Cale actually did not do anything this time.

He just got robbed indeed, but for once, he didn't immediately run off to smack the culprit at the back of the head. Instead, there he was, lying on the bed without a care in the world. He just got back from war, he at least deserves the privilege to rest for a bit.

The redhead tried to ignore the headache that was slowly washing over him. He thought everything would be over once he defeated that damn White Radish Bastard and removed the Sealed God for good. However, slowly, new questions and problems were piling up.

What is even happening? Billos is missing, a certain son of a b*tch swooped his money under his nose, and he could also remember the conversation between him and Zed Crossman. Cale has no idea who the hell these so-called hunters are other than them targeting single-lifers, and he doesn't want to know. But Choi Han is a single-lifer, he has no choice but to get involved if they're a threat to one of his people.

Cale thought he could finally obtain his slacker life, but it seemed to be getting further away.

He sighed, pushing himself to sit up as he heard muffled yet loud noises coming from beyond the walls.

Raon barged into the room, On and Hong tailing behind him.

"Human!! We brought you the grapes!"

"And books, nya!"

"We brought you some drinks too, nya! So you don't have to go anywhere!"

They settled onto the bed, finding comfortable positions on Cale's lap. The bowl of grapes was gently laid beside him. To his surprise, Choi Han, Eruhaben, and Rosalyn entered the room after them.

Choi Han nodded politely as a greeting before standing near the door, guarding it. Eruhaben and Rosalyn walked closer, the former sitting on a chair on the right side of the bed while the latter sent him a smile.

Cale nodded back towards them in acknowledgement.

"Ah, Eruhaben-nim, is it fine for you to be walking around like this already?" The redhead asked with a frown, remembering the time when the ancient dragon was in pain after drinking from a certain jar.

"Tsk, you unlucky bastard. Why are you still worrying about me? I've become young again and regained my strength because of you. You don't have to concern yourself with my well-being anymore."

That was an arrogant way of a dragon saying 'Thank you for helping me extend my life. Now you don't have to worry about me dying anytime soon, so worry about yourself first.'

His frown was replaced by another stoic expression, but everyone saw how Cale had a look of satisfaction on his face, even if it was just for a moment.

Rosalyn shakes her head, amusement clearly displayed on her face as she thought to herself, 'Young Master Cale... As usual, always thinking of people other than himself.'

Cale opened one of the books that the children had brought for him and started reading. A grape floated towards his mouth as Raon feeds him using magic. It didn't take long for him to relax.

'Ah, this atmosphere is perfect. Being a slacker really is a best,' He thought with a small smile.

"So, for what reason did you come see me, Eruhaben-nim?" He asked without looking up from his book. If it was any normal days, the dragon would've thought of it as disrespectful, but the young man just returned from war, so he decided to be lenient.

"I heard you got robbed. As someone who was a victim to it, I thought there's nothing wrong in visiting you to share my condolences."

Cale deadpanned, but he didn't look up from his book.

'Did this vicious dragon just wanted to see me so he can laugh at my face?'

Unbeknownst to the young man, Eruhaben was genuine in expressing his concern. He knew how angry Cale must've been. Based on the other's reaction, he realized the stolen money was a lot more than he expected, and this might actually be the first time someone scammed this sly son of a noble instead of the other way around.

"It's fine. At least I know what that bastard is associated with. I can always figure out their identity myself and smack them in the back later," Cale responded while leisurely shrugging his shoulders.

Right. The Thames Household. He doesn't know what role that Fake Hilsman holds in that house, but he's going to figure it out. Without a doubt.

Call him a petty person, but Cale truly dislikes being on the receiving end.

He opened his mouth again to chew on another grape and flipped a page of the book. Meanwhile, Eruhaben watched him silently. Even after everything that happened, Cale seems fine. He's calm as usual, but there was some sort of confliction in his eyes.

The dragon that had morphed into a beautiful golden-haired elf opened his mouth to ask, but soon widened his eyes when he saw that the redhead was glowing.

Like, actually glowing.

