Daddy is too Strong-Chapter 289

Tomorrow was a very important day: the day of a B-rank Great Fissure raid operation.

As a C-rank Hunter, Hyung-Wook had managed to secure a spot as a sub-damager for the operation, thanks to the recommendation of a Hunter he knew and a bit of luck. If everything went smoothly, the expected earnings would amount to a staggering 100 million won.

Five minutes before the workday ended, Hyung-Wook entered the Fissure Management Division office carrying a form titled “Fissure Hunting Report During Non-Official Hours,” which he had filled out beforehand. Contracted Hunters were required to submit these reports even on their days off if they planned to hunt at a Fissure during work hours. This policy ensured that the division wouldn’t call them for emergency Fissure explorations on the same day.

Do-Jun stared silently at the report Hyung-Wook handed him.

Usually, the process would be simple, and Hyung-Wook would hear a simple, “Got it, noted, Hunter Shin.”

He would respond with, “Thank you, Supervisor,” and leave.

But today, the review took longer than expected.

“Hunter Shin,” Do-Jun said.

“Yes, Supervisor?”

“How about a beer?”

***

Sitting side by side on a bench on the rooftop of Seoul City Hall, the two men looked out at the nighttime city skyline.

With a soft hiss, Do-Jun opened a can of beer and took a sip. After some hesitation, Hyung-Wook took a sip as well; it had been a long time since he last drank. In fact, having alcohol the day before a major operation like a Great Fissure raid was practically unthinkable. Yet, here he was, taking another sip with a gulp.

Eventually, Do-Jun broke the silence and asked, “This is all because of Sung-Min, isn’t it? The reason you work so hard every day.”

Hyung-Wook nodded. Then, as if possessed, he chugged his beer, downing nearly half the can in one go.

“Aaaah!”

The dim light made it hard to see, but his face had flushed slightly.

Do-Jun waited silently. Soon, Hyung-Wook began to share his story.

“The doctor said I had to choose. One or the other. I’d always known my wife was frail, but I never thought things would come to this. When it finally became reality, it truly felt like the sky was collapsing. I always thought things like this only happened to other people, you know?”

He laughed bitterly.

“I chose my wife. She was my everything. She loved me more than I deserved, even when I was nothing. I was just a high school graduate with no qualifications and couldn’t even find a decent job, but she stuck by me. Believed in me.”

Hyung-Wook finished the rest of his beer in one go.

“But my wife chose Sung-Min. I objected. I told her we could still be happy without a child. At the time, I had just Awakened as a Hunter. I thought it was the start of a new life for us. I promised to give her the life she deserved, to make her happy. I begged her to think again. I told her we could try for a child again in the future.”

But in the end, his wife chose her child.

Do-Jun couldn’t fully understand the emotions Hyung-Wook’s wife must have felt, but he thought he understood at least a little bit. She must have wanted to nurture the fruit of their love, to bring their child into the world.

“When Sung-Min was born, I made a vow. I promised to raise him so he wouldn’t feel like he lacked anything. To give him a life free of the poverty we had suffered, to spoil him beyond belief.

“Since then, I’ve worked like a dog. I took on any job that paid as a Hunter. I started as an F-rank porter, hauling gear for a whole year. But my efforts paid off, and I quickly climbed the ranks. It took less than two years to reach D-rank. Honestly, I was well on the road to success. My income increased, my savings grew, and I spent it all on Sung-Min. A good house, nice clothes, every toy he wanted.”

Hyung-Wook raised his beer can to his lips, only to realize it was empty. He set it aside and let out a bitter laugh. He’d been holding back his story, so why did he suddenly lose control tonight?

“But now, I’m not sure if this makes me a good father anymore,” he confessed. “I keep telling myself I’ll make up for his mother’s absence by pushing myself forward and using everything I get along the way to give him the best life possible. But... I wonder if that’s what she would have wanted.”

After a brief silence, Do-Jun calmly said, “Why don’t you hit the brakes for once?”

“Hit the brakes?”

Do-Jun explained, “When we’re driving, we often miss the scenery around us, right? But when we hit a red light, we step on the brakes and finally notice the view. Life is the same. If you’re always rushing forward, you might miss the precious things around you.

“There are no U-turns in life. Once you pass something, you can’t go back to see it again. Sure, moving fast might let you get ahead of others, but speed isn’t the goal of life, is it? It’s about heading in the right direction.”

He reached into his briefcase and handed Hyung-Wook a piece of paper.

“What’s this...?” Hyung-Wook asked.

“Tomorrow, there’s a play at the daycare. Let’s see, Sung-Min is playing... the squirrel.”

Hyung-Wook blinked, shocked. Sung-Min hadn’t mentioned anything about this.

“Yesterday, Sung-Min invited my daughter to come over to your house. He said he didn’t want to be alone at home. I don’t mean to overstep, but I’m not sure if this is how your wife would have wanted Sung-Min to feel.”

The alcohol-induced haze disappeared in an instant. Hyung-Wook shot to his feet.

“S-supervisor Lee, I’ve got to...!”

Do-Jun smiled faintly. “See you tomorrow, Hunter Shin.”

