Of course, Eruhaben's matter came first. Then only him alone was needed to go to his mother's resting place...

'I never visit her before in the past life... because I'm afraid they got destroyed somehow. And I haven't gone there since regression because she said not to go.'

Cale sighed, feeling a bit nervous. He decided to divert his attention. His gaze turned back toward Eruhaben.

Eruhaben glanced at everyone in the room and shrugged his shoulders and started to speak. "Let's not talk about the absurd thing you said right now. I'll tell you about Dragon Catcher household instead."

Cale and the others looked toward the ancient Dragon as if they were ready to listen.

Even Alberu who had returned in the middle seemed to have realized something important was about to happen as he sat on the bed.

The ancient Dragon finally started to speak. It was a story about the Dragon Catcher, the Dragon Slayers.

"The origin of the Dragon Slayer household is a unique one." Eruhaben started to talk about an ancient story that even he had heard from another ancient Dragon when he was younger.

"We can't tell when it started, however, at some point, the strong humans of the continent gathered together to create a village."

"Where is that village? Maybe we could find more clues?" Cale asked.

"I do not know where this village was located. However, this small village was said to be somewhere on the Western continent."

"Hmm? Though I think it's in the Eastern continent instead." Cale shared his thought.

"And why is that?" Eruhaben asked the question that was in everyone's mind.

"I feel like it's in one of the forbidden area... and I've been to every single one of forbidden regions on Western continent." Cale analyzed for them as he thought. 'The artifact should be on one of the three restricted areas of Eastern continent. That leaves the other two...'

"Hmm... there's a little logic in that, but we have no way of knowing." Eruhaben stated. "I shall continue with what I know first. I've heard that those strong individuals were kind of weird. They were people who focused on both mental fortitude and physical strength."

In simple terms, they were similar to martial artists.

"They are said to have really enjoyed sparring. Some people say that these people who liked to spar gathered together to be able to spar against other strong individuals, but more importantly..."

More importantly?

Cale was waiting for Eruhaben who paused for suspense to continue speaking.

"It was because there was a human there who was as strong as Dragons. He was someone who could easily defeat the Whales, Lions, actually, all of the Beast people, as well as the Elves and the Dwarves."

Cale started to speak.

"Was the Dragon Slayer that strong individual?"

"Yes."

Eruhaben then added on.

"That person was the first Dragon Slayer."

"...The first?"

"Yes."

The ancient Dragon patted the young Dragon with a vicious gaze on the head before continuing to speak. "That Dragon Slayer supposedly said the following. 'I am the one who created the power to defeat Dragons.' "

He then added on. "The first Dragon Slayer also said something else to the people of the village."

That was the beginning.

" 'I will pass my powers on to the strongest individual.' " Eruhaben closed his eyes and calmly continued to speak. "A long time passed after that and a couple of different households appeared in that village."

The gathering of people connected by blood was said to be a household.

However, the first Dragon Slayer did not have any children. Instead, he stayed with the other strong individuals of the village as sworn siblings, some as his subordinates, and some as his friends based on the bonds he had with them.

"Eventually, those different households together were called the Dragon Catcher household."

Cale started to speak. "That should mean that the strongest person of that Dragon Catcher household would be the patriarch and the Dragon Slayer, right?"

"Correct."

Cale's expression turned odd. White Star had said that he had killed everyone in the Dragon Catcher household.

"I am the patriarch of the Dragon Catcher household. I am also the one who destroyed the Dragon Catcher household."

"I killed everybody else other than myself."

It meant that he had destroyed an entire village. A village filled with strong individuals at that.

'I provoked him without knowing that... even though I know he's strong enough to meet a Dragon Lord... how stupidly confident was I?' Cale started to think about the things that White Star wanted to do to him.

"I can turn Cale into the Dragon Catcher. After that, I will finally be able to get the thing I've desired."

That was what White Star had said with a fatigued but greedy face.

"It is to no longer be a treacher and be the ruler instead."

