The Etiquette Injector
“Anyway, I told the academy we'd be running a bit late like you said, but... what's going on today?”
Gwak Chunsik dug at his ear with his pinky, asking why I'd dragged him to this abandoned warehouse first thing in the morning.
He'd started off questioning why we'd do mentoring on a day with academy classes, but...
'Your unworthy disciple could use a hand from Master.'
'Oh? Where is it?'
As always, the word "Master" had him hooked, and he'd come running.
“The first-years are all off on their Fresh Start program anyway, leaving you bored out of your mind. Can't you spare a little time for this?”
“You little punk. That's exactly why it's better like this. I was gonna sip some coffee the juniors roasted for me and watch YouTube or whatever, but I came all the way here 'cause you said it was tough.”
He grumbled like it was a hassle, but he'd shown up in the end. Proof he genuinely had my back.
“It's exactly like I told you on the phone. Some kids need your help, Master.”
“Huh? Not you? Other kids?”
“Yes.”
I turned to glance at the warehouse. I'd already ordered Latte to hand things off to Han Seojun before heading to her cafe shift. A secretary from the executive office and a National Intelligence Service alum—wonder how he'd wrangle these kids.
Made me curious.
“Let me at least treat you to some coffee. This way, sir.”
Leading the still-bewildered Gwak Chunsik inside, a vast space greeted us. The difference from yesterday? It had been rowdy beyond belief back then, but now it was eerily quiet.
No one's here?
I ventured deeper, and that's when...
“Ah, you've arrived, young master. Sir Gwak Chunsik.”
Han Seojun, standing before the kids, turned and bowed toward us. The children mirrored him perfectly, bowing in unison.
Seeing their uncharacteristically disciplined vibe, I blinked in surprise, but Han Seojun just shrugged it off.
“The kids listen better than expected. Looks like Agent Latte worked hard last night.”
“And you didn't do anything?”
“Well, I just gave them a bit of the education I received myself.”
The kids started shivering at his casual shrug. No idea what he'd done, but... at least they were behaving. Good enough.
“You've worked hard. Go rest in the car for a bit.”
“As you command.”
With another bow, Han Seojun departed. Stepping up to the kids, I announced it like a public notice.
“First, the important stuff. That 'circle' you were paying? It's disbanded now.”
“......Huh?”
“Disbanded?”
“What's that mean?”
...They took this way more seriously than I thought.
“Gone. As in, you don't have to pay them activity fees anymore.”
Understanding dawned, and they reacted with shock—some jaws dropping, others clamping hands over mouths. Hilarious.
“Th-they're all gone?”
“H-how?”
“No need for details. Point is, that's over. No more fearing them.”
But that's not the real point.
“......We get that the circle's gone. But who's the guy behind you? I swear I've seen him somewhere.”
The kid in the training suit labeled #1—Han Jiyeon—spotted Gwak Chunsik first and piped up.
“Whoa, for real? Kinda familiar.”
“A celebrity?”
Delighted by their recognition, the old man started chuckling.
“See that, Eugene? That's me. No kid doesn't know me. Heh heh heh.”
“Of course. You're a hero of Korea, after all.”
I gave him a vague reply, then turned back to the kids to continue.
“This is my master, Aura Master Gwak Chunsik. I brought him to give you all some education.”
“Huh? Education?”
“Aura Master? Wait, that Oresik dojo... mmmph!!”
“No way, are we learning that Aura Style thing too?”
Huh? What are they on about?
“Why would you learn Aura Style? That's mine.”
“What you're learning is etiquette.”
“““Oh.”””
Their faces fell instantly.
“Sir, these punks used to beat people up and extort money. Could you drill some etiquette into them your way?”
“Huh? How'd you know? Folks call me the 'Etiquette Injector' or something.”
Of course I knew. How many people had he "injected"?
“They're my Fresh Start project kids. We've got about an hour before school—mind handling it?”
“Always dumping the annoying stuff on me. Well, can't complain if it's helping with academy stuff... fine.”
He rolled up his sleeves, revealing compressed muscles and bulging veins that spoke for themselves.
“Alright, kids. Let's start simple with the Four Books and Three Classics.”
“Eek!”
“Bro! I'll live right from now on! Please!”
Nope. Fat chance.
Another reason they called him the Etiquette Injector? He loved it.
The community boards even had posts like this:
Tada! The answer's Gwak Chunsik! Character's got a nicotine addiction trait, so I'm using smokes in some alley, and suddenly this guy starts talking to me. Thought he looked familiar—turns out it's the Aura Master. Fr, I figured it was some new event, so I watched... then BAM lololol he grabs me and lectures for a full hour. No skip option—devs must've planned it. Absolute hell fr.
...Painful memories. Made me even more ruthless, though.
Damn, just reading that gives me PTSD.
I turned slowly to slip out of the warehouse.
“Hold up, Eugene. This'll help you too—sit and listen.”
“I've got something urgent come up—”
“Tsk—.”
“......Ah.”
Escape failed.
* * *
After the kids headed to school, I sat shotgun in Gwak Chunsik's car, staring blankly out the window.
“Busy times, huh? Why bother with academy when you could rest?”
“Even without classes, I've got a ton to do.”
The club support program I'd recently kicked off. I'd dumped most of it on Haru and her International Trade Club, but with cash-strapped clubs piling in—plus ones that'd devolved into little gatherings—things were grinding to a halt.
Worried, I'd called her yesterday...
'Haven't slept in three days.'
'Not sleepy? Guess the sensation's numb by now.'
'Probably caffeine instead of blood in my veins. Heh. Hehehe. Hehehehe.'
Not right in the head. So I'd decided to lend a hand today.
Grabbed coffee and desserts from Latte's cafe, then hit the International Trade Club room.
“Welcome... to International Trade... huh?”
The exhausted staffer startled at the sight of me.
“Looks like you're swamped.”
“N-no, sir. I'll fetch the president right away.”
Nice to see her hustle now, unlike her initial disdain. Felt satisfying.
Big difference from my first visit. Back then, I was just some greenhorn with nothing to show.
Short wait later, Haru shuffled over, rubbing her eyes, face drained.
“......You've come, young master.”
“You look beat.”
“Results make it worthwhile. But what's that...?”
“Figured you'd need it.”
I handed over the coffees and cake slices. Her eyes lit up.
“Perfect timing—my coffee stash just ran dry. Thank you; I'll enjoy it.”
She bowed, then distributed to the staff. They snatched them like starving hyenas.
Last coffee in hand, she took a sip, her gaze sharpening as she eyed me.
“Familiar taste. Like the coffee from your mansion.”
“Glad you like it. Where are those tough files you mentioned?”
“Ah, those.”
She nodded and turned.
“Files are sorted in the corner of the president's office. This way.”
Her office screamed her personality: neat shelves, pristine decor, spotless floors.
But atop the desk? A chaotic mountain of files that hadn't been there before.
“......You handled all this alone?”
“This is after delegating to staff. Means your plan's working, young master.”
She approached the desk.
“Hup.”
Lifted the one neat stack—the only one—and set it gently on another desk.
“These are the ones I mentioned.”
“......All of them?”
“All of them.”
..."A little," she said. This is a mountain. Wait, compared to her desk? Maybe it is little.
“Shall we start?”
“Let's.”
Thanks to recent training from the consigliere, reviewing didn't take long.
Most issues? Clubs with no profit potential or absurd plans. Even a layman like me saw zero chance.
Sorting the reject pile...
“Hm?”
A familiar club name, paired with an insane proposal, caught my eye.
“This one—.”
'On the Development and Use of Strategic Weapons Using Mana Stones.'
A title that made my mouth water.