Chapter 111: Even the Absolute Being Is a First-Time Dad
Absolute One Is Also New to Fatherhood Episode 111
Early the next morning.
Ban Byeong-hun, dressed in his usual work clothes, licked his parched lower lip before asking again as he arrived at the manpower agency.
"S-so there's no work today?"
The agency manager, who had been maintaining a strictly businesslike demeanor, nodded.
"For goodness' sake, how many times do I have to tell you?"
Without even glancing at him, the manager added in an unyielding tone:
"You know construction sites haven't been hiring many civilians lately. Why do you keep asking?"
Ever since the Gates appeared and Awakened emerged, most labor jobs at construction sites had become their domain.
Those who hadn't awakened combat-related abilities flooded into menial labor positions, and construction companies preferred hiring them—even at slightly higher wages—for their vastly superior efficiency.
Because of this, unless you arrived at the agency by dawn, you'd often miss out on work.
"I-is there... any other kind of work?"
Ban Byeong-hun asked again, clutching at straws.
With his days numbered, he couldn't afford to waste even a single one.
"P-please, if there's anything at all..."
The only thing he could do for his daughter, who would soon be left alone in this world, was to leave her as much money as possible.
"Hmm."
After a moment of thought, the manager spoke.
"Well, there is one job."
He added cautiously:
"But it's... pretty dangerous."
"What... kind?"
"Would you be okay with Gate-related work?"
The manager muttered, "Let me see..." as he flipped through the documents on his desk before continuing.
"Actually, we just got a request for a porter."
"A p-porter?"
"One of their guys dropped out, so they're looking for a replacement in a hurry."
Almost as if doing him a favor, the manager asked again:
"It's a C-rank Gate, and the pay is 300,000 won for the day. If you're interested, I can call them right now."
Ban Byeong-hun's face brightened.
"I-I'll take it!"
He had witnessed porters suffer irreversible injuries—or worse—countless times before, but...
'300,000 won is several days' worth of wages. I could take her out to eat tonight and buy her some spring clothes...'
The pay was too tempting to refuse just because it was "dangerous."
The manager, nodding as if he had expected this, tapped on his keyboard and replied:
"I'll call them right now. Have a seat and grab a cup of instant coffee while you wait."
How much time passed?
"Mr. Ban Byeong-hun."
The manager finally spoke.
"Head down to the first floor and wait. A van will pick you up shortly—just get in and you'll be taken to the site."
Ban Byeong-hun downed his coffee in one gulp, left the agency, and made his way to the first floor.
"Haaah..."
Trying to shake off his drowsiness, he lightly slapped his cheeks—"Tap, tap."—before climbing into the worn-out van with forced cheerfulness.
"Hello, everyone..."
Though the work hadn't even started yet, his mind was already filled with thoughts of his daughter's smiling face.
The response he got, however, was icy.
Three men in their mid-to-late twenties glanced at Ban Byeong-hun, ignored his greeting, and immediately started muttering insults among themselves.
"What the hell? They seriously sent this guy as our porter?"
"We can't cancel the raid just because of him."
"Still, a washed-up old man like this..."
Ban Byeong-hun shrank into himself, clutching his backpack tightly.
"Hey, old man."
The hunter in the passenger seat glared at him through the rearview mirror before speaking in a condescending tone.
"If you slow us down, we'll leave you behind in the Gate. So keep up if you know what's good for you."
Ban Byeong-hun's lips trembled, unsure how to respond.
"Answer me."
He quickly nodded several times, his voice urgent.
"Y-yes, understood."
The hunters watching this exchange burst into mocking laughter before chiming in.
"Hey, hey. Cut it out."
"Look, you're gonna make him cry."
"Old man, are you crying?"
He forced a smile.
"I-I'm fine."
Being ignored and humiliated didn't bother him at all.
But...
The thought of leaving his daughter alone in such a cruel world was unbearable.
'Hana...'
The only thing he could do was leave her as much money as possible before his life burned out.
Rattle, rattle...
As the van shook, the radio played a young news anchor's voice in the background.
- Recently, the frequency of "Gate Rampage Phenomena" has increased, leading to a series of tragic incidents...
- Gate Rampage refers to a sudden surge in mana density during a raid, escalating the danger level without warning...
- In response, Director Seo Do-cheol of the Awakened Management Bureau has urged constant vigilance, as these phenomena show no prior signs...
The agency door swung open.
"Work assignments are done for today."
Assuming the visitor was another laborer looking for work, the manager kept his eyes on his documents as he added:
"If you come this late, there won't be any jobs left. Try coming earlier tomorrow—"
Mid-sentence, he paused, sensing something off, and looked up.
"Uh... who are you?"
The presence he felt wasn't from one person—standing before him were about seven men in immaculate suits.
Step, step.
They parted to the sides as if clearing a path, revealing a goblin in a pristine tuxedo.
