Daddy is too Strong-Chapter 53

“Hello, there.”

Do-Jun instantly knew who this fairy that appeared mid-air was—Tusitala the Fairy, the guide of the Core, recorded in Interpreter – Ataraxia.

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen a challenger! Nice to meet you. I’m Tusitala, the storyteller. I was created to help challengers survive in the Core. You could call me a guide of sorts.”

Karsiel became extremely wary after seeing Tusitala. She didn’t know why, but she instinctively sensed that this being was dangerous.

“Hmm...” For a moment, Tusitala’s smile vanished. She circled Karsiel once and then smiled again, turning to Do-Jun.

“By the way, you’re impressive. You’re adjusting so well to the Core, even without my guidance. A Hidden Piece, huh? Did you already know about it, or was it just luck? I like you. I tend to favor people like you.”

Do-Jun carefully observed the fairy, who introduced herself as Tusitala. He spread his senses to check the qi emanating from her and soon came to a conclusion.

She’s definitely on the stronger side.

The fairy was stronger than the Sword Emperor Kang-Hyun; Malanuh, the Titan; and even Karsiel, the Ninth Dragon.

But that was about it.

Tusitala frowned slightly as she looked at Do-Jun’s relaxed expression. He felt different from the other challengers she had seen so far. It wasn’t just that he was adapting well; it felt like he was hiding something.

Tusitala briefly considered fixing his attitude before she proceeded to the explanation but decided against it. Soon enough, that confidence would turn into despair anyway, and just thinking about it sent a thrilling shiver through her body.

“Well, I guess that’s enough small talk. First, let me explain the most important system in the Core: the Magic Resistance system. In this place, the deeper you go, the stronger the magic forces become. Magic is a curse that weakens a challenger’s power and, in severe cases, kills them. Magic Resistance is the force that counters this curse. While you don’t need it here in the Tutorial Zone since it’s just the beginning of the Core, the deeper you go, the higher the resistance required. Does that make sense?”

Do-Jun nodded.

“You can obtain Magic Resistance in various ways. The most common method is through artifacts. However, not all artifacts provide resistance, so keep that in mind. The second method is through achievements. Clearing hidden achievements will grant you resistance. There are other methods, but I’ll leave it here for now.”

Tusitala glanced at the Wizard’s Bracelet in Do-Jun’s hand. “But you’re really lucky. You’ve already obtained such a great artifact.”

"Yeah, I guess so. Lucky indeed,” Do-Jun agreed, but not because of the bracelet.

He felt lucky because of Interpreter – Ataraxia stored in his bag, which allowed him to gather information on the unknown Core.

Tusitala then pointed toward the Central Island.

“On that island, you’ll find the Peculiar Eagle. It’s weak, but it’s still a boss monster. If you defeat it, the path to descend further will open. Of course, if you don’t feel like fighting, you could always just jump down from here, but if you do that...”

She paused, and with a Whoosh, the ground below seemed to stretch endlessly.

Tusitala smiled brightly and continued without batting her eyelids, “You’ll die for sure.”

“Well, I don’t think I’d die,” Do-Jun replied honestly.

And even if he died by some chance, he would simply return to the previous day thanks to his skill, Pocket Watch.

The only reason he didn’t want to take that path was simple: Do-Jun’s purpose for coming here was to gather information so the expedition party, Behemoth Guild, could easily raid the tutorial zone. He needed to proceed step by step.

Tusitala’s smile disappeared, and her gaze grew cold as she looked at Do-Jun. “I don’t know how famous you were out there, but you should probably keep in mind that this place is home to beings far stronger than you could ever imagine.”

But seeing her expression, Do-Jun just chuckled and shrugged, which seemed to only worsen her mood.

“Hmm... you’re pissing me off. Your arrogance is way over the top,” she said in annoyance.

Until now, challengers were divided into two categories: those who trembled in fear and those who expressed their anger toward her.

In the latter case, a small display of her power was enough to turn them into the former.

But this was the first time someone responded with neither fear nor anger—just pure disregard.

“I’m letting you off because it’s been a while since I’ve had a challenger, but you should really watch yourself. Unless you want to die,” she warned him as a spear materialized above Tusitala’s head, and its radiance caused Karsiel to squint involuntarily.

But Do-Jun simply smirked in return, amused at the laughable audacity of pointing a spear at the Heavenly Demon who once ruled the heaven and the earth.

“I think there’s some misunderstanding,” Do-Jun said with a smile, “The one who’s being arrogant right now is...”

He waved his hand casually, and a sharp force struck Tusitala’s spear with a thunderous sound. The spear vanished as if it had never existed.

“You,” Do-Jun said.

***

The three were crossing the bridge that swayed violently from side to side, almost as if it was a second from snapping.

“Sniff... sob... I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for my insolence...” Tears streamed down Tusitala’s face as she floated slowly toward Central Island with a thin leash of qi wrapped around her neck.

Karsiel stared blankly at the weeping Tusitala as she followed Do-Jun.

“Keep your eyes up front,” Do-Jun commanded the fairy dryly.

“Sniff, y-yes, sir.”

Her previous cocky attitude was long gone. After receiving a thorough lesson from Do-Jun, Tusitala had become their tearful guide.

Karsiel shuddered as she recalled the events from ten minutes ago. After nullifying Tusitala’s spear attack, Do-Jun had caught her as she tried to escape and tortured her.

The result was her current state, treated no better than a slave.

“We’ve arrived. You’ll let me go now, right...?” Tusitala looked at Do-Jun with desperate, pleading eyes.

“Nope.”

Her hopes were shattered.

Upon arriving at Central Island, Do-Jun fixed his gaze on the large bird-like creature standing in the center.

