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Lout of Count's Family (Novel) #1
Lout of Count's Family (Novel) Vol. 1
The wildly popular Korean novels that inspired the hit webtoon! A man who wants nothing more than to kick back and relax must use his wit and wiles to survive the fantasy novel he's fallen into.
Ever dreamt of waking up inside a novel? For Kim Roksu, this dream becomes reality when he finds himself in the shoes of Cale Henituse, the lazy, wine-loving son of a count—and punching bag for the novel's destined hero. Determined to dodge his grim fate, this new Cale Henituse vows to rewrite his story, aiming for a life of leisure far from heroic deeds and inevitable beatdowns.
But the path to a peaceful life is twisted by irony. As Cale plots his escape from destiny, he inadvertently gathers a motley crew of magical allies—including a haughty baby dragon and two mischievous kitten shapeshifters. Every attempt to avoid heroism entangles him further in a whirlwind of unforeseen adventures, proving that sometimes the best heroes are the ones who resist the call.
Ever dreamt of waking up inside a novel? For Kim Roksu, this dream becomes reality when he finds himself in the shoes of Cale Henituse, the lazy, wine-loving son of a count—and punching bag for the novel's destined hero. Determined to dodge his grim fate, this new Cale Henituse vows to rewrite his story, aiming for a life of leisure far from heroic deeds and inevitable beatdowns.
But the path to a peaceful life is twisted by irony. As Cale plots his escape from destiny, he inadvertently gathers a motley crew of magical allies—including a haughty baby dragon and two mischievous kitten shapeshifters. Every attempt to avoid heroism entangles him further in a whirlwind of unforeseen adventures, proving that sometimes the best heroes are the ones who resist the call.
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First published September 3, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
October 10, 2024
This book was an adorable, fun, and easy to follow read which was exactly what I was looking for. I was quite attached to the entire crew by the end of the book which unfortunately had a very abrupt ending. Thankfully the next book comes out December 3, 2024.
✔️Fantasy
✔️Found Family
✔️Aristocracy/Royalty
✔️Magic/Magical beasts (🐉🐈🐺)
✔️Transmigration into a novel
✔️Adapted from a webtoon/manwha
I love how Cale internally feels “annoyed” at everyone wanting to be a part of his entourage but then does anything and everything he can for them. The writing is pretty simplistic but I didn’t mind because I had just finished a politically complex novel.
The cover art is gorgeous (Cale reminds me of Sasaki ❤️) Love the manhwa art as well.
✔️Fantasy
✔️Found Family
✔️Aristocracy/Royalty
✔️Magic/Magical beasts (🐉🐈🐺)
✔️Transmigration into a novel
✔️Adapted from a webtoon/manwha
I love how Cale internally feels “annoyed” at everyone wanting to be a part of his entourage but then does anything and everything he can for them. The writing is pretty simplistic but I didn’t mind because I had just finished a politically complex novel.
The cover art is gorgeous (Cale reminds me of Sasaki ❤️) Love the manhwa art as well.
November 26, 2024
Buddy read with the lovely ~Komy~ <3
~~
First volume done and I’m hooked! Our transmigrated mc Cale is just too good. All dude wants in life is to use his knowledge of the plot to get the plot as far away from his as he can. He just wants to sit back in his own sea-side home that he has yet to acquire and spend the rest of his life in leisure but the plot has other plans!
The side characters are fun and interesting. And we’ve got magical animal companions including a dragon, so what more can a girl want!
~~
Cale shook his head. In the end, I guess my family's grown.
First volume done and I’m hooked! Our transmigrated mc Cale is just too good. All dude wants in life is to use his knowledge of the plot to get the plot as far away from his as he can. He just wants to sit back in his own sea-side home that he has yet to acquire and spend the rest of his life in leisure but the plot has other plans!
The side characters are fun and interesting. And we’ve got magical animal companions including a dragon, so what more can a girl want!
December 28, 2024
Contains web chapters 1-42.
After a slow start I can honestly say I'm invested in this series. I felt like I was reading a video game set in a fantasy world. The characters are great especially Cale (MC) and the shape shifting kittens.
Will definitely be reading on.
After a slow start I can honestly say I'm invested in this series. I felt like I was reading a video game set in a fantasy world. The characters are great especially Cale (MC) and the shape shifting kittens.
Will definitely be reading on.
April 21, 2025
First time readers, buckle up, you're in for a riiide! I envy you.
This is the novel/series I'd like to read for the first time again. Getting hit with one plot twist after an other was epic. It's truly a gem amongst high fantasy webnovels, and I hope it gets the recognition it deserves.
As this is going to be published in volumes, keep going, the plot will only thicken from here on. The characters are so chaotic and fun, you'll always have a good time.
And no, the MC is not OP.
High Fantasy, Transmigration, Action, Comedy, Found Family
This volume covers chapters 1~42 of the web serialisation, stopping on a cliffhanger right in the middle of the capital plaza arc.
Other than depriving us of all the Cale-nim, oppa, noona, hyung, and some off-putting location names, I found the quality of Seven Seas' translation quite satisfying.
Arcs included in this volume:
1-Transmigration into birth of a hero.
2-The unbreakable shield.
3-The black dragon.
4-The vitality of the heart.
5-The Plaza Terror Incident.
This is the novel/series I'd like to read for the first time again. Getting hit with one plot twist after an other was epic. It's truly a gem amongst high fantasy webnovels, and I hope it gets the recognition it deserves.
As this is going to be published in volumes, keep going, the plot will only thicken from here on. The characters are so chaotic and fun, you'll always have a good time.
And no, the MC is not OP.
High Fantasy, Transmigration, Action, Comedy, Found Family
This volume covers chapters 1~42 of the web serialisation, stopping on a cliffhanger right in the middle of the capital plaza arc.
Other than depriving us of all the Cale-nim, oppa, noona, hyung, and some off-putting location names, I found the quality of Seven Seas' translation quite satisfying.
Arcs included in this volume:
1-Transmigration into birth of a hero.
