Chapter 140: Even the Absolute Being Is a First-Time Dad
Even the Absolute One is New to Fatherhood - Chapter 140
- The danger level observed from the gate suddenly forming near the sky above Baekdu Mountain's Heaven Lake has reached unprecedented heights...
- Even just looking at the numerical values, it already surpasses the calamity-grade gate that destroyed Shimane Prefecture earlier this year or the Shanghai Lu Jia Zui gate...
- The Bureau announced that the gate's full manifestation is projected to occur approximately seven days from now, while mobilizing all domestic S-rank Hunters...
- Simultaneously, gates of varying scales have been observed forming worldwide, with the Seoul metropolitan area in Korea also showing signs of...
- Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol advised citizens to refrain from unnecessary outings, explaining that a "Wave Phenomenon" could occur unpredictably at any...
The ominous phrase "Global Disaster Declaration" slowly scrolled across the bottom of the news broadcast.
Kang-jun, who had been silently watching the TV, began methodically organizing the chaotic thoughts swirling in his mind.
'Main Narrative...'
Hadn't the status window referred to everything currently unfolding as the "Gi" (Beginning) phase of the main narrative?
'No, wait...'
To be more precise, it had clearly labeled this impending catastrophe as "The Predestined Day of Asgard Star Cluster's Destruction."
This raised questions.
If the current disaster was indeed closely tied to the Asgard Star Cluster...
Why was this calamity beginning on Earth rather than in their own dimension?
"Immortal-nim."
At Director Seo Do-cheol's call, Kang-jun snapped back to attention and nodded.
"Yeah."
After ordering Iriel and Marbas to protect his family, he had immediately come to the Bureau Director's office with Crabsley.
"What should our response be?"
Kang-jun countered with his own question.
"Have all S-rank Hunters assembled?"
"They're gathered in the basement level one."
"Then let's go down and talk."
In the spacious underground "Special Training Room" of the Bureau's Seoul branch, all of Korea's S-rank Hunters stood in formation.
"E-excuse me, seniors..."
Amid the tense atmosphere, the recently promoted 49th rank S-grade Flame Mage Lee Hwa-joon cautiously spoke up.
"I don't understand..."
The S-rank Hunters turned to look at him...
"Why are we being held here when we should be mobilizing immediately for this global-scale disaster..."
At that moment.
Clank—!
As the training room door opened, three men strode purposefully toward them.
"Thank you for responding to the summons."
Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol entered first and expressed his gratitude, followed by a "young man" who cut straight to the point.
"Let's skip the formalities."
It was Kang-jun.
"You will remain here."
Lee Hwa-joon interjected.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I don't believe we've met."
"Who are you to—"
Crabsley issued a low warning.
"Mind your manners before His Lordship."
Kang-jun waved it off with a dismissive hand gesture. "Enough," he said quietly before calling out.
"Hey, rookie."
His tone carried an innate authority that instinctively commanded respect.
How to describe it?
There was an undeniable air of nobility—too refined to simply call authoritative.
'Aristocrat...'
The word surfaced unbidden in Lee Hwa-joon's mind.
If he had to define it, it was aristocratic speech.
No matter how casually he acted, you could feel the inherent class distinction.
"I admire courage."
Kang-jun stepped close enough to adjust the younger man's collar as he spoke softly.
"But a soldier with nothing but courage only meaninglessly sacrifices himself in pointless battles."
Meeting Lee Hwa-joon's gaze directly, Kang-jun added:
"So follow orders."
Lee Hwa-joon unconsciously swallowed dryly.
"Understood..."
His instincts whispered in his ear.
This was someone beyond his station—he should show proper respect.
The honorifics slipped out naturally...
After surveying all the Hunters present, Kang-jun continued:
"This isn't a gate you can handle."
Silence lingered briefly.
"Only two will enter."
In the heavy quiet...
"Myself."
Kang-jun's gaze shifted to Crabsley.
"And Crabsley."
His solemn voice echoed.
"That's all."
Bureau Director Seo asked again:
"Then what about the S-rank Hunters...?"
Kang-jun replied quietly:
"Deploy the rest as you see fit."