"A g-goblin...?"
The goblin, Kazan, wordlessly pulled out a business card and handed it over with an indifferent gesture.
The manager adjusted his glasses precariously on the bridge of his nose and scrutinized the card as if trying to bore holes into it.
"Allow me to boast—this card is made of pure gold, embossed with platinum, and dusted with finely ground ivory powder."
The manager swallowed dryly before cautiously looking up at the goblin before him.
The reason for his shock was the short inscription on the card and the faint watermark on the back.
- Chief Director Kazan.
Though it only listed his title and name, the back bore the subtle emblem of the Secret Society of Wealth—a gathering of the most influential figures.
"A-are you from the Market's Private Bank... the Secret Society of Wealth?"
He could easily guess the identities of not just the goblin but the men accompanying him.
"One of our VVIP clients is urgently searching for a laborer who receives daily assignments from this agency."
"W-who...?"
"A middle-aged worker named Ban Byeong-hun. He likely took a job today and was dispatched to one of the construction sites."
Kazan pulled a thick envelope from his pocket and lightly tapped it onto the manager's desk.
"A token of appreciation."
Then he grinned sharply.
"Of course, this is only if you provide useful information. But perhaps seeing the amount might jog your memory..."
Just then, a voice called out from the entrance.
"Hey, hey."
A young man in a hoodie walked in.
"You're making it sound like we're the villains here."
It was Kang-jun.
"Where is Mr. Ban Byeong-hun right now?"
"W-what business do you have with him...?"
"I'd like to sponsor him personally."
The manager muttered, "Ban Byeong-hun, Ban Byeong-hun..." as if sifting through his memory before speaking quietly.
"If you mean Mr. Ban Byeong-hun... he took a porter job for a C-rank Gate raid at Gwanak Mountain this morning and left early for the site."
Kang-jun's brow furrowed.
"A Gate?"
The manager nodded cautiously.
"Yes. By now, they're probably deep into the raid..."
At that moment, the TV mounted on the wall suddenly flicked to a breaking news broadcast.
- B-breaking news! A Gate Rampage Phenomenon has been reported at the C-rank "Spider Colony" Gate in Gwanak Mountain, Seoul.
- The Bureau has confirmed that three combat personnel and one non-combatant entered the Gate...
- Hunters are being dispatched for rescue operations, and nearby roads are being sealed to prevent further casualties...
- The danger level continues to rise, so residents in the area are urged to evacuate immediately...
The manager muttered under his breath.
"G-Gwanak Mountain C-rank Gate..."
His voice trailed off before he added:
"That's where Mr. Ban Byeong-hun was sent..."
Kazan turned to Kang-jun.
"I'll send people right away."
After a brief pause, Kang-jun shook his head.
"No."
Then he added:
"I'll go myself."
"W-what the hell is happening?!"
The hunters, realizing something had gone terribly wrong inside the Gate, began to panic.
"W-why is this...?"
The C-rank Gate Spider Colony, located on the slopes of Gwanak Mountain, was supposed to be filled with monsters they could easily handle.
At least...
That's what they thought—until they reached the deepest chamber, the Tarantula Queen's Nest.
"Kreeeeek...!"
A massive spider, the Tarantula Queen, towered over them, twice the size of a grown man.
Dozens of newly hatched spiderlings surrounded the party, skittering closer in a tightening circle.
Skitter, skitter...
Their strongest hunter had already been reduced to prey—his limbs torn off, devoured alive.
Then—
Some of the spiderlings suddenly leaped toward them in a frenzied swarm.
"Gyaaaaah!"
"S-save me!"
The remaining fighters were instantly pierced by venomous fangs, their flesh ripped apart.
"H-Hana..."
Ban Byeong-hun, carrying a large backpack, collapsed to his knees, strength leaving his legs.
"O-our Hana..."
Even now, he worried about his daughter.
'I... I never got to teach her what to do if I don't come home...'
One of the spiderlings, its glowing green eyes fixed on him, approached while the others feasted on the hunters.
"If I'd known this would happen..."
He closed his eyes in regret.
"I... I would've played with her yesterday. Just one more time..."
His daughter's tearful face flashed in his mind.
The warmth of her small body when he hugged her.
Her voice calling Dad, Dad echoed in his ears.
"Kreeeeek...!"
The spiderling loomed closer—
Just as Ban Byeong-hun clenched his eyes shut, bracing for death—
BOOOOM!
An explosion rocked the cavern, and thick, viscous fluid splattered over him.
"Huh...?"
When he opened his eyes, he saw the headless corpse of a spiderling in front of him.
"Hana's father."
A familiar voice came from behind him.
"It's almost time to pick up the kids."
He turned—
"S-Seol's dad...?"
Kang-jun stood there.
"You should go get her."
He smiled faintly.
"She'll be waiting."
Then, gathering mana in his hand, he added:
"Let's go together."