Absolute One, First Time Being a Dad - Chapter 147

A moonless night when everyone was fast asleep.

Creak, creak.

A dwarf, having just closed the doors of his operating blacksmith workshop and heading home, sensed a presence and kept glancing nervously over his shoulder.

"What the..."

That's when it happened.

"Filthy subhuman scum."

A voice, cold and dripping with malice, slithered from behind him.

"Who's there—?!"

The dwarf's shout was met with the sound of footsteps as a man in a deep hooded robe approached, his magical energy surging ominously.

"Die..."

In the dimly lit alley, so deserted not even a single ant crawled through—

"Gyaaaaah—!" ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

A scream, torn from the throat, echoed through the darkness.

The Market, centered in the Insa-dong district, was packed with shops dealing in goods brought over from beyond the Gates.

From magic stones harvested from monster corpses to skill books, elixirs, and even alchemical ingredients—

Perhaps it was because everything sold here was inherently otherworldly, but it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that most merchants running shops in the area were "subhumans" who had migrated from beyond the Gates.

Screech—

A police car smoothly pulled to a stop by the roadside.

"Another homicide in the Market?"

The middle-aged man who stepped out of the car asked in a weary tone.

Kwak Hee-jun.

A veteran detective and head of the Violent Crimes Division, he had investigated every major crime in Insa-dong, his jurisdiction.

"Sir, you're here?"

A young officer with an earnest face saluted respectfully, his tone rigid with discipline.

"Yes, seems like it..."

Perhaps because it was a place where lucrative goods were traded, over half of the violent crimes these days occurred in the Market.

With a sigh, Kwak muttered, "Disgusting," before adding, "Let's check the scene first."

The two officers began making their way through the bustling Market toward the deeper, quieter alleys.

"High-quality elixirs for sale!"

"Otherworldly ingredients here!"

"Dwarf-forged weapons, clearance sale!"

With every turn, the scenery shifted drastically.

Soon, the lively atmosphere vanished without a trace, replaced by—

A derelict building plastered with wanted posters, greeting them instead.

They had entered the back alleys—the underbelly of the Market.

"Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic..."

Detective Kwak muttered under his breath as he scanned the surroundings.

A few subhumans in tattered clothes rummaged through trash bins, their movements desperate as they searched for food.

These were the ones who had failed miserably to settle on Earth.

"Tch."

Others, either high on drugs or dead drunk, lay sprawled across the ground, fast asleep.

A warning flyer, trampled underfoot, read: No safety guaranteed beyond this point. Turn back immediately.

"Here we are."

The young officer leading the way stopped before an alley cordoned off with police tape.

"Damn, that's brutal."

A gruesome murder scene.

Click, click—

He began examining the victim's remains closely.

So savagely mutilated that not even traces were recognizable.

"Subhuman hate crime."

"Don't tell me it's him again?"

"Murder via Unique Ability..."

The young officer added hesitantly,

"Given the similarities in the M.O., we suspect the perpetrator is the same individual responsible for the previous murders, but..."

"The victim?"

"Estimated to be a dwarf with combat abilities equivalent to a domestic A-rank Hunter. Given that, the perpetrator must be at least on par, if not stronger..."

Crouching on the spot, Detective Kwak exhaled a long, weary sigh before muttering in a grim tone.

"Yeah, it's him alright..."

From the meticulousness of leaving no evidence to the habit of using abilities to desecrate the corpses—

"Anyone can tell it's his handiwork..."

Kwak clicked his tongue before speaking decisively.

"We'll have to hand this one over."

"Sir?"

"You know as well as I do this isn't something we can handle."

His expression darkened as he continued.

"Report back immediately, request cooperation from the Bureau, and get the paperwork ready to transfer investigative authority." ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

For months now, a string of murders believed to be the work of the same killer had been piling up.

Not only was there no progress in the investigations, but they hadn't even caught a single lead.

'Before more innocent victims pile up...'

The right call was to request the Bureau's assistance now.

'Probably...'

