My Ability is Famiglia
“Young Master. I'll escort you.”
“Yeah.”
Was it because he was the heir to the underworld? This Eugene Han Calione apparently even had his own dedicated personal secretary.
He'd been my attendant since childhood, but he was still a member of the Calione organization, wasn't he?
“Is something wrong?”
“Nothing.”
Even just walking down the hallway, the way he scanned our surroundings and his disciplined gait screamed professionalism. It was obvious at a glance that he wasn't an ordinary man.
Well, he was the personal secretary assigned to the boss's son, so maybe that was to be expected.
As expected of the Calione family. Even their secretaries are on another level.
As I followed him out of the building, a sleek black sedan was waiting right at the entrance.
“I'll escort you.”
The secretary said as he opened the rear door for me. I slid in naturally and pulled out my smartphone.
[Character Codex (N)]
The [City of Seoul] window popped up, along with several others below it.
The original Character Codex only had me and my father. Everything else was marked [??].
Is this the interface I got as a perk?
Its intuitive design was straight out of a game, so figuring out the contents was a breeze.
Bzzziiing—
Right then, a notification chimed.
The N meant something had updated—looks like the condition for adding to the Character Codex was meeting new people.
[Don Vito Calione]
[Eugene Han Calione]
[Han Seojun]
[??]
[??]
[??]
[??]
[??]
[??]
Han Seojun had been added to the Character Codex. I tapped on it, and a basic description along with a photo appeared.
[Name: Han Seojun]
[Affiliation: Calione, National Intelligence Service]
[A member of the Calione family and an agent of the National Intelligence Service. Currently serves as the personal secretary to Eugene Han Calione, son of Don Vito Calione and heir to the Calione family.]
“Uh...?”
National Intelligence Service? My personal secretary Han Seojun was with the NIS?
A sudden headache hit me, and I ran a hand through my hair.
Then, piece by piece, the puzzle in my head started falling into place.
Right—the heir to the Calione organization would definitely be under government surveillance. He was clearly planted to keep tabs on me.
“Is there a problem, Young Master?”
Han Seojun asked from the driver's seat, eyes fixed ahead.
I replied in as casual a tone as possible to hide my shock.
“Nah, just died in a game or whatever.”
I tapped the oddly colored “National Intelligence Service” entry.
[A national intelligence agency also known as the NIS. Primarily handles villain investigations and national espionage missions.]
Basically the CIA of this world.
Who would've thought the perk ability would reveal even hidden lore like this? It didn't pop up right away, so there must be some condition, but this was already plenty satisfying.
And besides...
This could paint a pretty interesting picture.
Han Seojun being NIS... it was unusual, sure.
Thinking back to the game's story, he'd never once betrayed Eugene. Not even during villain activities.
He'd carried out even the most unreasonable orders, staying true to his role as secretary. Who knew that was why?
Better to keep this to myself for now.
I could report his identity to Father right away, but that'd be short-sighted. In the chaos of City of Seoul, surviving as Eugene Han Calione would require all sorts of preparations—be it force or information.
And this NIS card was too valuable to play right away. There were events like “that one” later on; plenty of ways to use it.
“We've arrived, Young Master.”
Lost in thought, the sedan came to a smooth stop before I knew it.
Out the window: crowds of people and massive school gates. This was Seoul Hero Academy, Asia's premier hero training institution. Nicknamed Seo Yeong A.
“I'll accompany you.”
Han Seojun said as he opened the door.
Was he planning to follow me inside? A secretary tagging along to the exam grounds would draw unnecessary eyes, so I shook my head firmly.
“Don't follow right away. Come in a bit later—I've got a separate task for you.”
“A separate task... you say?”
He looked puzzled, clearly not expecting me to give him orders. I explained exactly what I needed him to do, then turned toward the academy.
“Young Master, are you sure just doing as instructed is fine?”
“Yeah, no big deal. Don't worry.”
“......Understood. Please be careful, Young Master.”
