I Become a Mafia in the Academy 109 - The Martial Hall's Hierarchy
I propped my feet up on the table and leaned back, striking an intimidating pose. Those guys definitely said 'Ares,' right? In that case, talking to someone higher up in their chain of command would be smoother.
I immediately ignited my aura, surrounding my body with a crimson glow to create an oppressive atmosphere.
"H-Hold on! Are you seriously threatening us?"
"...You guys haven't even heard the rumors?"
"What rumors?"
No way—these were the dregs of the dregs who couldn't even make it to the welcome party. If they'd seen how I was treated there, they never would've pulled this stunt.
I started to suspect they were disposable pawns sent here. Provoke me into starting a fight? Great for them. Fail? Eh, no big loss.
But what could they do? I had no intention of falling for such a low-level ploy.
"I just cussed out the Korean Hero Association Chairman himself, and you're expecting me to back down from you punks?"
"What? That's ridiculous—"
I showed the guys—who looked like they couldn't believe it—a post that had just gone up on the academy community forum.
Wait, was what I just saw real life? Lolol The chairman's trying to lay down the law with some first-years when suddenly a horde of old geezers comes swarming in from outside the hall. Thought it was weird, but then Aura Master Gwak Chunsik shows up lolol, and trailing behind him are the retired hero popularity poll top-rankers, the grandpa duo Alpark Han and his buddy. Like, the chairman's already top-tier in Korea, but who knew even higher-up geezers would show for a first-year? Lolol
Anyway, the chairman starts mouthing off to Gwak Chunsik, and I'm thinking, 'Oh shit, showdown between the chairman and Gwak?' shaking in my boots lolol, then Korea's strongest boomer 'Sword Saint' crashes in BAM!! Sees the chairman yapping at his peer-level grandpa Gwak like that and straight-up declares ass-kicking time!! Drags him out lolol. Man, I'm so happy to be alive in this era. Chairman's been strutting around lately, total eyesore—kick his ass and I'll upvote hard lololol.
"What? Still don't believe it?"
The guys stared at my screen in shock, then frantically pulled out their own phones.
"I-It’s real?"
"T-That guy's Gwak Chunsik's disciple?"
Finally grasping their situation, their faces drained of color.
"Alright, now that you know who I am and who's backing me, we can finally talk openly and frankly, right?"
The aura around me blazed even fiercer. Terrified, the guys scrambled for the club room door.
"W-Wait! We'll head out and come back later! Just calm down!"
"Open up! Open the damn door!!"
They twisted the handle desperately, threw their weight against it—but the door just rattled uselessly, refusing to budge.
-Boss! I'll hold the entrance!
From the sound of the voice outside, Jinwoo was barricading the door to keep them from escaping. As expected of a Calione man—sharp instincts for this kind of thing.
Cornered with nowhere to run, the three trembled pitifully. Perfect.
I'd just acquired a new trait, after all. Time to test it out. I gazed at them coolly and stated my demand in a low voice.
"I've got a great offer for you. I have no intention of messing with you or getting revenge. I just want one thing."
"...W-What do you want?"
An Offer They Can't Refuse is active.
Orator effect is active.
"The guy who sent you to our club. Bring him here."
"W-What?"
"W-We don't know who you m-mean—"
Too vague? Fine, I'd spell it out.
"—Bring your club vice-captain, you idiots."
The three nodded in unison. I checked the time on my watch, then looked back at them.
"You've got 10 minutes."
* * *
"Yujin, what the hell did you do in there? Those seniors came out looking pale as ghosts."
"Didn't you hear? The boss was about to kill 'em but showed mercy."
With the punks gone, we sat side by side at the table, munching on the snacks Sea-a had prepared while waiting.
"Made an unreasonable demand, so I told 'em to fetch their vice-captain."
"Huh? The Silver Club's vice-captain? You mean the Ares vice-captain, the guy rumored to be the academy's top fist-fighter?"
Top with his fists? Sounded like something out of a drama or comic, but to me, it was just a funny nickname.
"Doesn't matter. Pedigree-wise, I'm above him."
"...Pedigree?"
Right then—BAM! A thud echoed from outside the door.
"...He's here."
I set down my cup and stared at the door. A man with long red hair strode in.
"...You're Han Yujin?"
"Watch your tone."
