Daddy is too Strong-Chapter 280

Dark of Darkness was not a particularly popular comic. A rather cringeworthy shōnen series, it had a small but dedicated niche following, but its overall reputation was poor. As a result, it concluded after just five volumes, and bookstores often either returned unsold copies or sold them off at clearance prices.

“What a waste of money,” Kiriel grumbled as he set the second volume down halfway through.

Normally, he wasn’t picky about comic books, but this one was an ordeal to get through. He would have enjoyed reading a children’s storybook more. He briefly considered returning it, but since he had already removed the plastic wrapping, that was no longer an option.

Maybe he could just stock it at his comic book café? He thought about it for a moment before shaking his head. Adding such a dull comic to the collection would only damage the café’s reputation.

“Hmm...”

***

“This is my personal recommendation,” Kiriel said.

Hakase took a sip of cold water, returned the bottle to the fridge, and glanced at the comic book on the table with disinterest.

Since the food stall was closed today, he had been spending a leisurely afternoon in his den. Letting out a deep sigh, he muttered, “I’m not into comic books.”

“Lizard, not reading this is like wasting your life. If I were to exaggerate, I’d say my life is divided into two eras—before and after reading Dark of Darkness. I’ll just leave it here, so take your time reading it.”

“No, I told you, I’m not interested in—”

“Oh! And one more thing. The first four volumes are a bit dull, but from volume five onward, it gets really good, so make sure you stick with it.” With that, Kiriel vanished before Hakase could say another word.

Left alone in the living room, Hakase stared at Dark of Darkness volume five. More specifically, he stared at the word “Finale” printed at the top of the cover.

“Did this dumbass just tell me to get through four volumes of boredom when there are only five in total?”

Pressing his fingers against his throbbing forehead, Hakase let out a long, deep sigh. Eventually, he pulled out a chair, sat at the table, and opened volume one of Dark of Darkness.

***

The sound of a racing heartbeat could be heard alongside the rustling of pages.

The ending was drawing near.

Hakase’s hands were drenched in sweat as he flipped through the pages feverishly. With each page he turned, the dwindling number of remaining pages became painfully real.

“N-no way...” Tears filled his eyes and rolled down his cheeks.

This comic was a story about a demon protagonist struggling to save Earth. And that line, the one the protagonist uttered just before the climactic battle with the final boss, was sheer perfection.

Needing to relive the moment, Hakase flipped back and reread the final chapter. Then, he whispered solemnly, “The darkness within me awakens.”

That was the protagonist’s highlight line.

A shiver ran down his spine as he closed his eyes. Kiriel had been right. The first four volumes were just the teaser. They had been painfully dull and nearly unreadable, but if he had given up, he would have regretted it deeply.

***

Early the next morning, the doorbell of the clothing store jingled softly.

With a seasoned customer service smile, Park Deok-Bae greeted his customer. “Welcome—Huh?”

The man standing in front of him looked suspicious beyond belief, wearing a cap, sunglasses, and a disposable mask. As if scanning his surroundings for threats, the man cautiously approached the counter.

“Is there something I can help you find...?” Park Deok-Bae asked.

“By any chance... do you have this?” the man asked, pulling out a folded poster and holding it up. It depicted a comic book character, clad in a striking black cape that dramatically billowed in the wind.

Park Deok-Bae stroked his chin as he studied the image.

The man pointed at the cape and said, “This. A cape like this.”

***

It was a sunny afternoon in April.

Apophis was lying idly in a corner of the balcony, silently watching Byeol and Karsiel sleeping on the living room floor. A gentle breeze drifted through the half-open balcony door, making the curtains flutter and occasionally brush against the children’s cheeks. They had been stacking blocks just moments ago, but had fallen asleep in the warmth of the sunlight.

Apophis floated into the air and slowly drifted into the living room. It hovered quietly around Byeol and Karsiel. Suddenly, memories of the Deep Realm’s past flooded back—chaotic and full of endless battles. It was a world of brutal survival, where its inhabitants fought desperately to grow stronger and obtain artifacts.

Apophis had never seen Karsiel smile. She had always been like a doll on display, expressionless and rigid. Most in the Deep Realm were the same way, but Karsiel was especially devoid of emotion. Yet now, while asleep, there was a faint smile on her lips.

Was it because she was having a pleasant dream? Or was it simply that she felt at ease here on Earth?

“Daaad...” she mumbled in her sleep.

Dad? Who could she be talking about?

Just then, the front door opened, and Do-Jun stepped inside.

Even though no one had asked, Apophis instinctively updated Do-Jun.

—Everything’s good.

Do-Jun simply responded with a curt “Okay” before heading into the living room. He lifted the two sleeping children into his arms and carried them to the bedroom, tucking them snugly into bed. He stood there for a moment, watching them cling to each other in their sleep, then pulled the blanket up to their chins before quietly closing the door.

He then turned on the electric kettle to boil some water. Tearing open a pack of instant coffee, he poured it into a mug and sat down at the dining table. After a minute, the kettle clicked off. He filled the mug with hot water and stirred it with a spoon. Taking a sip of coffee, he reached for the newspaper.

These days, it was easy to access news on a smartphone, but Do-Jun preferred the texture and faint scent of newspapers, as well as the crisp sound of turning the pages.

Apophis commented.

—It’s peaceful.

“It is.”