2-The unbreakable shield.
3-The black dragon.
4-The vitality of the heart.
5-The Plaza Terror Incident.
August 8, 2024
Substitute "lout" with "villainess" and you have a very familiar story indeed. Kim Roksu wakes up one morning to discover that he's somehow transmigrated into a novel series he read the first five volumes of - as a minor villain. Roksu's perfectly fine being Cale the lout, but he wants to make sure that his beat-down at the hands of protagonist Choi Han (himself isekai'd) never happens. So Cale attempts to avoid that, but accidentally ends up turning himself into the protagonist, all unawares. It starts to drag after a while, but it's decent fun nonetheless.
September 9, 2024
Kim Roksu, an ordinary Korean guy who grew up as an orphan, wakes up one day to discover that he is Cale Henituse, the loutish son of Count Henituse in the novel series Birth of a Hero. He's only read up to volume 5 of the series, but it's enough to know that Cale is a very minor character, and he's about to get thoroughly beaten up by the actual hero of the story, Choi Han, a 17-year-old Korean guy who was transported into this fantasy world.
Kim Roksu, as Cale, becomes focused on a single goal: living a peaceful life. As Count Henituse's beloved but loutish son, he should be able to live a life of leisure with all the money he could ever want at his disposal. First, however, he has to avoid getting beaten up by the story's hero, prod the hero and a bunch of other dangerous characters into going elsewhere, and ensure that the Henituse family lands stay as safe as possible.
Getting all those dangerous characters to leave him alone is more difficult than he realizes, however - for some reason, he not only finds himself surrounded by Choi Han and his original entourage, but several additional dangerous characters as well. It's not ideal, but Cale figures that he can at least put all these people to good use, further preparing for his eventual peaceful life while putting himself in as little danger as possible.
In this volume, and probably a lot of the next one as well, Kim Roksu is able to rely quite a bit on his knowledge of the original novels. As a result, he ends up looking like some kind of brilliant spy master, nudging his game pieces (aka the members of his growing entourage) into position and throwing wads of Count Henituse's money at any potential holes in his plans. I can't help but wonder how he'll manage once he runs out of useful bits of knowledge gleaned from the first five volumes of the books. Considering that the dragon is already feeding him new information, I imagine he'll accidentally have set up his own spy network by then.
The writing/translation wasn't great and made this feel longer than it actually was, with lots of repetitive phrasing and clunky attempts at communicating characters' emotions. Still, I enjoyed watching Cale's plans unfold, and his growing entourage (which included a dragon, a couple of cat beastfolk, nearly a dozen young wolf beastfolk, a couple assassins, and more) showed lots of potential for future chaos. I plan on reading the next volume.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
Kim Roksu, as Cale, becomes focused on a single goal: living a peaceful life. As Count Henituse's beloved but loutish son, he should be able to live a life of leisure with all the money he could ever want at his disposal. First, however, he has to avoid getting beaten up by the story's hero, prod the hero and a bunch of other dangerous characters into going elsewhere, and ensure that the Henituse family lands stay as safe as possible.
Getting all those dangerous characters to leave him alone is more difficult than he realizes, however - for some reason, he not only finds himself surrounded by Choi Han and his original entourage, but several additional dangerous characters as well. It's not ideal, but Cale figures that he can at least put all these people to good use, further preparing for his eventual peaceful life while putting himself in as little danger as possible.
In this volume, and probably a lot of the next one as well, Kim Roksu is able to rely quite a bit on his knowledge of the original novels. As a result, he ends up looking like some kind of brilliant spy master, nudging his game pieces (aka the members of his growing entourage) into position and throwing wads of Count Henituse's money at any potential holes in his plans. I can't help but wonder how he'll manage once he runs out of useful bits of knowledge gleaned from the first five volumes of the books. Considering that the dragon is already feeding him new information, I imagine he'll accidentally have set up his own spy network by then.
The writing/translation wasn't great and made this feel longer than it actually was, with lots of repetitive phrasing and clunky attempts at communicating characters' emotions. Still, I enjoyed watching Cale's plans unfold, and his growing entourage (which included a dragon, a couple of cat beastfolk, nearly a dozen young wolf beastfolk, a couple assassins, and more) showed lots of potential for future chaos. I plan on reading the next volume.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
November 3, 2025
This was an anime style Isekai tale. Our lead character was sucked into a fantasy tale he had been reading. The twist was the fact that our main character ended up as the minor villain from early in the tale rather than the destined hero of the story. It was a twist on the reincarnated as a villain trope that is so popular right now in the subgenre.
Tonally this was an earnest adventure fantasy focusing on things like character growth and found family. Typical YA coming of age fantasy fare.
The main character was likeable enough. Kim Roksu, a regular Korean guy back on Earth, found himself Isekaied into a fantasy series he was reading. He woke up as Cale Henituse, a loutish son of a noble family, and minor villain in the story, and had to try and change his character’s destiny. Getting beat to a pulp by the “hero” does not sound very appealing for the new “Cale”. The easy life as a rich minor noble sounds great though so our lead sets out to use his knowledge of the story to his advantage.
Being a coming of age tale our new Cale gets to experience a bit of character growth as he grows into the role of unconventional hero in his own right.
There was some support characters including the actual hero of the tale and a few cute animal companions. They were likeable enough but not particularly memorable.
There was nothing overly wrong with this story but I felt like it lacked a bit of depth and was a bit run of the mill. It never managed to fully suck me into the tale and ended up a bit of an average read. I’ll probably not read any more books in the series.
I DNF’d around the 80% mark. I just lost the enthusiasm to continue.
rating: 2.5 stars.
Audio Note: Nick Martineau gave a decent performance of the audio.
Tonally this was an earnest adventure fantasy focusing on things like character growth and found family. Typical YA coming of age fantasy fare.
