Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ivan was a normal employee for a gaming company, he had no idea how he got in or how he had survived so long. He'd only ever known that he could transmigrate. And as a result, he can spend more time with Till (even if it is unrequited...), as well as be grateful for the opportunity to live a relatively normal existence. Being ability to be free rather than stuck in oblivion.

He honestly decided to keep his life simple, even if his original intention was to start over if he failed to love him once. But the truth is that he enjoys the modest life he's created, even if Till doesn't like him back, that is great.

And so on. He graduated from college and began working for a company called "comkim" for some reason, which was a gaming company. A little one. He wasn't sure how or why he was approved, but he was pleased to have a job.

However, he can become tired of it at times. Monday was once again the worst day of the week, according to Ivan.

He growled and slammed down the alarm clock, which was continuously beeping, before sitting up and blinking fast. Ivan was still very much asleep, as evidenced by his inability to hear the quick ding of a certain blue box light beside him.

Ding! Ding!..

« A New Event Has Arrived! »

「 Congratulations! 」

» You and the other host will have to survive in another world, all other host included will be receiving the same system.

 « ☑ / ☒ »

❐ Host #89 will be given penalty through picking decline.

» Options:
  - Transporting Peacefully
  - Die.

「 Choose Carefully! 」

Ivan opened his eyes again, but did not look at the floating semi-transparent blue box. He sat up, made his bed, and picked up the mug on his table, his flat was small, but adequate for one person.

When he picked up the mug, he spotted a floating, semi-transparent blue box. He dropped the mug.

A crash was heard, and fragments of glass hit the ground.

"Holy shit." Ivan's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open.

He honestly doesn't know where to begin, first and foremost, a system-like has appeared right in front of him. The semi-transparent floating blue box holds letters and words (more like a deal) for Ivan.

His first idea was that he was hallucinating, but after he physically slapped himself, he stopped thinking about it. Ivan spotted the penalty, which was inscribed in the floating semi-transparent blue box.

'What penalty?' Ivan was more concerned with the fact that whoever or whatever created this.....thing had the guts to punish him for refusing.

He also took notice of the term "host".

'What host?'

Is he the host? Ivan has no idea, but he does know one thing: he can't seem to get rid of this err...floating box. There is just no way to get rid of it. Ivan attempted many methods to get rid of the blue box, but none of them worked.

"But what host is it talking about?" Ivan wondered, but then a flick was heard, and the floating semi-transparent blue box vanished.

"Oh!" Ivan sighed, relieved that something was obscuring his force field of view was gone, But his elation did not last long, as another flick was heard.

Flick!..

⌦ » Four main hosts will be sent into this... Magical world! In order to survive, the four of you will need to help each other out.

« ☑ / ☒ »

❐ Host #89 will be given penalty through picking decline.

「 Choose Carefully! 」

a regressor, or if it's an exchange for him becoming one. All he discovered was that one day he could regress, and it was not his fault.

He stared again at the semi-transparent floating blue box, or whatever you call it, and reconsidered his decision.

What happens if he accepts this?

Ding! Ding!..

» Host #89 will be moved into this new universe! Or.. you know, transmigrated. Ah, unless if you picked to die that is. But.. dying has rewards! :)

                              « ☑ / ☒ »

❐ Host #89 will be given penalty through picking decline.

「 Choose Carefully! 」

Oh? Dying has rewards?

But anyways..

"..." Ivan clicked his tongue in irritation, of course! He would not know the solution to whatever this is. It feels like it's playing with him, but he doesn't have a choice, does he?

« No. »

"Are you being controlled by someone?"

« No. (•⩊•) »

Someone is definitely in control of it.

Ivan placed the new mug on the table and washed his hands, his thoughts racing, unsure what to do or if his decision was correct at all. With a final sigh, he dried his hands before asking.

"What universe is it anyway?"

« "A Love's Price." »

Ivan came to a halt and stared at the system, expressionless.

"You're kidding me."

« No. (ᵔ⩊ᵔ) »

From what he remember, "A Love's Price" was a popular kdrama series that blew people's minds, from the Victorian style to the drama and narrative. Ivan watched it because it was trending, but it wasn't his. err.. The standard style for movies.

Mizi recommended it to him, and Ivan, being himself, accepted it. He said he would attempt to watch, and here he goes.

He simply remembered that the k-drama had the typical kind of gore and angst, with the male leads being separated from the female leads, blah blah blah... And the fact that the villains died awful deaths, so he hopes that he does not receive-

Ding!..

⌦ » It has been decided that Host #89 will reincarnate/transmigrated as the second son of the Yoo Duchy!

「 Congratulations! 」
                              
                                     « ☑ / ☒ »

❐ Overwriting Identities... [27/100]

"Huh." Ivan simply sipped his coffee and let the system in question do its work.

Wait.

That was one of the villains.

Oh, shit.

Chapter Text

Kim Dokja stood still in the bustling street, He took a deep breath, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee from the nearby café wafting through the cool spring air. His eyes scanned the familiar faces of his fellow commuters, each lost in their own little world. The morning was soothingly predictable, a welcome embrace of normalcy.

As he waited for the pedestrian light to change, a distant rumble grew louder, piercing the pattern of the city's white noise. His eyes widened in horror as a truck sped towards him, the driver's face a mask of panic. Time seemed to slow down as the vehicle barreled through the intersection, the world around him becoming a blur of color and sound. He tried to move, but his legs felt rooted to the spot, his heart racing in his chest. The impact was swift and brutal, and everything went dark.

Kim Dokja woke with a start, his body jolting upright. He blinked, the world coming back into focus. He found himself in an unfamiliar room, the walls adorned with heavy velvet drapes and ornate wooden panels. The floor was cold and hard under his back, the smell of antique furniture and candle wax filling his nose. He was alive, but how? He looked around, his mind racing with confusion and fear. The Peaceful wind earlier in his ears had stopped playing, leaving only the throb of his own pulse.

"My Lord, are you okay?" A gentle voice echoed through the chamber, and a soft hand touched his shoulder. He looked up to see a group of people dressed in Victorian-style garb, their faces a mix of concern and reverence. One, a young woman with auburn hair and a gentle smile, placed a cup of steaming tea on the desk. "Do you need something, my Lord?" she asked, her eyes wide with what seemed like genuine care.

When he decided to ultimately move, he felt strange. It's as if his body was difficult to control, and that people... Looked bigger. He finally grasped what was wrong when he glanced at himself in the mirror.

He was a child!

Wait, why was he a child?

When the butler brought him a mirror, he realized he needed to face reality. What's happening? WHY WAS HE A CHILD?

Kim Dokja was surrounded by people in the room, but he paid no attention to them. Instead, he focused on the blue semi-transparent floating box in front of him.

Ding!..

⌦「 Congratulations on being the first host! Main events will occur once all hosts are securely transported 」

Huh.

Kim Dokja was baffled.

He stared at the maid beside him, who was taking his temperature, and the maid returned his gaze, as if ready to take action.

"Do you need anything, my Lord?" the maid inquired.

"..." Kim Dokja glanced at her, puzzled. he had no idea what was going on, was this reincarnation?

After what felt like years, Kim Dokja spoked up.

"...can you slap me?"

It has been three and a half hours since Kim Dokja woke up to this. The stark white walls of the unfamiliar room press in around him, a sterile cocoon that offers no comfort or warmth. He lies there, eyes squeezed shut, trying to piece together the shattered remnants of his last memories. The smell of antiseptic lingers in the air, a constant reminder of the cold reality that has replaced the warmth of his bed. His body feels weightless, as if he's floating in a pool of confusion, unsure if he's dreaming or if this is his new reality.

And when he finally realized where he was after three hours, everyone had left the room. Another blue-like system appears above him and describes where he is.

It turns out he reincarnated.

He'd died.

Such a horrible use.

Oh well, his previous life was simply uninteresting. It wasn't anything special. He was alone as usual. there was nothing to worry about.

But the question remains... What literature or type of trash did he reincarnate into?

As if reading his mind, the system turns on again.

Ding!..

⌦「 Host #49 has reincarnated into the novel "A Love's Price" ! 」

Wait.

Kim Dokja remembered the web novel he referred to as ordinary, it was truly average in his opinion, but... Was he reincarnated into this? What's more peculiar is that he can't recall any character who resembles him at all. When he gazed at his reflection earlier, he saw himself precisely as he had in his previous life, only younger, like a child, and prettier.

The maids and butlers have addressed him by his name, Kim dokja. However, in the web novel, there is no character named Kim dokja.

He's not even sure what his role is in this. is he just a minor character?

Ding!..

⌦ ‹ ‣ The Data Replacement has been executed successfully, you have now successfully replaced the identity of one of the primary villains! The Son Of The Underworld Duchy! ›

What.

"I-Im a villain?" Kim Dokja's eyes twitched. he had done nothing wrong to deserve this position! He would have been perfectly fine if he had reborn as a minor character! But this? A major villain? God is playing with him.

No, no.

Lets think carefully.

"If I'm the son of the underworld duchy, then..." He was destined to die.

Shit.

If Kim Dokja recalls correctly, one of the key characters killed him.

Speaking of which, what was 'A Love's Price' meant to be again?

Ah, right.

Kim dokja was surprised when he read the web novel, reportedly, he believes it's okay, and the character settings are quite unusual. So, four female and male leads? That's very shocking. But the plot was simply... Err... Average. Kim dokja also senses something is awry. They did not provide justice for the villains, with the exception of one of the male leads who was a villain.

That was the only villain figure Kim Dokja could think of that had not yet perished in the novel but was still considered a villain. it was terribly unjust. While he and the other two primary villains were doomed to die, one of them slipped away and can easily live on?

Bullshit.

He will not let that happen.

To accomplish this, he must tread lightly on all fronts. Ultimately, he is one of the main villains. He also needs a plan, which requires him to recall all of the characters and their roles.

First, the Crown Prince of Roan.

Kim Dokja's initial impression of him was that he was useless. He barely appears in the novel and does nothing, but by the conclusion, he appears to have been secretly assisting all of the important characters and blah blah blah.

What's his name again? Ah, right.

Alberu Crossman, Roan's crown prince, had a glib tongue.

Kim Dokja has no reason to be concerned about him, after all, they never crossed paths in the novel, So Alberu is a cross.

Second, the emperor of the Seseong Empire, assuming Kim Dokja was correct, is located in the north. He is in the west, there is no need to worry about him because he will never ever encounter him.

What was his name? Uh... Right! Sung Hyunjae.

Sung Hyunjae, the ruler of the Seseong Empire and one of the most divisive characters in the fanbase, was a bastard. He was toying with one of the female leads' emotions, and when the second fl eventually departed, he went seeking for her everywhere?

Red flag behavior. Kim Dokja hopes he doesn't ever meet him.

Third, the Archduke. His favorite and supposed rival.

Yoo Joonghyuk of the Yoo duchy was Kim dokja's favorite character, but at this moment, he should despise him and curse him to death because he was the one who killed Kim dokja.

Such a tragic death.

Why was he killed? Poisoning the Archduke's sister? Because of jealousy and hatred? Kim Dokja would never do any of that. As a result, he must avoid ever coming into contact with him.

Kim Dokja's role in this film was to murder the third female character, Yoo Joonghyuk's first love, out of envy, because Yoo Joonghyuk was more successful than he was. But he won't do any of those anymore.

He must only maintain a poor standard of living.

The final male lead is.... The villain that has not died, but wait... Kim Dokja has no memory at all. He and the fourth female lead were... blurry.

They were never mentioned until the last three chapters, and Kim Dokja has no idea what their names are. Kim Dokja is unsure if they pose a threat or not.

Seriously.

Is this the web novel to which he will reincarnate? And a convoluted story-telling at that?

Kim Dokja is unsure if he will ever survive this. However, before Kim Dokja could overthink, a ding sound interrupted his thoughts.

Ding!..

「 The Second Host Has Been Safely Transported [2/4]」

» Host #89 has entered this realm. Welcome.

Chapter Text

Kim Dokja resurrected into an online novel called "A Love's Price" three weeks ago, and it was total torture.

His parents are overprotective. They'll overreact and seek a doctor every time there's a minor bump on a wall or something that won't affect you.

It was also really tiring! Seriously, Kim dokja is fine. He is completely injury-free! His skin was velvety smooth, with no signs of injury.

He also learnt that he was nine years old. The main events of the novel begin when he is eighteen years old, so just because it is far away does not imply he is safe. In the underworld duchy, he has resources. He understands what he needs to know. So when he learned about the library, he spent every day there, reading books out of books.

Although it tortured his brain to discover what was typical here, he finally adapted to it.

To table etiquette, stand...er, whatever you can think of that shouts fancy, after all, he was the son of the Underworld Duke. So he understands he needs to master this in order to avoid making fun of himself in public.

He also had classes, which were uninteresting.

It's as if he's a kid all over again, which he is, but not mentally.

Kim Dokja has learnt hours and hours of this and that, as well as many other things about royalty and etiquette, which he does not mind, but he can only sleep for five hours! This is abuse. There is no way people slept like this back then.

