Daddy is too Strong-Chapter 353

January 1, New Year’s Day, was more than just the beginning of a new year. It served as a moment for many to reflect on the past year and face the upcoming one with renewed determination, whether by starting a healthy diet, quitting smoking or drinking, or passing exams. It was a day dedicated to resolutions, when individuals set their goals and committed to working diligently towards them.

“Father, are you up?” Yoon-Hee asked as the sun was just beginning to rise.

It was 5:20 AM. She was up much earlier than usual, the first to wake in the new year. Her hair was still slightly damp, indicating she had just finished washing up.

“Happy New Year, Father.”

“Happy New Year, Yoon-Hee.”

After exchanging their first greetings of the year, Do-Jun came out after a quick freshen-up and found her in the kitchen preparing tteokguk[1]. Still, considering that last year she didn’t even get up until nearly 7 AM to start cooking, it didn’t seem like she had woken up early just to make tteokguk.

“You’re up really early today,” Do-Jun said.

“Yes. I’m a third-year student now, so I need to start getting used to waking up by six.”

Being a third-year high schooler meant being in exam-prep mode. Like ordinary high school students studying hard to get into top universities, students at the Hunter Academy often cut back on sleep to attend early-morning training sessions to get into a top guild.

Time is said to be equal for everyone, but to Do-Jun, it felt like it passed far too quickly. It felt like just yesterday he had attended Yoon-Hee’s entrance ceremony, and now she was already in her final year at the Academy.

Time truly, truly flies. If two years went by this quickly, what would the last one feel like? That thought lingered in his mind.

***

“Happy New Yeee~”

Dead last to wake up, Byeol gave a deep bow to each family member, offering her New Year’s greetings.

Do-Jun saw Karsiel bow back with a respectful, “May you receive many blessings in the New Year as well, Byeol.”

It was such a heartwarming moment that it made him smile.

“Oh! It’s tteokguk!” Byeol exclaimed and started humming as she watched Yoon-Hee prepare the tteokguk in the kitchen.

Yoon-Hee’s version of tteokguk was a bit different from the traditional one. It had tons of meat—nearly half of it was meat—made especially for the children. The biggest beneficiary, of course, would be Yong-Yong.

“Hey, Byeol. Did you know...” Yong-Yong said.

“Hm? Know what?”

“If you eat tteokguk, you also get a year older.”

Obviously, it was a joke, the exact same one he had made last year. Back then, she believed it wholeheartedly and forced down more than ten bowls. This year, though, was different.

“Liar. I’m not falling for that anymore.”

The firm and unexpectedly serious response made Do-Jun chuckle as he sat down at the table.

***

There is a saying: A little knowledge is more dangerous than none at all. It means that people who read just one book and try to lecture others with a half-baked understanding are the toughest to deal with.

Hakase firmly believed Kiriel was one of those people.

Last New Year’s Day, Kiriel ate five bowls of tteokguk and insisted Hakase call him “hyung.”[2]. Because apparently, on Earth, eating five bowls meant you aged five years.

It was the most ridiculous bullshit Hakase had ever heard, so he ignored it at first. But he had spent the entire day listening to Kiriel bring up his “new age,” and the memory still stressed him out.

So the day has finally come... This year won’t be any different. Hakase thought, then clenched his fist in determination. An eye for an eye! A tooth for a tooth!

Standing in front of the 2021 calendar, Hakase reviewed his plan. He had already signed up for the neighborhood “Tteokguk Eating Contest,” hosted by the district office. Civil servants would count how many bowls the contestants ate, and he intended to use that irrefutable evidence to take revenge on Kiriel.

Kiriel returned from a quick trip outside, carrying a pot that he placed on the table, with a satisfied grin.

“What’s that, Kiriel?” Hakase asked.

“The King of Earth shared tteokguk with me. Yoon-Hee made too much, so she said I could take some.”

“T-tteokguk?”

“Heh. It’s packed with beef. If you want some, bring a bowl. I may be willing to share a little.”

It looked to be about three servings. But for Kiriel to be sharing food? The sun must be rising in the west.

Hakase narrowed his eyes, trying to figure out what kind of scheme this brat was up to.

“I’m not eating that,” he said.

“What?” Kiriel replied, surprised that Hakase was turning down Yoon-Hee’s food.

“Ahem. I have somewhere to be.”

“Lizard, are you saying I can have all of this to myself?”

“Yup. Go ahead.”

A faint smirk crept across Hakase’s lips without him realizing it. It was most likely a mocking grin. Even by Kiriel’s logic, only about three bowls’ worth of tteokguk would age him by only three years!

Just you wait. You’ll be calling me “hyung” soon, Hakase thought. Then, with a booming laugh, he marched out of the nest.

Kiriel shrugged, turned on the TV with the remote, and indulged in his tteokguk while watching the New Year’s special episode.

Back in the Core, the concept of aging didn’t really apply. But now, eating tteokguk on Earth on New Year’s Day really did feel like he’d grown a year older. By now, even Kiriel knew that no matter how much tteokguk one ate, one only grew a year older.

***

The Bangbae 3-dong Women’s Association hosted a tteokguk-sharing event every New Year. Alongside it, they also held a tteokguk-eating contest to encourage neighbors to foster goodwill and unity through the act of sharing food. This year, Hakase was one of the sponsors.

“Ah, Mr. Hakase! You’re here!” Kim Mina greeted him warmly.

