28 Chapter 28- I̵t̵ ̵w̵o̵u̵l̵d̵n̵'̵t̵ ̵b̵e̵ ̵t̵h̵a̵t̵ ̵b̵a̵d̵ ̵t̵o̵ ̵h̵a̵v̵e̵ ̵a̵.̵.̵.̵ ̵b̵r̵o̵t̵h̵e̵r̵,̵ ̵R̵i̵g̵h̵t̵?̵

Welp, Another big reveal from the novel. So Choi Jung Gun was present to make KRS not attached to that world much? IDK and this makes no sense.

Instead here is A FACT:

Lock's official translated name is Lark.

Do you like Lark or Lock? I personally love the name Lock.

_________________________

Simon looked at the fountain in front of him. The water flowing in the fountain was calming. By his side Lock also seemed to be watching the fountain.

Both of them didn't say anything as they stared at the water.

Lock had calmed down a lot than before. Although he was in a pretty happy mood he was still a bit shaken on the inside.

Simon no from now his other "Hyung" allowed him to call him Hyung. This lifted Lock's mood. He was resolute on protecting his family and also made up his mind.

Lock would accept Cale's deal.

On the other hand, Simon was feeling....pretty weird. He didn't dislike it but lt felt odd inside. Simon ignored the feeling as he remembered what happened.

*1 hour earlier*

Simon was pretty bored today. He could use his powers and do something with his puppets. But that was pretty much playing with himself.

Plus, He didn't feel like testing his powers. If he fainted another time It would be bad. Simon ad a feeling like that. It wasn't something like instinct but a premonition.

He felt it would be bad to faint too much. Cale had the vitality of Heart so his body was fine in the novel. But Simon was different. He fainted from mental pain. Not physical.

If he fainted too much or suffered from a headache. He might become a victim of a mental illness. And that wasn't the thing Simon wanted.

That's why Simon got out of his room after a long time. The Manor had different books which successfully managed to garner Simon's attention.

He could swear to God that he felt like a N.E.E.T. He was holed in his room. Not going outside. Ignoring the servants. Not talking to anybody. Just reading.

Simon felt that if he didn't go outside he would turn into an actual shut-in. Even in his past life, Simon went out. He never stayed in a single place for long.

Staying in a single confined space for an extended period of time was suffocating to Simon. That's why He used to go outside as much as he could.

However, After waking up in this body that suffocation didn't come much.

Why?

Because Simon suppressed it. If he went out in some shady place then he might face some gangsters or even some hidden expert.

In the entire span of his life here(which is less than a month), Simon went to places that he could absolutely trust.

He took the busiest road. He went to only Billos's shop. Even when he began traveling around the city, Simon took every one of his puppets.

Fully equipped with his "equipment". That's how Simon traversed the streets of Henituse County and Puzzle city.

After arriving at the capital, Simon felt more relieved. Here he could travel more freely as he was stronger than before and had knowledge on who and who not to mess with.

But that plan was for some other day. This day Simon had no plans of going even an inch out of the manor.

He would take a stroll around the garden and get some fresh air. That's all. He even chose the time of Lunch to avoid running into the servants.

But, Simon never expected to see Lock with a gloomy face. Lock seemed to be mumbling some stuff. That was unexpected for Simon.

When Simon first arrived here, He had seen Lock on a bench in front of a fountain. Simon immediately turned around.

Why?

Lock should be having a personal moment right now.

Simon wouldn't interrupt him. He was about to walk away but he heard a sniff. Out of sheer curiosity, He turned around and saw Lock was starting to... cry.

Then realization struck like lightning. In TCF, Lock didn't have much screentime but that didn't mean he immediately recovered.

He must have had a moment like this too. Simon was slightly hesitant but still tried to go away. Counselling Lock was Choi Han, Lock's Hyung's job.

Simon was again about to leave but the next few words from Lock made him stay.

'I am a disappointment.'

Hearing the crying voice of Lock, Many memories surfaced in Simon's mind. Those memories were from the novel. All the details about Lock. His personality, behavior, nervousness, etc.

Lock seemed to be facing despair. Simon knew that Choi Han or Rosalyn should be the ones that should counsel Lock but, He didn't feel like leaving this kid here.

If Lock gives up in despair and starts loathing himself, it would mess up the story.

Plus, Simon didn't like the idea of leaving a 13-year-old kid to give up in despair. No matter how cold and annoyed Simon was, He would never leave a kid to die when He can save that kid.

That was why he stayed. Simon didn't plan to stay there for a long time but he didn't feel like going away. It felt annoying and Simon knew that he would hate himself if he left Lock like this.

