Chapter 48: Even the Absolute Being Is a First-Time Dad
Absolute One Is Also a First-Time Dad Episode 48
Kang-jun, who had subtly questioned further, left Kim Dae-seon rolling on the floor behind him and exited the storage room, heading back toward the kids' cafe.
"Seol-ah, if you eat too much, you might get a stomachache..."
In the distance, he spotted Seol sitting across from Bong-gu at the cafeteria table, happily munching on ice cream with her cheeks puffed out.
The sweet treat seemed to have quickly soothed her, as she was now completely absorbed in savoring the ice cream with a radiant smile.
"Ahem... Since the organization isn't widely known, even I don't have much information about them..."
Kazan, who had been speaking vaguely, paused briefly before continuing in a more structured manner.
"I've heard it's an organization formed by key members of criminal groups like the 'Mafia' and 'Fenozé,' as well as a secret society called the 'Bavarian Illuminati.'"
He then added further:
"There are also rumors that some of the 'Otherworlders' who migrated to Earth through the Gates have joined them... but that's all I know."
From what he gathered, it seemed to be a secret society composed entirely of villains who wouldn't hesitate to commit any atrocity to achieve their goals.
"So you're saying we'll inevitably cross paths with some unsavory characters at this auction."
After replying with a respectful "Yes, that is correct," Kazan continued in a slightly amused tone:
"With the world still in chaos and no clear order established, many are vying for dominance with burning ambition."
"Many?"
"Practically speaking, organizations similar to the 'Brotherhood' exist in every country—at least one each."
Then, cautiously, Kazan added:
"Even the 'Anti-Management Bureau Alliance,' the organization dismantled by the great Immortal, shared similar traits with them, did it not?"
Just then, Seol, who had spotted Kang-jun, began waving her tiny hands excitedly with a beaming smile.
"It's truly laughable that these fools squabble over power, unaware that the Absolute One of the Abyss—Immortal himself—walks among them on Earth..."
Kang-jun responded to that remark.
"Are you warning me about their existence?"
Kazan immediately flinched and stammered in a flustered tone:
"W-w-w-who in the Abyss could ever hope to oppose the great Immortal?!"
"Then?"
"I merely worry that... accompanying the young lady might expose her to unpleasant situations..."
Kang-jun replied flatly.
"Thoughtful of you."
After a humble "I am unworthy..." Kazan returned to the main topic.
"I will ensure everything is prepared in time so your participation in the auction proceeds smoothly."
"Prepared?"
"We will arrange forged identities and corresponding passports according to your travel schedule."
If wealth were flaunted at an auction drawing many eyes, wouldn't it inevitably lead to troublesome complications?
'He's certainly sharp.'
Though it would cost some money, preventing unnecessary attention beforehand was obviously the better choice.
"We will also prepare round-trip flight tickets, accommodations during the auction period, and formal attire fitting the occasion."
Kang-jun, keeping his gaze fixed on Bong-gu watching over Seol in the distance, said:
"Cost is no concern. Prepare everything meticulously—for two people."
A few days later.
Inside a custom tailor shop located on the outskirts of Las Vegas, Nevada.
"Hmm..."
An elderly man in a pristine suit, smoking a cigarette, was reading a newspaper.
Ding-!
Just then, the bell on the door chimed as a young woman dressed as a casino dealer entered.
"I seek the garments of a new world."
It was the organization's passphrase.
"Come in."
This custom tailor shop served as a hideout for Brotherhood operatives assigned to the upcoming auction heist.
"Our comrades are waiting in the basement."
With a confident smirk, the woman straightened her posture and strode across the shop.
When she lightly pushed the full-length mirror at the back, an elevator leading underground was revealed.
Whoosh—!
In the hidden chamber, members of the Brotherhood, clad in robes, were gathered around a circular table.
"You've kept us waiting..."
Nodding once, the woman retrieved a deck of tarot cards from her briefcase.
"Thank you all for gathering despite your busy schedules."
"And the purpose...?"
"My patron deity has delivered a prophecy."
Murmurs of varying tones filled the room.
"A prophecy...?"
After spreading the tarot cards in a fan shape across the table, she declared:
"The one whom all the gods of the Asgard Star Cluster oppose shall appear before you..."
One of the robed men asked:
"Then that means...?"
She nodded once before answering.
"Immortal."
Then, with a triumphant whisper, she added:
"The Three Sisters Who Govern the Fate of Yggdrasil—my patrons—have prophesied his arrival here."
The man seated at the head of the table cautiously inquired:
"What do you plan to do?"
Amanda, the Brotherhood operative who had infiltrated the casino as a dealer, shrugged.
"If Immortal appears, I intend to approach him in disguise and read his 'omen.'"
The man at the head furrowed his brow.
"Reckless actions could lead to unnecessary losses. It's best to avoid personal initiatives..."
Ignoring him, she selected three cards from the fan and revealed them one by one.
"The first card: Strength."
Courage.
"The second card: The Tower."
Destruction.
"The third card: Judgment."
Triumph.
"My reading shows no variable for death."
With the three goddesses governing past, present, and future looming behind her, there was no room for doubt.
"First, we confirm the omen of the one the gods fear. Then, we adjust our plans accordingly—wouldn't that be far more efficient?"
The man silently studied the third card before speaking again.
"Judgment is commonly interpreted as triumph, but from another perspective, it can also mean 'resurrection.' Though you would know better."
Amanda gathered the spread cards neatly before replying.
"If I muster the courage to confront Immortal and, in doing so, am forced to sacrifice my life as the proxy of the Three Sisters..."
"......"
"Then surely, the Three Sisters Who Govern the Fate of Yggdrasil will honor my service by granting me resurrection."
