Chapter 113: Even the Absolute Being Is a First-Time Dad
Absolute One Is Also New to Fatherhood - Episode 113
Dawn had yet to break in the early morning.
Creak—
A middle-aged man entered a spacious office with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Seoul skyline.
Step, step.
From his perfectly combed pomade hair to his immaculate suit without a single wrinkle—everything about him was meticulous.
"A bit crooked..."
He carefully straightened the nameplate on his desk with delicate fingers.
—Director Seo Do-cheol, Bureau of Awakened and Gate Management.
After neatly hanging his suit jacket on the coat rack, he took his seat before the mountain of documents piled on his desk.
"Good..."
As the director of the government-affiliated Bureau of Awakened and Gate Management, he was technically classified as a high-ranking public official.
In principle, he could have worked from 9 AM to 6 PM and left on time...
"Another mountain of work piled up..."
But to fulfill his duties as director, even dedicating every waking hour wasn't enough.
No.
Ever since the phenomenon of Gates appeared, he had to sacrifice almost all his days off. His entire existence had become consumed by work.
"Hmm..."
With busy hands, he began flipping through the towering stacks of documents.
Rustle, rustle.
He reviewed administrative reports on Gate management and suppression, examined submissions from various guilds...
Checked budget execution records and support status for Hunters, organized schedules for important annual events while reviewing the documents.
The sun rose.
His chief secretary arrived on time, offering a respectful greeting before bringing him a glass of cold water and a few nutritional supplements.
"Thank you."
Yet Director Seo Do-cheol remained unshaken, wholly absorbed in his duties without a moment's respite.
It was only several hours later that he finally set down the fountain pen he had been clutching tightly.
Roll...
The pen rolled precariously to the edge of the desk before coming to a stop.
"Almost done..."
He had an extremely important field appointment in the afternoon.
That was why he had come in early and worked without rest.
His gaze shifted to the monitor on his desk.
Today's Gate accident fatalities: 12.
Someone's life reduced to a mere number.
He hated that.
He stayed at his post every day because he hated it.
"Peace..."
His eyes lingered briefly on a photograph of his late wife placed on the spacious side table.
"What do you think?"
He asked the woman in the photo.
"Do you really think this dangerous world can ever return to peace?"
His wife, too, had been swept up in a Gate accident, leaving him overnight.
The next day.
She became just another number beside the word "deceased" in the reports he received.
—Director Seo Do-cheol ranked first in a survey of Korea's S-rank Hunters as the most trusted public official.
—Since the appointment of Director Seo Do-cheol, the hero of command, Gate fatality rates have shown a marked decline...
—The unceasing light from his office, the beacon of hope Director Seo Do-cheol...
Every media outlet praised him.
Respect and gratitude poured in...
And he silently carried out his duties.
But.
In truth, he couldn't even protect his own wife.
Was that all?
During his wife's funeral...
"Director, just for today..."
He still went to the office as usual.
Reviewed documents...
Handled administrative tasks.
"Do you hate me?"
He had no time to grieve.
As the public official responsible for peace.
He couldn't afford to break.
"I'm sorry."
His gaze slowly shifted to a thick file placed on one side of the spacious desk.
On its cover was printed in large letters: "Lee Kang-jun."
"I didn't think the only thing I could do for you, who left before me, was to hold your coffin and cry."
His voice dissipated emptily.
"I wanted to restore this world."
The office was silent.
"Truthfully, I still dream of peace."
A bitter smile crossed his face.
"I don't know if you'd believe me..."
He put on his neatly hung suit jacket again, adjusted his attire, and added quietly:
"I have a good feeling."
Then he left the office.
"I'll be back after my field appointment."
As he passed the desk of his chief secretary stationed right outside his office, the secretary tilted his head slightly and asked:
"Shall I prepare a car?"
After a brief moment of thought, he replied.
"No."
Then added:
"I'll walk."
The man who could be the key to peace.
Lee Kang-jun.
He intended to go see him.
"Hoo."
Director Seo Do-cheol, standing before the entrance of a newly built villa in Yeoksam-dong, took a deep breath and carefully pressed the doorbell.