With a final "Dismissed," Kang-jun concluded the assembly and exited the training room with Crabsley.
Their destination?
Baekdu Mountain's volcanic region near Heaven Lake—where the largest gate in history was forming by the minute.
Before the fated time arrived and the main narrative of Asgard's predestined destruction began, they would strike the gate first.
Same time.
The palace of the great Asgard Star Cluster.
Valhalla.
Thor's voice boomed thunderously.
"We should strike first!"
Around the long table, the assembled figures all wore grave expressions.
Not just Kang-jun—every deity of the Abyss had received the same system message:
[ The main narrative marking the "Gi" (Beginning) phase has commenced. ]
[ Title of main narrative: The Predestined Day of the Asgard Star Cluster's Destruction. ]
[ Designated location for this narrative: Dimension No. 129, "Earth." ]
The long-dreaded day of Asgard's destruction had arrived...
Yet for some reason, the battlefield had been set on Earth rather than here.
"Foolhardy."
Odin answered solemnly.
"What reason is there to fight Surtur on his home turf of Muspelheim?"
Muspelheim—the land of fire where lava and sulfur flowed between cracked earth—heavily favored the flame giant Surtur.
It would be far more reasonable to wait until Ragnarök properly began and fight on the neutral ground of Earth.
"Father—!"
But Thor showed no intention of backing down.
"Earth is ■■■'s dimension!"
Thor shouted to everyone again.
"Haven't we delayed the long-overdue day of destruction this long only because of his help?"
A heavy silence fell over the hall.
"No one can deny that fact..."
Had ■■■ not helped, the predestined day of destruction—Ragnarök—would have come much sooner.
If ■■■ hadn't eliminated Jörmungandr and Hela, who were fated to contribute to the day of destruction...
If he hadn't plucked out Loki's eyes, rendering him useless, or confronted Surtur to restrict his movements...
"Had ■■■ not intervened, Asgard's predestined destruction would have come long ago."
This was why all deities of the Asgard Star Cluster held ■■■ in high esteem.
"But the most important thing is the star cluster's survival, is it not?"
"Father—!"
"Even fighting on neutral ground doesn't guarantee victory."
"But!"
"Attacking Muspelheim would be extremely reckless and foolish."
Thor's neck veins bulged as he retorted:
"This is Asgard's fight!"
He recalled his visit to "Earth" to deliver information about the Celestial Banquet.
Not only had ■■■ paid for his chariot fare, but he'd also treated him to dinner.
"Kang-jun."
The day he revealed his true name.
"That's my true name."
Thor had seen what he protected.
He had people depending on him.
A lovely daughter.
"Anyone who covets my title."
"Who threatens my family."
"Who sets foot in my dimension."
"Or dares to oppose me."
Understanding even his outburst at the Celestial Banquet.
"They'd better be ready to get wrecked."
Clearly, he fought to protect what was his.
"From what I witnessed visiting ■■■'s dimension, he too struggles to protect something."
Thor stood abruptly.
"Haven't we already received his grace?"
Still, silence prevailed.
"We cannot drag ■■■ into our war."
"Sit down now!"
"Then I'll go alone if I must."
Thor gripped Mjolnir tightly as he declared.
"I don't mind help, but don't try to stop me. I'll attack Muspelheim single-handedly to stop Ragnarök."
With that, Thor strode out of Valhalla's halls.
"That fool..."
Odin too rose to his feet.
"I shall also go."
He added bitterly:
"What father could watch silently as his foolish son marches to his doom...?"
Odin smiled wryly.
"The rest of you may decide freely."
Then Heimdall—the deity known by the epithet "Holy Gatekeeper of Asgard"—stood as well.
"Dividing our forces would be inefficient."
"You..."
"I too shall join the Muspelheim campaign."
One by one, other deities began rising from their seats...
"I will join as well..."
"Me too..."
"I'll contribute what little I can."
Soon all deities had risen.
Odin found himself smiling faintly before speaking.
"All forces."
He added with emphasis:
"Prepare for deployment."
Asgard began to move.
For days now, deafening roars had echoed ceaselessly from Flower-Fruit Mountain's peak.