I gave a light wave to the bowing Han Seojun and stepped into the exam area.
“Please show your exam voucher.”
A man wearing an armband labeled “Guide” held out his hand at the entrance.
“Here.”
I showed the voucher from my pocket and entered. Inside was packed with examinees and what looked like parents.
“Damn, it's crowded.”
The grounds were filled with test-takers and accompanying adults. It made sense as Asia's top academy, but still...
“This is way too many.”
With the path obscured by the crowd, I just followed the flow of people.
Most were here for the exam like me, thankfully. Sure enough, trailing them led to a gym with an “Exam Hall” sign.
The gym was enormous—like a massive domed soccer stadium.
Once inside, I saw we had about 10 minutes till the exam started, so I took a look around.
Seeing it in person after only polygons on a monitor felt strangely surreal.
The academy route weirdo would be insanely jealous if he knew about my situation.
“We will now begin the Seoul Hero Academy entrance exam! Examinees, please proceed to your assigned group as indicated on your voucher!”
The announcement blared over the speakers. I checked mine—Group B—and headed that way.
Ten per group, 21 groups total, formed in an instant.
At the front of each was an instructor. Ours was a woman in sunglasses.
“Group B exam starts now.”
She smirked, plopped into a chair, and said,
“Just show your ability to the instructor from here on out.”
So that's how it goes. I felt lucky, honestly.
I had no traits right now. Just slightly better physical stats than a civilian.
But this wasn't an academy you passed with that alone.
-Whoa, a fire awakener!
-That one's a sure pass!
The first Group B kid erupted in flames, showing off.
He already controlled it well—the fire danced freely over his body.
“Okay, next.”
The instructor jotted something on her paper and called the next in a businesslike tone.
“Hmm, interesting hair color.”
Her expressionless face lit up with a smile at the second girl.
I knew why. Pale aquamarine hair and a sword—that could only be Choi Yeon, granddaughter of Korea's top sword clan head and the Sword Immortal who held the top seat.
“Alright, let's get star—.”
As the instructor opened her mouth, Choi Yeon's hand flashed out.
In the blink of an eye—
─────!!!
Sparks flew before my eyes.
A blindingly fast draw. Sparks from the sudden clash between the girl's blade and the instructor's dagger.
“What was that?”
Blocking with one hand, the instructor asked curiously.
“......Didn't you tell me to show my ability?”
Choi Yeon sheathed her sword matter-of-factly and returned to her spot, standing expressionless as before.
Utterly confident, like she was just awaiting results.
“Haha.”
The instructor didn't get mad—instead, she grinned, scribbled on her paper, and called,
“Good. Next.”
Anyone watching would've thought it was no real exam.
Attacking the instructor out of nowhere mid-sentence, and her brushing it off—it wasn't “normal.”
But at Seo Yeong A, it was fair game.
Especially with that instructor—it probably earned bonus points.
Instructor Ji Suhyun. An unavoidable NPC on the academy route, infamous as the “demon instructor.”
She valued heroes who used everything to win—heroes who simply won.
I remembered challenging her to a spar in-game, landing the first hit, and watching her affinity rise in shock.
“Good, next.”
As she spoke, a massive boom echoed from the right.
A few students yelped and dropped to the floor. Looking over, the instructor and a guy had fists locked.
“That kid's enrolling today too?”
I muttered without thinking.
Son of the National Police Chief, future named NPC: Jeong Ui-hoon.
“This year's class is full of weirdos,”
She smirked amusedly, then turned to me.
“You're up next. What can you show me?”
I had no traits or special powers yet.
But I had something only I could show.
I approached the instructor slowly, pulled my hand from my pocket, and pointed at her.
“......?”
It wasn't anything impressive. Just thumb and index finger in a gun shape, aimed at her.
She squinted, but I kept my relaxed expression.
“La famiglia lavora per la famiglia.”
“Wait, that's—.”