Warm gold light was surrounding him. Everyone in the room stared at him in shock. Raon had dropped the grape he was holding with his magic, and Cale looked up from his book with a frown of confusion. He thought Eruhaben was the one who did this because of the golden light, but based on the other's expression, he dismissed the thought.

What's happening to him?

"Cale!"

"Human!"

"Cale-nim!"

He looked at his fingertips that were slowly fading away and towards the others who watched him with shaking chaotic eyes. Transparent. He was becoming transparent in their eyes.

Rosalyn who had stood frozen was the first to snap out of it as she reached out to Cale's fading figure.

"Young Master Cale!"

He slipped out of her finger tips as the light engulfed his body.

The book fell onto the bed with a soft 'plop'.

Cale Henituse had disappeared.

• • •

A few moments ago...

BANG!

The room was forcefully opened, but a certain figure was lazily lying on a fancy couch, not bothering to move. He just threw his head back to look at the other person near the door who had entered without notice nor invitation.

"I need power," the newcomer bluntly stated, not caring about the fact that she practically invaded someone else's property.

"And you came to me for that... why?" He asked, raising a brow before shifting his attention back to the fidget toy in his hand.

"You're the perfect person to help me out."

"Why should I help you?"

"Tsk, stop being difficult," She clicked her tongue, crossing her arms. "I can sense from universes away that you're bored. You can have your fun, and I can gain power. It's hitting two birds with one stone."

God of Entertainment finally sat up on the couch, turning his head to face the Goddess of Envy.

"Are you suggesting we mess with a few worlds again?" He asked, an unimpressed look on his face, but the Goddess of Envy knew him. There was intrigue and interest in his mischievous silver eyes. But then he resigned himself with a twitch of his eyebrows that was easy to miss. "Have you gone mad? Did you forget what happened when the God of Death did that? Poor old man has to work his ass off to fix the mess he made. I want fun, not more work."

He expected her to insist on the idea, but then saw her shake her head. Huh, that's unexpected. But then her answer made him shot his eyebrows up in surprise.

"Well, it's not exactly mess with the worlds. Rather, we're going to fix it."

"...Fix it?"

The Goddess of Envy nodded before she stepped aside, and another familiar figure revealed himself.

"God of Salvation," God of Entertainment spoke in acknowledgement. The said-god simply smiled. It was a particular smile that can make anyone shudder upon getting a bad feeling. He sighed deeply. "Is this another one of your 'I want to save many lives' antics again?"

The other god hummed. "You can say that."

He groaned. "Elios, I'm not particularly fond of your strange hero complex. Why do you even want to do this?"

"Well, my dearest Defrim, you can simply find the answer to your question by looking at my title."

Right. God of Salvation. The god who brings salvation to people in many universes. The thought made Defrim roll his eyes.

"So, are you in or not?" Goddess of Envy, Leviah, asked for the last time.

Defrim looked back and forth towards the two other gods before sighing to himself, closing his eyes. "Ugh, fine. Not the first or last time we're going to intervene with worlds anyway," He grumbled, but he was filled with anticipation nonetheless. "But if there happens to be a human like Cale Henituse or Kim Rok Soo, then lord help me because the kid literally flips everything over if he wants to do so."

The God of Entertainment nodded to himself in satisfaction, but upon noticing the silence, he slowly looked back to the other gods who were throwing glances around the room awkwardly.

The realization slowly sinks in.

"... You're kidding."

Leviah grinned, but it did not give him reassurance whatsoever. "The world we're going to intervene in, is a world that will soon be destroyed. It's where that old man didn't switch the souls of Cale Henituse and Kim Rok Soo."

"Then why'd you want us to intervene?! It's gonna be destroyed anyway."

"I want to save it."

"I want them to watch another world where their counterparts are happy so they'll get envious and I gain more power."

Defrim sighed for the nth times today. "Well, I guess it'll be fun. But... you both have contradicting goals." He pointed at Leviah, "you want them to suffer," then pointed at Elios, "you want to save them."

