Chapter 149: Even the Absolute Being Is a First-Time Dad
Absolute One Is Also New to Fatherhood Chapter 149
"With this, today's training is concluded."
At Iriel's declaration, the S-rank Hunters who had been enduring the grueling session collapsed onto the floor...
"Instructor Seo Gyu-ri."
A middle-aged man in a pristine white lab coat approached Iriel and handed her a thick stack of documents.
"This is the detailed analysis and records of the combat power fluctuations among the Hunters since training began."
She silently began reviewing the documents.
"Interesting."
Humans seemed remarkably adept at quantifying combat prowess.
Rustle, rustle—
Ever since Iriel's training regimen began, the research team had been conducting periodic "tests" on the S-rank Hunters.
They measured key metrics like physical strength and magical power, along with reflexes, endurance, recovery rate, and numerous other parameters...
The results were compiled into neatly organized charts and graphs showing weekly progress in combat capabilities.
"Hmm."
Her gaze eventually settled on the graph displaying changes in "Overall Combat Power."
"Quite satisfactory growth."
A faint smile appeared as she observed the steep upward trajectory of the combat power graph.
"This is all thanks to your systematic training methods, Instructor."
Wasn't this an era where a Hunter's strength directly translated to national power?
As a result, her proven training methods commanded exorbitant prices.
'Before the instructor took over, the Bureau's entire annual budget was routinely poured into Hunter training...'
Things like academic papers with proven efficacy or cutting-edge training equipment loaded with the latest technology.
The Bureau had been investing astronomical sums—ranging from hundreds of billions to trillions—into training every year.
These expenses naturally arose from purchasing training methods developed by major Hunter nations, conducting training programs, and acquiring equipment.
'Since Instructor Seo Gyu-ri took charge, expenditures in those categories have been completely eliminated...'
She might as well have been a goose laying golden eggs.
To be precise...
A goose laying hundreds of billions to trillions in gold annually.
'Just what is she...?'
Beyond being a special personnel recruited with great difficulty by Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol, she remained an enigma.
"There's one thing I've been curious about."
As she spoke, the researcher immediately responded.
"Please, go ahead."
Currently, there were forty-nine individuals holding the prestigious title of "S-rank Hunter," including the most recent addition, Lee Hwa-jun.
Of these, forty-eight—virtually all—were undergoing training under Iriel's guidance, yet...
"Why is the Rank 2 Hunter nowhere to be seen?"
The researcher promptly answered.
"Rank 2 Hunter 'Doctor Alpha Boom' has historically been uncooperative with the Bureau..."
Iriel pressed further.
"Is he strong?"
The researcher hesitated.
"Combat-wise, he might barely qualify as S-rank."
"Then?"
"But he possesses military technology rivaling that of an entire nation."
When Iriel echoed, "Military technology?" the researcher elaborated.
"According to records, he's contributed significantly to gate suppression by deploying self-developed 'cyborgs' to the field..."
"But?"
"Rumors say the number of people who've actually met Doctor Alpha Boom in person can be counted on one hand."
Indeed, the Rank 2 Hunter known as "Doctor Alpha Boom" was a figure shrouded in mystery.
His attendance at emergency meetings was rare, and even when he did participate, he sent cyborg proxies.
"Given that we can't afford to antagonize him, the Bureau Director has been accommodating. Beyond that, I know little else..."
In truth, unsettling rumors about Doctor Alpha Boom had been circulating among "those in the know."
'They say not a single body of Hunters dispatched alongside Doctor Alpha Boom has ever been recovered...'
Initially dismissed as baseless gossip, the recurrence of similar incidents had turned suspicion into reasonable doubt.
'There have even been sporadic sightings of cyborgs wielding abilities eerily similar to those of the missing Hunters...'
But since these were unverified rumors, the researcher chose his words carefully.
"That's the gist of it."
After a brief "I see," Iriel nodded a few times and issued her dismissal.
"Understood."
The researcher bowed respectfully.
"Thank you for your time."
With that, he promptly exited the Special Training Room.
Meanwhile...
The S-rank Hunters sprawled across the floor were too busy gasping for air to pay attention.
"Ugh... I think I'm gonna die..."
This came from Seol Eun-bin, the Ice Witch, ranked 16th among Korea's S-rank Hunters, utterly drained.
Her long black hair was drenched in sweat from the brutal training.
And she wasn't alone—every S-rank Hunter lay strewn across the training room floor.
"Hah..."
Go Du-yeol, ranked 5th, snorted dismissively before taunting in a strained voice.
"P-Pathetic... All of you..."
The collective gaze of the Hunters immediately locked onto him...
"I-I'm f-fine..."
As Go Du-yeol stubbornly tried to play it cool, Lee Hwa-jun, ranked 49th, looked at him with starry-eyed admiration.
"R-Really, sir?"
"O-Of course!"
"You're amazing!"
"Hah... No big deal."
