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Putting a character in another world with amnesia and giving their friends/family a way to check up on them gives ALL the satisfactory exposition and none of the extreme direct reactions that a react fic usually gives me its 🙏🙏
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“Kids what’s wrong-WHAT.”
Quick comic for a future scene of [In the Borderline], everyone is having a bad time, at least Cale isn’t dead !
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Barely made it in time for day 2 of the tcf event on twitter!!!
The topic today was Protection and I just kept thinking about that scene in chapter 4 of part 2 when Cale goes to see the youngest daugter of the Orsena family which was the last survior and she was all panicky and scared but when she saw Cale she just kept going "The shield" and Cale brought out The Indestructible Shield for her and was just so gentle with this scared child. He wanted her to feel protected and he showed her his shield which has become a symbol of protection no matter how much he hates that concept
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Day 3: Record
Even for someone who can never, ever forget—people are impossible to summarize in records.
- ch2. to love and to cherish
For the #ThanksYRH_6YearsLCF event on Twitter
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Another key moment that I was too caught up in to blog about was when Cale and Choi Han met after Choi Han received the records from Choi Jung Soo.
We did kind of suspect it was coming, given Cale heard that Choi Han had collapsed after saying something about Choi Jung Soo - and at the time he seemed fairly calm about the prospect? His attitude seemed to be 'Choi Han might figure things out and be upset with me, but at least he's alive. We can deal with it so long as he's alive.'
And then there he is, burning up a lake of dead mana during a major fight, when Raon reports that Choi Han woke up...
Woke up crying, shouting about 'Kim Rok Soo', and immediately headed for Cale.
I guess first of all - what an amazing way to get one of Cale's closest compatriots to understand some of Cale's secrets. And history.
We all know Cale wasn't going to say shit, and his friends have seen enough to trust him even though they can tell Cale keeps a lot to himself, but we now have a solid reason (Choi Jung Soo passing along his ability, which required the records/memories) for at least one of them to know more. (With Alberu learning more later, and I suspect others eventually learning too).
This signifies yet another major shift in their relationship. One where Choi Han is much more of a friend than the subordinate he acted as initially. Not that he stops acting as Cale's knight, but there's a closeness that wasn't really there before. (All of which becomes even more obvious with Cale, Choi Han, and Alberu during the sealed god's test - and they are an amazing trio there! It was so fun starting my reread and remembering where they began, because they grow so close over the course of the story).
We also see some of what Choi Han saw, and I think this is the first time we really got an outside perspective of who Kim Rok Soo was before the transmigration.
Not just that, but hints of what Kim Rok Soo, Choi Jung Soo, and Lee Soo Hyuk were like before their tragic fight against the unranked monster.
We see how Kim Rok Soo supported the team with information, how he grabbed a metal board to block an attack on Choi Jung Soo, and even broke an arm in the process. Something Cale skipped over in his own flashback to the same event.
For the first time, we can truly see how Cale only tells part of the story...
We can tell Kim Rok Soo was devastated, not that it wasn't obvious before, but Choi Jung Soo was worried about him.
We also learn that, as Choi Jung Soo put it:
He would also take this Kim Rok Soo who claimed he was going to be a slacker and put him to work.
If he left this punk to be a slacker, he was bound to go cause trouble somewhere. He and the team leader discussed making him farm with them, so that they won’t have to go save his ass.
Choi Han himself indicates that he figured out that Cale was Kim Rok Soo partly because they acted exactly the same.
And really, what sorts of things did Kim Rok Soo get up to, that they think he's a loose canon like that?
So team leader Kim Rok Soo probably was also constantly making trouble... Ah, the stories Team 1 could probably tell.
We have all that history, have Choi Han rushing to meet Cale on the battlefield...
And then we have one of the most ridiculous encounters imaginable.
Cale seems awkward and unsure on a way I don't think we've ever seen before. He's stuttering and worrying about things that seem kind of more a distraction than real concerns, and is avoiding his gaze (though he did make an opening for Choi Han in the wall of fire he set up while burning the dead mana, so he wasn't exactly avoiding Choi Han).
We also see how Cale is closely observing Choi Han for signs of anger, how he focuses on Choi Han's unthinking and instinctual touching of his sword which - is probably because of his traumatic childhood? We can see some of what Choi Han was thinking and knew he wasn't even considering hurting Cale, but Cale was obviously concerned about that).
And in the midst of all this. In the midst of this big dramatic moment, we have Raon commenting on how weird their being and - perhaps the most amusing part - the cheapskate ancient power still purifying the dead mana.
Yes, cheapskate. Good job. Keep on purifying that dead mana while Cale and Choi Han have their big moment.