The main character was likeable enough. Kim Roksu, a regular Korean guy back on Earth, found himself Isekaied into a fantasy series he was reading. He woke up as Cale Henituse, a loutish son of a noble family, and minor villain in the story, and had to try and change his character’s destiny. Getting beat to a pulp by the “hero” does not sound very appealing for the new “Cale”. The easy life as a rich minor noble sounds great though so our lead sets out to use his knowledge of the story to his advantage.
Being a coming of age tale our new Cale gets to experience a bit of character growth as he grows into the role of unconventional hero in his own right.
There was some support characters including the actual hero of the tale and a few cute animal companions. They were likeable enough but not particularly memorable.
There was nothing overly wrong with this story but I felt like it lacked a bit of depth and was a bit run of the mill. It never managed to fully suck me into the tale and ended up a bit of an average read. I’ll probably not read any more books in the series.
I DNF’d around the 80% mark. I just lost the enthusiasm to continue.
rating: 2.5 stars.
Audio Note: Nick Martineau gave a decent performance of the audio.
September 5, 2024
Lol they really cut it when the most exciting part was starting...
I really liked the translation, the only "name changes" that I found a little weird were "Rowoon" and "the Kingdom of the Whipper", but everything else works fine.
I'm planning on doing another re-read when I get my physical copy, and maybe we get the audiobook before December, so I'm looking forward to that too.
BTW It's an excellent story, characters are the soul of it, and while in this first volume it's still not clear, the reality is that Cale and the children are chaos bringers, which turns out to be so much fun (can't wait for the next volumes).
I really liked the translation, the only "name changes" that I found a little weird were "Rowoon" and "the Kingdom of the Whipper", but everything else works fine.
I'm planning on doing another re-read when I get my physical copy, and maybe we get the audiobook before December, so I'm looking forward to that too.
BTW It's an excellent story, characters are the soul of it, and while in this first volume it's still not clear, the reality is that Cale and the children are chaos bringers, which turns out to be so much fun (can't wait for the next volumes).
February 4, 2025
Is there anything better than the novel you have been reading for 5 years getting officially translated and even getting an audiobook???
I don't think there is any book or any character than I love more than Cale and totcf. Can't wait to download the audiobook (if I can) and listen to the official translation as well. I will never get tired or bored of this story, especially with how part 2 is going
I don't think there is any book or any character than I love more than Cale and totcf. Can't wait to download the audiobook (if I can) and listen to the official translation as well. I will never get tired or bored of this story, especially with how part 2 is going
January 24, 2025
my dumb library had me thinking this was the webtoon with PICTURES but i still liked it tho
April 18, 2025
4.5 stars rounding up
September 5, 2024
The cover is amazing I'm literally in love with it! Cale Henituse the man you're, I'm literally in love with the novel 😍
December 28, 2024
Maybe I just don't read enough light novels, but whoooo boy, was this tough to get through. I didn't find Cale at all endearing. I absolutely HATE characters who act like they hate everything, especially animals. Not only that, but the guy is kind of a try hard, and he treats his servants like crap. He had the opportunity to be a different Lord Cale, and he sort of was, yet he still chose to act mightier than thou with those that served him. I guess my personality just wouldn't allow me to act that way, so I despise seeing others act that way. And the storytelling was insanely repetitive. I dont know if the original Korean reads that way, but the English translation sure does. How many times do I need to hear he's a lout or that Choi Han is insanely strong because he was a loner? Speaking of, they say he's only 17, but he spent decades alone in the big, scary forest? Maybe I missed the explanation for that, but tell me how that makes sense??
All that being said, I think I find this endearing enough that I'll try book 2 when it comes out on Audible, though my expectations are low. I AM glad that there is absolutely 0 romantic subplot. That's a 10/10 for me.
All that being said, I think I find this endearing enough that I'll try book 2 when it comes out on Audible, though my expectations are low. I AM glad that there is absolutely 0 romantic subplot. That's a 10/10 for me.
June 27, 2024
I love this novel hahahahha I have re-read it so many times already, the first volume has a way of setting up the pacing of the whole story that's just really really good.
August 31, 2025
Kim Roksu falls asleep one day reading the fifth volume of Birth of a Hero and wakes in the body of minor antagonist character Cale Henituse. Which is great except for one small thing; in a week Cale is going to be beaten half to death by the Hero Choi Han! Determined to avoid that fate and live his life as the spoiled, loutish older son of Duke Henituse Cale immediately sets to work to increase his reputation not knowing that he'll end up far more embroiled in the novel's events than he ever intended.
This was so much fun! Cale is the absolute perfect reluctant Hero because everything about Kim as Cale screams Hero. Kim/Cale may come across as calculating and selfish but as we learn more about his life as Kim it's pretty easy to see that these are defense mechanisms. As an orphan Kim/Cale is very defensive especially when it comes to getting close to other people but because he was an orphan he also has an ingrained need to protect those he sees as being in a similar situation he was as a child. It's those contradictions that make Kim the perfect person to become Cale, Kim doesn't want to be seen as caring too much but also doesn't want any major responsibilities. Inhabiting the body of a lazy, selfish, drunk jerk allows him to get away with this while the people around him just think Cale has finally grown up.
There's an exceptionally diverse cast of magical humanoid creatures in this that makes it even better. So far there are Cat People, Wolf People, Bear People, Whale People, Mermaids, and Tiger People. I think that's every race that's been mentioned, if I missed one I apologize but as you can tell there's a lot. Oh shoot I totally forgot Dragons. See a lot. Animal-based characters are always a plus in my book as they allow for the magic systems to be expanded upon greatly, in this series in particular though we get some absolutely wonderful forged family members for Cale. Because Cale can't help himself he saves Ohn and Hong the exiled heirs to the Cat Tribe who are absolutely adorable little kittens. He also rescues the Dragon who is a four-year-old, which makes him even more adorable (baby Dragon c'mon more books need baby dragons), and finally Lark who is of the Wolf Tribe. We don't know much about Lark yet but yup he's adorable too.
