I Become a Mafia in the Academy

Chapter 99

The adrenaline rush from the appearance of the Black Mist was palpable in real time.

Who would have thought the principal would bring out the Black Mist here.

As I slowly reached out my hand, the item's information appeared before my eyes.

[Name: Black Mist]

[Rank: Relic]

[Type: Shoes]

[Description: These shoes were crafted from the footwear used by a man once called the legendary thief, Iljimae. They completely silence footsteps and significantly reduce the user's presence. They allow for stepping into the air twice and increase agility by 30%.]

Black Mist.

In the game, these were mainly used when raising an assassin or archer character.

There were two main ways to acquire these in the game: the first was purchasing them through the Black Market once you reached the mid-game.

The other was joining the Academy's Student Council early on and becoming the principal's disciple.

Being a relic, these shoes not only have basic defense but also excellent additional effects, making them one of the high-tier items in the game.

Despite the unexpected gift making me want to smile, I tried my best to hide my emotions and spoke calmly.

"...To think it's something the principal used in the past, isn't it a valuable item? I feel burdened receiving such a treasure."

Of course, that was a lie.

I wanted to grab it and run outside right away.

But as a Korean, shouldn't the first offer be refused?

Once these shoes were placed on the table, I had already decided to take them no matter what.

"I am giving it to you because I judged you worthy of receiving it. Please think of it as a thoughtful decision by this old man and take it."

"...If you say it like that, I cannot refuse."

I said that while closing the box again and quietly placing it beside me.

I had intended to refuse up to three times, but since he insists so strongly on taking it, it's my duty as a disciple to accept.

I needed new shoes anyway, and here they are.

"I will use the gift you've given me today with gratitude. Thank you very much."

"I would be grateful if you do."

At that moment, the phone on the principal's desk began to ring loudly.

"...Excuse me. Given the situation at the Academy, it might be an important call."

I nodded in understanding, as I was aware of the situation.

The principal slowly walked to the desk and picked up the receiver.

Holding the receiver silently for a moment, he then put it down and smiled at me.

"It seems agents from the Association have come to take away the villains held in the prison. They say there's no major issue around, so all that's left is for the students to return home safely."

In other words, everything Ji Soohyun mentioned before coming here had been resolved.

"Then, I have some work to attend to... I look forward to seeing you again."

As the principal approached me and bowed, I stood up, tucking the box containing the Black Mist under my arm, and bowed in return.

"Thank you so much for today. I'll be heading back now."

"Ha ha, I should be the one thanking you. Please take care on your way home."

After the meeting with the principal ended, I returned to the class to find kids fiddling with their phones, looking bored.

"The principal said we can go home."

At that moment, all the kids' eyes turned to me as if in a horror movie.

"Really?!"

Including Ji Soohyun.

"...Yes. The principal mentioned it while heading to turn over the villains, so there should be an announcement soon."

And, as if on cue, the speaker turned on.

[This is an announcement from the faculty office. This is an announcement from the faculty office. All students currently at the Academy are requested to return home safely. We repeat, all students currently...]

As the announcement spread through the classroom, the kids immediately started preparing to go home.

The kids moved in perfect unison.

Their speed was truly astounding.

"Don't go anywhere strange! Go straight home so your parents won't worry!"

"Yes~!!"

When Ji Soohyun shouted at them not to forget, they immediately responded.

The kids were truly serious about going home.

I also had plenty to do, including explaining things once I got home, so I prepared to leave for home.

"Boss. At this rate, aren't we going to have tomorrow off too? That would be the best."

Amidst all this, was there someone hoping for a day off, laughing?

"Even if you have a day off, you'll be dragged into mentoring. Is that good?"

"Ah."

It seems he had forgotten about that.

"I guess I'm in a similar situation..."

While saying that, my eyes were drawn to a message flashing in my field of vision.

[Gwak Chunshik: I'm in front of the Academy. Got a moment?]

Knowing his personality, he wouldn't have come out of concern...

It seemed like he was also going to be tormented by mentoring.

"Alright, see you later."

After a brief farewell to the other kids, I left the main building and saw a man with a peculiar outfit amidst the crowd heading home.

A man wearing a pure white fedora, pushing through the crowd.

It was Gwak Chunshik.

"Old man, what's with the hat?"

"Ha, for someone who claims to have caught villains, you look pretty unscathed."

"...Can't you see I'm wearing a suit because my uniform is torn?"

"I thought you were doing some kind of casual dress code or something? Ha ha."

Laughing, Gwak Chunshik wiped away tears and said,

"Looks like you've got an estimate on your hands. Did that miner scatter dirt again? Is that right?"

When I nodded in response, Gwak Chunshik burst into another fit of laughter that was almost suffocating.

"Oh my. To have your uniform torn amidst all this, it must be quite a nice piece of clothing you're wearing. Let me see... Hmm? 'per l'Imperatore?' Is this... made by the Maestro?"

It seemed he recognized it as truly fine clothing, as his eyes widened and he asked me.

"You know and you still ask? Yes, it's clothing made by the Maestro."

