Chapter 68: Even the Absolute Being Is a First-Time Dad
Absolute One Is Also New to Fatherhood Episode 68
Departing from the India-Nepal border region of Sonouli, Kang-jun reached his destination of 'New Delhi' in just a few hours.
A distance of over eight hundred kilometers.
What would have taken fifteen grueling hours by vehicle due to poor transportation infrastructure was traversed in mere hours.
And this despite being delayed by countless 'Colossi' too numerous to tally.
Boom, boom, boom boom...
With each step taken by the dozens of towering giants boasting immense stature (height), the ground shook as if from an earthquake.
Meanwhile.
Perched atop the lead giant's head as comfortably as if it were his own living room, Kang-jun sat cross-legged in quiet contemplation.
"So that's the Destruction-grade Gate..."
In the distance, the scenery of New Delhi's once-popular tourist attraction, the 'Akshardham Temple', began coming into view.
And naturally...
His gaze was drawn to the massive rift hovering ominously in the air above one of the temple's inner sanctums.
Boom, boom, boom, boom...
As Kang-jun approached the Destruction-grade Gate, he realized the density and concentration of 'divine power' was growing increasingly potent.
"Let's see..."
Closing his eyes, Kang-jun focused his mind and spread his magical power thinly in a wide circle (encompassing area), intending to check the Reclamation Team's current position along the path he'd cleared.
"They're keeping up better than expected..."
The team had already reached a point barely a hundred kilometers away, maintaining steady progress despite everything.
Of course, their unimpeded movement was only possible because Kang-jun had eliminated all Colossi along their route beforehand.
At this rate, they'd likely arrive within an hour or two at most, but...
"Can't exactly wait around leisurely."
To attend his daughter Seol's 'kindergarten entrance ceremony' without delay, he absolutely had to finish today.
"Moreover..."
Judging by the divine power seeping from beyond the Gate, if he had to face those so-called 'gods' again...
"Might take a bit longer than expected."
Muttering to himself, Kang-jun lightly tapped the giant's head beneath him...
Boom, boom, boom, boom...
At his signal, the momentarily halted giants resumed their march toward the Gate above Akshardham Temple.
Meanwhile.
The Reclamation Team, composed of twelve of Korea's top Hunters, clearly showed signs of exhaustion.
Having traversed what should have been a two-day journey in mere hours, the toll was evident.
"Haa, haa..."
Their visibly slowed pace betrayed their dwindling stamina.
Most members seemed on the verge of collapse, with several sustaining serious injuries.
Magic-type Hunters suffered from 'Mana Overexertion Syndrome', some even showing signs of chills.
"Pushing forward like this seems unwise. Let's rest briefly before continuing."
At Kang Sung-hyun's command, the Hunters collapsed onto the sandy ground as if they'd been waiting for permission.
"Anyone needing treatment, speak up."
Rank 4 'Guide' Jo Min-jin, versed in healing magic, tended to the wounded while...
Bong-gu, of little combat use, assisted Kang Sung-hyun in distributing supplies.
"Have some biscuits and water."
Despite Kang-jun clearing most Colossi from their path, minimizing combat, they were still in this state.
Even the few remaining Colossi Kang-jun had unintentionally left behind proved overwhelming for them.
"Starting to see it now."
Rank 9 'Hawkeye' Lee Hwi-geun, cradling his sniper rifle, stared intently into the distance.
Go Du-yeol, busy wrapping his wrist with bandages, glanced sideways and asked skeptically:
"Already?"
Lee Hwi-geun nodded and explained calmly:
"Though I need to activate 'Skill' to see it faintly..."
His 'Eagle Eye' skill could identify objects within a 150-kilometer radius.
The Destruction-grade Gate entering his vision meant they had less than 150km left.
Rank 23 'Divine Spear' Kang Joo-won planted his spear into the ground with a thud and mused aloud:
"Just how does a Gate that turned a continent to ruins and claimed millions look?"
Hawkeye hesitated before answering carefully:
"Paradoxically speaking..."
He trailed off, then added:
"It's beautiful."
A solemn silence fell.
"Just a personal observation."
The massive rift against the dark night sky shimmered with kaleidoscopic colors.
Its hues blended harmoniously, undulating softly like an aurora—a mesmerizing, supernatural spectacle.
"Bullshit."
'Quick Sword' Yoon Hee-soo, receiving treatment from Jo Min-jin, suddenly spat out while gripping her chipped blade.
As she tried to rise, Jo Min-jin urgently protested:
"You can't move yet—!"
"I'm fine."
"Fine? With all your ribs crushed? How did you even make it here without showing pain?"
Yoon Hee-soo replied:
"This is nothing."
Then added quietly:
"Compared to what that child endured..."
Her bitter words cast a pall over the group...
"I'm truly fine. Tend to the others."
"But—"
"See? I can move just fine."
Demonstrating by swiftly swinging her sword, she left Jo Min-jin no choice but to relent.
"Need some air."
As Yoon Hee-soo walked away, Hawkeye called after her sincerely:
"My careless words earlier—"
She answered not with words but a dismissive hand wave.
Later...
Bong-gu, observing the mood, cautiously asked the most approachable member, Seol Eun-bin:
"About Hunter Yoon Hee-soo..."
Seol Eun-bin nodded:
"Yeah, what?"
Bong-gu licked his lips:
"Does she... have some history?"
