The Godfather's Heirloom Ring
I was shocked for one simple reason. An item I'd never even heard of in the game—let alone one with such impressive effects—had appeared right before my eyes.
"G-Godfather. This is…?"
"Ah, Eugene, this must be your first time seeing it. This… is the ring my father gave me the day I immigrated to Korea. I used it quite often back then, but now I no longer need it."
He chuckled softly, gazing at the ring in the box. His eyes held a depth of emotion.
"Are you sure it's okay to give this to me…?"
It was essentially a family heirloom from his father. Sure, I was thrilled to have it, but saying something like that just made it…
'Feel like a huge burden!'
It was heavy. But as if to brush aside my concerns, he wore an expression of utmost naturalness.
"Who else would I give it to? To me, you're no different from my own son."
With that, he held out the ring to me once more.
"Take it. You'll be able to make better use of it than I ever could."
At his words, I slowly took the ring and slipped it onto my finger. As if insisting it was no ordinary object, it resized perfectly to fit.
"Oh, right—you have that appraisal skill, don't you, Eugene? Then I don't need to explain it."
"Yes. Thank you so much for giving me something like this."
"Good, I'm glad you like it. It's your day off, and I've kept you too long already. Go get some rest."
The godfather waved his hand dismissively as he spoke. He soon turned his eyes back to the remaining paperwork, processing it with focus. Realizing this was his way of hiding his embarrassment, I gave a quick bow and slipped out of the study.
'…Man, a lot happened today.'
The overseas business trip ambush, and now this completely unexpected artifact. With everything finally wrapped up, the pent-up fatigue hit me all at once. I resolved to hole up in my room and crash for the day, turning to head off—
"Ah, Young Master."
—when I ran into Han Seojun, clutching a stack of documents. He must have been handling the aftermath reports without a break.
Considering the path, the only thing behind here was the godfather's study and office…
"What's that?"
"These are documents covering supplies needed for the mining camp we took over today, along with various issues that have come up."
"…Ah."
It looked like paperwork from the secretary's office. For some reason, the godfather's expression—embarrassed yet excited at the prospect of rest soon—flashed in my mind.
Class 1-A's morning was far quieter than usual. The scratch of pens on paper, the tapping on tablets, kids with wireless earbuds in both ears and eyes closed.
"Good moooorning!!"
But that silence shattered as Jinwoo burst in with dramatic flair, flinging the door wide. Everyone shot him glares like lightning bolts.
"…Ugh! What's with you all staring like that?"
Wondering why the usually rowdy class was so hushed, he shrank back and asked. Frustrated by his reaction, Youngje sighed.
"Finals are coming up."
"Finals? Midterms are over, though?"
Staring at Youngje like he was the weird one, Jinwoo prompted Sea-a to thump her chest in exasperation, groaning "Ugh! Ugh!"
"Did finals disappear after midterms? Of course they come after!"
"Ah."
Finally getting it, he nodded, quietly shut the door, and slunk back to his seat.
"Guess I gotta be quiet then."
He promptly face-planted onto his desk. I grabbed his collar and yanked him upright.
"Gahhh! What?! What?!"
"Planning to fail?"
"I can make it up with practicals! Practical make-up!"
Dude, how did you even get into the academy?
"Finals are mostly written, unlike midterms. There are practicals, but written weighs more."
"Huh? So what happens then?"
"Fail, and it's obvious. Summer remedial classes. Club activities restricted."
"Wait! That means…"
"Yep, your allowance flies out the window."
"!!!"
Jinwoo's face crumpled like the world had ended. No surprise—he'd be in deep trouble without club activity funds.
"I already pre-ordered gacha rolls! No money means I can't even eat breakfast!"
Sea-a shook her head at him.
"Who held a knife to your throat?"
"Nyaaaaah!!!"
He'd sold his future self out long ago.
"…So I gotta study now?"
"Yep."
"For real?"
"For real."
Sighing deeply at my words, Jinwoo stood, trudged to the back of the classroom, and opened his massive locker—one issued per student after the class ranking matches. A cascade of academy textbooks tumbled out.
"Argh, seriously. When did I even organize these last?"
…Wouldn't the owner know? But I stayed quiet for now. He grabbed a few books, plopped them on his desk, sat down, and flipped one open. His face scrunched up immediately.
"Um… Boss."
