#TCF theory

[blueteller]

TCF Theory: What If God of Death Had a Reason for Kidnapping Minors?

(Hey, @murasaki-cha, I might have a theory that could sorta maybe redeem your pathetic little meow meow! 😂)

[Also: SPOILER WARNING for... basically everything in TCF?]

So, here's the thing:

It's no secret I always had… issues with the God of Death for kidnapping the Chois.

Let me clarify a bit.

What he did to Kim Rok Soo, aka. Cale, was not okay either – however! I can see it justified somewhat by circumstances: he was cursed, his life was generally depressing and terrible, and there was a world in need of saving. Honestly, the deal with the Original Cale Henituse to switch the two of them was best for all parties involved. (I'm still angry he did not ask Cale himself for permission, though! All the God of Death needed to do was tell him: "Look, this is the world where your BFF Lee Soo Hyuk reincarnated into. And the world is going to be destroyed in about 20 years if nothing is done about it. Would you mind cleaning that up for me?" You bet your butt Cale would have agreed fair and square, even if he were EXTREMELY miffed about the deal. But it's so much easier to simply hide your involvement in the transmigration, so that Cale doesn't have a personal vendetta against you once he gets OP, right…? Not that it succeeded, lol. Cale still ended up cursing the God of Death a lot)

However – all of what I just said? NONE of it applied for the Choi family member.

First, we have Choi Jung Gun, aka. Nelan Barrow. Let me remind you, the kid was FIFTEEN. Freaking 15!!!! The God of Death kidnapped a literal CHILD with no combat experience, and dropped him in the middle of an active war zone! Sure, technically Super Rock was there and presumably took care of him – but still, that was an objectively a terrible thing to do, God of Death! Bad boy!! 🧹🧹🧹

Then we have Choi Han, and ohhh boy, he had even worse somehow! Even though he was 2 years older than Choi Jung Gun when he got transported, he still ended up in the freaking FOREST OF DARKNESS. Weaponless, isolated, under constant threat of death. It's a miracle Choi Han did not die or completely lose his mind – and in a sense he did – but he was still able to retain a piece of himself, NO THANKS TO YOU GOD OF DEATH. My goodness! What a way to treat your "chosen hero ", mister!

...as you can probably tell, I was pissed enough at the God of Death for kidnapping poor Choi Jung Gun, but I am NEVER forgiving him for what Choi Han went thought. Should have given him something! A letter, a sword, or at the very least – A FREAKING MAP!!!

Aaaand finally we have Choi Jung Soo. Which was a bizarre case in comparison to the previous two. Even the God of Death remarked how unusual it was.

First of all, consent was asked – WHAT A TWIST! 🤣

Secondly, Choi Jung Soo was already an adult, and experienced fighter. He'd have a much better time in Nameless 1 world than any of his predecessors (excluding the fact that he'd have a TERRIBLE time trying to fight the White Star; who may I remind you possessed Kim Rok Soo's face... Also, did he even get to read "The Birth of a Hero"...?). He was also on the verge of death. AND he allowed to say no!! It was much more fair than what happened to the other two.

...But why though? Why the special treatment, God of Death? Why not kidnap Choi Jung Soo as a kid as well? The timing was kind of strange.

So here my theory comes in.

What if, it wasn't the God of Death who determined the timing of the transportation? What if there was an outside factor involved? Just because there seemingly wasn't a strict pattern to WHEN the Chois got transported, that doesn't mean there couldn't be one.

An outside factor like, let's say.... the Hunters? 🤔

From his behaviour in the Sloth Test, we know that Choi Jung Gun absolutely hates the Hunters. And it seemed very personal too. Even if we take it for granted that the Hunters were responsible for the existence of the Original White Star and the war and all that... It was still VERY personal. Like, "I will tear you to bloody pieces with my bare hands and chew on them with my teeth" level of personal. So, what gives?

Then it hit me.

The Five Colored Bloods Hunters are Wanderers who can freely travel across dimensions. They targeted young Kim Rok Soo, because he had a "mark" of the God of Death on. They assumed it could be a sign of a Single Lifer, and it did not matter to them if it necessary to kill him just to "check". The only reason why Kim Rok Soo survived was because Choi Jung Gun was there (even though I have issues about his execution – using a minor as BAIT?! Not cool man! Almost as bad as the God of Death!). Without him, young Kim Rok Soo absolutely would have been killed. And the way Choi Jung Gun was acting in the Sloth Test made it seem like it wasn't the first time something like this happened either.

Meaning: the Hunters were already on Earth 1. They have been there.

So, what if... the Hunters had already targeted the Chois in the past? Including Choi Jung Gun himself?

Think about it. If the Hunters had any clue that this particular lineage could produce Single Lifers... they'd certainly keep an eye on the Choi family, right? There would be no need to directly interfere. Just, watching them from the sidelines and let them produce next generations. Spying on their kids – like the total creeps they are.

And perhaps, there was a particular sign of a potential Single Lifer to watch out for, that could manifest around adolescence? What if Choi Jung Gun showed such a sign at the age of 15?

Instead of simply using him as a weapon to save another world... was the God of Death actually trying to save Choi Jung Gun? By transporting him into another dimension??

It would... kinda make sense, right? By transporting Choi Jung Gun, his "Single Lifer power" activated. His lifespan became much longer, he developed an Ancient Power too. He was initially weak, but he grew stronger overtime. Strong enough to stand up to the Hunters and protect himself; and also taking him away from their immediate reach.

...What if the same happened with Choi Han? What if Choi Han became a target at the age of 17? And the only way to save him was to transport him as well? I mean it worked with Choi Jung Gun, why not try it a second time? If the first one became a powerful ally who could fight the Hunters, the God of Death would certainly like another one on his payroll, right?

