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Tale of TAL: Ch 13

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((Because why the fuck not. It's been established I don't own TAL, Kang Im does. WONT STOP ME AND MY SIS FROM KICKING SHIT UP. Warning: we DO spoil shit. Mostly what hasn't been translated yet from the Korean chapters, so there ARE spoilers if you haven't seen the non-translated pages.))

"OH MY GOD OH MY GOD-"

"NUNIM HAVE YOUR GLEE-INDUCED CONNIPTION FIT LATER, AND FUCKING AIM!"

Min Jun was too joyful to even shout back, doing a spin before shooting off an Execution shot into the air. Noah just barely took cover in time to avoid getting a bolt in his head, Rampage Mode allowing him to teleport with ease. He caught Min Jun as she descended from her perch, Ei Mae meeting up with them once he'd finished beating the hell out of the other half of the group.

"You seem to be in a good mood." The TAL noted as Noah brushed out his hair from being in Rampage Mode so long. "...I can see why you wouldn't want to remain in that form, though."

Noah had a tickmark on his head. "Excuse you."

"EI MAE!" Min Jun had sparkles around her, the TAL gaining a large sweat-drop on his head. "Take me along with you for anymore groups today!"

He had an unreadable expression. "...Don't you two have work?"

"We've got noon and dinner shift." Noah answered as Min Jun happily moved about, little music notes flying around her.

Ei Mae stared at the scene. "...Is something going on now?"

"Laon, Laon, La~on!" Min Jun singsonged in joy.

The TAL gave the impression he was staring flatly. "...What."

"Uh, I had a vision again. We're getting more allies soon." Noah answered, rubbing the back of his head. "Anyway. I've got to go check on the idiots at Baby King's. Min Jun's not heavy so you should be fine carrying her."

That got his sister's attention, Noah quickly fleeing from her fiery aura. "I CAN STILL WALK, DIPSHIT!!" She roared.

" ...So I'm not carrying you?" Ei Mae prompted in confusion.

She sighed, looking weary. "No, you don't have to carry me. He keeps insisting everyone carry me around just because my legs aren't as good as anyone else's."

"...Does it annoy you that he failed to heal you?"

Min Jun blinked, looking at the TAL in disguise. "Huh? Why would that annoy me? His healing involves him taking on the injuries he's healing. I wouldn't condemn anyone to what I went through, not even my worst enemy."

"He managed to heal Gamun Be's injury, even though he was a walking Corpse Doll. Shouldn't he try harder now for your sake if he's gotten stronger?" Ei Mae replied, arms folded in the pose that made Min Jun realize it wasn't exactly 'Ei Mae' talking to her.

Therefore, she paused for a moment before answering. "He knows I'd kick his ass so hard Jack himself would take pity if he tried to heal me again. I've told him repeatedly I don't need him healing my legs again."

"You are a very odd person. You have the means necessary but don't use them." Ei Mae tilted his head.

She sighed. "Others need Noah's powers more than I would. Gamun Be, for example." Plus Leon, and whomever else they'd end up saving. Besides, it wasn't as though her legs stopped her from being a badass like Noah constantly declared her to be.

"And the others you're dragging in, as well?" He questioned, referring to the people they'd rescued thus far.

Min Jun squared her shoulders and looked at him. "Some of them needed Noah's powers. Others, I'm fighting to defend myself."

"Including these 'Laons'?"

She paused. "...Right, you didn't know. You've already met them."

"...I have?" A very confused chibi Ei Mae tilted his head.

Min Jun's chibi clarified for him. "Hiljo, Haje, and Jenna." She watched as a thunderbolt filled the space behind him, his mask taking on an angry expression.

"...The ones...I sent...to Yangban?"

Yeah. He hated the bastard like the others did. "...Yep. Noah had a vision of them coming to visit. Alongside Yangban-nim and...what was his name..." She watched as his angered chibi took on a dark aura, twitching as he muttered 'Not at Yu Jin-Nim's home...Not that guy...' Min Jun sighed. "No sense getting angry. Oppa's premonitions are rarely wrong."

"...Could this day get any more tiring?" Ei Mae slumped tiredly, just as Min Jun was bombarded with the sensation of Noah screaming in terror.

She flinched, getting his attention. "...One sec." Min Jun then tuned into her 'brother' as Ei Mae watched her. 'NOAH WHAT DID YOU JUST DO NOW.'