The Great Sage Equal of Heaven, Sun Wukong, staggered after receiving a slap from the Bull Demon King...
"N-now it's my turn!"
Wukong barely steadied himself before slapping the Bull Demon King back with all his might.
CRAAAAASH—!
For days now, the two had gone without sleep or food, trading slaps.
All because they were engrossed in the "idiot contest" Kang-jun had suggested to determine who would be "big brother."
Then, identical system messages appeared before both deities...
"Earth?"
The contest paused momentarily.
"Isn't Earth big brother's dimension?"
The Bull Demon King nodded at Wukong's question.
"Pretty sure."
Wukong pressed further.
"Seems like brother's in danger."
"You really plan to honor him as elder brother?"
"We even pledged it with narrative and achievements!"
"Well, that's true but..."
Having formed this bond, weren't they sworn brothers now?
"Guess we gotta go."
"Obviously."
"So we're calling a truce?"
"Naturally."
The two deities each picked up their divine weapons...
"You're not completely useless when it comes to loyalty."
"We're brothers now."
"Exactly, between brothers..."
"We should fear no death."
Chatting back and forth, they descended the mountain.
Thus, the two monstrous deities of Flower-Fruit Mountain began moving.
For their unintentionally acquired "big brother."
Muspelheim.
The land of fire where lava and sulfur flowed between cracked earth, with heat haze blooming everywhere.
「 Oh King of Flame Giants... 」
「 Grant us your command... 」
「 Permission to burn... 」
Countless flame giants gathered below dizzying cliffs.
"Wait longer."
The flame giants who craved destruction.
Muspelheim's ruler.
King of all flame giants.
"The time nears."
Surtur sat upon his fiercely burning throne, issuing commands to the flame giants below.
"Compared to how long we've waited, what remains is but an instant..."
A sinister smile played on his lips.
"Endure a while longer."
Behind Surtur stood creatures so grotesque they defied description.
「The Outer Entities」
Not only would the gods of Asgard meet their end through Ragnarök, but he'd also promised them ■■■'s title...
「 This will greatly aid ■■■■-nim's revival... 」
「 Using Asgard's gods as nourishment... 」
「 ■■■■ will return in no time... 」
The interested Outer Gods...
「 Very well, we shall lend our strength. 」
Promised intervention and provided troops.
"Now victory is assured."
Everything was proceeding exactly as planned.
Ragnarök would undoubtedly succeed...
Asgard's narrative would become mere apocalypse.
"I can hardly wait..."
As his laughter spread across Muspelheim—
SCREEEEEECH—!
Reality split open, revealing a "massive warship."
A vessel adorned with the agonized faces of the dead at its prow...
"Naglfar..."
Originally built to transport reinforcements during Ragnarök—Hela's warship.
"As expected, he's involved."
Surtur rose from his throne.
Now...
■■■ and Asgard's forces would disembark from Naglfar.
Thud.
Contrary to expectations, only ■■■ and his vassal disembarked.
"Just two?"
Flame giants roared and beat their chests wildly...
"As you see."
Kang-jun briefly assessed their numbers before replying.
"Two should be enough."
His gaze shifted to the Outer Entities lined up behind Surtur...
Scratching his head awkwardly, he glanced at poor Crabsley and muttered:
"Ah, fuck. Was I wrong?"
Surtur's vile grin widened.
"How reckless."
No matter how powerful ■■■'s title, he couldn't possibly face this many flame giants and Outer Entities.
"Reckless..."
Surtur's smile turned vicious.
"Perfect."
He summoned his divine power.
"Before Ragnarök begins..."
Silence briefly reigned.
"I'll take your title."
With a final vile smirk, Surtur gestured...
Countless flame giants and Outer Entities charged.
At that moment.
A story resonated in every Abyssal being's ears:
『 The "Gi" phase main narrative—Asgard's predestined day of destruction, Ragnarök—has been drastically accelerated by ■■■. 』
『 The main narrative has begun... 』
『 As both forces clash, this world rapidly progresses toward the next word. 』
A deafening roar echoed...
『 At the center of the main narrative... 』
『 Stood the owner of the word "Gi" (Beginning). 』
『 ■■■. 』
Thus began "Ragnarök."