Chapter 173 Even the Almighty is New to Being a Dad Chapter 174
Even the Absolute One is a First-Time Dad - Chapter 174
Olympus.
Somewhere in the heart of the Abyss, within a massive star cluster, an enormous eldritch being known as an "Outer Entity" set foot.
Ithaqua.
One of the ancient Old Ones, Ithaqua took the form of a skeletal giant with crimson eyes.
Thud, thud.
Just as he took another step—
BOOM!
A bolt of lightning struck from the clear sky.
"Outer Entity."
Suddenly, in the spot where the lightning had struck, a divine figure resembling a human appeared.
Zeus.
A deity whose "achievements" and "narrative" were so vast that calling him the pinnacle of all gods in the Stellar Realm Olympus was no exaggeration.
"Why have you set foot in Olympus?"
At his question, Ithaqua grinned.
"I have come to deliver a message from ■■■■, the leader of the Cthulhu Star Cluster."
Silence lingered briefly.
"His awakening is imminent."
Zeus said nothing in response, merely staring intently at Ithaqua.
"Cooperate with Cthulhu."
Zeus frowned.
"That's quite a high-handed demand."
The moment those words left his lips, his divine power clashed with Ithaqua's in midair, shaking the very axis of the world.
Dust and debris swirled into the air, the ground split apart, and violent tremors rocked the surroundings.
"Olympus' standing is precarious, I hear."
Unlike Zeus, who was visibly straining in this invisible contest of power, Ithaqua seemed utterly at ease.
"Asgard not only avoided its prophesied destruction but has even strengthened its position, no?"
Ithaqua continued.
"Even a mere deity, one not even classified as a 'star cluster,' managed to humiliate Olympus by pushing it to the brink."
Zeus' brow furrowed.
"Olympus stands firm."
Ithaqua smirked.
"Behold."
In that instant, an immense surge of divine power swirled around Ithaqua's body.
『The skeletal giant who rides the stellar winds between stars...』
『The twisted, terrifying, indescribable horror...』
『The God of Frost, known by the epithet "White Silence"...』
The invisible clash of divine power between the two deities ended with Ithaqua's clear victory.
"This is the might of Cthulhu."
Ithaqua spoke again.
"Even now, before His awakening, our power is beyond comprehension."
A massive crater formed beneath Zeus' feet, his ankles sinking deeper into the earth.
"Once He awakens, Cthulhu's strength will eclipse even this. Surely you understand?"
With that, Ithaqua withdrew his power and calmly continued.
"Should He awaken, the Abyss will be annihilated by Cthulhu's hand."
Zeus could only glare silently.
Though he showed no outward reaction, inwardly, he was shaken.
Had he not possessed the greatest divine power among all the gods of Olympus?
Yet he couldn't even contend with Ithaqua, let alone overwhelm him.
Cthulhu...
Just how much power did this unknown star cluster of Outer Entities hold?
And...
Just how immense was the strength of their leader, ■■■■?
"He will awaken."
Ithaqua declared.
"And when He does, the Abyss will perish."
Silence stretched between them.
"Cooperate with Cthulhu, and we guarantee Olympus' survival."
Zeus finally spoke.
"What kind of cooperation do you seek?"
"Cthulhu desires ■■■."
Zeus muttered under his breath.
"■■■..."
Ithaqua grinned widely.
"To be precise, ■■■■ desires that epithet."
He added,
"Surely it suits Him far better than some upstart who was human mere moments ago."
The crimson glow in Ithaqua's skeletal eyes burned even brighter.
For a moment, Zeus hesitated.
He bore no ill will toward ■■■.
But...
If the leader of Cthulhu truly awakened and brought ruin to the Abyss...
Olympus would fall with it.
Had it not always been an unbreakable rule that the "Inner Entities" could never triumph over the "Outer Ones"?
"I have..."
Zeus finally spoke.
"A duty to protect this star cluster."
"Then..."
"I pledge Olympus' cooperation."
Ithaqua nodded once.
"A wise decision."
The world, having only recently ascended, continued hurtling forward relentlessly.
"It's weird how quiet the house is."
Lee Soo-bin, folding laundry, glanced up.
"Right?"
Kang-jun nodded.
"Yeah."
It had only been a few days since the two deities of Flower-Fruit Mountain—and even Thor—had returned to their respective realms.