Despite his repeated complaints, he was powerless to change the situation. I mean, what option does Kim Dokja have? None. He was reborn into this world one day, and now he must learn things he has never learnt before. So he swallowed it up, followed the rules, and attended classes as normal.

But not today.

It's a day off! Kim Dokja is grateful to his (new)parents for allowing him a leisure day, as opposed to those who push their children till they pass out. Kim Dokja got out of bed and headed to his desk, he attempted to sit in the chair, but it was difficult because he was a helpless young child.

Before Kim Dokja could kick the chair in rage, the door abruptly opened, and maids and butlers rushed in.

"Oh goodness, Young Lord. Have you been awake this whole time?" One of the maids approached Kim Dokja and brought him to the bed, where he was placed at the edge of the bed.

"No, I just woke up.." eugh. Kim Dokja despises the sound of his voice, despite the fact that he used to sound like this as a child.

"Then you should've rung the bell, my Lord." The maid bowed to Kim dokja, who wanted to gag. He wasn't being bowed to before, he was the one bowing. Now look...

As Kim dokja glanced at the bowed maid, a man approached the bed without her knowing.

"Is everything okay now?" the man inquired, and Kim Dokja flinched, holy shit (he was hot).

Kim dokja beamed at the man, who had a tailor's measuring tape looped around his waist and his hair put in a bun, his light blue teal hair drawing Kim dokja's attention.

Oh, he knows who this is.

Kyrgios Rodgraim, a professional tailor featured in the story, appears to have tailored all of the outfits and clothing worn by the key characters. Kim dokja knew Kyrgios had a soft place for the underworld's master, or, more specifically, him. Kyrgios simply doesn't show it.

"Oh! Sir Kyrgios, we welcome you." Suddenly, all the servants in the room bowed, is Kyrgios in a high-ranking position? The narrative said nothing about Kyrgios other than that he was a tailor.

"Shall we get him measured?" Kyrgios inquired, and Kim dokja cocked an eyebrow. For what?

"For what exactly?" Kim dokja started to get out of bed, but was stopped by the maid in front of him.

"For a tea party, my Lord!" the maid exclaimed enthusiastically as she smiled brightly at Kim Dokja, who was perplexed.

What.

Ding!..

« A New Event Has Occurred! »

「A Tea Party? More Like Tea Party Chaos!」

» Missions Available! :

❏ Meet With Other Hosts. [0/3]

For fucks sake.

Kim Dokja was tired.

From him being measured and trying on possibly thousands of outfits, to thank God there was a time and he would be late if he tried on all of the garments Kyrgios brought with him, it was agreed that the most expensive outfit would be the one he wore.

It was a horrible decision because he'll be the center of attention at the party, but he'll deal with that when he arrives. he's just glad it's done. Kim dokja saw a knight open the carriage door as he walked outside, he thanked the knight and entered the carriage.

The carriage was stunningly lovely! It was the most stunning carriage Kim Dokja had ever seen. Kim Dokja peered out the window and saw maids and knights bowing to him as the carriage moved on, it was uncomfortable, but he was grateful for them.

Kim Dokja then closed the curtains after he no longer saw them and opened the system window.

Ah, he had forgotten that the other "hosts" were already present. During the last three weeks, all of the hosts, including him, were securely delivered here. That is why this minor event was underway.

Kim Dokja did not forget about this occasion, which the four female leads did not attend but are referenced in the novel. That's because the three male leads did.

So that means.... He will most likely encounter Yoo Joonghyuk if he is not hiding someplace, but, if you ask Kim Dokja, Yoo Joonghyuk will most likely hide somewhere else that people cannot see during the entire party, so there is a 50/50 possibility. But it was better not to see him. Kim Dokja does not want to die prematurely, thank you.

Instead of thinking about Yoo Joonghyuk, Kim Dokja considered who would be attending the party. The future ruler of the Seseong Kingdom will not be present, he is in the north and cannot attend the party. It will take him days to reach in the west, so Kim Dokja can breathe properly without him there; nonetheless, he must prepare for major events such as the ball, which Kim Dokja is confident he will attend.

The Crown Prince-

Oh.

Wait.

The Crown Prince?

Kim Dokja came to a halt in his tracks, sweat pouring down his face; he had forgotten. The tea party was held by the crown prince of Roan! Shit! He must walk on eggshells with him if he does not want to perish. After all, royalty ranks far higher than the underworld duchy.

"God.." Kim Dokja whispered to himself as the carriage drew to a standstill. he never wanted to do this.

The carriage door opened, and he was greeted with a stunningly large mansion; of course, it is grand, after all, he is the crown prince.... Wait.

As Kim Dokja walked out of the carriage (more accurately, one of the knights carrying him out), he wondered if Alberu was the crown prince right now. Is he? Kim Dokja doesn't remember, but he knows Alberu has brothers, so he can't be the crown prince right now, right?...

A ding sound abruptly halted Kim dokja's train of thought.

Ding!..

« You have arrived at the [First Minor Event]! »

【 The Garden Of Regium 】

» Possible Outcome Of Events :

✉︎ Bad Ending 𝐈 : The Start Of Hatred 📖
✉︎ Bad Ending 𝐈𝐈 : Out Of Breath 📖

Bad endings.....

Why were there no good endings.

Ding!..

« You have to create it yourself,

good luck. »

This is bullshit.

"My Lord, we have arrived."

Kim Dokja paused his line of thought to gaze around the garden, some children ignored him, while others did. Other children were lost in their own world, sitting alone at a table.

How sad.

The knight who was carrying him sat him at one of the unoccupied tables before bowing and walking away, leaving Kim dokja alone.

He avoided the terrible feeling of being left behind.

Kim Dokja gazed at the three empty seats. He understands he can't even talk to strangers, despite the fact that he's now a child. Children his age should have been more social and pleasant, according to adults, but please. He was not a child, he was a twenty-eight-year-old man mentally.

So he decided to sit alone with three empty seats beside him. Kim dokja feels the other maids in the garden were looking at him with mournful eyes. It is not as if he was the only one sitting alone...

A maid then approached him and placed a cup of tea on the table, Kim dokja expressed gratitude, and the maid walked away. He looked at the cup, which had a beautiful pattern embroidered on it, and the tea smelled nice. Kim dokja smiled unexpectedly and took up the cup.

He gazed at his reflection in the cup and grinned again before drinking, and the taste of the tea hit him.

Delicious!

Kim Dokja continued to sip the excellent tea, he wasn't a big fan of tea, but this? This is good!

Kim Dokja was lost in thoughts within his tea, when two footsteps were heard approaching his table.

"I told you he was here!" a cheerful voice said, but Kim Dokja remained buried in thought.

"Then we only need to find the last one." A calm, non-aggressive voice was heard next to the cheerful one.

The two peered at Kim Dokja, who was sipping tea and smirking at himself, they stood there waiting for him to see them.

Then a loud ding interrupted Kim dokja's thoughts.

Ding!..

⌦ » Missions Available! :

⊱  ۫ ׅ ✧ [Meet With Other Hosts] [2/3] !!

Huh?

Kim Dokja placed down the cup and stared at the two boys standing next him, the first had black jet hair, just like him, and the other had red hair. And Kim Dokja does not recognize them at all.

Finally, after what seemed like years, the boy with jet black hair spoke up:

"We finally found you host #49!"

Chapter Text

Han Yoojin wishes to believe that he was a kind and sensible older brother to his younger brother, Han Yoohyun. Before he was hit by a car and died.

It was extremely difficult for Han Yoojin to provide a stable and safe environment for his yoohyun without the assistance of a grown adult, but to his amazement, he was able to send his brother to school and care for him himself.

He admired how Han Yoohyun treats him as if he were his own father, mother, or sibling. Han Yoojin went to great lengths to ensure his younger brother's happiness and safety.

He simply hopes that Han Yoohyun can continue to live a secure and happy existence without his older brother, Han Yoojin is aware that his younger brother was intelligent. So, at least he knows how to make his life simpler without Han Yoojin.

If he recalls well, it was nearly Han Yoohyun's birthday when he was hit by a truck. Poor Han Yoohyun, his older brother will not be present for his birthday.

That was Han Yoojin's final thought as he opened his eyes to be enveloped by a black hole, a full blackness that overwhelmed him with intensity.

"W-Where am I?" Han Yoojin asked himself, his voice echoing in the nothingness. He looked left and right, yet there was no trace of light. He was entirely alone in the black vacuum.

Alone and forlorn.

He wondered, is this where people go when they die? If that's the case, Han Yoojin feels sorry.

The sound of a ding interrupted Han Yoojin's thoughts.

「 Host #Hon7 has finally been awakened. 」

"What?" Han Yoojin stared at the hovering system in front of him, perplexed.

He tried to put out his hands to touch the system, but he found he couldn't move his arms or his torso.

That is strange.

"What did you d-do to me?" Han Yoojin inquired, his voice scratchy, His voice... Hoarse?

Han Yoojin coughed and coughed till his wits returned. He can even feel blood gushing from his head, indicating that he was hit.

But why is he bleeding... If he's dead?

「 You are not dead. 」

Huh.

「 Host #Hon7 will be safely transported to the realm of 'A Love's Price' alongside with his brother, han yoohyun. 」

Wait wait!

Han Yoohyun?

"H-Han Yoohyun?" Why him? Why was his brother involved in this?

"What did h-he do.." Han Yoojin coughed again, his lungs on the verge of giving up. Each breath he drew was difficult. He can't breathe well, which hurts.

Fuck.

"What's even h-happening?" Han Yoojin blinked and felt a tear stream from his eyes.

「 Sleep. 」

"No... w-wait!" he yelled, or tried to. His lungs and throat screamed at him for shouting, and the pain became more intense, but Han Yoojin disregarded everything, even though his entire body felt like dying. He can't just pass out without understanding why his brother is involved in whatever it is.

"No..! Whatever.. this is.." Han Yoojin attempted to move his arms, but it did not work.

"Don't involve my brother..!" Han Yoojin yelled, coughing up blood.

Ah...

「 Sleep! 」

No.. He can't...

「 Host #Hon7 will be put to sleep temporarily. 」

Han Yoojin protests in his mind, but no words are ever said as blood pours from his mouth. His eyelids were heavy and wanted to close, but Han Yoojin was still concerned at the mention of his younger brother, so he gave up and closed his eyes. His final sight before closing his eyes was a light that blinded him and carried him away.

"Is the Earl awake yet?" Han Yoojin heard voices.

Of whom?

"No, Madame, the young earl hasn't shown any signs of waking up, I'm afraid." The Madame could be heard sighing in front of Han Yoojin. where is he? Han Yoojin realizes he's awake. But he is unable to feel anything.

From his arms to his mouth, his entire body. His throat hurts and he feels extremely hot, as if he had a high temperature.

"That can't be good.. the tea party will be held in one week," the Madame groaned again. "If this continues, I'm afraid the young earl will not be able to attend the tea party," the maid who was holding a tray of tea alongside the Madame exclaimed. "Oh my, should we report this to the marchioness? The young Lord not attending the tea party is..." The maid bit his lip and turned away from Madame.

"Shush!" The Madame slapped the maid next her lightly. "Everyone, shut your mouth about this case, if I ever hear anything." Madame gazed around the room at the maids, all of them appeared guilty.

The doctor in the room coughed, which drew the attention of all the maids.

"In my opinion, it is only a light fever, but his body, as weak as it is, cannot handle a light one," the doctor stated as he began to collect his belongings and bowed one final time before leaving. "If I'm correct... His Earl can still attend the tea party hosted by one of the sons of his highness, he just needs to rest very much to obtain his strength once again."

With that, the doctor withdrew, leaving the maids worried.

"What if the young earl can't go to the party?! It will damage the marquis reputation!-"

"Oh shut up! If all of you maids have done your jobs properly, no reputation will be at stake here!" The Madame groaned deeply for the umpteenth time and marched outside, slamming the door firmly in rage.

All of the maids simply closed their rage and rushed to help Han Yoojin, who was sweating profusely due to his fever.

"The marchioness is.. busy right? Taking care of the other Earl! So we should do our job properly!"

One maid inspires everyone in the room, lifting their spirits.

"Right!"

Han Yoojin could only scoff mentally, Who are these people? Where is he? What happened! Yoojin couldn't move anything from his body, so all he could do was lie there helplessly, listening to the sounds around him.

An Earl?

That is ludicrous.

He was not an Earl.... What exactly is an Earl?

He could hear movement and had a chilly wet towel pressed against his forehead.

"Sleep well, young earl." The maid whispered softly, shocking Han Yoojin with her sweet, loving tone.

「 Host #Hon7 will be put to sleep temporarily. 」

Wait!

Not again.

Even though he could only see darkness, the words floating appear to be unaffected by closing his eyes. He still sees. Whatever this is.

Han Yoojin attempted to open his mouth in protest, but neither his voice nor his mouth moved or were heard. Because he had no choice, Han Yoojin's consciousness began to drift away.

It had been... Three days.