The world-building though has to be what puts this over the top. There is just so freaking much going on in this world that if we didn't get semi-decent world-building building it would have devolved into a giant mess. Politics, religion, magic systems, geography, and in turn geopolitics, are all introduced as they are needed not before except for small bits of foreshadowing. This really helps stop confusion before it even starts. I really can't stress how important this is especially when you consider that there is both a civil war and an intercontinental war that will happen in the future.
I will definitely be continuing this series, especially since this ending was a complete heart-stopping cliff hanger!
This was so much fun! Cale is the absolute perfect reluctant Hero because everything about Kim as Cale screams Hero. Kim/Cale may come across as calculating and selfish but as we learn more about his life as Kim it's pretty easy to see that these are defense mechanisms. As an orphan Kim/Cale is very defensive especially when it comes to getting close to other people but because he was an orphan he also has an ingrained need to protect those he sees as being in a similar situation he was as a child. It's those contradictions that make Kim the perfect person to become Cale, Kim doesn't want to be seen as caring too much but also doesn't want any major responsibilities. Inhabiting the body of a lazy, selfish, drunk jerk allows him to get away with this while the people around him just think Cale has finally grown up.
There's an exceptionally diverse cast of magical humanoid creatures in this that makes it even better. So far there are Cat People, Wolf People, Bear People, Whale People, Mermaids, and Tiger People. I think that's every race that's been mentioned, if I missed one I apologize but as you can tell there's a lot. Oh shoot I totally forgot Dragons. See a lot. Animal-based characters are always a plus in my book as they allow for the magic systems to be expanded upon greatly, in this series in particular though we get some absolutely wonderful forged family members for Cale. Because Cale can't help himself he saves Ohn and Hong the exiled heirs to the Cat Tribe who are absolutely adorable little kittens. He also rescues the Dragon who is a four-year-old, which makes him even more adorable (baby Dragon c'mon more books need baby dragons), and finally Lark who is of the Wolf Tribe. We don't know much about Lark yet but yup he's adorable too.
The world-building though has to be what puts this over the top. There is just so freaking much going on in this world that if we didn't get semi-decent world-building building it would have devolved into a giant mess. Politics, religion, magic systems, geography, and in turn geopolitics, are all introduced as they are needed not before except for small bits of foreshadowing. This really helps stop confusion before it even starts. I really can't stress how important this is especially when you consider that there is both a civil war and an intercontinental war that will happen in the future.
I will definitely be continuing this series, especially since this ending was a complete heart-stopping cliff hanger!
Read
November 9, 2024dnf @ 30% (counting it because I've read the webtoon, so I know what happens)
I really wanted to give the novel version of this series a shot, but I think I'll stick with the webcomic instead :)
I really wanted to give the novel version of this series a shot, but I think I'll stick with the webcomic instead :)
July 24, 2025
First novel by this author and in this genre. Recommended by one of my scholars...and it matched EVERYTHING she described! Long, funny, random yet kinda predictable-but not- and it kept me anticipating the next step.
November 19, 2025
Glad I have the second volume because it does end kind of abruptly. 😂
July 28, 2025
Big brain move keeping yourself out of the dangers of the plot and living a relaxing life by directly involving yourself in and changing the plot.
March 22, 2025
I loved it it was so good and funny I felt so bad for roan but I genuinely love all of the characters and their interaction cale is genuinely such a funny character
January 14, 2025
Me rereading the novel:
Bro will never get his slacker life at this point
Bro will never get his slacker life at this point
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2024
4 stars
I may be somewhat biased as I've read this series before (albeit not to completion) and I really adore Cale. He has just the right amount of sarcasm and laziness and cleverness where I'm half exasperated at his thought process but also enjoy watching things unfold. I do hope that Seven Seas up the word count for this in the next installment. At this rate, it'll be years before they finish the first part of the story. This only goes up to right before the Plaza attack (but the main ensemble is together).
I may be somewhat biased as I've read this series before (albeit not to completion) and I really adore Cale. He has just the right amount of sarcasm and laziness and cleverness where I'm half exasperated at his thought process but also enjoy watching things unfold. I do hope that Seven Seas up the word count for this in the next installment. At this rate, it'll be years before they finish the first part of the story. This only goes up to right before the Plaza attack (but the main ensemble is together).
September 21, 2024
After hearing so much about the web novel, I saw the actual novel at the bookstore and decided to read it. It did not disappoint. It was a humorous read with a plot that continues to thicken. I will definitely read the next volume when it comes out in English.
Cale Henituse, aka Kim Roksu, is hilarious in the most blunt way possible. And the more he tries to distance himself from the plight of those around him, he becomes so much more interwoven with them. Main character energy in spades!
The non-main characters (calling them side characters would be too dismissive, in my opinion) are just as interesting and amusing as Cale at times. They exude all kinds of understated chaotic energy, and I love it. They kept me laughing throughout the story.
I am rooting for Cale and his unassuming life of peace. However, I know that's going to be a pipe dream. 😆
Notable Quotes:
Kim Roksu had had a fairly simple motto: "Live a peaceful life - a long, healthy life - for its small joys."
++++++++++++++++
"No need to go down in history. Just live for peace and happiness."
++++++++++++++++
"Where are you going?"
"I have a promise to keep. And someone to meet."
Hans was shocked anew. "Lord Cale, you're going somewhere to keep a promise?"
"You've been pretty rude lately."
"My apologies," the deputy butler said quickly.
++++++++++++++++
[Ron about Cale, aka his "little pup master"]
"I can't believe my distaste has grown into affection," he muttered.
++++++++++++++++
Responsibility was a heavy burden. ...Kim Roksu knew people's lives were the greatest and most frightening weight one could carry.
++++++++++++++++
[Ohn and Hong about their dragon "sibling"]
"I think he's going to follow us, Sister."
"Uh-huh. I think so too."
"Are we going to get a younger brother?"
"Looks like it."
++++++++++++++++
Cale started blankly at the mumbling kittens, then asked, "What did you wish for?"
Hong...shouted in excitement. "For everybody, including my new little broth-"
"Rejected."
