Reincarnated in the trash of the count family (rewrite)

Note to Readers

Adrian entered this world a few days before Cale, giving him a head start in understanding the events that were about to unfold. While Adrian had read the novel Trash of the Count's Family, which focused on Cale's life and the greater world around him, Cale—or Kim Rok Soo—had read The Birth of a Hero, a novel about Choi Han, the main protagonist. This distinction gave Adrian a broader understanding of what lay ahead, particularly because Cale's choices as a transmigrator would inevitably alter the course of events.
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Kim Rok Soo groaned, clutching his throbbing head as he slowly opened his eyes. He blinked, disoriented, as an unfamiliar room came into focus. The luxurious furnishings—ornate furniture, thick carpets, and shimmering drapes—were far removed from the sparse surroundings of his tiny apartment.

"What...?" he muttered, his voice foreign even to his own ears.

Rising unsteadily, he caught sight of his reflection in a gilded mirror. Auburn hair and sharp red eyes stared back at him. He froze, a sinking feeling washing over him.

Cale Henituse.

Memories of the novel The Birth of a Hero surfaced. Cale Henituse, the lazy and infamous troublemaker of the Henituse family, was supposed to be a minor villain in Choi Han's story. Yet here he was, in the body of that very character.

Before he could process this further, the door creaked open, revealing a nervous maid holding a tray of tea. Her eyes widened at the sight of him.

"Young master Cale, you're awake!" she exclaimed.

Her words confirmed what he already suspected. Kim Rok Soo—or rather, Cale Henituse—nodded slowly, piecing together the situation. His transmigration into this world meant one thing: he could no longer stay in the background.

Cale forced a small smile. "Water, please."

The maid hurried to pour a glass, which he sipped slowly to buy time. He needed to think—quickly. The first major event in The Birth of a Hero was Choi Han's arrival in the Henituse territory. If he wanted to survive, he had to forge an alliance with Choi Han.

But just as he began formulating his plan, Ron entered the room, his expression calm but grave.

"Young master," Ron began, "three days ago, a young man named Adrian arrived at the estate. He claimed to have overheard plans of an attack on a nearby village and requested an audience with the lord. He has been receiving medical care since."

Cale stilled. Adrian? Who's Adrian? This wasn't in the novel—or at least, not the one he'd read.

Ron continued. "The scouts have confirmed his warning. The group ARM appears to be preparing an attack."

The mention of ARM sent a chill down Cale's spine. He'd read about their ruthlessness. This Adrian's warning had already shifted the timeline.

"Where is Adrian now?" Cale asked, his voice steady despite his racing thoughts.

"In one of the guest rooms, recovering from his injuries," Ron replied.

Cale nodded. "Inform my father of the situation and begin preparations to fortify the village. I'll speak with Adrian myself."

Adrian's POV

Lying in bed, Adrian winced as a sharp pain lanced through his side. The healers had done their best, but recovery was slow. His body still felt heavy, his movements sluggish.

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.

"Come in," he said, sitting up with effort.

The door opened to reveal a man with auburn hair and piercing red eyes—Cale Henituse. Adrian's heart raced. This is it. The moment I've been dreading. He had debated for days whether to tell Cale the truth about his reincarnation and finally decided he would. But only what was necessary—nothing more.

Cale stepped inside, his expression unreadable. Adrian offered a small bow of his head in acknowledgment.

"You're Adrian, I presume," Cale said, his voice steady but laced with curiosity. "I've heard about your warning regarding the village. I wanted to hear directly from you."

Adrian nodded, choosing his words carefully. "Yes. I overheard the group ARM discussing their plans in the forest. They aim to attack the village to make a statement—causing destruction and fear."

Cale studied him intently, his calculating gaze making Adrian uneasy. "And how did you come to be in the forest in the first place?"

Adrian hesitated but stuck to the story he had crafted. "I was traveling when I was attacked by mutant creatures. I escaped deeper into the forest and stumbled upon their camp. After hearing their plans, I made my way here to warn your family."

Cale nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing as if weighing Adrian's words. "You've done well to inform us. The Henituse family will take action. But I have to ask... why risk your life to come here? What's your angle?"

Adrian's heart pounded. "Because I couldn't ignore it. Innocent people will die if nothing is done. I may not be strong, but I couldn't just walk away."

Cale's gaze softened slightly, and he nodded. "Fair enough. Rest and recover. I'll handle the rest."

As Cale turned to leave, Adrian called out. "Cale."

He paused, glancing over his shoulder.

"Be careful. This world... it's more dangerous than it seems."

Cale tilted his head, a flicker of curiosity crossing his features. "Noted."

As the door closed behind him, Adrian exhaled deeply, the weight of the conversation lifting slightly. He knew this was only the beginning. The days ahead would be filled with challenges, and every choice he made could ripple through the events he knew so well.