Chapter 34: Even the Absolute Being Is a First-Time Dad
Absolute One Is Also New to Fatherhood Episode 34
As the two men exited the reception room after concluding their business, a goblin waiting in the lobby handed them two briefcases.
"We've prepared the 1.5 billion KRW as requested. Each case contains exactly 750 million won in cash only."
Without even glancing inside, Kang-jun simply said, "Thanks," before pushing through the revolving doors.
Their destination after leaving the building? A famous fast-food restaurant located just a short distance away.
"Bong-gu, my treat today. Eat as much as you want."
Kang-jun tapped rhythmically on the self-order kiosk screen as he spoke.
"Hyung-nim, you're being surprisingly frugal?"
Kang-jun pointed at the order summary displayed on the screen with a nonchalant expression.
"Huh? What are you talking about? I'm splurging big time right now."
He was currently maxing out every possible topping option for his burger - multiple sauces, extra cheese, bacon, additional patties, and even all available vegetable toppings like lettuce and tomatoes.
"Well, I suppose this could be considered extravagant... but compared to your wealth, can we really call this 'splurging'...?"
Kang-jun frowned slightly before responding.
"Stop ruining my appetite with your backtalk. Grab us a table - when the burgers are ready, bring them over properly."
"Yessir."
"And make sure to get plenty of ketchup packets. Who do they think they're fooling giving just two or three each time...?"
Soon after, Bong-gu carefully carried their two burger sets to where Kang-jun was seated.
Rustle, rustle...
After meticulously unwrapping his burger, Kang-jun took a huge bite and spoke while chewing.
"Hey, Bong-gu."
"Yes, Hyung-nim."
"Don't worry."
Kang-jun licked some sauce off his finger with a couple of "Slurp, slurp" sounds before continuing in a reassuring tone.
"I'll take responsibility for securing the Elixir at auction. For now, just focus on your training and keep your spirits up."
"Yes, Hyung-nim. I'm truly grateful..."
"Actually, if you think about it, even if your mother makes a full recovery, that doesn't mean everything's completely resolved, right?"
Bong-gu made a small sound of realization ("Ah...") as Kang-jun continued in a matter-of-fact tone.
"It's true you've overcome the biggest crisis of your life, but there are still 'what comes next' things waiting, aren't there?"
"Yes..."
"Life doesn't just vaguely end with 'and they lived happily ever after' like in fairy tales. Reality's different from stories."
Bong-gu nodded in response.
"Yes, Hyung-nim. I'll remember that."
He then fell into deep thought.
'Right, Hyung-nim is absolutely correct...'
Even if his mother woke from her long coma, his responsibilities as head of the household wouldn't simply disappear.
What comes after?
Supporting his mother properly, of course, and ensuring his younger sibling could focus solely on studies without financial worries.
'Mustn't get complacent...'
The happiness he'd longed for shimmered before him like a mirage. But to maintain that future happiness, he clearly needed to grow stronger.
In this dangerous world where news anchors routinely announce new Gate appearances and recite lists of innocent casualties...
To protect his family from such threats, and to support them comfortably without envy...
'Yes, I must become stronger...'
Bong-gu's gaze shifted to Kang-jun, who was happily devouring his burger with loud chewing sounds.
'Come to think of it, he's lived far longer than any legendary tortoise... I can really sense that depth of experience sometimes...'
As Kang-jun took several gulps of cola, he stared thoughtfully at the briefcase by his feet and spoke again.
"By the way, this is tricky."
"Hmm?"
"I've withdrawn the money, but..."
"Yes?"
"What should I tell my sister when giving it to her?"
Given the enormous sum, he couldn't even begin to imagine what plausible explanation to offer.
"Hyung-nim, what if you secretly placed it by her bedside while she's asleep?"
"I guarantee she'd report it to the police the moment she woke up, thinking someone lost it."
Kang-jun shrugged before adding:
"She's the type who'd take even a 500-won coin she found on the street straight to the police box."
Bong-gu tilted his head ("Huh?") before excitedly suggesting:
"Hyung-nim, what if you say you won the lottery?"
"Lottery?"
"Yes, I heard first prize these days is around a billion won."
Kang-jun's eyes widened.
"Oh?"
He suddenly recalled a passing conversation with Lee Soo-bin shortly after returning to Earth.
'I just wish the lottery ticket I bought this week would win. Then we could live without any financial worries...'
'Lottery?'
'Yeah, I've actually been investing 5,000 won every week for years. These days the jackpot is around a billion won, I think.'
Kang-jun suddenly exclaimed, "Wow, damn..." unable to hide his surprise as he muttered:
"They say you should live long enough to see everything, but who knew I'd be getting help from Bong-gu like this..."
"Is... is that a compliment?"
"Anyway, if we're going with the lottery story, we should start preparing carefully from today."
Bong-gu cocked his head slightly. "What kind of preparation?"
