Daddy is too Strong-Chapter 262

Fissures, like Hunters, were classified into ranks, with their estimated difficulty levels divided into seven ranks, from F to S. Among them, S-rank Fissures were extremely challenging, requiring at least three S-rank Hunters to raid. However, there also existed Fissures dangerous enough that they were considered completely unclassifiable.

The Core fell under this category.

Also known as the Vortex of Fissures, the Core was a perilous area that appeared in Sodaesan Mountain, Gangwon-do, at the same time as the first Fissure ten years ago.

Until a year ago, the Core was an uncharted space. It was the First Hunters of Korea, the Behemoth Guild, who revealed this mysterious world to the public. Naturally, S-rank Hunters from other countries began eyeing the Core to boost their reputations and increase their market value.

While some failed and returned home in the past, the outer regions of the Core had since been cleared of S-rank monsters by Behemoth. Now, as long as one had an entry token, they could immediately enter the tutorial zone of the Core.

***

Do-Jun was on the third page of the newspaper, reading an article in the section covering Hunter-related news.

“Japan’s Hero, the Dragon Master Kanzaki Soshiro! Attempting the First Stage of the Tutorial!”

A few days ago, Young-Chul had discussed a cooperation proposal from Japan. The proposal was straightforward: an S-rank Hunter from Japan wanted to challenge the Core, and they requested that Korea provide an entry token.

“We’d like to hear your opinion, Supervisor Lee,” Young-Chul had said, as it was Do-Jun who had secured the tutorial entry tokens in the first place.

While the tokens were officially under the ownership of the Hunter’s Bureau, Do-Jun held the actual rights to them, which was why Young-Chul sought his advice.

At the time, Do-Jun’s stance was: do what you want.

Although Korea’s global economic and military power had long surpassed Japan’s because of its Hunter industry, Do-Jun had agreed out of consideration for Korea’s public image as a world leader.

***

Kanzaki Soshiro was known as the Dragon Master. Well, to be precise, he was the master of a Wyvern Lord. While he was given the grandiose title “Dragon Master” due to the similar appearance of wyverns and dragons, Soshiro took immense pride in this title, seeing himself as Japan’s hero. After all, the important fact was that he had tamed an S-rank monster—the Wyvern Lord. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

However, currently, Soshiro was gasping for air, on the verge of collapse.

Sprawled out on Central Island, Soshiro had just barely managed to defeat the first-level boss monster of the Tutorial Zone, the Peculiar Eagle. He now lay there recovering, struck by how different the monsters of the Core truly were.

“Good job!” praised a fairy who flitted through the air, smiling brightly.

This was Tusitala, the “guide” of the Core. She warmly welcomed new adventurers, believing it was only right to shower newbies with praise and encouragement.

“Thank you,” Soshiro replied, catching his breath.

“Why don’t you take a break and return to Earth for now? You look completely exhausted,” she suggested.

“No, I can’t.”

He activated the DTS device provided by Korea that enabled streaming audio and footage from within the Core.

The citizens of Japan watched Soshiro’s progress through this device’s broadcast. On public and cable channels, as well as live streaming platforms, countless people tuned in and sent their cheers and encouragement.

If Soshiro showed any signs of weakness, he knew they would be disappointed.

“I’m a hero, after all,” he declared proudly to Tusitala.

“Hmm. Well, if that’s what you want, then sure.”

“I’ll head straight to the second stage.”

Soshiro turned to his companion, Ryo, the Wyvern Lord he had tamed, who stood nearby. While Ryo had struggled a bit against the Peculiar Eagle, it was clear that he, too, had no intention of stopping here.

***

Yong-Yong was easily influenced, or rather inspired, by what he saw. For example, he often neglected his Children’s Hangul studies. But after watching a documentary about an orphan overcoming hardship to get into a prestigious university, he spent several days focused on his Hangul lessons.

This time, Yong-Yong watched a heartwarming film, a true story about a volunteer who dedicated their life to helping those in need. Tears and snot streamed down his face as Yong-Yong wiped himself with tissues.

“Sniff, sniff. It’s so touching,” he said, then called out to Karsiel.

“Yes, Lord Izaas?”

He declared, “I’m going to become a dragon who helps others.”

“A-ah, yes.”

How long will this phase last this time? Karsiel wondered as she silently folded the laundry.

Still, this change was more than welcome. Compared to the past, Izaas had undoubtedly grown much warmer and more compassionate.

Karsiel smiled softly.

***

The second stage of the Tutorial Zone allowed adventurers to learn Armorize, which would prove essential in their future endeavors in the Core.

Soshiro had already familiarized himself with the general aspects of the tutorial through Behemoth’s stream. He entered the subway, got off at the first station, defeated the enemies, and successfully acquired Armorize.

When he activated Armorize, his fists became stronger. However, since his mastery was still at zero percent, there was no visible color. According to the information provided by the Korean Hunter’s Bureau, defeating enemies beyond the first station could grant books of Armorize with a higher mastery percentage, depending on the difficulty. But Soshiro hadn’t taken the gamble as it was too risky.

Exiting the subway, Soshiro returned to the start of the second tutorial stage and looked ahead.

A massive monster was thrashing around inside a transparent barrier. In just three minutes, the hulking brute—resembling an ogre—would break free.

The Cyclops repeatedly slammed its fists against the transparent wall that restrained it.

“Ryo, get ready,” Soshiro muttered to his partner.

Kyeeh!

The Wyvern Lord spread its wings wide.

