AFT l CH 03

Episode 3 

It was an early Sunday morning when everyone else was still asleep.

Lee Soobin was bustling about by herself — trimming, chopping, frying, boiling, mixing —
completely absorbed in preparing breakfast.

“Phew, phew—.”

She was just about to taste the simmering stew to check the seasoning when—

“Lady Soobin, you are truly diligent.”

Startled by the sudden voice from behind, Soobin murmured, “Oh my,” and turned around.

Standing there was Crabslie, dressed in a blue tracksuit from some sports brand —
and, completely mismatched with the outfit, wearing a monocle.

“You’re already awake, sir?”
“Yes, is there nothing I can help with?”
“It’s fine. I’m almost done anyway.”

After tasting the stew and nodding in satisfaction, Soobin asked,

“Looks like Kangjun is still asleep.”

Crabslie shook his head.

“No, my lord does not sleep.”
“What?”
“Long ago, when my lord invaded a dimension known as the Demon Realm, he was cursed — with a curse that can never be undone…”

Soobin sighed inwardly. ‘Here we go again…’
Still, she played along and asked lightly,

“What kind of curse?”

With a bitter smile, Crabslie replied,

“Each night, whenever he closes his eyes, he must suffer through terrible nightmares. We sought out every famous sorcerer, priest, and sage, but nothing could help.”
“So, Kangjun can never sleep again?”
“No, he occasionally rests — perhaps once every few years. Even my lord must sleep at least one day every few years.”

Then Crabslie adjusted his monocle and added solemnly,

“Of course, that’s only when a high-grade Succubus—one who can freely manipulate dreams—remains by his side.”

Soobin nodded vaguely, replying in a flat tone devoid of any real reaction,
“Wow… I see…”

After a short pause, she said,

“Sir, I’m sorry, but breakfast is almost ready. Could you please wake Kangjun and Seol?”

Crabslie bowed deeply.

“As you command.”

As he left, Soobin looked at his back with quiet concern.

‘I hope he gets better soon…’

Her eyes brimmed with pity and affection.

***

Before long, the whole family had gathered around the table.

“Come on, say ‘ah—’.”

At Kangjun’s words, little Seol turned her head sharply.

“Seolie doesn’t wanna eat.”
“Just a little…”
“No! Don’t wanna!”

Puffing her cheeks with air, Seol glared stubbornly.
Soobin gave an awkward smile.

“I made black sesame baby porridge today, but I guess Seol doesn’t like it.”

Kangjun scratched his head.
A line from the Parenting Encyclopedia he’d been reading recently came to mind:

[When a child refuses to eat, never force them.]

Then another line—

[Try turning mealtime into a game to make them interested in eating.]

Kangjun nodded. “Right.”
Then, gently, he said to Seol,

“How about a little contest?”

“Contest—?”

Smiling faintly, he explained,

“It’s simple. We’ll see who eats better — not who eats faster or more, but who chews thoroughly and finishes properly.”

Seol clenched her tiny spoon in her small hand.

“Seolie will do it!”

Watching them, Soobin smiled warmly.

‘Wow, he really looks like a proper dad now.’

But then, as Seol nervously put a spoonful into her mouth—

“You’re too slow.”

Kangjun smirked.

He began recalling his past —
when he’d fallen, powerless, into the monster-infested forests of Anux Continent.
How had he survived and become such a powerful being?

‘Because I gave my all, even to hunt a single rabbit…’

Just because his opponent was his three-year-old daughter didn’t mean he’d hold back.
To him, doing his best was a form of respect.

Then, without warning, he began eating at lightning speed —
shoveling rice, side dishes, and soup into his mouth, chewing fiercely like a war machine.

Mouth full, he mumbled,

“Shorry, but at dish rate… you’ll never beat your dad, even if you’re reborn a hundred timesh.”

Seol froze, realizing she had lost.
Then her small shoulders began to tremble—

“Waaahhhh!”

