹

[Location: The Theater]

[The voice of Cale Henituse continued to voice out one of his thoughts much to the audience's confusion as the redhead looked at the kittens.

"He really is a good guy."]

"Excuse me, but who is 'he'?"

"It's confusing for sure."

"Please give us some context!"

[Meeeeow Meeeeeeow.

The redhead gazed at the kitten that was curled up and shaking, as well as the other kitten that seemed to be its sibling licking the shaking kitten.

He then turned his gaze to look at one of the alleys that was close to where he was standing.

Unfortunately for the audience, they could not see what he saw. They, however, could hear his thoughts.

"I found him."

The redhead stood up as he had crouched down to look at the kittens. The young man was shaking slightly as he glanced at the alley, at the mystery 'him'.

"Damn it, I'm shaking."

Along with his thought, the audience could also hear the redhead's heart going crazy.]

"Oh come on, show us who he has seen! Why drag it out?"

"Probably for tension."

"Just reveal it already!"

[The young man took a deep breath as he started to speak.

"You look like you are hungry."

Tsk tsk. He clicked his tongue and took the chicken breast out of the bag. Then with an extremely gentle movement, Cale Henituse offered the roasted chicken breast to the kittens.

"You poor things. Go ahead and eat it."

Tsk. The young master clicked his tongue as he ripped the chicken breast into pieces so that the kittens could eat it better.

He looked like he was wondering what the hell he was doing, crouching here feeding these kittens.

Grrooooowl. Groooooowl.

The injured kitten showed its teeth and started to growl, but the redhead started to pet the kitten's silver fur as he looked into its golden eyes. The kitten must not have liked it, as it did its best to avoid Cale's hand.

"You poor things. Eat this and get better soon."]

"Say, isn't he too sobered?"

A citizen of the Henituse's territory said to his friend.

"What do you mean?"

"Young master Cale Henituse is famous for his lightweight. And this one just chucked down half a bottle of strong wine."

They recalled the real Cale Henituse in the previous video. His friend's lips twitched, feeling the ridiculousness of the situation.

"...Don't tell me his lightweight is also fake."

Was anything they knew about the young master that they saw regularly real at all?

["Do you have somewhere to go?"

By now, the audience already realized that the redhead was not talking to the kittens but the mysterious 'him'.

"Or a place to stay?"

The young master petted the growling silver-furred kitten with golden eyes and pushed away the red kitten that was trying to attack him, as he asked. The red kitten kept trying to hit the redhead for some reason. Its golden eyes, that matched its sibling's eyes, shined brightly even in the darkness.

But the redhead seemed to focus on his one-sided conversation with the mysterious 'him'.

"Are you hungry?"

There still was no response. The young master continued like he had expected this.

"Are you not going to say anything?"

Finally, a different voice of a young male, not from the redhead, answered.

"...Why are you talking to me?"

The screen switched perspective from the redhead with the two kittens to the owner of the new voice, revealing the mysterious 'him'.

It was a young male in his late teens. The young man was wearing shabby clothes, looked like a homeless person. His face wore an exhausted expression, showing how his body and mind had reached their limit.

The unique black hair and black eyes made the identity of the person clear to most civilians of the Roan Kingdom.

It was the new Swordmaster of their kingdom, Sir Choi Han.]

"Ugh- Sir Choi Han!?"

"Oh my god, it's that one! I bet it's Kim Rok Soo on the screen!"

"What?!?"

"Remember, the real Cale said that he would switch when he returned to his first meeting with Sir Choi Han!"

"!"

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 5]

As soon as the image of the book with the foreign name appeared, Ron already figured out that the puppy young master on the screen was the new one. So the switch happened just a few days before he and his son left.

Then came the sight of two kittens. The hand was caressing the dagger paused.

His eyes secretly gazed toward the last table across the room.

Those two Fog Cat Tribe kids were in the Henituse's territory?

Ron continued to sharpen his dagger. He didn't like how much he had missed and didn't know. Especially with the current appearance of the black-haired bastard on the screen.

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 1]

Fredo's eyes were gleaming at the sight of the two kittens. Solena said his thoughts out loud.

"Two Fog Cat Tribe children? My Lord."

"It's probably those two."

Fredo answered Solena's unasked question. As someone who worked for the White Star, he knew some information regarding other people working under him.

The current state of the Fog Cat Tribe.

These two children might be those two runaway children.

"To see them here, what a coincidence."