Despite his act, he too was suffering from severe overtraining.
His entire body trembled as if wracked by chills, and his breathing grew increasingly ragged.
Of course, everyone except Lee Hwa-jun knew it was all bravado.
"Honestly, that guy and his ego..."
Seol Eun-bin muttered under her breath before suddenly widening her eyes and shouting, "Hey!"
"I-I'm totally f-fine..."
White foam had begun trickling from the corner of Go Du-yeol's mouth as he strained to maintain his facade.
"Idiot! You're foaming at the mouth!"
"F-Foam?"
"Yeah! You're drooling bubbles like you chugged dish soap!"
"What... nonsense..." Go Du-yeol mumbled before finally collapsing, unconscious.
Unlike the other S-rank Hunters, who knew when to bow out and trained rationally...
Go Du-yeol never thought ahead, always shouting "I can do it!" at the top of his lungs.
Anyone else would have passed out long ago, but his sheer stubbornness had kept him going until now.
"Did he faint?"
"Yes..."
"Call the medics."
After issuing the order, she addressed the others.
"The rest of you, take a short break. Review today's training before heading home."
A collective "Understood!" echoed through the room.
Click, click—
The sharp sound of heels accompanied Iriel's steps before she suddenly paused.
"You're all doing well."
Then, in an uncharacteristically gentle tone, she added:
"Power isn't easily gained."
"......"
"Keep pushing forward."
At that moment, Jung Yoon-chan, who had been resting against the wall, pushed himself upright.
"Ugh—"
Gripping his sword again, he tried to organize his scattered thoughts.
"This isn't enough..."
His eyes gleamed with determination.
"I need to get stronger. Faster..."
Noticing this, Seol Eun-bin gasped.
"You're training again already—?"
"No time to rest."
"You're pushing yourself too hard..."
"I have no choice."
As Jung Yoon-chan limped forward with visible effort, Seol Eun-bin watched his retreating figure and murmured.
"You seem so impatient..."
Since Instructor Seo Gyu-ri's arrival, every Hunter had achieved remarkable progress through her training.
Yet...
Jung Yoon-chan still couldn't shake his restlessness, his obsession with strength as palpable as ever.
Jung Yoon-chan swung his sword rapidly.
Beads of sweat rolled down.
He swung again and again, with unwavering focus.
"There's no power that can't be earned."
The instructor's voice echoed in his ears.
'Me...'
His grip on the sword tightened.
'No, we...'
He slashed through the air with desperate intensity.
'...can't contribute to peace.'
Every recent Calamity-grade Gate had been suppressed solely thanks to "Immortal."
If...
'If Immortal didn't exist...'
The world would have ended multiple times over by now.
'I want to be useful...'
If another gate like before appeared, could they really make a difference?
'I need to get stronger...'
Lost in his fervor, he continued swinging his sword relentlessly...
It was well past midnight when he finally regained his senses.
"Whew—"
Letting out a long exhale, Jung Yoon-chan surveyed the empty training room.
As always, he had stayed behind, repeating his drills late into the night.
Just as he turned off the lights and prepared to leave...
"Who's there?"
His gaze fixed on the darkened entrance.
Before long, a strange mechanical noise began to echo.
"Long time no see."
The voice crackled with static.
"Don't tell me..."
Jung Yoon-chan frowned slightly and murmured.
"Doctor Alpha Boom?"
From the shadows emerged a cyborg unit, its movements accompanied by metallic creaks and clanks.
"I heard a new instructor was appointed."
The roughly human-sized machine scanned the training room before adding.
"Whatever methods they're using, everyone seems to be taking the hard road for no reason."
Jung Yoon-chan's tone turned sharp.
"What do you—"
The cyborg interrupted.
"I came to propose an interesting deal."
"A deal?"
"If you accept my offer..."
A brief silence followed.
"...I can make you several times stronger within a month."
With that, the cyborg tossed him a USB drive with a flick before retreating with the same eerie mechanical sounds.
"What the hell...?"
Jung Yoon-chan stood frozen, staring at the USB in his hand.
Upon returning home, Jung Yoon-chan immediately opened his laptop and inserted the USB to examine its contents.
"These lunatics..."
The files contained meticulously organized data on experiments to convert deceased Hunters into cyborgs.
"So the rumors were true..."
His eyes lingered on the final lines.
As he finished reading...
Screech—
The file deleted itself.
"What...?"
Then his laptop froze entirely.
Likely a failsafe to prevent data leaks.
"All I need to do is report this and launch an investigation..."
The Bureau would trust his word completely and provide full support.
Soon enough, Doctor Alpha Boom would stand trial and face judgment.
But why...?
He hesitated to make the call.
His indecision only grew...
Until he finally set his phone down.
"A hero..."
He had always wanted to be a hero.
If this was what it took...
To become one.
"Damn it..."
Thus began his torment.
A torment that...
Lasted until dawn.