'ANGRY BABIES WITH CORPSE DOLLS GO GET GAMUN BE SENDING USA TO YOU-'
The Yongma suddenly popped up, trilling loudly in alarm.

"...I have to start keeping my mouth shut around you two." Ei Mae decided.

'GODDAMMIT NOAH.' She pinched her brow. "...I'll be right back. Usa, take me to Mommy's new boy-toy, okay?" The Yongma chirped affirmative, teleporting her for a few minutes into Yu Jin's yard. Gamun Be was reading a magazine quietly as Baek Jeong gave him a death glare over the table, Sae Ha and Ha Na Rin watching to keep the peace. The glaive-wielder had done well with the chores and was a quiet addition, so he was in their mind welcome.

Min Jun landed with a 'fwoosh' sound, Usagi buffering her landing as usual. "Ooooiiii! Gamun Be-niiiim!" She watched him puff up like a startled cat, responding with a stutter of 'Y-Yes Nunim?' It was kind of adorable. "Oppa contacted me, apparently the little ones didn't realize you were still alive and now they're chasing him."

"...THEY WHAT?!" He bolted up and flung the magazine away, accidentally hitting Baek Jeong in the face with it as he made his way out to Min Jun in a rush. He grabbed onto her shoulders with a serious expression. "Take me to them, please Nunim!"

Wow, he had it bad for Noah. "O-okay, okay, pleaaaase calm down. Usa, take us to Mommy!" By the time they reached the park, some of it had again been destroyed, a male Corpse Doll pinning Noah's throat by its boot as the female doll held down the Yongma owner's legs.

"Owwww...Bout time, dammit." He groaned, Ga Ram and Ga Be standing over him with hollow eyes.

As Usagi panicked, Min Jun rolled her eyes. "Oh zippit, Usa can only teleport so fast."

"Girls!" Gamun Be shouted. They flinched in alarm, before realizing it really was Gamun Be, and they left Noah to tackle their caretaker and cling to his legs crying loudly.

Noah groaned, the Corpse Dolls inert. "Fantastic. Now can I get up please?" Usagi's bunny form bit on the female Doll's back bow, tugging at the ribbon in an effort to pull Noah free. Min Jun rolled her eyes, and pulled her 'brother' free, looking him over. Bruised and battered, but fine.

"You scared me, idiot." She hugged him.

He hugged back and nuzzled her. "I was too. Didn't expect to get beat up by kids." He jumped at a hand on his leg, looking down and seeing the red eyed girl by his side.

"...I'm sorry." The male Corpse Doll spoke from behind Min Jun. "...Gamun Be...is very important to us."

Noah sighed, then crouched by her, ruffling her hair. "He is to me too. That's why I rescued him...You didn't want to do that to him, did you?" She teared up, and began to sniffle. "Oh no no no, don't cry." He panicked, looking at Min Jun as the puppeteer threw her arms around Noah's neck and sobbed, her twin hugging a relieved Gamun Be.

The Corpse Dolls returned with them to Yu Jin's house, the young King dropping the water bowl meant for Bellflower as he stared at the group. "...They're so small." He uttered, gazing at the girls who shyly hid behind Gamun Be and Noah. "...I have an idea."

The idea was to put both Ga Ram and Ga Be on Bellflower, Usagi in the red eye's lap and Ju Ze in the yellow eye's lap. The girls curiously held the small creatures as Yu Jin gushed about how adorable the scene was, Gamun Be smiling in amusement as Min Jun cooed over the picture as well. 'If Boss was in here too it'd be perfect.'

Yu Jin gave the Corpse Dolls a worried look. "...Are...they-"

"Dead. Corpse Dolls. Puppeteers make them to fight or scout." Gamun Be informed him in a gentle tone. "Ga Ram and Ga Be use them to stay safe. They were good fighters while alive."

Sae Ha was staring at the Dolls, horrified but clearly intrigued. Baek Jeong and both female TALs were just horrified.

"RamRam, BeBe?" The twins were surprised by the nicknames, looking at Noah as he smiled at them. "This Baby King is so much nicer than Bi Gak, right?" They hesitated before nodding. "He's how Gamun Be is staying safe. So, do you think you two could use your abilities to help keep Baby King safe so everyone here can be too?"

The girls shared a wide eyed look.

"Baby King likes Gamun Be very much." Noah glanced over his shoulder to Yu Jin, who smiled and nodded. "So, won't you keep everyone in this house safe?"

They looked down at the creatures in their laps, Ju Ze yipping and Usagi chirping.