Was it a coincidence? Or was it something more? Fredo took another sip of his wine and wondered.

Rosalyn stared at the appearance of Choi Han on the screen. She tapped her teacup and looked at the Crown Prince next to her. During the 10-minute break, she had switched seats with her brother.

The blue eyes of His Highness Alberu Crossman were full of curiosity. It was understandable because this meeting was something he hadn't heard about.

But it was different. Rosalyn recognized it.

There was an undertoned amusement in Alberu's eyes.

He was watching it like he already knew how this meeting originally went and was observing it, knowing it was a completely different meeting.

Alberu Crossman knew the context of it. Rosalyn felt like she was a bit closer to the truth.

▹▹▹

[Location: The Theater]

[The redhead stood up and walked toward Choi Han.

"Hey."

The audience could see Choi Han's situation better once the redhead got closer. The young man was a mess. However, his eyes were clear.

The Cale Henituse on the screen smiled as he casually spoke to Choi Han.

"Follow me. I'll feed you."

Immediately, his voice narrated his last thought as the scene on the screen slowly faded away.

"The best first impression was to be the one who provides delicious food."]

"Oh my..."

"Yeah, I'm certain that it's Kim Rok Soo now."

"Why?"

"Because eh-... just a rumor but their first meeting totally wasn't like that!"

"How are so sure? Can we really trust these rumors at all?"

"..."

They were all suddenly reminded of the real Cale Henituse's situation.

"Listen- there was still a grain of truth in it. The real young master Cale Henituse was still acting like trash, right? He did it intentionally to feed the rumor! Anyway, I heard that young master Cale got beaten up by Sir Choi Han for insulting him! He was bedridden for a whole week after that!"

"...I can testify that. I'm a servant of the Henituse Family. Young master Cale did get bedridden for a week around that time."

"See! But the Cale Henituse on the screen is acting all careful and polite to Sir Choi Han!"

"This..."

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 0]

"Is this your first meeting, Dongsaeng, Instructor-nim?"

"Indeed."

Cale nodded at Alberu's question. Choi Han mused out loud.

"Looking back, Cale-nim was acting really strange hm..."

Cale was sweating internally at Choi Han's stare. He coughed slightly.

"Well, The Birth of a Hero did mention how the real Cale got beaten up by his Choi Han when they first met so I had to be careful in how I approached you."

Choi Han watched as his liege avoided his eyes before letting out a small laugh.

"Cale-nim, you can just avoid me altogether though."

Cale stiffened up as Choi Han continued.

"You didn't even need to help me yet you did."

Choi Han's smile grew as Cale finally looked at him again.

"That's why I feel extremely grateful to you, Cale-nim. I'm happy that you chose to approach and help me. So thank you for giving me a new family, Cale-nim."

Choi Han's eyes started to shine like his Aura, like the stars in the middle of the night sky. Cale cleared his throat as he muttered quietly. The sight of a happy Choi Han made him feel a bit emotional. These Chois really looked alike.

"...You're welcome."

Cale was glad too. For all the troubles that came after meeting Choi Han, he could never regret meeting him.

"Ehem."

Alberu coughed slightly at the emotional moment in front of him. After his adventure with these two in the Seal God's Test, he understood why these two were like this. It made him feel a bit emotional too.

"...I'm glad that I got to meet you two too! Say, did 'The Birth of A Hero' that you read mention anything about me? Was that how you found out about my secret?"

"Ugh-!"

Alberu's sudden question made Cale cough in shock. He never really disclosed too many details about what was in the book and the future that the 40-year-old Cale Henituse told him about.

Because Cale already changed it. The grimed future of The Birth of A Hero did not exist anymore. Cale had made sure of it.

"...It did mention a bit about His Highness."

Cale continued quickly.

"But I did not find out about your secret from it, Hyung-nim. It was Raon who gave me hints."

Raon, hearing his name mentioned, immediately gasped.

"Huh, I did? Oh, I did! That's right, Cookie Prince! I told the Human about your disguise when you first met!"

"Haha... is that so?"

Alberu realized that even without the knowledge from 'The Birth of A Hero', his Dongsaeng still had a dragon by his side. But he already knew it this soon? During their first meeting nonetheless.

Then Alberu laughed out loud, feeling refreshed at the fact that Cale had always known since the beginning and still chose him.

"Hehehe!"

"His Highness...?"