Oh, whoops. I guess a major battle isn't really the time or place for that. Enter Dorph the Lion King, who won't even let them finish their conversation.
This whole encounter is equally moving and hilarious, really. And it's so nice that Cale finally has someone who really knows him.
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Since I've talked about almost all the other important parts during my reread, I didn't want to forget the sealed god's test.
It's just... So good I'm not even sure where to start. Like, this is a moment where Cale really shines.
Cale. Rok Soo, which we're told means 'to always grow green, even in winter'.
And we see that in this test.
The sealed god throws him into one of the worst moments of his life, expressly to make him despair.
Instead, Cale takes that moment and uses it to rewrite the past, and erase all his regrets.
This is where we really get to see what post-apocalyptic Korea was like. And over and over again we learn how badly things went then, even as Cale makes sure it doesn't happen like that again.
We also see some of his years of experience, and maturity. Especially with how he handles Park Jin Tae, who was a bully and a tyrant - and also died in Cale's first life, fighting to save everyone in the shelter.
You can see what we've seen all along. Cale doesn't judge leaders by the petty stuff. He judges them on how well they take care of their people.
This is also where Cale, Choi Han, and Alberu really become an amazing trio.
Choi Han, who bargains a large chunk of his life away (just the time he'd be alone, as he ties the length of his life to Raons) in order to join Cale in his test.
And Alberu, who the Sun God helps possess a monster called the Dark Tiger when his real body is sleeping.
Those three are so tight knit now, it's beautiful. Real ride or die friends.
Especially when you remember where they all started.
It's also, as always, a time where you have to pay attention to the subtleties. This is Cale's past, and he's focused on making sure everyone survives... But Choi Han and especially Alberu can see the desperation, the struggle, and the near starvation of all the survivors. Alberu has a couple of moments when he's out of the test and giving updates to their friends, and you see him struggling. Because Cale asked him not to overly stress them (the kids especially) and basically say it's fine... And Alberu's like 'how can I tell them that?!?'
And then, naturally, there's Choi Jung Soo and Lee Soo Hyuk.
Younger versions, and not the ones Cale knew. But still, we get to learn more about his earlier found family.
We also see things going on back at home. Since his physical body is still there, his friends have to rescue him.
And we see how they're able to perform, even without Cale to call the shots.
We especially see how well Raon has grown, as he makes important decisions on how to find the monster statues.
Even more importantly, we have this at the end.
– Do you really think that this moment is the end of despair?
Cale looked down at the rose gold lights burning in his hands.
He opened his mouth to speak.
‘Is this moment the end of despair? No. Absolutely not.’
“This is just the beginning of the despair in this world.”
It was just the beginning.
Despair would reveal itself in many different forms in this world from now on.
“But people have hope now.”
After about a year since the world had turned into a mess…
The people who had always lost, struggled, and barely managed to survive will be victorious for the first time.
They would destroy this despair known as an unranked monster.
The sealed god who had been silent for a moment asked as if he was sneering at Cale.
– Do you have hope as well?
It seemed to be implying that Cale was someone who could not have hope.
That was how it sounded to Cale.
Cale slowly shook his head.
“No.”
He did not have hope.
However…
“I have certainty.”
Cale needed something more certain than hope. Finally, he had gotten it.
“This place will draw a different future than my past. I’m certain of it.”
He was certain that more people would survive than in his past.
He was certain that they would have better lives.
That was not speculation. Although it was a future that was yet to come, Cale believed it to be the truth.
In fact, Cale wanted to be the one to finish the first step toward that certainty.
The burning rose gold thunderbolts moved away from Cale’s hands.
He started to speak again.
“This is the first time I’m saying this to a god.”
Toward the silent sealed god…
To the god who had tried to give him despair…
Cale said the following.
“Thanks.”
He really meant it.
“My memories didn’t end in despair thanks to you.”
It's not that he defeated despair. That despair will no longer exist.
But there's hope, and he is certain that the future will be better.
And even more so - he is grateful that he had this chance to change his memories.
He took this thing that was supposed to break him, and used it to fix himself instead.
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Why were ancient powers in TBOAH not considered strong? Let’s talk about it.
What was that thing in the beginning of the novel that talked about ancient powers not being powerful? And despite people having them, they weren’t used very much in The Birth of a Hero because of that?
Cale had said it before when he talked about the fiery thunderbolt in tboah when Pendrick had gotten it, saying that it was of equal power to like a lighter or something, nowhere as powerful as what they needed it for.
But when Cale got it, it’s suddenly just gods damnation?!?!?? And it had the power to purify dead mana and black magic like this whole time?? That needs to be a topic for a whole other post (I mean seriously, that’s overpowered af, and no one would’ve ever known because only Cale can hear the voices of ancient powers, so Pendrick would forever have absolutely no idea it could do that)
I mean, it could be the way he spent all that money just to give it more power in a way Pendrick would never be able to do because they’re so non-materialistic.
