My Dad is Too Strong-Chapter 341

Chapter 341
Just two years ago, the Core was believed to be an impenetrable fortress that exceeded all human capabilities. Fissure experts unanimously agreed that breaking through the Core was impossible. As time passed with no progress, public sentiment turned increasingly negative. Some critics openly condemned the Hunter’s Bureau and Behemoth as incompetent.
But now, only two years later, not a single person dared to belittle the heroes. Once they broke into the Tutorial Zone, Behemoth showed no signs of stopping and was already on the sixth floor. They were expected to reach the seventh floor by tomorrow. With not a single failure to their name, they carved their way through the Core as if they had memorized a strategy guide, advancing like seasoned players in a game. Their overwhelming presence ignited cheers worldwide, regardless of nationality.
However, some of the Core members titled “administrators” considered this unusual. Considering the Core’s challenges, their relentless push was almost absurd. It was as if... someone was watching over them.
“That is why I seek the wisdom of the Grand Supreme.” One of the Core’s administrators, the King of Equality, cautiously presented his query.
Yeomra was well aware of these so-called heroes. Even the Transcendents, one of the supreme beings of the Core, had endured centuries of trials before reaching the seventh floor. However, these “heroes” from Earth had done it in just two years, clearing six floors starting from the Tutorial Zone.
“Do not worry, for I am monitoring them closely,” Yeomra said. “King of Equality, are you concerned that one of the administrators might be violating the rules?”
There was an unspoken law among administrators: no one was allowed to favor a specific adventurer.
“If we scrutinize them thoroughly at the Field of Judgment, we can determine fairly whether they have resorted to illicit methods or if an administrator has interfered. If they are found to have received special treatment, they shall be punished accordingly!” Yeomra’s imposing figure, seated on his throne, exuded unwavering authority.
The King of Equality stole a glance at him. In truth, Yeomra already had a history of turning a blind eye to an adventurer named Lee Do-Jun. Back then, the Ten Kings had unanimously argued for his punishment for recklessly resurrecting the dead, but Yeomra had feigned ignorance and stayed silent.
If anything, the King of Equality and the other rulers harbored even greater suspicions about Do-Jun than they did about Behemoth. After all, Do-Jun had reached the fourteenth floor in just two years. That should have never been possible. If anything or anyone warranted investigation, was it not this Lee Do-Jun himself?
Since the right to evaluate adventurers at the Field of Judgment belonged solely to Yeomra, they couldn’t objectively verify Do-Jun’s achievements. However, one thing was certain, if anything, his feats probably surpassed Behemoth’s, not fell short of them.
I need to look into this personally.
Having made up his mind, the King of Equality looked up at Earth in a different dimension.
Then, he asked, “Grand Supreme, would it be all alright if I attended tomorrow’s evaluation?”
“There is no need for you to go through the trouble. I will handle it.”
“I understand. However, as an administrator, I, too, have the right to observe whether they are truly qualified. I do not doubt your judgment, but I merely wish to witness the process myself. Please grant me permission.”
“Very well, then. You may do as you please.”
King of Equality bowed in gratitude, then vanished.
Yeomra swallowed hard.
I guess I won’t be able to just let them walk right through.
In truth, Yeomra had planned to approve Behemoth immediately, sending them straight to the eighth floor of the Core because he knew Do-Jun was responsible for Behemoth’s rapid progress. Still, it didn’t matter, as Behemoth’s accomplishments likely far surpassed those of any adventurer who had ever received approval in history anyway.
***
It was a peaceful Saturday morning. Yoon-Hee was cleaning the house with Kyu-Kyu, better known as Ouroboros, when the doorbell rang. She checked the intercom and saw an elderly man standing outside. However, his appearance was... peculiar. He was dressed in royal robes that looked straight out of the Joseon Dynasty, complete with an ornate headpiece adorned with beaded curtains.
Is he one of Father’s acquaintances?
she wondered.
Whenever someone eccentric showed up at the door, nine times out of ten, they were somehow connected to Do-Jun.
Before letting him in, Yoon-Hee asked for his identity. The elderly man introduced himself as King of Equality, and, as expected, he was looking for Do-Jun. Although this “King” was a stranger, she couldn’t just leave an elderly guest waiting outside, so she decided to let him in.
“My father is currently out on business,” she informed him. “Should I give him a call?”
“Hm... I see. Do you happen to know when he will return? If necessary, I can come back later.”
“I’m not sure. He’ll probably be back once his work is done... He did say he’d be home before lunch. But since you’ve come all this way, why don’t you have a cup of tea while you wait?” Yoon-Hee offered.
She went to the kitchen, filled the kettle with water, and turned it on. Then she grabbed a green tea bag and placed it into a mug.
So this is the daughter of Lee Do-Jun. She is a truly kind-hearted girl.
King of Equality sat quietly in the living room, observing Yoon-Hee as she prepared tea.
Then, something caught his eye. It was Kyu-Kyu crawling across the floor. It was a small snake about a foot long, and the King of Equality instantly recognized it as a Status Window Snake.
“Young lady,” he called out.
“Yes?”
“Does this Status Window Snake belong to you?”