Han Yoojin has been in heaven for the previous three days, receiving food and being cared for. Blah blah blah. Everything that comes to mind screams nobility.

Even though Han Yoojin has no idea what's going on or where he is, he immediately realizes what it is when a floating blue floating box appears in front of him in the middle of the night.

It was a greeting.

A simple hello, but it has a menace to it.. it's as if it's happy that Han Yoojin has finally woke up after years...

With that, Han Yoojin had learned everything he needed to know.

He had died, and now he has been reincarnated, and to make matters worse, he has been reborn as one of the villains.

And that three more people, including him, have reborn as villains.

He has no dispute with this, but the fact that... When it comes to his brother, Han Yoohyun irritates him.

First and foremost, he does not want his brother here. Nor to go through everything he has to in the future! How did his brother get here? Did he also die? Han Yoojin's heart broke at the prospect of his younger brother dying.

He's not sure how any of this works. All he knows is that yesterday he received a message from the "system" informing him that his brother's existence had "successfully" finalized his purportedly younger brother in this planet.

What a coincidence.

Oh, and... He resurrected into the game he used to play.

What was it, again? Han Yoojin only played it out of boredom while working as a security guard. Any work is fine with him as long as it will feed his younger brother and send him to a good school, he was willing to take a low-paying job.

Ah!

The title was "A Love's Price."

Han Yoojin isn't a judge, yet the plot and content were just average. However, the artwork and setting aren't.

It was fantastic! From the architecture blueprints to the costumes and ballrooms, everything! The rabbit hole was unavoidable. And that's what caused Han Yoojin to plunge deeper, forcing him to play the game every day, despite the fact that Han Yoojin believes the plot is... err.. plain.

It's like eating basic rice in a really beautiful bowl.

However, he is surprised to see four female leads, four male leads, and four villains. He was present in at least one of those four.

If Han Yoojin can simply kill himself again, he will, but his younger brother is now with him. In this new world he had entered, he just had his little brother to protect.

Han Yoojin pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind and considered what he needed to do to complete this task correctly.

He is still a child, and he cannot do anything he wants. He is the first son of Marquis Han, and in the game, he was a very controversial character in the fandom for selling illicit items and blaming them...on him..

Oh!

Right, he was the one who had to bear the brunt of his father's incompetence. He has to acquire evidence before that scenario occurs, so what else?

Who was his enemy?

Oh, it was a character name. Uh... He can't recall. All Yoojin remembers is that he was a jerk. Oh, and he was Emperor of the Seseong Empire. Or kingdom? He doesn't remember too well.

Ding!..

"Oh?" Han Yoojin sets down the cup of tea he was intended to sip and glances up at the semi-transparent apparatus above him.

« A New Event Has Occurred! »

「A Tea Party? More Like Tea Party Chaos!」

» Missions Available! :

❏ Meet With Other Hosts. [0/3]

Oh! The other host.. He truly forgot. Even if he discussed it earlier...

More significantly, he understands what will happen in this event. It was a little event in the game, but it appears that any future events will not be minor.

If he remembers correctly, the future crown prince, Alberu Crossman, will be present. The three of them, along with those siblings of his. And yes.. they were dangerous, despite their youth. They can do whatever they want.

That also means that if Han Yoojin ever makes a mistake or angers them, he will most likely die.

But he can rest assured knowing that "Yoo Joonghyuk" one of the main protagonists will not be there.

It was not a pleasant predicament to be in, but he was relieved that the fourth male lead would not be present, whether as his future enemy or not. Because Han Yoojin will never live as a villain, he believes he will suffer much if he ever meets the future Seseong Emperor.

Han Yoojin could tell from his personality that he was a manipulator. Playing with one of the female leads' emotions and then begging her to return? Ew. Black flag behavior.

In most situations, he can live with the first son of the Yoo duchy, Yoo Joonghyuk, and the future crown prince.

They're not that difficult to deal with, just pull a few strings and he'll be able to live another day, he can simply be courteous with Alberu, and everything will be okay. And, according to Han Yoojin, Yoo Joonghyuk will most likely avoid joining parties like this. So he won't have to worry about him killing him and also he won't see him often.

"Hah... seriously." All Han Yoojin could do was sigh, he has no idea what will happen to the party ahead of him, but he certainly hopes it goes well.

Chapter Text

"This book is boring," Kim Rok-Soo remarked as he closed the book tightly, the sound reverberating through his little cramped room, breaking the silence.

He sighed and strolled up to his bed, unconcerned about anything but that he should have.
Because when he opened his eyes, he was no longer Kim Rok-Soo.

He became Cale Henituse.

When Kim Rok-Soo attempted to slap himself, harm himself, or do other things that created bodily agony, he was unwilling to believe that what he thought was a dream was not a fucking dream at all!

He instantly got up and went to the restroom, where there was a mirror. He walked up to it and was astonished by what he saw.

His natural black hair was replaced with a bright red one, and his average (as he termed it) appearance was replaced with... a beautiful one.

Holy shit.

Kim Rok-Soo grabbed his hair and slicked it back, then groaned.

"Isn't this... Cale?" he inquired, eyeing himself in the glass.

He can't believe he woke up as Cale Henituse. The person who was beaten up by the primary protagonist, Choi Han. Kim Rok-Soo, or now Cale, experienced goosebumps thinking about what transpired in the story.

Shit. He has to stop that.

"Isn't this possession?" He gazed in the mirror one more time before closing his eyes and contemplating a solution.

"This is bad," he said to himself, leaning against the wall beside the mirror.

But... This is not too bad.

He was an orphan. Cale sighed and went to the bathtub to lie down, rather than being depressed.

If he recalls correctly, Cale is meant to be the villain here. Who died subsequently at the hands of the crown prince, Alberu Crossman. He perished alongside three other characters, all of whom are enemies in the plot.

The fandom reacted calmly to death. They made no complaint about the characters' deaths. And it irritated Kim Rok-Soo.

Ding!

！ERROR ！

✖ You have been transferred in the wrong timeline.

「 Fixing the issue.... 」

"What?" Before Cale could grasp what he was seeing, he became disoriented. His consciousness wants to shut down, but someone is keeping him from passing out. His head was spinning, leaving him unable to balance himself, causing him to fall in the bathtub and bang his head. Finally, his vision became black, and he closed his eyes.

「 Host #CH8th has been safely transported in the right timeline. 」

What? He can hear a ding.

Cale, also known as Kim Rok-Soo, struggled to open his eyes but felt drowsy. Very exhausted. So, what happened? He felt dizzy earlier, and now... Where is he? What happened earlier? Cale had so many questions for himself, but the thoughts only added to his spinning and dizziness, making him want to puke.

"My, my. What happened?" Cale heard a voice, which made him tense slightly before calming down. "Did the young master get tired?" the voice teased. It felt like mocking him, but Cale remained mute and waited to hear more.

"Well, it can't be helped, after all... After all the crying you did today, I know you'll be tired when you get home." The voice turned from taunting to warm. there is still a trace of sarcasm in the voice, but Cale can sense genuine concern.

"Make sure you get some good sleep, young master." The sound of a door opening made Cale want to open his eyes, yet being caught right now is both awful and advantageous. He felt really exhausted. So he restrained himself from opening his eyes and kept pretending to sleep. "Goodnight, Young Master." The door closed, and Cale groaned.

At least he is safe.

With no one in the room, he hopes. He carefully opened his eyes, only to be faced with blackness. However, he can still see some objects and the front door.

Cale blinked slowly after saying, "Where... am I?" He sounded like an... child. That is bizarre. "Hello?" He tried again, but his voice sounded like a child's. That is unusual. Earlier.. This was not what his voice sounded like.

"Ahhh?" Cale tested his voice to see if it was only because his throat felt like it was burning, but the findings were consistent.

He still sounds like a child.

A child whose throat is burning and his voice is slightly hoarse.

What.. happened?

A ping jolted Cale to the core, as if reading his mind. He nearly fell out of bed. He slowly turned his head, revealing a softly floating semi-transparent blue system.

！ERROR ！

✶You have failed the replacing system. you have not replaced the body of 'Cale Henituse'!

"Repla..cement?" Cale was not in the mood right now, he felt really tired and now this bullshit? What even is this?

「 Yes. Replacement, you have failed to replace the body of Cale Henituse! The soul has been safely transferred, yet the body remains the same. 」

"..." Cale remained mute, staring blankly at the system; he isn't in the mood just now.

"I'm sleeping." With that, Cale scooped up the blankets and lay down again. The system continued to spam, but Cale paid no mind and closed his eyes, falling off to sleep.

Except, yet again. He should've.

When Cale awoke, the sun was rising and peering through the curtains, making him squint.

"Ah! The young master is awake!" That voice alone shocked Cale and caused him to rise from his bed. he looked around and saw two maids looking at him, concerned.

"Good morning, young master." The two ladies bent down before Cale, who remained mute and glanced at them.

"Is he awake?" The door opened, revealing a man with a dark turquoise flowery vest suit and a black jacket with a tie. "I'm not interrupting, am I?" Upon the man's arrival, both women bowed down once more, but Cale doesn't recognize anyone from the story who resembles him.

Who is he?

The man grinned quietly as he noticed the young master staring at him, his eyes filled with interest. The man smiled sarcastically at Cale.

Cale trembled in response, looking away from the man's eyes. He scratched his head and looked around the room again. Finally, after what seemed like years, Cale spoke up.

"Where am I?" Cale asked in a childish tone that made him want to vomit.

"You are in your room, young master. Do you not remember yesterday's events?" The man bent down to fix Cale's wrinkled garments.

Cale glanced at the man with the intention of kicking him in the face, but he refrained and observed silently while the man adjusted his clothes.

"No." Cale replied simply, but the maids and the man standing beside him sighed in relief and disappointment at the same time.

Cale ignored the sighs and looked to his right. He used to ignore the dings, but now... He can't dodge it anymore when it has such a terrific bargain for him. To be honest, Cale easily comprehended that he had been reincarnated, or whatever. This body and life do not belong to him. But if he is offered this life, he will undoubtedly take it without hesitation.

Cale smiled and stared at the floating semi-transparent system on his right, if he wants to live as Cale from now on, he must change his future, from dying and becoming a continual target for everyone. After all, Cale in the book was just an unpleasant drinker who was brutally thrashed by a character named Choi Han.

He also needs to avoid that. Being beaten up is worse than humiliation.

『 Issue has been fixed. Through compensation, you have been given early access to the 'System Shop' and have been given 50 coins. 』

« Accept? »

« ☑ / ☒ »

System shop? That sounds intriguing.

Cale chose yes and returned his attention to the man staring at him.

"Who are you?" he asked without hesitation, causing the man to blink several times.

"Do you not remember me, young master? I introduced myself last week."

"No."

The man sighed and bowed toward Cale.

"My name is Ron, Ron Molan, young master."

Ron? The name sounds familiar.

Cale's left eye twitched in displeasure as the revelation dawned on him, possibly because he had already heard it. This character, as he knows, was an assassin. An assassin! An assassin who nearly killed Cale after he attempted to murder one of the female leads.

Cale could feel the headache building on as he lay down again, Ron observed this and sat on the edge of the bed, shooing away the maids.

"Are you sad, young master?" Ron asked, sitting calmly on the edge of the bed, watching Cale lie down.

"Sad about what?" Cale could see Ron's visage shift as he let go of those words, had he made a mistake?

"The death of your mother, young master." Ron's smile faded into grief.

Is that why they've been so careful around me?

"O-oh.." Cale tried to appear astonished, fearing that if he didn't, Ron would become suspicious of him. He attempted to seem mournful and wrapped himself in blankets, but he was actually dying of embarrassment. He used to act nonchalantly, but now he believes he can't. He was supposed to be a typical child right now, so being careless will get him nowhere.

Cale attempted to cry, but no tears came out.

Shit! This is terrible.

« Use the skill 'Cry Till My Guts Out!'? »

« ☑ / ☒ »

Cale opened his eyes and prevented himself from crying, instead looking at the light system in his face and smiling deviously. He then selected the yes option and waited for the outcome.

Cale's mind was suddenly overwhelmed with flashbacks from what seemed like yesterday. His eyes felt like they were on fire, and eventually, little tears streamed from them. He smiled and breathed, ready to scream and wail till his guts were out.

"Hic.." The abrupt hiccup caused Ron to flinch at the edge of the bed.

And then—

"Waah!!"

The entire mansion was turned upside down.

Cale expected this outcome, but he's still unprepared.

Maids and butlers gathered in a circle around Ron, who was still sitting on the edge of the bed, trying to wipe Cale's tears and mend his face. Cale died inside with each wipe of Ron's towel.

Never in his life would he have imagined an assassin serving him.

Scary.

"I'm afraid you'll have to get up and get ready, young master." Ron paused wiping Cale's face and handed the cloth to the maid next to him. Cale stared at Ron, puzzled.

For what?

"Why."

Oops. It looks like his thoughts and what he was intended to say were jumbled.

"W-Where?" Cale said, hoping his butler, Ron, did not detect his tone.