When he saw the two smiling, the gears in his brain began to move, and the edge of his lips slowly twitched upwards. "Ah, so you're saying we drag them into the cinema room to watch where their counterparts succeed to give them information on how to save their own world before turning back the time? Is that it?"

"Precisely," Elios nodded.

"Hah, you both are driving me crazy. Fine, I'll prepare the room. Just do what you need to do." Defrim turned around. Although his demeanor looked grumpy and sick of their antics, the other gods could see him practically skipping on his way in excitement to prepare a special room where everything would unfold.

Elios looked at Leviah, feeling refreshed. "I'll fetch the necessary people."

Leviah nodded with a bright grin on her face. "And I'll go get our most beloved human."

Most beloved human.

The person loved and favored by all, even the gods.

That was exactly how Cale had ended up in this strange room.

He slowly opened his eyes, squinting at the brightness. The young man could feel the softness underneath his body. He glanced downwards to find himself lying on a fancy maroon couch. Reluctantly, he sits up. In front of him was a small table full of cookies and... soft drinks? How odd. It's been a while since he last saw cans of soda.

The redhead looked around, observing the room. It was like a cinema back in his days as Kim Rok Soo. Aside from the furnitures he mentioned, it was empty. It was an eerie yet comfortable atmosphere, but he knew he had to be wary.

He didn't know where he was, and when he looked at the window, his eyes shook.

He's... in space?

Maybe not, right? That would be crazy, but outside the window were countless of stars. It's a whole damn galaxy!

'Where the hell am I?'

"You're awake."

He could hear a sly voice from behind him and abruptly turned around, only to find a tanned man with purple hair and silver eyes staring at him with a smile that made him shudder.

There was a pressure that Cale couldn't point out, so he pulled out his dominating aura to fight it.

The unknown man chuckled in amusement at this, before the pressure disappeared in an instant. "As I expected, you really are interesting. No wonder that old God of Death was so interested in you."

Cale froze.

God of Death?

"F*ck," he cursed under his breath. It was instinctual.

'It's that god? Again? Damn it, that f*cker just won't leave me alone, huh? Not even when I almost got my slacker life dream?!'

'... Should I kill him?'

(Somewhere far in the universe, God of Death could feel his nape getting cold. "What's wrong with me? Eh, it's probably nothing...")

Two other figures came from beyond the door, they were radiating the same pressure like the previous guy did, but upon noticing that Cale was awake, the pressure disappeared.

Now he really doesn't understand what's going on, but his instinct told him a few things.

"Are the three of you gods?"

"Correct," another man replied. He was giving off an elegant yet courageous (?) aura. An aura that would give anyone comfort and confidence in the room, but Cale wasn't affected. He couldn't. He has to stay alert.

"Is that god involved?"

A woman shakes her head, knowing full well who the god that Cale is talking about. "Not this time."

The only human in the cinema room scowled, one hand rubbing his throbbing forehead.

'Haaa... This is driving me nuts.'

"So it's not that f*cking God of Death pulling the strings this time?"

The man with purple hair grinned. "Nope, just us."

"...Motherf*cking Gods."

"You're right, we are quite the motherf*ckers."

Cale stared incredulously towards the three so-called mighty beings, even daring to glare at them by the end of it. "So, what do you want from me?"

This time, the most reasonable one out of the three stepped up to start the conversation. "Nothing," Elios replied.

'Nothing?'

Cale frowned.

As if he could read his thoughts, Elios continued, "There's a world that will soon fall into ruin, we just need you here to watch things unfold with us."

'How... Strange...'

"Why me?"

The woman pointed at his face. "Because you, my dear, is one of the benefactors of the things that happened in many worlds," Leviah responded. "This world is no exception."

Cale was confused. Him? The benefactor? Is it because he was one of the souls that were affected by that damn white thing's curse? Or is it because his soul was chosen to swap places with the original Cale Henituse? Maybe both?

That can't be. Even if he was, there shouldn't be anything major that made him the benefactor of changing the world— ah, right. He did stop the world from going to extinction...

However...