Cale felt a bit weirded out by Alberu's sudden laugh while Choi Han just shrugged his shoulders at the sight of the crackling Crown Prince. Alberu sighed happily.

"Ah, I have such a cute Dongsaeng. Also, call me Hyung."

"...Please be normal, Hyung-nim."

"Hah... I have such a cute but also troublesome Dongsaeng."

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 2]

Choi Han stared at the screen.

"He met the other me a day sooner."

The redhead next to him nodded, agreeing with his statement before pausing for a bit and adding a comment.

"...The transmigrator seems to be very aware of how our first meeting went."

Choi Han put a hand on his chin and recalled the image of the book titled The Birth of A Hero. When the sudden Korean title appeared on the screen, Choi Han was a bit shocked. He also remembered what the other real Cale Henituse had mentioned about the book. The more Choi Han thought about it, the more Choi Han felt like the book was a sort of guide for the Transmigrator. So he informed this theory to the Cale Henituse next to him.

"The Birth of A Hero. I think it has something to do with it."

Cale nodded.

"...I thought so too."

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 4]

Basen looked at the screen and said bluntly.

"Their meeting didn't happen like this in our world so I guess the Hyung-nim on the screen had already switched."

Deruth coughed. He had heard the report of this incident. His oldest son had crossed a line that day. With the new knowledge of his son's acting, Deruth still couldn't figure out if his son had deliberately gotten himself beaten up or not and if those insults were spoken sobered or not. But Deruth guessed that his oldest son did not truly hold a grudge against Choi Han as he recalled how his son did not complain a single word about Choi Han after waking up.

Deruth looked at his second son, looked at Basen, and let out a tired sigh. He also guessed that after the Plaza Incident, Cale would not really hold a grudge against Choi Han.

Because Basen had come back safely.

▹▹▹

[Location: The Theater]

Everyone slowly quieted down. The screen did not show the ending phrase like the previous record so they kind of assumed that it would continue.

And it did but its content was not what everyone expected.

[The black screen slowly showed a new scenario. A beautiful forest.

"I was 17 years old back then."

A new voice started to narrate.]

If it was before, it would be an unfamiliar voice to most people in the audience.

But they just heard it just a moment before. From the same screen.

"...Sir Choi Han's voice?"

[It was Choi Han's youthful voice narrating like how Cale Henituse's voice did before.

"I was 17 years old back then."

The voice repeated as a young Choi Han in an unfamiliar outfit suddenly appeared in the middle of the forest, looking completely shocked. A note box popped up.

〔Choi Han〕
〔Age: 17〕

The screen then faded to black and slowly switched to a new scenario.]

"Ah?"

"Wait- wait- what does this mean!?!"

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 3]

Eruhaben tapped the table. He had a theory about this young human on the screen and he did not like it.

What an unlucky kid.

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 1]

"Oh, Choi Han..."

Rosalyn muttered, not liking the theory her mind had come up when she remembered how her Choi Han had called the Forest of Darkness his hometown.

John's ears twitched after hearing his sister's mutter. Choi Han was someone he had heard about.

The youngest Swordmaster. The hero who had helped the Roan Kingdom in their Plaza Bombing Incident.

He also was John's big sister, Rosalyn's traveling companion.

John was feeling a bit jealous of Choi Han who had his sister worrying about him like this. But at the same time, John was curious about Choi Han.

The Exceptions, the title of this record. What did it mean for Choi Han, the main focus of it?

▹▹▹

[Location: The Theater]

[A new scenario appeared. It was a foreign building that none of the audience recognized.

"Hahaha-"

The sound of laughing slowly got louder as the screen moved to show the source of it.

It was a laughing Choi Han standing beside a slightly older Cale Henituse with long hair who looked similar to the Cale Henituse in the previous record and a chubby small Black Dragon who was nibbling an apple pie.]

"Ah?!?"

The scene on the screen was a bit absurd for everyone in the theater.

"A Dragon!?"

"It's that Black Dragon! The one from before!"

"Oh yeah! It showed up in the previous record!"

[The Black Dragon soon stopped eating and blankly stared at Choi Han. The black-haired man had started to speak after laughing for a while.

"To be honest with you, Cale-nim, I have been alive for a very long time."

Plop.

The apple pie in the Black Dragon's two paws fell to the ground. Choi Han, who looked like he didn't care, continued to speak.

"That is why I am actually older than you, Cale-nim. I am older than Mr. Ron as well."]

"Wait- wait- back back back- what did he just say???"