"To meet someone, it was hosted by your father." father? Cale looked at Ron for any signs of lying, but he couldn't see any. He did, however, notice the maids and a few other butlers inside the room. When Ron mentioned his father, Count Deruth, some of them cringed, others bent their heads out of guilt, but Ron was the only one who didn't give it away and continued to smile.

If he was correct, during his mother had died, count Deruth, his father... Should lock himself in his room.

Pathetic.

He ignored Cale, who is now him, since he reminded him of her deceased wife. It's extremely pathetic.

Should he act innocent?

"Father? I want to meet Father!" He hopes this conveyed a typical child's mindset. Cale's glittering eyes met Ron's hollow stare, and Ron grinned back.

"We can't do that right now, young master; your father must be resting." Ron patted Cale's head and then ruffled it, causing Cale's bed hair to become even messier. "We should really dress you up, looks like the guests were arriving sooner than later."

Ugh, fine.

"Okay!" Cale raised both of his hands and grinned at Ron. Ron gave him a puzzled look before turning to the other maids in the room, as if to seek guidance.

"Ah, he wants you to carry him, sir," one of the maids replied, and Ron's sleepy eyes widened and turned to face Cale, shocked.

"You want me to carry you, young master?" Ron requested once more for permission, and Cale simply nodded. Ron then took up Cale and repositioned him in his arms. Cale groaned as he rested his head on Ron's shoulder.

Cale looked around the new room he was in, it had a warmer vibe than his previous room, and the color and contrast of the furnishings bloomed and blended beautifully together, in his opinion.

Ding!

» Missions Available! :

✶ Meet with the other host [0/3]

Hosts? What hosts?

「 You have been reincarnated along with three other hosts from other universes 」

What????

"No one informed me that..." Cale could feel a headache coming in. Seriously, other people from other universes?

"What, are they also reincarnated as villains or antagonists?" Cale joked but the silence of the system gave it away.

"For fucks sake..."

Nothing could get more crazier than this really.

"-oojin! Don't go in there!"

Cale gazed at the door and blinked many times; he wasn't going insane, was he?

"I swear I heard voices." He averted his gaze and gazed outside the window, where sunshine was peeking through the curtains.

Cale thought that today was a good day. Nobody is bothering him, it's quiet, and peaceful.

Until then, the door opened with a crash.

Cale dropped the teacup he was about to take up and stared towards the door, a shatter of glasses flew by, but Cale paid no attention, instead, he was staring at the person who barged in like wild.

"W-wha-" Before Cale could continue his sentence, the system interrupted him once more.

« Congratulations! You have met Host
#Hon7! »

✶ Meet with the other host [1/3]

The boy who barged in gave Cale a charming smile.

"Found you."

Chapter Text

The room was heavy with silence as the maids quietly cleaned up the shards of glass scattered across the floor. Though everyone exchanged subtle glances, Cale paid them no mind. His attention was entirely fixed on the boy standing before him, someone who appeared to be around his own age.

This boy had broken into his home and caused him to shatter his favorite cup.

How audacious.

Cale found himself intrigued.

"Forgive my intrusion, Viscount Cale. My name is—"

Before Han Yoojin could finish his introduction, Cale raised a hand, cutting him off.

"Han Yoojin, correct?" Cale straightened in his seat, his sharp gaze boring into Yoojin. But instead of being intimidated, Yoojin’s smirk only grew wider.

"I'm flattered the Viscount knows my name." Yoojin replied, barely suppressing a laugh when he noticed the slight twitch in Cale’s left eye.

"Out." Cale commanded, and with that single word, the maids and butlers silently exited the room. Once the door clicked shut, leaving only Cale and Han Yoojin behind, Yoojin casually grabbed a pillow and tossed it at Cale. Laughing, Cale retaliated with his own pillow, and soon, the room was filled with their shared laughter.

"Are you also from...?"

"Yes, but I doubt we're from the same universe.." Cale replied. He wasn’t foolish. given the strange events he'd experienced, the idea of someone being from another universe didn’t seem impossible.

"I see." Yoojin murmured, picking up a teacup from the table. He took a careful sip, his actions observed closely by Cale.

"It's near." Cale suddenly said.

Yoojin choked on his tea, coughing as Cale rolled his eyes with an amused smirk.

"What is near, young master?" Yoojin asked, his voice caught between a smile and exasperation.

"The tea party or whatever it’s called."

"For the love of god, don’t remind me." Yoojin groaned, slamming his now-empty teacup onto the table. The lingering aroma of tea hung in the air as Cale glanced at the cups—his still full, while Yoojin’s was drained.

"You must really enjoy tea."

"I don’t. Who the fuck likes tea?" Yoojin scoffed, grabbing a book from the stack on the table and flipping through its pages.

"Insulting." Cale remarked dryly.

"Do you think the other hosts are already here?" Yoojin asked, swiftly steering the conversation in a different direction.

"Want to have a sleepover?" Cale countered, ignoring the question entirely and flashing a deliberate, fake smile.

"Insulting." Yoojin shot back, mimicking Cale’s earlier tone. Despite himself, Cale couldn’t help but grin at the unexpected camaraderie with his new friend.

"YOU HAVE WHAT??"

Cale winced, covering his ears as Han Yoojin’s voice echoed through the room. The two were now hanging out in Cale’s bedroom after the marquis had conveniently suggested Yoojin stay. Both of them knew the real reason—it was just an excuse for the marquis to strengthen ties with Cale's father, Deruth.

"A shop. A S-H-O-P." Cale replied, spelling it out as though Yoojin were utterly clueless. Yoojin rolled his eyes in response, unimpressed.

"I didn’t even get anything when I transferred here!" Yoojin groaned dramatically, collapsing onto the floor and covering his face in a performance of fake tears.

With a sigh, Cale activated his system and allowed Yoojin to see it. Apparently, with some adjustments, other hosts could view your system—a fascinating discovery, in Cale's opinion.

"Yoojin." Cale called, and Yoojin instantly sat up, scrambling over to sit beside him. His eyes lit up as he took in the shop’s dazzling array of magical items.

"A bomb?" Yoojin asked, pointing at one item.

"A love bomb, actually."

"What the fuck is that?" Yoojin looked at him, bewildered.

"It’s like a bomb... but also a love potion," Cale explained with a resigned tone as Yoojin’s confusion deepened.

"How is that useful?"

"That's the thing, it's not." Cale deadpanned.

"Is there a sword?" Yoojin asked eagerly, scrolling through the blue, system-like interface to search for a magical weapon.

"It’s expensive.." Cale warned. Yoojin’s eyes widened when he saw the price tag—a million coins.

"I’ll have billions when I grow up." Cale said smugly, clearly proud of himself.

"How are you so sure?" Yoojin asked, rolling his eyes in amusement.

"I’ll be the richest slacker in history." Cale declared confidently.

Yoojin chuckled, shaking his head as a small smile formed on Cale’s face.

"Sure." Yoojin said, humoring him. "I’ll wait for that."

Chapter Text

"...And?"

Kim Dokja took another sip of his tea before slamming the cup onto the table. Yoojin had to hold back a laugh at Kim Dokja’s baffled expression, especially after noticing Cale suppressing his own amusement.

One of us can't fuck up here.

Cale cleared his throat and adjusted his seat.

"So… that's it?" Kim dokja asked, tone visibly furious.

"Alright, but I still think it's unfair that you have a shop system."

"I know, right?!" Yoojin exclaimed, slamming his hands on the table. Kim Dokja chuckled. "I mean, I get that he had some glitch when he got here, but seriously, I was mentally unstable when I arrived too. Shouldn't I get some sort of compensation for that?"

"...How does that logic even work?"

"It doesn't. And that's exactly the point."

"...You're not making any sense, Yoojin."

"None of us do."

"Fair point." Kim Dokja added.

The trio burst out laughing while the maids and butlers observed from the sidelines, particularly those of the Underworld Duchy. They couldn’t believe their young master was actually conversing with anyone, let alone with people of lower rank. However, the three chose to ignore the judgmental stares they could sense.

"Hold on a second." Han Yoojin said, raising his arms, catching Cale and Kim Dokja's attention. "Who's the oldest?"

"Ah." Kim Dokja muttered nervously, covering his mouth as beads of sweat formed. Meanwhile, Cale rolled his eyes, and Yoojin grinned mischievously.

"Wait, do you mean in this life or our past ones?" Cale asked calmly, clearly unfazed by Kim Dokja’s nervous expression.

"Uh, let’s go with this life first!" Yoojin replied, his grin widening. "I’ll start!"

"I'm seven years old!" Yoojin declared with confidence. Kim Dokja let out a relieved sigh while Cale chuckled. "Aw, you’re still a baby." Cale teased, dodging an attempted kick from Yoojin.

"Well, I’m nine!" Kim Dokja added, giving Cale a pointed look. "How about you?"

"Ah." Cale smiled as he gently shook the teacup he was holding, watching how the tea swirl in the cup gently.

"I’m eleven!"

His enthusiastic response made both Kim Dokja and Yoojin glare at him. "So, you’ll have to call me hyung, I’m afraid." Cale added smugly, sipping the rest of his tea. Yoojin fumed.

"There’s no way you’re eleven! Look how short you are!" Yoojin argued, as Kim Dokja choked on his tea while Cale sighed in exasperation.

"Alright, now for our past lives." Cale said, smoothly changing the topic. Yoojin huffed but answered anyway.

"I was twenty-five before I came here."

"You’re still a baby." Cale teased again, making Kim Dokja laugh.

"Can you shut up for once?" Yoojin retorted.

"Not happening, especially if you want me to buy that little bomb you were looking at yesterday." Cale quipped, making Yoojin flinch.

"Ugh..."

"I don’t even want to know why you need a bomb.." Kim Dokja said, shaking his head.

"Better not ask. If you find out that this little guy plans to use it for future arson, you’d be shocked." Cale replied.

"Shut up already!" Yoojin snapped, shaking Cale while Kim Dokja chuckled.

"My turn." Kim Dokja interjected. "I was twenty-eight before I came here."

"Ah, so I’m still older." Cale remarked.

"What do you mean still older? There’s no way—"

"I was thirty-six."

"WHAT THE FUCK??" Yoojin’s shout echoed loud enough for everyone in the vicinity to hear, but he didn’t care about the stares.

"Really? There’s no way..." Even Kim Dokja looked doubtful.

"So you were an old man?" Yoojin teased.

"Fuck off."

Chapter Text

The trio’s laughter resonated through the pristine gardens of the palace, a carefree symphony against the refined backdrop of their gathering. What had begun as a simple tea party had swiftly unraveled into a spirited exchange of playful arguments and sharp-witted banter.

Cale reclined in his seat, his lips curling into a knowing smirk at Han Yoojin’s growing frustration, while Kim Dokja merely sighed, accustomed to the inevitable chaos that followed whenever they convened.

Yet, before Yoojin could launch another impassioned protest over Cale’s ludicrous age claim, a measured cough sliced through their revelry.

"Ah, so you truly are enjoying yourselves."

The voice, smooth and edged with authority, belonged to none other than Alberu Crossman, the crown prince himself.

Instantly, the trio straightened in their seats. Even Yoojin, typically irreverent and outspoken, found himself uncharacteristically silent as they turned toward their new guest. Alberu, clad in resplendent royal attire, exuded an aura of effortless grace and command. His piercing blue eyes swept over them with keen interest, taking their measure in quiet contemplation.

He had heard the rumors about Cale Henituse—the indolent, ill-mannered son of a count, a stain upon nobility’s dignity. Yet, what Alberu observed before him was anything but the insolent fool the rumors claimed him to be. Cale's posture was taut, his every movement calculated, his wariness so subtle that most would overlook it entirely. But not Alberu. No, he saw it for what it was.

A child walking on eggshells.

How very interesting.

"Your Highness." Cale greeted, his voice measured and respectful, as he set his teacup down with deliberate grace. Yoojin and Kim Dokja followed his lead, offering polite bows in deference to the prince.

Alberu took his seat with the practiced elegance befitting his station. "I was beginning to wonder if you three had entirely forgotten who arranged this gathering in the first place."

Kim Dokja let out a sheepish chuckle. "Ah… Right. Our deepest gratitude for the invitation, Your Highness."

Ever the instigator, Yoojin leaned in slightly, lowering his voice into an unimpressed whisper. "I still don’t see why we were invited, though…"

"Shh!" Kim Dokja, acting on pure reflex, delivered a swift but discreet slap to Yoojin’s hands beneath the table, effectively silencing him. Meanwhile, Cale struggled to contain his laughter, though Alberu did not fail to notice the glint of amusement in his eyes.

'Strange…'  Alberu mused.

"I’m pleased to see you all enjoying yourselves!" he remarked, his voice smooth yet laced with subtle intrigue. "May I ask when the three of you became such close friends?"

His smile was charming, a vision of princely benevolence—but the trio, sharp as they were, knew better than to take it at face value.

"Ah, well—" Yoojin opened his mouth, ready to supply an honest, if reckless, answer.