So, Simon spoke to Lock. He made Lock realize no He made Lock see. He made Lock see the things Lock was ignoring. Simon didn't hear everything Lock was talking about.

But, He could imagine why Lock called himself a disappointment. He would be an idiot if he couldn't figure out why Lock was crying.

With that knowledge, Simon couldn't leave Lock without saying anything. Even when Lock called Simon 'Hyung' Simon didn't object.

Lock could call him whatever Lock wanted. And,

'I̵t̵ ̵w̵o̵u̵l̵d̵n̵'̵t̵ ̵b̵e̵ ̵t̵h̵a̵t̵ ̵b̵a̵d̵ ̵t̵o̵ ̵h̵a̵v̵e̵ ̵a̵.̵.̵.̵ ̵b̵r̵o̵t̵h̵e̵r̵,̵ ̵R̵i̵g̵h̵t̵?̵'

It wasn't bad and didn't harm Simon. Lock also wasn't the type to betray his friends. Simon could be at ease. Lock would not betray him and his trust.

Simon's trust probably came from the novel. He knew Lock's true nature. He knew who he should trust and who he shouldn't.

He knew the personality of the people here. He knew who would betray him and who would not.

Some annoying faces popped up in Simon's mind but he ignored them. Enjoying the water flowing in the fountain. It sure was peaceful.

...

Choi Han was also smiling like Lock. He was a swordmaster. Thus, His senses were sharper than an ordinary human being.

Choi Han could see farther and clearer than an average person. His hearing and sense of smell were very good too.

That was why he heard the conversation between Simon and his dongsaeng(Lock). Like Simon, Choi Han also arrived at the garden when Lock was crying.

But, Choi Han was a few moments late than Simon. So, when Choi Han arrived Simon had already sat next to the crying Lock.

Choi Han immediately focused on their conversation. Cale-nim had told Choi Han to trust Simon. Still, Choi Han felt cautious of Simon.

Why?

There was no reason. He just felt that Simon was... odd. As time passed, that feeling disappeared and Simon seemed normal.

Although Choi Han knew that he should trust Simon, He could still not completely trust Simon. He had seen Simon's power.

Simon said he was a puppeteer but he fought weirdly. Simon looked strong at first glance somehow. But At a very close look, Choi Han figured out that Simon was weak.

That greatly helped Choi Han in starting to trust Simon. Still, Choi Han was a little cautious of Simon.

Better be Safe than Miserable.

Choi Han observed Simon very closely. To see if he would harm Lock. He hid behind the nearest pillar as he continued to listen to their conversation.

'You are not a disappointment.'

'They should be proud of you.'

'You are strong.'

'Choi Han, your Hyung is strong. Rosalyn your Noona is strong.'

'Ask me. Ask Cale.'

As Simon continued, Choi Han also began to realize what was happening. The realization pained him.

"Lock. I am sorry."

Choi Han mumbled in a small voice. Although Choi Han saved Lock back there. But He almost abandoned Lock in Lock's hard time. Choi Han was the one who felt ashamed.

After each of Simon's words, Choi Han became more ashamed of himself. But, A fire was ignited in his heart.

'Yes. I will protect Lock. I will also protect Cale-nim.'

He would also protect the people from those darned guys at Arm. He would also get revenge.

With a strong resolution, Choi Han was about to walk up to them but stopped at Lock's next words.

'Thank You Hyung-nim.'

Choi Han stopped not because of jealousy or anything. He just felt he should stop and not interrupt them for now. He would talk to Lock after this. He was Lock's Hyung.

He would protect Lock.

He would protect Cale-nim.

He would protect innocent people.

And,

Choi Han

would protect

Simon.

Choi Han also understood why Cale trusted Simon. Simon was cold. He seems to not care about others. But on the inside, Simon seemed to care for others.

A bright smile bloomed on his face. A smile if which was seen by Cale, Cale would wonder what is happening.

A bright smile on Choi Han's face.

Devoid of any despair instead filled with determination to protect the people dear to him.

________________________________

TO BE CONTINUED

SORRY FOR THE LATE CHAPTER. I was thinking about what to write and rewrote this chapter at least 15 times.

I made Choi Han progress faster. I know his character has grown very fast. Like, I am speedrunning his character development.

Ahem, I just wanna say. This is my fanfic. I will integrate your ideas and listen to your suggestions but this fanfic is mine. You can criticize me if you want for messing with the character development but hear me

This is my fanfic.

P.S. Don't forget to comment. Leave your thoughts. Positive & Negative are both accepted.