Daddy is too Strong-Chapter 346

“The Star of Transcendence contains, albeit in minuscule amounts... the power of the Great Ouroboros,” Hashinta revealed.

It was a statement significant enough to put any adventurer in shock, but Do-Jun’s expression didn’t change in the slightest.

With a face as calm as ever, he simply nodded and responded, “I see.”

That was all he said, his tone indifferent.

If anything, it was Hashinta who ended up feeling awkward. This adventurer acted as if the news he had just shared was nothing important.

Still, he could understand why. Only a select few even knew about Ouroboros—mainly, a handful of powerful figures in the Deep Realm or the administrators. There was no way an ordinary adventurer like Do-Jun could grasp the greatness of the legendary serpent.

“I suppose I should explain it to you,” Hashinta said, deciding to enlighten Do-Jun on its greatness.

***

The Tutorial Zone was the only reason that the adventurers, who were transferred to the Core due to the Encroachment, managed to survive against powerful monsters. More precisely, it was thanks to Ouroboros.

Mastery Stones and Status Window Snakes were absolutely indispensable to adventurers and were the sole reason for their survival. Feeble adventurers absorbed Mastery Stones through their Status Window Snakes, gaining power far beyond their original capabilities.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that adventurers were blessed with Status Window Snakes, which originated from the influence of Ouroboros. The Mastery Stones themselves offered no direct assistance, but by consuming them, the Status Window Snakes strengthened their hosts, granting them the abilities needed to survive.

The legends described Ouroboros as a flawless being possessing infinite power that formed the very pulse of the Core. It was depicted as a circular snake biting its own tail, a symbol of completeness.

***

“And the Star of Transcendence represents the inheritance of Ouroboros’ power. Only by acquiring the Star can an adventurer overcome their innate limits. Those who surpass their limits and adapt to the Deep Realm are known as the Transcendents,” Hashinta explained.

A heavy silence settled over the space.

Hashinta pointed at the Status Window Snake coiled around Do-Jun’s wrist. “Your Status Window Snake is incomplete until you acquire the Star of Transcendence. If you pass the trial and obtain it, your chances of survival in the abyss, also known as the Deep Realm, will increase dramatically.”

However, Hashinta noticed that something was off. Do-Jun’s Status Window Snake was colorless.

In the Core, where trials could be encountered at any moment, walking around without assigning a grade color to the Status Window Snake was practically a death wish. Was it arrogance? Or was it sheer foolishness?

Hashinta couldn’t understand how someone like this had earned the title of King, let alone made it to the fifteenth floor.

He struck the ground with his spear with a loud boom. A powerful shockwave erupted, causing Do-Jun’s clothes to ripple and his hair to flutter. This may not have looked like a big deal to an outsider, but Hashinta’s eyes sharpened. The shockwave he just unleashed contained the power of Purple.

Even among the Transcendents like Imfelheim, Murmu, Kiriel, Wei Zhongqi, and Tang Gak, who had previously reached the fifteenth floor, none could withstand that strike. At the very least, they would have been sent flying hundreds of meters, crashing into walls and coughing up blood.

However, Do-Jun looked entirely unaffected, as if nothing more than a breeze had passed him by.

Hashinta’s gaze fixed on Do-Jun’s Status Window Snake. Its color remained unchanged. It was still colorless, just as it was when he first saw Do-Jun.

This wasn’t possible. No, it shouldn’t be possible.

That strike had been a preliminary test before administering the trial. The Star of Transcendence, infused with Ouroboros’ power, was often too overwhelming for most adventurers to handle, driving them into madness. This test was meant to determine if an adventurer met the bare minimum qualifications.

Hashinta swallowed hard as a bead of sweat trickled down his spine. His palm, gripping the spear, had grown damp with sweat.

Am I... afraid? Me? A gatekeeper—afraid of an adventurer? A faint chuckle escaped Hashinta’s lips. He was grinning, but it wasn’t at all out of joy or excitement. It was terror.

Tusitala’s words flashed through his mind. “When the King of Earth arrives, just open the gate. Don’t question him.”

Could she have been serious? Hashinta shook his head. I guess I’ll find out now.

A stream of light appeared in front of Hashinta. It was the artifact known as the Star of Transcendence, a fragment of Ouroboros itself.

“This is the Star of Transcendence,” Hashinta declared.

“Hm.”

“Depending on the caliber of your essence, it will either be a treasure that bestows you great power or a monster that devours you entirely. Everything depends on the will of the great Ouroboros. If you are afraid, I suggest you turn back now.”

Do-Jun extended his qi senses, assessing the power of the Star of Transcendence. He was determining whether Behemoth could handle it once they reached the fifteenth floor. After completing his calculations, Do-Jun gave a small nod.

Seeing that, Hashinta said, “Alright. I shall grant you the Star of Transcendence.”

Do-Jun’s nod simply meant that he had finished his calculations on whether this was a trial that Behemoth could safely undertake, but Hashinta had interpreted it as Do-Jun accepting the trial.

The Star of Transcendence shimmered, floating toward Do-Jun.

Then, Hashinta’s eyes widened.

Normally, when the Star descended upon an adventurer, it would envelop their entire body in light, testing both them and their Status Window Snake. But instead of that, the Star of Transcendence gently plopped into Do-Jun’s palm like a newborn lamb. Then, Do-Jun’s Status Window Snake cracked open its eyes ever so slightly, and as if it had found its rightful place, the Star of Transcendence willingly entered the Snake’s mouth.