She was in charge of overseeing the women’s association, the Red Cross, and other community organizations. Hakase and Kiriel were frequent volunteers at the center, so she knew them well. Hakase had even donated a hefty five million won this time!

“Kiriel’s not with you today?” she asked.

“That guy? He’s at home eating tteokguk.”

“Ah... It would’ve been nice if he came. The ladies in our group really do have the magic touch in the kitchen.”

Word quickly spread that Hakase had arrived. The women cooking in the kitchen, the event staff, and even the neighborhood chief all came over to greet him. Hakase returned their greetings politely, smiling happily.

“Oh, young man, thanks to your donation, everyone’s eating well today! If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have had enough ingredients for everyone. Thank you so much!” a lady thanked him.

“Hey! You’re the young man who helped me get my rice last time!” another followed.

“Handsome and kind? Hohoho!”

Surrounded by praise, Hakase scratched his cheek in embarrassment. Truth be told, he’d volunteered just to get on Do-Jun’s good side. And he’d sponsored the tteokguk event to ensure the eating contest ran smoothly, all so he could completely crush Kiriel.

Well... this isn’t so bad, he thought. After all, being complimented and thanked didn’t feel too bad at all. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Soon, a community center staff member called out through a loudspeaker, “All participants in the tteokguk eating contest, please gather over here!”

More than ten participants were already seated in a row at the long table, all local residents of Bangbae 3-dong. Hakase’s seat had already been prepared right in the center.

“Now that everyone’s here, we’ll begin the Tteokguk Eating Contest!”

Community center staff were busy snapping photos.

One bowl of tteokguk was placed in front of each participant.

“The time limit is twenty minutes. The person who eats the most within the time limit wins!”

As soon as the staff signaled the start of the competition, without hesitation, Hakase began devouring his tteokguk with ferocity. Some gave up after three bowls, others after five. But Hakase didn’t stop.

“Whooooa!”

The number of empty bowls steadily increased. His stomach gradually filled, but Hakase refused to give up. He was determined to pay Kiriel back for last year’s humiliation.

Ten bowls.

Fifteen.

Twenty.

With each new record, cheers and excitement surged. Even his fellow competitors began to cheer him on.

“One more bowl! Come on, you got this!”

“Whoooa! That’s twenty-four bowls!”

Finally, the whistle rang out, signaling the end of the contest. Community center staff and members of the women’s association stepped forward to count the empty bowls in front of each participant.

When the tally was complete, the judge spoke into the loudspeaker. “The winner is Mr. Hakase with twenty-four bowls of tteokguk!”

An enormous cheer erupted.

Hakase felt like the soup was about to come back up, but he forced a smile. It was the composure of a victor. He was putting on a show.

“Please gather for a commemorative photo!”

People gathered around Hakase. Community center staff, members of the women’s association, and neighborhood residents... everyone gathered with smiles on their faces.

“Mr. Hakase, please hold this,” said Kim Mina with a gentle smile, pointing to the banner.

6th Annual New Year Tteokguk Sharing Event

“Smile! One, two, three!”

***

Back at his place, Hakase took a bottle of water from the fridge and drank it to settle his bloated stomach.

Kiriel was lounging on the couch in a smug pose, laughing at the TV.

Hakase’s lips twitched, sensing his victory. “Kiriel.”

“What?”

“How many bowls of tteokguk did you have today?”

“Three.”

Hakase snorted and held up a small piece of paper. “Take a look at this.”

It was a photo. In it were Hakase and the neighborhood residents, holding a banner that read “6th Annual New Year Tteokguk Sharing Event.” He also held a sign that read “Tteokguk Eating Contest Champion – 24 Bowls.”

“Now, tell me, Kiriel. Who’s the ‘hyung’ here?” Hakase asked smugly.

Kiriel looked at him blankly.

His lack of reaction was unexpected, so Hakase narrowed his eyes. “Why aren’t you answering, Kiriel? Speechless?”

“Lizard, let me ask you a question... I just want to be sure of something.”

“Heh. Go on.”

“You’re not seriously saying I should call you hyung just because you ate more tteokguk than me, are you... huh, lizard? Surely, you wouldn’t say such a brainless thing?”

Hakase’s expression hardened.

Kiriel realized, to his horror, that yes, that was exactly what Hakase meant. Shaking his head in disbelief, Kiriel turned back to the TV.

That was when a wave of heat surged behind him. He turned to see Hakase chanting in Dragon Speech. A massive summoning circle was forming at Hakase’s hand—Meteor.

“H-hey, lizard! W-what do you think you’re doing—”

“You son of a bitch! I’m going to kill you!!” Eyes blazing, Hakase charged at him.

“W-whoaaa!”

In a panic, Kiriel used a Core Talisman and instantly teleported into the Deep Realm.

Hakase tried to follow, but the dimensional gate had already shut. Still seething with rage, Hakase let out a long breath.

“Huff...”

Then, the photo from the tteokguk event fell to the floor. He picked it up, then, after staring at it for a few moments, went to the storage room and brought out an unused picture frame. He placed the photo inside and hung it on the wall. As he quietly gazed at it, he found himself smiling unknowingly.

1. Tteokguk is rice cake soup! “Tteok” means rice cake, and “guk” means soup. ☜

2. “Hyung” means older brother, used by males to refer to any male who is older than them. ☜