"Ha! As expected of a rich kid, you're wearing a building... Heh, heh."

"You must have saved up a lot of money, old man. Why don't you get one for yourself?"

"You brat! A man should face the world bare-chested! And do you think the Maestro has that much free time? Even if I order a suit now, it'll come out when I'm dead!"

...Really? He made mine right away, though.

"Anyway, I came to check on you after hearing your story while transporting the captured villains... I'm glad to see you're doing well."

Saying that, Gwak Chunshik chuckled.

He grabbed my shoulder and spoke in a kind voice,

"You did well, Yoojin. You saved the kids. On behalf of the incompetent Association that couldn't do anything, I apologize."

...Why are so many people expressing gratitude today?

It's making me feel awkward for no reason.

"I'll make sure you get a reward, even if I have to beat up the Association. Of course, my disciple did such a big thing, they have to give you something."

Reward?

I'll take any reward over awkward gratitude.

"Old man, you have to make sure it's something good."

"Huh? Khhahaha! You rascal. Don't worry. Do you think I'd bring back some cheap junk? I'll get the best thing possible! Ha ha ha!"

With that, Gwak Chunshik left after saying goodbye.

He seemed busy with the investigation into the Villain Alliance's terrorism, but did he know?

That this terror was merely a prelude.

"Well, there's still some time left, so it should be fine.

In the meantime, I needed to get stronger.

* * *

As expected, the mansion was in an uproar when I got home.

"Are you okay?"

As soon as I got out of the car, my father, Parnello, and the consigliere were waiting for me.

"Didn't I say I was okay?"

"How could my worry subside just by hearing words?"

After checking my condition, the consigliere, who had been nagged by my father a lot, looked exhausted.

"I am fine. I apologize for causing you worry."

As I said that, my father just shook his head and hugged me.

"Don't worry. Your vendetta is Calione's vendetta."

"...Yes?"

Vendetta.

The Italian word for revenge.

But the meaning of vendetta in Calione was slightly different.

'Revenge that must be carried out even at the cost of one's life.' It was a word signifying a kind of fate.

After hearing those words, I looked around and gradually started to notice the mansion's unusual atmosphere.

Soldatos patrolling the mansion with heavy weapons.

The sight of action team members and cars gathering one by one in the mansion's parking lot.

As I blankly observed them, Parnello spoke first.

"The consigliere has confirmed a building suspected to be the Villain Alliance's hideout. We are set to depart with money leading the way."

"...Is Father going personally?"

Surprised by his words, I looked at my father.

"If my child was caught up in a terror attack, it's only natural that I step in."

If only the Calione organization members were to step in, it would be one thing, but Father personally stepping in was a different matter entirely.

It meant Calione was preparing for full-scale war and declaring it unequivocally.

"From now on, the Villain Alliance is an enemy of Calione."

And it seemed like my father's decision would not change.

"Then I will prepare as well."

My father's will is Calione's decision.

And Calione's decision is a kind of command that I must follow.

But my father looked at me as if to ask what I was talking about.

"You should rest after your ordeal. I've told Alessia and the other servants, so take a good rest today. The rest... this father will handle."

With those words, my father patted my shoulder a couple of times and silently walked towards the parking lot.

For some reason, that sight seemed familiar.

It was the same sight I occasionally saw in games when going to war.

The atmosphere of the mansion was cold, but it seemed like they all had a fire in their hearts, gradually heating up.

A march truly fitting for the Emperor of the Underworld.

And following my father, Parnello and many Soldatos began to move.

The Villain Alliance kids... are they really going down?

* * *

In a small apartment where the cold moonlight shone through the curtains and a cool breeze entered through the open window.

There, a man was stirring his teaspoon leisurely, a wide smile on his face as if something was amusing him.

At that moment, a knock and a presence felt from outside.

At this, the man stopped stirring his teaspoon and turned his head to say.

"Come in."

At the man's words, the door opened with a thud.

"Plague. We've received intelligence. Calione and his hunting dogs are heading this way."

The one who entered was a tall, blond foreign man, chuckling as if something amused him.

"Oh, Calione? Have they already figured it out?"

"No way. That hasn't even started yet."

"Right? Then why are they moving?"

The teaspoon made a clinking sound as it moved again.

"I didn't do anything to provoke Calione... All we've done so far is mess with the academy, right?"

"You mean using that miner guy?"

"Yeah, I heard it failed in no time. Well, we achieved our goal of greeting the Republic of Korea's government and the Association... But I heard an interesting piece of news? The first-year students caught up in this terror managed to subdue the miner and other villains..."

The teaspoon stopped abruptly.

"Bloody Clown."

"Yes, Plague."

"Investigate those kids. Find out who they are and what their specialties are."

"I will do so."

Plague then lifted his teacup, savored the aroma, and brought it to his lips.

He gulped down the steaming hot tea and playfully tossed the cup and teaspoon towards the window, smiling mischievously.

"Shall we move to a new place?"

"Should we leave a generous gift?"

"Of course. We should give a hearty welcome to our guests from Calione."

A twitch.

The bandages wrapped around his face twitched.