Chapter 157: Even the Absolute Being Is a First-Time Dad
Absolute One Is Also New to Fatherhood Episode 157
The private bank that had been thriving by catering to all the wealthy elites of the Abyss—
"The Gathering of Secret Tycoons"
This bank operated hundreds of branches across the entire Abyss...
To boost employee morale, they held an annual awards ceremony to select and honor the "Top Branch."
"Unbelievable..."
Goblin Kazan, the current general manager of the Earth branch, muttered as he stared blankly at the plaque displayed in the trophy case.
For the past few days, Kazan had been walking on air.
"Top-performing branch..."
He quietly repeated the words, then checked the plaque's inscription again for what felt like the hundredth time.
The Earth branch under his management had recorded the highest performance out of all branches.
"Given your embezzlement and breach of trust, firing you wouldn't even be enough—but considering your past achievements and hard work, this is our decision."
That day flashed through his mind.
"We plan to open a branch in a newly discovered dimension called Earth. Manage it there, sincerely repent, and reflect on your sins."
The assignment to the Earth branch was practically exile.
A tiny, newly discovered dimension on the outskirts of the Abyss.
There was no way such a branch would have high-value clients, let alone expect any significant performance.
"To think I'd rise again from Earth, the place I considered my exile..."
The reason the Earth branch could achieve the highest performance was all thanks to one client—the wealthiest of them all.
"Immortal."
Because he had transferred his primary banking relationship to the Earth branch.
With his assets now attributed to them, the branch skyrocketed to the top in an instant.
If not for him, the Earth branch wouldn't just have failed to become the top-performing branch—
It would have been struggling at the very bottom.
"I must devote even more effort to serving him with utmost sincerity..."
As he reaffirmed his resolve and polished the plaque once more—
Click!
The door to his office suddenly swung open, and another goblin rushed in—
"M-Manager!"
Kazan frowned in displeasure.
"What's the meaning of barging in without knocking?"
The goblin quickly apologized, licked his dry lower lip, and answered as calmly as possible:
"He has arrived!"
"Don't tell me—"
"Yes, Immortal has come to visit!"
Kazan took a sharp breath, then hurriedly left his office while asking in a hushed tone:
"Where is he now?"
"Waiting in the reception room."
"Did you ask why he's here?"
The goblin leading the way swallowed hard before answering in a trembling voice:
"I heard it's regarding the young lady's birthday."
"Her birthday!"
"It seems he wishes to entrust us with various preparations."
In truth, client management for someone like Immortal was the most crucial task for maintaining and defending their performance.
"This is a crisis..."
What if the birthday banquet they prepared failed to win the young lady's heart?
They might lose Immortal—their most valuable client—to another branch, like prey snatched by wolves.
"But it's also an opportunity..."
On the other hand, if they succeeded in winning her favor?
They could maximize their rapport with their top client.
"While I attend to Immortal, the rest of you will hold a meeting to plan the birthday banquet."
As he adjusted his tightly knotted tie, he added in a low voice:
"All other operations can halt if necessary. It's obvious that no other client—even combined—comes close to Immortal's value..."
"Our goal is to prepare and host the most extravagant birthday banquet in the Abyss's long history—one without precedent."
Even if it paralyzed the entire bank's operations, it didn't matter.
With that, Kazan took a deep breath and entered the reception room.
"I humbly greet Immortal..."
Kang-jun, seated at the head of the reception table, nodded slightly and spoke in a measured tone.
"You've heard why I'm here?"
"Yes, regarding the young lady's birthday..."
"A monumental task lies ahead."
Kang-jun then asked:
"Can you handle it?"
Kazan suddenly dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead to the floor as he declared loudly:
"If you entrust us with this, we will pour our very bones into preparing it with all our passion and devotion!"
Kang-jun gave a satisfied nod.
"Good."
"The banquet will be your responsibility."
"As for the budget..."
"Spare no expense."
Then, turning to the ministers seated on either side of the table, he added:
"Each of you should also prepare a gift that will satisfy Seol."
At that, Divald cautiously raised his hand.
"Forgive my impertinence, but unlike Grand Duke Crabsley or Lord Iriel, who are engaged in economic activities, I possess no personal wealth..."
Kazan immediately pulled out a black credit card from his inner pocket and handed it over.
"Take this."
Divald read the words on the card aloud:
"American Express Black Card?"
Kazan nodded and explained:
"It has no preset spending limit, so you can conveniently purchase any gift."
"Like a promissory note?"
"Something along those lines. Immortal will settle the bill, so use it freely."
Divald nodded.
"Understood."
He carefully tucked the card into his back pocket.
"Goblin, I appreciate the assistance."
Kang-jun then narrowed his eyes slightly and added:
"Just to be clear—if you misuse it, there will be consequences."
"My liege!"
"You've misallocated research funds for personal luxury before."
Kazan bowed deeply.
"Your humble servant is undeserving..."
Then, glancing at Kang-jun, he asked:
"Once the venue for the young lady's banquet is decided, we will send out invitations en masse. Are there any distinguished guests you'd like us to include?"
Kang-jun pondered.
"Guests you wouldn't know..."
Several faces flashed through his mind.
First—
The well-meaning but simple-minded one came to mind.
"Thor of Asgard would be good."
Kazan quickly jotted it down in his notebook.
"Thor of Asgard..."
Kang-jun continued listing names.
