Absolute One, First Time Being a Dad - Episode 20

"You must still be recovering, so I sincerely apologize for barging in like this."

"N-no, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it's fine. But what brings you here...?"

"There were several matters regarding today's Calamity-grade Gate incident I wished to discuss, along with some news to deliver personally to Mr. Bong-gu."

Director Seo Do-cheol of the Awakened and Gate Management Bureau naturally took a seat on the edge of the makeshift hospital bed as he spoke.

"First, I'd like to express our gratitude for your efforts in preserving our nation and protecting its citizens."

"Oh, no. I didn't really help at all..."

"As you're aware, all survivors except Mr. Kim Bong-gu remain in critical condition with no signs of regaining consciousness."

Recalling the horrific scenes from inside the Gate, Bong-gu's voice shrank as he muttered, "That's... regrettable."

"Given the circumstances, we have no choice but to rely on your testimony. I sincerely hope you'll forgive this imposition."

"Y-yes, of course..."

"Could you briefly summarize what occurred inside today's Calamity-grade Gate near Sillim Station?"

Bong-gu nervously licked his parched lower lip before cautiously recounting the events, carefully omitting any details that might reveal his mysterious benefactor while downplaying his own role.

"The Gate was called 'Sanctuary of the Jotun.' Even Korea's only S-rank hunter, Choo Ji-hoon, would have struggled against the regular monsters there..."

After listening to the lengthy account, Director Seo twirled his fountain pen thoughtfully.

"Hmm, then how exactly was the powerful boss monster 'Frost Giant' defeated? That remains quite mysterious."

"I lost consciousness around that time..."

"No, we're simply grateful you returned alive. And thank you for cooperating with our investigation despite your condition."

He neatly tucked his notebook and pen back into his coat pocket before continuing.

"As you know, Mr. Kim, suppressing a Calamity-grade Gate with such minimal casualties is unprecedented in global records."

"Ah..."

"Many nations have expressed keen interest, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠though the lack of detailed information has left them rather frustrated."

The director trailed off momentarily before fixing Bong-gu with a meaningful look.

"While gathering your testimony was our primary purpose for visiting today..."

"Yes?"

"We also came bearing good news for Hunter Kim Bong-gu, who sacrificed so much for public safety."

"G-good news?"

"Truthfully, our Bureau has been closely monitoring your remarkable achievements for some time now."

"My... achievements?"

"Didn't you recently subdue an A-rank Necromancer from the Anti-Bureau Alliance near Guro Digital Complex Station?"

"That was just luck..."

Director Seo smiled knowingly as he rose from the bed.

"One might dismiss a single instance as luck, but can the same be said for repeated miracles?"

"No, really, I—"

"Moreover, we've confirmed your significant contributions to today's Calamity-grade Gate suppression."

Bong-gu's thoughts whirled chaotically.

'What exactly did I contribute?'

Both at Guro Digital Complex and today at Sillim Station, he'd essentially been a cheerleader hiding behind others.

Unaware of this, the director interpreted Bong-gu's silence as modesty.

"To reward your ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠service, we've prepared several compensations—though they may seem inadequate."

"Compensations...?"

"We investigated why you bear the epithet '*Filial Son.' It appears you've been caring for your mother, who fell ill with an incurable disease after the Gates appeared."

"Y-yes..."

"We've arranged for her to receive VIP treatment at an Awakened-exclusive hospital—completely free of charge until her recovery."

Bong-gu whispered, "Oh my God..." as the director continued.

"Additionally, a memorial service will soon be held honoring hunters who fell during the Gate suppression, combined with a medal ceremony."

"A medal ceremony...?"

"All surviving hunters from today's incident, including yourself, will receive decorated medals with accompanying benefits."

He added in measured tones:

"The most practical benefit for you would likely be..."

"Yes...?"

"Lifetime tuition exemption for all immediate family members."

Bong-gu unconsciously released a shuddering sigh.

'Brother... thank you.'

Thanks to Kang-jun, his mother now had access to VIP care (normally 3 million won per day) and his sister Ju-hee's tuition worries had vanished.

Practically all his burdens had lifted overnight because of Kang-jun.

As Bong-gu silently renewed his vows of loyalty, the director delivered another bombshell.

"Finally, after internal deliberation, you've been selected for 'Rank Adjustment.'"

"R-rank Adjustment?!"

"Given your demonstrated capabilities, we've granted you eligibility for this year's Rank Adjustment Examination at year's end."

The director beamed as he added:

"We eagerly anticipate your promotion to a rank befitting your talents."

"But I'm perfectly suited as a C-rank..."

"Once promoted, we hope you'll continue safeguarding our nation and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠people."

The certainty in his tone weighed heavily on Bong-gu.

'This is bad...'

The media seemed determined to crown him as some new hero.

If his examination participation became public, both civilians and fellow hunters would scrutinize him intensely.

What if he completely failed under such spotlight?

As Bong-gu groaned, Director Seo bowed politely.

"Then we'll meet again at the memorial service."

Bong-gu blankly watched the director depart when—

Bzzzzzz.

A tiny gnat that had been circling the fluorescent lights slipped out through a slightly open window.

Bzzzzzz.

It drifted lazily across the night air toward a man lounging on a rooftop railing opposite the hospital.

Despite handsome features, the man exuded palpable unpleasantness—perhaps from his sinister aura, or the hundreds of gnats swarming around him.

The hospital gnat soon alighted on his hand.

The man nodded repeatedly as if communicating with the insect before finally murmuring in a chilling voice:

"Hmm..."

A youthful-looking woman beside him asked in crystalline tones:

"Get what we needed?"

"Everything."

"And?"

Rising from the railing, the man answered:

"A memorial and medal ceremony for the Calamity Gate incident will be held in few days."

"So?"

"We should execute our plan then. Before countless witnesses..."

"I know! I know!" the girlish woman interjected brightly.

"We'll abduct the target and expose the Bureau's incompetence to the world, right?"

"Correct."

"Then we'll recruit him to our Anti-Bureau Alliance, but if he refuses..."

Her voice trailed off before continuing with eyes brimming with madness:

"We'll make him pay for killing our comrade—using every method to ensure maximum suffering before death!"

"Correct."

"Oppa, I hope he doesn't surrender! Some pathetic fool burning with heroism would be perfect!"

"Why?"

"Then we can play with him until we get bored before killing him! I'm already imagining ways to do it!"

As she giggled darkly, the man shook his head firmly.

"Our target—classified as mere C-rank—defeated our carefully cultivated Necromancer without sustaining injuries."

"Yeah, I know. That's why he became a target. Strong necromancers are always valuable assets—such a shame we lost one..."

"Which means if recruited, he'd significantly strengthen our Alliance."

The man stared intently at the distant hospital window where their target—'Filial Son Kim Bong-gu'—lay visible.

"Regardless, we should withdraw for now."

Gradually, the two shadowy figures began dissolving into the darkness—as if consumed by the night itself, slowly, inexorably fading away.