Chapter 114: Even the Absolute Being Is a First-Time Dad
Absolute One Is Also a First-Time Dad Episode 114
Seo Do-cheol arrived at the scene within mere minutes.
"Approximately one hundred civilians and five hunters have been confirmed to have been pulled inside the gate..."
After silently listening to the bureau employee's report, Seo Do-cheol gave a single nod before immediately asking:
"What's the status of the S-rank hunters' assembly?"
"We sent out a large-scale support request just now..."
"Meaning it'll take several more minutes for them to arrive."
As Seo Do-cheol finished speaking, he began unconsciously gnawing at his fingernails while staring intently at the gate that had appeared on the main road of Yeoksam-dong.
"This won't do..."
He immediately pulled out his phone.
Tap, tap.
He sent messages to the S-rank hunters:
Lee Kang-jun and his sister are trapped inside the S-rank gate that appeared on Yeoksam-dong main road. Assemble as quickly as possible.
No matter how formidable Lee Kang-jun's powers might be, could he really suppress an S-rank gate while protecting civilians? Especially with the recent frequent occurrences of gate rampage phenomena?
'It's absolutely impossible...'
If he had entered alone to conquer the gate, that would be one thing. But fighting while protecting about a hundred civilians? That would be beyond his capacity.
'Please...'
Seo Do-cheol could only sincerely hope that this Lee Kang-jun could hold out until the rescue team arrived.
Kang-jun's vision suddenly "snapped" into a completely different scene.
[You have entered the gate 'Desert of Death'.]
The sunlight was so intense it made his face instinctively contort, heat waves shimmering over the sandy desert from the scorching temperature.
"A desert..."
As Kang-jun shielded his face with one hand while looking around, he heard:
"K-Kang-jun..."
Lee Soo-bin, clinging tightly to his side, spoke in a frightened voice.
"Don't worry."
Kang-jun answered briefly, lightly patting his sister's shoulder before adding:
"Just stay behind me."
Soo-bin reluctantly nodded, then kept looking around warily like a meerkat, constantly scanning their surroundings.
Clearly, most of the people who had been grocery shopping at Happy Mart had been sucked into the gate too.
"What... what do we do now...?"
"The rescue team will come..."
"Mommy, it's so hot I can't breathe..."
Then:
"Is there another hunter here?!"
A rough-looking man surveyed the panicked crowd and spoke loudly:
"For your information, I'm Kang Jin-hyuk, an A-rank hunter from the Scorpion Guild."
He had a burly physique, with limbs—even his neck—as thick as tree trunks.
"Am I the only hunter here?"
Soon, other men cautiously stepped forward to identify themselves:
"I'm a B-rank hunter..."
"C-rank here..."
"I'm also B-rank..."
Watching this, Soo-bin whispered in Kang-jun's ear:
"Kang-jun, what a relief..."
"Hmm?"
"There are hunters here..."
Kang-jun replied:
"I doubt they'll be enough."
According to his expanded sensory perception, this ragtag group would be utterly incapable of suppressing this place.
'I'll have to step in.'
Then he asked:
"How much time until we need to pick up Seol?"
"Um, maybe an hour or two..."
"We need to get out by then."
Soo-bin responded:
"That would be great, but since we don't know when help will arrive, we should follow the hunters' instructions for now..."
Just then, Kang Jin-hyuk spoke again:
"I'll speak plainly."
He scanned the terrified crowd before continuing smoothly:
"You all know there's a significant time dilation between inside a gate and the outside world."
He added:
"No matter how quickly they send rescuers, it could take days by our time here."
A child suddenly burst into tears:
"Waaaaah! Mommyyy!"
Kang Jin-hyuk's brow furrowed as he snapped harshly:
"Shut it."
The startled child's eyes widened comically as it gulped air, then began hiccuping uncontrollably.
"Anyone who disrupts group survival or disobeys hunter commands—man, woman, or child—will be expelled."
His tone was uncompromising as he added:
"And unfortunately, I can't control my temper when I hear brats whining..."
He approached the child.
"One more sound from you and I'll toss you into the heart of the gate. Remember that."
The crowd fell silent.
