Absolute Dad 112

At that moment, the swarm of baby spiders surrounding them in a tight circle began creeping closer before suddenly lunging—

"M-Mr. Seol's father—!"

Ban Byeong-hun, startled, scrambled to his feet in a panic, reaching out to pull Kang-jun toward him—

"Be careful."

Kang-jun spoke briefly before adding,

"I'm ditching the clothes."

With those words, Kang-jun vanished.

Thud, thud-thud, thud-thud-thud—

The baby spiders that had leaped into the air were instantly reduced to chunks, raining down like a heavy downpour onto the ground—

Kieeeek...

A series of sickening slicing sounds followed, and soon, the Tarantula Queen's head rolled onto the floor with a dull thud.

Thud, roll...

It had taken mere seconds.

"H-How...?"

Ban Byeong-hun stood frozen in shock when—

"See?"

Kang-jun extended a hand toward him as he slumped back onto the ground.

"Told you I'd ditch the clothes."

Ban Byeong-hun tightly grasped the offered hand.

It was a hand weathered with cracks, calluses, and scars—a hand that bore the weight of his entire life.

"Th-Thank you..."

Then.

A system message appeared before Kang-jun's eyes—

[The gate Spider Nest will soon disappear.]

Simultaneously, an exit leading back to the outside world materialized.

"Let's go."

With that, Kang-jun strode ahead and exited the gate. Ban Byeong-hun, still dazed, stared at his retreating figure before rubbing his eyes furiously.

"J-Just how...?"

He remained utterly bewildered.

Same time.

A massive crowd had gathered outside the Gwanak Mountain C-Rank Gate, where an unexpected gate rampage had been detected.

"Report the situation."

At the belated arrival of Director Seo Do-cheol of the Awakened and Gate Management Bureau, an on-site bureau employee delivered a concise explanation.

"The gate's danger level, which was initially assessed as hovering around C-rank, suddenly spiked beyond A-rank thresholds in an instant."

"Cause?"

"It's difficult to pinpoint the exact reason without an internal investigation, but..."

The employee trailed off before adding,

"Just like previous gate rampage incidents, the danger level surged abruptly after hunters entered to suppress it."

Seo Do-cheol muttered, "Again." as he massaged his throbbing temples with one hand.

Recently, the frequency of these unexplained gate rampages—where danger levels skyrocketed without warning—had noticeably increased.

The resulting casualties had also risen exponentially, prompting nations worldwide to investigate the cause. Yet...

"We still can't figure out why..."

For now, only theories circulated, with no concrete answers in sight.

'The rampages started after that Calamity-grade Gate appeared in Shanghai's Lujiazui Financial District...'

Just then, the bureau employee spoke up again.

"The gate's danger level has stabilized for now. Should we deploy the standby hunters first...?"

Jung Yoon-chan, Korea's top-ranked S-class hunter, who had been silently observing, nodded and added his input.

"I agree. To rescue any stranded personnel inside, we shouldn't delay any further."

That was when—

"Huh...?"

The graph on the monitoring equipment flickered wildly—

"The gate is disappearing!"

As the bureau employee's shout echoed, two men emerged side by side from the dissipating gate.

"What's all the commotion?"

One was Kang-jun.

"I-I made it out alive, thanks to him."

The other was Ban Byeong-hun.

"H-How are you here...?"

Jung Yoon-chan's eyes widened as they locked onto Kang-jun, his muttered words dissolving into the air.

"Hana's dad."

Kang-jun leaned in and spoke quietly to Ban Byeong-hun.

"Can you wait for me for a few minutes?"

"Huh...?"

"I've got some personal business to wrap up."

Ban Byeong-hun nodded repeatedly before replying urgently,

"O-Of course! I'll wait over there. Take your time."

With that, Ban Byeong-hun glanced around nervously before retreating to a distance.

"Come here."

Kang-jun beckoned Jung Yoon-chan with a flick of his fingers.

"Y-Yes..."

Kang-jun asked again,

"Hey, you get it, right?"

His tone implied the usual request for post-mission cleanup, but...

"I'm truly sorry, but given the number of witnesses this time, it's impossible for me to handle it alone..."

"So?"

"At the very least, you'll need to visit the bureau for an investigation and statement."

He added,

"And the person you rescued should also come to provide a statement..."

Kang-jun muttered, "What a hassle," checked his phone, and replied ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠curtly.

"Can't do it now."

"Huh?"

"It's pickup time."

After a brief pause, Jung Yoon-chan responded,

"Then at least later—"

Kang-jun cut in with, "We'll see," and gave his shoulder a light pat.

"I'm heading out."

