Chapter 42: Even the Absolute Being Is a First-Time Dad
Even the Absolute One is New to Fatherhood - Episode 42
Seven men in robes knelt in a dimly lit chamber, their faces taut with tension.
The Twelve Executives.
Not long ago, there had indeed been twelve of them. But over the past few months, their numbers had dwindled to seven.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Bony fingers adorned with dazzling rings lightly rapped against the armrest of an ornate chair several times.
"Our ranks have thinned considerably..."
The leader slowly scanned the kneeling executives from left to right before speaking.
He was anxious.
Several of their recent operations had ended in failure, dealing significant blows to their forces. They'd lost five of the Twelve Executives, along with dozens of elite operatives whose fates remained unknown.
Had they achieved even a fraction of their goals, it might have been justifiable. But with nothing to show for their efforts, it amounted to nothing but wasted resources.
'And now even the Golden Art has failed...'
As he gnawed at his lower lip, the leader closed his eyes and recalled the contents of the final oracle.
[Did I not repeatedly emphasize that you must activate the Golden Art by any means necessary?]
The god was furious.
[If you cannot accomplish even this simple task, how can I trust you with greater things?]
Deeply disappointed...
[I had planned to manifest only after you completed all preparations...]
He had revised his plans...
[But now I must manifest prematurely to guide you personally. Commence the ritual immediately.]
And announced his descent.
"At last... I'll be able to see Him with my own eyes..."
One of the kneeling executives slightly raised his head to glance sideways at the leader.
"The god has announced his manifestation..."
At the leader's brief words, all present stirred visibly.
"However," the leader continued, "to create a vessel worthy of housing His presence, we'll need the bones and flesh of several hundred living humans."
At this, the highest-ranking executive among them—known as 'Shadow'—licked his lips nervously before cautiously asking:
"So that's why you ordered all alliance members to attend today's service..."
The leader nodded in confirmation.
"Every attendee at today's service will become living sacrifices for His manifestation."
As he finished speaking, the leader slowly raised his hands and pulled back the deep hood of his robe...
Revealing a face so grotesque it defied description—patches of melted flesh clinging to exposed muscle, areas where white bone shone through.
Yet paradoxically, an infinitely gentle smile spread across that horrifying visage.
"If their faith was true and not merely for material gain, shouldn't they be grateful for the honor of being used by our god?"
He added:
"So rejoice..."
His tone brimming with madness:
"Those gathered here have been chosen by god to enter the new world He is creating..."
In unison, the kneeling executives prostrated themselves as if singing a chorus:
"Th-thank you..."
The leader responded quietly:
"The service time approaches."
Then he rose first to exit the chamber.
"Let us all rise quickly to greet our god..."
The abandoned city.
Most of the metropolitan outskirts had suffered such severe Gate-related damage that restoration was deemed impossible, leaving vast areas deserted.
Numerous Gates still remained here, with Wave Phenomena frequently unleashing hordes of monsters.
No sane person would choose to live in such a place, so it grew increasingly desolate over time...
Eventually becoming a hideout for criminals exiled from civilized society—a breeding ground for all manner of lawlessness.
"It's here."
At the man's words, the three figures following behind him simultaneously looked up as if on cue.
"A church?"
Kang-jun was the first to speak.
"Is Aldebaran deluding himself into thinking he's actually a god now...?"
Crabsley chimed in from beside him:
"While not a god, he was certainly no ordinary human either. Aldebaran was a necromancer on the verge of reaching the ultimate..."
Originally, Aldebaran had been king of Kerema—one of the twelve vassal kingdoms under the Huang Empire—and Kang-jun's loyal subject.
The King of the Dead.
The title 'King of the Dead,' now one of Kang-jun's many epithets, had originally belonged to Aldebaran.
A master of dark magic who sought eternal life, Aldebaran had transformed himself into a lich to prolong his existence.
He ruled Kerema as a kingdom where living and undead coexisted, earning him the moniker from all.
[What a coveted title—I think I'll take it.]
Had he not been caught plotting rebellion out of greed for the imperial throne, he might still be enjoying that title today.
"Today's a mandatory service day for all devotees, so getting inside shouldn't be difficult..."
Kang-jun nodded at this and pulled the hood of the robe he'd received from the man low over his face.
[This should save some effort.]
If he killed every attendee without exception, this alliance would naturally collapse.
"Um..."
The man suddenly stopped walking and turned to Kang-jun with extreme caution.
"You...you'll really let me go if I just get you inside safely?"
Kang-jun replied "Sure," then gestured for him to lead the way.
The moment they stepped into the spacious church building, a robed man immediately began berating them.
"Hey! What took you so damn long—?"
Their guide swallowed dryly before answering:
"Had to bring in some new recruits..."
