Chapter 10: Even the Absolute Being Is a First-Time Dad
Even the Absolute One is New to Fatherhood - Episode 10
Marbas slowly began sifting through his own memories.
'If I were to speak in this form...'
A notorious powerhouse of the demon realm who rose to become one of the 72 Demons through sheer brutality and overwhelming might...
A demon who symbolized dogs and wolves.
Feared under the epithet Guardian of Hell, he had once stood at the pinnacle of the underworld alongside his brethren—a demon among demons.
'Yes, that's exactly how it was.'
But now?
"Hmm, I suppose it is cute..."
The Archdemon Marbas, now transformed into a tiny Welsh Corgi, stared up at Immortal and his tactician with an unreadable expression.
"Still, something about this feels... unsatisfying."
"With all due respect, would this not suffice as a companion animal...?"
"It's cute, yes, but doesn't it look a bit weak?"
"Perhaps Her Highness's preferences should take precedence...?"
Listening to their casual critique, Marbas quietly seethed.
'Insolent worms! How dare they stand over me and prattle on as if appraising livestock! I will never forget this humiliation—mark my words, vengeance shall be mine!'
And their tastes were ridiculously picky. By now, he had cycled through at least a dozen breeds—Pomeranians, Yorkshire Terriers, Poodles, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Malteses, and more.
"Next."
At the command, the stubby-legged, chubby little corgi—
No.
The Archdemon Marbas—glared at Kang-jun with a deeply furrowed brow.
Their gazes clashed in midair for a tense moment.
"You got a problem?"
Marbas flinched, then feigned innocence.
"Huh? Who, me? Surely not!"
"Yeah, you."
"Oh, perish the thought!"
"Next."
With a poof, thick smoke engulfed Marbas.
When it cleared, a small but dignified Doberman puppy stood in his place.
"Oho, this might be the best one yet."
Kang-jun crouched in front of the puppy and began gently stroking its head.
'H-How dare—!'
Did they truly see him—one of the 72 Demons, a ruler of the underworld—as nothing more than a pet?
And yet...
Why?
He couldn't explain it, but his tail wanted to wag.
Somehow, every touch from Immortal sent an inexplicable warmth through him.
"What do you think?"
As Kang-jun petted Marbas, Crabsley hummed thoughtfully before answering.
"Indeed, this seems a perfect compromise. I believe Her Highness would approve."
Kang-jun's gaze shifted to Kim Bong-gu.
"What's your take?"
The nervous hunter straightened up immediately.
"I-It looks amazing, sir!"
Finally satisfied, Kang-jun nodded and scooped the Doberman puppy into his arms.
"Alright, let's head back."
Just then, Bong-gu hesitated before speaking up.
"Um, sir?"
"Me?"
"Y-Yes, about..."
"What?"
Bong-gu's eyes flicked toward the altar, where the corpse of the A-rank Hunter lay sprawled.
"Shouldn't we... recover the body? For the investigation?"
"Investigation?"
"This isn't just a simple accident—it's a major incident tied to the Anti-Management Union. The authorities will dig deep."
Kang-jun nodded.
"Hey, you were pretty cool back there."
"Huh?"
"Thanks to you, I didn't have to lift a finger."
He patted Bong-gu's shoulder.
"If I were king of this country, I'd make you Captain of the Royal Guard. Taking down a vicious criminal like that single-handedly? Impressive."
The whole situation reeked of nuisance.
Interrogations, statements—being dragged around for bureaucratic nonsense was not happening.
And drawing unnecessary attention? Even worse.
"You did well."
Bong-gu studied Kang-jun's expression before steeling himself.
"No, I just did what anyone would've done."
Kang-jun smirked.
"Kid, you're sharp. I like that."
With a muttered "Let's go," he turned toward the exit.
As he walked away, Bong-gu fell deep into thought.
'Just who is he?'
He'd subdued an A-rank Hunter from the Anti-Management Union without lifting a finger.
Though Bong-gu couldn't understand the foreign language they'd spoken, one thing was clear—
'That boss monster was begging for its life.'
From what he saw, it had groveled pathetically.
'Why disguise himself as a porter?'
Was he a fugitive?
'No.'
If so, Kang-jun wouldn't have spared him.
'A Management Bureau agent, then?'
One of those rumored special operatives trained to counter the Anti-Management Union?
'No, that doesn't fit either.'