Jung Yoon-chan reflexively bowed at a perfect ninety-degree angle, triggering murmurs throughout the crowd—

As onlookers gaped in shock, Director Seo Do-cheol studied Kang-jun intently.

'So that's Lee Kang-jun...'

He was certain—this was the man whose exploits he'd heard from S-rank hunters like Jung Yoon-chan.

The one who single-handedly dismantled the anti-bureau alliance, Korea's most dangerous criminal organization, and suppressed multiple Calamity-grade gates.

The moment he'd heard of him, Seo Do-cheol had prepared every possible measure to recruit him into the bureau.

"W-Wait!"

Seo Do-cheol called out urgently, chasing after Kang-jun.

"Me?"

Kang-jun stopped, and the director spoke.

"I've been wanting to meet you."

"Who are you?"

"Seo Do-cheol, Director of the Awakened and Gate Management Bureau."

He handed over a business card.

"At your earliest convenience, I'd appreciate it if you could hear the terms we've prepared—"

Kang-jun muttered, "Terms?" and glanced at the card before looking back at Seo Do-cheol with utter indifference.

"I've seen you on the news a lot."

"Ah, I'm honored you recognized—"

"Forget terms or whatever."

Seo Do-cheol remained unfazed by the abrupt dismissal, maintaining his polite demeanor.

"Cigarettes."

Kang-jun's nose twitched slightly at the scent of tobacco before locking eyes with him.

"You know cigarette smoke contains carcinogens like naphthylamine, nickel, benzene, arsenic, and cadmium, right?"

"Yes..."

"Prolonged exposure—whether through smoking or secondhand smoke—drastically increases the risk of cancer, heart disease, and premature death."

Kang-jun's brow furrowed as he added with emphasis,

"Especially for children."

This was knowledge he'd picked up from the Parenting Encyclopedia he frequently consulted.

"Kids in smoking households have double the risk of bronchitis and pneumonia—and ten times the risk of cancer."

"Ah..."

"Just so you know, I despise smokers. Especially those who light up in public or around kids."

Kang-jun muttered with a somber tone, "This must be quite shocking for you."

"First, quit smoking."

"Huh?"

"We'll talk after that."

Without another word, Kang-jun turned and began walking away, his footsteps echoing.

Seo Do-cheol, the Director of the Awakened and Gate Management Bureau, stood dumbfounded, staring at Kang-jun's retreating back like a dog chasing a chicken only to find itself staring at a roof.

"You've waited long enough," Kang-jun said casually, breaking the silence.

Ban Byeong-hun, who had been silently observing the situation, waved both hands frantically.

"N-no, not at all!"

Then, with eyes full of reverence, he stared intently at Kang-jun's face for a moment.

How...

He glanced sideways at Jung Yoon-chan, who maintained a deferential posture toward Kang-jun.

Even from a distance, the way he carried himself—like someone addressing a superior—left a deep impression.

Just who is Seol's father...?

Not only had he effortlessly suppressed the gate that wiped out the C-rank Hunters accompanying him, but even Korea's top-tier Hunters were treating him with unwavering respect.

Questions about Kang-jun piled up like a mountain, but Ban Byeong-hun couldn't bring himself to ask.

Then—

"Ah."

Kang-jun stopped walking.

"A guest will visit your home this evening."

"My home?"

"You once said you were born to be punished, didn't you?"

Ban Byeong-hun flustered, awkwardly fumbling for words.

"Ah, that was just... emotions getting the better of me. I said a lot of nonsense that day. Please forget about those complaints..."

Kang-jun replied,

"I hope you've changed your mind."

"Eh...?"

"If your child sees you being punished."

Then, in a grave tone, he added,

"It would break her heart."

With those final words, Kang-jun strode ahead.

Ban Byeong-hun, tilting his head in confusion for a moment, soon followed.

That ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠evening.

"Daddy, no practice today?"

Ban Byeong-hun answered his daughter's question.

"Yeah, let's stop from now on."

Perhaps it was because he had stepped onto the threshold of death earlier that day and barely made it back alive.

He wanted to spend whatever time he had left with his daughter, laughing and happy.

No, no...

He wanted to overcome it.

Somehow...

He wanted to survive.

If I've already conquered death once, there's no reason I can't do it twice...

Ban Byeong-hun declared firmly,

"Hana, Daddy won't die."

"Mm?"

"Daddy will stay by your side."

He wouldn't lose to something like cancer.

He'd cling to life, endure—

Even if he became a tattered rag, he'd stay by her side.

"Daddy will survive, no matter what."

At his words, Hana's eyes welled up with tears.

"Daddy love Hana?"

"Huh?"

"You say you no love Hana before."