++++++++++++++++
"Wow. I really like you!" Kage marveled, smacking her knee with her free hand. Then she coyly asked, "Have any interest in getting to know a surrogate older sister with a great personality?"
"No."
Taylor slipped in his question. "What about a surrogate older brother with a great personality?"
"Even less so."
Instead of being disappointed by Cale's answer, Taylor and Kage laughed out loud.
Cale couldn't figure out what was funny about his response, but he lifted his glad anyway, "Cheers."
++++++++++++++++
After ignoring Rosalyn's glances for a while, the dragon stopped eating..., then turned to look at her.
"Eat your own food," he finally said. "This is mine."
The black dragon pulled the dish of sausage toward his chest.
++++++++++++++++
[The Black Dragon to Cale]
"This insignificant man is definitely plotting something. Be careful, weak human!
"I think I'll be fine if you stop talking," Cale thought.
"Hmm? This man isn't weak either. Be extra careful, weakling. You'll get killed!"
"D@mn it."
Cale Henituse, aka Kim Roksu, is hilarious in the most blunt way possible. And the more he tries to distance himself from the plight of those around him, he becomes so much more interwoven with them. Main character energy in spades!
The non-main characters (calling them side characters would be too dismissive, in my opinion) are just as interesting and amusing as Cale at times. They exude all kinds of understated chaotic energy, and I love it. They kept me laughing throughout the story.
I am rooting for Cale and his unassuming life of peace. However, I know that's going to be a pipe dream. 😆
Notable Quotes:
Kim Roksu had had a fairly simple motto: "Live a peaceful life - a long, healthy life - for its small joys."
++++++++++++++++
"No need to go down in history. Just live for peace and happiness."
++++++++++++++++
"Where are you going?"
"I have a promise to keep. And someone to meet."
Hans was shocked anew. "Lord Cale, you're going somewhere to keep a promise?"
"You've been pretty rude lately."
"My apologies," the deputy butler said quickly.
++++++++++++++++
[Ron about Cale, aka his "little pup master"]
"I can't believe my distaste has grown into affection," he muttered.
++++++++++++++++
Responsibility was a heavy burden. ...Kim Roksu knew people's lives were the greatest and most frightening weight one could carry.
++++++++++++++++
[Ohn and Hong about their dragon "sibling"]
"I think he's going to follow us, Sister."
"Uh-huh. I think so too."
"Are we going to get a younger brother?"
"Looks like it."
++++++++++++++++
Cale started blankly at the mumbling kittens, then asked, "What did you wish for?"
Hong...shouted in excitement. "For everybody, including my new little broth-"
"Rejected."
++++++++++++++++
"Wow. I really like you!" Kage marveled, smacking her knee with her free hand. Then she coyly asked, "Have any interest in getting to know a surrogate older sister with a great personality?"
"No."
Taylor slipped in his question. "What about a surrogate older brother with a great personality?"
"Even less so."
Instead of being disappointed by Cale's answer, Taylor and Kage laughed out loud.
Cale couldn't figure out what was funny about his response, but he lifted his glad anyway, "Cheers."
++++++++++++++++
After ignoring Rosalyn's glances for a while, the dragon stopped eating..., then turned to look at her.
"Eat your own food," he finally said. "This is mine."
The black dragon pulled the dish of sausage toward his chest.
++++++++++++++++
[The Black Dragon to Cale]
"This insignificant man is definitely plotting something. Be careful, weak human!
"I think I'll be fine if you stop talking," Cale thought.
"Hmm? This man isn't weak either. Be extra careful, weakling. You'll get killed!"
"D@mn it."
December 13, 2024
I’ve read the first part (776 chapters) of this web novel translated on and by “EatApplePies” 3 times and continue to follow along as part 2 gets written and translated.
I just love this story so much. I mean… I got a character from it (Raon) tattooed on my arm so I think that says it all.
I got so excited when I saw it was gonna be turned into books by seven seas and I’m so gonna buy them all as they come out.
Some names are changed or written differently compared to EatApplePies’s translation though, which is a little jarring, but whatever.
I just love this story so much. I mean… I got a character from it (Raon) tattooed on my arm so I think that says it all.
I got so excited when I saw it was gonna be turned into books by seven seas and I’m so gonna buy them all as they come out.
Some names are changed or written differently compared to EatApplePies’s translation though, which is a little jarring, but whatever.
May 10, 2025
This series uses the same premise as "Jackal Among the Snakes" but without the apocalyptic deadline.
While Cale is not particularly believable as the protagonist, he's fun to follow. His half-hearted attempts to live a life of sloth seem constantly side-lined by his inability to stand by and allow injustice free reign. Thus he becomes a confused and confusing hero... alternately mistaken for a hedonistic lout or a Machiavellian mastermind.
While Cale is not particularly believable as the protagonist, he's fun to follow. His half-hearted attempts to live a life of sloth seem constantly side-lined by his inability to stand by and allow injustice free reign. Thus he becomes a confused and confusing hero... alternately mistaken for a hedonistic lout or a Machiavellian mastermind.
May 20, 2025
Enter a book as a scummy character and try to not get beaten up by the protagonist, only to make friends with him, get a baby dragon familiar (basically), two shifter cats with magical powers, and a whole host of awesome people to befriend you. Cale is life goals.
August 10, 2025
The Lout of the Count’s Family – Volume 1
Writing Style: Witty and direct, with a strong voice that balances humor and gravitas. Yu Ryeo Han layers narrative subtly—background lore and character history drip in naturally.
Themes: Identity, redemption, social expectations. The novel critiques noble society and offers a protagonist who refuses to play by the rules.
Characters: Memorable supporting cast, especially a clever sister and a world‑weary mentor figure. Their interactions expose different facets of the main character.
Introduction & Setup: Cale chooses to act like a harmless slacker while secretly plotting to live a peaceful life. To do this, he carefully avoids major events and characters that could complicate his survival in the dangerous world of sword and magic.
Inciting Incident: His path collides with key figures from the original novel, including Choi Han (the novel’s protagonist), who’s far more deadly than expected. Cale ends up saving a village and accidentally acquiring a mysterious ancient power—thrusting him into the spotlight he wanted to avoid.