"...We will...For Gamun Be...And for Rabbit-Mom."

Noah's jaw dropped as Min Jun burst into laughter, Gamun Be flushing red. "R-Rabbit-Mom?!" Noah twitched, then fell over as the twins tackled him giggling. "NUNIIIIM!"

[This is so touching.]

'GOD DAMN YOU!'

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

"...Why do they keep multiplying..." Mu Young's eyebrow twitched as he, Maru, and Ignatio took in the sight of Noah and Gamun Be holding the twins, who had wide eyes as Cho-Yi fawned over his 'grandkids'.

Ara and Ha Na Rin, as self-proclaimed godmothers, had seen to getting the girls better dresses to blend in, Gamun Be now dressed in black slacks and a red sweater. "I'm so glad they're okay~!" Ignatio exclaimed as he hugged the twins with hearts around him. The Corpse Dolls were currently in Sae Ha's room, to be examined, though he promised he wouldn't be too invasive.

"...Thank you, Second King." Gamun Be remarked. "I realize this was a last minute thing-"

Yu Jin paused in taking pictures of the twins, blinking widely. "It's fine...I mean...It feels like it should be this way, if that doesn't sound too weird." He smiled. "They make me think of when Lee Nae Mee and I were kids, actually. With the house so big now, it just feels right to have people filling it up, y'know?"

Gamun Be stared at Yu Jin in awe, which got begrudging approval from Mu Young. "Doesn't Jin speak so nicely?" Ignatio cheered, scooping up the redhead in a hug. "He's such a great kid!"

"H-Hey! C'mon!" Yu Jin wiggled in Ignatio's arms, clearly bemused.

Baek Jeong snorted from his perch on the walkway beside Sae Ha, both TALs amused.

"...Rabbit-Mom?"

Noah was startled as a tiny hand touched his cheek, upon which he realized he was crying. Min Jun was as well, Cho-Yi hugging her in alarm. "H...Haha...Sorry. Oh god, uhm...I don't know why I just..." Noah's voice quickly cracked with heavy emotions he couldn't even hope to control. Gamun Be pulled him close, and Noah smelled the scent of soap and that odd mothball smell that new clothing had, with what he was sure was a hallucination of cinnamon bark.

Min Jun just smelled food all over Cho-Yi, plus daisies and salt as she sobbed into his sleeve. 'I don't want to leave...I don't want to leave this. To leave them...I can't do that...I just can't...' Her sobbing turned into a pained wail, Cho-Yi and Ignatio group hugging her in an effort to calm her.

[...You two have such soft hearts...Can you really continue at this point?]


They couldn't stop their tears even to reply to him.

[...You were the ones who swore you'd see this through...Did you think there'd be no effect on you?]


Mu Young and Maru were panicking as Min Jun sagged in Ignatio and Cho-Yi's grip, bawling heavily. Yu Jin tried to pat Noah's face with a handkerchief, the twins cuddling him as Usagi and Ju Ze watched with concern. The people TALs were just stupefied by this reaction, Sae Ha blinking like an owl as Ei Mae's arms hung at his sides.

Then (to Baek Jeong's horror) Yu Jin started to cry as well, not even sure why, but seeing his Nuna and Oppa, the so strong Nuna and the so kind Oppa who had seen off a dying man in peace and had rescued his Hyung and Hyung's twin and so many people...Watching them break down like this sent him into immediate distress. "D-Don't -hic- Don't cry...It'll be okay, Noah-Hyung, Min Jun-Nuna..." He hiccuped, grabbing Noah's hand.

Noah finally reigned himself in - by pulling his hand free and using both to sharply smack his own cheeks. "...It will be okay...It's hard...This is so hard but it has to be done..." His teeth were clenched tight. "It's painful, but I don't want to pretend there's no pain..."

Min Jun's bawling started to slow into panting and quiet sobs.

"If I don't know what pain is, I can't understand other people." Noah said, hands clenching tightly. "If I can't understand others, I can't fight for them. And if I can't fight for someone, then what purpose do I have..."

His 'sister' finally started to tire her tears.

"I want to be someone who understands everyone's pain, to heal it. If I turned away now just because it hurts, then what have I been fighting for this whole time?!" Noah trembled. "If I turned away now, then how can I ever say I cared about everyone's happiness? Even though it hurts like this, I WILL see this through!"

Yu Jin was staring, teary eyed and awestruck as Noah smiled, brokenly and pained but strong beneath.

