Chapter 23: Even the Absolute Being Is a First-Time Dad
Absolute One Is Also a First-Time Dad Episode 23
"This is... really uncomfortable."
Kang-jun grumbled low as he stood before the full-length mirror, examining his reflection. He had dressed in a crisp suit for the first time in ages to attend the "Memorial and Award Ceremony" related to the recent Calamity-grade Gate incident with Kim Bong-gu.
"Why? You look handsome."
Lee Soo-bin gave a short reply while adjusting his suit collar, lightly brushing dust off his shoulders before asking again, "You said you're just going with the little one, right?"
"Yeah, Grand Duke Crabsley has his convenience store shift today."
"Right. Make sure to congratulate Bong-gu for me."
Kang-jun nodded in response before turning to Iriel. "Hey, let's go."
"As you command, my lord."
Just as the two were about to step out—
"Daddy!"
Seol, who had been drawing on the living room floor, hurried over on unsteady legs and bowed deeply. "Have a safe trip!"
Soo-bin crouched down to stroke Seol's hair gently. "My, what a good girl our Seol is." Then looking up at Kang-jun, she explained softly, "There was a segment about greeting etiquette on the children's show this morning."
"Children's show?"
"Yeah, you know—programs like 'Ding Dong Kindergarten' or 'Boni Boni.'" She added with a laugh, "You used to love those shows too when you were little."
"Huh? Me?"
"Don't you remember writing fan letters with such care?"
"Hmm, did I?"
Kang-jun chuckled briefly before stroking Seol's hair. "Alright, Daddy will be back."
Then a trivial question struck him—had "have a safe trip" always been this heartwarming?
Inside the COEX convention hall, a sea of people had gathered.
"Packed like sardines," Kang-jun muttered, scanning the bustling scene.
Countless attendees exchanged cheerful greetings and handshakes. It wasn't just officials—many civilians seemed to have come to observe as well.
A child passing by Kang-jun looked up at their mother and asked cautiously, "Mom, we don't have to hide anymore?"
"Of course not," the mother replied matter-of-factly. "The amazing hunters defeated all the scary monsters."
"Wow! I wanna grow up to be a monster-fighting hunter too!"
Kang-jun's gaze landed on booths selling famous hunters' merchandise—bromides, figurines, replica weapons. Long lines snaked before each stall, faces brimming with excitement.
A peaceful scene.
He'd felt this before when visiting Guro Digital Complex station, but...
'How alien.'
Wasn't this the same perilous world where news anchors breathlessly reported global tragedies?
At first, he thought people were suffering from severe "safety desensitization," but...
'That's not it.'
They were all performing "false peace."
Praying that the misfortunes reported on news would never befall them...
Hypnotizing themselves into believing hunters would keep them safe...
Just acting out "stolen peace."
"What a damn farce."
Bong-gu, mid-sip of water, choked. "Excuse me?"
"Nothing," Kang-jun dismissed casually. "But judging by this crowd, this event's bigger than I thought?"
Bong-gu nodded nervously. "The Calamity-grade Gate suppression was historic. Minimal casualties—a first worldwide. Even top hunters are attending..."
"Really?"
"Foreign press is here too." Bong-gu gestured toward international reporters.
Kang-jun nodded indifferently, surveying the hunters present. Most seemed mediocre, though a few stood out.
"You alright?" he asked, noticing Bong-gu's pale, sweating face.
"I-I'm representing all surviving hunters on stage today. Alone."
"Alone?"
"The others... haven't recovered consciousness. Even if they had, they're in no state to attend."
An organizer approached. "Apologies for interrupting, but the ceremony begins shortly."
Bong-gu turned to Kang-jun and Iriel, uncharacteristically solemn. "I'll be back."
"Do well."
The organizer then addressed them: "Could you please take your assigned seats?"
Inside the 7,000-seat hall, VIP seating near the stage awaited them—a perk of being Bong-gu's guests.
"Prime viewing," Kang-jun remarked.
Iriel sat beside him. "My lord, it seems to be starting."
Lights dimmed as an announcement played:
[Honored guests, thank you for attending. The memorial ceremony will now begin. Please proceed to your seats if you haven't...]
"Yaaawn—"
Kang-jun made no effort to hide his boredom as formulaic proceedings dragged on.
'Tch. Just hand out the awards and end this.'
Why waste time on the bureau's history and bureaucratic introductions? Even the director gave a speech about the gate suppression.
"Dragging their feet," Kang-jun muttered.
[Now, representing all surviving hunters, "Filial Son Kim Bong-gu" will deliver a eulogy for the fallen.]
Thunderous applause erupted as a petrified Bong-gu robotically mounted the stage. Kang-jun almost laughed at his stiff movements until—
"Hm?"
His head swiveled like a meerkat's. Iriel noticed too. "My lord...?"
A palpable bloodlust radiated nearby.
"Someone's plotting trouble," Iriel observed calmly.
"Seems so." Kang-jun tapped the armrest thoughtfully.
The child's voice from earlier echoed in his mind: "Mom, we don't have to hide anymore?"
He wondered about the plotters' motives.
'Obvious, really.'
Wealth, fame, power—meaningless illusions. Kang-jun knew such men well. They preached "might makes right," committing atrocities under slogans like "survival of the fittest."
He despised them. Their unbreakable convictions always shattered against greater strength.
"Displeasing."
"My lord?"
"Displeasing."
Seol's smiling face flashed in his mind—her imperfect pronunciation wishing him safety. This world didn't deserve her.
"I hate playing hero..."
Competent hunters could handle any disturbance. But innocent casualties weren't guaranteed.
Tonight's family dinner shouldn't be marred by grim news. No solemn news anchors. No daughter unknowingly watching tragedy unfold.
"Not in the mood."
He stood abruptly, drawing protests:
"Hey! Sit down!"
"You're blocking the view!"
Ignoring them, he addressed Iriel formally: "Chamberlain Iriel, heed my command."
Iriel rose and bowed deeply. "My lord."
"We thwart the conspirators."
"At once."
"Kill all but their leader for interrogation."
"Understood."
Kang-jun's voice resonated with imperial authority:
"Subdue them with full force."