Her eyes widened as—
Crack──────!!
A clear gunshot rang in my ears. Time slowed like a movie scene.
My hyper-sensitive senses picked up everything around me.
The shell casing hitting the floor.
White smoke billowing from the pitch-black sniper barrel.
The instructor's head snapping back slightly.
As pre-arranged, Han Seojun had taken the shot on my signal, aiming right for Ji Suhyun's forehead.
Thankfully, she wasn't dead.
The lead bullet hovered before her forehead, spinning lazily as if time had frozen.
Everyone was frozen in shock—except me. I walked forward casually.
Step—step—
My footsteps echoed in the gym. I stopped before the instructor and spoke softly.
“My ability is Famiglia.”
How do you like it?
Ji Suhyun stared at me in disbelief.
“Famiglia...? Family is your ability?”
“The family motto says so. What can I do? You know it well, Instructor.”
You'd have to.
In this world, only one group used that motto.
And those were words the man who wrote legends had shouted at the world.
「La famiglia lavora per la famiglia」
The family works for the family.
I bowed politely to her, whispering so only she could hear.
“Eugene Han Calione. The ability I brought to today's academy exam is family—Famiglia.”
The best ability I could show right now.
The best force I could muster.
Demonstrating the family's power.
Bottomless wealth, power to quash most incidents on the spot, an arsenal that moved anywhere.
Only possible for Calione.
A privilege for the Calione heir.
And the result was this scene.
What do you think, Instructor Ji Suhyun?
You always passed heretics who defied you.
So how would you rate me?
A spoiled punk riding his family's coattails? An ignorant thug?
No—I bet you'd see it.
No ordinary punk would dare this.
No ordinary person would even dream it.
I felt her eyes trembling behind the sunglasses.
Then she bowed her head.
“Kh... Khahaha!! Hahaha!!”
Her body shook.
Clutching her stomach, she burst into laughter.
“Haha! You, you, you! Know what? If I hadn't stopped that bullet, it'd be in my forehead?”
She wiped tears from her eyes and looked at me.
I flashed the most relaxed smile I could.
“Even if it hit, it'd just be a bruise at worst. I'd have been disappointed if that took you out.”
“Heh heh heh! You're insane, huh? Talking like you didn't just order a shot to your instructor's head.”
“Thank you.”
“Haha! What a mad bastard.”
She approached, slapped my shoulder, and held back a laugh.
“Alright, head back. Results in three days by mail. Wait easy.”
“Got it.”
“Good.”
She scribbled on the paper, pointed to the exit the previous passers had used.
“See you at the academy, Young Master of the underworld.”
She seemed thrilled—I'd passed on the spot. I nodded shortly and headed for the door she indicated.
One major hurdle cleared?
As I stepped out thinking that, I spotted Han Seojun waiting near the entrance.
“......No issues like I said, right?”
I approached his stone-faced form.
He nodded.
“Yes. The guards didn't even glance our way—oddly so.”
“It's the academy entrance exam.”
“......Pardon?”
“Helpers and all weapons are allowed on exam day.”
Of course, only because they were confident in handling any trouble inside.
Like stopping a sniper round from under 300 meters.
But Han Seojun still looked confused, so I shook my head and got in the car.
“Let's go. I'm beat.”
“Yes, Young Master. But... before heading home, there's a place we need to stop.”
“......A separate stop?”
If he was saying it, orders from above.
Where to?
“Yes. The Don is waiting.”
What?
My post-exam high vanished instantly.
Father was here at the academy?
“......Where's Father now?”
“At the commercial parking lot outside the academy.”
“......Let's go.”
“I'll escort you.”
I got in with Han Seojun and headed straight there.
The underground lot of a nearby commercial building wasn't far from the academy.
Parked there was a black sedan that screamed extraordinary at first sight.
And in front of it.
A man puffing a cigar alone, no guards needed.
Even solitary, his charisma made approaching daunting.
Don Vito Calione.
Father was there.