Absolute One, First Time Being a Dad - Episode 26

In the deep of night when all were fast asleep...

"Kekeeke..."

A Doberman puppy-sized creature sat monopolizing the living room sofa, continuously giggling as it watched TV.

Marbas.

Once a Great Demon who had his name listed among the 72 Demons of the underworld, wielding immense power and spreading infamy throughout the demon realm.

That very Marbas now appeared completely enthralled by the charms of a famous longevity program called "TV Animal Farm."

The current episode featured the story of a stray cat barely surviving by stealing fish from a sushi restaurant's aquarium.

"Struggling so desperately just to live..."

Marbas scratched behind his neck with a hind leg and glanced around the darkened living room.

Come to think of it, ever since arriving here, he'd been living quite comfortably and cozily.

The fact that he was served fairly decent meals at every mealtime pleased him most.

'That exquisite dish I tasted tonight was called yangnyeom galbi, I believe...'

The tender texture of the grilled pork combined with the sweet and savory marinade - Earth's gourmet cuisine was truly exceptional.

Getting to enjoy such outstanding dishes at least once a day made every day a continuous delight, to say the least.

Moreover, Immortal's sister never missed a single day taking him outside for walks, no matter how briefly...

And whenever he started looking a bit scruffy, she would thoroughly wash him until every inch of his body was fluffy and clean.

"The life of a house pet..."

Scratch scratch.

"Isn't much different from an emperor's life, is it?"

Scratch scratch.

"This lifestyle might actually suit me quite well..."

Of course, strictly speaking, Kang-jun was essentially Marbas's "sworn enemy who annihilated his entire clan."

So initially, Marbas had been waiting for an opportunity to spot an opening and cut Immortal's throat to exact vengeance for his clan's grudge...

"But this life is twice as good, isn't it?"

At the very least, compared to when he reigned as one of the 72 Demons, constantly pointing blades at his so-called brothers in endless ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠power struggles...

Or compared to the miserable life after his crushing defeat by Immortal, losing most of his power and becoming a fugitive drifting between dimensions...

"This is much better."

Moreover, 'Immortal' was an absolute powerhouse who would always be counted among the top few strongest in all the Abyss.

Though calling himself a mere pet might bruise his pride, wasn't everything in this world ultimately a matter of perspective?

If he thought differently, wasn't he essentially recognized by Immortal - who might well be the Absolute One of the Abyss - and made a member of the imperial household?

"Is this... success?"

"Kekeke," Marbas giggled again, wagging his tail as he muttered to himself.

"Kekeke, unfortunately for you brothers who fell into hell first. Watch from the fiery pits as I ascend the path of success and writhe in envy..."

No matter how much they prattled on about brotherhood and clan ties, weren't they really just competitors desperate to kill each other?

There was no reason to abandon this peaceful, comfortable life to antagonize Immortal, against whom he couldn't even leave a scratch.

Though...

There were moments when the relentless torment from 'Little Immortal' - who inherited all of Immortal's vicious persistence - felt like an ordeal.

Hadn't he reached the point where just hearing "Mung-mung~!" made all his fur stand on end?

But somehow...

Though she pestered him all day and bullied him at every opportunity, on days when she ignored him, he'd inexplicably feel... lonely?

"If you watch quietly, she does have some cute points too..."

Occasionally, like how companion dogs voluntarily become babysitters, Marbas would hover around Seol, keeping his senses sharp.

It was hard to believe such a weak, helpless creature was actually Immortal's offspring.

Just today, hadn't he saved her from potentially serious injury by stubbornly clamping onto her pants when she almost rolled off the sofa?

"Keuk, if not for me, Little Immortal would have suffered severe injuries today..."

Marbas itched all over with the desire to report today's meritorious deed to Immortal and receive praise.

To maintain this peaceful life long-term, he needed to demonstrate how indispensable he was to the imperial household.

"But why isn't he coming?"

Frowning slightly, Marbas licked his front paws repeatedly until—

Beep, beep, beep-beep!

Suddenly, the front door lock disengaged. His head shot up like a meerkat's.

His ears perked straight up, tail wagging vigorously left and right.

Then he scurried forward on his still-short legs with a "zoom" sound...

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

At Kang-jun's puzzled question upon returning home, Marbas ignored Iriel completely and continued:

"Naturally, I was anxiously awaiting my master's return."

"Seriously, why do you act more like a dog every day?"

"Didn't you explicitly order me to behave like a real dog?"

Marbas retorted with irritation, adding:

"I'm merely faithfully carrying out your command."

"Well, that's true but..."

"Also, there's an important matter I must report today..."

When Kang-jun responded indifferently with "What is it?" and strode toward the living room, Marbas scampered after him.

"Master, it seems you haven't heard about the terrible tragedy that nearly occurred today."

"What tragedy?"

"Little Immortal almost suffered severe injuries falling from the sofa, but through my quick thinking..."

Kang-jun, gulping down cold water, glanced sideways at Marbas and replied curtly:

"Good work."

"That's it?"

"What else do you want?"

Shrinking slightly at Kang-jun's cold response, Marbas mustered his courage to add:

"If not for my quick thinking, 'Little Immortal' might have sustained irreparable injuries..."

Noticing the blatant 'expectation' in Marbas's eyes, Kang-jun smirked and nodded:

"You want me to commend your service."

"Not exactly, but..."

"I'll bestow you a new name then."