"Yu Jin...You understand that, right?"

The redhead jolted, his mouth warping as he attempted to speak.

"...That's why I think you'll be a great king." Noah's smile was so pained, so runny and messy and genuine like the deep steeling breaths Min Jun was taking as her legs trembled in pain and shook as she tried to stand up. "Even though it's scary, you'd understand everyone. You already care about all these people and us. A kind King who can understand his people..."

Yu Jin was now the one with a clenched jaw. "..." Ei Mae jolted as though struck. "...I do...I...I'm scared. And I'm still unsure, but...If Hyung and Nuna believe that, then I want to as well."

"...And you've got us with you, y'know."

Baek Jeong's face was red as he avoided everyone's stares. "I mean, it's not like you two HAVE to do everything yourselves! You just don't bother asking, do you?!"

"I want to help Unni!" Ara declared, throwing herself on Min Jun to hug her tightly. "Unni doesn't need to cry! I'll help her with whatever needs to be done!" Ha Na Rin had a few agitation waves coming off her until Ara glared at her, to which the TAL muttered 'Yeah, yeah, I'll help since my Ara wants to'.

Sae Ha inhaled from his pipe. "...It feels odd. That we'd be decidin' this kinda stuff even though it's gotta do with Young Prince and not Lord Jack-O-Lantern."

Noah smiled, as Min Jun hugged Ara tightly, Cho-Yi looking more at ease. 'As long as there's so many people to help, I feel like it'll get better...' He pulled Yu Jin into his arms, and nuzzled the redhead. "...Please keep that understanding kind heart of yours, Yu Jin. It's so strong...Stronger than you even know. You're so strong, Baby King, and we are so, so proud of you."

Another hiccup as Yu Jin scrubbed at his face.

And then to really complete the touching moment...

There was a sudden explosion from nearby.

"ONE MOMENT, YOU INGLORIOUS SACK OF CRAP GOD OF THIS WORLD, IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR?!" Noah screeched, Yu Jin thrown into Baek Jeong's arms as Min Jun started cackling. In front of them all, Noah assumed Rampage Mode, Usagi 'dissolving' over him and reshaping around him as armor and fur. "Well, enough of wallowing in emotion anyway. We're here to kick butt and save people!"

Gamun Be couldn't help smiling. There was the Noah he knew, strong and feisty and energetic.

"Well, don't go running off without me, you idiot." Min Jun said, voice still a bit groggy as she summoned her crossbow and slung it about in her hands like one would with a gun. "God knows you're helpless in a fight."

He turned and gave her a wry feral grin.

"Mister 'Got-His-Ass-Kicked-By-Kids'."

"EXCUSE YOU."

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Cho-Yi was pleasantly surprised when Ignatio and Ara (plus Ha Na Rin) followed him back to the restaurant offering their help. The old man was less so until he was informed they were Cho-Yi's friends. Emphasis on the term. "Well, that little blob isn't a rabbit but it'll do. Can it sit still outside and bring in the crowd?"

Shade was the least pleased of everyone.

Maru and Mu Young took the rare opportunity to go on a date. As Sae Ha busied himself with the Corpse Dolls, Gamun Be and Yu Jin were happy to entertain Ga Ram and Ga Be, whom were determined to make enough rabbit zombie dolls to cover a content Bellflower. Baek Jeong lounged nearby, Ei Mae sitting on the roof consumed with his own thoughts.

'...Those two...they care so much about people who should be total strangers...Even Yu Jin-Nim...And giving so much, tiring themselves out...I just don't see why...' He bit his lip. 'Not that I'm ungrateful...They've kept everyone safe...Not to mention the personal costs they both suffered for it all...But still, they-' He paused, feeling a group coming from the opposite direction he knew they had gone. 'Those two have done quite a lot...I suppose I should pull my weight at least.'

He left without a second's pause; Baek Jeong could be trusted to protect Yu Jin.

"C'mon, Eun-Yul. Don't you think the girls are cute?" The aforementioned redhead was holding up the red eyed girl, sporting a yellow sweater with a red flower on the front and a red skirt, her twin a mirror image with swapped colors.

He gave them a bored glance. "I guess? I don't know, I don't like kids. I didn't even like being a kid myself!"

"Wasn't that because the girls you'd hit on wouldn't take you seriously?" Gamun Be asked, Baek Jeong spitting in mortification and hissing at him. Yu Jin's tiny smirk behind his hand, however, made the Butcher turn beet red.