"What."
"Sorry, really really sorry, but… I don't get any of it. What do I do?"
What to do with this blockhead?
Then, as the saying goes, even if the sky falls, there's a way out? Youngje shook his head a few times, turned, and spoke up.
"How about we all study together today? I'll explain anything you don't get."
"All together? Ooh, that sounds fun."
Hates studying but loves group hangs? He grinned ear to ear.
"Where? Skip afternoon club for study?"
"Then you'd fall behind on classes too. Wow~"
Sea-a shook her head dramatically, as if to say "Don't be ridiculous."
Jinwoo's lip jutted out.
"Can't leave after classes either. Getting home before sunset is my life's joy…"
"Then study at your place."
"My house—hey, that's a great idea?"
Sea-a had said it offhand, but Jinwoo latched on with gleaming eyes, smacking his lips.
"No no no, wait. Study at Jinwoo's house? The mafia den?"
Recalling the Bivalt family under Calione, Sea-a jumped up in alarm.
"What if we get kidnapped? Or they shake us down? Scary!"
"We won't! Is Calione some street gang?! Just say you're my friends—no issues!"
…Unless you don't say that.
Obviously nothing would happen as Jinwoo said, but to normal eyes, it looked like the den of terror. To me, it was just ordinary. Boring? They even give pocket money.
"I'm fine with it. Sounds fun. Section Chief, what do you think?"
Youngje seemed okay with it and asked my opinion.
"Jinwoo's place…"
I was curious, yeah. The Bivalt family stronghold was off-limits to most, a mythical realm, thanks to one man: Antonio Bivalt.
Sure, I'd infiltrated a few times…
'But I never got a good look around—just grabbed stuff and bolted.'
Bivalt's unique traits made it inevitable.
In other words, Antonio Bivalt was a monster.
"Should be fine."
As a friend's son and Calione heir, visiting the Bivalt estate piqued my interest. I activated my smart lens and messaged Han Seojun.
This way, they wouldn't freak out seeing me or do anything weird. Yeah, at that point, I figured nothing would go wrong.
Incheon, the coastal city once called the demon realm of the Korean Peninsula. Among them, Songdo—the most developed, yet once obliterated by sea monster invasions.
The Bivalt family mansion, Jinwoo's home, stood right there.
"Whoa, the wind here's insane. Like a massive fan's on."
The relentless sea breeze from the surrounding waters carried the salty tang, reminding us we were by the ocean.
"It's the seaside. Can't do much about the wind. Come on, that's our house."
Jinwoo always took public transit near home, so we did too—meaning a bit of a walk to the Bivalt mansion.
Sporadic lights in buildings, craters pockmarking roads like scars from monster invasions. But Jinwoo strode on unfazed, totally used to it.
"Song~ do's got nothin'~ good like booze~ joints~ all~ wide open~ no crime on my mind~"
Suddenly, he burst into some bizarre song.
"What kinda weird song is that?"
Sea-a grimaced at the odd lyrics she'd never heard. Jinwoo stared at her like she was crazy.
"You don't know the Songdo anthem? For real. It's like our patriotic song… Ah, we're here. That's our house."
He stopped abruptly and pointed ahead.
A colossal building loomed where his finger aimed. So tall counting floors felt daunting. Glass shattered in spots, no lights anywhere—uninhabited.
And at its base.
"““Welcome, Young Master!””"
Was the Bivalt family mansion.
"Huh? Why're all the uncles out here? What's up? They never do this. Hyping me up for my friends?"
Nearly the entire Bivalt family bowed outside. Sea-a yelped and edged behind me; Youngje watched curiously.
I could guess why.
'Probably because of me…'
I'd told them to play it cool, but I hadn't expected this kind of greeting.
"Say hi. These are my Bivalt uncles."
Oblivious, Jinwoo grinned and introduced them.
"Hello. I'm Youngje, Jinwoo's friend."
"K-Kim Sea-a."
"…Eugene Han."
Only after my greeting did they lift their heads in unison, moving with military precision to clear a path to the mansion.
"““The Bivalt Family welcomes Young Master's friends with all our hearts!!””"
"…Whoa. Uncles are going all out today. Something special?"
Stunned by the unfamiliar sight, Jinwoo gawked at the path.
Something told me I'd done something I shouldn't have.
…What now?