'He wanted me replace him as the Dragon Slayer Patriarch.'

Eruhaben sighed and continued on as Cale was thinking. "I had mistakenly thought you were from that household. It had been so long ago that I thought you were the last remaining person from that household."

Cale asked back. "Then what does it mean that he is a treacher?"

The Dragon Slayer wanted to be the ruler instead of the treacher.

Cale was curious about the meaning behind that. 'Was it something important enough to keep reincarnating for? Was it something he needed to do to be a god?'

Cale could see Eruhaben's face filling with loneliness.

"Nature deemed the Dragon Catcher to be the treacher."

The treacher. It did not sound good at all.

"It was an existence that could kill Dragons, the strongest beings in the world, and, mm." Eruhaben debated for a moment before continuing on.

"We need to stop by the World Tree on our way back from the Eastern continent. I only heard this information from someone else, so I don't know how much of it is accurate, but the World Tree should know the truth."

The World Tree at the northern part of the Western continent. They needed to go visit it once again.

"I have somewhere to go first before we go to meet World Tree." Cale shared his plan. 'I don't know why, I just feel like I should go to get my mum's Ancient Power first...'

"Where? Isn't it important to visit World Tree-nim first for information?" Alberu asked.

"I..." Cale looked away. "I need to visit my mum's grave for a moment."

A silence filled the room.

Alberu clicked his tongue. "This punk! Why do you want to go there all of a sudden? You—"

"All of a sudden? You have no idea how long I waited to go there." Cale glared at Alberu. "I couldn't go before, I wanted to go as soon as I could, but I know that Eruhaben-nim's problem is more urgent because it involves his life, so I've already held back."

Cale's tears seemed to be threatening to fall again. 'I hold myself for decades even though I've missed her. And you said it was a sudden whim?'

'As expected, he wasn't back to normal yet. He was just good at hiding his emotions. And I stepped on the mine again. Damn it.'

Alberu quickly apologized, as anything involving his mother might triggered him as well, so he understood Cale a little, even though this matter was really unexpected.

"I'm sorry I said something hurtful without knowing anything about you. On second thought, just do whatever you think is right. I know you have your reasons, I shouldn't impose my opinion on you."

"Human... are you alright?" Raon asked worriedly.

"I'm ... fine." Cale felt like the time he had just regressed, the time he couldn't control his feelings well. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. I guess I'm still not qualified to be your Hyung yet." Alberu sighed.

Eruhaben seemed to have guessed something when Cale mentioned his mother, he thought of what Cale said before.

"My mother side of the family is a little special, even though I don't know anything about them except..."

"They apparently researched about time and life."

"About destroying White Star's soul..."

"Please leave it to me."

Eruhaben clapped his hands. "Alright. We'll go to Eastern continent, then you could go visit your mother with the little kid after we got back before we go see World Tree."

"Now let's me finish the story. Wipe your tears, you worrisome human. You've just woke up after 2 weeks and end up crying twice. Choi Han, give him some water so he won't be dehydrated. Sigh, my poor life."

Eruhaben watched as Choi Han gave Cale some water before he continued. "Anyway, Dragon Catchers are people whose lifespan, physical abilities, and skills have all gone beyond human limits to make them so strong."

He then quickly added on. "Furthermore, it is a power that only humans can have."

Cale calmed himself again after drinking some water and started to process the information he had about the Dragon Catcher.

A human who managed to overcome their limits finally managed to get his hands on enough strength to even kill Dragons, who were said to be the strongest in the world.

'So White Star is that powerful...'

Eruhaben said something else in order to lift the mood that had fallen very dark.

"Ah, it is also said that the Dragon Lord's only friend was the Dragon Catcher."

"...Huh?"

"Yes, you've heard right. They are said to fight with each other a lot while saying that they were going to kill each other."

The Dragon Lord was the leader of the Dragons. The Dragon Slayer was someone who could kill Dragons. But the two of them were friends?

It was an odd relationship that seemed plausible but not at the same time.

