Even the Absolute One is New to Fatherhood - Episode 72

After numerous hardships, the Reclamation Team hunters finally arrived in New Delhi, India, ready to set foot inside the Calamity-grade Gate for the first time...

What greeted them, however, was not a monster wielding incomprehensible power—but a fully armed cavalry unit.

"We've been expecting you."

They showed no hostility toward the Reclamation Team.

No—if anything, they were the very picture of courtesy.

"We are the soldiers of Niflheim's Guard, dispatched to escort you safely."

They were already aware of the Colossi—the towering monstrosities the Reclamation Team had clashed with repeatedly just to reach this Calamity-grade Gate.

"This place is the threshold of the underworld, teeming with those abominations. It is perilous beyond measure."

Then, gazing into the distance, the cavalry leader added:

"Before they catch your scent and swarm us, we must hurry to our sanctuary."

The Reclamation Team exchanged glances.

Though no one dared voice their doubts aloud...

The unspoken question in their eyes was unanimous:

Can we really trust them?

But their hesitation didn't last long.

The cavalry captain's gaze snapped toward the horizon—

And in an instant, every face twisted in dread.

"Damn it..."

Dozens of Colossi had already detected their presence, lumbering toward them with earth-shaking strides.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

As the thunderous footsteps echoed from all directions, the cavalry captain bellowed in desperation:

"Move, now!"

Every hunter's gaze instinctively turned to Kang Sung-hyun.

After gnawing on his lip in frustration, the Black Wolf finally spoke.

"At this point, we have no choice but to trust them."

Even a rough estimate put the number of approaching Colossi in the dozens.

These were the same monsters that had forced the Reclamation Team into desperate struggles with just three or four of them—leaving them battered and bloodied.

Exhausted from their forced march, the team stood no chance against such overwhelming numbers.

"This way—!"

The cavalrymen took the lead, charging across the frozen wasteland as the Reclamation Team followed at full speed.

How long had they run?

Soon, they arrived before an impossibly towering wall—stretching endlessly to either side—with a massive breach torn into it.

Beyond that breach, the landscape of another world shimmered.

"A... Hidden Gate?"

Someone's murmur sent a ripple of unease through the team.

A Hidden Gate—

Simply put, it was another Gate nested within the first.

If the outer Gate was the shell, then the Hidden Gate was the core.

Which meant...

The danger lurking beyond could dwarf even the Colossi now pursuing them.

But...

They were practically surrounded.

They could use their Return Stones—but doing so now would mean going back empty-handed.

"We'll have to trust them."

As murmurs spread through the team, Kang Sung-hyun spoke carefully.

"I don't want to enter a Hidden Gate either, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but we can't fight that many Colossi in our current state."

Most of the hunters nodded grimly.

"I believe this is our best chance to uncover the truth behind New Delhi's Calamity-grade Gate."

His voice was low, steady—yet brimming with resolve.

"It's a mountain we'll have to climb eventually."

He continued:

"From this moment, the Reclamation Team will enter the Hidden Gate, investigate thoroughly, and use the Return Stones if necessary."

Then, with finality:

"Even if we return empty-handed this time, we must gather whatever intelligence we can."

That was when—

"Right. A mountain we have to climb."

Yoon Hee-soo stepped forward, her sharp eyes scanning the others before she added coldly:

"Besides, given our original objective, entering the Hidden Gate to investigate is the logical choice."

She sheathed her sword with a fluid motion.

"Our mission was to rescue Hunter Jung Yoon-chan, who went missing here half a year ago."

Her gaze swept across the frozen wasteland.

"Assuming he's still alive, do you really think he'd be stranded in this barren hellscape—"

Her eyes locked onto the cavalrymen.

"—and not beyond that so-called sanctuary?"

Without another word, the Swift Blade Yoon Hee-soo leaped into the breach in the wall—

WHOOSH!

Her body spiraled into the vortex like water down a drain, vanishing into the Gate.

"You shouldn't push yourself yet!"

Jo Min-jin, the team's guide, followed immediately, calling over her shoulder:

"I don't know if this is the right choice, but I can't abandon an untreated patient—"

With two already inside, the remaining hunters had no choice.

"I was this close to curling up in bed, binge-watching cheesy dramas..."