"Our ultimate goal is to survive by camping near the gate entrance until rescue comes."
Kang Jin-hyuk pointed at some of the sturdier-looking men in the dazed crowd.
"You'll accompany us hunters on reconnaissance to gather food and water."
Hearing this, Soo-bin tugged Kang-jun's sleeve, her voice trembling slightly:
"K-Kang-jun..."
Because Kang-jun was among those selected.
"Any objections?"
Then a scrawny young man spoke up in a shaking voice:
"I-I wouldn't be any help even if I joined..."
Kang Jin-hyuk took a deep breath, then suddenly grabbed the man by his collar.
"Are you seriously saying we should protect you while you do nothing?"
"N-no, I—"
"You think we're obligated to shelter useless parasites?"
He added quietly:
"At least make yourself useful as a meat shield to prove your worth."
"But—"
"Frankly, I'm not generous enough to carry dead weight that just consumes supplies."
With that, he shoved the man away with all his strength.
Thud!
The man staggered like a newborn foal before collapsing.
'Good...'
Kang Jin-hyuk saw this sudden S-rank gate situation as an opportunity.
Once rescue arrived, if he could maintain control until then...
'I'll definitely be recognized for my service when we get out...'
He looked at the trembling crowd.
'A few deaths won't matter...'
He was the type completely steeped in the "chosen people" mentality toward non-awakened civilians.
He only needed to bring enough survivors out to earn credit.
Anyone disobeying orders? He'd personally break their necks and feed them to monsters.
'People die in gates every day—the bureau would never investigate thoroughly...'
His gaze then roamed over the young women scattered through the crowd.
'There are some usable bitches here.'
He smirked darkly.
Especially...
His eyes lingered on Soo-bin's face.
'That one's the prettiest.'
Then Kang-jun stepped forward.
"I object."
Kang Jin-hyuk's face twisted as he glared daggers at Kang-jun.
"Camping in the middle of the desert? Even if we humor this nonsense, there are limits."
"What?"
"During the day we risk heatstroke, and at night temperatures will drop below freezing."
Muttering "This bastard..." Kang Jin-hyuk strode toward Kang-jun.
"I'm so sorry!"
Soo-bin spread her arms protectively in front of Kang-jun.
"My brother isn't feeling well."
"Brother?"
"Yes, I'll make sure he behaves."
Turning to Kang-jun, she admonished:
"Kang-jun, first apologize, then we'll follow their instructions until—"
But Kang-jun was adamant.
"No."
To Kang Jin-hyuk, he said:
"If we camp, we should at least find a secure location first. This open area? You'll freeze to death."
His tone was mocking as he added:
"You might have time to waste, but I'm busy. Camp all you want."
Then to Soo-bin:
"Noona, come with me."
Soo-bin hesitated.
"We need to pick up Seol."
"K-Kang-jun..."
"It's fine. Come on."
Just then:
"Fine, go ahead."
Kang Jin-hyuk smiled nastily.
'No need to dirty my hands—the local monsters will take care of them soon enough...'
Having made up his mind, he addressed Kang-jun with false magnanimity:
"There's a condition for letting you go."
"What nonsense now?"
"You leave alone."
Suddenly, he grabbed Soo-bin's wrist.
"I can't let an innocent woman die."
"You'll want to remove that hand for your health."
"Die alone if you want to."
Kang Jin-hyuk whispered in Kang-jun's ear:
"I'll take good care of your sister, so leave quietly while you can..."
Then asked softly:
"Or should I snap both your necks?"
Kang-jun's expression hardened.
"Remove your hand in three seconds."
"This bastard—"
"Or you die."
Kang-jun began counting calmly.
"One."
Silence fell.
"Two."
Their gazes clashed in midair.
"Three."
As Kang-jun finished counting—
He casually removed one of his slippers.
Gripping it firmly, he told Soo-bin quietly:
"Noona, close your eyes for a second."
"K-Kang-jun! It's dangerous—it's hot!"
"No, it's just pleasantly warm."
He added:
"Trust me, just close your eyes."
The next instant—
WHACK!
A thunderous noise erupted.
"KYAAAAH!"
Soo-bin squeezed her eyes shut and collapsed on the spot.