Chapter 62: Even the Absolute Being Is a First-Time Dad
Absolute One Is Also New to Fatherhood Episode 62
Meanwhile, at that moment.
"Grrruuuuh—!"
As always, Go Du-yeol had come to the gym today, pouring his heart and soul into his weight training.
He was the kind of man who would never skip his workout—not even if the heavens split in two or the earth crumbled beneath him.
A few days prior, when signs of a Calamity-grade Gate had been detected in the heart of Seoul, he had been no different.
Like the philosopher who said, "Even if the world ends tomorrow, I shall plant an apple tree today," Du-yeol had rushed straight back to the gym the moment the situation was under control.
To him, weight training took precedence over even meals or sleep.
"Huu...."
Wiping the sweat from his thoroughly drenched body with a towel, Du-yeol muttered under his breath.
"A Calamity-grade Gate...."
Back when he and several other S-rank Hunters had gathered in Insa-dong to suppress the Calamity-grade Gate, he had been consumed by sheer terror—despite merely standing by to observe the gate's emergence.
"Pathetic for a man...."
The ominous energy radiating from beyond the gate had frozen him in place, drenched in cold sweat, unable to move a muscle.
As he slowly recalled the memory, Du-yeol let out a low "Hmm."
The Hunter who had casually shoved him aside and entered the Calamity-grade Gate alone had undoubtedly been—
"Kwak Du-pal."
His one and only sworn brother. He was certain of it.
Though the man had worn his hoodie pulled low, obscuring his face—
How could he ever fail to recognize the voice of his own sworn brother?
"My brother Kwak Du-pal...."
No matter how skilled a Hunter might be, suppressing a Calamity-grade Gate alone was absolutely impossible.
"It's impossible...."
And yet, hadn't he seen with his own two eyes as his brother stepped into that gate alone?
"But he went in...."
And within mere minutes, the Calamity-grade Gate had vanished without a trace.
"The gate was suppressed...."
Though common sense made it hard to believe, difficult to comprehend—
Go Du-yeol, the Iron Man, was never one to be shackled by common sense in the first place.
Wasn't it natural for a true man to occasionally accomplish the impossible?
And above all, his brother Kwak Du-pal was a man among men—one who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him.
"Yes, no matter how you look at it...."
All evidence pointed to his brother being the one who had suppressed the gate alone.
"Damn it, but no one believes me...."
No matter how passionately Du-yeol insisted, "This was Kwak Du-pal's doing!", it was useless.
No one listened. Some even pretended not to hear him.
The academic community had gone so far as to conclude—ridiculously—that the gate had simply self-destructed.
"This can't stand...."
If his brother had accomplished such a feat, shouldn't he be duly rewarded?
He couldn't just let his brother's achievement be swept under the rug.
"I need to talk to Du-pal about this...."
But how?
"First, I'd have to find him."
Nodding to himself several times, Du-yeol grinned fiercely and muttered again.
"And when we do talk, it'd be best to have a good workout session together, just the two of us...."
Just then, the door to the private training room swung open.
"The stench of sweat is overwhelming."
It was Kang Sung-hyun, the Black Wolf.
"Not stench—the fragrance of manhood."
Sung-hyun frowned slightly at that but muttered, "If you say so," before cutting to the chase.
"The selection for the Reclamation Team has been finalized."
"That was quick," Du-yeol replied, just as he was about to pick up the dumbbell at his feet.
"Kim Bong-gu, the 'Filial Son'—currently our guild's top recruitment target—has also expressed his intent to join the team today."
Du-yeol let out a short hum before responding.
"Thought he was just some greenhorn, but if he's unafraid of death, maybe he's got some guts after all...."
"He's exceptional."
"Hmph. Even so, compared to my brother Kwak Du-pal, he's nothing more than a weakling who enjoys macarons and tiramisu...."
The moment Du-yeol mentioned macarons, Sung-hyun's face reflexively twisted.
"That's an outdated way of thinking. Judging someone based on their tastes is archaic—"
"Enough nagging."
"And if you mention Kwak Du-pal one more time, I'll strip you of your guild rank and all privileges."
Du-yeol's veins bulged in his neck as he snapped back.
"That's unreasonable—!"
Sung-hyun shook his head.
"You've been yammering about Kwak Du-pal nonstop since the promotion exam. At this point, I'm afraid his name will haunt my dreams."
Ever since the exam, Du-yeol had brought up Kwak Du-pal at every opportunity—while eating, training, even during gate raids.
'If only I could share this nourishing meal with Du-pal and hit the weights together....'
'How great would it be to train side by side with Du-pal every day...?'
'If only we could forge our bond while crossing life and death together....'
The conversations always circled back to Kwak Du-pal, making the mere mention of the name unbearable.
"First of all, I'm not even sure if this Kwak Du-pal actually exists. But if he's as exceptional as you claim, bring him before me."