There was no way Soshiro could defeat the Cyclops on his own, but with the Wyvern Lord by his side, he had a real chance.

Three minutes later, the barrier containing the Cyclops shattered. At the same time, the Wyvern Lord flapped its wings and flew toward the Cyclops. Soshiro planned to use this distraction to sneak around and attack from behind.

Kyeeh!

As the Wyvern Lord opened its jaws, a fireball started to form. It shot toward the Cyclops’s face, creating an opening. Seizing the moment, Soshiro quickly moved behind the Cyclops, leaping into the air with his Armorize-enhanced fist aimed at the back of the monster’s head.

But suddenly, the Cyclops whipped its head around and swung its massive arm in a wide arc.

Before Soshiro could react, he was hurled thirty meters through the air with a thunderous impact and slammed into a wall. Pain shot through his back as though it had snapped, and blood spurted from his mouth, spilling onto his suit.

“Gah... Cough!”

The mana within him destabilized, and the Control Bracelet on his wrist failed to receive a proper mana infusion. The Control Bracelet was an artifact designed to help tame monsters, but when it lacked mana, the Wyvern Lord lost its composure and began to rage.

Kyeeeeh!

Without the Control Bracelet, managing the Wyvern Lord was impossible. With no other choice, Soshiro immediately canceled the summon of his Wyvern Lord. Low-ranked monsters could sometimes be controlled without the bracelet depending on the Hunter’s skill, but for an S-rank boss monster, that was impossible.

The Cyclops charged toward Soshiro.

His vision blurred from the impact against the wall, but just as he was about to lose consciousness, he saw a small hollow in the wall, large enough to fit two people. It was as if the gods were on his side. Without hesitation, Soshiro threw himself into the crevice.

The Cyclops’s fist slammed into the wall, sending debris flying everywhere. The rubble tumbled down, obscuring the hollow. Severely lacking intelligence, the Cyclops roared angrily and stomped in place, enraged by its target’s sudden disappearance.

“Huff, huff...”

Soshiro caught his breath and quickly checked his DTS. The display was completely dead, but while he couldn’t stream the footage of his current situation, fortunately, some of the other functions were still operational, allowing him to send a distress signal.

“Please... please...”

***

The news that Soshiro was in danger spread across the globe through live newsfeeds. Although the video didn’t show everything, it clearly reported that Soshiro had suffered a critical injury inflicted by a Cyclops in the second stage of the Tutorial Zone. Naturally, the Japanese authorities immediately sent a rescue request to Korea’s Hunter Bureau, and Young-Chul wasted no time contacting Do-Jun.

While Young-Chul usually avoided bothering Do-Jun unless absolutely necessary, he had no choice this time. Unlike others, who could never return to a cleared Tutorial Zone, Do-Jun was unaffected by such restrictions—a fact Young-Chul had heard directly from him.

When Yong-Yong heard that Do-Jun was heading to the Tutorial Zone in the Core to rescue someone in danger, he insisted on coming along.

“Master! Let me come with you!”

His “preparations,” however, amounted to nothing more than stuffing a couple of Choco Pies into a tiny bag.

“You want to come?” Do-Jun asked, surprised.

“If there’s a human in trouble, it’s only right that I help them. Right, Master?”

Do-Jun wondered what was going on with Yong-Yong when Karsiel leaned in and whispered in his ear, “So, the reason Lord Izaas is so eager to help is...”

After hearing the explanation, Do-Jun sighed, pressing his hand lightly to his forehead.

“Sure, sure. Whatever floats your boat,” he muttered, giving in.

***

Help was coming from Korea. Who could it possibly be?

Soshiro quietly crouched in the cave, holding his breath. He imagined countless chat messages flooding in from viewers at this moment through the DTS. Though they couldn’t see the screen, they could still hear the audio.

He groaned in pain. It felt like some of his organs were damaged. Blood kept trickling from his mouth. To reassure those worried about him, Soshiro forced himself to speak.

“Everyone, I’m still okay.”

Korea had sent help, likely members of Behemoth or Icarus Guilds. He told his viewers not to worry, assuring them that those guilds were well-known for their rapid progress through the Core and would make quick work of a Cyclops in the Tutorial Zone.

Finally, the rampaging noise of the Cyclops died down outside the wall.

Clutching his abdomen, Soshiro carefully moved himself, hoping it was the help he had been waiting for. Had the Korean support team really arrived so quickly?

A faint smile formed on his lips, which soon turned into confusion. For some reason, the Cyclops in the plaza wasn’t rampaging but was instead cowering in a corner, trembling violently. Scanning the area, Soshiro saw no one else around.

What’s going on? he wondered.

That’s when he saw someone—just one person. It was a young man, likely in his mid to late twenties. He wasn’t wearing a uniform from either Behemoth or Icarus Guilds, just a plain hoodie.

He looked toward Soshiro and walked over to him, soon standing in front of the cave where Soshiro was hiding. He bent his knees slightly to meet Soshiro’s gaze and asked, “Are you alright?”

Just as Soshiro was about to respond, something stirred in the young man’s hoodie. A small creature poked its head out of the hood.

W-what’s that? Soshiro thought, surprised, silently eyeing the creature.

“Hmm...?” Yong-Yong stared intently at Soshiro’s face. For some reason, it looked awfully familiar.

Soshiro’s eyes suddenly dilated from fear. He stuttered, “D-dragon!”

“Y-you! You bastard! My skewer!” Yong-Yong shouted.

He had come to save a poor human in distress, but as always, unexpected plot twists arose.