And then there's Choi Jung Soo, of course. Maybe he escaped the scrutiny of the Hunters? Or maybe because he developed powers which made him a harder target? Why would the Hunters bother with difficult opponents when they can always play dirty and go after literal children, instead? There is also the issue of the Monster Apocalypse, as Cale suspects the Hunters were behind it as well. Maybe the Hunters had a different plan for Earth 1, and so they had to stop using it as hunting grounds for Single Lifers?

If I'm right about this, then the God of Death's actions became a liiiiitle bit more understandable.

I will forever criticize the man for not asking at least three of his victims (and don't try to give me some bull about him being "unable to", God of Death used various means to communicate through the story; Choi Jung Gun even freaking wrote "The Birth of a Hero" books for the sole purpose of giving necessary exposition to a transmigrator – more than that, if he had enough space to simp for Whales and provide Harol's backstory for no reason! He could have included ANY type of message in there, to ANYONE!), but if Choi Jung Gun were to literally die if he did not get kidnapped and transported into a war-torn dimension in need of saving... Well? Saving someone's life via transmigration might be unconventional, but I've seen it happen a lot in many isekai. I can roll with this.

...But seriously tho, I hope Choi Jung Gun makes that broom beating a regular thing. The God of Death certainly can use it. You know – for emotional intelligence improvement! 😏

#tcf #trash of the count's family #lcf #lout of the count's family #god of death #tcf god of death #theory #tcf theory #tcf meta

[fictional2dcharacters]

Why were ancient powers in TBOAH not considered strong? Let’s talk about it.

What was that thing in the beginning of the novel that talked about ancient powers not being powerful? And despite people having them, they weren’t used very much in The Birth of a Hero because of that?

Cale had said it before when he talked about the fiery thunderbolt in tboah when Pendrick had gotten it, saying that it was of equal power to like a lighter or something, nowhere as powerful as what they needed it for.

But when Cale got it, it’s suddenly just gods damnation?!?!?? And it had the power to purify dead mana and black magic like this whole time?? That needs to be a topic for a whole other post (I mean seriously, that’s overpowered af, and no one would’ve ever known because only Cale can hear the voices of ancient powers, so Pendrick would forever have absolutely no idea it could do that)

I mean, it could be the way he spent all that money just to give it more power in a way Pendrick would never be able to do because they’re so non-materialistic.

But still, it’s just such a big difference????

The Sound of the Wind, Toonka in TBOAH never used it, again, maybe just because it might’ve been a bit too similar to magic, but he also called it weak and just never used it!

The Unbreakable Shield was just never used period, despite its usefulness and utility.

I have no idea about the Sky-Eating Water because I think it also never got used.

But why does something about Cale make these powers stronger?

They’re not even fully combined with his soul! They’re not at full power!! What the hell???!??

I have a theory about this, but you have to hear me out-

So TBOAH was the story about the creation of a hero through suffering and overcoming adversity, right?

Maybe his ancient powers are so strong because of a, “high risk, high return” type thing?

For example, referencing one of my past posts, every time he coughs up blood from an ancient powers recoil, he should be dying. His plate is weak, it’s made of glass, and every time he uses one last their limit, that glass will get closer snd closer to breaking, that is, without the Crybaby ancient power.

The Crybaby ancient power serves as a cushion, a shock-absorber, for every time one of the other ancient powers tries to recoil against Cale’s glass plate.

Just think of it as, every time Cale has ever coughed up blood, he should’ve been dead.

And of course, Cale, with barely any self preservation instincts, or those mental blocks in his brain that would usually be like “oh using that much would be too harmful, let’s not,” Mr, I can used Instant for 5 seconds and come out looking like I jumped into a blender, who is willing to sacrifice himself at anytime for the ones he loves, will always use the ancient powers past the safe limit.

For taking such a large backlash, one that would, should, be strong enough to kill you, you must be rewarded with something pretty powerful, right? Balance and all that shit?

Does any of this make sense? It’s like 1 am right now

#tcf #lcf #lout of the count’s family #tcf novel #totcf #trash of the counts family #tcf cale #tcf humor #tcf headcanon #tcf spoilers #tcf part 2 #tcf theory #tcf ancient powers #tcf angst #no but like really #why are they so strong #and why did no one in TBOAH think so? #Cale needs to have that little voice in his head that tells him he might die #never mind I think that’s just the Super Rock #but Cale never listens to him anyways

[endless-most-ancient-dream]

About Kim Rok Soo’s abilities (spoiler alert for chapters 356+)

Have you guys ever noticed that all of Kim Rok Soo’s abilities that are revealed are related to time?

Record: Allows KRS to have perfect recollection of the past

Instant: Being able to move beyond human limitations in the present

I wonder if his other abilities are also related to time. Maybe he has one that is related to the future.

#tcf cale #lcf cale #trash of the count's family #lout of the count’s family #tcf part 2 #lcf part 2 #cale henituse #kim rok soo #choi han #raon miru #lee soo hyuk #krs!cale #tcf #lcf #lcf spoilers #tcf spoilers #tcf theory #krs #tcf manhwa #lcf manhwa

[anastacius]

I don't think that Og Cale accepted GOD deal just to meet his mother, it was mostly because he wanted all his dead family to come back alive. At the cost of him of course.

#tcf #og cale henituse #tcf og cale #original cale henituse #tobth #lcf #Tcf theory #trash of the duke's family #trash of the count's family

[murasaki-cha]

Thoughts on Raon’s attribute

So his attribute is Present right? But we don’t know exactly what it does.

Well I’m reading some parts of the novel and I think it’s related to different/alternate timelines. There have been hints throughout the novel most of them during the Sealed God’s temple arc.

When Cale first used Instant here’s how Raon felt:

“It felt as if the entire world had stopped. It had not actually stopped, but it made him feel as if it had. It was because there was someone who seemed to be moving in a different timeline. Our young Dragon saw it. In that very short period of time… In that ‘instant’… He saw someone shooting forward as if he was made of light. That person was his human.”