As Yu Jin started laughing, Gamun Be chipping in about what a cute kid Baek Jeong was, the girls continued to make their dolls. They both set aside two dolls in particular. A brown rabbit with pink 'zombie scars', and a yellow one with red 'scars'. Another rabbit was red and had yellow eyes, and a grey one had black ears. For once, the twins decided to make a rainbow array of rabbits.

Things certainly looked more colorful for the time being.

When Noah and Min Jun returned to the restaurant, they were surprised to see Ara and Ignatio dressed in uniform and happily helping out with the rush. Cho-Yi was at the bar, grinning as he spotted his charges and waved them over. "Ready for your shift?"

"Might as well be. Full house tonight." Noah whistled as he looked around.

Ha Na Rin was watching from behind the bar, hearts around her at the sight of Ara in a waitress outfit. Min Jun rolled her eyes, going to clock in as she and Noah had already changed. 'The more things change, the more they stay the same, huh?'

Noah's chuckle was audible across their link.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

It was a few days later that the next major event happened.

Noah's day off was predictably spent at Yu Jin's home, with Gamun Be and the girls. As he waited on Min Jun to finish her shift for lunch (Given that Ara both brought in and controlled crowds fairly easily) the girls were busy running around the yard after Ju Ze and Usagi.

"Careful you two." Gamun Be called, Noah's head on his lap as the younger Chachaoong dozed lightly. The Corpse Dolls were currently in the room the three shared when Noah was at his own home, Sae Ha leisurely testing and noting the herbs he'd recently gotten through Mu Young. Baek Jeong was currently out, doing who knew what, until Yu Jin would get home.

Min Jun bade farewell to her Boss and the others before heading out with Usagi, who stayed with her often when she was separated from Noah. She got a block away before being scooped up by Ei Mae, who was seemingly panicking.

"...So...I might've lost them." He finally explained, slumped with a cloud of grim lines over him.

She blinked. "...Lost them...?"

"They were there with one of the groups I fought off...But then when I told them to follow me here, I turned around and suddenly they were gone."

Min Jun then bristled. "HOW DID- FUCK! USAGI!" The Yongma popped up with a coo. "Usa, baby, I need you to find that really sweet girl you played with before. Long hair like this?" She held Ei Mae's black locks in imitation of Jenna's, the TAL unamused by being the example.

The Yongma trilled, disappearing for a moment, then popped back up in its largest form, underneath both Min Jun and Ei Mae. Usagi then chirped and took off in a jump from the building's rooftop, heading across the other buildings in a seemingly random pace. "Are we sure it can track them?" Ei Mae asked once he'd pulled himself and Min Jun to sit more comfortably on the Yongma's back.

"He can if he puts his mind to it...Is what I'd like to say. But really this is Noah's bunny." She groaned, a sweat-drop on her head.

Which was why she was pleasantly surprised that Usagi DID find Jenna and Haje, the two strolling through a park cheerfully lost and enjoying themselves. "...Huh. So the hornball can be useful." Min Jun stayed on Usagi as Ei Mae slid off, attracting the two's attention.

"UNNI~!" Jenna ran over, throwing herself first on Usagi's head in a hug, then climbing up to Min Jun to hug her. Haje bowed respectfully to Ei Mae, who only sighed tiredly. "Unni it's been so long! It's so great to see you!"

Min Jun cuddled Jenna tightly, hauling Haje up into the embrace the moment he got too close. "You two got bigger~!" 'MY BABIES HAVE RETURNED TO ME!'

'I WAS TRYING TO SLEEP NUNIM!'


Noah's aggravated snarl reminded her that to make up for the disturbance, Noah had put in Cho-Yi's opening-to-closing shifts to tide the old man into a better mood. 'BUT MY LAONS HAVE COME HOME!'

'...OH SHIT!'
Back at Yu Jin's house, Noah had popped up with a yelp, startling Gamun Be and Yu Jin, who'd just gotten home with Baek Jeong trailing after him. "Oh god. Headache. Bad move." The Yongma user cringed, letting Gamun Be hold him and cradle his head as the twins ran over and took up their seat in his lap. 'Does it hurt, Rabbit-Momma?' 'Are you hurting, Rabbit-Mom?' "I'm...good. Ow. Sat up too fast."

Yu Jin hurried over. "Do you need any aspirin Noah-Hyung?"

"No...But...There's about to be a mass of headaches...Huuuuu." Noah replied, watching as Ei Mae hopped over the wall.

