Chapter 71: Even the Absolute Being Is a First-Time Dad
Absolute Beginner Dad - Episode 71
[You have entered the central underworld of Niflheim!]
Kang-jun had just flicked away the status window floating before his eyes with a casual wave of his hand when—
A group of children, laughing brightly as if playing tag, dashed past him.
"Hey, you better stop right now!"
"Then catch me if you can!"
"Just you wait till I get my hands on you!"
Kang-jun watched their retreating backs for a moment before finally taking in his surroundings with a dazed expression.
"...Huh?"
Just as he had glimpsed beyond the rift earlier, this place was nothing more than an ordinary, peaceful "small town."
"Fresh fish just brought in today!"
"Finely aged grain liquor, going cheap!"
The first thing that caught his attention were the bustling market vendors, their voices booming as they hawked their wares.
"Come on, you can't possibly expect me to take this price!"
"Don't be stingy—just knock off a little more!"
"Fine, fine! Just this once, I'll give you a special deal!"
Kang-jun's eyes swept over the variety of goods being traded—not just food like grains, vegetables, fruits, and meats, but also shops selling fine silk fabrics, jewelry, flowers, and perfumes, all crowded with customers.
"A peaceful town, huh..."
It wasn't so different from the small cities he had once ruled in the Anux Continent.
"And a prosperous one at that, given how commerce seems to be thriving..."
The fact that people here could afford to spend on non-essentials was proof of the region's abundance.
Not a single person in sight looked ragged or destitute.
Beside him, Jung Yoon-chan, who had been standing stiffly, finally nodded and cautiously offered his thoughts.
"I never imagined such a peaceful dimension existed beyond the Wall..."
For someone like Yoon-chan, who had spent years struggling outside the Wall, the serene scenery on this side was nothing short of shocking.
"Taking everything at face value isn't a good habit, you know."
Yoon-chan blinked. "Huh?"
Thud. Thud.
From a distance, a group of armed soldiers began approaching.
"Oh? The guards?"
"What's going on...?"
"Did someone commit a crime?"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as people instinctively made way.
The soldiers stopped right in front of Kang-jun and Yoon-chan.
"What's this?"
The one who appeared to be the captain dismounted, knelt on one knee, and spoke respectfully.
"By our master's command, we have come to escort ■■■. We shall take you to the fortress at once."
Yoon-chan, who had been listening quietly, tilted his head slightly.
There had been an indecipherable word mixed into the captain's sentence.
"Your master?"
When Kang-jun questioned him, the captain bowed. "Yes," he said, then elaborated.
"Our master, the Guardian of the Asymmetrical Underworld, has ordered us to receive you with the utmost hospitality."
At the mention of the deity ruling this place, Kang-jun's eyes narrowed slightly—
Ding!
A sudden chime rang in his ears, and a system message appeared before him.
[Your authority, 'Myth Weaving,' has been activated!]
[The Creator God has begun writing your myth.]
Simultaneously, a voice—or perhaps text—echoed in Kang-jun's mind.
《The Guardian of the Asymmetrical Underworld could not hide her shock at the power of ■■■, who shattered the unbreakable barrier.》
《In the end, she sought a path to survival—to meet ■■■ directly and negotiate. Thus, she invited him to her fortress...》
《Not just ■■■, but his companions as well. She resolved to welcome them all with the highest honors.》
《After brief hesitation, ■■■ accepted her sudden invitation.》
Once again, the narrative seemed to be guiding him toward his next course of action.
'This time, though, it's suspicious as hell.'
Hadn't this "Guardian of the Asymmetrical Underworld" been spewing venom at him just moments ago?
She had threatened him, barred his entry, and even mocked him when he was blocked by the barrier.
And yet...
According to the story, she had invited him to her fortress to "seek a path to survival."
'Is she surrendering?'
Maybe she had panicked upon realizing he had actually broken through and changed tactics to save herself.
But.
"Seeking survival" could just as easily mean she had laid a trap.
Either way, Kang-jun had no reason to refuse.
He needed to confront her to dismantle this gate anyway.
This just saved him the trouble of tracking her down.
"Lead the way."
After giving the captain a curt reply, Kang-jun turned to Yoon-chan.
"What about you?"
Before Yoon-chan could answer—
"It might be a trap."
No matter how peaceful this place seemed, they were still in the heart of a gate. Yoon-chan had already guessed as much.
"If you stay here, your comrades will come for you soon."
"My comrades...?"
"A reclamation team from your country is on their way with a return stone to extract you."
Yoon-chan's eyes widened.
"Even after all this time... Why would they launch such a reckless operation for someone whose survival was uncertain...?"
Kang-jun shrugged. "Dunno."
Then, in the same indifferent tone, he added,
"Your choice, though."
He didn't have to follow Kang-jun into potential danger. He could wait here safely.
But.
Yoon-chan didn't hesitate.
"Are you planning to suppress this gate?" he asked, voice firm.