Cale is supposed to be moving at superhuman speed here. Like he’s on a completely different world/dimension/timeline from everyone else. Yet Raon could see him. He saw him move, albeit with difficulty, yet he still saw him.

During the Sealed God’s temple tests Raon was the only one “feeling” what was happening inside.

He felt Cale using his powers during the sloth test:

“Goldie gramps! The human, something is weird! I keep sensing the human’s powers in that yellow piece!”

The chubby front paw was pointing at the yellow piece.

“The Super Rock, fiery thunderbolt, water, and shield! The human seems to be in a big fight right now!”

And he remembered the name Dodam:

“Do-, right, Dodam!”

“What is that?”

“I don’t know either! I just keep hearing Dodam!”

Now we don’t know if the worlds from the tests were different timelines, but I don’t believe that they were another set of worlds like Earth 3, Earth 2, Earth, 1. So they’re either alternate timelines or dimensions.

And this whole thing starts making sense when you read Present’s description:

"Present": the moment when things can change among many possibilities which allow unlimited growth.

And Eruhaben also said that during Raon’s first growth phase the moment his plate shattered the whole world became his plate. So his abilities are uncontainable and unlimited.

So yeah based on this information we can hypothesis that Raon can AT LEAST see through other timelines. How far his powers could go is not sure. He could perhaps enter different timelines or bring other people from other timelines into this timeline. He could go as far as to erase or create timelines. The possibilities are endless with Raon’s attribute.

I’m excited about what we’ll learn about Present on part 2. It’s weird, unique, complex and exciting. I don’t know if this theory has been done before but what are your thoughts on this?

#tcf #lcf #trash of the count's family #lout of the count’s family #raon miru #tcf raon #tcf theory #cale henituse #eruhaben #tcf dodam #raons attribute

[vergeofpanic]

Let's not kid ourselves. It's definitely gonna get out that Cale is a transmigrator at some point. The moment it mentioned Cale's hesitance towards the idea of revealing it due to the fear of being isolated and alone they confirmed it would eventually happen.

It will definitely, at the very least, be revealed to the Henituse Family, On and Hong, and the Molan Duo, but I'm curious if it'll be revealed to all Cale's allies or the entire Western Continent.

Will it be Clopeh's fault that it's revealed? A god? Lee Soo Hyuk? It might just be that Cale has a heart to heart with the people who knew Kim Rok Soo because the guilt eventually becomes to much for him.

All I know is that the moment something is mentioned in TCF, it will be brought up again at a later point, no matter how insignificant it seems.

Looking forward to it when it happens though.

Feels like Cale will end up isolating himself from everyone fter it's revealed instead of waiting to see the reactions of his family because he will probably misunderstand the shocked and hurt expressions on their faces. Might even have an arc of Cale, Raon, Choi Han, On and Hong on the run in the aftermath.

It'll probably be in the final part of the story though, so it won't be happening for a long time, if at all. I might just be completely wrong about this and and if so I'll be extremely disappointed in myself for getting my hopes up.

#cale henituse #lout of the count’s family #choi han #tcf #alberu crossman #lcf #trash of the counts family #cale #theory #tcf theory #light novel

[krscalehenituse]

Secret Love Children or Relatives?!?

It is all not Canon! I don't ship Roksu and Cale but it's hilarious if you think about these theories.

Can Cale Henituse and Kim Roksu be the parents of Cale Barrow?!?

As we all saw Kim Roksu and Cale Barrow's appearance almost look uncanny but also the red hair and brown eyes can be an appearance of Cale as well.

As messed up as it sounds it is very convincing!

-

As well as another Theory is that Cale Barrow's body could have been a cousin to Cale Henituse and since Roksu got kicked out of that body before birth could it have been that Cale and Roksu are related?

Like the Uncle who scammed KRS! Cale in the story could have been Roksu's father.

#TCF Theory #Roksu&Cale #cale henituse

[hajidumps]

I would believe any TCF theory/ headcanons in here. I will nod and be "that's reasonable , that checks out" I will read that long post about how Cale being in the TBOAH world meant that he's a god and I would be convinced he is.

I am like Clopeh believing every theory there is about this

#trash of the count's family #cale henituse #tcf clopeh #tcf theory #tcf theories hits hard how tf do u guys do that #tcf headcanons #tcf novel

[pandorachristian]

Don't you realise how the novel always stated that Cale and Kim Rok Soo is the same but different?

How The Fake Hilmans said that Cale look like his mother and of course, Kim Rok Soo must be like his mother too. And the team 1 also said that Kim Rok Soo is different but still that sane Team Keader of them?

I wonder if It will be the foreshadow in the future. I really really hope we got to knows more about Original Cale. He is also the hero to The Birth of Hero.

#trash of the count's family #og!cale henituse #original cale henituse #og cale henituse #tcf cale #kim rok soo #Tcf theory

[ukiyolatte]

A theory, do you think Kim rok soo's parents are also cursed like krs?

I mean GoD called them lonely people, he also called krs lonely

#tcf #tcf cale #trash of the count's family #kim rok soo #tcf angst #lout of count's family #tcf theory

[trunsoest]

ok so i told my friend abt my ahn roh man theory NOW ALL OF U HAVE TO HEAR IT.

ahn roh man potential regressor theory?!?

rmbr when cale read jour's diary she said that they haven't gathered info on regressors and doesn't explain anything abt them SO IT ONLY MAKES SENSE IF IN THE FUTURE THE AUTHOR INTRODUCES A REGRESSOR since there's already a single lifer, reincarnator, and transmigrator AND. rmbr when alberu talked abt ahn roh man being the president there ??!!? THATS SO REGRESSOR VIBES like maybe one of his regressions he saw smth that would happen to their world and in the next regression he told the ppl but they didn't believe him and it happened again so he went all the way up to the president position in hopes that they would listen and he gets to save his ppl.