'Is that how he able to meet Dragon easily? Just what oath did he break? Should I tell them right now?' Cale felt his emotions getting out of control again.

"Human, what's wrong again? Gramps, do something."

Eruhaben reached out to catch Cale's hand that was clenching hard. He sent some mana to calm the feeble human in front of him. "You know something we didn't, is it something you aren't supposed to say again?"

Cale looked at Eruhaben's knowing eyes. "White Star was able to be a reincarnator because he broke an oath with Dragon Lord 1000 years ago."

Cale looked at the worried little Dragon. He remembered how Dragon half-blood said that Raon smelled like the Lord. He felt that there's a connection but he shouldn't say anything about it in front of Raon.

The room was silent again.

"How...? No never mind, I don't think I should ask. You would have told us if you could, there's no need to ask how you know what happened 1000 years ago." Eruhaben had already given up on finding out every mysterious thing happened around this human called Cale Henituse.

"Well, it has been a while since the Dragon Lord disappeared, so I can't tell what actually happened for sure either." Eruhaben shrugged his shoulders. He then peeked toward Raon.

However, he heard someone asking him a question at that moment.

"What does it mean to destroy someone's soul?"

Eruhaben looked toward Cale and then towards Choi Han who asked that question before slowly starting to answer. "Their soul, their entire existence, will disappear."

Nothing else needed to be said.

Silence filled the room for another moment. However, that silence was quickly broken.

Cale placed the glass of water in his hand down on the nightstand before getting up.

"Let's go to the Eastern continent for now. Let's do one thing at a time."

Shouldn't they first meet with that lunatic Mercenary King first? They were bound to arrive at their destination if they took one step at a time.

***********************************

Before leaving, Cale apologized to Alberu again.

"Cale, I really like you e—"

"I'm straight." Cale said bluntly.

"Haa, this punk! Listen to the end, for my sanity's sake!" Alberu almost ripped off the hair on his head. "I really think of you as a younger brother, you bastard. Even more than my own blood-brother, if you may know. So allow me to know about you more later so I won't make another mistake like today."

Cale finally smiled. "I'll think about it. There are a lot of people wanted to be my Hyung. You have to wait in line, your highness."

Alberu smiled back. "Yes yes, you're a hero after all."

"There's still another person to apologize." Cale looked at the door. "Is he still there?"

"He was guarding the door." Alberu patted Cale's shoulder. "See you later when you get back."

Choi Han informed as he walked toward the door. "I'll call him in, Cale-nim."

Choi Han had spent a little time explaining to Hilsman about Cale's mental state when the outburst happened.

Hilsman came in once again, feeling guilty for being insensitive to the young master's state of mind after fainting for two whole weeks. "I apologized once again, young master."

Cale sighed. "Why are you the one apologizing when it's clearly my fault? I'm sorry for immaturely shout at you. You must have been worried especially when you couldn't contact father or mother about my condition."

"Young master...."

"Hilsman, I'll be honest with you. I don't like you from the start..." Cale looked at Hillman who was bowing his head even lower. "But you change my mind. And I considered you the same as the people in my inner circle. That's why I hope that you'll at least please not let me hear that nickname again. I absolutely hate that nickname."

"I'll make sure I'll change, so please give me your trust once more." Hilsman ended up crying for real.

Cale looked at Raon and Eruhaben for help, but the two just shook their heads, clearly told him to solve the problem he created himself.

"It's fine. You're good enough already. Just keep doing what you normally do. I have to go to Eastern continent again. So take care of things here."

"Y-Yes, young master-nim!"

"Alright. Thank you."

**********************************

Paaaaat- Cale blinked at the teleportation magic circle's bright light.

[Hope and Adventure Loving Inn]

He saw the walls of the room that he was quite familiar with now. Cale started to think as the light disappeared and his sight slowly started to come back.

'It's been a while since we came he-' However, he could not finish that thought.

"Ugh!" Cale could not help but gasp for breath.

