Daddy is too Strong-Chapter 162

A faint glow from the moonlight streamed through the window.

It was 2 AM, a time when most people were deep in sweet dreams. However, in unit 301 of Changshin Villa, one resident lay wide awake, unable to fall asleep. Nestled between Do-Jun and Yoon-Hee, with a blanket pulled up to her chin, Byeol felt a peculiar sensation tickling her body. It was as if an unfamiliar energy was wandering aimlessly within her, unable to settle.

She recalled what the Tree of Wisdom had once told her about this feeling. “Byeol, if you ever feel something small and unfamiliar moving around in your body, let me know.”

Remembering those words, Byeol glanced at the sleeping Yoon-Hee and Do-Jun, making sure not to wake them. She wriggled out of the blanket, climbed down from the bed, and opened a drawer to retrieve the Core Talisman. She knew this talisman could take her to the Tree of Wisdom, but how was it supposed to work?

“What should I do?” she mumbled.

Her eyes fell on Yong-Yong, curled up and asleep on top of Do-Jun. Byeol cautiously approached him and gently shook his soft belly.

Yong-Yong grinned in his sleep as if he were dreaming of something delightful. He slowly opened his eyes and blinked. Then, he briefly thrashed, panicking.

“Huh? What? Where’s my chicken?”

It seemed he had been dreaming about eating chicken. Realizing he was back in reality, Yong-Yong sighed deeply in regret and looked up at the ceiling with a forlorn expression. Then he turned to face Byeol, who was looking at him with her round eyes.

“I need help,” she said.

“And I am sleepy,” Yong-Yong replied.

“I am in trouble!”

“Ugh, fine. What is it?”

“This. I dunno how to use it.” Byeol held out the Core Talisman.

Still yawning, Yong-Yong took the talisman and turned it over in his paws, scratching his head. “Hm...”

“You don’t know either?”

“Of course, I know! This is nothing for me.”

Sweat dripped from Yong-Yong’s paw as he clutched the talisman. He wanted to appear dependable to the expectant Byeol, but no matter how much magic he channeled into it or how he shook it, the talisman didn’t react.

Meanwhile, Do-Jun pretended to be asleep. He slightly opened his eyes and observed the two huddled over the talisman. He knew that the Core Talisman was engraved, which meant it could only be used by its original owner. It was clear that the two were unaware of this fact.

Normally, he would have pretended not to notice and gone back to sleep, but the unfamiliar energy coursing through Byeol’s body concerned him, so he decided to get up.

***

The first floor of the Core was incredibly tranquil. Unlike Earth, where everyone was sleeping, the Core was bathed in radiant sunlight.

Do-Jun leaned against the Tree of Wisdom, watching the waterfall cascade from the open sky above into the lake on the first floor. Below, adventurers splashed around, enjoying the water.

“Tasty?” Do-Jun asked, glancing at Byeol, who sat beside him, nibbling on buttered squid. He chuckled softly.

Last week, Byeol had tried every snack sold on the first floor of the Core, but buttered squid had become her favorite. The moment they arrived, she had eagerly sought it out.

“This squid is so good. It’s my favowite here,” she said.

Byeol usually disliked fish, but it appeared that squid was an exception. In fact, she seemed unaware that squid was seafood.

The Tree of Wisdom let out a laugh, noticing the cotton candy stuck to Yong-Yong’s mouth. Watching Yong-Yong sitting on the grass with cotton candy in his paw as he ate it, he seemed no different than a child, just like Byeol. It made the Tree wonder how the Overlord’s former adversaries would react if they saw him now.

“So, you’re saying that the energy swirling inside her means that she’s ready to receive her title?” Do-Jun asked the Tree.

The small energy coursing through Byeol’s body felt alien—neither magic, demonic energy, nor celestial energy. According to the Tree of Wisdom, it was part of the system that granted titles reflected in the Status Window.

Do-Jun understood its significance, having long mastered the intricacies of the Status Window. Titles emerged when the Fissures appeared, and everyone gained Status Windows.

“That’s right. Since Byeol is a mythical creature, she’ll gain a title befitting her,” the Tree confirmed.

Titles were critical for Hunters, often providing bonus stats or additional options. For instance, a Hunter who slew a thousand orcs would earn the title “Orc Slayer,” which boosted all stats by five and granted an additional ten percent damage against orcs.

“The mythical creatures you defeated, Entusha and Laikar, also held titles that were close to divinity, though it all seems futile now... By the way, did you know that mythical creatures were designed to be invincible, making it impossible for adventurers to kill?” The Tree was talking about Do-Jun’s extraordinary powers again. “Oh, and... I apologize for bringing this up now, but I feel it’s crucial to tell you. Since I don’t know when you’ll visit again, this might be my only chance.”

The Tree of Wisdom recalled the events of last week in the Deep Realm when the strongest entities in the Deep Realm had gathered at the Temple of Harmony.