A person from the Henituse's territory who did know Ron and his age shouted out loud.

"Mr. Ron is over 60! How old is Sir Choi Han then!?!"

The whole theater got thrown into chaos after that comment.

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 2]

"...Fucking old man."

Cale muttered out loud, causing Choi Han, who sat next to him, to tighten his smile as his eyes twitched.

"...Are you eager for another beaten up? Hm?"

Cale slowly moved to the other side of the couch, sweating a river. He internally cursed his brain-to-mouth filter. It had weakened as he started to feel more relaxed since staying here.

"Eh- No! Please remember the no violence rule!"

"Tch."

Choi Han just clicked his tongue at the reminder.

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 1]

Rosalyn nearly choked on her tea at Choi Han's words on the screen.

A freely laughing Choi Han standing next to a baby Dragon who was eating an apple pie was already a big shock for her.

Now Choi Han just suddenly dropped such information on her.

Older than Mr. Ron?

Mr. Ron was over 60 years old!

How old was Choi Han then!?! Can we even call him the youngest Swordmaster???

Rosalyn put her teacup down. She felt that if she continued to drink during this record, she would choke.

Meanwhile, Alberu was having a thought.

'Cale-nim??? You respect him that much??? What did the transmigrator do???'

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 5]

Lock spit out his drink at the words of his hyung on the screen.

He had felt bewildered at the sight of his hyung laughing so loudly and freely for just a moment ago that he almost felt bitter as he wondered why his hyung didn't laugh with them like that.

But his hyung suddenly dropped such a bomb on them. It kinda reminded him of how the other two men from the previous record also did.

Lock coughed as Pendrick petted his back and handed him a handkerchief. He quietly thanked the elf as he secretly looked at Mr. Ron.

There was a benign smile on the old man's face.

Lock silently looked away.

▹▹▹

[Location: The Theater]

[The Black Dragon blinked a few times as he looked toward Choi Han. Cale Henituse also stood there and looked at Choi Han with his usual stoic face.

The black-haired swordsman was still smiling as he continued to speak.

"I age very slowly. I think I will live for a very, very long time."

Choi Han's voice carried out his thoughts.

"I wanted to let everything out."

"This is the right moment to do it."

"It will be okay to say it now in front of these people."

"I can't tell them everything, but there is no need to keep it so tightly hidden away."

The black-haired swordsman continued to smile as he looked at the two people in front of him.

"I also came from a very faraway place. I am probably the only one in this world who can read the words in this book."]

"I thought that after the previous record, nothing would surprise me anymore. I guess I was wrong because what the hell???"

"...'A very faraway place'?"

"...Like another world?"

"Hahaha-"

Chaos erupted across the theater again.

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 1]

Bud, who was chugging down his drink, choked at the implication that there was another person from another world.

Someone that they did know about.

The Swordmaster of the Roan Kingdom, Hero Choi Han.

"What the fuck-"

Rosalyn just stared blankly at the screen.

It seemed like her theory was correct.

Choi Han might be from another world too.

She gripped her dress.

Was it because they were from the same place that the other Choi Han shared his secret with the other Cale Henituse?

Rosalyn felt a bit jealous of the redhead on the screen. Choi Han never shared this with her.

However, she quickly shook her head to clear her emotions a bit.

No, of course, Choi Han would feel more comfortable sharing this with the other Cale, who came from the same place as him.

Rosalyn paused.

Or was it? The other Choi Han didn't look like he knew about the other Cale's true identity.

Rosalyn patted her heart.

Either way, she should not feel jealous of the other Cale, who looked like he had spent a longer time with Choi Han than her.

Her Choi Han would feel comfortable and tell her one day.

Rosalyn could only hope as she watched.

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 4]

Zed rubbed his forehead.

He knew Choi Han, and had met him even.

Zed had suspected it before but he was now sure of it.

Single-lifer.

Choi Han was a Single-lifer.

Roan Kingdom's youngest(?) Swordmaster was a Single-lifer.

▹▹▹

[Location: The Theater]

[Choi Han felt the silence in the room for a moment before continuing to speak. His voice was as pure as his usual expression.

"My family and friends are all in that far away place. I came here when I was 17 and have lived alone for tens of years, for an uncountable number of years since then. But that is not the case anymore."]

"Tens of years!?! Is he even human???"

"Oh my god, the youngest Swordmaster my ass. He is fucking ancient!"

"...No more shocking news please..."