#tcf novel #tcf #lcf novel #trash of the count's family #lout of the count’s family #alberu crossman #cale henituse #tcf theory

[blueteller]

So many small details, which make TCF such an incredible story...

Remember back in the beginning, when Cale was getting his first Ancient Power, the Indestructible Shield? How On and Hong were there since the start, and how Cale told them to keep what they saw a secret?

Now, remember when Cale came to the tree for the last time, and was glad that the weather was foggy, because it would hide what was happening to outside viewers?

...I'm 100% convinced On created that fog on purpose. The clever girl figured out that Cale wanted to be unseenand could use some help. So, she created a fog cover for him on purpose. And that was before Cale took her and Hong in. She was already helping out.

It's a small detail, and Cale never realizes it, but it always makes me so happy to find little secrets in the background like that. And there are so many more to find, if you look for them.

Like that time Cale is in the Magic Tower, and the symbol on the wall is a star surrounded by five others. That implies that the Magic Tower was allied with the White Star before it fell. It never comes up again, but the detail is there, and it gives the entire Whipper Kingdom uprising so much more depth to it. Why wouldn't the bastards who experiment on people be allied with the final boss? It makes perfect sense!!

Or how Redika was the one to develop the new magic bombs, and by having Choi Han injuring him so much so early on, there are no more bombing incidents by Arm in the TCF timeline. I totally forgot about that one, and a fanfic had to remind me it was even a thing.

Or the fact that the White Crown, which consumes Dragon blood, left a phantom image upon the bone Dragon which Cale found in the swamp. It implies that the White Star had the Crown feed upon that Dragon as he killed him, and I made a whole theory how that battle left the White Star so injured he decided to break his plate on that spot and leave a piece of the Dominating Aura behind, to loose some "weight" from his over-burdened plate. And how it makes sense that the Dominating Aura would show Cale the glimpse of that Crown for a moment, despite it no longer being there, because the two are connected and the Dominating Aura definitely WANTED Cale to realize something was up.

Or that moment when the nobles are announced as they enter the meeting in the beginning of the story, and every named character plays a role later on: Antonio becomes an ally, and Karin becomes an enemy.

A tiny detail like Mayor Obante witnessing a Dragon's aura, and that Dragon being a "typical arrogant Dragon who tells everybody to kneel", who is later revealed to be Rasheel, and that description fits him perfectly.

So many wonderful details, some of which never come up again or for a long time... They all make this story so much richer.

#tcf #trash of the count's family #lcf #lout of the count’s family #worldbuilding #tcf theory #tcf meta #don't mind me #just geeking out over tcf as usual #being a fantasy nerd #just another casual sunday you know #did i metion how much i love this series already?

[fictional2dcharacters]

GUYS CAN WE TALK ABOUT THIS?

!Spoiler for ch 200 of the novel!

So I’m re-reading tcf and I’m at ch 200, the point of the Henituse war.

Clopeh’s armor just broke because Raon was attacking him, and he’s all, “There’s a dragon here!” Because he remembers what the Flame Dwarf Tribe told him when they gave him the armor;

‘This cannot defend against a Dragons Breath, but if should be able to guard against an average adult dragons magic’

AVERAGE ADULT?!? RAON IS SIX! And he hasn’t gone through his first growth phase yet!

Raon, at six years old, when using a large amount of his magic, SURPASSED THE POWER OF AN ADULT DRAGONS MAGIC.

Clopeh also goes on to the conclusion of; ‘the Dragon Slayer instincts were telling him something. An ancient dragon or one that was beyond that level. A dragon with at least that level of magic was here.’

‘There is another ancient dragon’

CLOPEH. THOUGHT THAT A SIX YEAR OLD DRAGON THAT HASN’T GONE THROUGH THE FIRST GROWTH PHASE WAS AN ANCIENT DRAGON.

THE GREAT AND MIGHTY RAON MIRU EVERYBODY!! TRULY THE NEXT DRAGON LORD!!

#lcf #totcf #tcf #tcf novel #lout of the count’s family #tcf spoilers #trash of the counts family #tcf raon #tcf headcanon #tcf theory

[fanfiction-artist-prototype]

How fucking funny would it be if the God of Death was Earth 2 Choi Han?

#tcf #lcf #trash of the counts family #theory #trash of the counts family theory #tcf theory #tcf spoilers #look the idea came to me and i was like what if tho?

[anastacius]

TCF X Genshin Impact --- Vision Distribution

Pyro - Tenacious.

Hydro - Capable.

Electro - Ambitious. [ Stop saying being ambitious is awful just because of Slytherin]

Geo - Stable. [ Solid foundation]

Dendro - Intelligent.

Cryo - Sufferer.

Anemo - Independent.

[Warning : I am not going to assign vision to the characters because of their hair color or their mana . It will be based on their most probable behavior or characteristic.]

- Geo

Kim Rok Soo

Eric Wheelsman

Beacrox Molan

Sheritt

Violan Henituse

-Pyro

Choi Han

Toonka

Choi Jung Gun

Adin

Ron Molan

Rasheel

-Hydro

Rosalyn

Eruhaben

Lee Soo Hyuk

Witria

Grandma Kim [ She deserves it]

Sir Rex

Deruth Henituse

-Anemo

Zed Crossman

OG Cale Henituse

Valentino

Bud

Jack

Cage

Shicker

-Cryo

Mary

Choi Jung Soo

Taylor

Hannah

Jour Henituse

-Electro

Alberu Crossman

Fredo Von Ejellan

Hillsman [ He was given the vision after he decided that he want to become the Captain of the Henituse Knight Brigade]

White Star

Jopis

Clopeh Sekka [ Got the vision before meeting Kim Rok Soo]

-Dendro

Tasha

Litana

Mila

Glenn

-Characters who haven't received a vision yet but will, once they grow old enough.

