Permission for the Devil's Island
At my words that I had a favor to ask, both my father and the elder turned their gazes toward me.
"A favor, you say."
"Hoho, from both of us?"
They both wore expressions of complete surprise, as if they hadn't expected a request directed at them simultaneously.
I flashed them a bright smile and opened my mouth confidently.
"I want to go to Jeju Island."
"Hm?"
"Jeju Island?"
Their eyes widened at the mention of Jeju Island.
"Why would you suddenly want to go to such a dangerous place?"
I'd anticipated this reaction, of course... but to me, who knew what Jeju Island was really like in this world—not the game— their response felt utterly alien.
Jeju Island.
The Jeju Island we knew was a resort paradise, a beautiful tourist spot. But in the City of Seoul worldview, the meaning behind its nicknames told the whole story.
Devil's Island. Lawless Paradise. Hell Island. Just hearing them sent chills down your spine.
There wasn't some grand reason why Jeju Island had earned such fearsome titles in this world. A massive dungeon break had simply occurred there, utterly collapsing the island's entire system in the process.
As a result, modern Jeju Island was a complete no-man's-land, beyond the reach of any government authority.
"Jeju Island? Isn't that far too dangerous? And it's not like you can just go there easily anyway."
"What do you plan to do on that island crawling with rotten scum? I get that you're young and full of vigor, but as your father says, it's not a place you can visit just because you feel like it."
Just as they said, Jeju Island wasn't somewhere you could casually visit. There were no flights or ships heading there—not even fishermen dared approach its coasts. That was the setting in this world.
But the two men before me weren't just anyone. Don Vito Calione, ruler of the underworld, and Gwak Chunsik, a national hero revered as a savior in Korea.
With their help, things would be different.
"Father, doesn't our family send a ship with relief supplies to Jeju Island every month?"
"Hm? We do... but you're not thinking of hitching a ride on that, are you?"
"It seems like the safest option."
Given our roots in Italian immigrants, the Calione family made monthly donations of relief supplies to the one and only cathedral on Jeju Island as part of our ties to the Catholic Church.
That route would get me onto the island without much issue. No matter how lawless the place, even they wouldn't want to make enemies of the island's sole relief hub.
Next up: Gwak Chunsik.
"Elder, don't you have disciples from the Oresik Dojo on Jeju Island too?"
"Huh? Yeah, there are a few who head there every year for training."
"Jeju Island's a dead zone for communications, so I need something to prove myself. Could I get a letter of recommendation from you, sir?"
"A recommendation letter?"
"Yes."
Jeju Island's areas were notoriously hostile to outsiders, thanks to their isolation. In the game, I'd been attacked countless times just for trying to talk to locals for info. Some even jumped me the moment our eyes met, without a word.
As if they were some kind of monster trainers or something.
But a letter from Gwak Chunsik? That changed everything.
"Your Oresik disciples must have built up considerable influence on Jeju by now. I'd like a bit of their assistance."
In other words, a full package tour.
Why slog through solo—breaking dungeons with weird tricks, hunting gimmicks, grinding for power, building a faction—just to get around Jeju Island?
If I could tag along with an established group—especially ones packing serious firepower—I could enjoy a comfortable trip.
"Would that be a problem?"
At my follow-up question, my father and the elder fell deep into thought.
"...Jeju is dangerous, sure, but this way, it shouldn't be a huge issue."
"I agree. He's no ordinary academy freshman, even if he is my disciple. Traveling with the dojo kids should keep him out of real trouble. The only problem is..."
Their gazes met in the middle.
"You're worried about him."
"Yeah, worried about the kid."
Their concern boiled down to me heading into Jeju's demonic hellscape alone.
I could understand it. I wasn't just anyone—I was the family heir and the sole inheritor of a master's legacy, heading into danger. Their worry made sense.
But.
"So tell us this: why Jeju Island in the first place?"
My father fixed me with a serious gaze.
I'd prepared six different pitches to get to Jeju Island. Time to deploy the one that fit best right now.
"To reach a new realm."
"Hm?"
"A new realm?"
Those words any man would respect.
A new realm.
What red-blooded man wouldn't be swayed? Especially these two, pinnacles of the martial world.
At their urging looks for more details, I continued slowly.
"I recently acquired an item, but to use it properly, I need something else. And it's on Jeju Island."
Even as I spoke boldly, they didn't press for what the item was or where I'd heard about it. Just bringing it up here showed the respect they afforded me.
"So I have to go to Jeju to get it. And... I desperately need both of your help."
They listened to the end in silence, pondering. Then they exchanged nods.