She burst into loud sobs.
Soobin scolded Kangjun while trying to comfort the crying child.

“Kangjun! Why would you make her cry?”

Swallowing his food, Kangjun replied flatly,

“I didn’t mean to.”
“Really? Because it sure looked like you did.”

Kangjun shrugged and looked at Seol.

“If you’re upset—”
“…”
“—then get stronger.”

Soobin sighed deeply, at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, Crabslie suddenly pulled a notebook and pen from his tracksuit pocket, muttering as he wrote,

“Morning, during the imperial breakfast, His Majesty challenged the young princess to a meal duel. The princess accepted eagerly, but alas, His Majesty exerted his full strength against a mere three-year-old…”

Noticing Kangjun’s sharp glare, Crabslie immediately went silent.

Then—

“Sis, I need to tell you something.”
“What is it?”
“I’m going out today.”

Soobin’s eyes widened.

“What, suddenly?”

She fumbled with her words,

“Well… it’s your day off, so if I watch Seol, I guess it’s okay, but…”
“So, can I ask you to take care of her?”
“I get that you’re restless staying home, but isn’t it too soon to go out alone?”

Crabslie chuckled gently.

“It’s fine. I shall accompany him.”

That only made Soobin more anxious.

“Wh-what? Y-you too, sir?”

Her worry had instantly doubled.

***

After breakfast, Kangjun finished getting ready and slipped on his sneakers.

“Kangjun, wait a second.”

Soobin handed him a neatly folded note.

“My phone number’s written here. If you get lost or can’t find your way home, call me—or go to the nearest police station for help, okay?”
“Got it.”
“And don’t skip meals. Buy something to eat if you’re hungry. Don’t go too far, and be home before dark.”

Opening her old wallet, she gave him a few bills.

“Be careful.”
“Yeah.”

As the two left the shabby apartment, Soobin rubbed her arm nervously.

“Will he really be okay…?”

He’d been trapped inside a Gate for three years,
but he was recovering well.

She knew overprotecting him might hinder his adjustment to normal life—
so she’d let him go, even if she was still uneasy.

‘He’s not a child. Nothing will happen… right?’

***

Meanwhile, things were going smoothly for the two travelers.

On a village bus, Kangjun sat with arms crossed, expressionless.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said suddenly,
“if you’re going to keep working in this world, you’ll need a new name and identity.”
“A name, my lord?”
“Yes. I’ve thought of one that suits this culture. From this moment on, you are no longer Shartia von de Crabslie—”

Crabslie swallowed hard.
‘To receive a name directly from His Majesty… what an honor!’

Then Kangjun spoke solemnly—

“Choi Dolsoe.”
“…Pardon?”
“Choi Dolsoe.”

Kangjun frowned.

“What? You don’t like it?”
“It’s not that…”
“Then why that face?”

He explained seriously,

“You just don’t know yet. ‘Dolsoe’ is a name given only to the most loyal of servants.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. ‘Dol’ means rock, and ‘Soe’ means iron — symbolizing unshakable loyalty.”

Crabslie’s face lit up.

“Well, if you really don’t like it—”

Crabslie waved his hands frantically.

“No! How could I possibly reject the sacred name bestowed by Your Majesty!”

Kangjun nodded. “Good. I’m glad you like it.”

In truth, he’d picked it randomly — between “Dolsoe” and “Gaeddongi.”
“Dolsoe” just sounded slightly better.

‘Yeah, Gaeddongi would’ve been too much.’

As for the surname, he’d written down “Kim, Lee, Park, Choi,” rolled a pen over them, and picked the one where it stopped.

Soon, their bus arrived near Guro Digital Complex Station.

“Dolsoe, we’re here. Let’s go.”

Crabslie—now Choi Dolsoe—tilted his head.

“My lord, may I ask where we’re going?”

Kangjun stood up.

“Today, we’re going to a Gate.”