Character Arc – Cale Henituse: Initially driven by survival and indifference, Cale starts making morally ambiguous but heroic choices. His calm, sarcastic demeanor masks a growing sense of responsibility. He becomes a paradox: a slacker acting like a hero, who claims he doesn’t care but constantly puts others before himself.
Allies & Relationships:
Choi Han: A powerful warrior who becomes fiercely loyal to Cale after Cale protects innocent villagers. Their relationship begins as convenience, but deepens into mutual respect.
Rosalyn: A genius mage who joins Cale’s journey. She’s sharp, ambitious, and serves as a stabilizing influence in the group.
Raon Miru: A young dragon with tragic origins. Initially rescued by Cale, Raon becomes his most loyal and powerful ally.
Climax: Cale’s carefully crafted façade starts breaking when he intervenes in a noble plot threatening the kingdom. Despite saying he wants to be average and unnoticed, his actions speak otherwise—he's building a powerful coalition and disrupting the power balance.
Conclusion & Setup for Volume 2: Cale ends the volume with several artifacts of power, a growing entourage, and the unwanted title of “hero.” He still insists he’s lazy and uninterested in greatness—but his enemies are beginning to think otherwise.
Character Arc Summary
Cale Henituse: From lazy survivalist to reluctant hero with a sharp mind and unexpectedly noble heart.
Choi Han: From outsider to trusted right-hand man; learns how to temper rage with purpose under Cale’s leadership.
Raon Miru: From imprisoned dragon child to joyful, overpowered ally—his emotional arc mirrors rebirth and trust.
Rosalyn: From solitary mage to loyal strategist in Cale’s growing faction.
Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Strengths: A charismatic anti‑hero, clever world‑building, and sharp dialogue. The protagonist’s unapologetic swagger is both entertaining and fresh.
Weaknesses: A few pacing issues in the middle, and minor typos in dialogue occasionally break immersion.
Writing Style: Witty and direct, with a strong voice that balances humor and gravitas. Yu Ryeo Han layers narrative subtly—background lore and character history drip in naturally.
Themes: Identity, redemption, social expectations. The novel critiques noble society and offers a protagonist who refuses to play by the rules.
Characters: Memorable supporting cast, especially a clever sister and a world‑weary mentor figure. Their interactions expose different facets of the main character.
Final Verdict: A thoroughly enjoyable fantasy romp with enough depth and intrigue to keep readers hooked. Volume 1 sets up compelling mysteries and emotional hooks—well worth it for fans of rebellious leads and clever plotting.
The story opens with Count Deruth's son, Cale Henituse, who in a twist of fate, finds himself reincarnated into a novel as a background character—a spoiled noble destined for an early beating and future obscurity. Rather than fight fate, he chooses to lie low and avoid conflict by embracing his lazy reputation. But things don’t go quite as planned.
Introduction & Setup: Cale chooses to act like a harmless slacker while secretly plotting to live a peaceful life. To do this, he carefully avoids major events and characters that could complicate his survival in the dangerous world of sword and magic.
Inciting Incident: His path collides with key figures from the original novel, including Choi Han (the novel’s protagonist), who’s far more deadly than expected. Cale ends up saving a village and accidentally acquiring a mysterious ancient power—thrusting him into the spotlight he wanted to avoid.
Character Arc – Cale Henituse: Initially driven by survival and indifference, Cale starts making morally ambiguous but heroic choices. His calm, sarcastic demeanor masks a growing sense of responsibility. He becomes a paradox: a slacker acting like a hero, who claims he doesn’t care but constantly puts others before himself.
Allies & Relationships:
Choi Han: A powerful warrior who becomes fiercely loyal to Cale after Cale protects innocent villagers. Their relationship begins as convenience, but deepens into mutual respect.
Rosalyn: A genius mage who joins Cale’s journey. She’s sharp, ambitious, and serves as a stabilizing influence in the group.
Raon Miru: A young dragon with tragic origins. Initially rescued by Cale, Raon becomes his most loyal and powerful ally.
Climax: Cale’s carefully crafted façade starts breaking when he intervenes in a noble plot threatening the kingdom. Despite saying he wants to be average and unnoticed, his actions speak otherwise—he's building a powerful coalition and disrupting the power balance.
Conclusion & Setup for Volume 2: Cale ends the volume with several artifacts of power, a growing entourage, and the unwanted title of “hero.” He still insists he’s lazy and uninterested in greatness—but his enemies are beginning to think otherwise.
Character Arc Summary
Cale Henituse: From lazy survivalist to reluctant hero with a sharp mind and unexpectedly noble heart.
Choi Han: From outsider to trusted right-hand man; learns how to temper rage with purpose under Cale’s leadership.
Raon Miru: From imprisoned dragon child to joyful, overpowered ally—his emotional arc mirrors rebirth and trust.
Rosalyn: From solitary mage to loyal strategist in Cale’s growing faction.
Plot Themes: Subverting fate, found family, living under false identity, reluctant leadership. The novel explores how the smallest decisions can have the greatest consequences—and how pretending to be nothing can be the path to becoming something greater.
"I only want to live quietly," Cale repeats... even as the kingdom sees him as its unexpected savior.
Final Thoughts: Volume 1 delivers a perfect mix of light humor, fantasy adventure, and subtle emotional growth. With its layered characters and unpredictable pacing, it’s a strong start to a beloved web novel series. Whether you're in for dragons, swords, or dry sarcasm—this book gives you all three.
September 17, 2024
I don't intentionally seek out isekai stories, but I guess there is something about their story structure that appeals to me. A more modern outlook mixed in with the historical fantasy setting, maybe? The clever overlaying of several narratives, with tropes subverted by a "hero" who was never meant to play that role...I don't know. But I did like this novel a lot more than I was expecting to.