The TAL pointed to the door opening, and as Jenna peered around it and promptly tackled Yu Jin joyfully, Noah saw Baek Jeong bristle a bit. 'Oooh, this gonna be good.' Then Haje appeared, Min Jun and Usagi coming in last. "Good baby, come to Mommy." His Yongma obeyed and let Min Jun down, which gave her the chance to cling to Haje. 'Goddamn he got tall.'

'I know right~?'
Min Jun seemed to be on cloud nine, hugging a willing Haje as he scribbled a sentence in her palm. 'HE SAID HE'S HAPPY TO SEE ME AGAIN I CANNOT.'

Noah snorted, then muffled his next snort as a fire erupted around Baek Jeong, who had pulled Yu Jin from Jenna's grasp and held him possessively once she told them why they'd come. "Perhaps it didn't occur he might already be taken?" The TAL growled, looking every bit as fierce as Ara had in this scene.

Jenna teared up, which instantly made Yu Jin swat Baek Jeong in warning.

'You SURE you don't want to give her to Ara?'
Noah prompted as the Butcher clung to Yu Jin like an angry cat. "Ah! Oh my!" Ara and the others had finally gotten back home, the Beu Ne TAL smiling as she saw Jenna and Haje. "Are these new friends?! We should have a feast to celebrate!"

Mu Young squinted at Haje, his arm around Maru tightening as Ignatio flailed about new friends. "...Haven't I seen that guy before?" The mute began to sweat as Mu Young's stare got intense...Only to be disappointed as the dark gunman shrugged it off.

Ei Mae groaned suddenly, his chibi perched on the wall with a gloomy cloud, and that was when Sae Ha kicked the door to his room open, startling everyone. As Ara questioned Sae Ha's suddenly entrance, Noah looked over to Min Jun who had by now scooted Haje and Jenna away from the front door.

"...It seems that this shabby place is the place I've been looking for."

As Yangban stepped into view, Noah felt his hide-and-seek suddenly strain. Hiljo and Mir appeared behind the aristocrat, the blind elder frowning. Noah tried not to show it as he hunched a bit in pain. 'Too...many...people...'

'Hang in there just a bit, alright?'
Min Jun prompted. Sae Ha was immediately scowling and ready to snarl, when Yangban's eyes focused...on Noah. "You. Lowly scum. Lift your disgusting aura off of me. As if I need a defense from such a weakling." There was a cracking noise a split second later, Min Jun's fist embedded in the wall only a centimeter from Yangban's head.

"...If you ever speak to my brother again like that, your shitty ponytail's going to go missing." She uttered in a deadpan, giving him an ominous look.

Yu Jin began to panic, which only increased as Noah made a pained noise, clutching his head. "Oi...Ha Na Rin-Nim...You might needa take over..." The TAL's aura immediately filled in as Noah's Hide-And-Seek receded, the Yongma user slumping in Gamun Be's grip. Ga Ram and Ga Be both clutched his hands, earning a soft smile. "Hey, shh. I'm okay...Just too many to hide all at once."

"Ah!" Jenna fretted, looking at Min Jun who was attempting to subtly nudge Hiljo away from Yangban while glaring at the TAL. "Unni, did we do that?! We're sorry! Is Oppa going to be okay?"

Noah stood up slowly as Yangban tapped his fan to his mouth delicately. "Silly girl. You need not to worry." His eyes then switched over to Ara, lighting a bit. As he went to speak with her, Noah moved over to Hiljo and the rest, the blind Chachaoong pinching Jenna's cheeks with a glare as he scolded her.

"Good to see you guys." He said as Min Jun hugged Haje tightly. Hiljo turned a bit and raised an eyebrow. "Have you been well?"

Hiljo let go of Jenna, seeming to be satisfied that she understood not to do this again. "We've been fine...That guy let us stay and took care of us." His faux silver eyes glanced down at where he assumed Noah's face was. "And I can tell Min Jun's been fine here. So I'm grateful for that." Watching her go red with delight was easily Noah's favorite moment of this train-wreck.

"Glad to hear..."

Hiljo's eyebrow raised. "You're withholding something."

"...If I could give you it back, would you want it?" Noah's prompt made the other eyebrow raise, then both furrowed as Hiljo 'stared' at Noah. Min Jun frowned deeply at Noah and was about to poke him over their link, when Yangban spoke up.