There had been a day when harsh words spilled from his lips.

He had lashed out at her for refusing to play the "practice for when Daddy's gone" game.

"You have to!"

He had shouted, driving nails into his own chest with every word.

"Daddy doesn't love Hana at all! He's getting ready to leave her behind—how many times do I have to say it?!"

"That's why you have to!"

"Because we don't know when or how Daddy will leave, we have to keep practicing while we can!"

He had done it because he couldn't bear the thought of her missing him.

It wasn't that he hated his child—he hated his own life.

"Hana know."

Fidgeting, she folded her tiny fingers as she spoke.

"Hana know too, 'cause Hana smart."

Her voice trembled.

"Daddy love Hana."

"Hana..."

"Daddy stay with Hana always."

The little girl buried herself in Ban Byeong-hun's arms, sniffling softly—

THUD THUD THUD!

Suddenly, someone pounded on the front door.

The tiny basement unit shook from the noise.

Ban Byeong-hun cautiously called out,

"W-who is it?"

Kang-jun's words from earlier flashed through his mind.

"A guest will visit your home this evening."

Hesitantly, he opened the door—

"Hana's father?"

A goblin in a tuxedo—Kazan—peered up at Ban Byeong-hun's face.

"Who...?"

Kazan answered smoothly.

"I am Kazan, Chairman of the Snow White Daycare Foundation."

"Chairman...? What brings you here at this hour...?"

"Nothing major. Just a home visit for welfare assessment."

After scanning the cramped space, he added dryly,

"Goodness, how can anyone stretch their legs properly in such a tiny place?"

Then, stepping inside in polished dress shoes, he opened the fridge and frowned.

"What exactly do you eat here?"

"W-well..."

"Utterly disastrous conditions."

Kazan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose before continuing in a low voice.

"Pack only the essentials immediately."

"Eh?"

"You qualify for emergency housing assistance."

Pulling out a notepad, he skimmed through the notes and added,

"And I hear you're currently unemployed?"

"Y-yes..."

"How do you expect to raise a child with income this unstable?!"

He clicked his tongue.

"Starting tomorrow, report to the private bank in Insa-dong—an exclusive network for discreet high-net-worth individuals—for onboarding and training."

"Eh...?"

"Nine-to-six shifts, five days a week. Starting salary is 7,000 post-tax, plus guaranteed bonuses."

He paused.

"Any objections?"

"N-no..."

"Then you'll start—"

Abruptly, Kazan muttered under his breath, "No, wait..." before correcting himself.

"Actually, since you qualify for our employee wellness program, we'll grant you a full year of paid leave to focus on treatment."

"Eh...?"

"Our company recently instituted a policy granting up to one year of paid leave for employees battling severe illnesses."

He added matter-of-factly,

"All medical expenses will be fully covered, so you can check into the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hospital first thing tomorrow."

"Fully covered...?"

"Just endure a little longer until we procure an 'Elixir' by scouring every dimension if necessary."

Ban Byeong-hun licked his lips nervously. "Wh-what do you mean...?"

Kazan continued without missing a beat.

"As of today, the company has enacted a policy to distribute Elixirs sequentially to employees suffering from otherwise incurable conditions."

Then, he held out a key.

"Ah, this is a company-provided compact vehicle."

"A c-car too?!"

"All paperwork is already processed, so you can start using it immediately."

Kazan pressed the key fob, and a distant beep echoed outside.

"Fuel expenses for non-work-related trips are also fully reimbursed—just keep the receipts and submit them."

"Wh-why...?"

"Once you recover, take your child out to enjoy herself. Consider it a personal-use perk."

As Kazan flipped through his notepad again, muttering, "Let's see..."

"Why... such generosity...?"

Kazan glanced at him sidelong before answering solemnly.

"An anonymous benefactor requested it."

"Who...?"

"Father, do you still believe it?"

Kazan's voice softened.

"Do you still think you were born to be punished?"

Ban Byeong-hun's breath caught.

Ah.

Kang-jun's face flashed in his mind.

"I see you don't."

Kazan smiled faintly.

"I'll relay that."

Stepping outside, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he called over his shoulder.

"I'll be waiting. Just grab what you need and come out."

Once Kazan left—

"Seol's father..."

Ban Byeong-hun collapsed to his knees, weeping uncontrollably.

"Daddy, why cry...?"

Hana hugged him tightly.

"Hana..."

His voice was a broken whisper.

"Let's live..."

It was a plea—a vow.

"We have to live..."

A promise.

"Somehow... we'll live."

A command to himself.

The night deepened.

A life had been upended.

And that someone—

Would no longer fear tomorrow.

Such was the night.