This wasn't just some petty criminal—this was a vicious serial killer.

And so—

The Bureau would undoubtedly cooperate fully.

"A serial killer, you say?"

At the question from Kang Sung-hyun, Korea's 5th-ranked S-class Hunter known as the Black Wolf, Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol gave a curt nod.

"The police commissioner himself requested our cooperation. This is a high-profile case."

He then displayed a series of photos from previous crime scenes, explaining in a measured tone.

"Subhuman murders, likely committed using a Unique Ability. We've linked at least ten cases to the same perpetrator."

"Vicious bastard."

"The police lack the resources to handle this alone, so we have no choice but to step in."

Sung-hyun sifted through the evidence before responding quietly.

"I'll start investigating immediately."

Just then, Do-cheol added,

"I was thinking of assigning you a partner."

"A partner?"

"How about working in a two-man team with Filial Son Kim Bong-gu?"

The recent spate of subhuman hate killings in Insa-dong had become a media sensation.

If it got out that Kim Bong-gu—a rising hero, despite his recent lack of notable feats—had contributed to solving the case?

Not only would the Bureau's already high standing rise further, but Bong-gu's heroic image would also solidify.

"A political decision, then."

Sung-hyun replied flatly.

"Doesn't matter to me either way."

In a world as chaotic as this, countless people needed someone—anyone—to lean on, even if just psychologically.

"I'll move out right away."

Just then, someone knocked firmly on the director's office door.

"Ah, perfect timing."

As the door creaked open, Bong-gu's face peeked through, having rushed over in response to the sudden summons.

"Y-You called for me?"

Sung-hyun stood up abruptly.

"Let's move."

And with that, he left the office, dragging a bewildered Bong-gu behind him.

Once outside, the two walked side by side, exchanging thoughts.

"What do you think?"

After reviewing the case files, Bong-gu scratched his head and answered quietly.

"It's almost certain the same person is behind these, but I've got no clue where to even start the investigation..."

Trailing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠off, he added hesitantly.

"Actually, I know someone who's a genius at tracking. If we ask for his advice, I'm sure he'd help..."

Kang Sung-hyun stopped in his tracks. "A tracking prodigy?" he repeated skeptically.

Bong-gu nodded vigorously. "He'll be a huge help, I'm sure."

"A profiler?"

"No, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he works at a convenience store."

"The owner?"

"Just a part-timer."

When Sung-hyun gave him a baffled look, Bong-gu launched into an explanation.

"To give you some background—he's tracked down elementary school kids who cursed at him in online games and personally beat them up over a dozen times..."

"Hey, Kim Bong-gu."

"...And once identified a lottery winner before the numbers were even announced. Though he got in trouble for not knowing about gift taxes..."

Bong-gu trailed off before adding firmly, "Just trust me this once."

Ding-dong!

The door slowly opened to reveal Lee Soo-bin's wide-eyed face. "Oh my, what brings you here?"

The place Bong-gu had brought Sung-hyun was none other than Kang-jun's home.

"Is... is Choi Dol-soi here by any chance?"

Soo-bin startled. "Did the elder make another microtransaction?"

Bong-gu frantically waved his hands. "No, no! We need his help with something."

Only then did Soo-bin exhale in relief, smoothing her shirt. "He's inside. Come in."

Sung-hyun, who'd been unintentionally blocked by Bong-gu, stepped forward politely. "May I enter as well?"

"Of course," Soo-bin said, swinging the door wide before heading back toward the kitchen. "You probably haven't had dinner yet—I'll prepare something quickly while you talk. Just wait a moment, okay?"

As Bong-gu began assuring her it was fine, Kang-jun—who'd been drawing with Seol—noticed them. "What's up? You never visit without calling first."

Bong-gu scratched his head awkwardly. "We... need Elder Dol-soi's expertise."

"Expertise?"

"We've been assigned a meticulous serial killer case."

Kang-jun nodded. "Ah. That is Crabsley's specialty."

Then he bellowed:

"GRAND DUKE CRABSLEY!"