On - Dendro

Hong - Anemo

Raon Miru- Cryo

Lily Henituse - Electro

Basin Henituse - Anemo

Lock - Hydro [ No, I am not going to give him Geo just because he owns a shield.]

-Characters who will never receive a vision.

Hans

Billios

Amiru Ubarr

Antonio Gyerre

Neo Tolz

Count Mock

Park Jin Tae

Rei Stecker

Pen [ Rosalyn's brother]

Sully

Venion Stan

Pendrick

Paeston

[Note - I haven't started reading TCF Laws of hunting.]

Feel free to add TCF 2 characters.

#tcf theory #tcf #trash of the count's family #lcf novel #genshin impact #genshin impact beginner tips #fanfic ideas #cale henituse #vision #tcf rosalyn #tcf cale #alberu crossman #og cale henituse #roan kingdom #ron molan #choi han #raon miru #tcf meme #lee soo hyuk #feel free to add more #tcf 2 characters

[illusionsofdreaming]

birds without feet;

Notes: I return to the blog with this monster of a ficlet. This was actually written for @nin-deer who very graciously allowed me to share it on the blog as well. A small imagine that grew out of control haha... enjoy~ Ft: Beacrox

It was but a subtle shift of air that caused him to abandon his project. In an instant, he whipped around, knife in hand, its sharp blade poised just above the intruder's jugular, ready to cut deep with the slightest pressure.

Despite the threat of a blade at your neck, your smile was relaxed as you lifted the roll of parchment in your hand. “Delivery!”

His eyes quickly scanned the kitchen, noting the shifted curtains he pieced together your point of entrance. Only when you wiggled the paper impatiently did he finally drop the knife and swiped the parchment from your hand, ignoring your huff of laughter as he scanned over its contents.

“It’s nice to see you too Beacrox. How have you been?” 

Your attempts at casual banter were ignored, but the moment you began reaching for the food on the table, his gaze snapped to yours, promising pain should you attempt further.

You were wise enough to heed his warning as you stepped back, hands raised in surrender. “Sheesh, you’re not going to make any friends if you keep acting this way.”

Crumpling the piece of paper, he threw it into the fireplace as you clicked your tongue in mock annoyance.

Had he cared for your opinion, he might’ve been annoyed, alas it was easy to dismiss as he threw a pouch in your direction, the clink of gold muted as you caught it from the air. He watched as you tossed the bag a few times before pocketing it.

You must have caught the confusion on his face as you glanced up with a grin. “I know you won’t cheat me of my payment.”

Though it was the truth—Molan’s motto was always to repay what’s due—such blatant admission of trust from someone working in the dark underbelly of society puzzled him, and without meaning to, he’d let his displeasure slip through. “It could’ve been filled with rocks.”

You blinked, head tilted as if you’re considering the possibility, then you laughed. “Then I suppose I’ll be a few pretty rocks richer.”

He scowled and returned to his work, grabbing his knife to hide the flush of annoyance he felt by your flippant answer. You knew such responses would annoy him, and he refused to give you the satisfaction of being correct.

One does not survive long in the underworld with their morals and innocence intact. Your deliberate pushing of buttons was another tactic to wheedle information from your targets, and he wasn't inclined on revealing anything. You already know far too much as is.

“Leave,” he ordered, his limited patience well and truly spent. 

“Always a pleasure talking to you, Bea~”

He threw the knife in his hand, but by the time he turned around, you were already gone. The only evidence of your visit was the lingering echoes of your laughter and a missing tart from the plate of desserts he'd prepared earlier.

━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━━✶━━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━

As you kept the package just out of his reach, he couldn’t help but think: for a grown person jaded by the underworld, you sure liked acting like a child at times.

“You just thought of something rude didn’t you?”

His gaze snapped to yours. “You forget who you’re dealing with.” he warned coldly. The Molan household might have fallen from grace but just because he had traded his daggers for kitchen knives, they were no less lethal in his hands. Was it confidence or foolishness that made you dare to test his patience?

The silence in the kitchens was deafening as your eyes met across the counter. 

“I haven’t,” You said finally, “not once.” Your smile was wry and lacked its usual cheer but the heaviness in your tone bore the weight of many secrets, of someone who knew far more than what they’re letting on. He’s faced with an uncanny sense of unbelonging and emptiness that seemed eerily familiar. 

But with a blink of an eye, the mask that had slipped had righted itself. “I have a change of mind,” You sat on the edge of the counter island, tension and somber mood shaken off, replaced with an all too sunny smile. “I’d like another form of payment for the information I’m selling.”

He felt anger lick up his throat as his fist clenched above the table. “That was not part of our deal.”

“An amendment to the agreement then, if you will-”

“I refuse.”

Your peals of laughter filled the room, “You didn’t even let me finish!”

“I refuse.” He repeated sternly. Knowing your personality, it would be an amendment that would greatly irritate or inconvenience him. 

“I’d like you to cook a dish for me.” You continued, ignoring his words. 

There was a sharp snap as the corner of the table cracked under his hand as incredulity stole over his face. 

To begin with, payment for your services had never been cheap, each bag of gold was worth more than several months’ worth of food. If all you wanted was a decent meal, then you’ve already been charging enough to dine at any of Roan kingdom’s finest restaurants.

“It’s not a dish that can be found on any menu in the kingdom.” You tutted as if you knew the thoughts that were going through his head. “It’s not something that can be bought with gold.” 

You’re pulling his leg. “And why do you think I’d care to create a dish no one’s heard of?” Beacrox asked through gritted teeth.