But...
The house, once always lively and warm, now felt strangely empty.
"Kinda boring..."
Kang-jun scrolled through his phone contacts before dialing a number saved as "Bonggu-Bonggu."
"Bonggu, what're you up to?"
A dejected voice answered.
- Y-yes, hyung-nim...
Kang-jun blinked.
"Why do you sound so down?"
- It's nothing...
"Come on, tell me."
After a pause, Bonggu reluctantly answered.
- Hyung-nim...
Silence.
- I think I've fallen in love.
Kang-jun's face lit up.
Just when he was bored...
This was interesting.
"Come over first."
A few hours later...
Bonggu arrived, and the whole family gathered around.
"Go on, tell us."
Under Kang-jun's urging, Bonggu scratched his head awkwardly.
"I met her a few days ago. I went to a café near my place for coffee, and..."
Crabsley cut in.
"She's a part-timer there, isn't she?!"
Bonggu nodded.
- Y-yeah...
He spilled everything.
- I fell for her at first sight. I've been going back every day since, but I don't know how to talk to her...
Kang-jun frowned.
"You haven't even talked to her?"
- I don't have the courage...
Soo-bin sighed.
"If you keep hesitating, you'll miss your chance."
- What if she has a boyfriend?
"Then you'll never know unless you try."
Seol, listening intently, suddenly spoke up.
"What if you give her pretty paper?"
"Pretty paper?"
"Jang Joon-woo gave me some, and I liked it!"
Kang-jun's eye twitched.
"Who gave you what?!"
"Jang Joon-woo!"
"Jang Joon-woo, I'll remember that name..."
Just then—
"What's there to agonize over?"
Devald, who had been busy tracking the remnants of the "Evil God Cult," scoffed.
- It's the biggest dilemma of my life...
Devald stroked his chin.
"Fine. I'll teach you."
- Huh?
"How to win a woman's heart."
Kang-jun nodded approvingly.
"Good idea. If there's anyone qualified to teach that, it's Devald."
Crabsley agreed.
"I concur."
Iriel chimed in.
"No noblewoman ever resisted his advances."
Soo-bin, however, looked skeptical.
"Hmm."
She muttered under her breath,
"Isn't his success rate purely because of his looks...?"
Bonggu, though, stared at Devald like he'd found a savior.
- You'll really help me?!
"Of course."
- Thank you! Thank you!
That evening...
"Confidence is key."
Devald, having taken Bonggu to a nearby café, launched into a lengthy lecture.
"Stand tall, maintain noble etiquette, and your first words must be flawlessly polite."
Then, spotting a group of young women at the next table, he stood.
"Watch a master at work."
He approached the most beautiful one.
"My lady."
She blinked.
- Yes?
"I wish to know everything about you."
Bonggu's face twisted.
What kind of cheesy pickup line is that?!
But then—
- Okay, I'll tell you everything...
Bonggu's jaw dropped.
Devald returned, smug.
"That's how it's done."
Kang-jun and Crabsley nodded approvingly.
"Truly unmatched in this field."
"Magnificent."
"Hah, I had my fair share of conquests in my youth too."
Bonggu shook his head.
- I don't think that'll work for me...
Fortunately, he had decent self-awareness.
Devald raised a finger.
"Then try this."
He marched to the counter.
"You, barista."
- Yes?
"Where's the water?"
The flustered part-timer pointed.
- Over there...
Devald filled a cup—
SPLASH!
—and threw it in her face.
Bonggu gasped.
- Wh-what the hell?!
Devald smirked.
"Got a problem?"
- Of course I do!
"I gave you water."
He leaned closer.
"My Freesia."
The barista's eyes trembled.
- Will you come back tomorrow...?
Bonggu was speechless.
- I'm so confused...
Then, Seol spoke up.
"Uncle."
Bonggu turned to her.
- Hmm?
"What if you write a letter?"
- A letter?
"Jang Joon-woo gave me one, and I liked it!"
Kang-jun's eye twitched again.
"Seol, was it that Jang Joon-woo again?"
- How did you know?
"Jang Joon-woo, I'll remember you..."
Bonggu, however, seemed to have an epiphany.
- That's it...
He clenched his fists.
- I'm not good with words, so I'll pour my heart into a letter!
A letter—that had to be the answer.