Kang-jun answered vaguely.
"Maybe."
If the Guardian groveled and made an offer he couldn't refuse, things might change—but his default plan was to kill her and annihilate this Calamity-grade gate.
"If you'll allow me..."
"Yeah?"
"I'd like to accompany you."
Kang-jun smirked.
"Do whatever the hell you want."
Then, mounting the horse brought by the guards with practiced ease, he added in a commanding tone,
"Take the lead."
Yoon-chan watched Kang-jun's back for a moment before glancing behind him—
At the rift connected to the massive Wall.
At the snowy plains beyond it.
At the place where he had trained.
For a year, he had endured blizzards, eating moss from cave walls, repeating his drills.
He had thought he had achieved something great.
And in a way, he had.
But the difference wasn't as vast as he'd hoped.
'To think I couldn't even escape this place on my own, let alone suppress a Calamity-grade gate...'
He felt ashamed of his past arrogance, believing he could protect everyone just by returning to Earth.
'Even if I fled back now, nothing would change...'
If he could help Immortal suppress this gate—even if it cost him his life—it would be worth it.
'If anything happens to me, my comrades can still use the return stone...'
He wanted to witness Kang-jun's power firsthand, to learn from it however he could.
If survival had been his only goal, he would never have become a hunter in the first place.
He was someone who fought to protect.
Others might not understand—
But that was who he was.
With that resolve, Yoon-chan mounted his own horse.
Neigh!
And so, guided by the guards, the two rode toward the distant fortress atop the hill.
"Ah."
The captain suddenly spoke up, addressing Kang-jun.
"Once we arrive at the fortress, if you rest awhile, your other companions should join you shortly."
"Other companions?"
"Some of our men have gone beyond the Wall to escort them."
Not long after, as they reached the fortress gates, Yoon-chan couldn't help but murmur, "Wow..."
The castle, already imposing from afar, was even more colossal up close.
"Where's our host?"
Kang-jun dismounted as he asked, but the captain hesitated.
"Apologies, but she cannot receive you immediately. However, once the evening banquet begins—"
Kang-jun cut him off.
"So we wait?"
Just then, a dozen maids waiting at the gates approached and bowed in unison.
"O great ■■■..."
Each was breathtakingly beautiful, dressed in exquisite silk robes.
"Would you care to soothe your fatigue with a warm bath?"
"Go bathe yourself."
"Perhaps you are hungry? Shall we prepare a meal? We have delicacies from land and sea—"
Kang-jun smacked away a maid's hand as she reached to adjust his collar.
"Go stuff yourself."
Then, dusting off his shoulder, he added,
"And if any of you touch me again—"
Gulp.
"—you're dead."
The maid forced a trembling smile.
"Then perhaps some light refreshments and wine—"
Kang-jun's voice turned icy.
"Enough nonsense. Take us where we're supposed to wait."
Thus, following the maids, the two entered the fortress and walked down a long corridor.
Yoon-chan, fascinated by everything, kept turning his head left and right, muttering in awe.
Eventually, they were led to a grand banquet hall with a long table.
The maid bowed deeply.
"Please wait here for a short while."
"Don't make us wait too long."
Kang-jun picked up a small knife from the table, testing its edge as he added,
"Just so you know, I'm not a patient man."
The maid smiled.
"To keep you entertained, we shall provide pleasant company."
Kang-jun raised an eyebrow.
"You said my other companions were coming?"
"Yes, they will arrive shortly."
She gestured toward the windows lining the hall.
"Ah, it seems they're here now."
Yoon-chan's gaze followed—
And his eyes shook violently.
"My God..."
There, approaching the fortress under the guards' escort, were the hunters of the reclamation team.
Many were familiar faces—close comrades, some even dear friends.
Yoon-chan stood speechless, staring at their distant figures, when—
"Those fruits look delicious."
At Kang-jun's sudden comment, Yoon-chan glanced at the basket of assorted fruits on the table.
"They do..."
Vibrant red apples, plump figs, pomegranates bursting with seeds...
As Yoon-chan reached for one, the maid smiled faintly—
"Put it down."
Kang-jun's cold tone made both the maid and Yoon-chan freeze.
Yoon-chan, who had been about to take a bite, slowly lowered the fruit.
"Sorry. It's just... been so long since I've seen proper food like this..."
After surviving on cave moss and the occasional wild game, he couldn't help himself.
"Still, have some dignity. Wait till your friends get here, and we'll all eat together."
Kang-jun glanced at the maid. "Right?"
She nodded stiffly.
"A wise suggestion."
Then, with a strange emphasis, she added,
"You must all eat together."
Kang-jun muttered, "All together, huh..." before chuckling.
"Yeah. All together."
Just then, the banquet hall doors swung open.
Another maid entered and bowed.
"O great ■■■, your other companions have arrived safely..."
And so, the reclamation team too set foot in the fortress—the stronghold of the Guardian of the Asymmetrical Underworld.