"What are you talking about? If that's the case, then don't drag me here without my will. You could've brought Kim Rok Soo (og!cale) or the White Star from his grave. I was enjoying my free time." He was scowling and frowning. It truly seemed like Cale was angry.

Defrim nodded slowly. "We could, but..." He smirked, "things won't unfold as much fun that way."

"What are we to you? Some form of entertainment?"

He shrugged. "Well, I am the God of Entertainment."

"You're insane."

"You know, you're probably the only mortal who has the nerve to call me insane straight up to my face."

Cale didn't care.

"Fine, do I just have to sit here and do nothing but watch things happen?"

Leviah nodded. "Yes, just sit tight and enjoy the show!"

In all honesty, he found all of this suspicious but eventually gave in as he realized there's truly nothing he can do in this place. He realized this was the gods domain.

When he tried calling for his power to his palm, none responded to him. The dominating aura that he used was also gone. Did the gods seal his powers in this place to keep him from making a mess?

"Ah, right. You won't be able to use your powers for now, but you'll be the only one who can use them once we put the barriers," Elios explained after he saw the human's gaze. "The barriers will be created to prevent chaos from happening since multiple people will come. This whole seat, table, and snacks are yours so you'll have a personal safe space from the others, so be at ease." He patted Cale's shoulder in reassurance.

Well, that's good. At least he gets special privileges, Cale thought as he nodded.

He settled back to the couch and began to leisurely eat the cookies provided by the gods. His face brightened when he took a bite.

It was delicious. He was certain the kids would love this. Maybe he should bring some home...

Wait—

"Hey, what about the others? My home?"

"Ah, don't worry about that," Leviah waved him off. "The time here and in your world is very different. A day here is an hour in yours."

"Hm... Okay," Cale replied after much consideration.

'They'll be alright.'

It's not like he'll be here for long, right? Besides, him being gone won't be much of an issue to them. They're capable people. They can handle things on their own.

As if he could read his thoughts, Defrim watched the redhead with a smirk. 'What a dense bastard.'

"Alright, then see you soon, we'll be beyond the walls," Defrim bid his farewell.

"You three aren't staying?"

"Nah, we don't show ourselves to puny mortals."

Cale didn't react despite him being one of the 'puny mortals'.

"Okay, bye."

"Have fun!"

The three waved at him before teleporting away, presumably the room behind that white door.

Once he took another bite of his cookie, the room was filled with a bright light, and Cale had to blink his eyes a few time to return his vision.

There were people, a lot of people. He could see familiar faces such as Choi Han, Rosalyn, Lock, Alberu, A disguised dark elf Tasha, and others. He could even see his counterpart and the Henituse Family. Based on their rough appearances, Cale was certain that they were in the middle of the war.

Ah, no way, is this what's happening in The Birth of a Hero if the story progressed like normal?

Meanwhile, everyone who suddenly got teleported inside the room felt dread. Their chaotic eyes scanning their surroundings.

Is this part of the enemies' plan? They don't know, but Cale liked the fact that all of them stayed wary.

However, there was one person among them who almost instantly recognized the familiar layout of the room.

"A cinema...?" The young man mumbled.

"Hyung? You know this place?" Lock, who stayed close to Choi Han and Rosalyn, asked the former upon hearing him.

"... Kind of..." Choi Han responded hesitantly, his sharp gaze landing on the giant black screen in front of them.

"Ahh, where are we?!"

"Damn it, I should've paid more attention to suspicious magic!"

"Weapon! My weapon is gone!"

Chaos. That's the only thing that could describe the scene in front of him, but Cale only munched on his cookie silently.

"Stay close to me!"

"The enemy is on that side!"

"I can't use my magic!"

'Wooow...' Cale admired the scene, and he oddly felt entertained. There was so much happening in front of him to the point he almost couldn't keep up, but it was enjoyable to watch. This must be what that bastard God of Entertainment is feeling right now.

It didn't help the fact that major figures and representatives of multiple kingdoms and tribes were present. Cale knew they're not allies in this world, so he wasn't surprised to see them showing hostility towards each other.

"Stay away from His Majesty!"