“I know you don’t.” You laughed, lips slanted with a smile. “It’s something I’ve tasted a long time ago but have no idea how it’s made. I’ll describe what I remember and if you believe it’s impossible to recreate or not worth the hassle,” you shrugged in an exaggerated display of nonchalance, “then I’ll take the usual payment like nothing’s changed. It’s a good deal for you right?”

Nothing about this deal made sense. You’re essentially offering your services for free while he’d benefit regardless of whether he succeeds in recreating the dish or not. His expression was stiff as he crossed his arms.

You set the package down on the table gently and slid a piece of folded paper next to it. “Take your time to think about it.” You offered as you pulled your hood up. You left the kitchens as quietly as you’d arrived, leaving him to brood in the silence left behind.

━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━━✶━━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━

“Here.” he sets the completed project on the table with the reluctance of a person who would rather be anywhere else but in the kitchens at that very moment. He folded his arms, pinning his hands to his chest, resisting the urge to snatch the plate and throw it in the trash, calling off the deal.

Beacrox had no expectations of being able to recreate a dish he had never heard of. Yet, from the moment he set the plate down, you stiffened in place, your pleasant smile melting away, replaced by shock.

“Well?”, You flinched as he prompted impatiently. You pulled the dish closer, your smile weak and crooked. 

“I was just a bit surprised that’s all..” your voice trailed off.

He filed your reactions away in the back of his mind.

Your grip was uncertain but eventually you picked a piece from the plate and placed it in your mouth.

You froze in place, and he immediately slid a cup of water and bowl over. 

But you surprised him when you kept it in and swallowed. “It…” He watched as your face straightened slowly, all visible emotions ironed away into one of careful neutrality. 

“..tastes nothing like it.” 

When vague subjective descriptions on a slim piece of paper were all that he had to work with, he’d expected this outcome. The bag of gold he had prepared in advance was tossed onto the table as he reached to retrieve the dish, only to be deterred when sharp pain sprang across the back of his hand. The surprise he felt from the fact he’d failed to catch your movements was swiftly replaced by irritation when he realised you’d slapped him. 

His eyes narrowed, “What are you-“

“I’m taking it.” you said and to his utter confusion, went on to shove another bite in your mouth.

“You just said-“

“I know what I said.” you huffed, “I never said the dish had to taste right did I? It’s a good first try-“ His eyebrows lifted as you suddenly lost the ability to maintain eye contact with him. “Anyways, I’ll be the judge of what’s accepted and I say this passes.”

You've always been an eccentric character, but just when he thought you couldn't faze him further, you managed to render him speechless yet again. Till now, he’s yet to figure out your intention behind your request, if taste was not a priority then what use was creating the dish you’re looking for? 

“Get out of my kitchen.”

“But I haven’t-“

“Out.”

━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━━✶━━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━

Of all the informants in the kingdom, none possessed skills that could surpass yours. It was why, despite the many headaches you induced, Beacrox had chosen to suffer your pestering for so long.

Not one of his sources has ever confirmed how you acquire your information or seen you in action. Yet the intelligence you provide, which has, at many times, sounded unbelievable, had been proven to be true time and time again. 

Perhaps the strangest thing of all was that, despite the ease with which you uncover others' secrets, the same couldn’t be said vice versa. Little to no information could be found regarding your background, whatever was found was obviously doctored, being far too mundane for someone of your skills. You were either incredibly thorough at covering your tracks or an experienced fraudster, and Beacrox was inclined on believing the latter.  

Your unpredictable behaviour made it hard to judge whether you’re an ally or foe, so it was only natural that he’d sought for leverage to hold against you in case there’ll be a day you’d decide to betray them and sell their secrets to their enemies. 

That was the only reason he would consider playing along with your games.

Though he knew not the significance of these dishes to you, he had hoped they would provide some insight on your background or places you’ve been to where other sources have failed to narrow down. 

But of course even the meals you’d request would be harder if not just as difficult to trace as well.

It was only a matter of time before you caught onto his intentions, after all, he’d never kept his investigations a secret. Yet instead of pulling back like he’d expected, you had become bolder in your requests, eyes sparkling with mischief as if you understood the frustration he was going through and still remain one infuriating step ahead of him at all times. 

He’d considered the possibility that you could be pulling his leg, but there was something about the nostalgia in your eyes as you taste each dish that made Beacrox believe in their authenticity. 

He glanced at a small box hidden by the side, within held a small but steadily growing pile of recipes of unknown origins. Not for the first time, Beacrox found himself questioning if all these peaceful days have turned him soft after all.

━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━━✶━━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━

A familiar, unwelcome figure was sitting in his fresh crate of produce.

A quick scan around the area confirmed that you were alone and he walked over to assess your state. A splatter trail led up to the crate you sat on and his brows furrowed in distaste. The darkness made it difficult to immediately see any obvious signs of injuries and when you made no reaction to his presence, he kicked the crate below you.

“Ow.” you stirred, complaining with a soft laugh. 

Conscious. 

“Why are you here?”

Your unannounced visit broke one of many unspoken rules governing their kind. As people maintaining a delicate facade, unexpected visits were not merely discouraged but deemed perilous. No one would fault him should he choose to silence you then and there - such was the severity of your faux pas - yet he stood, only mildly irritated, at the disruption you’ve brought to a peaceful night.

It took a moment longer than he liked before you gathered enough strength to speak. “Sorry,” you apologised and for once, actually sounding it. “I just need a little rest. I’ll be out of your hair soon.”

Your laboured breathing and unfocused gaze suggested otherwise and he folded his arms as the dreadful feeling of his plans for an early night slipped through his fingers like fine sand. 

“How bad is it?” 

Impatiently he waited for you to process his words, your sluggishness a strange contrast to your usually sharp wit and quick retorts. 

“It’s been treated.” 