Hyung-Wook dashed off the rooftop in a hurry.

Left alone, Do-Jun sipped the rest of his beer and finally stood up.

***

Why was the taxi moving so slowly tonight? Hyung-Wook eventually got out at an intersection and sprinted the rest of the way home, his heart pounding.

What have I been doing all this time?

Breathing heavily, he opened the door to his house. The dark, silent living room welcomed him. Was Sung-Min not home yet?

He turned on the lights. The first thing he noticed was a plate of cold, soggy jjajangmyeon. That’s when he realized Sung-Min was home.

Hyung-Wook quietly opened the door to Sung-Min’s room. His son was already asleep under the blanket. He let out a sigh of relief. Slowly, he approached and gently patted Sung-Min’s head.

Sung-Min was holding his smartphone, having fallen asleep while playing a game. The screen was still on, and his son’s character, “SuperSungMin,” was displayed on the screen.

Hyung-Wook already knew that Sung-Min spent his time waiting for him by playing games. But it had never felt as crushingly heavy as it did now.

[Level: 99]

“You’ve leveled up so much...” Unable to hold it in, Hyung-Wook burst into tears.

For every level gained, for every hour spent... It was time he had lost, time he could have spent making memories with his son.

***

Sung-Min rubbed his eyes as he woke up.

The first thing he checked was the space next to him in bed. Seeing that his father wasn’t there, he remembered him mentioning he’d be out for the day due to an important job. Already used to this, Sung-Min casually made his way to the living room.

Then, he saw his father in front of a full-length mirror, tying his tie.

“Dad...?” Sung-Min called, surprised.

“Oh, son! You’re up?”

“Yeah. But what are you doing...?”

“What does it look like? I’m getting ready.”

“Oh... You haven’t left yet?” Sung-Min asked, unsure of what was happening.

“I was about to wake you up. Hurry and get ready. I’ll help you.”

Hyung-Wook held out the daycare notice for the play. Sung-Min’s eyes widened when he saw the paper. Soon after, tears welled up in his eyes, and before long, they were streaming down his cheeks.

“Sob, waaahhh!”

This was the first time his son had ever cried in front of him. Flustered, Hyung-Wook rushed over to hug his son tightly, stroking his head.

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

The dam of pent-up emotions finally burst, and Sung-Min sobbed uncontrollably for a long time.

***

“Daddy! Huwwy up!”

Byeol was bouncing on her toes at the entrance, clearly brimming with excitement for the play. She had already put on her sneakers all by herself and was waiting for the family to join her. Her lion mask perched atop her head only added to her cuteness.

“Yoon-Hee, are you ready?” Do-Jun called out.

“Ah, just a second!”

Yoon-Hee was supposed to be at the Academy, but she had explained her situation and took the day off. She quickly dried her hair and tossed the hairdryer onto the vanity before rushing to the entrance.

Outside, Yong-Yong and Karsiel were already waiting with Hakase and Kiriel.

***

The daycare was packed with parents who had come to see their children perform.

Yoon-Hee fiddled with her new DSLR camera. It seemed she had spent all her savings to get it for the big day. Do-Jun looked toward the stage. From behind the closed curtain, he could hear the children chattering excitedly.

“Lord Izaas, stop moving,” Karsiel urged.

“But you’re too short. I can’t see anything!”

Yong-Yong was cradled in her arms and kept craning his neck upward to get a better view. Unable to hold him back, Karsiel pushed through the crowd of parents to find a spot closer to the stage. Yoon-Hee hesitated for a moment but soon followed, determined to capture the perfect shot, squeezing her way to the front as well.

At that moment, Do-Jun’s eyes landed on a man standing near the stage. Dressed sharply in a suit, his gaze fixed on the stage, was Hyung-Wook. When they caught each other’s eye, Hyung-Wook gave a slight nod, to which Do-Jun responded with a warm smile.

Shortly after, one of the teachers announced, “Hello and welcome! We will begin the play shortly.”

The chatting parents fell silent as the curtains rose.

The stage was decorated like a peaceful forest, with colorful props and a cozy atmosphere. Children wearing animal masks appeared, drawing a chorus of camera clicks from the audience.

Ji-Hye began the narration. “Once upon a time, in a peaceful forest, the animals lived happily together. They decided to throw a party to celebrate the lion’s birthday.”

As the play unfolded, smiles spread across the parents’ faces.

After the rabbit, deer, and fox had their turns, it was now Sung-Min’s moment to shine. Dressed as a squirrel, he stepped forward to deliver his line.

“Happy birthday, Lion! It’s not much, but I brought you an acorn as a gift.”

Do-Jun glanced over at Hyung-Wook.

When his son took the stage, Hyung-Wook started snapping pictures nonstop, his face shining with pride. He was every bit the doting father.

“That’s my son!” he exclaimed.

Do-Jun couldn’t help but chuckle.

What kind of scenery would Hyung-Wook paint for his life from here on out? After spending his life driving forward without pause, what kind of moments would he now gather?

One thing was certain: the season he would paint the scenery for would be spring. Yes, without a doubt, spring.