But before he could utter another word, Kim Dokja swiftly intercepted, his voice smooth and his smile impeccably composed. "Your Gracious Highness, we merely discovered that we share certain… similar tastes in our hobbies. Naturally, conversation followed, and a bond was formed."

Cale exhaled, relieved. Both he and Kim Dokja knew well how dangerous Yoojin’s unfiltered tongue could be in situations such as these.

"I see, then—" Alberu hummed, his gaze lingering for a moment longer before he parted his lips to continue.

However, before he could utter another word, a servant approached with a deep bow, his demeanor laced with the weight of an impending announcement.

"Your Highness, Young Master Yoo Joonghyuk has arrived."

At that very moment, Kim Dokja went rigid.

Yoo Joonghyuk. The son of the Archduke.

And Kim Dokja’s worst nightmare.

'Fucking hell..' Kim Dokja cursed  inwardly, his teeth sinking into his lower lip as if bracing for impending doom.

The trio bowed in unison as Alberu took his leave, his regal figure disappearing into the grandeur of the garden. As soon as he was gone, they eased back into their seats, yet the once-lighthearted atmosphere had turned heavy with unspoken tension. Anxiety clung to them like an unwelcome guest, evident in the way their hands fidgeted, their gazes flickering warily.

Yet, amidst the rising unease, Yoojin sat with furrowed brows, confusion evident in the way his fingers tapped restlessly against the table. Something wasn’t right. Something didn’t add up.

Yoojin merely arched an eyebrow. "…He wasn’t supposed to accept the invitation."

Kim Dokja, still stiff with tension, turned to him. "What did you just say?"

"He’s not supposed to be here." Yoojin muttered, his confusion evident.

Kim Dokja halted mid-sip, setting his teacup down with an unsettling slowness. His gaze snapped to Yoojin as if he had lost his mind. "What are you talking about? In the novel, he accepts the invitation."

The mention of the novel sent a jolt through both Yoojin and Cale.

Cale’s fingers curled around his teacup as he placed it down carefully, his expression unreadable. "…It’s not a novel, though. It’s a manhwa?"

"What?" Yoojin’s voice rose, his brows furrowing. "But it’s a game?..."

Their words collided in the air.

The three stared at one another, horrified.

Something was very, very wrong.

Chapter Text

The tension between them hung thick and unrelenting, an invisible weight pressing against their chests. Stunned silence enveloped the trio, their expressions shifting from confusion to outright horror as the gravity of their realization settled in.

It was Cale who broke the stillness first, his voice carefully measured despite the absurdity of their predicament. "So… what you’re saying is…" He let out a slow exhale, rubbing his temple as if warding off an impending headache. "Dokja’s world is a novel, yours is a game, and mine is a manhwa?"

"Yep." Yoojin confirmed, dragging a hand down his face, the sheer ridiculousness of the situation evident in his weary tone. "That sounds about right…"

Kim Dokja released a short, nervous laugh—one entirely devoid of humor. "Well, that’s… not entirely terrible?" The words were more question than statement.

Cale leaned back in his chair, tilting his head toward the cloudless expanse above as if searching for divine intervention. "This doesn’t make any sense." he muttered, frustration bleeding into his voice. "How are we all experiencing different versions of the same story?"

"It’s worse than that." Yoojin corrected, fingers tapping restlessly against the table. "If our knowledge came from the same source, then we should all be on the same page. But we’re not. Joonghyuk wasn’t even supposed to be here, which means our versions of this world are different in ways we haven’t even begun to understand."

Kim Dokja swallowed hard, a creeping unease settling in his gut. "If that’s true… then which storyline are we following?" His voice lowered as he turned to Yoojin. "Since Han Yoojin-ssi claimed that Yoo Joonghyuk shouldn’t have accepted the invitation… then it must be either my version of events or Cale’s."

"Wait, why are you suddenly calling me Han Yoojin-ssi?" Yoojin asked, frowning.

Kim Dokja merely chuckled. "Just because."

Another silence stretched between them, more suffocating than the last.

Cale clicked his tongue, irritation flickering across his features. "We need more information. If even one of our choices is wrong, we could be walking straight into disaster. Or worse—death."

Before either of them could respond, a shadow loomed over their table.

A cold presence.

Kim Dokja felt his entire body stiffen.

Yoo Joonghyuk had arrived.

The Archduke’s eldest son moved past them with slow, measured strides, each step radiating an unshakable authority, as though the very ground beneath his feet belonged to him. His dark, piercing eyes flickered toward them for the briefest of moments—before twisting in open disgust.

He said nothing.

He didn’t need to.

The sheer weight of his disdainful gaze sent a sharp pang of unease crawling up Kim Dokja’s spine, an instinctual reaction that had him sinking ever so slightly into his seat.

'Fucking hell, I hate this guy…'

Joonghyuk didn’t linger, his imposing figure cutting through the gathering as he disappeared into the sea of nobility.

Kim Dokja released a shaky breath the moment he was out of sight, his fingers gripping the table’s edge. "Why does he look at me like that?"

"Well… it’s pretty obvious." Yoojin took a deliberate sip of his tea before deadpanning, "We were doomed to be hated from birth..."

"Wow. That was so helpful." Kim Dokja muttered.

Cale sighed, rubbing his temples. "At the very least, he didn’t say anything. The last thing we need is to provoke him more than we already have."

Yet before they could even begin to process the brief but unsettling encounter, another presence approached.

A notification flared in Kim Dokja’s vision.

« Congratulations! You have met Host
# Host #89 »

✶ Meet with the other host [3/3]

"Ah?" Kim Dokja flinched as his gaze snapped toward the boy following closely behind Yoo Joonghyuk.

But this time, the presence did not weigh them down with dread.

A boy—slightly younger than Joonghyuk, but bearing an unmistakable resemblance—had slowed his steps upon passing their table.

'Yoo… Ivan?'

The younger brother of Yoo Joonghyuk.

And the fourth.. host?!

Kim Dokja’s breath hitched, his thoughts racing to process the sudden revelation.

Ivan’s gaze lingered on them—calculating, observant, sharp with silent understanding. For a fleeting moment, it seemed as though he would simply continue on without acknowledgment. But then…

He smiled.

A knowing smile.

And then, just as quickly as he had arrived, he turned on his heel and strode after his brother, falling seamlessly into his role as the Archduke’s second son. No suspicion. No unnecessary attention.

Only the three of them knew what had just happened.

The trio remained frozen, their wide eyes locked onto the now-empty space where Ivan had stood.

The realization crashed over them like a breaking storm.

Cale was the first to speak, though his voice carried none of his usual indifference. "Well, that sure is a surprise." He sighed, as though exhausted by the sheer number of twists they had endured today. First, their knowledge of the world had fractured into conflicting pieces. And now—

One of the male leads.

One of the central figures of the story.

Was one of them.

Ivan was one of them!!

But unlike them, Ivan wasn’t a villain. He was a male lead. And yet, he was a host?

"Wait." Yoojin interrupted.

"…Isn’t he still technically a villain?" He frowned. "In my world—the game, I mean—he tried to kidnap one of the female leads, no?.."

"Well…"

"Wait!" Kim Dokja suddenly sat up straight, his voice raising in alarm. "Now that I think about it, I did see some official illustrations of the novel’s characters and…" His expression darkened with realization. "His face.. It didn’t change."

Cale and Yoojin exchanged confused glances.

"What do you mean?" Cale finally asked.

Kim Dokja turned toward them with the same expression one might have upon discovering a missing piece of a puzzle.

"You do realize that we entered this world with our original appearances and names, right? In the novel, the young lord of the Underworld Duchy wasn’t named.. ‘Kim Dokja.’ And when I first woke up here, I got a notification that said something about an identity overwrite. Something like  ‘successful overwrite of existing file.’"

At that, Yoojin’s expression shifted in recognition. "Oh! That! Yeah, I got something similar." His brows furrowed in thought. "If I remember correctly, it seemed like our real identities weren’t supposed to be here. Whoever brought us into this world must have overwritten something to insert our original selves instead." He looked oddly proud of his deduction.

"But…" Yoojin’s gaze flickered to Cale before a smirk tugged at his lips. "One of us is an exception."

Cale rolled his eyes. "Obviously."

"Actually.." Kim Dokja murmured, his gaze trailing back to where the Yoo brothers had disappeared. His voice was quieter now, thoughtful.

"Make that two."

The other two turned to him.

"Because it seems like… his identity didn’t change at all."

Chapter Text

When Yoo Joonghyuk and Ivan finally settled into their seats, Ivan exhaled the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. He had expected a gathering, yes—but not one where he would cross paths with others like him.

Other hosts.

Meeting them in the flesh was an entirely different matter.

He needed to speak with them.

"Hyung!—"

"No."

Yoo Joonghyuk’s refusal was immediate, his voice as sharp and unyielding as the steel at his hip. His gaze remained fixed on the noble assembly before them, but Ivan knew better. His brother was already suspicious.

"Hyung, you don’t even know what I was going to say?" Ivan huffed, crossing his arms with feigned exasperation.

"I don’t need to. You want to talk to them." There was no room for argument in Yoo Joonghyuk’s tone, only the weight of certainty. "You think I wouldn’t notice?"

Ivan stiffened. Of course his brother had noticed. Nothing escaped Yoo Joonghyuk for long.

"And?" Ivan kept his voice light, carefully measured. "They’re interesting."

"They’re trouble." Yoo Joonghyuk’s reply was instantaneous, his grip tightening ever so slightly around the hilt of his sword(Why was a 10 year old kid given a sword??)

"Especially that bastard."

Following his brother’s gaze, Ivan found it locked onto one particular figure in the crowd.

Kim Dokja.

Ah.

Right.

If there was one universal truth in every iteration of the story, it was this: Yoo Joonghyuk and Kim Dokja would never see eye to eye.

"You don’t even know him?" Ivan pointed out, though he already knew how this would end.

"I don’t need to." Yoo Joonghyuk muttered darkly. "He breathes, and I already want to punch him."

Ivan barely stifled a laugh. "Hyung, that’s hardly rational."

"It doesn’t need to be."

Ivan sighed. He had expected resistance, but he wasn’t going to let this go just yet. The problem was… Yoo Joonghyuk wasn’t exactly wrong.

Kim Dokja, Cale Henituse, Han Yoojin—each of them stood out as anomalies, just like him. But while their identities had been altered, overwritten by this world’s design, his own had remained untouched.

And that was the most dangerous thing of all.

"Hyung." Ivan tried again, his voice quieter this time. "You trust me, don’t you?"

Yoo Joonghyuk’s face remained impassive. "That depends."

"On what?"

"On whether or not you’re about to do something stupid."

A chuckle escaped Ivan’s lips. "Nothing reckless, I promise. I just… need to confirm something."

Yoo Joonghyuk let out a sharp breath, clearly displeased. But he didn’t refuse outright. And that, for Ivan, was as good as permission.

Ivan smiled. "I’ll be careful!"

"You’d better be." Yoo Joonghyuk muttered. "Because if they try anything—"

"I know, I know." Ivan waved him off, rising from his seat. "You’ll ‘cut them down where they stand’ or something equally dramatic."

Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t bother denying it.

Instead, he simply watched as Ivan strode toward the trio of troublemakers, his sharp gaze lingering a second too long on Kim Dokja.

That bastard.

Something about him set Yoo Joonghyuk’s blood boiling. He still didn’t know why, but that alone was reason enough to stay on guard.

"Uhm, may I sit here?"

The lively murmur of conversation came to an abrupt halt. Three sets of eyes turned toward the boy standing before them, each gaze laden with suspicion in varying degrees.

Ivan did not waver. His lips curled into a practiced, easy smile, though the subtle rigidity of his stance betrayed him.

"Well, well." Han Yoojin was the first to speak, leaning back in his chair with an amused glint in his eye. "Look who decided to come alone. Thought we’d have to drag you over ourselves."

Kim Dokja remained silent, his expression unreadable, though the tension in his shoulders did not ease. Beside him, Cale Henituse merely tilted his head, his gaze razor-sharp and assessing.

"You’re… Yoo Joonghyuk’s younger brother." Cale’s voice carried a weight of expectation, cool and deliberate.

Ivan inclined his head as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "And you three are the ones everyone’s whispering about."

Kim Dokja resisted the urge to sigh. Of course they were already the subject of rumors. It was inevitable—three noble sons, each carrying a dubious past, gathered in one place? It would be stranger if no one was talking about them.

"And yet…" Ivan continued, resting his hand lightly on the back of an empty chair. "I can’t tell if that’s a good thing or a bad thing."

Han Yoojin smirked, motioning to the vacant seat. "Well, you came all this way. Sit down and find out for yourself."

With a hum of consideration, Ivan pulled out the chair and settled in, his posture at once relaxed and guarded. His gaze flickered between them, scrutinizing, calculating. No—this wasn’t idle curiosity. He was here with purpose.

Kim Dokja exchanged a glance with Cale and Yoojin.

The same unspoken thought passed between them: Be careful.

"So." Kim Dokja finally broke the silence, his words measured. "What brings the Archduke’s second son to our table?"