"Aaargh—!"

There were some people who charged forward, only for them to hit an invisible wall that separates them.

"Ow!"

"What the hell...?"

Upon noticing something strange, the room gradually quieted down, it wasn't until they heard a noise...

Clink–pshhhh...

They all turned towards the source, only to find a red long-haired man calmly drinking the soda that was provided while staring back at them.

Cale was sitting far behind in a seat that was a bit higher than the rest. He really has a better view from up here.

He took notice at how the Henituse Family looked at him in bewilderment.

They must be shocked. Finding a man who looks like a copy of the oldest son of that family isn't something any of them expected to happen.

"Hyung... nim...?" Basen mumbled, glancing back and forth towards him and the other *Cale who was frozen beside him.

This Cale was younger, thinner, and with longer hair that reached his shoulders, while their *Cale looked older, a bit haggard, with messy short red hair. They look the same, but blatantly different at the same time.

"Hello, inhabitants of this world."

They all flinched at the voice, eyes widened. They scrambled to search for the source, only for their eyes to fall on the big black screen.

Words. There were words written on it. It was the same sentence as what was spoken.

Meanwhile, Cale held himself back from snorting at the gods attempt to seem mysterious.

"Welcome to our domain, which shall be your end and your beginning."

Everyone was dripping in cold sweat. None of them knew what it means, but not even the representatives were speaking up, so everyone decided to stay quiet. They learned that it's better to observe than lash out in situations they can't predict.

Multiple people glanced at the major figures, whether it'd be Crown Prince Alberu, Commander Toonka, Chief Harol, Queen Litana, King of the Whale Shickler, Crown Prince Valentino, King John, and many more.

However, there was one thing they have in common.

They're enemies of a certain organization, whether they knew this or not.

Cale smirked, leaning back on his seat as he discreetly eyed the white door in the corner.

'Now... how are they going to go with this?'

"Who the hell are you?! If you're strong, come out and fight me!"

Of course, the first one to break the silence was none other than Toonka.

". . ."

Cale raised an eyebrow. 'No answer?'

"Are you with the secret organization?" Valentino warily asked, narrowing his eyes at the screen.

"No. Although it may seem like our words cannot be trusted, we can assure you that you're currently safe from the outside influences in this room."

That was the right cue for some of the people to look around the room, but they didn't dare to move from where they stand.

Cale spotted how Alberu was frowning. He could tell that the prince is currently trying to dig something from his brain to come up with a conclusion. Then he subconsciously smiled once he saw the latter finally calm down.

"That... Excuse me, are you perhaps... a god?"

'He got it figured out.'

"Indeed. We are."

'We?' That was something that simultaneously popped into everyone's mind, but they just assumed this god preferred to regard themselves as "we" rather than "i".

Alberu suppressed the bitter feeling he felt in his chest. A god, huh? There was only one thing he wanted to ask. 'Why now?'

After so much losses, so many things and hometowns destroyed. So many grief, despair, and hopelessness. Yet, the gods decided to come help them now?

No, he shakes his head. There's no use drowning in guilt and emotions. Right now, his only option is to move forward, and the gods might be able to provide a solution.

"So, what do the gods want from all of us lowly subjects?" The fake blond activated his glib tongue, a smile on his face — one that expressed so much exhaustion and Cale noticed it.

All of these people didn't even object to the fact that the beings that are talking to them are gods. For one, they don't know where they are, they can't use magic, their weapons disappeared, they were teleported at the same time from different continents, and there's this unbelievably strong pressure that made them feel like... Yes, this is a god talking to them.

"Your world was bound to be doomed from the start."

Upon hearing that line, all of their faces turn pale. Dejection, another series of despair.

"Your world will be destroyed."

A sharp intake of breath, and deep silence that couldn't be cut with a butter knife.

"But... We're here to help."

Their heads perked up as they intently paid attention to the screen, waiting for the next words.

"We're here to fix what was meant to be broken."

Silence.

"And... how will you do that, God-nim?" John spoke up, not to provoke the god, but he was truly curious about the method of fixing a world that's almost ruined.