I'd actually been waffling back and forth on cancelling my preorder, kind of forgetting about it before it shipped, and sighing when it arrived (with ten other books...) because I needed to decide whether to keep going with a very long, still ongoing series. I don't know what "891 chapters" means in terms of published volumes, since this was technically only 9 chapters? So. Uh. I hope that translates a bit differently so I don't wind up with 100+ 400 page books on my shelf.
I paused this review and looked around more, and I think these "9" chapters are "42" of the original. So that puts the content at ... 21 books and counting, which is, uh. Still. A lot. But oh well. Maybe by the time more of the series is out in English, I'll either be able to buy a house to fit all my excessive amounts of books, or I'll get sick of Cale's merry band of misfits. But I really did like this first volume.
It starts out with a fairly typical isekai format, albeit a slightly ridiculous one. Kim Roksu, a Korean orphan about whose original life we know very little, "rented" (?) five volumes of Birth of a Hero from a "book rental shop" (?) and read all of them in a single night before falling asleep. (Impossible...or maybe I'm just surly because it took me 2.5 days to read this single volume.) When he wakes up at the beginning of the novel series, he's a little bit dismayed but spends very little time worrying about whether he's (a) still asleep (b) insane (c) some combination of the two. That's the silliest part about isekai, I guess, mixed with the part where it'd be nice to learn more about the character's actual life and personality outside of this world they've been dropped into. He doesn't seem to have cared that much about it, so he's fine being the wealthy, lazy son of a count.
His first goal is to avoid getting beaten up by the novel's actual hero, another Korean isekai transplant. Since he's a useless, selfish drunkard in the first book, who disappears from the narrative after being soundly trounced by the hero, he just has to avoid being a drunken jerk in their first encounter. Then he can work on transferring his heir status to his younger half-brother - who's already mostly stepped into that role - and retire by the sea to live out the rest of his days in rich, peaceful retirement.
The problem, of course, is that he's absolutely terrible at being a useless, lazy person. So while he thinks he's successfully ushering the hero along his hero's journey by making sure that guy hits all the proper story beats, he is very clearly becoming the new hero of the story and earning all the main characters' loyalty and admiration along the way.
He also can't stop himself from saving a couple of kitten shapeshifters, then a baby dragon that was meant to lose its mind and then its life to the hero's sword - but instead imprints on Cale, the only human who's ever shown it kindness. I hate humans, the dragon huffs, following Cale anyway, bringing him food and working magic on his behalf, just because he's weak and can't be trusted to protect himself, of course.
The dragon is my favorite part, and I look forward to seeing it grow up and become more of a longterm, committed partner to its human friend.
All the characters are really fun, and of course there's a whole Shadowy Organization that's been wiping out villages and species (like the Blue Wolf shifters), and whose identity Cale doesn't know because he hadn't read that far. I wonder how long it'll take to unveil that mystery, and if Cale will ever talk to Choi Han about Korea. That'd be a bit of a nice twist. I wonder how many other people showed up from other worlds, and if the evil group is potentially led by someone like that.
But looks like it's going to be a very long journey to find out any of that. First, we have to see whether the disaster at the capital will be prevented, and whether Cale manages to unintentionally adopt another dozen random shapeshifters while trying to avoid his responsibilities.
I'd actually been waffling back and forth on cancelling my preorder, kind of forgetting about it before it shipped, and sighing when it arrived (with ten other books...) because I needed to decide whether to keep going with a very long, still ongoing series. I don't know what "891 chapters" means in terms of published volumes, since this was technically only 9 chapters? So. Uh. I hope that translates a bit differently so I don't wind up with 100+ 400 page books on my shelf.
I paused this review and looked around more, and I think these "9" chapters are "42" of the original. So that puts the content at ... 21 books and counting, which is, uh. Still. A lot. But oh well. Maybe by the time more of the series is out in English, I'll either be able to buy a house to fit all my excessive amounts of books, or I'll get sick of Cale's merry band of misfits. But I really did like this first volume.
It starts out with a fairly typical isekai format, albeit a slightly ridiculous one. Kim Roksu, a Korean orphan about whose original life we know very little, "rented" (?) five volumes of Birth of a Hero from a "book rental shop" (?) and read all of them in a single night before falling asleep. (Impossible...or maybe I'm just surly because it took me 2.5 days to read this single volume.) When he wakes up at the beginning of the novel series, he's a little bit dismayed but spends very little time worrying about whether he's (a) still asleep (b) insane (c) some combination of the two. That's the silliest part about isekai, I guess, mixed with the part where it'd be nice to learn more about the character's actual life and personality outside of this world they've been dropped into. He doesn't seem to have cared that much about it, so he's fine being the wealthy, lazy son of a count.
His first goal is to avoid getting beaten up by the novel's actual hero, another Korean isekai transplant. Since he's a useless, selfish drunkard in the first book, who disappears from the narrative after being soundly trounced by the hero, he just has to avoid being a drunken jerk in their first encounter. Then he can work on transferring his heir status to his younger half-brother - who's already mostly stepped into that role - and retire by the sea to live out the rest of his days in rich, peaceful retirement.
The problem, of course, is that he's absolutely terrible at being a useless, lazy person. So while he thinks he's successfully ushering the hero along his hero's journey by making sure that guy hits all the proper story beats, he is very clearly becoming the new hero of the story and earning all the main characters' loyalty and admiration along the way.
He also can't stop himself from saving a couple of kitten shapeshifters, then a baby dragon that was meant to lose its mind and then its life to the hero's sword - but instead imprints on Cale, the only human who's ever shown it kindness. I hate humans, the dragon huffs, following Cale anyway, bringing him food and working magic on his behalf, just because he's weak and can't be trusted to protect himself, of course.
The dragon is my favorite part, and I look forward to seeing it grow up and become more of a longterm, committed partner to its human friend.
All the characters are really fun, and of course there's a whole Shadowy Organization that's been wiping out villages and species (like the Blue Wolf shifters), and whose identity Cale doesn't know because he hadn't read that far. I wonder how long it'll take to unveil that mystery, and if Cale will ever talk to Choi Han about Korea. That'd be a bit of a nice twist. I wonder how many other people showed up from other worlds, and if the evil group is potentially led by someone like that.