He'd noticed her 'fanatical obsession' with killing monsters—always volunteering to lead every battle, refusing to rest despite injuries, as if slaying monsters was her calling (divine purpose).
"Yeah."
Seol Eun-bin's expression turned somber as she added flatly:
"She does."
"Of course, in this world, it's far harder to find someone without a tragic backstory..."
Her words trailed off vaguely as she glanced around before lowering her voice further.
"You know, my sister has never once lost her position as the top-ranked Gate Suppression scorer in the Bureau's records?"
"Ah, yes," Bong-gu replied cautiously, searching his memory. "I think I heard once that she suppresses every Gate she encounters, regardless of rank..."
It was well known that the Bureau prioritized quantity over quality when tallying Gate suppression records.
Thanks to that, no one could match Yoon Hee-soo, who suppressed at least one Gate every day—sometimes three or four.
"They say she lost her four-year-old daughter right before her eyes."
"Eh?"
"Probably trampled to death by monsters or something..."
Seol Eun-bin stared at Yoon Hee-soo's retreating figure and murmured as if talking to herself.
"I think that's why she's obsessed—no, fanatically fixated—on slaughtering monsters..."
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"She always looks... on the verge of breaking."
Bong-gu nodded slowly.
"If she was four, that'd be around Seol's age now..."
Only now did he understand why she staked her life on killing monsters.
The driving force behind her was likely hatred, vengeance—something dark.
Perhaps this self-destructive massacre was her way of atoning for her daughter.
Meanwhile, Seol Eun-bin's earlier words echoed relentlessly in his ears.
In this world, it's far harder to find someone without a tragic backstory...
How painfully true.
[You have entered the Gate: 'Niflheim's Netherworld Threshold.']
The moment Kang-jun stepped inside, the scenery before him twisted violently.
"The Netherworld...?"
A blizzard raged endlessly, howling winds sharp as blades. Snow piled waist-high, swallowing his ankles.
Beyond mere cold, a sinister, deathly aura permeated the air—this was unmistakably an ominous place.
Yet...
"Good terrain."
Kang-jun breathed in deeply, as if strolling through a lush forest.
The energy here was saturated with death—the very source of his power.
"Nice..."
Without hesitation, he strode forward.
Though the blizzard obscured everything beyond an inch ahead...
In the distance, he sensed an immense, high-quality divine power.
Crunch, crunch...
As he cut through the endless snowfield—
BOOOOOOM—!
A deafening roar shook the earth.
"Huh?"
Kang-jun paused, staring toward the sound.
Gradually, his vision expanded, focusing on a distant cliff.
There, a man fought desperately against over a dozen Colossi atop a weather-carved precipice.
Though barely holding on, he methodically whittled down their numbers.
"Feels familiar..."
After a moment, Kang-jun muttered, "Ah, right."
"His swordsmanship resembles that guy's."
Tilting his head, he added, "But his face... I know him."
A buried memory surged up like dust kicked from the ground.
The man's features matched the 'rescue target' from the briefing.
"Survived, huh?"
Kang-jun vanished.
SLASH—!
As Jung Yoon-chan's sword cleaved vertically, a Colossus split cleanly—like tofu.
GROOOOAR!
Hundreds down.
Yet no matter how many he slew, more emerged, as if multiplying.
"Hah... hah..."
To escape, he needed to defeat the Gate's boss deep within.
But right now...
He could barely handle the Colossi at the outskirts.
"Thought I'd reached enlightenment, yet I'm still struggling like this..."
Compared to when he first arrived—unable to face even one Colossus—he'd improved leaps and bounds.
But...
"Damn it."
In the end, nothing had changed. He still couldn't leave.
Then—
Dozens of Colossi closed in, their thunderous steps shaking the ground.
"Huu..."
Gripping his sword, Yoon-chan prepared to leap—
THUD.
Something dropped from the sky, blocking his path.
CRACK!
Yoon-chan reflexively backpedaled.
"Who are you?!"
The figure answered without turning.
"Shut up and stay behind me. You're in the way."
As dark mana surged, dozens of obsidian spears materialized behind him—
Then shot forth, each piercing a different Colossus with eerie precision.
One strike.
The man had annihilated dozens in an instant—monsters that had pushed Yoon-chan to his limits.
"How...?"
This overwhelming power made his own 'enlightenment' feel pathetic.
Suddenly, a past conversation with his master resurfaced.
"Master, could you tell me more about this 'Immortal' you seek?"
"Hm?"
"If I meet him, how would I recognize him?"
"Ah, characteristics..." His master had chuckled. "He'll belittle you immediately."
"Eh?"
"Probably with swearing."
Back then, Yoon-chan had frowned.
"That's not enough to identify him. Wouldn't describing his appearance be faster—?"
"The great one," his master continued wistfully, "would behead any foe effortlessly, then glance at me with a playful grin and ask..."
Ah, right.
"Though I still don't understand why..."
"Yes, Master?"
"Without fail, he'd always ask the same thing."
"What was it?"
His master had smiled—a rare sight.
"'Pretty cool, huh?'"
Now, the man who'd dropped from the sky turned slightly.
With a smirk, he asked:
"Hey, pretty cool, huh?"
Yoon-chan's pupils trembled.
THUD.
He dropped to his knees, kowtowing.
"I'VE WAITED FOR THIS DAY, MY LORD!"
Then, louder:
"OH GREAT IMMORTAL—!"