"There's this."
Kang-jun raised his cola cup, and Bong-gu stared blankly for a moment as if asking 'What am I supposed to do?'
"Ah, Hyung-nim, really..."
Bong-gu then carefully cradled his own cola cup with both hands, lightly clinking it against Kang-jun's as he softly said:
"Cheers, to a brilliant future!"
"What are you doing?"
"Weren't we toasting?"
Kang-jun scowled and growled:
"Go get me a refill."
Choi Yoo-hoon, a man with a warm demeanor, was the epitome of an ordinary 30-something office worker in Korea.
Struggling with living expenses due to his meager salary, he often fantasized about resigning while keeping undelivered resignation letters in his drawer.
But.
Just days ago, an earth-shaking stroke of luck had completely transformed his life.
"Wow..."
In his tiny studio apartment (5 million won deposit, 300,000 won monthly rent) where mold grew on walls in summer and pipes froze in winter...
Lying on his creaky mattress, he gazed blissfully at the lottery ticket safely stored in his wallet.
"So my time has finally come..."
His habitual weekly lottery purchase had hit the jackpot.
First prize.
A staggering 1.5 billion won.
"Let's see... after taxes, I should get about 1 billion..."
Lottery winnings were subject to a 33% "prize tax," meaning nearly 500 million would go to taxes. While disappointing, what could you do?
"One billion..."
Though insufficient for luxury apartments in designated Gate-safe zones...
This would undoubtedly transform his quality of life.
As he stared at the ticket, fantasizing about his future...
Thud!
A sudden blackout plunged the room into darkness, followed by eerily quiet footsteps.
Creak, creak...
Sensing danger, Choi frantically stuffed the ticket into his back pocket and stammered:
"W-who's there?"
He was certain this intruder had come for his winning ticket.
'But how? I haven't even cashed it yet...'
A voice spoke from the darkness:
"Yes, I've missed missions like this..."
Choi gulped dryly. "W-what do you want with me?"
The intruder suddenly barked "Quiet!" before continuing calmly:
"I'm merely here to propose a transaction under orders. I've no wish for violence, so please cooperate."
"W-who are you?"
"I'll now make my offer. Surrender your lottery ticket, and you'll receive appropriate compensation."
Though the voice sounded like a man in his sixties, Choi couldn't muster any resistance.
Beneath that soft tone lay an indescribable menace and murderous intent.
"And of course, no need to sadden your beloved family."
"Huh?"
"How heartbroken would they be if you died?"
The intruder's phrasing showed seasoned extortion skills.
Choi's mental calculator worked furiously.
'I could really die here...'
However precious the winnings, were they worth his life?
"I-I'll hand it over. Just spare me. Please, I'm begging you, just let me live..."
Tearfully, he produced the ticket and handed it over.
Snatch!
The intruder swiftly grabbed it and replied with palpable malice:
"Kukuku, a wise choice."
Moments later...
Click.
The lights came back on...
"Hah..."
The intruder had vanished without trace, taking the ticket.
"Damn it..."
Only then did reality sink in as Choi's eyes welled up.
"Huh?"
Two briefcases sat conspicuously on the yellowish floor.
"What's this...?"
Opening them, he found...
"H-h-hundreds of cash bundles?!"
He began carefully counting the contents.
A full 1.5 billion.
The exact pre-tax jackpot amount.
"W-what...?"
The intruder had not only given him the after-tax 1 billion he would have received...
But included the 500 million in taxes he would have paid.
Effectively purchasing his 1 billion-won ticket for 1.5 billion.
"What just happened...?"
Choi's expression turned utterly bewildered.
Next morning.
"Good morning?"
Bong-gu arrived at Kang-jun's house for their usual training session, but cocked his head in confusion.
"Sir, what are you doing?"
For some reason, Crabsley was in a "headbutting" position - the so-called "bombing stance."
Then.
Seol came running out and bowed cutely.
"Good mornin'!"
"You're up early?"
"Uh-huh, woke up eawwy."
She then glanced at Crabsley and asked:
"Gwanpa still exewcising?"
"Yes, Your Highness..."
"Gwanpa been exewcising all night?"
"It's... fine..."
Bong-gu frowned inwardly.
'Wait, has he been like this all night?'
Crabsley's face was flushed, veins bulging on his forehead as he struggled to speak.
"Young Bong-gu. Could you... come closer?"
"Sir, have you really been like this since yesterday?"
"I... may have made a small mistake last night... and am being punished by our lord."
"I see. What kind of mistake—"
"Please... spare this old man's dignity... don't ask further."
Then cautiously, he inquired:
"D-do you know about... 'prize taxes'?"
"No, not rea—"
"The tax... on lottery or prize winnings..."
Bong-gu scratched his head ("I see...") while thinking:
'What now?'
What misdeed had the old man committed to deserve this punishment?
Or rather...
What kind of household is this where such things happen daily?