Someone whimpered as everyone around him nodded vigorously.

[The Black Dragon was still unable to pick up the piece of apple pie from the ground. Choi Han smiled at the young dragon before looking toward the redhead.

Cale Henituse started to frown. He looked as if he was contemplating something for a while before finally starting to speak.

"...Choi Han."

"Yes, Cale-nim."

Choi Han responded gently with a smile on his face, however, the emotions in his eyes were neither gentle nor calm.

Choi Han's voice carried out another thought of his. It was a bit shaky, tinted with a slight fear.

"Although I have lived for tens of years, my appearance looks as if I have not even aged a single year. Would Cale-nim feel repulsed by this fact?"

Choi Han's mind which had been relaxed until just now slowly started to become complicated.

Choi Han could see Cale's expression becoming more complicated as if the redhead knew what Choi Han was thinking.

Cale Henituse, who had been hesitating for a bit, started to speak.

"Are you trying to tell me you want to be called, 'hyung' like His Highness? Is that how I should address you?"

"...Excuse me?"

"...Or maybe grandpa? If not that, Choi Han-nim?"

Cale's expression became more serious with every word while Choi Han's expression turned even odder. He then started to smile again and responded in a serious tone.

"Please keep things as they were."

"Sure, Choi Han."]

The audience in the theater's faces grew weirder and weirder as the odd conversation between the black-haired swordsman and the redhead young master on the screen continued.

"...This is giving me a deja vu feeling."

"Why are they talking like this??? It gives me a flashback of the previous record!"

"Also, what was that about His Highness wanting to be called 'hyung' by the other Cale Henituse???"

"I don't want to know. I don't want to know."

The person next to them muttered repeatedly.

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 2]

Cale's mouth twitched at the scene on the screen while Choi Han buried his face in his hand.

"First, the other you call the other me 'Cale-nim', and now the other His Highness wants me to call him 'hyung'."

"Firstly, the other me calls the Transmigrator 'Cale-nim', not the other you. Secondly, His Majesty- actually- I don't know what to comment."

Cale nodded sagely before adding.

"The other His Highness seems to be weirder than ours."

Choi Han let out a choked squeeze before coughing to cover it up.

"...Don't say that to His Majesty."

"What? I'm telling the truth!"

Choi Han sighed. He had realized what Cale was doing.

He was trying to distract Choi Han to cheer him up.

Choi Han had gotten a bit shaken up when his counterpart talked about his family on the screen. And Cale, who had recognized it, was trying to cheer him up.

Aigo, this funny bastard.

Choi Han felt like he got to know Cale Henituse all over again.

When he was 18, when he was 20, and even when he was 40.

All three versions of the Cale Henituse that Choi Han had a glimpse of.

None of them compared to the real funny bastard sitting next to him here.

That was why Choi Han accidentally blurted out.

"... I like this version of you."

"What the hell- Have you gone insane, you bastard!?"

Cale looked like he just heard something completely disgusting. It only made Choi Han laugh out loud. His laugh actually sounded similar to the laugh of his counterpart just a moment ago.

"I haven't been normal for a long time, Cale."

At the sight of Choi Han laughing freely, the redhead could only huff in annoyance and looked away.

▹▹▹

[Location: The Theater]

[Cale finally returned to his usual stoic expression after saying that.

The redhead then turned away from Choi Han and handed the Black Dragon another piece of apple pie as he continued to speak.

"Eat without dropping your food."

"...A, alright. H, human!"

The small Dragon quickly snapped out of it and started to eat the piece of apple pie. He then approached Choi Han and took another apple pie out of his spatial dimension and offered it to Choi Han.

"Choi Han! Eat this!"

Choi Han happily took the apple pie from the Dragon and patted him on the head.

"I am the great and mighty Raon Miru! Just trust me!"]

"Oh my god, the baby Dragon is so cute???"

Someone blurted out.

"I know right?"

Her friend agreed.

"Raon Miru! We got the name of the dragon!"

["He is the same as usual."

Choi Han's voice carried out his thoughts. It showed his relief at the young Dragon's action.

The black-haired swordsman's face melted into a relaxed expression.

Cale Henituse, who was observing him, slowly started to walk. His voice echoed through the theater, making his current thought known to the audience.

"Should I tell him too?"

The screen turned black right after that sentence. The opening phrase returned.

〔The Exceptions〕

Like the previous record, another phrase was shown under it.