The aristocrat was addressing Yu Jin. "I suppose this hovel's got enough space. But I can't possibly leave Miss Ara with the likes of you."

"Why not? She's happier and safer than if she were in your scummy hands." Noah sniped, the color draining from everyone's faces as he then sidestepped a swipe from Yangban, who placed his fan under Noah's jaw in warning, his flute held in his other hand.

The aristocrat TAL had a dead-eyed stare. "Hold your tongue."

"Bite yours." Noah smirked, Usagi pulling him instantly out of harm's reach.

Min Jun jumped as he resurfaced in his fighting stance, a dark look in his eyes. "OPPA!" Instead of replying to her mental shouts, Noah cracked his knuckles, Usagi trilling as it moved away from him and shifted into semi human form.

"Such a loud barking dog. You require a lesson in proper manners." Yangban had an ominous look as he snapped his fan shut.

Yu Jin stepped between them, to the shock of everyone present. "I don't want anyone to fight! Noah-Hyung, please!" Noah tilted his head, then looked at Yangban.

"This boy is the second king...He's giving us a command."

As Yu Jin blinked in a flustered manner, the aristocrat TAL only narrowed his eyes. "I do not recognize authority from a lower being." The Yongma user took a deep breath and exhaled it in a slow sigh.

"...Sorry, Baby King...I'd have loved to avoid it too...But." The next moment that Noah opened his eyes, there was a distinctly flat look to them. "I'll be making this Vocaloid ripoff jackass bow to you in respect." Usagi growled, and Yangban took in the transformation with a hint of disgust.

"So that's why. Being a half beast explain your lowly attitude towards clear superiority." He raised his flute, Mir backing the group away as they realized there was no stopping the two. "But beasts can be tamed. I might even enjoy breaking you."

Noah grinned, his teeth white and dangerous. "The only thing breaking is those stupid sticks in your hair."

Yangban blew sharply on his flute, Noah dodging the frequency wave and reappearing behind the TAL. Another sharp note and Noah was forced to dodge again, doing his best to keep Yangban's aim away from anybody in the vicinity. Noah then decided to retaliate, inhaling deeply until he had the chance to begin a long opera-like warble, which rocked the ground causing Yangban to falter.

It was then Noah's nature got the better of him. "C'mon, ass-ristocrat! You gotta B sharper than that!" Cho-Yi and Sae Ha smothered startled snorts as Yangban's eyebrow twitched violently. 

'ARE YOU SERIOUSLY MAKING PUNS WHILE FIGHTING A TAL?!'


"Kinda busy Nunim." He replied as he jumped, one of Yangban's summons diving at him. "Sounds like I struck a chord, huh? Gotta say though, your tricks are pretty flat, ass-ristocrat."

He could see Yangban's patience running thinner and thinner thanks to the bad puns. 'Besides, Mr. Perfection can't hold out like this. All I need is for one mistake.' Noah ducked and rolled away from a series of blasts from the TAL, grinning as he dove and weaved through the attacks towards Yangban. Another summon, for a shield, and Noah dodged just barely in time to see Yangban's eyes wide with rage.

Noah smirked then narrowed his own gaze and rolled away when Yangban swiped at him with his flute - and flinched back as it sliced his stomach lightly, drawing blood and cutting open the body suit's edges. Red drops hit the ground as Noah tumbled backwards willingly, skidding to a halt. Yangban straightened up, gaze returning to a cool state - before his eyes went wide at his hair falling from its ponytail, Noah grinning as he held out the ornament sticks between his fingers.

"Enough, Master."

Mir snatched the chopsticks from a surprised Noah's hand, strolling over and handing them back. "We didn't come here for a fight, now did we? We were getting these guys back."

"NOAH-HYUNG!" Yu Jin ran to the Yongma user as the Rampage Mode fell apart and he hit the ground, Noah shuddering as Usagi warbled and nuzzled him. The redhead knelt by him and held onto Noah's shoulders as Yangban calmly fixed his hair with Mir's help. Gamun Be helped Yu Jin to steady Noah, and the trio watched as Yangban walked over to them, an impassively cold look on the TAL's face that put everyone on edge as he glowered at Noah.

Noah stared back defiantly, seeing the dead look had been lifted. There was agitation, rage, and absolute disgust in those eyes... "Bout damn time you stopped looking like a creepy doll. This looks like you're a person." Yangban blinked, looking startled. "It suits you better. I better get a rematch someday on a good battleground." Noah grinned.

