Chapter 126: Even the Absolute Being Is a First-Time Dad
Absolute One Is Also New to Fatherhood - Chapter 126
Inside an abandoned, unfinished building.
"Damn, lost again?"
Several men were gathered around a makeshift gambling table illuminated by a single yellow bulb.
Thud, thud.
When a young man wearing a security company jacket appeared, their gazes momentarily focused on him.
"Everyone here?"
As the young man casually took a seat, one of the men tossed his cards onto the table and asked, "You said you found a new mark?"
"Yeah," the young man answered before adding, "I don't know the details, but it's big enough to easily net us over a hundred bills."
The men's eyes widened in unison at this, and questions began pouring out.
"A hundred bills? You mean a billion won?"
"That's insane..."
"Wait, we're kidnapping a kid again?"
The security-jacketed young man, Lee Hyung-woo, lit a cigarette before responding tersely: "This one's different."
Exhaling a cloud of smoke, he continued, "How many times have I told you? Kidnapping random brats from mediocre families isn't worth the effort..."
He chuckled before adding in a boastful tone, "If we're going big, we need to aim higher."
One of the men leaned forward eagerly. "Whose kid is it?"
Hyung-woo shrugged. "Don't know exactly."
Then after a deliberate pause: "But I'm telling you, this one's different."
This group specialized in kidnapping children, extorting ransom money from parents, then selling the victims to human trafficking rings instead of releasing them. They'd committed over a dozen such crimes already. Though their identities had been exposed during a recent arrest...
That hadn't mattered.
Thanks to the skill Hyung-woo awakened with, they easily evaded police investigations.
Disguise.
His ability allowed him to alter not just his own face, but others' as well for limited durations. Unless the observer possessed exceptional mana detection abilities, the skill activation went completely unnoticed.
While useless in combat, it was perfect for meticulous criminal operations.
"I've always wondered about the kids from that elite kindergarten in Gangnam..."
To scout targets, Hyung-woo had infiltrated as a new hire at the security company guarding "Snow White Kindergarten." Over two weeks, he'd carefully observed the well-dressed children during drop-offs and pickups.
"There's this girl named Seol."
Hyung-woo picked up the deck and began shuffling skillfully.
"Pretty little thing with bright manners."
"And?"
"Just the clothes she wears daily are worth..." He trailed off while dealing cards. "Did a rough estimate—over a hundred million per outfit."
One accomplice examined his hand. "If true, whatever the parents do, they'd pay a billion easily for their kid's life..."
Another asked, "So when's the job?"
"Next Monday's best."
"Why then?"
"School arts festival that day." Hyung-woo smirked. "Chaos works in our favor."
Another member questioned, "What about the kid after?"
"Really? You're asking that?"
"Selling her like usual?"
"Of course."
"Strange hearing you compliment a kid..."
Hyung-woo exhaled smoke. "You know I hate children."
Then he added thoughtfully, "Might just kill this one though."
"Why bother?"
"Her father pissed me off."
Hyung-woo stroked his chin, recalling his earlier encounter with Kang-jun.
"Seems you're overly interested in unnecessary matters."
The sharp remark had irritated him, but worse was the man's condescending gaze.
"Just exchanged a few words today, but those eyes... like he was looking down on me."
He continued, "Seeing how he picks her up daily, he clearly dotes on her. Wonder if he'll stay that arrogant if she dies."
Then—
"Working hard so late at night."
A deep, resonant voice suddenly echoed through the vacant building.
"W-what the—?"
The startled men jumped up like meerkats, frantically scanning their surroundings.
Then—
From the unlit depths, two crimson eyes flashed.
Thud, thud...
A mysterious figure emerged from the shadows.
"I'll grant you exactly one minute."
It was an elderly man.
"Perhaps insufficient to put your affairs in order before death, but enough time to prepare your hearts."
The old man possessed strikingly handsome, foreign features, his snow-white hair immaculately groomed without a strand out of place...
Yet this dignified appearance clashed absurdly with his tracksuit and convenience store vest.