“Oh, no. That’s my father’s. And we call him Kyu-Kyu,” Yoon-Hee replied.
“Hm... Leaving a Status Window Snake off one’s wrist is practically a death wish...”
But something was strange. This Status Window Snake was white, not even the first color red. This was highly unusual and outright impossible for an adventurer who had reached the fourteenth floor of the Core. As the King of Equality pondered this oddity, Yoon-Hee returned with tea and a small treat, a red bean rice cake leftover from the previous night’s snacks.
Perhaps it was the sweet aroma, but Kyu-Kyu couldn’t take its eyes off the rice cake. Seeing this, Yoon-Hee picked up a piece and gently placed it in Kyu-Kyu’s mouth. The little snake happily nibbled away.
“Huh, now that’s unusual,” King of Equality muttered.
“Sorry?”
“The Status Window Snake can only consume Mastery Stones. I’ve never seen one like this before.”
Yoon-Hee smiled brightly and said, “Kyu-Kyu eats anything. He especially loves almonds.”
“I see...” King of Equality trailed off and became quiet.
The moment the red bean powder from the rice cake touched his tongue, its rich, nutty sweetness melted in his mouth, leaving him speechless. He chewed slowly, savoring every bite. He had never tasted rice cakes this delicious before. In just moments, he devoured five of them.
Kyu-Kyu, having finished his portion, let out a contented burp.
Kyuu.
For an instant, his body darkened to a deep shade of black. It lasted only a second, but the King of Equality’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. In the instant Kyu-Kyu had burped, he had seen something inside its open mouth.
“Y-young lady,” King of Equality stammered.
“Yes?”
“This... this being... d-did Lee Do-Jun really tame it?”
“This being?”
“I’m talking about Ouroboros!” King of Equality exclaimed.
Ouroboros was the very being that formed the foundation of the Core, the “Myth” itself. A being that symbolized Perfection and Infinity, and the origin of the Status Window Snake. It was the very reason adventurers could survive in the Core.
Yoon-Hee nodded, watching as King of Equality’s lips trembled. His complexion had turned pale. No matter how powerful an administrator was, taming Ouroboros was beyond impossible.
At that moment, the King of Equality realized something: he had come empty-handed.
He abruptly grabbed Yoon-Hee’s hand and cried out, “My lady!”
“Y-yes?”
“I shall return in the evening!”
With that, the King of Equality almost rushed out of the house. However, just as he was about to leave, he turned back, scooped the remaining red bean rice cakes from the plate into his mouth, and then finally stepped out.
Yoon-Hee stared at him, speechless.
***
After finishing a long meeting about the next day’s Core expedition, Do-Jun returned home, only to notice an unusual commotion inside. Had the children already come home? No, that wasn’t it. He could sense only three presences in the house—Yoon-Hee, Ouroboros, and one more.
Do-Jun heard a voice say, “This is called a Skin-Skin Flower. Even if your flesh is completely stripped away, as long as you have this flower, your body will be fully restored. And this? This is the Heavenly Spirit. The most valuable gemstone in the heavens! Hohoho!”
He opened the door and stepped in. “I’m home.”
“Ah, welcome back, Father!”
Do-Jun glanced at the treasures scattered across the living room but quickly lost interest, shifting his gaze instead to the elderly man wearing official robes. It was the King of Equality. The old man had never met Do-Jun before, but Do-Jun knew exactly who he was.
“Hello, King of Equality. What brings you to my humble home?” Do-Jun greeted him.
For a moment, the King of Equality was overwhelmed with emotion. The
King
had recognized him, and not just that, but he had also called him by name!
“I-it is the greatest honor of my life to be recognized by you! The mere fact that I am standing before the Master of Ouroboros fills me with immeasurable gratitude! Please, forgive my ignorance in failing to greet you sooner. I beg you to pardon this foolish old man with the generosity of an ocean!”
Do-Jun scratched his cheek, slightly taken aback by how overwhelmingly deferential the old man was being.
The King of Equality remained deeply bowed, his voice filled with reverence. “I have prepared a humble offering. If you would accept it, it would be the greatest honor of my lifetime!”
A short while later, with all the treasures safely stored in Ivela’s Pouch, Do-Jun conversed with the King of Equality. Most notably, the old man seemed particularly focused when he heard that Do-Jun was helping the Behemoth adventurers.
***
The following day, Behemoth stepped onto the seventh floor of the Core. A mid-adventure evaluation was about to take place under Yeomra’s jurisdiction. Normally, Yeomra conducted these evaluations alone, but today, the King of Equality was also in attendance.
What’s this guy munching on...?
Yeomra furrowed his brow as he watched the King of Equality, who had been munching on snacks from his robe’s pockets the entire time.
He refocused on the three adventurers nervously standing before him. Their accomplishments were modest compared to Do-Jun’s, but exceptional when measured against the average adventurer.
Hmph. I guess I’ll have to evaluate them properly.
The atmosphere was heavy and solemn.
Yeomra struck his staff three times and declared, “Your mid-adventure evaluation will now—”
But he couldn’t even finish the sentence, because a shamelessly biased voice suddenly rang out nearby. “PAAAAASS!”