—Not just Earth, but the Deep Realm too. Everything changed so quickly that it’s unrecognizably different from before.

The world was transforming around Do-Jun. The age of slaughter and chaos felt like a distant memory.

Apophis asked him a question.

—If you become the King of Dimensions, this peace will continue, won’t it?

The king, huh...? Do-Jun briefly lowered the newspaper.

The deeper he ventured into the Deep Realm, the more frequently he heard the term “King of Dimensions.” From what he had learned, becoming the King of Dimensions was essentially ascending to the seat of a god.

The legend of the “Throne” appearing and triggering a Great War once all planets encroached into the Core was well known, even in the Deep Realm.

Do-Jun said, “Well, I like the way things are now, so you’re probably right. If I become that ‘king,’ then things will stay peaceful like they are now.”

—Good. Then I shall lend you my strength.

“Hmm.” Do-Jun looked at the talking gardening shovel on the table and let out a soft hum.

Realizing its blunder, Apophis cleared its throat in embarrassment.

—Ahem. Well, only if the situation ever calls for it. After all, Solomon’s power isn’t something an individual can handle alone.

“Oh, right. You always go on about how you were given a part of Solomon’s power,” Do-Jun inquired.

—Indeed. And not just me. All the demons from the Deep Realm were born from Solomon. Under the laws he created, the top seventy-two demons are assigned ranks within the hierarchy of power.

The seventy-two demons, known as “Solomon’s Seventy-Two” and ranked among the strongest beings in the Deep Realm, were the ones leading the legions of demons.

Do-Jun took another sip of coffee and recalled the demons of Solomon he had encountered so far. They were vastly different from Earth’s monsters, each one wielding incredible strength. If that was the case, just how powerful was Solomon himself, the one who had created them?

When Do-Jun had once scanned the Deep Realm with his qi sense, he hadn’t sensed anyone stronger than Baal or Imfelheim.

“So,” Do-Jun said and paused.

—Hm?

“Where is Solomon now?”

Apophis responded quickly.

—That, I don’t know... I’ve never seen him in person. But I know for certain that my existence originates from him.

“You’re not lying, are you?” Do-Jun’s gaze turned ice-cold.

The garden shovel flinched, practically jumping in place.

—I-I swear! It’s the truth!

Do-Jun observed Apophis for a while. Judging by its reaction, it didn’t seem to be lying. “I believe you.”

Apophis finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Do-Jun finished his remaining coffee all at once and put the empty mug in the sink. Then, grabbing his wallet, he slipped into his slippers.

Apophis, hovering in the air, floated closer.

—Where are you going?

“Thinking of getting some taiyaki,” Do-Jun replied.

—Ah, Byeol loves those. I wish to accompany you.

Do-Jun smirked and opened the front door.

***

At the food stall, Hakase was in the middle of preparing for the evening rush when he suddenly paused. After making sure no one was around, he picked up a paper bag at his feet. Inside was a cloak he had bought earlier from Park Deok-Bae’s clothing store. It was strikingly similar to the black cloak worn by the protagonist of Dark of Darkness, a character named Dark.

With a flutter, he draped it over his shoulders.

“Mirror.” As he muttered the spell, a full-body mirror conjured from magic appeared before him.

Hakase turned in a slow circle, watching the way the cloak flared out.

“This... looks incredible.”

Striking a pose, he mimicked Dark’s signature battle stance—arms spread wide like an eagle taking flight.

“You are already dead... Heh.”

***

Outside the supermarket, a group of children had gathered, whispering among themselves with grave expressions.

Do-Jun approached them and asked, “What are you all doing here?”

One child after another chimed in.

“It’s the mister from unit 301!”

“Mister, the food stall guy is acting weird!”

“Yeah! He’s talking to himself and moving like a silly person in front of a mirror!”

Do-Jun hadn’t seen it himself, but he had already heard enough to get the gist of the situation.

“I’ll go check on him.” He assured the kids.

“But... it’s dangerous,” one of the children muttered, concerned.

Do-Jun stepped up to the food stall and peeked inside. Sure enough, Hakase was standing in front of the mirror, completely absorbed in his performance, unaware that Do-Jun was watching him.

“Hah... Foolish Babylon! Did you really think you could kill me, Dark, with such pathetic tricks?!”

Snap!

He pointed at his reflection in the mirror.

“I was born in darkness, yet I am a guardian of justice... I am Dark of Darkneeeess!”

Spreading his arms wide, he lifted his gaze to the ceiling, his expression filled with dramatic sorrow.

“The darkness within me... awakens...”

Floating beside Do-Jun, Apophis muttered.

—Has he gone mad...?

Just then, Hakase flinched.

No. No way.

Slowly, he turned his head, and there stood Do-Jun. The two looked at each other silently. Then, without saying a word, Do-Jun stepped into the stall.

Just as quietly, Hakase took off the cloak and placed it back into the paper bag. Then he turned to Do-Jun and asked, “Here for some snacks, my King?”

“Yeah.”

Another long silence stretched between them.

Then, Do-Jun handed over 5,000 won and ordered a mix of taiyaki and steamed buns.

“Um, about what you just saw...” Hakase said hesitantly.

“I’ll keep it to myself.”

“Thank you...”

That night, Hakase tossed and turned in bed, kicking his blanket in shame countless times before finally falling asleep.