"W-who are you?!"
Ignoring them, the old man checked his smartphone before speaking softly:
"Though you've committed countless sins in your brief lives, your greatest crimes are conspiracy and imperial defamation..."
As the old man smiled eerily, sharp fangs glinted.
"Sentenced to immediate execution on-site."
As his voice faded—
Fzzzt!
The lone bulb flickered violently before dying.
Screams filled the building as blood and viscera sprayed wildly.
Some time later...
The bulb flickered back to life, weakly illuminating the scene.
"Hmm."
Crabsley brushed imaginary bloodstains from his vest and made a call.
"My liege."
After surveying the corpses at his feet, he reported with utmost deference:
"All targets eliminated."
Jung Yoon-chan, recently exhausted from balancing theatrical consulting and training, had just collapsed into bed.
'So tired...'
As he adjusted his position—
Buzz!
His phone vibrated on the nightstand.
"Who'd message this late...?"
[ You awake? ]
The sender: Immortal.
Before he could wonder—
Buzz!
[ Guess not. ]
Yoon-chan hastily replied: [ No, I'm up. ]
Kang-jun immediately sent an address: [ Jongno-gu, Insa-dong... ]
After brief hesitation, Yoon-chan replied he'd head over immediately.
[ Good. Our kid handled something. Need cleanup. ]
Yoon-chan blinked at the cryptic message.
"'Our kid handled something, need cleanup'...?"
After momentary speculation, he dressed and drove his luxury sports car to the location.
"Abandoned building?"
Entering hurriedly, Yoon-chan froze at the sight.
"Dear god..."
Several mutilated corpses littered the floor, their original forms unrecognizable.
His gaze then fell on the lone old man seated calmly at the table.
'Don't tell me he's...'
The "our kid" Kang-jun mentioned?
"Appreciate you rushing here."
The old man watching YouTube videos on his phone addressed him.
"My liege mentioned you'd come."
"Pardon?"
"Said he'd send someone for cleanup."
Crabsley held up a finger. "One moment—" then refocused on his screen.
"Can't pause now—teamfight's starting."
"Uh, sure..."
"Just sit and wait—it'll end soon."
The old man seemed engrossed in a famous streamer's live broadcast.
Yoon-chan swallowed dryly, trying to process the situation.
"These vermin plotted to kidnap Her Highness."
"So..."
"Executed per imperial decree."
Understanding dawned. "Ah..."
Yoon-chan muttered darkly, "They deserved worse..."
Crabsley nodded, then studied him sidelong.
"My liege mentioned you trained under Lord Nazgul."
Yoon-chan perked up. "You know my master?"
"Knew him," Crabsley corrected, finally pocketing his phone.
"Though he ultimately served alongside my liege..."
A pause.
"Long ago, they were mortal enemies desperate to kill each other."
Crabsley's eyes grew distant with memory.
"I was once the Vampire Lord threatening the continent's peace, while Lord Nazgul was its guardian hero..."
He added lightly, "All past matters now."
Yoon-chan stared speechlessly.
'This old man was Master's rival...?'
Yet he still lived?
Meaning...
He possessed strength comparable to his master, whose swordsmanship was peerless.
'Just who is he...?'
Crabsley stood abruptly.
"I'd like to see Nazgul again..."
Then he added, "I'll repay tonight's favor—visit my workplace soon?"
"Your workplace...?"
Crabsley pointed to the convenience store logo embroidered on his vest.
"GU Convenience."
"Huh?"
"I'll specially..." He lowered his voice conspiratorially.
"Give you some expired products."
"Expired...?"
"Or do you know 'League of Legends'?"
"I... played a little long ago..."
"We could play sometime."
Crabsley added proudly, "I'm a Grandmaster, you know."
After much struggle, he'd recently achieved Grandmaster tier and now aimed for Challenger (top 300).
"Well then."
With that, Crabsley exited, leaving Yoon-chan staring blankly after him.
The late night deepened.