He added,
"Then I'll promise to recruit him into our Solitude Guild with the highest industry package."
Du-yeol slammed the dumbbell down with a "CLANG!" and answered in a voice brimming with conviction.
"Fine. I'll bring him within a few days."
Then, stomping out of the training room in a huff—
"Kwak Du-pal...."
Sung-hyun began imagining what this Kwak Du-pal might look like, if he even existed.
"Probably looks just like him."
He guessed the man would have the same rough, bandit-like appearance as Du-yeol—thick limbs, a muscular neck, and a body built like a log.
Maybe even a wild beard covering half his face.
"And what's wrong with macarons anyway? Why does he keep spouting such outdated nonsense...?"
Then, under his breath, he added,
"I like macarons too."
To be precise—
He liked thick macarons.
"They require dedication to make."
Meanwhile, at that very moment.
Kang-jun, holding Seol in his arms, had returned to the private bank—"The Gathering of Discreet Wealth"—with Bong-gu.
"As per Immortal-nim's previous instructions, we've compiled a complete list of kindergartens near your new residence, along with their curricula."
"Oh?" Kang-jun replied, scanning the list of kindergartens suitable for Seol.
Now that they had roughly decided on the neighborhood for their new home, before heading out with Bong-gu to handle business—
He intended to thoroughly research the best kindergarten for Seol and complete her enrollment in advance.
"Let's see...."
The location Kang-jun's family had in mind was a newly built villa in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
Given the affluent area, the kindergartens seemed to offer a variety of enriching activities and educational programs.
"This one looks good."
Pointing to one name on the list, Kang-jun said,
"Snow White Kindergarten...."
Kazan adjusted his glasses and murmured,
"Princess Seol's favorite fairy tale is Snow White, isn't it?"
"Mhm."
"From what I've gathered, they offer a diverse curriculum—English, Chinese, art, music, ballet, even horseback riding."
He added,
"I believe it would be a suitable institution for the young lady's education."
Kang-jun nodded.
"Good. Acquire it."
Bong-gu's eyes widened.
"You're going to buy the kindergarten Seol will attend?"
"Yes. If it's where my princess will go, I should manage it myself."
Kang-jun planned to purchase the kindergarten outright and make adjustments before the semester began.
This was where his precious daughter—whom he cherished more than his own eyes—would spend most of her days.
Naturally, he intended to ensure every facility, piece of equipment, and teaching material was of the highest quality.
"Spare no expense in recruiting the finest educators."
Every so often, news of child abuse at daycare centers or kindergartens would surface.
While the majority of educators were undoubtedly good people, there were always exceptions—
By running the kindergarten himself, he could eliminate such risks entirely.
"Understood."
Turning to Seol, Kang-jun asked,
"Seol, what would you like to have at kindergarten?"
Busily sucking on a lollipop while sitting on his lap, Seol answered,
"Airpane!"
"A splendid idea."
He immediately issued another order to Kazan.
"Construct a hangar facility capable of storing a private jet. Have the Gulfstream we purchased earlier prepared for it."
"Understood."
"We'll need a dedicated runway and landing facilities too...."
Then, turning back to Seol, he asked,
"Anything else you'd like?"
"Wion! Rawr! Panda!"
"A zoo would be necessary as well."
Bong-gu felt his mind going numb as the conversation continued.
'So... he's going to build a hangar, a runway, and a full-scale zoo inside the kindergarten...?'
Meanwhile, Kazan diligently scribbled down every request.
"Lion, rawr, panda...."
"A suuuuper big slide!"
"Kazan, you heard her?"
"A house for Pororo and friends!"
"Implement all of it."
Kazan nodded solemnly.
"Perhaps we should just build an entire theme park."
"Acceptable."
"A large aquarium and arboretum would complement it well."
With every word Seol spoke, the kindergarten's facilities grew increasingly extravagant.
'I think I'm losing my mind....'
Then Kazan asked,
"What about tuition fees?"
"Tuition?"
"For recouping the investment...."
Kang-jun replied,
"At the very least, educational opportunities should be equal."
"Then...?"
"Half the students will be from low-income families."
He added,
"And their tuition will be waived entirely."
"Understood."
"As for the wealthy families, charge them what you deem appropriate."
Kazan nodded.
"A rough estimate suggests around five million won per month would be reasonable...."
Bong-gu unconsciously gulped.
'How many parents could afford that kind of tuition every month?'
But more than that—
Didn't this mean Kang-jun was offering free education worth five million won monthly to half the students?
Bong-gu stared at the father and daughter with awe.
Though he had felt it before, it struck him again—these two might change the world entirely.
For now, the changes seemed positive.
But if the day ever came when this child suffered even the slightest harm—
'That'll be the end....'
The mere thought sent shivers down his spine.
The world might truly face its downfall then.