Ding-dong—
The door soon opened...
"Who is it?"
A young woman in her early twenties peeked out through the gap.
"I am Seo Do-cheol, currently serving as the director of Korea's Bureau of Awakened and Gate Management."
The woman replied.
"Is your name Seo Do-cheol?"
"Yes..."
"It's similar to mine."
"Huh?"
"My name is Seo Gyu-ri."
After speaking, Iriel showed the sketchbook in her hand and added quietly:
"Written out, it looks like this."
The page was densely filled with the characters "Seo Gyu-ri."
Silence lingered for a moment.
Unsure how to respond, he muttered vaguely, "I see," before continuing.
"Actually, I came to see Mr. Lee Kang-jun, who resides here, regarding an important matter..."
At that, Seo Gyu-ri—
No.
Iriel answered.
"My lord is not here."
"Huh?"
"He went to the mart with his sister."
Then she added:
"I wanted to accompany them, but I had academic pursuits to attend to, so I remained in the imperial residence to focus on my studies."
Seo Do-cheol let out a short "Ah," unable to hide his awkwardness, and politely asked again.
"Do you know when he'll return...?"
After a moment of thought, Iriel replied.
"He should be back soon..."
Seo Do-cheol nodded resignedly.
"I should have called ahead. Since he's out, I'll return this evening."
Just then, Seo Do-cheol's phone vibrated.
[Emergency Disaster Alert: An S-rank or higher Gate has been confirmed near Haengbok Mart in Yeoksam-dong.]
[Due to the recent increase in Gate rampage phenomena, nearby Hunters are advised not to enter without Bureau approval.]
Reading the alert, Seo Do-cheol's eyes widened. "Haengbok Mart..." he murmured under his breath.
"Did you just say Haengbok Mart?"
"Yes, that's right."
"My lord is there..."
At that, Director Seo Do-cheol said:
"Then... Mr. Lee Kang-jun is in danger right now."
"Danger?"
"If an S-rank Gate experiences a rampage phenomenon..."
Iriel replied:
"What an amusing thing to say."
Then she swung the door wide open and answered:
"Come inside and wait quietly."
At the same time.
"Noona, check out what I sent you."
Kang-jun, who had gone to the supermarket with Lee Soo-bin for the first time in a while, fiddled with his smartphone before speaking.
[Only Brother: ■ ]
Soo-bin asked:
"What's this?"
"It's yangban kimchi."
Kang-jun added proudly:
"I developed it myself."
Soo-bin replied, "You worked hard," and began browsing the shelves again when—
"Noona, look at this one."
Soo-bin answered quietly, "Okay," and checked the next message Kang-jun sent.
[Only Brother: ♨ ]
Soo-bin asked:
"Is this... noodles?"
"Wow, good guess."
"Hey, that's impressive."
Kang-jun muttered, "Nice," then sent another message and asked quietly:
"Then what's this?"
Soo-bin looked at her phone again...
[Only Brother: @ + ♨ ]
When Soo-bin couldn't figure it out immediately and tilted her head, Kang-jun explained:
"It's golbaengi somen (cold noodles with whelk)."
Soo-bin murmured, "Wow..." and looked at Kang-jun, who seemed pleased.
'How could such an innocent kid hide anything so serious that he agonized over it so much...?'
Lately, the peaceful days had made her suspicions about Kang-jun fade.
Just as she pushed the shopping cart forward carefully—
Weeeee—
A loud siren suddenly blared through the mart...
The abrupt announcement turned the mart into chaos.
—Attention, customers. An S-rank or higher Gate has been confirmed near the mart.
—Once the Gate fully manifests, there is a risk of customers being pulled inside...
—Please evacuate immediately to the rooftop parking lot, the farthest point from the Gate's location...
—If you are pulled into the Gate, please follow the official disaster response manual...
Soo-bin turned pale and stammered:
"K-Kang-jun..."
Kang-jun answered quietly:
"Noona."
Then added:
"Just stay behind me."
At that moment—
Whoooooosh—!
A massive surge of magical energy swept through the area...
Most of the people inside the mart vanished without a trace.
Kang-jun and Soo-bin were also gone.