"New recruits?" The robed man scrutinized Kang-jun's group before adding:
"Picked another batch of gullible-looking fools, I see."
He jerked his chin toward the interior.
"Service is starting soon—get them inside."
As their guide nodded and began leading Kang-jun's group inward, the robed man suddenly called out:
"Wait."
His tone turned serious.
"Hey, what's with your appearance?"
"This is..."
"Been at 'that' again, haven't you?"
"Yeah..."
"Rough customer this time?"
The robed man clicked his tongue several times before lecturing:
"*I don't care if you're into men, but at least be discreet about it."
"Control yourself..."
"With His descent approaching, you really need to restrain yourself."
Their guide tilted his head and asked:
"What do you mean?"
The robed man shrugged.
"Heard an interesting rumor."
"Rumor?"
"Today might be the day our god manifests in this world."
He added:
"Not confirmed, but came from a reliable source in intel—probably has some truth to it."
"Is that so..."
"Pretty lukewarm reaction. Well, we'll see—this could be our ticket to the world we've dreamed of."
With a final "Get going," he passed Kang-jun's group and disappeared around a corner.
"L-let's go..."
Soon after, the group entered the deep inner sanctum of the building—the chapel—without further difficulty.
The moment Kang-jun stepped inside the spacious chapel, he couldn't help but let out a soft "Oh..." as he looked around.
Hundreds of identically robed figures sat in orderly rows.
"Just find empty seats. Preferably somewhere inconspicuous..."
As they settled into corner seats, a symphony began playing through the chapel speakers.
Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.
Their guide swallowed hard before speaking in a trembling whisper:
"S-service is about to start."
"Yeah?"
"C-can I go now?"
"So soon?"
"Hey, you promised—"
"Go."
As the man muttered "Thank you..." and hurried to leave—
Rip—!
Kang-jun suddenly tore off his own robe sleeve, rolled it up, and stuffed it into the man's mouth.
"Hey, hell's the other way."
"Gggghhk...!"
"Why the hurt look?"
He whispered low:
"I said I'd let you go—never specified where."
"Gggghhk...!"
"Since you got us in safely, I'll personally escort you this time."
With that, Kang-jun snapped the man's neck like a twig. The lifeless body slumped forward as if in prayer.
Amid the booming symphony, no one seemed to notice the death.
Then.
Through the chapel's front entrance, more robed and hooded figures appeared.
"Before today's service begins, we have joyous news..."
When the last entered, the most grotesque-looking man among them immediately ascended the podium.
The leader.
With an infinitely gentle expression, he began speaking softly into the microphone:
"Today, our god will manifest in this world. And you have all been granted the honor of becoming His living sacrifices..."
Murmurs spread through the chapel, but the hideous man continued unfazed:
"This will help weed out false devotees who joined our alliance with impure motives."
He added:
"If any truly faithful wish to volunteer as sacrifices, please raise your hands."
After scanning the chapel, the leader spoke again:
"New devotee, could you come forward?"
Kang-jun stood and strode toward the podium.
"You seem unfamiliar..."
Kang-jun nodded.
"Naturally—first time here."
The leader frowned briefly before maintaining composure:
"Yet your faith seems remarkably strong despite never having received Him."
He addressed the congregation:
"A devotion far surpassing those false devotees with their hypocritical faith..."
When Kang-jun merely shrugged in response, the leader continued:
"By volunteering first, you've proven your faith. As a special privilege, you may receive our god before becoming a sacrifice."
From his robe pocket, the leader produced a vial of mysterious black liquid—the so-called 'holy water' that could temporarily manifest the god's form using the drinker's mana.
"Now let us all witness our exemplary new devotee receive Him."
As Kang-jun downed the liquid in one gulp, a solo-performance-like mist spread across the podium, followed by an ethereal voice:
[ A new lamb... ]
The god's voice.
[ Oooh, lamb! Your dark, ominous mana pleases me greatly! ]
[ Swear eternal loyalty as my follower, and I shall personally watch over your future... ]
[ Lamb, kneel and raise your head to behold the god you shall serve... ]
Kang-jun shook his head and replied softly:
"Pass."
Then added seriously:
"My father's a pastor."
[ ...? ]
"My mother's a nun."
After a beat of silence—
[ You dare mock a god, mere human—?! ]
As Kang-jun slowly raised his head, his piercing gaze seemed to see through everything.
"Aldebaran...long time no see."
[ H-how...? ]
"You're a god?"
[ H-how is this—? ]
"Just an idiot, then."
Before him stood the target of his long-held grudge—the terror of the abyss who'd obtained the epithet '■■■' in human form.
Radiating an overwhelming aura far surpassing that of Aldebaran, who now dared call himself a god after attaining divinity.