He pulled out Interpreter – Ataraxia and checked the information on the Peculiar Eagle.

[Peculiar Eagle]

Category: Monster

Description: A creature found on Central Island. This bird-like boss monster is the first one adventurers encounter in the Tutorial Zone. It uses its powerful beak to kill adventurers in one blow. It remains sealed within a barrier most of the time but becomes unsealed five minutes after an adventurer arrives on Central Island. Interestingly, giving it a grade 3 or higher artifact allows you to descend further without needing to defeat it.

Danger Level: ★★

[The completion percentage of Interpreter – Ataraxia has increased.]

[Additional Magic Resistance has been granted.]

Tusitala's eyes widened as she caught sight of the ancient book in Do-Jun’s hand. She stammered as he approached Do-Jun. “Th-th-that’s... Ataraxia!”

Ataraxia was a relic of the Deep Realm, containing all the secrets from the entrance of the Core to its farthest reaches, which should have disappeared into the annals of history. How could such a relic be in the hands of a mere human who had just entered the Tutorial Zone?

“H-how the hell do you have th... No, I mean, how did you acquire such a valuable relic, sir?”

Karsiel couldn’t help but scoff when she heard the fairy’s urgent correction.

Do-Jun responded in a flat tone. “I won it from a draw.”

“A draw...?”

Do-Jun nodded and took out his SpacePad, capturing a frontal image of the Peculiar Eagle. He then tapped on the Fissure Information tab and registered the information and photo of Peculiar Eagle under the Monster Information sub-tab.

“P-please tell me more!” Tusitala exclaimed.

“Sigh, you talk too much.” As Do-Jun lowered his voice and furrowed his brow, Tusitala covered her mouth with both hands and swallowed nervously.

Clicking his tongue, Do-Jun approached the Peculiar Eagle.

The Peculiar Eagle, trapped inside a translucent, square barrier, spotted Do-Jun and started thrashing violently as if it would break free any moment.

Do-Jun looked back and forth between the grade 3 artifact, the Wizard’s Bracelet, and the Peculiar Eagle. He decided that sacrificing the artifact, which granted a 30% increase in skill damage and a 10% reduction in mana consumption, ultimately wasn’t worth it.

A glint flashed in Do-Jun’s eyes as he gazed at Peculiar Eagle. Then, black flames erupted inside the barrier where Peculiar Eagle was trapped, soon engulfing the monster’s entire body.

It was Samadhi Fire, a martial arts technique that incinerated the opponent by channeling internal energy from the dantian.

Kyaaaah!

As the Peculiar Eagle’s screech gradually faded, the flames died down, leaving nothing but the monster’s bones.

[You have slain the first boss monster solo.]

[Achievement unlocked. Would you like to announce your achievement to the Core?]

Do-Jun ignored the message and turned around to see Tusitala standing there, looking as if she had just witnessed something indescribable.

“The barrier wasn’t even broken yet... how...?”

The ground beneath the Peculiar Eagle split open. The bones and square barrier fell below, and a faint light flickered as a passageway began forming downward.

[You may enter the second stage of the Tutorial Zone after 168 hours.]

[Choose between a random artifact or the Challenger’s Memory (Tutorial Zone Stage 1).]

[Challenger’s Memory (Tutorial Zone Stage 1)]

Category: Consumable / Support

Grade: 4

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Description: Teleports the user to the cleared point of Stage 1 in the Tutorial Zone (single use). Upon obtaining this item, the user will be forcibly ejected from the Core.

Do-Jun stroked his chin, deep in thought. A random artifact or an artifact that allows re-entry to the Core after leaving.

If he could move straight to the next tutorial stage, the choice would’ve been simple, but since he had to wait 168 hours, there was no real debate.

He made his choice, and a luminous, six-sided gemstone fell from the sky into Do-Jun’s palm.

“Wh-why did you choose that? I understand if you no longer wish to be here, but if you plan to keep descending, the random artifact would’ve been a better choice.”

Unlike her words, Tusitala was celebrating on the inside, thinking that she wouldn’t have to see Do-Jun anymore.

“I have work next week,” Do-Jun said.

A bright white light enveloped Do-Jun and Karsiel. The consequence of receiving the Challenger’s Memory was a forced ejection from the Core.

Do-Jun glanced at Tusitala and smiled. “Stay right there. I’ll be back next week.”

With that, Do-Jun and Karsiel disappeared.

Tusitala’s face twisted into an expression of utter frustration.

***

The water in the pot was boiling.

“Hey, one question... Where’s the meat?” Yong-Yong muttered in a daze as he stared at the pot filled with tofu and vegetables.

Yoon-Hee jabbed him in the belly with her finger and spoke with a dissatisfied expression. “Have you seen your belly? It’s all because you only eat meat all the time. And since Father’s not home today, we’re going to save on some groceries. Do you know how much the meat you eat every month costs?”

“So there’s no meat because Master isn’t here?”

“Do you have a problem with that?”

“Cheap! That is soooo cheap! We’re all a family! Why are you discriminating?!”

Yoon-Hee sighed. Though Do-Jun had told her not to worry about food expenses, the cost of Yong-Yong’s meat alone exceeded 800,000 won a month.

Knowing that a civil servant’s salary wasn’t that high, she had to consider the possibility of falling into debt at this rate.

“Just bear with it for a little while. When Father comes back, I’ll cook you some meat.”

Yong-Yong leaped off the kitchen counter and walked out to the balcony, gazing up at the sky. The moonlight was bright, perhaps because it was a full moon.

“Oh, moon.” Yong-Yong clasped his front paws together, closed his eyes, and prayed earnestly, “Please bring Master home soon.”