"...." Yangban just stood there, wide-eyed, blinking, just...in shock.

Then Min Jun decided that it was calm enough to punch Noah in the face. "YOU FUCKING IDIOT WHAT THE HELL WENT THROUGH YOUR HEAD TO FIGHT A TAL ARE YOU INSANE?!"

"Men talk with their fists Nunim! It's how guys do things!" She throttled him by the neck, Gamun Be attempting to separate them with Yu Jin's help, Jenna joining in to cling to her Unni. Mir saw that Yangban had spaced out, or at least seemed that way, and tapped him on the shoulder.

Yangban jolted, then lowered his head and rubbed his temple. "...I see..."

"...Uhm...Yangban-Nim?" The TAL blinked and looked up to see Yu Jin. "...Uhm, well...are you hurt? Noah-Hyung fights kind of...I mean, I don't think he was actually trying to hurt you-"

Yangban straightened up. "I had a feeling I wasn't being presented with his full power."

"N-Noah-Hyung is a healer! He...He doesn't actually..."

That got the TAL's attention. "A healer?" His gaze moved to Noah, Min Jun clinging to his neck in a hug now and pinching his cheeks tightly as she idly threatened to wrap him in bubble wrap.

"C'mon Nunim, I apologize already!" Noah whined, trying to free himself.

Sae Ha walked over to him, gaze serious. "Ya belly. Lemme see it." Min Jun blinked, moving aside to see a small stain of red in Noah's lower abdomen. But lifting his sweater revealed no marred surface, Sae Ha drawing on his pipe as Noah flailed about 'NUNIM STOP UNDRESSING ME I'M A BIG BOY'. "Ya healin's gettin' faster and stronger ain't it?"

"Y-Yeah, I guess. I didn't even notice the cut." Noah frowned, then gave up and pulled the sweater completely off. "And I was starting to like this too."

Min Jun promptly threw him into a headlock. "DON'T JUST STRIP IN THE WINTER YOU DUMBASS!" Gamun Be hurriedly grabbed a blanket from the red eyed twin's hands and tucked it around Noah, blushing darkly.

"My sweater's trashed." Noah whined, the yellow eyed twin hugging him tightly around the leg. "Dangit."

Yu Jin sighed, relieved that, for the time being, the tension had left. Ara quietly talked with Yangban to be a little nicer as Hiljo meandered over to Noah and Min Jun. "Gotta say, I wasn't expecting that. Even I don't go challenging that guy no matter how irritating he gets."

"It was about time someone showed him that not everyone's gonna tolerate the attitude." Noah stated. "This house is where everyone's equal and family, no matter where they're coming from or who they were before stepping past that front door." He noticed Yu Jin, who smiled and nodded shyly. "If that means I gotta beat up an idiot like Nunim does, then so beat it."

He blinked as a coat was offered to him, looking over to see Ignatio offering it with a grin. "Rabbit you're gonna be a bunny-sicle if you don't wear clothes." Noah took the coat and snorted as he slipped it on.

"Says the guy who was wearing belly shirts before!"

Gamun Be covered his eyes. "Noah...you should close the coat." The Yongma user smirked.

"Close it for me~" They watched as Gamun Be went down in a pink cloud, Noah buttoning the coat as Ignatio laughed and poked the glaive-wielder. "God he makes it too easy." Min Jun glared at him. 'Stop tormenting the poor bastard.'

Mu Young had Maru in his arms as they sat against the wall. "I feel like this was meant to go a different route..." Maru nodded, watching the yard full of strange, strange people.
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Sara0jan's avatar
YES!! Ga ram and ga be are save ♪───O(≧∇≦)O────♪ 

Hiljo, Haje, and Jenna ! i missed them soooo much ! 

Ei mae had a presence in this chapter more than usual ( ^ω^ ) usually i feel like he is a scarecrow since he doesn't speak or does anything except for sitting on the roof 

Nice !!! NOAH ! SHOW THAT BASTARD HIS LIMITS even in when I was reading the manga I was able to feel some tick marks on my forehead so I felt somewhat refreshed upon seeing him in that state, seriously, what a waste of that face of his *sigh*

NOAH BECAME A MOMMY~~ *\(^o^)/*, congratulations *claps*

i really wanted Ei Mae to carry min chan (・ω・) …

The family is getting bigger and bigger, i was really moved to tears when I saw min chan and Noah crying 

I really like everyone, I want then all to have the best possible happy end (;^;)

thanks for the hard work   m(_ _)m