An agent wouldn't dump the aftermath on someone else.
'Then what is he?'
Amid the chaos, one fact stood undeniable—
'At least S-rank.'
Possibly higher. His power was absolute.
'If that's true...'
Even if his identity remained a mystery—
'I have to become his disciple.'
To grow stronger. To obtain the Elixir.
To cure his mother and restore his family's happiness.
He needed to cling to this man.
Bong-gu's eyes gleamed with determination.
After safely exiting the Gate, the aftermath unfolded swiftly.
The bald hunter, Lee Byeong-cheol—still unconscious—was rushed to a nearby hospital.
The others submitted brief statements to the Management Bureau officials stationed outside.
"Good grief, what a disaster..."
The official skimmed the report, scratching his head with a pen.
He sighed.
"Just got the ID confirmation. The corpse is definitely a wanted murderer from the Anti-Management Union."
Straightening the documents, he continued calmly.
"Glad you all made it out unharmed. You're free to go for today."
"So it's over?"
"Given the Anti-Management Union's involvement, this'll escalate. The Gate Special Investigations Division will likely form a task force."
"And we'll be called back for questioning?"
"Probably."
Bong-gu nodded slowly.
"Once the investigation wraps up, this'll hit the news, won't it?"
"The news?"
"This isn't some minor incident. There could be copycat crimes."
The thought chilled him.
'If Kang-jun hadn't been there, we'd be the corpses carried out...'
Their bodies would've rotted among the altar's victims.
And his little sister—how would she have lived on?
'Damn it...'
The mental image made his skin crawl.
Just then, the official perked up.
"Ah, right. By the way, how did you pull this off? Did you undergo a second awakening?"
"Huh?"
"That A-rank Hunter. Every statement says you took him down."
Bong-gu—terrible at lying—fidgeted.
"J-Just got lucky, I guess."
"Luck?" The official deadpanned before shrugging.
"Sometimes, humility backfires."
"W-What do you mean?"
"That guy wasn't just high-ranked—he had a bounty on him. Not your average criminal."
Bong-gu's brow furrowed.
"A bounty?"
The official smirked.
"Once the investigation closes, expect some good news."
"Like...?"
"A reward from the Bureau. His bounty alone was in the hundred millions."
He grinned wider.
"And major guilds might come knocking. After this hits the news, you'll be a star."
"Me?"
"Kim Bong-gu—the C-rank rookie who single-handedly crushed an A-rank murderer! National hero!"
The official chuckled.
"Can't you see the headlines?"
Bong-gu exhaled shakily.
'Hundreds of millions... News coverage... Guild offers...'
It sounded like a dream.
But instead of joy, unease settled in.
'This is getting way too big...'
He'd be thrust into the spotlight—for a lie.
As someone who couldn't even tell white lies well, the thought terrified him.
One lie bred another, and shaky foundations always collapsed.
'Still...'
His gaze drifted to Kang-jun and Crabsley at a nearby food stall, eating tteokbokki and fried snacks.
'I owe him my life.'
No matter what, he'd survived.
'I'll figure the rest out later.'
For now, he vowed to stay by his savior's side and repay the debt.
'What are they talking about, though?'
Though too far to hear, their expressions suggested a serious discussion.
"Hey, is this really that spicy?"
"My tongue lacks sensation."
"Then don't force yourself."
"But..."
Crabsley speared a rice cake with a toothpick, popped it into his mouth, and chewed furiously.
"Somehow, I cannot stop."
His face burned crimson.
"I swear, this food was crafted by demons. No mortal could endure such agony—yet I cannot resist!"
Kang-jun glanced at Marbas.
"True?"
"Nope."
Crabsley glared.
"Gweh..."
Marbas whimpered and buried his face in Kang-jun's chest.
Kang-jun handed Crabsley a water cup.
"Next time, try Fire Chicken Ramen."
"Oho! Another delicacy of this world?"
"Yeah. At least ten times spicier than this."
He quickly backtracked.
"Wait, no—tastier."
Crabsley's eyes widened.
"By the gods... To think a dish ten times more delicious exists..."
Watching them, Bong-gu nodded solemnly.
'They must be discussing something critical. The fate of Earth, perhaps...'
Lost in thought, he barely registered the official's voice.
"You must be exhausted. Head home for today."
Bong-gu bowed.
"Thank you."
At last, the endless day seemed to be ending.