But still, it’s just such a big difference????
The Sound of the Wind, Toonka in TBOAH never used it, again, maybe just because it might’ve been a bit too similar to magic, but he also called it weak and just never used it!
The Unbreakable Shield was just never used period, despite its usefulness and utility.
I have no idea about the Sky-Eating Water because I think it also never got used.
But why does something about Cale make these powers stronger?
They’re not even fully combined with his soul! They’re not at full power!! What the hell???!??
I have a theory about this, but you have to hear me out-
So TBOAH was the story about the creation of a hero through suffering and overcoming adversity, right?
Maybe his ancient powers are so strong because of a, “high risk, high return” type thing?
For example, referencing one of my past posts, every time he coughs up blood from an ancient powers recoil, he should be dying. His plate is weak, it’s made of glass, and every time he uses one last their limit, that glass will get closer snd closer to breaking, that is, without the Crybaby ancient power.
The Crybaby ancient power serves as a cushion, a shock-absorber, for every time one of the other ancient powers tries to recoil against Cale’s glass plate.
Just think of it as, every time Cale has ever coughed up blood, he should’ve been dead.
And of course, Cale, with barely any self preservation instincts, or those mental blocks in his brain that would usually be like “oh using that much would be too harmful, let’s not,” Mr, I can used Instant for 5 seconds and come out looking like I jumped into a blender, who is willing to sacrifice himself at anytime for the ones he loves, will always use the ancient powers past the safe limit.
For taking such a large backlash, one that would, should, be strong enough to kill you, you must be rewarded with something pretty powerful, right? Balance and all that shit?
Does any of this make sense? It’s like 1 am right now
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Cale, when he was being placed back into his body after the GoD test, found himself in a weird empty place.
The only thing in it is a pedestal, and on that pedestal is an intricate, golden pocketwatch.
It's open, and has far too many hands. He can see the gears inside it, and even though none of the seventeen hands are moving, the gears are. If he looks closer at the gears, he can start to see...something.
It looked like space. Like a galaxy, hidden in between the gears.
He pokes around it for a bit, but nothing happens. It just sits there, looking shiny and expensive.
He had no idea what this thing was, but...it was probably worth a lot. If it wasn't, the kids would like it.
He reaches out, grabs it, and wakes up in his body, surrounded by shields and people telling him not to move.
Except the next time he tries to use Instant, time freezes all around him; and his body has no ill effects. In fact, he can feel not only his time, but every single version of himself at all points in time.
The drawback comes after he stops using the power; every orifice that can bleed, does, and he faints from blood loss so intense that his regeneration Power can't keep up.
He calls a meeting with Jack and Cage later, to find out what the fuck happened.
She takes one look at him and dives for the bar. Jack takes a longer look and joins her.
"You crazy bastard," Cage says between swigs, refusing to look at Cale.
"How did you steal a god's power?" Jack asks, voice high pitched as he shakily pours himself a glass of wine.
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Cale and Rosalyn have the kind of relationship where they could pretend to be madly in love in front of people who have never met them and make them believe it.
That’s it. That’s the post.
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People at Cale: Hey dude you look like the perfect god to worship right
Cale:
“A god my a**. Do they feed you if you become a god?”
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*Literal Gods duking it out in the background*
Eruhaben be like: Who cares about that – more importantly what is Cale up to now!!
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I did this in 30 min. Cale... Cale you are so close to winning why are you asking about the qualifications to become a god in the last update Cale!?
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I wanted to talk about the side stories
Because @ladyteldra and I got some thoughts I'm incorporating in a fic. We might have thrown some of them out before?
Anyways
His Company (with a capital 'C', it's so well known it's just called The Company) does this
a third organization separate from guilds and the government, the company mediated any issues between the two other organizations in addition to taking care of monster invasions, guild inspections, and government audits among many other things.
His team seriously thought assassins might kidnap him
“…Do you think one of the illegal guilds attacked the team leader-nim’s house?”
Agent Jung So Hoon’s voice was slightly shaking from anxiety.
“Or maybe an assassin dispatched from overseas abducted the team leader-nim. Ah, I have a bad feeling about this. Doesn’t the team leader-nim live in the outskirts of the city? I’m sure the security there isn’t good either. Should I contact the Team 2 leader?”
“Calm down. We will decide after going to the team leader-nim’s house.”
He's low key famous
Kim Rok Soo was quite famous not just in the company, but also throughout the industry and with the government and guilds.
