Chapter 11.5

- You understand my evaluation. You are a really good guy! Thanks! ...Cale couldn’t tell whether he could really communicate with the spirit or not. Cale really could not figure out the situation at hand. At least the voice stopped after telling him thanks. Called looked toward the tree in front of him. “How interesting.” The man-eating tree, the originally black man-eating tree, was starting to turn white. It then started to slowly grow some green leaves. The scene looked even more mystical because he was surrounded by fog right now. Ooooooooong- The noise held some heaviness compared to before. Cale kneeled on one side and sat down underneath the trunk of the tree. A bright white light was pouring out from the hole. Cale put his hand into the light. He then closed his eyes. ‘This must be it.’ A warm and strong power that wrapped around his hand. He started to smile before hearing the voice one more time. It was a pure and warm voice. - It will protect you. Shiiiiiine. For a very short moment, a bright light wrapped around Cale. The light was silver in color, and the light started to become absorbed by his body. The absorbed light all gathered at Cale’s heart. “Huuuuuuuh.” Cale let out a long sigh as he opened his eyes. It did not hurt. It was warm, and the pure power was making him feel happy. Cale quickly lifted up the shirt that he was wearing. ‘I did it.’ There was a small silver shield inscribed over his heart. It was different from a tattoo. Such a beautiful and fancy shield left its mark over Cale’s heart. The shield will prioritize its owner’s safety above anything else. The location of that promise was at the heart. This shield will be with Cale until his heart stops beating. “How nice.” Cale could feel the strength wrapping around his heart. It was not causing any issues. In fact, it felt like the shield had surrounded his heart, and was doing its best to protect him. Ancient Powers like this left their unique mark when they are activated. Cale quickly used the method that was written in the novel to trigger the Ancient Power. Paaaaaat. The ‘Indestructible Shield’ appeared in front of Cale’s eyes. It was a silver shield that was just large enough to cover Cale’s upper body. There were two silver wings on both sides of the shield, which allowed the shield to move within a certain radius from Cale. The size of the shield was also controllable. Cale started to control the size of this shield that already felt like it was a part of his body. This immediate familiarity was one of the special traits of Ancient Powers. That was why heroes used it, even if it was just as a support. Cale started to smile. ‘A maximum of two times.’ Cale was thinking in terms of Choi Han, the strongest person around him right now. The shield should be able to block two of Choi Han’s attacks. ‘The strength of this shield is stronger than I expected. Why would the heroes not use it all the time?’ The Indestructible Shield, unlike its name, actually is capable of breaking. However, it does not disappear upon breaking. If the shield receives an attack stronger than its abilities, it will store as much of its strength as possible to protect the owner’s heart before it breaks. After a while, the shield will recover its strength and can be used again. The strength of the shield comes from the owner’s heart. The beating heart. That heart becomes the strength of the shield. The heart strengthens the shield while the shield protects the heart. So, what would happen if the heart gets stronger? ‘It will get even stronger.’ There were many ways to strengthen Ancient Powers. Cale will be strengthening this shield on the way to the capital. Once that happens, he should be able to make a shield that can last 10, no, at least 5 minutes when someone of Choi Han’s caliber tries to kill him with all of their strength. Ancient Powers, as seen with this man-eating tree, are difficult to earn unless you, ‘coincidentally run into them.’ The person who knows the most about these ‘coincidences’ in the first five volumes is probably Cale Henituse, well, the current Cale Henituse. Cale started to smile. He reached out and touched the shield. It felt nice. However, there was one thing he didn’t like about it. “...It seems too divine.” At full strength, it looked like a Holy Shield that the Knights of God carry with their swords in myths. Of course, the former owner of this shield was a priestess who was tired of the term god, and the current owner, Cale, just didn’t like gods. ‘It’s not like there will be many reasons for me to use this.’ He was planning on leaving the fighting to everyone else. The terror attack at the capital. He may have to use it if something dangerous happens there. But he will make sure it is small and faint so that other people will not notice it. Cale returned the shield to his heart and patted the now white tree as he started to walk away. The misty rain inside the fog started to wet Cale’s shoulders. Cale liked the fog, but did not like rain. He started to walk faster toward home. He needed a carriage. It was at that moment. Meeoooooow. Meow. Cale suddenly felt a chill on the back of his neck. It was the alley right outside the Count’s Estate. He could see two pairs of round, golden eyes. Cale started to frown. There were two kittens who looked extremely pitiful and drenched in the rain. They continued to meow as they approached Cale. They then started to rub their cheeks on Cale’s legs. “Sigh.” Cale let out a sigh and started to walk. The two little kittens followed behind them. The tiny things somehow managed to keep up with Cale, even with their short legs. “Young master, what is going on?” The person who greeted Cale at home was deputy butler Hans. Hans had a confused expression as his eyes opened wide. He seemed to be shocked. Cale clicked his tongue and handed Hans the things in his hands. “Don’t ask stupid questions and just take them.” Hans’s eyes started to shake. “W, what cute and lovely kittens!” This deputy butler really did seem to be butler material. Cale carefully put the two kittens in the hands of the extremely excited Hans. The two kittens, that were dangling in Hans’s hands, continued to look at Cale, even when they were in Hans’s arms. “Young master, may I take care of these two lovely kitten-nims?” “Whatever you want." Hans started to smile in joy. Cale started to walk past the excited Hans as he added on. “Ah, for your information, they become quiet if you give them food. The two of them are also siblings.” The two kittens flinched and started to shake. Their golden eyes opened widely as they looked toward Cale. “Excuse me?” The moment Hans asked in confusion, Cale moved back toward Hans. He then lowered his head and caressed the two kittens. He had wondered about it for the last few days, but how could he not know by now? The silver kitten had a faint smell of the medicinal herbs he had given to the girl. When he picked the two kittens up earlier, he could also smell the beef steak and bacon cream pasta that he had given them this morning as well. That made Cale certain. The events of the last few days were finally resolved in Cale’s head. “Did you think I wouldn’t know?” The two kitten’s golden eyes continued to shake. Cale looked at the siblings he had been feeding the last few days and started to smile.