Next went the Ice Witch Seol Eun-bin, followed by the Iron Man Go Du-yeol, who cracked his knuckles with a grin.

"If even that brat's got guts, what kind of man would I be to back down now?!"

As the others hesitated—

"The Colossi can't cross the breach! Everyone, inside—now!"

The cavalry captain's voice boomed again, leaving no room for argument.

"Hurry—!"

And so, the Reclamation Team was forced into the Hidden Gate nested within the Calamity-grade Gate.

"It's... real."

Yoon Hee-soo's voice was dazed as she took in their surroundings.

The landscape beyond the Hidden Gate was nothing like what the Reclamation Team had expected.

A peaceful city.

Though the architecture and clothing suggested a pre-industrial society...

"No one seems to be lacking anything."

Humans—no different from themselves—lived here in tranquil prosperity.

The cavalry captain, guiding them toward a castle, answered with pride:

"Nowhere in the vast Abyss is as prosperous or peaceful as this land."

A faint smile touched his lips as he continued:

"Our harvests never fail. Every net cast into the rivers returns brimming with fish."

"I see..."

"The forests and fields abound with fruit-bearing trees, and the plains teem with game."

Then, with quiet reverence:

"As you can see, not a single soul goes hungry. All live free from worry, in perfect comfort."

His gaze lifted toward the colossal castle looming ahead.

"Ever since our lord appeared, this land has become paradise. Famine and blight vanished. Every craft has flourished..."

Kang Sung-hyun frowned. "Your lord?"

The cavalry captain nodded.

"The one who ordered your escort is ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠none other than the master of this land—the Guardian of the Divided Underworld."

Before long—

"We've arrived."

Conversation had made the journey feel short. The towering castle gates now stood before them.

"Enter."

The gates swung open.

"Waaaaaah!"

The children welcomed them with beaming smiles, scattering flower petals from their baskets into the air...

Inside the castle walls, the tantalizing aroma of food that could make one's stomach growl on its own mingled with the refined and elegant melodies of a skilled orchestra.

"My heart's racing for no reason..."

Seol Eun-bin, who had been gently rubbing her own nose, made the remark while looking at the other hunters.

She then leaped down from her horse's saddle and asked the others:

"Doesn't this feel like we're heroes returning home after a grand adventure, being welcomed with open arms?"

Though none showed it outwardly, they all seemed just as excited as she was.

At that moment, the cavalry captain who had guided them to the castle interjected with a knowing smile.

"If you require anything at all, please summon any of the maidservants to convey your needs."

"Anything we need?"

"For instance, food and wine, warm bathwater, or fresh clean garments."

As he finished speaking, his gaze swept over the maidservants dressed in fine, colorful silk robes.

"They will attend to your ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠requests immediately upon hearing them."

"Wow..." Seol Eun-bin's eyes sparkled with admiration as she exclaimed,

"Baths! I want a bath first!"

The long journey from Sonawuli to New Delhi and the repeated battles along the way had left them all thoroughly exhausted.

"I'd take proper food over those dry biscuits any day..."

"I don't need food, just give me some strong liquor..."

"I just want to take a quick nap..."

As they each voiced their wishes and moved forward, they soon found themselves in the castle's central courtyard.

"From now on, please feel free to rest in your assigned chambers until the evening banquet begins."

At this, Go Du-yeol tilted his head and asked,

"Evening banquet?"

The cavalry captain, as if expecting the question, promptly replied,

"Our lord is currently preparing a grand banquet in your honor. Delicious food, fine wine, musicians and dancers to lift your spirits..."

For a moment, anticipation flickered across the hunters' faces.

"Please do enjoy yourselves to the fullest."

After giving a brief bow, the captain turned to leave the courtyard but suddenly stopped.

"In my haste, I neglected to mention—your comrades who arrived earlier are likely waiting for you."

This drew puzzled looks from everyone.

"Other than knowing they arrived just moments before you by our lord's invitation, I'm afraid I know little else..."

As the captain trailed off, his gaze shifted to the head maid. She stepped forward with a gentle smile and said,

"Your comrades are currently engaged in deep conversation in the banquet hall."

Kang Sung-hyun then responded,

"Could you guide us to the banquet hall?"