"Turning back the time."

There were some gasps and mutters.

"Turning back the time...?"

"With gods, anything is possible, huh..."

"It sounds too good to be true..."

"However... If you really want to receive this help, you just have to watch the events of another world without much complaints. A world where you succeeded. A place where you won the war...

In just... two... years."

The fact that whether or not they'll attain their memories goes unsaid.

Another series of gasps.

"Two years?!"

"No way, is that possible?!"

"That happened in another world?!"

Before the situation could escalate, Harol spoke up. "God-nim, is that all we have to do? Surely, turning back the time... and watching something that could help us win the war... both are things that benefit us. What do you get out of it?"

Cale's eyes glinted in amusement. 'How bold.' But he approved of Harol's actions. It's better to be safe than sorry, you never know what these god bastards are thinking.

"It's something you mortals don't have to concern yourselves with. It will be beneficial for us all, none will suffer any consequences. Nothing will be lost along the way. We can swear on our existence as gods. Is that enough?"

Everyone in the room looked at each other and slowly nodded. Well, it's not like they have much of a choice. Most of them probably realized that they're stuck here by now.

"Wonderful. We shall provide seats and necessities. So behave yourselves and enjoy as we watch the life of our dear beloved human and commander—"

Cale's back ran cold and his eyes instantly sharpened towards the screen.

"Now, hold on."

He spoke, gaining the attention of everyone in the room, including the gods.

"???"

He sighed when he saw the questions marks on the screen.

"Who the hell gave you permission to pry into my life and share it to people, huh?" There was a disrespectful expression on his face. "This wasn't in the agreement."

"There was no agreement—"

"Shut up."

". . ."

The people in the room stared at this exchange in shock. A human dares to go up against the gods, this wasn't something that everyone sees everyday.

If there was a doubt that the person in front of them is Cale Henituse in the minds of people who recognized him, it's gone now.

The behavior, their way of speech, the face. It's all the same. Except for the fact that this Cale looks extremely calm, despite the annoyed gaze.

"Haaa... Really, you motherf*cking gods just do whatever you want, huh?"

They flinched, not expecting Cale to outwardly curse out a god. What the heck is he thinking?

Meanwhile, a particular excommunicated priestess' eyes were sparkling as she watched with anticipation.

". . ."

The gods kept silent. No, rather, Cage has a feeling that they're treading on thin ice.

"Should I just flip the whole damn thing over?"

"! ! !"

"No, Cale! It's my domain! You can't!"

A voice different compared to the previous one immediately cuts in.

"Oh, really now?

"Yes! Please don't!"

"Hmm..." Cale narrowed his eyes skeptically at the screen who seemed to be... sweating(?). "Fine, only if you grant my wish every now and then as we watch what's practically an invasion of privacy."

"Yes! Yes! Of course!"

That's it. She's sold. This red haired man is officially Cage's role model.

Cale nodded in satisfaction. However, unbeknownst to everyone, he was already agreeing to this inside his head.

If there was one thing he noticed as the people teleported into this room is the fact that the kids aren't here. Of course, they're not, and he knew why.

To hell with privacy, if watching his whole life means another Raon, On, and Hong gets saved, then he doesn't mind.

"R-Right. Ahem."

The voice returned to its previous majestic and dominant voice.

Couches, pillows, and snacks suddenly appeared all over the room and everyone was forced to sit by a sudden force.

"The show will soon commence."

———

A/N: heyyyy!! i've always wanted to do one of those reaction fics and this is my first attempt </3 i absolutely love tcf, i really hope i can do the characters justice despite them being from tboah.

also, i'm sorry if i got any events wrong, i don't really pay attention to trivial things in the novels. if there are stuff that aren't mentioned in the novel, just call it a headcanon or theory!

please comment on what chapter you want them to react to! i also appreciate some votes, hehe.

i'll try to update as soon as possible. have a nice day and thanks for reading!

story timeline:
tcf!cale = after sealing the god of despair
tboah = the war has been going on for a few years