“W-what just...”

That was it. There was no violent thrashing from the Status Window Snake or screams from the adventurer struggling to endure the overwhelming power. Nothing. Every Transcendent who had taken the trial before had to endure their Status Window Snakes thrashing in a frenzy and their bodies convulsing as they barely withstood the surge of power. Yet now, there was... nothing.

“How... how is this possible...?” Hashinta muttered as his lips quivered.

Actually, there was a change.

Do-Jun’s Status Window Snake flickered, shifting between red, orange, yellow, green, blue, navy, and violet. The seven colors cycled in rapid succession. Each hue was pure, vivid, and close to its raw, primary form.

“How did you... how... is your mastery...?” Hashinta trailed off and said the rest of the words internally. One hundred percent.

Yet, what came next was even more shocking. After reaching the color gray, the Status Window Snake finally turned black.

Hashinta knew all too well what that color signified.

“When all colors blend together, they converge into one: black. Ouroboros itself carries the color of the void, the color of the cosmos. It is said to embody infinite and absolute power.”

Then, the little snake returned to its colorless state. It let out a soft kyuu and rubbed its head against Do-Jun’s hand. Do-Jun smiled, gently stroking its head with his index finger. The tiny snake let out a pleased and satisfied kyuu before slithering back around his wrist, once again forming a bracelet.

The spear-wielding soldier’s legs gave out, causing him to collapse onto his knees. The way he knelt before Do-Jun almost resembled a vassal paying homage to his lord.

Still reeling from the shock, Hashinta barely managed to speak. “H-how did you gain Ouroboros’ recogni...”

He swallowed his words.

This wasn’t mere recognition. He was the Master. Yes, Ouroboros was not just acknowledging Do-Jun. It was serving him.

Is this even possible? Hastina thought in shock.

The very idea of possessing Ouroboros as a Status Window Snake was absurd. Ouroboros, by its very existence, was a myth, a symbol of transcendence. It belonged to no one and could not belong to anyone—or so every administrator believed. Yet, the sight before him shattered that common sense entirely.

Then, a sudden realization struck Hashinta. If it’s him... it might be possible.

A memory resurfaced.

A war fought long ago in the Deep Realm, a battle over the title of King of the Dimensions. It ended as a conflict that never reached its conclusion.

But this man might be the one to finally put an end to it.

Hashinta shifted his stance, dropping to one knee with a thud. He struck the ground with his spear once more. This time, it wasn’t an attack. It was a gesture of utmost respect, one befitting a potential heir to the throne who had just entered the scene.

“I deeply apologize for my insolence and for failing to recognize you,” he said solemnly.

Do-Jun was speechless.

He certainly didn’t feel that Hashinta was rude. He had simply fulfilled his role as an administrator. Nothing more, nothing less.

But Hashinta clearly thought differently. Do-Jun was the one who could wield Ouroboros’ power. Soon, he would undoubtedly become the undisputed ruler of the Core.

I must get on his good side.

Springing to his feet, Hashinta strode toward another door, about fifty meters away from the iron gate. He pushed it open with a creak and stepped into the chamber, gleaming with countless artifacts. It was his treasury.

“If... if there is anything you need, please take it!” he offered. “No, I insist that you take it!”

Do-Jun was speechless.

Even at a glance, these artifacts were of exceptional grade.

He closed his eyes briefly before murmuring, “I thought administrators weren’t supposed to offer personal conveniences to adventurers.”

“Huh? What does that matter? I don’t even care about my title anymore. Screw it! It’s meaningless! If I, a mere speck, can be of even the slightest help to the King’s path, I would consider it my bloodline’s greatest honor for generations to come!”

Judging by Tusitala’s behavior earlier, she had clearly gotten herself on Do-Jun’s good side. Not wanting to be left behind, Hashinta began piling up treasures, clattering things everywhere. Shortly after, a mountain of artifacts was stacked in front of Do-Jun.

“This is everything I have gathered in my lifetime. Please, accept it,” Hashinta said respectfully.

“Hmm...”

Do-Jun’s Ivela’s Pouch was already filled to the brim with Hidden Pieces and relics of the Deep Realm, so taking the gifts from Hashinta wasn’t necessary by any means. He turned to look at Hashinta, who clasped his hands together, his eyes brimming with desperation.

“O...kay... I’ll put them to good use.”

The moment Do-Jun accepted, a broad smile spread across Hashinta’s face. “T-thank you! My name is Hashinta, Hashinta! Please, remember my name!”

Do-Jun let out a quiet sigh.

***

With a bright pop, Tusitala returned to the fifteenth floor of the Core.

“So, did you open the gate for him?” she asked Hashinta.

“I did. But he said he’d come back later and returned to Earth.”

“I see. Wait a sec. Why do you look so happy?”

Hashinta recounted everything from how he had learned that the King of Earth was the master of Ouroboros and how, to secure his favor, he had offered up his entire treasury.

“And... he even remembered my name,” He concluded happily.

“Oh? Really?”

“Yes! I kept repeating it to him—‘I am Hashinta, Hashinta’—until he told me he’d memorized it and left for Earth.”

Humming cheerfully, Hashinta grinned.