After watching a video regarding hidden habits after trauma, it made me realize how good and talented Author-nim is at writing Cale's character, especially in how she handles his trauma.
Here are some hidden habits listed below:
1. Fiercely protective of the vulnerable
—Evident in the way he treats his children and how he reacts to injustice; when he saw the slaves' state from the Moguro Empire, he was downright furious. I'd also like to add that in the earliest chapters where Cale wanted to screw up Venion, it's because he was angered by the fact the bastard's gleefully torturing a dragon who's just a toddler and how he made the old man (who almost got hit by Venion's carriage no less) grovel before him (and Koreans value the importance of the elderly). It was mentioned Cale also got angry because he was looked down upon (but the insults were clearly directed toward Og!Cale so why must he feel offense for something that's not even meant for him?) but when I think about it, could he have been angry for Og!Cale's sake as well? I mean, Cale has always downplayed his worth so it's a bit strange to see, not to mention, he hadn't fully accepted his identity as Cale Henituse yet. And at this period of time, he only knew Og!Cale was a teenager/young adult (who's obviously been emotionally neglected), not a middle-aged war veteran soldier. Even if he was trash, to get bluntly insulted as if it was normal must have rubbed off Cale the wrong way. There are many other examples, but this post would become too long if I were to list them all.
2. Find joy in the tiniest things
—He merely just wants to lay down all day, eat well, get sufficient and good-quality sleep, and to be with his family by ensuring both their happiness and safety. When Cale and the others went shopping, he only bought himself a chicken skewer and nothing more while spoiling the children. His dream? To become a rich slacker and have an unemployed life. He does not want any awards or notable positions. Cale simply just wants to live a quiet and peaceful life.
3. Stubbornly independent
—Despite having claimed he wants to load off all the difficult and troublesome work to others, he's the most hardworking out of all them. He wants to be a slacker, yet he's a workaholic who doesn't know when to stop working and take a break. When Choi Han confronted him about it in the earlier chapters—always taking the burden by himself instead of relying on others to share the burden with him to lessen it—he was genuinely confused.
4. Handle bad news too well
—When he learned he was going to explode in three days due to the imbalance of his ancient powers, he was shocked but he calmed down too soon afterwards (or did he react this way when Erubahen told him that were it not for his healing ancient power, Cale might as well have been dead? I think so. But regardless, he was too indifferent about the situation despite its severity.) When he learned he was supposed to die instead of Lee Soo Hyuk and Choi Jung Soo, he acted composed (even though he was anything but composed at the revelation) which is not a normal reaction for anyone to have.
5. Birthdays feel complicated
—He doesn't have much thought or opinion regarding his birthday. It makes sense because how could he think of celebrating his birthday, or think it is a special day worth looking forward to, when he's constantly trying to ensure his survival his whole life from childhood till adulthood?
6. Compliments feel foreign
—He'd rather be insulted than be showered with endless praises and compliments. That says a lot about his upbringing (being raised in an abusive household surely does wonders for one's mental health). He'd react oddly and think that the ones who're saying such things are weird, which is honestly sad.
7. Masters of reading the room
—He's overly sharp and observant. He always knows how to ease the tense atmosphere and comfort others when they need it the most. He's oblivious only when it comes to himself (although he may have misunderstood some of his family's behaviors and actions at times).
