Daddy is too Strong-Chapter 288

The spring scenery in May, just before summer arrived, was calm and picturesque. Fields of blooming canola flowers stretched out, and families strolled hand-in-hand through the streets.

The breeze was warm enough to make one forget the previous winter’s chill as it brushed against their cheeks. But for Sung-Min, who stayed behind at the daycare center, fiddling with his smartphone, it was always winter in his heart.

[You Win!]

The words declaring victory over an opponent appeared on the screen, but Sung-Min didn’t feel happy. Having reached the game’s max level of 99 and equipping his character with rare items purchased through countless in-app purchases, Sung-Min could easily defeat even top-ranking players. Yet, it all felt hollow.

“Sung-Min, whatcha doing?” someone asked him.

“Gah!”

Startled, Sung-Min turned to look at Byeol. He had thought that only the teacher was left at the daycare. Byeol crouched beside him. Usually, she would have gone home by now, but she had only just woken up after dozing off from eating too much lunch.

“U-uh, I’m just playing a game.”

“Okie. Is that your chawacter?”

Byeol pointed at the screen, where a stubby, 2D warrior character in shining armor and wielding a massive sword was smiling after winning a battle. The nickname “SuperSungMin” floated above the character.

Sung-Min nodded before slipping his phone into his pocket.

“Are you not going home, Byeol?” he asked.

“I’m gonna go now. Wanna walk home together?”

Sung-Min’s apartment was just a ten-minute walk from Byeol’s home, even with the quick strides of a kid.

Sung-Min took out his phone again and checked the time: 5:40 PM. There were still hours before his dad would come home.

“Hey, want to come over to my place and hang out?” he asked Byeol.

“Wow! Weally? Is that okay?” Byeol’s face lit up with joy.

She had never been to a friend’s house before, although it was something she had always wanted to do. However, such a big event required her dad’s permission. She still remembered getting lost last time when she wandered off to the Treasure Goblin Company without telling anyone. Although her dad eventually found her, she had to write a three-page reflection paper as punishment for worrying him.

***

“Alright, have a good evening, everyone.” Hunter Shin Hyung-Wook gave a polite bow before leaving.

“You too, Hunter Shin. Great work today.”

After exploring an E-rank Fissure where kobolds were reported to spawn, Hyung-Wook declined an invitation from another contracted Hunter to grab drinks.

“Sorry, I’ve got some more work to do,” he said with a smile before walking out of the office.

As the other Hunters left to unwind, Cheol-Soo, still working in the office, muttered to himself, “He works so hard. I hope he takes care of himself.”

Just then, Do-Jun’s phone rang. It was an unknown number. He answered, and Byeol’s voice came through the receiver.

—Hello? This is Byeol!

Do-Jun chuckled. “Yes, my baby?

—Daddy! Can I play at Sung-Min’s house?

“Sure. Just make sure you’re home before nine, okay?”

—Okie!

Do-Jun knew Sung-Min. He was Hyung-Wook’s son, the Hunter who had worked with him earlier today. Hunters were required to list family information when signing up for mandatory insurance, so he was aware that Hyung-Wook had a four-year-old son named Shin Sung-Min.

Byeol seemed to have forgotten to hang up, as the two children’s chatter continued to come through the phone. Smiling to himself, Do-Jun eventually ended the call.

***

Sung-Min lived in a luxurious apartment built by a renowned company.

As they entered the large complex, well-maintained flower beds and a fountain immediately drew Byeol’s attention. The fountain sparkled with neon hues, its water glowing in a rainbow of colors.

Sung-Min held up his entry card to the intercom by the communal entrance. The automatic doors slid open with a soft hum, and Byeol followed him inside. The two took the elevator to the eighth floor. Sung-Min entered the PIN into the automatic door lock, and the door clicked open.

He flipped a switch near the entrance, and LED lights illuminated the previously dark apartment.

“Wow, your house is huge!” Byeol remarked.

“Yeah.”

The apartment was about two hundred square meters. Byeol, comparing it to her own home, was stunned by the size of the living room; it seemed three times larger.

It looked like the perfect place to play tag with friends. However, despite its size, the house was a bit messy. Leftover takeout containers were stacked on the dining table, and clothes were scattered everywhere.

“It’s a bit messy, huh?” Sung-Min said, noticing Byeol’s gaze.

“Yeah...”

“The cleaning lady will come tomorrow and take care of it.”

“Cleaning lady?”

“Yeah, she comes once a week to do the laundry and clean up.”

“Whoa, at my house, we all clean together,” Byeols said.

“Really?”

“Yeah! I’m good at cleaning. I even got lots of stamps for it!”

For some reason, Sung-Min gave a wry smile upon hearing that.

Just then, Byeol’s stomach growled. She said, “I’m hungwy...”

“Wanna eat something?”

“Yeah! What food do you have?”

“Oh, I order delivery every day.”

“What?!” Byeol blinked in astonishment.

Eating takeout every day was unimaginable to her. At home, dinner was always prepared by her family, and eating out or ordering food was reserved for special occasions. But she wasn’t complaining since her family’s cooking was always delicious. Well, except for Yong-Yong’s attempts.