Something had charged over and slammed into Cale's leg.

"Meeeeeow."

Cale lowered his head.

"Meeeeeow."

"Meeow."

A red kitten had jumped at Cale's leg and was rubbing his face on it. He was also tapping on Cale's foot with his front paw.

"......" The silver kitten who came over without saying anything stopped one step away from Cale and just stared.

Cale picked up the red kitten Hong with a smile. "What's wrong, Hong?"

He was still a kitten, but he was quite heavy after fattening up.

On also jumped into his arms when he opened it up for her. He then heard Hong's voice.

"You're stupid!"

"He's right. My little bro is right."

"You really are smart! Human is an idiot from time to time!"

"I'm sorry for being an idiot..." Cale pouted at the children averaging nine-years-old speaking at the same time. He then flinched after looking forward.

"...Young master Cale."

He could see Ron standing there with a benign smile on his face. But he was fidgeting with his dagger as he stood there.

'I'm in trouble. Ron only calls my name when he thinks I need a scolding.' Cale's eyes avoided Ron's.

His servant Ron had a way of making him guilty for making people worried each time.

"I heard that the last two weeks have been difficult for you, young master Cale." Ron saw Cale's eyes that was still a bit red from crying as well as how thin he became after sleeping for two straight weeks.

Cale looked away from Ron. It sounded as if Ron, On, and Hong had all heard about how he had lost consciousness for two weeks.

'It is fine for Ron to know, however, who the hell told such useless things to children like On and Hong?' Cale started to frown and looked toward the group that came with him.

"Ahem, hem! I don't know anything about this!" Raon was fidgeting while his big round eyes were trying their best to avoid Cale's gaze.

'It was you.' Cale let out a sigh.

Raon must have contacted On and Hong who were pretty much his family out of frustration.

"I'm sorry." Cale thought apologizing was the fastest way to deal with Ron's blaming tone.

The room door almost slammed open as Cale apologized.

"Hello, young master-nim." Beacrox opened the door in his chef uniform and made eye contact with Cale.

Cale flinched at Beacrox who was standing there with a kitchen knife.

Beacrox looked around at Cale, Raon, and Eruhaben before commenting after looking at Choi Han. "All of you look so thin."

He then closed the door again as he said one more sentence. "I don't care whether or not you come to eat."

'...It seemed Beacrox was super angry as well... but everyone looks thin?' Cale became shocked. He looked around.

Raon was now chubby even if Eruhaben and himself were skinny.

"...Choi Han, you lost some weight too?"

"No, Cale-nim."

Cale started to frown.

Raon interjected at that moment. "Choi Han, I think you've started to eat less ever since we fought with that super crazy White Star!"

Cale stared at Choi Han. Choi Han slowly avoided his gaze.

"I will eat a lot."

"I trust you."

Choi Han flinched at that response, but Cale had already turned around to look toward Ron.

Ron gently started to speak.

"How about you eat first after coming such a far way, young master?"

"Yes. That's great. I miss Beacrox's cooking."

Click. The door opened and Raon activated his invisibility magic.

The inn consisted of three floors. Cale felt something odd once he stepped out into the hallway.

"...There are no guests on the third floor?"

He thought the inn would be doing well, but the third floor was empty.

Ron answered back as Cale stood there with a disappointed expression on his face. "I kept the third floor empty for a week after hearing that you would be arriving, young master."

"Thanks."

Ron asked as he walked in front of them. "You came to meet the Mercenary King?"

"Yes. Do you think you can quickly figure out where the Mercenary King is located right now?"

He needed to meet the Mercenary King as quickly as possible. Cale observed Ron peeking at the still pale Eruhaben.

"Young master." Ron had an odd smile on his face. "A lot of the Mercenaries Guild's branches are being attacked right now. Arm is said to be responsible for these attacks."

Cale nodded his head at this fact that he already knew was true.

White Star was said to be aiming for the Mercenaries Guild after all. That meant that he would need to attack the Mercenaries Guild's branches.