"My sworn brothers, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven and the Great Sage Pacifying Heaven of Flower-Fruit Mountain, must also receive invitations."
Hadn't they not only begun addressing him as "brother" but also risked their lives for him during the Asgard incident?
'They must be invited.'
Kazan diligently recorded the names.
"The Great Sage Equaling Heaven and the Great Sage Pacifying Heaven of Flower-Fruit Mountain..."
These were likely the only guests Kazan wouldn't know.
"O great Immortal, for entrusting this lowly goblin with the banquet's arrangements, I shall repay you with results..."
With another deep bow, Kazan took his leave as Kang-jun waved him off.
'First, secure the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, then invite the head chef from a seven-star Dubai hotel...'
His mind was already brimming with ideas for an extravagant celebration.
Meanwhile—
Kang-jun and the ministers left in the reception room were all grappling with the same dilemma.
"What would make a good gift?"
At Kang-jun's murmur, the ministers' expressions darkened.
"Her Highness already possesses most things one could imagine..."
"Since it's a birthday gift, it should be something she truly needs..."
Suddenly, Kang-jun's eyes lit up as if struck by inspiration.
"Ah."
Iriel cautiously asked:
"Have you thought of a suitable gift?"
"Yes, one came to mind."
"Would you share it with us?"
"That would be difficult."
Kang-jun smirked.
"Sorry, but this is a competition."
A competition!
"I've thought of a gift that will instantly win the princess's heart—why would I reveal it to my rivals?"
At that, the ministers exchanged wary glances.
"Very well."
Crabsley declared:
"If my liege calls it a competition, then even if I present a more splendid and superior gift to earn her favor, you won't resent me, will you?"
Kang-jun chuckled.
"Give it your best shot."
With that, they all rose simultaneously and left the reception room—
Each heading in different directions to find a gift that would outshine the others for Seol.
Divald, however, remained in the reception room, still at a loss.
"How cruel..."
With little knowledge of Earth's culture, he had no idea what kind of gift would suit Seol.
"Tch..."
Scratching his head, he finally stepped out—
And abruptly stopped a passing goblin in the hallway.
"Where should I go to buy a gift?"
The goblin tilted his head.
"A gift? What kind of item are you looking for?"
"I'm not sure myself."
"Then perhaps a department store?"
The goblin added after a pause:
"Browsing a department store that carries all sorts of goods might spark some ideas, no?"
Divald nodded.
"A sound suggestion."
And so, Divald also set off—albeit belatedly—for the department store.
"Heaven on earth."
Divald murmured as he stepped into the luxury section of the department store, sweeping his gaze across the surroundings.
For someone as invested in aesthetics as him, the department store was nothing short of paradise.
High-quality, exorbitantly priced clothing and luxury goods were displayed everywhere, tempting him.
Step, step.
As he walked past various storefronts, the eyes of passersby naturally gravitated toward him.
"Wow, is he a model?"
"So handsome..."
"Must be mixed-race."
"Look at that jawline."
"And his nose..."
Drawing attention wherever he went, he suddenly came to a halt—
"Hm?"
His gaze fixed on the products displayed in the window of a renowned premium watch brand.
"Fascinating."
In Anux, most clocks were either massive wall clocks or, at best, pocket watches—
"I underestimated them due to their backward magical engineering, but they've ingeniously devised a way to wear timepieces on the wrist."
He was utterly captivated.
"Rolex?"
He stepped into the store.
"Welcome."
A staff member greeted him.
"Are you looking for anything in particular?"
Divald answered firmly:
"As a scholar, I'm merely here to explore new artifacts. Don't assume I intend to purchase anything."
The employee blinked.
"Uh... Sure..."
Taking a step back, he watched as Divald picked up a gleaming watch.
"May I try this on?"
Had an ordinary customer asked to try on a watch worth tens of millions of won, the refusal would have been swift—
'This is clearly a VIP...'
The store manager, sensing the noble air around Divald, immediately responded:
"Of course, let me assist you."
After trying on the multi-million-won timepiece, Divald murmured:
"The fit is superb..."
The employee eagerly launched into an explanation:
"Sir, you have exceptional taste. This is our brand's highest-end line, with a sapphire crystal glass—"
Divald hesitated.
"I shouldn't..."
Hadn't he come here to buy a birthday gift for the princess?
"How much is this?"
"98 million won."
The price elicited no reaction—he had no grasp of monetary value.
At the very least, it was more expensive than the tofu he'd bought last time.
"Hmm..."
After a moment of contemplation, Divald stared at the watch's glass face.
Sapphire, was it?
His reflection shimmered faintly in the bluish glass, and suddenly, the watch's aesthetic felt complete.
How to describe it?
As if the very reason this watch existed was to be worn on his wrist—a destined encounter.
"Exquisite..."
He finally spoke.
"I'll take it."
And handed over the black card.
"As expected, a Black Card holder..."
The employee's demeanor grew even more deferential.
"Right away, sir!"
Thus, Divald spent a staggering 98 million won on the watch—then continued browsing the luxury section.
"Now, for the princess's gift..."
But the reins had already slipped.
"Balenciaga?"
Another 10 million spent.
"Tom Ford?"
20 million.
"Gucci? Impressive."
50 million.
"Saint Laurent?"
80 million.
"Luxury truly is exhilarating."
And so, Divald—forgetting the original purpose of his outing—continued his mindless shopping spree, indulging his own desires.