“What is it?” Do-Jun asked.

“Demon King Baal and Battle God Imfelheim have formed a temporary alliance. For reference, Baal is the highest-ranking demon among Solomon’s demons, holding the title of Demon King, while Imfelheim is the highest-ranked Transcendent, known as the Battle God for his immense power among the residents of the Deep Realm. He’s just that strong.”

“I see.” Do-Jun’s response was indifferent, as if none of this concerned him. He had little interest in the Deep Realm or its events.

“You shouldn’t be so indifferent. This could pose a major threat to Earth. The two are highly intrigued by Earth’s King and are waiting for him, meaning you, to descend into the Deep Realm. Or, they may change their minds and bring their armies to Earth instead.”

To the Tree of Wisdom, Earth was merely one of many planets connected to the Core. It somewhat held special significance as the last planet not yet subjugated, but if the powerful beings of the Deep Realm decided to act, its Encroachment could proceed without resistance.

“Thanks for the heads up,” Do-Jun said flatly.

He sipped water, his face impassive despite the Tree’s ominous words. He didn’t feel the need to worry. He had never known defeat in hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. Some might call this arrogance, but for Do-Jun, it was a simple fact.

“Masteeeer!” Yong-Yong suddenly ran up to him in a flurry.

Do-Jun tilted his head and looked at Yong-Yong, who tugged at his pant leg and pointed toward the lake, specifically at a food stall with a sign that read, “First 100 Skewers Free!”

“C-come line up with me! P-please!”

Do-Jun chuckled and said, “Alright.”

He stood and walked toward the stall with Yong-Yong. The Tree of Wisdom watched them go and felt a strange sense of déjà vu. This scene reminded it of the first time they had visited the first floor of the Core.

The more the Tree thought about it, the more peculiar this situation became. The former Overlord of the Deep Realm now followed a human, calling him “Master.” Had the Overlord been subdued, or was he merely playing along with Do-Jun?

“If it’s the former...” The tree didn’t finish that thought.

Either way, it was absurd. The fact that Izaas had become so mild-mannered was quite incomprehensible.

***

Do-Jun quietly observed the fairies swarming around Byeol. They were tiny, no larger than Byeol’s palm, and came in various dazzling colors. They circled around Byeol, scattering light as they moved.

“Wow, I can’t believe this...” The Tree of Wisdom gazed at the fairies in disbelief.

These were the Core fairies, embodying the primordial force of nature itself. They flitted around Byeol, observing her from every angle and occasionally hovering in front of her wide, blank eyes.

A light began to radiate from the fairies’ bodies. As it did, the faint energy dormant within Byeol’s body started to grow. The energies intertwined and harmonized until, eventually, Byeol’s body began to glow with the colors of a rainbow.

The bright blue sky split open, and beams of light poured down from above, converging into a single point aimed directly at Byeol.

[The Myth of the Core has been altered!]

***

The sky had transformed into a palette of pastel hues, and snow fell despite the absence of clouds above. Rohan, who had been lying on a bench, sat up in shock, his eyes wide at the unbelievable sight, along with the other adventurers. The Core’s weather, which had always been constant and unchanging, was now showering them with a dazzling snowfall of vibrant colors.

“Why is it warm...?”

“Seriously. Is this even snow?”

The flakes melted into wisps of smoke upon contact with their hands. Rohan stood and looked up at the vivid blue sky.

***

[Guardian]

A new word appeared in Byeol’s Status Window. Under the name “Byeol,” given by Do-Jun, the title “Guardian” was now displayed. Byeol stared at her Status Window, fascinated, before running over to Do-Jun.

“Guardian Byeol!” Do-Jun smiled and patted Byeol’s head.

“I was ticklish, but I held it in!” Byeol confessed.

“That’s great. You did well.”

“Does this mean I am a grown-up now?”

“Huh?” Do-Jun asked in confusion.

“Yong-Yong said...” Byeol began to explain, and Do-Jun tilted his head in confusion. “Yong-Yong said if you can stay still when you’re ticklish, you’re a grown-up!”

Do-Jun stifled a laugh, his shoulders shaking.

***

“This is the first time I’ve seen something like this,” the Tree of Wisdom admitted openly. “For all the Core’s fairies to bestow their blessing...”

The lingering traces of that blessing continued to drift down from the sky like soft snowflakes imbued with nature’s essence. A blessing from the Core’s fairies was nothing short of a miracle and something that no one in history had ever directly received.

Do-Jun turned to look at Byeol, who was talking to Yong-Yong.

“Hate you! I hate you, Yong-Yong!”

“I-I didn’t know either! I swear!”

“You said you wouldn’t lie to me again, but you twicked me again!”

“By the way, do you also have a title?” the Tree of Wisdom asked Do-Jun.

He nodded.

“May I ask what you are called?”

Do-Jun answered nonchalantly, “Heavenly Demon.”

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