But looks like it's going to be a very long journey to find out any of that. First, we have to see whether the disaster at the capital will be prevented, and whether Cale manages to unintentionally adopt another dozen random shapeshifters while trying to avoid his responsibilities.
September 5, 2024
Kim Roksu only got five volumes into Birth of a Hero before falling asleep--and waking up as Cale Henituse, the minor villain the protagonist Choi Han beats up on his way to starting his adventure! Since Cale is not a fan of being beaten to within an inch of his life, he decides a few small changes to the plot can't hurt . . . and finds his dreams of a lazy life as a rich layabout are somehow getting farther and farther away.
This is one of my favorite stories, and I'm so happy to see it's finally gotten an official English release!
Cale is a unique protagonist. He's unapologetically selfish, lazy, and entitled, yet he's also unable to turn his back on the suffering, and unwilling to put someone else in a position where they'll be harmed. Unless they deserve it, of course. He hates work so much he refuses to learn swordsmanship or magic and instead opts to collect Ancient Powers---a kind of historical relic the book's characters never got much use out of, but might help a weakling like Cale if a situation turns sour.
Over the course of this volume, he collects a number of people either in need, or whose goals simply work well with his purposes, and starts a chain of machinations that will alter the face of the world. Cale is very much more of a chessmaster than a player---he prefers to create the plans and then issue orders, but he's also not above doing what he can on his own. (One of the funnier instances of this is when he creates search teams for the plaza, and assigns himself the role of drinking at a local bar. When one of the party members tries to protest, she realizes that everyone, including Cale himself, agrees he'd be useless.)
There is NO ROMANCE in this series. Personally I find that a huge plus. Cale ends up more in a dad role to two kittens and one very young dragon, and is well on his way to building solid friendships with a number of other characters, both men and women. It's also refreshing that secondary characters by and large have their own personalities and goals, and Cale is simply appealing to their own inclinations to get them moving in the way that he needs. For the lonely, he provides friendship (and not only with himself). For the ambitious, opportunities. And for the villains? Endless frustration.
Choi Han is also interesting, as Cale has an outsider's view to a very typical protagonist. Here's a 17-year-old kid who got thrown into a fantasy world in the middle of a very dangerous forest, then had to survive for decades before he started on the story's adventures. Cale never tries to undercut his strength, or steal anything that Choi Han would acquire. He can see the emotional journey that Choi Han is taking, and if Cale's actions shortcut some of the trauma, what's the harm? He's simply helping a little. And Cale completely fails to acknowledge that his actions are starting to make a much bigger impact on this wayward hero than he ever planned.
Because that's the main attraction of this story. It's full of misunderstandings. Other characters misunderstand Cale, whether by his plot or by accident. Cale misses some clues that the readers pick up on. But there's also a layer where the readers are being misled by the narrative Cale is telling himself. Look at what he says. Then look at what he DOES. Cale likes to lie, even to himself.
This particular volume covers the first segment of the journey, although irritatingly it cuts off in the middle of the plaza arc. I still recommend it wholeheartedly, and the cliffhanger hits before any of the action gets started, but it does end before the rising tension gets a chance to pay off. Before we get to that point, however, there are a few other arcs that do get completed, and they also serve to build up the ongoing story.
Highly Recommended.
This is one of my favorite stories, and I'm so happy to see it's finally gotten an official English release!
Cale is a unique protagonist. He's unapologetically selfish, lazy, and entitled, yet he's also unable to turn his back on the suffering, and unwilling to put someone else in a position where they'll be harmed. Unless they deserve it, of course. He hates work so much he refuses to learn swordsmanship or magic and instead opts to collect Ancient Powers---a kind of historical relic the book's characters never got much use out of, but might help a weakling like Cale if a situation turns sour.
Over the course of this volume, he collects a number of people either in need, or whose goals simply work well with his purposes, and starts a chain of machinations that will alter the face of the world. Cale is very much more of a chessmaster than a player---he prefers to create the plans and then issue orders, but he's also not above doing what he can on his own. (One of the funnier instances of this is when he creates search teams for the plaza, and assigns himself the role of drinking at a local bar. When one of the party members tries to protest, she realizes that everyone, including Cale himself, agrees he'd be useless.)
There is NO ROMANCE in this series. Personally I find that a huge plus. Cale ends up more in a dad role to two kittens and one very young dragon, and is well on his way to building solid friendships with a number of other characters, both men and women. It's also refreshing that secondary characters by and large have their own personalities and goals, and Cale is simply appealing to their own inclinations to get them moving in the way that he needs. For the lonely, he provides friendship (and not only with himself). For the ambitious, opportunities. And for the villains? Endless frustration.
Choi Han is also interesting, as Cale has an outsider's view to a very typical protagonist. Here's a 17-year-old kid who got thrown into a fantasy world in the middle of a very dangerous forest, then had to survive for decades before he started on the story's adventures. Cale never tries to undercut his strength, or steal anything that Choi Han would acquire. He can see the emotional journey that Choi Han is taking, and if Cale's actions shortcut some of the trauma, what's the harm? He's simply helping a little. And Cale completely fails to acknowledge that his actions are starting to make a much bigger impact on this wayward hero than he ever planned.
Because that's the main attraction of this story. It's full of misunderstandings. Other characters misunderstand Cale, whether by his plot or by accident. Cale misses some clues that the readers pick up on. But there's also a layer where the readers are being misled by the narrative Cale is telling himself. Look at what he says. Then look at what he DOES. Cale likes to lie, even to himself.
This particular volume covers the first segment of the journey, although irritatingly it cuts off in the middle of the plaza arc. I still recommend it wholeheartedly, and the cliffhanger hits before any of the action gets started, but it does end before the rising tension gets a chance to pay off. Before we get to that point, however, there are a few other arcs that do get completed, and they also serve to build up the ongoing story.
Highly Recommended.
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