Ivan propped his chin against his palm. "Isn’t it obvious? I’m curious about you three." His eyes gleamed with intrigue. "You stand out too much to ignore."

"Flattering." Cale’s tone was dry, unimpressed. "But that doesn’t explain why you’re here alone."

Ivan’s smirk faltered—just for a fraction of a second.

"Hyung isn’t exactly… sociable." he admitted, waving a hand vaguely.

The temperature around the table seemed to drop.

Yoo Joonghyuk.

Even the mere mention of the name shifted the air.

Han Yoojin arched a brow. "Not sociable, huh? More like he didn’t want you talking to us."

Ivan let out a quiet chuckle, neither confirming nor denying it. "Something like that."

Silence fell once more.

Then—

"You know what? Fuck it." Han Yoojin leaned forward, exasperated. "Can we just stop pretending and talk about what we should’ve been talking about?"

"Yoojin, that isn’t a good word for a seven-year-old…" Kim Dokja sighed.

"Who the fuck cares?" Yoojin shot back.

Cale sighed. "I almost forgot we were children."

"Ah…" Ivan chuckled.

Kim Dokja set down his teacup with a soft clink and leveled Ivan with an unreadable gaze. "I have a question."

Ivan’s attention snapped back to him, ignoring the invisible weight of his brother’s watchful stare from across the room. "What is it?"

Kim Dokja hesitated for only a moment before pressing on. "Your identity—was it overwritten?" His lips pressed together. "Or… something along those lines?"

Ivan blinked. "Ah! you mean the data thing when you first wake up here?"

"Yes, that."

Ivan hummed, tapping a thoughtful finger against the table.

"Well… it did say ‘data successfully overwritten.’.."

A hush fell over the trio.

"…That’s strange.." Kim Dokja muttered.

Cale and Yoojin merely sighed in unison.

"This isn’t how it was supposed to go in the novel…" Kim Dokja sighed, rubbing his temple.

Ivan tilted his head. "Novel…? But it’s a K-drama."

Han Yoojin nearly choked on laughter.

Cale exhaled, utterly unimpressed. "Wow. Color me surprised."

Chapter Text

"yep, I'm going insane." Kim Dokja murmured with a weary sigh, raising his teacup and taking a quiet sip. Ivan cast a puzzled glance at the trio, only to be met with gentle smiles and subtle headshakes.

"It's fine, young kids like you wouldn't understand tch tch." Han Yoojin teased, his voice light with mock chastisement as he shook his head once more.

...

"I see." Ivan replied, blinking. "But how old are you guys, exactly?" He smiled, though the expression never quite reached his eyes.

"Ah, we're doing this again?" Cale asked, pride flickering in his gaze. Ever since learning he was the eldest of the group, he carried that knowledge like a badge of honor.

"Just for the record." Han Yoojin interjected before Cale could declare it himself, "I'm seven, this bastard over here is eleven, and Dokja-hyung is nine."

Cale exhaled in mock sorrow. "Calling Dokja 'hyung' but not me? How heartless." His tone dripped with faux melancholy, but both Dokja and Yoojin saw right through him. A conman through and through.

"Ah..." Ivan's voice fell, subdued. "Well, I'm six."

...

A hush fell over the room.

"Whoa." Han Yoojin muttered, eyebrows raised.

"That's crazy." Kim Dokja added, voice filled with quiet amazement. "You're six and yet you're already speaking well!"

"..Dokja, if a six year old is not speaking well, the problem is either the parents or the child or they just don't want to." Cale remarked seriously. ...Did he have prior experience with children?

Despite the gravity in Cale’s words, the pitch of his voice betrayed him—he still sounded every bit the child he now was. Kim Dokja ignored how youthful they all sounded, stubbornly pretending otherwise. But if someone were to address him with that tone, he would likely remain oblivious to the irony.

...

Another quiet moment passed, broken only by Han Yoojin’s attempt at small talk. "By the way, do you know who the true old man in this group is? In our past lives, of course."

Ivan tilted his head in curiosity.

Han Yoojin grinned slyly, casting a pointed glance toward Cale. "Ah... I still can't believe there's a real old man sitting right in front of me." he said, shaking his head in exaggerated disbelief.

Ivan followed the gaze, his eyes landing on Cale. He tilted his head again. "...Him? Cale’s the oldest?"

"Well, yes. He’s thirty six-"

"THIRTY-SIX?!"

"See?" Han Yoojin said, smirking. "Told you. Anyone would be shocked to find an old man just chilling in front of them."

Kim Dokja chuckled under his breath.

"That’s not the reason he’s shocked." Cale interjected flatly.

"No, that’s exactly why I’m shocked." Ivan deadpanned, ignoring how Cale nearly dropped his teacup. Han Yoojin and Kim Dokja burst into laughter.

...

"I suppose I’ve danced around this long enough." Kim Dokja said at last, setting his teacup down. The mood shifted subtly as both Cale and Han Yoojin grew visibly uneasy.

Ivan glanced between them, noting the tension. While Cale and Yoojin appeared nervous, Kim Dokja did not.

No..Kim Dokja was staring. Or more accurately... glaring.

He was glaring at him.

...But why?

"...Yes?" Ivan prompted, unsure.

"Say.." Kim Dokja began slowly, voice low and probing, "perhaps you did manage to overwrite your identity somehow... but you’re still a character in this world, aren’t you?"

'Ah, there it is.' Han Yoojin mused silently.

"...Sorry?" Ivan asked again, confusion clouding his expression. Kim Dokja's intent eluded him.

With a sigh, Kim Dokja pressed on.

"You see, the three..no, two. Two of us... weren’t characters in this story. Not originally. Whether this is a novel, a manhwa, a game, or a K-drama..it doesn’t matter. The Lord of the Underworld Duchy was never unveiled, just as Han Yoojin’s backstory was never deeply explored. Our current roles, me as the Duchy’s heir and Yoojin as a son of the Han family, were never praised, never celebrated in the narrative."

He paused.

"To be precise, we weren’t part of this world at all. Not as characters. We came from elsewhere. We inhabited these bodies, overwriting the originals. We don’t know their names, only their societal standing, only their influence."

Ivan nodded slowly, trying to follow the logic.

"But you..." Kim Dokja smiled, and something about it felt sharp. "You said you successfully overwrote your original character. And that’s... odd."

Ivan blinked. "Why?"

"Because in my world, the novel I came from..you were a character. A real one. And if that’s true, then you can’t have overwritten anything."

Chapter Text

Ivan cast a hazy glance at the trio before him. Of course. It didn't matter that he was one of the hosts i,t was still connected to one of the story's pivotal characters.

And one who would, inevitably, take the life of the boy to his left, the one seated with a serene smile..though that smile never quite reached his eyes.

Alright. Time to think rationally.

Now that Ivan reflected on it... Their attire truly was a mirror of their personalities, a vivid testament to their origins and pasts.

Kim Dokja's outfit was a study in dark elegance, an inky navy tailcoat adorned with silver buttons, the collar lined with pinstripes that whispered of quiet nobility. Beneath it, a delicate white shirt ruffled with black lace peeked out, and a satin cravat, neatly fastened at the neck, added a flourish of aristocratic grace.

His shorts, high-waisted and puffed just so, carried neat pleats and trim to echo the sophistication of the jacket. The entire ensemble evoked a timeless, baroque splendor, an aesthetic perfectly suiting the heir of the Underworld Duchy.

A duchy that stood among the mightiest in the empire, ruled by none other than Duke Hades and his sharp-witted consort, Persephone.

Cunning and formidable, the couple had cultivated alliances far and wide—even the fearsome Seseong Empire, known for its ruthless conquest, had aligned with them. Their reach was long, their name revered.

This made their son..well, the one whose life Kim Dokja had assumed—all the more powerful. But with great power and wealth came a steep cost.

As Ivan recalled, before Dokja had overwritten the duke's true son, the original had been nothing short of a tyrant. A boy of nine, yet cruel beyond measure, tormenting commoners and punishing servants at whim.

Persephone had been forced to replace the staff nearly every week.

A bitter memory.

Ivan's gaze shifted to the boy seated between Dokja and Cale—Han Yoojin.

Han Yoojin's attire sang a song of mischief veiled in grace. A black sailor-style blouse with a broad collar trimmed in white, cinched with a bold crimson ribbon that ended in delicate tassels. His sleeves ballooned out and tapered into white ruffled cuffs, giving him the look of a courtly trickster.

His shorts, too, were high-waisted, speckled with silver buttons and pristine trim, a chain and tassel decorating one side like a whisper of danger. His knees were clad in sleek black socks tucked into polished boots, with a single strapped buckle on one thigh adding a daring touch. A choker, black as night, circled his neck, a subtle yet striking accent.

It suited him perfectly. Ivan remembered well..though the K-drama had left his visage a mystery, the character of Han Yoojin had always stood out as a chilling figure, cloaked in charm and menace. Born the son of a Marquis, he came from a house of deep-rooted influence and pride.

Despite being second to a Duke in rank, the Han family had clout. And even before Yoojin took over the original's role, that first son had been nothing less than disturbing.

A manipulator by the age of six, his games were cruel, offering false hope to children before casting them into despair.

Ivan closed his eyes and sighed.

..Honestly.

Then, his gaze finally turned to the last of the trio..Cale Henituse.

Cale's garments were rich with drama: a dark crimson vest layered over a deep black shirt with billowing sleeves. A grand bow at the neck, anchored with a jeweled brooch, gave him an air of theatrical elegance. His black shorts were rimmed in red, the hems ruffled like stage curtains, with long trailing fabric fluttering at his sides.

It was a regal, antiquated look—utterly appropriate for the heir of the Henituse family.

The Counts of Henituse—an empire within an empire. Their name glittered in both the north and the south, whispered with reverence in the west.

Wealth, of course, had surrounded Cale Henituse since birth. But protection did not equal affection.

By the age of eleven, he had been dubbed a "Trash." Hurling objects at servants, lashing out in blind rage.

Ivan could almost sympathize. Cale had lost his mother, and his father—whom Ivan branded a heartless fool—had abandoned him emotionally. All because the boy bore her likeness. What cruelty.

Still, that didn't justify the abuse.

And yet...

Ivan met the gazes of the three boys before him. Their eyes bore into him, sharp and unwavering.

But they were not the same. Not the same cruel heirs who had once tormented the weak and played gods in their childish empires. These were different souls people, just like him. Strangers thrown into this world's game, bound by its rules and unable to escape.

They weren't those monsters of the past.

They were just people.

A quiet smile bloomed on Ivan's lips at the realization.

He returned his attention to Kim Dokja, answering at last.

"I'm sorry, I don't really know. I just got transported here like you guys.." he said with a soft shrug.

...Though he left out a crucial detail—that this wasn't his first time transmigrating.

Truth be told, the system had been oddly kind. It had offered him a choice: to enter this world peacefully without him dying...

Or to die.

He chose death, of course.

Why not? And in doing so, he gained this—this strange, invaluable skill. If he'd entered the world the traditional way, he'd have nothing.

His eyes flicked to his side where the shimmering letters of the system floated in the air:

「 ★ 'Blank Face' 」is « Activated »

This skill.

Like a poker face. Cold, unreadable.

But hey—better than nothing, right? Hehe!

He chuckled quietly to himself.

Chapter Text

"I see..." Kim Dokja whispered, nodding slowly. Ivan just smiled in return, leaving out a few crucial details he knew.

Han Yoojin crossed his arms and sighed. "Then we don't have any clue what's going on..." he muttered.

Cale nodded quietly but said nothing.

"Well." Kim Dokja cut in, "it's fine then. It's better to focus on actually surviving this shithole."

Ivan laughed, but deep down, he agreed. Right now, survival came first—and making sure they held their ground.

Because one wrong move, and any of them could die.

"Hm." Han Yoojin tilted his head. "Say, did any of you get a notification or something?"

The three of them paused.

"What kind of notification?" Cale asked.

"Like, just a notification." Han Yoojin replied simply.

"Ah." Kim Dokja flinched. "...I did get one. Why?"

Han Yoojin blinked, then clapped his hands together. "I have a theory."

"Wait." Cale interrupted first. "I mean, we all got notifications? Don't we all have the same system?"

Han Yoojin smirked. "And that's what I'm talking about exactly. And no, I'm talking about the event notifications."

"Ah..." Kim Dokja blinked. "Yeah, I did get one of those..."

"Uh-huh." Han Yoojin nodded. "Even if our systems look the same with the colors and stuffs, they're not the same"

Cale blinked. "They're not?"

"They're not." Han Yoojin's smirk grew.

"Tell me..." he looked toward Ivan and Cale, "did either of you get an event notification?"

Ivan and Cale exchanged a glance, then slowly shook their heads.

"So this probably means the event or scenario is based on the novel Kim Dokja-hyung read." Han Yoojin said. "Because in the game I played in my universe... Yoo Joonghyuk wasn't even supposed to be here."

The three others looked at him, then nodded slowly.

"You have a point. I do know the bad endings." Kim Dokja said. "But the problem is, the novel in my world only starts when I'm eighteen, right at the beginning of the main story."

