The Winter Aconite

Chapter 1

The man could feel someone gently tapping his body. The rough hand made the man think of the hands of an exhausted parent. It was that warm.


"Young master, it is morning."

But the voice was very profound. The man felt chills throughout his body and his eyes subconsciously opened. Rather than the bright sunlight coming in through the window to warm the man's eyes, what he saw was an old man standing there with a satisfied expression.

"It is surprising to see you wake up after a single attempt."

"Huh?"

"The master wishes to dine with the young master since it has been a while. It looks like it will be possible today."

The man could see a mirror past the old man's shoulder. Inside the mirror was a red-haired man who seemed to be confused looking back at him.

"Young master Cale?"

The man turned toward the source of the worried voice to find the old man, who looked like a servant, looking toward him. But that concerned man was not the problem.

The man clearly heard it.

Young Master Cale. It was a familiar name. He slowly blurted out the name.

"Cale Henituse?"

The old servant was looking at him like he was looking at his own grandson.

"Yes. That is your name, young master. I'm guessing you are still a bit drunk."

The man felt his surroundings turn dark and he started to feel dizzy. He lowered his head and put it into his hand.

"Young master, are you still drunk? Should I call the doctor? Or will you wash right now?"

The man looked at the red hair that was falling in front of his face. It was a bright red color, much too different from his original black hair.

Cale Henituse.

He was a character that appeared at the beginning of [The Birth of a Hero], the novel the man was reading before he fell asleep last night.

He jerked his head up and looked around. He could see the bedroom that was completely different from a typical Korean design. It made the man think about Europe. Every single thing in the room was extremely extravagant and luxurious.

"Young master?"

The man responded to Ron, the old man who was pretending to be concerned and worried.

"Cold water."

"Excuse me?"

He needed something to clear his mind. He could see the face of Cale Henituse in the mirror behind the old man.

'Still looks normal.

I guess Cale hasn't been beaten to a pulp by the main character just yet.'

His handsome face caught his attention.

The man had become Cale Henituse when he opened his eyes.

Cale Henituse. The trash who was beaten to a pulp by the main character at the beginning of [The Birth of a Hero]. That was who he was.

"Young master, I presume you will not be bathing in cold water. Are you asking for drinking water?"

The man turned his gaze toward Ron. Ron may be pretending to be a benign old man, but he is actually hiding his true identity as a cruel and vicious individual.