Chapter 3: Even the Absolute Being Is a First-Time Dad
Absolute One, First-Time Dad - Episode 3
It was early Sunday morning, when everyone was still asleep.
Lee Soo-bin busily chopped, stir-fried, boiled, and mixed various ingredients...
She was fully immersed in preparing breakfast.
"Huff, huff—"
Just as Soo-bin was about to taste the stew simmering before her—
"Lady Soo-bin, you are truly diligent."
Startled by the sudden voice behind her, Soo-bin turned around with a soft "Oh my."
Her gaze landed on Crabsley, dressed head to toe in a blue tracksuit from a famous sports brand...
And wearing his signature monocle that clashed terribly with the outfit.
"Sir, you're already awake?"
"Yes, might I be of assistance?"
"It's alright, I'm almost done."
Soo-bin tasted the stew, nodded in satisfaction, then asked:
"Is Kang-jun still sleeping?"
Crabsley shook his head in response.
"No, His Majesty never sleeps."
"Huh?"
"Long ago, when His Majesty invaded the dimension called 'Demon Realm,' he was cursed with an unbreakable spell..."
Soo-bin thought to herself, 'Here we go again...' but humored him anyway.
"What kind of curse was it?"
Crabsley smiled bitterly.
"A dreadful curse that forces him to experience 'excruciating nightmares' every time he attempts to sleep. We consulted renowned shamans, priests, and sages—all to no avail."
"So Kang-jun can never sleep again?"
"No, occasionally he does sleep—once every few years. Even His Majesty must rest at least once every few years."
Crabsley adjusted his monocle and added:
"But that's only when a high-ranking Dream Demon capable of manipulating dreams stands guard beside him."
Soo-bin nodded absently, murmuring with complete disinterest, "Wow, I see..."
"Sir, I'm sorry to ask, but breakfast is almost ready. Could you wake Kang-jun and Seol for me?"
Crabsley bowed deeply.
"At once, my lady."
As she scooped freshly cooked rice into bowls, Soo-bin glanced at Crabsley's retreating back with concern.
'I'm worried... I hope he recovers soon...'
Her eyes brimmed with pity and sorrow.
Soon, the whole family gathered at the table.
"Okay, say 'Ah.'"
At Kang-jun's words, Seol turned her head away.
"Seori no wanna eat."
"Just a little..."
"No! No eat!"
Seol puffed her cheeks stubbornly. Soo-bin forced an awkward smile.
"I made special black sesame baby food today, but I guess it doesn't suit Seol's taste."
Kang-jun scratched his head, recalling a passage from the Parenting Encyclopedia he'd been studying lately:
[ Never force a child to eat when they refuse! ]
What was the next part?
[ Try making mealtime fun by turning it into a game! ]
Kang-jun murmured, "Right," then spoke gently to Seol:
"How about a contest with me?"
Seol immediately perked up.
"Contesht—?"
Kang-jun smiled.
"A simple competition to see who eats better. Not about speed or quantity—who chews thoroughly wins."
Seol tightly gripped her tiny spoon.
"Seori do it!"
Soo-bin watched with an unconscious smile.
'Wow, he's already such a natural dad.'
But just as Seol shakily lifted a spoonful of baby food to her mouth—
"Too slow."
Kang-jun smirked.
Memories surfaced—how he, as an ordinary human, had once been stranded in the monster-infested forests of Anux Continent.
His relentless drive to survive, even when hunting a single rabbit, had forged him into the Absolute One.
'Even if it's my daughter... even if she's only three... I won't go easy.'
To him, that was respect.
Suddenly, Kang-jun began devouring his meal like a man possessed.
Rice, side dishes, soup—all shoveled into his mouth and ground down like a shredder.
With cheeks stuffed, he mumbled:
"Yoo're doo shlow... even if yoo try hunnerd times... can't beat me..."
Seol stared blankly, then set down her spoon.
Her tiny shoulders trembled.
"Waaaaaah—!"
She burst into tears. Soo-bin comforted her while scolding Kang-jun.
"Kang-jun! Why make her cry?!"
Swallowing his food, Kang-jun replied flatly:
"Regrettably, that wasn't my intention."
"Sigh, it sure looked intentional!"
Kang-jun shrugged, then spoke gently to Seol:
"If it's unfair..."
"..."
"Get stronger."
As Soo-bin sighed in exasperation, Crabsley suddenly pulled out a notebook and pen.
"Morning report: During breakfast, His Majesty challenged the princess to an eating contest. Though Her Highness accepted eagerly, His Majesty regrettably exerted full effort against a mere three-year-old—"
Kang-jun shot him a glare. Crabsley gulped and shut his mouth.
As tensions eased—
"Noona, I need to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"I'm going out today."
Soo-bin's eyes widened.
"Wh-what, suddenly?"
She set down her spoon, flustered.
"Well, it's my day off, so I can watch Seol if you want to go out, but..."
"Then can I ask a favor?"
"Kang-jun... I know being cooped up is frustrating, but going out alone might still be too much."
Crabsley chuckled. "Hahaha, fear not."
He smiled benevolently.
"I shall accompany him."
Soo-bin looked even more alarmed.
"Wh-what? Y-you too?!"
Her worries had just doubled.
After breakfast, as Kang-jun shoved his feet into sneakers—
"Kang-jun, wait."
Soo-bin handed him a neatly folded paper.
"My phone number's written here. Call if you get lost. Or find a police station—they'll help."
"Got it."
"Don't skip meals—buy something if you're hungry. Don't wander too far, and come home before dark."
She pulled out her worn wallet and gave him a few bills.
"Be careful."
"Sure."
As they stepped out of the shabby apartment—
Soo-bin rubbed her arm anxiously.
"Will they really be okay...?"
Though he'd been trapped in a Gate for three years, Kang-jun was improving daily.
She worried her overprotectiveness might hinder his reintegration.
That's why she allowed this outing—but anxiety still gnawed at her.
'He's not a child. It'll be fine.'
Contrary to Soo-bin's worries...
The two were smoothly heading to their destination.
On the moving bus, Kang-jun spoke abruptly:
"I've been thinking—for smooth economic activities, you'll need a new name and identity."
"A name, Your Majesty?"
"Yes. I've devised one fitting this world's customs. From this moment, you are no longer 'Chartia von de Crabsley'—"
Crabsley gulped audibly.
'The day I receive a name from His Majesty...!'
Anticipation swelled within him.
"Choi. Dol. Soi."
"Pardon?"
"Choi Dol-soi."
Kang-jun frowned.
"What? You don't like it?"
"N-not at all..."
"Then why that face?"
Kang-jun explained pointedly:
"You don't understand. 'Dol-soi' is a name historically bestowed only upon the most loyal vassals."
"Truly?"
"'Dol' means stone, 'soi' means iron—symbolizing your unshakable loyalty."
Color returned to Crabsley's face. Kang-jun added:
"But if you truly dislike it—"
Crabsley waved his hands frantically.
"Never! How could this humble servant dare question His Majesty's divine naming?!"
Kang-jun nodded.
"Good. I'm glad you like it."
Truthfully, he'd named him on a whim.
'Dol-soi' sounded better than 'Dog-poop' (Gaeddong-i), so he went with it.
'Yeah, Gaeddong-i would've been too much.'
For the surname, he'd rolled a pen over four common Korean surnames—Kim, Lee, Park, Choi—and picked where it stopped.
As the bus arrived near Guro Digital Complex Station—
"Dol-soi, we're here. Let's go."
The newly christened Choi Dol-soi tilted his head.
"Your Majesty, if I may ask... our destination is...?"
Kang-jun stood up.
"Today, we're visiting a Gate."