Ivan sighed. "I guess none of us knows the exact path this will take. That just makes it more dangerous."

Han Yoojin nodded in agreement.

"But what are these bad endings you mentioned, Dokja?" Cale asked.

"Ah, well." Kim Dokja opened his system, calling it to mind and glancing at the interface.

"It's called... The Garden Of Regium And right now, there are two listed bad endings." he said with a sigh.

"What are they?"

"First is The Start Of Hatred Second... is Out Of Breath." Kim Dokja then closed the screen.

Ivan blinked. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but could these outcomes depend on how you decide your relationship with my hyung?"

Han Yoojin snapped his fingers. "Ooh, that's a good theory!"

Kim Dokja shivered. "No fucking way I'm talking to that guy..."

Cale hummed. "So you're basically leaving the ending of this event blank?"

"I don't know. I have no idea what the original outcome was supposed to be." Kim Dokja answered. "Anyway, Han Yoojin, what did you mean when you said we have different systems?"

Han Yoojin tilted his head and smiled. "Well, why don't you show me your system screen?"

Kim Dokja blinked. "Huh? You can do that?"

Cale laughed as Ivan's expression also shifted to surprise.

"Just try it~" Han Yoojin sang playfully.

"But how?"

"Try saying 'Share System Screen' in your mind!" Han Yoojin grinned.

Kim Dokja nodded awkwardly and closed his eyes.

Alright then.

'Share System Screen-'

"Ack!" Suddenly, a jolt of pain surged through him—like a lightning strike, though nothing had physically touched him. The others looked on with concern, but he shook his hands.

"N-No. I'm fine..." Kim Dokja muttered.

Han Yoojin sighed. "This is exactly what I meant. We can't share our screens."

While Kim Dokja was still catching his breath, Cale turned to Han Yoojin with a skeptical look.

"What do you mean? I shared my screen with you and nothing happened."

Ivan stayed quiet, watching everything unfold.

"Well." Han Yoojin said, raising his hands with a mock-innocent face, "it's probably because Dokja-hyung and I are labeled 'Successfully Overwritten' or something, and you two aren't."

Ivan tilted his head. "But I got a notification that said 'Successfully Overwritten' too, I think... Something like that. Why would I be part of that?"

Han Yoojin hummed.

"Then try sharing your screen with me." he said with a mischievous smile.

Ivan shook his head quickly, like it might fall off.

"Nah! It would be fine, I promised." Han Yoojin added to reassure Ivan, he didn't want to but for the sake of it, Ivan tried.

Reluctantly, Ivan closed his eyes.

'Share System Screen'

ACCESS GRANTED

"Oh?" Ivan said in surprise, eyes widening.

Han Yoojin laughed. "See? Told you it wouldn't hurt."

Ivan let out a relieved breath, looking back at the notification. "It says..."

"No need." Han Yoojin interrupted. "We can look into that later. The point is.. Cale and you can share your screens. But me and Dokja-hyung can't."

Kim Dokja groaned. "Why not? That's so unfair."

"I don't know, but maybe because they're fucked up." Han Yoojin answered.

Cale, who had been quiet the whole time finally spoke. "What the hell do you mean fucked up?"

Han Yoojin gave him a smile.

"I don't know! Maybe because your soul is transported successfully but your original body isn't? And for Ivan.. I don't know. Since maybe the story this universe is following up is just a mix up of everyone." Han Yoojin blinked. "And if it is, it doesn't make sense why Dokja Hyung said that you're supposed to be an original character here, so why are you one of the successful overwritten hosts?" He then smiled.

Ivan stayed quiet. He didn't have an answer.

None of them did.

It was all just luck, and a quiet hope they didn't mess things up more than they already had.

"Ah! Everyone, stand up! The royal family is coming!"

The sudden shout caught them all off guard.

"Fuckkk..." Cale groaned.

"Do we really have to deal with them right after I just got zapped?" Kim Dokja complained.

"Sorry, hyung! I forgot to warn you!" Han Yoojin said.

"Liar. He knew exactly what would happen. Let me guess, he already tried sharing his screen before." Cale muttered. Ivan chuckled but tried to hide it, and Han Yoojin gave Cale a murderous glare.

Chapter Text

"We greet the children of the emperor!"

All the children shouted as Alberu walked beside his siblings and made his way to the middle. Alberu didn't want to speak, but all the children he- no, his father invited, were bowing.

Alberu isn't that cruel.

"You may rise." Alberu said with ease and a smile. He deliberately ignored how Yoo Joonghyuk didn't even bow. He just stood still and glared at Alberu with eyes that looked like they were ready to kill with a single glance.

How scary.

Still, Alberu just smiled and ignored that bastard.

He did have a grudge with Yoo Joonghyuk, but that was obvious. That bastard picks fights with anyone he thinks is a threat. But seriously, they shouldn't give him a sword. He's a child, for god's sake.

The children then rose and smiled at Alberu. Murmurs reached Alberu's ears, but once again, he ignored them and simply smiled.

"How's your day?" Alberu then asked the kids who were all standing, trying their best to stand out from the crowd. His siblings beside him laughed and quietly mocked the kids who were just counts or had lower status.

Typical.

Alberu didn't want to interrupt them, so he continued talking. "I hope you guys were enjoying the snacks we prepared!"

The kids nodded and answered yes all at once, though there was no way he could keep pretending he didn't see how a certain group of kids openly ignored him and kept talking among themselves.

Hm.

He looked along the side of the table and caught the eyes of a kid he'd been told to watch.

Cale Henituse.

The son of a well-known Count—wealthy and famous in gossip circles.

Though Alberu didn't want to dig into that useless information. So there's no way he'd learn the child's noble history. Still... he was interesting enough that Alberu kept approaching him.

The way Cale glared at him when he thought Alberu wasn't looking or how he stuck his tongue out when Alberu turned his back.

That's basically a form of disrespecting a royal child, but he let it go because it was funny.

He should walk over and say hi.

Heh.

"Tsk. I told you I don't like seeing him face to face..." Han Yoojin complained.

"No one wants to fucking see a fake bitch." Kim Dokja said. Cale nodded eagerly, clearly agreeing with no hesitation.

Ivan giggled. "He's not bad news, is he?"

"Well, to you maybe, but to me he is." Cale answered. Ivan sighed and nodded, and the four of them stayed silent but kept glaring at Alberu and his siblings. Not obviously, of course.

Then Alberu turned to them, and all four flinched.

"What the fuck..." Kim Dokja hissed and moved closer to Han Yoojin.

Alberu smiled.

They all shivered again but tried to hide it, especially as Alberu slowly walked toward them.

"Why is he walking up here?!" Han Yoojin whispered with a forced smile, though internally he was panicking.

Alberu's sisters followed behind slowly, but looked confused when they realized where Alberu was headed, to the child they'd been hearing rumors about.

'Cale Henituse'

"Isn't he just a count?" one of Alberu's sisters whispered.

"He is! I don't know why Alberu is going up to them!" the second sister whispered back.

One of his brothers, Robbit Crossman, looked at Alberu with a strange expression but didn't follow, though the second brother had something to say.

"Why are those fools following him?" Alberu's second brother grumbled, seeing the two princesses trailing after Alberu. "It's not like we're related." He scoffed.

"...Just because we're half-siblings doesn't mean we’re not related at all." Robbit interjected. "That's not how it works."

Alberu's second brother only rolled his eyes.

And finally, Alberu stopped in front of Cale, looking at him as if he already knew Cale didn't want him there.

Cale gave a signal to the others, and they bowed.

"Greetings to the crown prince of the Roan Kingdom." Cale said with a smile.

Him and his sly smile.

"Ah?" Alberu tilted his head and smiled teasingly. "So you're just giving your greetings now?" Alberu wasn't actually mad, but judging from the way the other kids flinched, his tone must've dipped low enough to intimidate.

But... he looked back at Cale again.

...And he didn't even flinch!

Hah!

Not just Cale, but the other three with him didn't look scared at all.

What interesting people.

Cale then smiled. "Uh oh? That's not our intention, Your Highness." he said with a cocky grin.

Ivan looked at the invisible sparks flying between Cale and Alberu, then looked at Kim Dokja and Han Yoojin as if asking, 'Are you guys seeing this?'

"Oh, is it?" Alberu chuckled. Cale chuckled too, but not in a nice way—more like, 'Really? You're putting on this act you fake bitch?'

Ivan sighed again and looked at Kim Dokja and Han Yoojin, who both looked like they were about to faint. Probably from fear—this was the crown prince, after all.

He looked over at his hyung sitting at another table, who looked one second away from pulling his sword (it was a small one but it's still deadly.) and slicing Alberu down in one hit.

This was getting dangerous.

He had to step in.

"Your Majesty." Ivan said, annoyed at how childlike his voice sounded. "That's not our intention." He smiled.

Calm down, Ivan.

Alberu's smile vanished the moment he looked at Ivan. He tilted his head and looked toward the other table, locking eyes with Yoo Joonghyuk, who was glaring straight at him.

Hah. Alberu thought. What a funny face.

Cale looked at Ivan with pity and sighed. He was the oldest among them, and yet the youngest had to step up.

That wasn't right.

After all, he knew more about the Crossman family. So he should've been the one to handle this bastard.

Hah...

Alright, then.

"Your Highness." Cale said slowly. "That's not our intention at all. We were deeply sorry." As much as Cale wanted to argue, he couldn't. not with all the other children glaring at them like they were monsters.

"Oh?" Alberu tilted his head, amused. "I see, then." He smiled.

Cale mentally rolled his eyes but kept it from showing.

"Well then." Alberu continued. "Why don't you introduce yourself and your little group?" he said with a slight command in his voice.

Immediately, whispers broke out as Alberu's sisters glared at Cale like he was some piece of trash. So did many of the other kids. How annoying.

"Ah." Cale sighed.

He looked at Kim Dokja, who looked back as if asking whether they should introduce themselves individually or let one person speak.

Hm. He should take the lead.

"Well." Cale smiled. "This is Kim Dokja-ssi from the Underworld Duchy"He pointed at Kim Dokja, who looked surprised but bowed quickly. Alberu watched him, clearly entertained. "And this is Han Yoojin-ssi from the Han Family" Cale then gestured at Han Yoojin, who bowed as well.

Alberu nodded along. And finally, the last one... "and this is Ivan-ssi, from the Yoo Duchy" Cale smiled as he wrapped up.

Alberu clapped slowly. "Amazing. I didn't know you had such friends!" He chuckled. "How about you?"

That caught Cale off guard. Me? What about me?

"Uh... what about me, Your Highness?" Cale asked. Alberu laughed even more.

"What about you? Your name?"

Oh. He meant that.

Still, what a bastard. He should know Cale's name but was pretending not to.

...Fucking bastard.

"Ah." Cale said awkwardly. "My name is Cale Henituse, from the Henituse County." He bowed. Alberu nodded.

The whispers only grew louder, of course. Cale was at the center of attention among the nobles right now, especially with the recent passing of his mother and his so-called father locking himself away, too ashamed to look at the face that reminded him of her.

What a pathetic excuse for a man.

Anyway, Cale smiled like he didn't see the glares from the princesses the moment introductions were over. They must really hate lower-status kids. But the thing is... Kim Dokja and Ivan weren't low-status.

Was it how they looked? Or dressed?

Whatever. It's not like a few glares would get in their way.

Speaking of glares... Cale still had two years before he'd reach the age when he supposedly started abusing his servants.

But the signs were probably forming. Because of his father's neglect and the rumors, the original Cale had stopped caring what people said. So he just did whatever the manhwa said he would.

But... he's not Cale.

His entire identity had probably been replaced, but he wasn't going to let that history play out again. He'd give himself the credit he deserved, and he wouldn't chain himself to rumors.

Not this time.

Chapter Text

"How cute." Alberu said with a smirk. "I suppose that's all I need to know. Have a good tea time!" he added in an overly enthusiastic voice.

Go fuck yourself.

Cale glared at Alberu the moment he turned his back and started walking toward the center of the garden. His sisters, however, remained in place, glaring at them like they were filth.

Kim Dokja returned the glare, though he had to admit—he was getting tired of being hated for simply existing.

"..Tch... you guys shouldn't have been invited in the first place." one of the princesses muttered, but the crown prince heard it. He stopped in his tracks.

"Let's go back." Alberu said in a chilling tone that made his sisters visibly flinch.

The princesses threw one last glare at them before spinning around and rushing after their brother.

None of the four sat down. Instead, they just watched the royal's retreating backs in mild amusement. Then Cale raised his hand and flipped them off with a scowl. The other three burst into laughter.

Kim Dokja was the first to sit, realizing that every other child had already taken their seats. They looked ridiculous just standing there.

"You guys can sit, you know?" he said, glancing up at them. Cale looked around, sighed, and sat down, followed by Ivan and Han Yoojin.

"..So that happened." Ivan said with an awkward smile.

Han Yoojin just groaned and slumped his head against the table. Kim Dokja sighed and did the same.