Although he had not known the name because this person doesn’t show himself in the media, he was the leader of Team 1, the greatest force in the company, as well as implicitly the leader of the company’s battle agents in the ‘Body.’
Furthermore, even the people in charge of the ‘Head’ were said to be unable to hold in their admiration at Kim Rok Soo’s abilities.
He had 0 mortality, always had a thorough plan, and really helped develop his people's talents
Team 1’s mortality rate was 0% since Kim Rok Soo became team leader.
They had also not failed any of the missions they were assigned.
Kim Rok Soo was said to come up with a thorough plan and complete the mission under any and all circumstances, even if he was lacking the resources to do so.
Furthermore, many people’s abilities developed even further when they were in his team.
His team constantly worried about him
“Now I won’t need to worry about him dying!”
His seniors showed their agreement at Agent Cha’s comments and smiles appeared on their faces.
Again a comment on the low casualty rate under his leadership, but also (from someone early after he took over as team leader)
There had been no deaths nor serious injuries on Team 1 since Kim Rok Soo became team leader. Although there were people who received minor injuries, nobody ever had to be hospitalized for longer than a few days because of a serious injury.
Instead, the number of scars on Kim Rok Soo’s body continued to increase.
He probably got Instant around then? And was probably overdoing it already.
Choi Han, after getting Choi Jung Soo's memories, said he was able to realize Cale was Kim Rok Soo partly because he acted exactly the same.
So basically, we can picture Cale's time as team leader as, probably, him being exactly the same. Taking risks, overdoing it... But mostly in fighting monsters, doing government audits, and dealing with illegal guilds.
Also, again, he's famous.
And foreign governments may want to kidnap him.
We also know he studied monsters extensively, aided by Record no doubt, so I posit that he's probably the expert on monsters.
Which might be why they want to kidnap him? Not kill...kidnap. He's probably considered, like, a strategic resource or something
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✨ Contributor Spotlight: Kare ✨
If you haven't seen the lovely works Kare has created for the zine yet, go look now! 🤍
Twitter | Instagram
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a few more prompts
This crime is going almost too well?
Can you play with my hair?
Of all the people to body swap with. Of all the days.
This is no time for cute cat pictures and heart emojis!!!
And ANOTHER THING. Zombies-
Hey. Honestly? [deep breath] [SCREAMS]
Nothing like yard sale drama and intrigue!
I did not see your text. Actually I can't read. It's very sad. Sudden onset adult illiteracy is very real-
Do not put it in your mouth!
I know I got in trouble for buying them a very cool toy last time, but hear me out.
Bite me. You gotta.
I am not eating this raw, actually. Nope.
How long did it take you to make that for me? NO I am not crying
You drive me insane. Obviously I would go to hell for you
What does this button do? I gotta know
Sword fighting is even more charged than I expected and I was not prepared
I know you grew up in a wet cardboard box all alone but I cannot believe you have not experienced this. I think we have to, right now, immediately
We both showed up alone to the couples cake decorating class, so obviously-
Oops! Run
It hurts, but it rules
After a bad day, what we really need is some chocolate and violence.
Meow? Are you kidding me?
Oh don't even get me STARTED on monsters-
Pick your battles. As in let go of some of them please I swear you cannot fight it all
You know that object from the thrift store we thought was haunted? Haha so guess what,
Good chances we all die. Counterpoint, everyone who lives gets ice cream with sprinkles, so gear up!
I think I pretty explicitly said not to get it on the carpet.
So your mic wasn't off,
Please dress up with me? Please please please?
It isn't my blood. Don't get it twisted
Can we kiss behind the mini golf windmill one more time?
Magic is real, it just looks fake.
Quick! Propose to me! Also, what's your name?
We have to get you a new super costume.
You're enchanting. You're resplendent. You're a little bit on fire,
I gotta be honest. I have no idea what's going on and I think I waited too long to say so. Sorry?
Why do they have cat ears? They're supposed to be DEAD
I have normal feelings about this. And regular opinions. And I'm vibrating a reasonable amount.
Help, help, I'm not supposed to be in this universe!!
I will help you ruin your hair, obviously, but you have to tell me what's going on.
You wore that to the funeral??
Baking is science. Wizardry is science. You know what isn't science?
Tired, angry, and covered in spaghetti sauce, and here I am at your door. But I can explain?
Bear. Seriously
gonna destroy you and end your legacy forever xoxo <3
Nothing could possibly make me laugh right now. Don't you dare start doing silly voices at me.
You know what this giant fancy crystal is good for? Blunt force head trauma
I know it's super dangerous but when your eyes glow like that I can't focus on the battle at all…
Life finds a way?
Fighting? No, no, we're having a great time arguing about this.
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