"Hah, anyone'd think you were the senior here."
Oh? Challenging seniority right off the bat? This guy's got some nerve.
Looked like he'd come alone, barely containing his rage—his face gave it away.
"You told my guys to fetch me?"
"Yeah."
"You... got some balls?"
A brighter, rosy-red aura—stronger than Calione's but lighter—began to rise from his fist.
I sighed and met his gaze.
"You're from the dojo run by Elder Gwak Chunsik, right?"
"...Why the sudden question?"
"Lemme see... Lee Jeokgwon. Rising star of the dojo, master's prized disciple. Yeah, specs like that would get you respect at the academy. I admit it. But..."
I stood, igniting my blood-red aura as I faced him.
"...you glare at your martial elder like that?"
"...What?"
"Still haven't figured it out, huh."
He must've charged over in a blind rage without hearing the full story from his guys. Explaining again sounded annoying, so I'd settle it quick.
I pulled out my phone and dialed a saved number.
[Huh? What's up, kid?]
Loud chatter filtered through the phone. Sounded like the elders' drinking party was still going strong.
"Can you talk for a sec?"
[...Kid? Yujin, my disciple. Hold on a bit.]
The voices grew fainter. Focusing, I could make out the scene.
[Chunsik's turn to drink!]
[Wait a sec, got a call from my disciple!]
[Disciple? Yeon? Yeoooon!]
[He's calling his granddaughter again! Stop him!]
Cries and laughter followed, then some clattering. Finally, things quieted around Gwak Chunsik.
[Haha, sorry 'bout that. These fools get hyped after ages apart... Anyway, what's up?]
Situation sorted. I switched to speaker.
"The dojo your son runs. You know a guy named Lee Jeokgwon there?"
[Why the dojo outta nowhere?]
"Got some housekeeping to do."
[Housekeeping? Lemme think~ Jeokgwon~ Ah, Jeokgwon! Yeah, saw him a few times at the dojo. Why?]
I glanced at the guy—his pupils were shaking wildly left and right. Starting to catch on.
"I'm kinda your disciple right now, yeah? And Jeokgwon's your son's student."
[Yeah, sure.]
"So in the dojo hierarchy, that makes me his senior brother, right?"
[What? Senior brother my ass, you punk!]
Wait, what?
[My direct disciples are just you and my son! You gonna call some rando your junior brother? Ridiculous!]
"...So I'm way above him, then?"
[Damn right, punk! Back in my day, you'd get slapped just for eye contact—that's the gap. Junior brother? Tsk tsk.]
"Thanks, Elder. Oh, enjoying the drinks?"
[Hanging with guys who could drop dead anytime? Hell yeah it's fun!]
"Glad to hear it. Talk later."
[Click.]
The call ended with a click. The brief silence felt refreshing.
I looked at his face again—beyond despair, he'd reached some incomprehensible realm.
"Hey."
"W-What? Y-Yeah?"
"You know the elder's personality, being from the dojo."
Boomer. Not just any boomer—one of Korea's top powerhouses, the ultimate old-school hardass.
And this dojo punk—a disciple of that ultimate boomer's son—was ignoring hierarchy, talking down to me, his direct disciple's master, and even radiating killing intent?
"This is awkward. How do I even report this to the elder? 'Can't come learn tomorrow 'cause some huge hierarchy gap junior tried to rebel'? Something like that?"
No doubt—if I did, he'd be booted from the dojo or beaten senseless by his so-called senior brothers till he dropped.
In the game lore, the dojo rules Gwak Chunsik set were absolute for disciples.
1. Never doubt your martial art.
2. Protect the weak and serve the nation.
3. Always show respect to your superiors.
4. Honor and follow tradition and rules.
Hierarchy was tradition and rule in the dojo—mandatory code, even outside.
Meaning, to him, I was an untouchably superior senior.
"Elder's son Gwak Chunsam is my senior brother... so you're like a junior nephew."
I grinned and patted his shoulder. He asked in a trembling voice,
"H-How... how are you—"
"Hey."
Told him already, and he slips again. I stared straight into his eyes.
"Jeokgwon."
"Uh, y-yeah?"
Still clueless, lost in thought.
SLAP!
His head snapped left.
"Am I your buddy?"
Boomer mode. 'ON'!