Marbas gasped softly, "Huh..." momentarily stunned.

"A new name...?"

Kang-jun flicked his finger with a "snap!" and answered nonchalantly:

"How about 'Gaeddongi' (Dog Poop)?"

"Gaeddongi?!"

"From today, you're 'Gaeddongi.'"

It was a name he'd considered giving Crabsley before, but thought might be too harsh and shelved.

Meanwhile...

Marbas wagged his stubby tail wildly, appearing thoroughly delighted with the name 'Gaeddongi.'

"Fine. Move aside."

Kang-jun replied curtly with disinterest before heading back to the living room, plopping onto the sofa to watch TV...

"Well then, excuse me..."

Marbas—

No.

'Gaeddongi'—

"Kekeeke..."

Naturally curling up on Kang-jun's lap, the creature began wagging its tail as they watched the variety show together.

Meanwhile.

Iriel, silently observing the scene, pouted her lower lip in dissatisfaction before abruptly turning her head away.

After muttering "Gaeddongi, Gaeddongi..." a few times under her breath, she grumbled in a voice barely audible to herself:

"Tch, what an enviable name..."

Her tone dripped with unmistakable jealousy.

Early the next morning.

"He said he'd be here by eight..."

After checking the time, Kang-jun threw on a worn-out tracksuit and stepped out the door.

He planned to start proper training today to prepare Bong-gu for his upcoming promotion exam.

Not to mention...

Just yesterday, he'd learned that the Anti-Management Bureau—a large criminal syndicate—was eyeing Bong-gu.

Starting today, they'd tackle one Gate daily, combining high-intensity combat training with dungeon raids.

'Helping Bong-gu while earning money...'

A perfect two-birds-one-stone plan.

Just as Kang-jun headed for the front door—

"Kang-jun."

At Soo-bin's call while she prepared for work, he paused mid-step. "Yeah?"

"Nothing major, but..."

She suddenly handed him a paper bag emblazoned with a prominent telecom company logo.

"You should probably have a phone by now."

Kang-jun's eyes widened instantly.

"A phone..."

Though he'd never shown it outwardly, he'd secretly wanted one for ages.

In a world where everyone—from pedestrians to bus and subway riders—stared at phone screens all day...

And though his memories were hazy, he faintly recalled owning a 'smartphone' long ago...

His face lit up with unmistakable joy as he muttered, "Blood really is thicker..."

"You'll get used to it quickly if you fiddle with it whenever you have time."

Kang-jun nodded vigorously. "Noona, I'll never forget this kindness."

"Pfft, it's just a phone—"

"I really, really wanted one."

He hastily tore open the packaging...

'Had I known he'd be this happy, I'd have gotten it sooner.'

Soo-bin smiled faintly watching him.

"By the way, are you heading out?"

"Yeah, meeting Bong-gu."

"Ah, Mr. Bong-gu?" She nodded, visibly relieved, then added, "I saved my number in your contacts. Call me if anything happens."

"Got it." After checking the time again, he added, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠"Thanks. I'll take good care of it."

"Alright, get going."

"I'm off!"

Outside, a van parked right in front honked.

"Hyung-nim!"

Bong-gu had rented it for comfortable transport to today's Gate.

"Sleep well?"

"Of course."

Kang-jun naturally took the passenger seat, then conspicuously cleared his throat. "Ahem, ahem..."

Spotting the latest smartphone in Kang-jun's hand, Bong-gu murmured, "Oh..." before asking, "You got a phone, Hyung-nim?"

"Kinda happened."

"Whoa, the newest iPhone?"

"My noona got it. Still figuring it out."

Bong-gu ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠turned on the hazard lights. "Let me add my number."

"Go ahead."

"How should I save the name?"

"Durahan."

Bong-gu whipped his head around to glare...

"Want me to gouge your eyes?"

Defeated, he saved his number as 'Durahan.'

"Let's see..."

Now Kang-jun had two whole contacts:

[ Blood Sister ]

[ Durahan ]

Feeling the stark reality of his limited social circle, he clicked his tongue in resignation.

"Hyung-nim, did you download any messenger apps?"

"Isn't texting enough?"

"Everyone uses 'KkaTalk' these days."

Kang-jun handed his phone back, and Bong-gu swiftly installed the app.

"Now take a profile pic so people recognize you. Most use their best photo."

"Oh..."

"After that, you can write a status message—a motto, life quote, self-intro, whatever."

Kang-jun immediately inspected Bong-gu's profile: an old family photo with the status, 'I am the pillar of this household.'

"Got it."

He snapped two selfies.

ClickClick

Then, with clumsy taps, he typed his status:

Bong-gu paled upon seeing it.

'Dear god...'

The black-and-white photo looked like a funeral portrait, angled like a 2000s-era 'ulzzang' selfie.

And the status...

'Is he replacing spaces with periods because he doesn't know how to type? This reads like a grandpa's Facebook post!'

The content was even worse—some bizarre mix of parenting woes and delusional threats.

As Bong-gu's mind reeled—

"Pretty good for a first try, right?"

At Kang-jun's expectant look, Bong-gu forced ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a smile. "Truly... impressive..."

Sometimes, white lies were necessary.

This was one of those times.

Exhaling deeply, Bong-gu changed topics dramatically: "Now that your profile's set, let's head to today's destination! Vroom vroom..."

Their van smoothly accelerated toward the unresolved 'Bukhansan Gate.'