Reaction and Matchmaking Attempts

Lop off a Leg and in Return Adin Sets the Jungle on Fire (303-308)

However, Cale soon flinched.

He responded naturally after seeing Choi Han's injured hands.

"No, never mind."

He felt as if he would have a one-way ticket to the afterlife if he was slapped by Choi Han right now.

Choi Han was ready to complain. His head snapped upwards as he directed his menacing glare at the screen, knowing better than to challenge his counterpart or the troublemaker called Cale Henituse. Why the fuck would he slap someone strong enough to knock them into the afterlife?!

Even during his most extreme, he just breaks some bones and misplaces some teeth. Choi Han knew what holding back looked like. Thank you very much.

(He didn't see the heavy judgmental glare directed at him.)

As someone who had a strong attachment to staying alive, Cale just chewed on the apple pie and put some strength into his shaking legs as he stood up.

Ah, yes.

"Can you repeat that, please? My ears must not be working properly."

Aside from the humor Alberu displayed, he grudgingly knew Cale was speaking both the absolute truth and was lying out of his ass.

He did have a strong attachment to life. Alberu had firsthand witnessed the tenacity of Cale, further amplified once he caught a glimpse of Kim Rok Soo's hellish life. Being resourceful alone wasn't enough to live.

Alberu grew up privileged. Maybe not in the emotional kind, but he never worried about food, a place to stay, or resources to grow stronger. The queen and princes simply acted like he didn't exist. Somewhat peaceful for a royal family, he supposed.

Kim Rok Soo grew up far from that luxury. An uncle, who abused his own flesh and blood, followed by the collapse of society as a whole. There was never a moment when Kim Rok Soo thrived. He simply survived.

The rare expressions that flickered across Cale's face when they traversed the parallel world to Kim Rok Soo's original one followed Alberu back home. He hoped the gods wouldn't show this particular instance, yet without speaking, Alberu knew it was a foolish idea. They thrived on entertainment and seeing the past, ripping old wounds open, and laying Cale bare for the curious spectators to see. Alberu knew they wouldn't miss such a golden opportunity.

He hoped – for the gods – that they didn't go below the belt, otherwise, forget stopping Cale, Alberu would turn his spear in their direction as well.

Tasha and Mary were chatting.

"He looks like he wants to stab someone," Tasha whispered to Mary. Concern flickered across her face as she took notice of Alberu's pale face and his dulled gaze. Deep creases on his forehead spoke of worries.

Mary nodded. She fiddled with her fingers, anxious of what was to come.

"Cale-nim, will you be okay?"

Choi Han bit down on his lips as he asked.

'I'm sure he'll say that he is fine.'

That was how Cale always answered.
Choi Han slowly supported Cale while avoiding his gaze. He heard a grumbling voice at that moment.

"You think it's okay?"
"...Excuse me?"

'Does he mean that he's not okay?'

The expression on Choi Han's face turned extremely serious as this was the first time Cale had ever responded like this. Cale continued to speak at that moment.