Soon, Crabsley emerged from his room where he'd been deeply engrossed in "Recommended Children's Literature."

"Young Bong-gu, what is the matter?"

Sung-hyun and Bong-gu immediately briefed him on the recent "Xenophobic Serial Murders" in Insa-dong.

"This is all the evidence we have so far."

Crabsley stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm... A calculating one, indeed."

"Yes, as you can see—"

"This won't be easy."

His expression uncharacteristically grave, Crabsley meticulously reviewed the files again.

"This may be beyond your capabilities."

Sung-hyun and Bong-gu exchanged glances, then sighed in unison as if on cue.

—In other news...

The TV anchor's calm voice continued:

—Police Commissioner Shin Joon-hyun announced today that investigative authority over the Insa-dong xenophobic serial killings has been fully transferred to the Management Bureau...

All eyes turned to the screen.

—The Bureau has pledged to deploy maximum resources to apprehend the perpetrator...

Graphic crime scene photos (pixelated) flashed across the screen—

"Appa..."

Seol suddenly clutched Kang-jun's sleeve.

"Scawy bad man... Afwaid..."

Crabsley smirked and whispered:

"Consider it handled."

"Eh?"

"He's as good as caught."

He added conspiratorially:

"Once Her Highness names her fear, the cheat code activates."

"But—"

"Tsk, must I spell it out? Now our lord will move, and that wretch is already dead..."

Kang-jun's gaze locked onto Crabsley.

A heavy silence fell.

"...Me?"

"Yes, you."

"What should I—"

"What are you waiting for?"

"Go?"

"Go."

Grumbling, Crabsley slowly changed into sweatpants.

"Sigh... Save me some dinner."

"Huh?"

"I'll call soon."

He shuffled out in slippers.

The remaining two exchanged bewildered looks—

Just as Soo-bin shouted from the kitchen:

"DINNER'S READY!"

"P-please... spare me..."

The hooded man staggered backward.

"I'll... I'll face the court's judgment!"

The "old man" shook his head.

"Wrong."

He examined his nails.

"You face divine judgment."

"Any judgment, just—"

"And my role..."

The elder's hand shot out like lightning—

—piercing clean through the man's chest.

"...is to deliver you."

Schlick.

The elder withdrew his crimson hand as the killer collapsed.

"Tsk."

Crabsley flicked off the blood and dialed his phone.

"It's done. Come collect him."

In the shadowed alley, only his glowing red eyes remained visible.

Staring at the serial killer's corpse, Sung-hyun muttered hoarsely:

"All it took... was a child saying 'I'm scared' to deliver justice months of police work couldn't..."

Bong-gu was equally stunned.

"An hour... has it even been?"

"Roughly..."

"How is this possible...?"

Next morning.

—Breaking news: The perpetrator behind the Insa-dong xenophobic serial killings was apprehended last night.

—The Management Bureau confirms the suspect died during arrest, with credit going to S-Rank Hunter Kang Sung-hyun and A-Rank Hunter Kim Bong-gu...

As the news played, Dibald busily blended various "elixirs" into a mixer.

"Princess' nutritional snack..."

Though tasteless, he was certain this "special tonic" would greatly aid her growth.

"Perfect!"

The mixer now contained a pitch-black liquid resembling ink.

"Your Highness! Drink up!"

Seol—fully dressed for daycare—recoiled in horror.

"Eww! Gwoss!"

Dibald stood firm.

"This is extremely healthy!"

"Still yucky! No dwink!"

"You must consume it!"

Seol's lips trembled.

"Sniff... Scawy man..."

Dibald gasped and clamped both hands over his mouth—

He knew exactly what befell those who frightened the princess.

"M-my deepest apologies...!"

He frantically offered candy from his pocket.

"P-please, Your Highness... could you un-say being scared?"

Seol popped the candy in her mouth. "Mkay!"

"What's taking so long?"

Kang-jun entered, carrying Seol's daycare bag.

"Let's go, Seol."

Just another ordinary morning.