〔Choi Han〕
〔(COMPLETED)〕

The phrases faded away as a 10-minute countdown showed up one more time.]

"Not again!"

"What!? Oh, come on!"

"Tell him what?!? What the hell are these cuts???"

"The cliffhanger! The cliffhanger! I curse whoever made these records!!"

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 3]

The Black Dragon stared at his counterpart, at Raon Miru as he also stuffed himself with apple pies.

His counterpart, Raon Miru had told him the meaning of his name before.

Raon, Joyful. Miru, Dragon.

Joyful Dragon, Raon Miru.

It was a fitting name for him, the Black Dragon thought.

'Should I ask the redhead human to give me a name too?'

The Black Dragon pondered as he let Goldie clean his face.

'I will ask the human later!'

▹▹▹

[Location: The Viewing Room 6]

The Dragon Half-blood screamed into the pillow as he pressed his face into it.

He did not care much about the black-haired human named Choi Han even if he might be from another world.

But the baby Black Dragon!

The sight of the baby Black Dragon made the inside of the Dragon Half-blood twist in rage and guilt.

He did not know what to do about these boiling-up feelings besides screaming as he did not want to destroy these nice things.

The countdown went down each second as the Dragon Half-blood threw a tantrum on the bed.

[...]

▹▹▹

[Location: The Studio]

Alberu Crossman, who was in his glorious Dark Elf form, clapped his hands as he smiled brightly.

"That was entertaining."

The Assistant, Cale Thames, shouted.

"No, it was not!"

"It is tho."

Mary, who was sitting next to Alberu, nodded in agreement. It made the Emperor of the Roan Empire smile even brighter.

"See, even Mary agrees with me."

"Ugh-!"

Cale groaned. He could not expect such betrayal. Not from her, not from the sweet Mary!

Alberu rolled his eyes as if he could hear Cale's dramatic monologue. Which wasn't far from the truth as he had spent so many years with this dramatic bastard.

"On the other note, the Transmigrator really knew what he was doing, huh? He even got to the point where the other Choi Han was comfortable and trusted him enough to tell him about his age and origin on his own."

Cale flopped next to Mary and picked up a cookie.

"For real, that guy is crazy."

The redhead finished the cookie before noting.

"Their relationship is completely different from ours."

Alberu paused at Cale's words as he gave him a side-eye.

"...You want your relationship to be like them?"

"...No? What the heck are you talking about? Just imagine me and him being like that already gives me goosebumps-!"

Alberu tried to imagine it. A shiver ran down his body at the image his brain came up.

"...Actually, you're right. Forget it."

Mary could only sigh as she sat there in silence between these two dramatic men.

▹▹▹

[Location: The Office]

The God of Mystery tilted her head as she looked up to the Star Stream above her.

Her delicate fingers were holding a pen as she tapped her iPad with it.

- My dear viewers.

The white-haired God addressed the Constellations, addressed you. Her gem-like eyes glimmered behind a pair of glasses.

- I hope this show is a success.

The stars twinkled.

- Is there anything you want to tell our dear guests? I will let the Assistant send those messages to them during their meal break.

The God of Mystery tapped the pen against her pale cheek.

- Ah, but please do not put too many spoilers in it. I will have to censor them if that happens.

The galaxy above her head started to sparkle more, causing the God of Mystery to smile.

- Please send them to me. And please continue to watch.

Second after second passed by as the countdown on the screen went down. The God of Mystery giggled as your gaze remained on her domain.

▿
[Dear Constellations,
The Message Box Feature is now available. You can now send your message to our dear guests. The messages will be delivered during their Meal Break.
Sincerely, The Keeper of Dream and Memory.]
▵

▶︎▶︎▶︎

[SEGMENT 2: The Exceptions] ▼
▶︎ [Choi Han] ◀︎ (COMPLETED)
[The World Tree]
[Choi Jung Gun]

▶︎▶︎▶︎

Author Note:
Ahem, about the last scene, I'm actually serious. Do leave comments about the message that you want to send to the characters. You can even specify if you want to send it open or to only them (as in a secret message).

On another note, there will be a mini Q&A for the cast during their meal break which is the next next chapter. Please send me your suggestions for what questions I should give them!

All in all, I wish you all have a wonderful day!

▶︎▶︎▶︎

Upcoming:

[SEGMENT 6: The Name Miru] ▼
▶︎ [Raon Miru] ◀︎
[REDACTED]
[REDACTED]

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