Cale simply looked at them.

There's no way on earth they could've avoided this outcome, Alberu probably did see him flipping him off when he's not looking. That's why he's so keen to pissing Cale off. And probably because Alberu didn't get to ask such information earlier when he walked up to them.

"Yoojin." Cale suddenly said, something coming to mind. "How do you know that Yoo Joonghyuk wasn't supposed to be at this tea party if you don't know the outcome of the event?"

Han Yoojin slowly lifted his head and looked at Cale, visibly drained.

"Well... in the game I was playing, one of the female leads mentioned there was a tea party Alberu hosted back when he was a kid..." he groaned, already feeling the headache forming just from explaining. "And it was mentioned that Yoo Joonghyuk didn't go."

"Ah." Cale nodded.

The four of them fell silent again, nothing more to say for the moment, just watching the other kids rush toward Alberu to introduce themselves.

Then Ivan spoke up. "Ah, hyung is calling for me.." he groaned.

The three of them followed his gaze, sure enough, Yoo Joonghyuk was standing there, glaring their way.

Ivan sighed, stood up, and gave them a small wave. "I should go for now. I'll see you again someday!" he said before jogging off to his hyung.

The three left behind only sighed.

Kim Dokja slumped back in his chair, and Han Yoojin mirrored him, clearly exhausted from the whole Alberu ordeal.

"If we're this tired just from dealing with Alberu, I can't imagine how much energy we'll have to fake when we meet that Sung Hyunjae." Kim Dokja muttered with a groan.

The moment Sung Hyunjae's name was mentioned, Han Yoojin flinched and shook his head. "Ugh... I don't want to meet him..."

Kim Dokja nodded. "Real."

Chapter Text

"Good afternoon, young lord!" came the cheerful voice of a woman dressed in a long maid's uniform as Kim Dokja opened the carriage door. "Did you have fun?"

After several exhausting hours spent sitting stiffly at a table, the group had finally parted ways. Kim Dokja could only sigh in relief. He did mention he'd try inviting them again when possible, so that was that.

Now then...

Kim Dokja glanced at the maid assisting him and blinked. She must be one of the newer hires.

As he hopped out of the carriage, he gave the maid a small smile. Her short hair was a shade between gray and..no- was it a dark green? Or maybe grayish green? Eh...

The maid smiled back and took his hand, helping him toward the manor. As soon as they stepped inside, rows of servants bowed before him. Kim Dokja flinched, still not used to the sight, but the maid bent down to his level and gave him a warm smile.

Her deep turquoise eyes had a strangely calming effect on him.

"It's my dear Dokja!"

It didn't take long for Persephone to descend the stairs, rushing over and wrapping her son in a tight embrace. Kim Dokja yelped but returned the hug.

"Did you have fun, dear?" Persephone asked as she thanked the maid, then started walking toward the dining room with him in her arms.

Kim Dokja hesitated. He had enjoyed the bonding with the other hosts, but if he said so outright, his mother might send him off to another tea party hosted by Alberu.

There was no way he'd attend something like that again.

"Kind of." Kim Dokja finally replied.

Persephone simply nodded and said nothing more until they reached the dining room.

Ah, we're not using the main dining hall?

As the door opened, Kim Dokja glanced around from his mother's arms, and met eyes with his father.

Hades blinked, then smiled at the sight of his son. "Hello." he greeted warmly.

Kim Dokja just stared.

Persephone chuckled softly and set Kim Dokja down, nudging him to go greet his father. Kim Dokja hesitated. Having a father was still a strange concept to him, especially since, in his previous life, he'd never had a father figure at all.

Still, he tried.

He walked forward slowly and instead hugged his father's leg, likely due to the height difference, despite being nine years old, he was still much smaller.

"Hah, what a funny child you are." Hades laughed, lifting Kim Dokja and placing him gently in a chair customized just for him. Persephone laughed as well, walking over and taking her own seat.

The servants nearby quietly chuckled at the sight but stifled their laughter, trying not to show it too openly.

Hm.

Kim Dokja looked around. Seeing happy servants was a strange experience for him. It had only been several weeks, yet it already felt like he'd been living here for a year.

Probably because he'd never been so openly welcomed and loved by others—never hugged, never told he was loved.

And maybe that's what felt so off.. knowing these servants were genuinely kind to him, completely unaware of how much pain they might have endured if the original son of the Underworld Duchy hadn't been replaced.

Speaking of which... he needed a plan, and soon. He was probably going to be sent to the place he dreaded most when reading the novel.. the academy.

He was supposed to be sent at age ten, but he needed to delay that until age eleven for a very specific reason. If he went at ten, Han Yoojin and Ivan wouldn't be able to come. The enrollment age was strictly ten and up.

Han Yoojin would only be eight, and Ivan seven, by the time Kim Dokja turned ten.

But, from what he remembered... the academy wasn't accepting enrollments this year. Or for the next four years.

How did he know this?

Simple.

He remembered clearly that in the novel, Yoo Joonghyuk entered the academy at age fourteen. The reason? "The academy was closed." or something along those lines.

Alberu too! he entered at fifteen, the same year as Yoo Joonghyuk.

Still... Kim Dokja couldn't be sure whether things were following the story he knew. The narrative could easily shift toward Han Yoojin's version, where it was more like a game.. or even to Cale's.

Especially since all of them seemed to have different versions of every event, scenario, or system.

But... maybe. Just maybe, this time, the story they remembered was aligned.

Kim Dokja couldn't and wouldn't accept going to the academy without Han Yoojin if it turned out the academy wasn't closed this year. That would leave just him and Cale attending.

That was unacceptable. Each of them carried essential knowledge, and missing even one of them could lead to failure. If he ran into an event with unexpected characters, outcomes, or differences from the original version he knew, he could easily be hated..or worse... die.

So please...

"Did you have fun, Dokja?" Hades suddenly asked, pulling Kim Dokja out of his thoughts. He flinched, and though Hades noticed, he chose not to comment.

Kim Dokja answered slowly. "Yes! I met new friends today." he said, trying to sound cheerful.

Hades and Persephone exchanged a look.. both concerned that he might've drawn in the "wrong" crowd, but they quickly masked it and smiled at their son. Kim Dokja noticed it, but didn't say anything.

"Aww, who are your new friends, sweetheart?" Persephone asked.

Kim Dokja smiled and began. "Uh, one of them is Ivan from the Yoo Duchy!"

Persephone and Hades both froze—their faces twisted with confusion and displeasure.

Uh oh.

...Maybe he shouldn't have started with the Yoo Duchy. Hades and the head of that family weren't exactly on friendly terms.

"He's nice." Kim Dokja added quickly. "And he's just a cute little six-year-old kid."

Hades and Persephone exchanged doubtful looks but held back from asking whether someone from the Yoo Duchy had threatened or harmed him. Instead, they smiled and showed a polite interest.

"And then?" Persephone prompted gently.

Kim Dokja took a deep breath. "Well... one of them is Han Yoojin-ssi from the Han Family, and the second is Cale-ssi, from the Henituse County!"

"Ah." Hades sighed. They weren't the worst names to hear, but they weren't particularly good either. The Henituse County had been the center of noble gossip lately, and the Han Family always felt... suspicious.

Persephone also sighed and nudged Hades discreetly under the table, urging him to let it go.

Kim Dokja glanced between his parents. They didn't seem thrilled, but they weren't angry either. So the idea of inviting the other hosts again wasn't entirely off the table.

But what event could he invite them to?... His birthday wasn't until next year...

Oh?

Perfect timing.

Chapter Text

"Young Earl, Welcome home." A maid bowed to Han Yoojin when he reached the door, Han Yoojin just sighed and smiled at the maid who also smiled back.

He entered the mansion with caution as he looked around, a bunch of maids and butlers were bowing to him as he walked on, making him more uncomfortable than he is.

He quickly went to his designated room, his personal maid, Bak Yerim, followed him and bowed to him once again.

"Young Earl, It's time to change clothes and rest for the meantime." Yerim said, her tone was still nervous.

Han Yoojin just secretly chuckled, Yerim was just a new hire and just a 15 year old after all.

"Okay!" Han Yoojin responded with a smile making Yerim smile too.

Now that he's home, he's gonna rest for now and think about nothing.

"Young Earl!.. you mustn't!" Bak Yerim screamed.

You know, Han Yoojin woke up relaxed and feeling good, thinking that nothing will go wrong, after all, the main event will happen maybe if they were at the academy.

..speaking of the academy arc..

Oh well. Now is not the time to think about that!

"But I want to see my brother!"

See, the problem is.. he remembered that his brother, Han Yoohyun, has also been transported alongside him. He didn't pay much attention to that matter back then because he was busy reminding himself to not fuck up on the tea party the crown prince held.

But now that he can finally organize the matter, he finds out that his brother and mother have been safely moved to another mansion far away from here.

What kind of bullshit is that?

"Young Earl!.. please!" Bak Yerim tried all her strength to stop and not hurt Han Yoojin who was walking towards the room where the marquis was.

There's no way Han Yoojin would call that man 'father.'

No way in hell.

"What's all the commotion here?" The head lady of the maids looked at what was happening and her face fell into pity. "Young Earl.. the marquis is busy and I'm afraid you won't be able to talk to him."

Han Yoojin just rolled his eyes at that. He can cry for sure, but he doesn't know what his 'father' would do. After all, he was just one foot away from the door of the marquis's chamber.

He was a child after all, if he did a tantrum he would surely get what he wanted.. but he doesn't want to look like a spoiled child. He wanted to be seen as a mature child.

With a sigh and a pout, Han Yoojin walked back to the stairs to go back, Bak Yerim looked surprised and quickly followed her young master.

The head lady of the maids just sighed and looked at the sight of Han Yoojin walking down the stairs, still struggling with a smile. She then turned around and walked to god knows where.

"Young Earl, Please wait for me! You might trip if you suddenly run like that!.." Bak Yerim warned, she looked so ready to catch Han Yoojin even if she got injured in the process.

Han Yoojin slowly walked after seeing Bak Yerim about to cry.. right. She will be the one who'll get punished if he ever gets injured.

How gruesome.

Hah.

He waited for Yerim to catch up, standing over the edge of the stairs. When Yerim caught up, she raised both of her hands, seemingly wanting to carry Han Yoojin but still asking for permission.

Han Yoojin just smiled and walked towards her, giving permission to carry him.

Bak Yerim smiled and carried him.

But before they reached Han Yoojin's room, a butler stopped them and bowed to Han Yoojin.

"Young Earl." The butler said. "There is a letter sent for you."

At that, Han Yoojin lightly tapped Bak Yerim's back, signaling he wanted to be let down. With a sad look, She let Han Yoojin down with a sigh.

..she wanted to carry the Young Earl more though.

The butler bent down to Han Yoojin's level and give the letter, Han Yoojin just looked at it suspiciously.

Who in their right mind who send a letter to him? He was very looked down at everywhere because he's the son of a marquis, sure.. it was a position. But not that high of a position. And also.. The marquis was known for his rude personally and judgement.

And now that's being push on him.

Who the hell would send..

"It seems a letter from the Underworld Duchy, Young Earl." The butler said, interrupting Han Yoojin's thoughts.

At the realization, Han Yoojin broke a laugh that startled Yerim and the Butler.

Of course! It was Kim Dokja of the Underworld Duchy who would be the only one crazy enough to send him a letter.

With that, Han Yoojin zoomed off on his own to his own room, Yerim looked shocked but followed suit after bowing to the butler.

Han Yoojin pushed the door open with a huff and ran towards his desk, he struggled sitting on the chair though. Bak Yerim caught up and carried Han Yoojin and put him on the chair.

Bak Yerim then took the letter and took out a paper knife from the drawer, she then cut the letter open.

Han Yoojin blinked but didn't say a thing.

..I could've just opened it normally tho..

Bak Yerim then took out the letter inside the envelope and read it aloud for Han Yoojin to hear.

"To the Honorable Young Earl Han Yoojin of the Esteemed Han Family." Bak Yerim started. "I hope this letter finds you well. I wished to ask if you would join me for a session of study under my family’s tutor. I thought it might be worthwhile, and far less dull.. if we learned together rather than alone."

Huh?

A tutoring session together?

..Did his hyung get a mission that he can't avoid?

Hm.

Bak Yerim continued..  "The lesson will be held at the Duchy’s study hall on the fifth day after noon. A carriage shall be prepared for you, if you did accept it."

"I would be glad for your company. With respect and anticipation, from the
Young Lord of the Underworld Duchy."

With that, Bak Yerim closed the letter and put it on the top of the table. She then bowed and waited for Han Yoojin's response.

Well..

It's not like it's bad if he did accept it, right? There's no harm in tying ties with the underworld duchy. And plus, maybe he can get a help from them regarding issues from his brother.

Yoohyun..

He didn't even know if his little brother had his memories from their past lives.

Hah..

Oh well.

The marquis wouldn't care for approval anyways, and his mother is away so no one can stop him if he ever said yes.

So yes, he's going.

"Yerim-ssi, can you please write for me?"