After sweeping her gaze across the robed figures, she added:
"Since all of you here have experienced the power of the gods, you must already know that 'resurrection' is no great feat."
The man at the head swallowed his next words. Though unease coiled like smoke in his heart...
'No need to provoke unnecessary conflict.'
Amanda's omens and interpretations had never once been wrong. There was no reason to stir doubt now.
At that moment.
It had been barely a few days since Kang-jun and Bong-gu boarded the flight to Las Vegas, USA.
"Wow..."
Bong-gu couldn't stop marveling as he stepped onto the Gulfstream luxury private jet provided by the "Secret Gathering of the Wealthy."
"Your staggering wealth never ceases to amaze me, hyung-nim. Never in Kim Bong-gu's wildest dreams did I imagine I'd board a private jet like this..."
Kang-jun dismissed his excitement with a curt "Stop exaggerating" as he flipped through the auction catalog Kazan had provided earlier.
The neatly organized catalog listed the Las Vegas auction schedule and items by category.
"Hyung-nim, why do you look so troubled?"
Kang-jun responded with a grave expression.
"Seol is mad at me."
"Why?"
"For flying without her."
Bong-gu murmured in understanding, "Ah..."
"You told your family this was just a business trip to assist me, right?"
Kang-jun nodded, pressing his fingers against his throbbing temples.
"I should bring her a gift to cheer her up."
"Do you have anything in mind?"
"She's upset about the plane, so maybe a private jet like this..."
Then he added,
"According to my sister, Seol will be four this year, so she's planning to enroll her in daycare soon. Perfect timing."
"What do you mean?"
"Killing two birds with one stone. A private jet can be both a peace offering and an enrollment gift."
Bong-gu exhaled sharply, unable to grasp the sheer scale of the idea.
After arriving at the airport, the two immediately boarded a waiting luxury sedan and checked into the hotel hosting the auction.
A penthouse on the top floor.
Bong-gu, likely struggling with jet lag, collapsed onto the bed still in his travel clothes the moment they unpacked.
"Hmm..."
Kang-jun, lounging on the sofa while watching TV, soon grew restless and stood up.
"Maybe I'll go out for a bit..."
He recalled the casino in the hotel lobby he had noticed during check-in.
'Since we arrived days before the auction starts, might as well find a hobby...'
Having learned that the criminal organization Brotherhood planned to steal auction items, he intended to stop them preemptively.
If they disrupted or canceled the auction, it would be disastrous.
Kang-jun changed into a crisp custom-tailored suit from the penthouse wardrobe.
Once ready, he headed toward the casino in the lobby.
'Peaceful...'
So far, he detected no suspicious movements.
A security guard at the casino entrance checked his key card and said,
"After entering, you may enjoy games at the 'VVIP Private Tables' located at the far end."
After a brief thanks (aided by translation magic), Kang-jun strode toward the private rooms.
'No one here?'
The spacious VVIP room was empty—not a soul in sight.
"Apologies," a young female dealer hurried in and asked politely,
"There are no ongoing games at the VVIP tables at the moment."
"That's fine. I'll play at a regular table."
"If you wait briefly, we can prepare a new game for you."
After a moment's hesitation, Kang-jun reluctantly nodded and took a seat at a baccarat table.
"I'll wait."
His gaze lingered on the gold nameplate pinned to her chest.
"Your name is 'Amanda'?"
"Yes."
"Pleasure."
She nodded once.
"Shouldn't you be asking 'fate' for that favor instead?"
"You believe in gods?"
"Of course. I'm a devoted follower of a certain deity."
Kang-jun smirked.
"Thought so."
He sensed a faint trace of divine energy from her—far purer than what Aldebaran had once wielded.
'When was it...?'
It reminded him of the divine aura he had felt from the Frost Giant Hrímþurs in a Calamity-grade Gate.
"You don't believe in gods?"
Kang-jun chuckled.
"I only call on them when necessary, like everyone else."
"And if they fail me, I'll kill them."
The dealer's hands paused mid-shuffle. Forcing a smile, she cautiously asked,
"Blasphemy at a baccarat table? Lady Luck might flee in horror."
"I'll drag her back by the hair."
"My, you're quite the bold guest. The game is ready—shall we begin?"
"Wait," Kang-jun interjected.
"Before that, I'd like to propose an interesting wager."
"What kind...?"
"If you make me lose my chips, I'll give you a prize."
Amanda's lips curled.
"A prize? How exciting."
"May I divine the outcome of this wager for fun?"
"Divine?"
"I've dabbled in tarot. May I read for you?"
Kang-jun nodded.
"Entertain me."
Amanda produced a tarot deck from under the table and fanned it across the betting surface.
"Pick three cards."
Without hesitation, Kang-jun selected three.
"The first card—the Chariot, symbolizing triumph and advancement..."
She flipped the second.
"The second—the Tower, representing destruction and ruin..."
Then the third. Her brow furrowed in confusion.
"The third... the Emperor."
A card depicting a ruler.
"What does the third mean?"
Amanda moistened her lips before answering carefully.
"Though I'm unsure why this spread appeared... it signifies paternal love—fatherhood."
Kang-jun's gaze turned icy.
"You speak as if you know me."
"Of course not..."
"I've decided on your prize if you make me lose."
Amanda feigned calm.
"How about a glass of whiskey?"
"You underestimate my generosity."
Kang-jun leaned forward.
"If you make me lose, I'll let you live."
Simultaneously, an overwhelming surge of mana erupted from him, forming an impenetrable barrier.
"No one enters or leaves until the game ends. High-stakes games are best played in private."
Cold sweat trickled down Amanda's spine under the pressure.
Kang-jun idly stacked his chips and asked without looking up:
"I'm curious—is the god you worship connected to the Asgard Star Cluster?"
Amanda's eyes trembled violently.