Chapter 37: Even the Absolute Being Is a First-Time Dad
Absolute One's First Time Being a Dad - Episode 37
Absolute One's First Time Being a Dad - Episode 37
"WAAAAAAAAAAAH—!"
A thunderous roar that seemed capable of lifting the entire arena shook the underground first-floor 'stadium' of the Seoul branch of the Hunter Management Bureau.
[Hunter Filial Son Kim Bong-gu has taken complete control of the match in an utterly unexpected manner, instantly overwhelming his opponent—!]
[He's achieved the incredible feat of securing the fastest KO victory among all hunters taking the combat examination today!]
[This flawless display perfectly showcases why he's considered the most promising rookie after his series of outstanding performances these past months...]
[Even his opponent, Hunter Lee Ho-yeon, was a well-known C-rank rookie who'd received offers from several prestigious guilds!]
[The fatal mistake was underestimating magic-awakened Kim Bong-gu's capability for such aggressive close-quarters combat...]
As the commentators' excited voices mixed with awe, Bong-gu blinked dazedly at his opponent—now foaming at the mouth and collapsed in the arena's center.
'What just...?'
The match had ended seconds after starting. The moment the starting whistle blew, his opponent charged like a mad bull with a flurry of threatening attacks...
After dodging a few strikes, Bong-gu channeled mana-generated electricity through his wooden practice sword for a stunning shock, then planted a fist squarely on the chin.
That was all it took.
His opponent's eyes rolled back as if a fuse had blown, collapsing forward like a puppet with cut strings.
'Was it the training?'
His relentless unarmed combat drills against monsters had honed his precision striking. The opponent's movements might as well have been in slow motion—compared to the Black-White Twin Fiends he'd been sparring with, even their drunken stumbles were faster.
[Having already aced the private physical and written exams earlier today...]
[With this dominant combat victory, Hunter Filial Son Kim Bong-gu has effectively secured his promotion to B-rank!]
Still bewildered, Bong-gu bowed repeatedly toward the stands before scanning the front rows—where examinees' guests were seated—to locate his sworn brother and the elder.
'Where...?'
His head swiveled until the stadium speakers crackled to life:
[Attention all VIPs. Terrorist activity has been detected in and around the building. Security teams are mobilizing...]
The announcement plunged the arena into chaos.
[Multiple high-rank hunters are on-site. Please remain calm and follow staff directions to the lobby for evacuation—]
[Repeat: Terrorist threat detected. All VIPs must—]
Bong-gu stood frozen as panic erupted. Pushing, screaming, children wailing—survival instinct curdling into selfish rage around him.
"This isn't the time..."
He might not be much help, but he'd sworn an oath as a hunter to protect civilians. He needed to assist the evacuation.
As he hurried toward the lobby, a thought struck:
If his sworn brother and the elder had left earlier... could they have sensed the danger?
"Everything will be fine..."
Clutching his pounding chest, Bong-gu pressed forward.
Seoul Branch Lobby
The lobby already overflowed with evacuees when "Frost Witch" Seol Eun-bin, sweat-drenched and panting, whirled around and shouted:
"Everyone BACK!"
Dozens of glacial lances materialized behind her as she channeled mana. They streaked toward the sealed main entrance—
KABOOOOOM!
The impact shook foundations, dust pluming—but the barrier held.
"Damn it...!" Each labored breath made her slender frame tremble. She'd poured everything into breaking that seal.
Divine Spear Kang Joo-won placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "We must remain calm. Fear spreads like plague."
His glance at the despairing crowd said more.
"But what do we even—"
"Sealing the building suggests an inside attack." His jaw tightened. "Likely large-scale magical terrorism."
The blood drained from her face.
"Casualties would be... catastrophic."
An S-rank's full-power assault hadn't scratched this barrier. Whoever erected it could—
"Then...?"
"First, we search every floor." His voice turned grave. "This exceeds our capacity to breach directly."
Deep Underground
Warlock smirked. The ritual was succeeding.
Pathetic—they'd sensed the barrier-breaking attempts earlier, but the hunters had given up.
'Useless worms.'
Probably scouring the building like headless chickens now. Fools. They couldn't even breach the outer seal, let alone the reinforced one around this machinery room.
"Kkkk..."
The chanting mages maintained excruciating focus:
- The deposed King of Death awakens...
- Great One shall terrorize mortals...
Eleven of twelve runes along the massive magic circle now glowed. The twelfth flickered wildly.
"Soon..."
Then—
SCREEEECH
The sealed door swung open. Light spilled in.
"Hey. Why's the light off?"
Backlit figures—just a youth and an old man.
"Bureau rats?" Warlock sneered. "Too late."
The youth stepped forward. "That stench of familiar mana..."
It was Kang-jun.
"His favorite forbidden ritual, I see."
Warlock's brow furrowed. "How do you know of—"
"You get one question before dying." Kang-jun advanced, each step cracking the barrier like glass. Crabsley followed, uncharacteristically solemn.
Sparks erupted as they passed through effortlessly.
"The wretched rat Aldebaran." Kang-jun's voice dropped to subzero. "Where's he hiding?"
At the name, Warlock's pupils dilated violently.
Memories surfaced—of the cult leader's words:
'This is the sacred true name of the god we serve... the dethroned King of the Dead.'