At this, Seol Eun-bin's eyes widened in alarm as she urgently interjected,

"W-what about my bath?!"

"Denied."

"What's wrong with a bath?!"

Kang Sung-hyun frowned slightly.

"The bathwater could be laced with drugs or poison. They might even burn incense to affect your mind or nervous system..."

He then turned to the other hunters and added sternly,

"For the same reason, consuming any 'food' or 'wine' here is absolutely forbidden. Make no mistake."

Groans of protest rose from the group, but Kang Sung-hyun remained unyielding.

Unable to stand it any longer, Yoon Hee-soo stepped in and scolded them,

"No matter how peaceful this place seems, don't forget we're still beyond a Gate."

"But—"

"Besides, for all we know, this so-called 'lord' could be the boss monster."

As she shut down the debate, Kang Sung-hyun turned to the guards and head maid with polite firmness.

"We appreciate your hospitality, but as outsiders, we must remain cautious..."

He then added,

"Could you kindly take us directly to where our 'comrades' are waiting?"

"Of course," the captain replied before leading the way toward the banquet hall.

Step by step, the Reclamation Team followed, their curious eyes taking in the castle's interior.

As they wandered aimlessly down the long corridor, the distant music grew steadily louder.

"The banquet hall must be close," Yoon Hee-soo murmured, squinting ahead.

Yet for some reason, their guide Jo Min-jin was trembling as if struck by a sudden chill.

"What's wrong?" Yoon Hee-soo asked.

Jo Min-jin's teeth chattered as she struggled to answer.

"I've felt a chill since we entered the city, but inside this castle... it's unbearable..."

Just then, the cavalry captain cut in.

"We've arrived."

He gestured toward the massive doors at the end of the hall and explained softly,

"That is where the grand banquet will be held. You'll create beautiful memories to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠cherish forever."

With that, he pushed open the heavy doors with all his might and added quietly,

"First, you should reunite with your comrades..."

The doors creaked loudly as they swung wide, revealing the banquet hall—and the two men waiting inside.

"Long time no see."

A man with sorrowful eyes greeted them in a low voice.

Jung Yoon-chan.

The undisputed top hunter in the country, who had been declared missing after being left behind in a destruction-grade Gate.

As the Reclamation Team members stared in shock at their unexpected reunion...

"Hi there."

The man who had joined the team as Kim Bong-gu's manager, only to go missing immediately upon arrival in Sonawuli.

"Nice to see ya."

Kang-jun, seated comfortably at the grand table, waved cheerfully at them.

"What in the world is going on...?" Kang Sung-hyun demanded, looking between Jung Yoon-chan and Kang-jun.

At this, Kang-jun gestured lazily, as if he owned the place.

"You all look exhausted. Why stand around gawking? Take a seat."

As the hunters alternated between staring at the two men in confusion...

The orchestra's music began to speed up.

Women in elegant silk robes emerged, carrying trays of food.

Soon, the table was laden with a lavish feast.

Some hunters, reminded of their hunger, stared blankly at the spread...

Click, click.

A beautiful woman in a black dress appeared, her sharp heels tapping against the floor as she smiled brightly.

"I thought you might need time to recover from your arduous journey, but it seems I underestimated your urgency."

After a deliberate pause, she continued,

"The head maid informed me you refused food, wine, baths, and even rest..."

Kang Sung-hyun nodded.

"That's correct."

The woman inclined her head gracefully.

"Then we shall begin the banquet early, so as not to keep our honored guests waiting. Unless you object?"

When Kang Sung-hyun silently nodded again, she bowed slightly and added,

"Thank you for accepting my invitation."

Her gaze then shifted to Kang-jun...

"■■■..."

Before sweeping over the hunters.

"And companions of ■■■..."

Though the unfamiliar word made them frown, Kang-jun simply glared at her in silence.

[ Title 'Godslayer' (EX-grade) effect activated!]

[ You will not cower before any god! ]

The system message revealed the truth—she was a deity from the Asgard Star Cluster, the "Guardian of the Divided Underworld."

[ The Asgard Star Cluster deity 'Guardian of the Divided Underworld' smiles at you with hidden malice. ]

Even her sinister intentions were laid bare.