“What do you want to eat?” Sung-Min asked, showing her the options on his delivery app: Korean, Chinese, Japanese, chicken, pizza, and desserts.

Byeol stared at the prices, all of which were over 5,000 won. For Byeol, that was a fortune.

“I-I don’t have that much money...” she muttered in disappointment.

“It’s fine. My treat.”

“Sung-Min, do you have a lot of money?”

“I think so...?”

“Okie, I’ll pay you back next time!”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you came over.”

Sung-Min was a VVIP member on the “Delivery Revolution” app, with over a hundred thousand points he could use as cash.

When he asked Byeol what she wanted, she said she would like chicken. Smiling faintly, Sung-Min nodded. He didn’t care what they ordered; he had tried almost everything on the app anyway.

***

Sung-Min barely touched the chicken. In thirty minutes, he managed to eat only four pieces. Still, no chicken went to waste—Byeol devoured it all. She picked the meat clean off the bones, leaving not a speck behind, and even licked the sauce off her fingers before finishing her meal.

She let out a loud burp after downing her cola in one go.

Watching her pat her now-rounded belly, Sung-Min couldn’t help but smile.

“You really eat well,” Sung-Min remarked.

“Chicken’s tasty.”

“That’s true.”

Byeol’s eyes drifted to the cabinet under the TV, filled with a variety of toys. Curious, she toddled over to explore them more closely. However, the toys were quite dusty, indicating they had probably been unused for a long time.

“Wow, that’s a lot of toys!” she exclaimed.

“Yeah, my dad bought them for me.”

“Oh! So, do you play with them with your dad?”

“No...”

“Then, what do you do with your dad?”

“My dad’s too busy to play with me,” Sung-Min said.

“Oh...”

Byeol paused and imagined what it would be like if her dad were too busy to play with her. She shook her head vigorously. If that were the case, she would cry her eyes out from loneliness. Even without toys, she much preferred her dad playing with her.

Sung-Min explained, “That’s why I’m glad you came over. Honestly, it’s scary and boring being home alone. Dad doesn’t come back until after nine, and when he does, he’s too tired and goes straight to bed.”

Byeol couldn’t even imagine being alone in such a large house. How lonely and empty it must feel.

“Sung-Min,” she said.

“Yeah?”

“I’ll come over tomowwow too.”

For a moment, Sung-Min’s face lit up, but then, he offered a faint, bittersweet smile and shook his head.

“No, it’s fine. I can just play games on my phone.” He showed her his smartphone game. On the screen was a character named “SuperSungMin,” looking brave and confident.

In truth, Sung-Min enjoyed playing with Byeol much, much more than his games. But if Byeol came over every day, her family might start to worry. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

“Instead, since you’re here today, want to practice for the play together?” he asked her, trying to change the subject. He grabbed a squirrel mask and put it on.

The children’s play was scheduled for the day after tomorrow.

***

“I’m home...”

After playing at a friend’s house, Byeol came back looking unusually glum.

Do-Jun put down the newspaper he was reading, picked up the child, and gently patted her back. Slightly comforted, Byeol giggled softly, her chubby cheeks puffing out.

“What’s wrong, Byeol?” he asked.

“Mm...”

“Tell Daddy what happened.”

Byeol recounted her day in detail, explaining everything. Do-Jun listened attentively, continuing to pat her back. As she went on about how sad she felt for Sung-Min, her head began to nod. Soon enough, she was fast asleep, her breathing soft and steady.

***

Shin Hyung-Wook returned home after a long day, utterly exhausted. The living room lights were on, and as he stepped in, his son, Sung-Min, walked over and greeted him politely.

“Welcome home, Dad.”

“Thanks, son. Did you eat?”

“Yes, I had chicken.”

“Good. If there’s anything you want to eat, just order it. If you need new toys, let me know. And if you want more game money, ask anytime. I’ll take care of everything.”

“Okay...”

Hyung-Wook pulled his son into a hug, gently stroking his hair. After about ten seconds, he let go and walked over to the laundry basket, where he started to take off his shirt.

Watching his dad, Sung-Min carefully reached into his daycare bag to take out a notice for parents. Or at least, he tried to.

“I won’t be home the day after tomorrow,” Hyung-Wook said.

“Huh...?”

“I have an important job. The housekeeper will stay here, so if you need anything, let her know. Okay, Sung-Min?”

Sung-Min, who had been clutching the notice inside his bag, let it go and slowly withdrew his hand.

Hyung-Wook headed toward the shower but paused and looked back at his son.

“Sung-Min.”

“Yes, Dad.”

“Remember, if you need anything, tell me right away. I’ll get you whatever you want. Okay?”

With that, he stepped into the shower. Soon, the sound of running water echoed throughout the house.

Sung-Min sat down on the sofa, pulled out his smartphone, and launched a game.

Ba-dum!

The cheerful background music played, and the character selection screen appeared. The maxed-out, level 99 character, “SuperSungMin,” stood there grinning brightly. But, on the contrary, Sung-Min’s face was devoid of any hint of a smile.