"When you put it like that, how could we parents say no?"
"A man willing to brave danger to grow stronger? Can't refuse that."
"We'll send you."
"Yeah, we'll send him."
Both were martial artists to their bones. That was their conclusion.
With my Jeju trip approved, the meal continued.
Delicious food was paired with wine and traditional liquor, lightening the mood even more.
"So there I was, and the kid crushes a kobold with his bare hands—"
"Eugene did?"
"Exactly! Just like you back in the day! That's when I knew—hyah! That boy's definitely your son!"
"True, the first time I met you, Elder, you had a minotaur's head in your grip."
"You have no idea how shocked I was seeing you smash that rock-hard skull barehanded! Kahat hahaha!"
Watching them swap stories about me and dredge up old memories, my lips curved into a smile despite myself.
Yes. This was exactly what I'd hoped for.
As a fanboy of this game, how could I resist?
It felt like watching heroes from different cinematic universes sharing a table. Just listening was thrilling and surreal.
"I was terrified our first clash, Elder. You were the first hero who made me think I might actually lose."
"You punk! Think I wasn't scared? I was playing it cool with my juniors watching, but I nearly blacked out from the pain! Kahat hahaha!"
"Really? Hahaha! Had no idea."
"Man, the sad thoughts racing through my head..."
Stories I'd never learn from the game.
"If you hadn't stopped that dungeon back then, Korea as we know it wouldn't exist."
"You held off nearly all of Seoul's dungeons single-handedly back then too, Elder. I'm still miles behind you."
"Back then, I really wanted to take you as a disciple."
"That would've been impossible. But now our Eugene's grown so well—he's your disciple instead."
"True. Who'd have thought a kid who takes after your blood and talent would end up my disciple? Lucky break, huh?"
"Couldn't agree more. Hahaha!"
For some reason, it felt like they shared some unspoken understanding.
Were they always this buddy-buddy? Not in my memory.
They respected each other like the Sword Sage, but meetings always crackled with killing intent.
Our bond seemed to have bridged them perfectly. They looked like old pals.
"Whew... the food was killer, and so was the booze."
"Glad you enjoyed it."
"I'd love to invite you over sometime, but... your position makes that tricky, right?"
Gwak Chunsik dabbed his mouth with a napkin from the table and spoke. My father gave an awkward smile.
"Yes. Too many eyes on my movements these days—I have to be cautious. But..."
He trailed off.
"Dropping by to see you for a little rebellion now and then doesn't sound bad."
I wasn't sure why he glanced at me with a grin, but I smiled back and laughed it off.
Hey, even a mafia don needs downtime. Let's hang when schedules align, right?
"Alrighty. Time for me to head out."
Gwak Chunsik set down his napkin, stood, and straightened his clothes.
My father and I rose with him.
"Leaving already? Stay longer if you'd like."
"Nah. Can't make a busy man waste time on me."
He clapped my shoulder.
"I'll have the recommendation letter ready at the academy tomorrow. Got a date set?"
"Yes. There's a ship to Jeju this week, so I'm aiming for that."
"This week, huh... Fine, go for it. Well, I'll be off. Had a blast today~."
"Thank you for saying so."
We saw him out to the mansion grounds, where a sedan pulled up.
"Tell the driver inside your destination—he'll take you."
"Appreciate it. See you next time."
As he drove off, I stared blankly after him.
"Eugene."
My father's low voice came from behind.
"You've made a precious connection."
"...Yes."
Definitely.
"Jeju this weekend, right? I'll let Captain Park know. But... you're really going alone?"
His tone brimmed with worry—he clearly hated sending me off solo.
I shook my head.
"I decided on Jeju to get stronger. If it was a risk I couldn't handle alone, I'd have asked for your help first, Father."
Words aside, reality was a bit different.
This was my path—something only I could do.
Jeju meant blasting through dungeons with bizarre methods and gimmicks. Extra people? They'd just cramp my style and limit me.
Seeming to take my resolve at face value, he nodded and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Do it your way, then. Just don't forget, even on Jeju—you're the future Calione."
"Of course, Father."
As he said, in this world, I was a Calione.
But...
"If you swing your aura like that, you'd lose to a Jeju pony! Control it properly?!"
"How am I supposed to when it won't move right?!"
"How? Squeeze harder!"
Why was I, a Calione,
"You think the ghost tangerine tree's slacking?! It'll hurl tangerines at you nonstop while you rest!"
"Tangerines are for eating!"
"The tree'll eat you, punk! Move it—faster!"
stuck doing this at the academy?