The smell of blood was sharp and acrid, he would have to clean the stains soon if he wished to avoid its scent lingering in the area. “I will not ask again.” He warned.

You were exhausted, it could be seen from your posture and expression. Though he understood the instinct to hide one’s weakness, from the moment you chose to rest here it wasn’t a matter of ‘if’ the truth comes out but a matter of ‘when’ and Beacrox would preferred if it happened sooner rather than later.

Just as he was contemplating the benefits of leaving you to your fate, your lips loosened. “Stab wound on the left, missed vitals. I’ve been tended to but some of the stitches might have opened up.”

That would explain the bloody trail you left. He should count his blessings that it didn’t sound too bothersome, assuming you hadn't foolishly downplayed the severity of your injuries. Your arms came up defensively as he began moving towards you, eyes widening with surprise, “Wait-“

His arms slipped under and around and with barely a grunt of effort, he lifted you up. The sudden motion drew a muffled groan from you and he allowed you a brief moment to collect yourself before he began moving. From this position, he could acutely feel the heat radiating from your skin and the tremors that wracked your body. 

Your confusion and trepidation were clear and it was with some hesitation before you decided to open your mouth-

“Save your breath.” He advised and you obediently swallowed your words.

He moved you into the storage shed behind the kitchen. Though dark, he navigated through the small space easily, setting you on the surface of several boxes, he stepped back to note that you’ve lost consciousness. The walk hadn’t been far but you must have exhausted your reserves traveling here.

From the darkness he brought out a small knife and paused, looking at your face, sweat slicked yet slack from tension, having found an escape from the worries troubling you - however temporary. He recognised that this moment might be a rare opportunity to unveil the secrets you hide, yet as quick as the notion flitted through his mind, it was dismissed just as quickly. With methodical precision, he cut open the side of your shirt where red had stained through.

The wound was as you’d described, if not a bit irritated and swollen. Basic first aid had been applied, though the messy stitch work left much to be desired, it did its job in holding your injury closed. A few stitches had come loose and will need to be reworked but nothing that he’s not capable of handling even with his limited medical knowledge.

As his gaze roamed to your face checking, yes, you were still unconscious, he left and returned moments later with a candle, clean water, cloth and a clean shirt. 

A dusty shed and mere candlelight were far from an ideal setting to perform any kind of wound care, but he doubted you’d care at this point. Pristine, white gloves snapped on, he made short work of cleaning, restitching and bandaging your wound. 

He was about to tilt a bottle of potion into your lips when you mumbled. He paused, waiting to see if you were regaining consciousness. You mumbled again and he frowned. It took him few moments before he realised two things: you weren’t waking up anytime soon and the words you’re mumbling, weren’t in a language from Roan or even any of the neighbouring kingdoms. 

As a master assassin, he had learned many languages, so the fact that you spoke one that he couldn’t place piqued his interest. He watched your lips, intent on studying and memorising the unique intonations and pitch, however, it seems your instincts finally kicked in, and though still unconscious, you’d stopped mumbling. 

Even out cold, you’d find a way to be bothersome. There was nothing more he could do, he left the folded, clean shirt he brought along by your side and with one final glance at your still form, he closed the doors behind him and locked it.

━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━━✶━━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━

He returned the next morning to a broken lock and an empty shed. In place of where you’re supposed to be was instead a piece of paper and a bag of coins. 

“Thanks for last night. Sorry about your spuds, I’ve replaced them for you :)”

A glance to the side confirmed the presence of a fresh crate of potatoes and a slip of paper containing the description of a dish never heard of before in the kingdom.

And for the first time ever, a name to go alongside the unfamiliar dish.

━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━━✶━━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━

You never mentioned what happened that night and he didn’t pry. Still, something seemed to have shifted between the two of you.

He no longer chases you away the moment you appear, while you've learned to place yourself to avoiding getting in the way of his cooking. He pretends not to notice when you arrive with injuries and you feign surprise at finding mysterious salves appearing nearby. 

“Aw, did you miss my company?” you teased when you caught his gaze assessing you after dropping by from one of your longer absences.

Beacrox made no attempt to conceal the dry scowl on his face. “Like one misses a rat infestation.”

“Charming~” you beamed.

Some things, still don’t change no matter what. 

━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━━✶━━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━

In the end, it was the one question he couldn’t figure out. 

“Why me?”

The dishes you've shared are simple, you could've hired any other chef, given the same descriptions and they would’ve achieved similar results. But you chose to badger him, an unknown chef working for a humble count's family instead.

You paused in your devouring of yet another strange dish, blinking as if surprised that he would be the first to initiate conversation.

“Why Bea! You should have more confidence in yourself, you’re one of the best chefs in Roan!”

It was as obvious a deflection as he ever saw. His fingers tightened around his arms and he took a slow breath. So you’re going to be stubborn. Well, two can play that game. He tried another angle. 

The words tasted foreign on his tongue, but they were something that turned over and over in his mind since that night. He’d probably horribly butchered the pronunciation but it seemed the meaning was successfully relayed from the way your eyes widened and your pupils shook with recognition. 

The utensil held in your hand clattered to the table and Beacrox kept his eyes trained on you, taking in your paling face. When it didn't seem like you would offer an explanation, he continued.

“It’s what you kept repeating that night.“

A myriad of emotions crossed your face: shock, confusion, fear, and finally, resignation. 

In the silence, you slowly repeated those same words. Sharp, crisp and wholly foreign. 

"“Home,” your voice was soft, but it was the loudest thing in the kitchen. “‘I want to go home.’” you swallowed thickly, a wavering smile on your face. “that’s probably what I said.”

There was a lot to unpack from that revelation. 

He was suddenly reminded of how you’d react to the dishes each time, savouring each one, scouring the plates clean despite the differences in tastes. You ate not to fulfil the hunger of the body but to satisfy a craving of the mind. After receiving the recipe with a foreign name, it had confirmed one suspicion of his, that wherever these dishes came from, whether it was a place or a person that you're reminiscing about, they're likely no longer accessible.

You're reliving memories through dishes you barely remember. Chasing ghosts in your memories in search of some semblance of normalcy. 

Trust was a limited and rare currency in the underworld, hoarded jealously and coveted by many. You’d handed him the leash he’d sought since he agreed to your little game yet he felt gutted by the weight of the revelation, his shoulders burdened.

“Why me?” He repeated softly.

You watched him. “I don’t know.” Your voice sounded small and so tired. “I thought maybe, if it’s anyone, you’d probably understand.”

What does the concept of home and person mean when they no longer exist? Who are they but displaced people playing roles too big or small to hold their histories? Bearing memories of a place and person, but unable to find an equivalent?

It was a mistake. He shouldn’t have asked.

“But I wasn’t lying you know?” you added suddenly and he looked up in confusion, the smile you wore was weaker than usual but it was genuine. 

“You are one of the best chefs in all of Roan.” You declared in that same, familiar confidence which you use to share all those impossible, far-fetched sounding intel that always, turns out to be fact. 

For some inexplicable reason, it was that simple statement that dispersed the tempest building within.

Beacrox sighed, ran his hand through his hair, and exhaled through his nose.

And perhaps, there was a small, exasperated chuckle.

━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━━✶━━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━

“Bea please marry me.”

It wasn't often, but on rare occasions, he would nail the taste of a dish right.

He didn’t bother with a response but moved to refill your plate nonetheless.

━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━━✶━━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━

“Thank you.”

He paused while wiping the dishes. “For what?”

“Just,” Your gaze dropped to the plate before you as your fork tapped lightly against the edge. “Thank you for the food.”

Beacrox watched as you returned to eating, mind filled with memories of all the dishes he's made, of greatswords and bladed edges, and thought of what home and belonging is. 

We’re not so different. The idea of it wasn't as horrifying as he had thought. Once, perhaps he would’ve been unnerved by the sentimentality. There are still so many things that remain a secret when it comes to you, and yet, as you close your eyes to savor each bite, he feels as if he knows you better than most.

You ate in comfortable silence. He rolled his shoulders and allowed the tension in them to drop off. 

This might not be ‘home’ but for now, this moment was as good a resting place as any for people like them.

“You’re welcome.” he said softly. 

━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━━✶━━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━ 

BONUS:

Once again, it begins with a ridiculous request from you.

“Bea please, you have to prepare this for Choi Han. I’ll even sell you my kidneys, I really need to know his reaction.” 

What value would owning your kidneys have? That you’d blatantly suggest such things to an assassin like himself was laughable, stranger still was his playing the fool and following along anyways.

He didn't question how you knew about their mansion's new guest, though your sudden interest in the visitor when you’ve shown no such interest in past guests was worthy of note. Even he had unconsciously tensed when the young master had introduced him. Something about the newcomer didn’t seem right. They were strong, but their potential was untapped and raw, like an uncontrollable beast on the verge of lashing out at any moment.

The glimmer of something in your eyes further confirmed his suspicions. You knew something about this stranger though you refused to reveal more, only promising that he’s not a threat to him or Ron. 

He frowned at the pot of red he’s stirring, the pungent smell wafting through the room. Footsteps from the doorway had him looking up, but the person that crossed the threshold was not the person he’d expected. 

The young master stepped in with a cautious look in his eyes. 

“I thought I smelled..” brown eyes narrowed at the pot he held. “What’s that?”

Beacrox glanced down at the strange dish he was asked to prepare, wondering why of all people that could’ve come, it would be Cale Henituse. 

“A dish a friend taught me to make.” Then for some reason unbeknownst to him, he offered. “Would the young master like to try?”

Cale hesitated, but eventually slid himself onto a seat, choosing the one farthest away from him. At least the young master seemed sober. Beacrox felt no fondness for the young master he served, even if it was true that he had begun to change recently, raising even the interest of Ron. 

Spooning a small portion, he set the dish and utensils down before Cale, ignoring the young man’s flinch as he gauged Cale’s strange expressions. 

The young master stared at the dish as if it would leap up and attack him, his strange wariness reminded Beacrox of your reaction when he first presented that first unfamiliar dish to you. 

“.. there’s no way..” Cale muttered to himself as he poked and prodded until finally, he tried a bite. 

“What.. the hell?”

Beacrox had never seen the young master's eyes bug out like that, and he decided it was quite an entertaining sight, even if the dish’s original target wasn’t meant for the redhead. Still he stifled an irritated sigh as a thought crossed his mind when the young master exclaimed.

“How the hell did you learn to make kimchi?!”

“What the hell did you make me do this time _______?”

Notes: I've had lots of thoughts while writing this imagine turned fic. Nin-deer gave me a simple prompt of "cooking" and I went and turned it into lore- OTL even I don't understand the intricate workings of my brain. I've had to cut out some chapters details as it was growing out of hand so I hope everything's links together properly. I've reached that stage where I've reread a piece of writing so many times, nothing makes sense anymore. I've deliberately left the dishes 'cooked' vague so you're free to imagine whatever cuisine you'd like that Beacrox helped butcher 👍🏼

#TCF #TRASH OF THE COUNT'S FAMILY #IMAGINES #TCF X READER #Beacrox Molan #platonic #pre relationship #multiple identities #after a long hiatus #smacksdown with 4000 worded thesis #believe me when I said this monster got out of control #it was actually longer #i had to cut many parts out to prevent it from turning into a multichaptered fic #this au got out of hand #the lore I had planned... #i would love to see if I'll return to this AU #perhaps post the rest of the 'deleted' moments #would love to hear about everyone's theories on this ficlet