I Become a Mafia in the Academy 212: Breath of Oblivion

The breath engulfed the surroundings, and at the same moment, I activated the ring. The flames of the breath twisted entirely into black fire, greedily devouring every last bit of light around us.

But the guy wasn't about to back down—he lunged straight at me...

"Kuh, Galahad!"

Ray's voice rang out from behind him, and the bastard whipped around, throwing up a barrier. Yeah, that's exactly what you should've done.

This wasn't just any "breath"—it packed the power of at least a dragon-class attack. Even for Ray Pendragon, it could've easily inflicted serious injuries.

Finally, the entire space was shrouded in darkness, not a single sliver of light left inside the vault. That's when I finally started moving.

My target: the spot where all the vault's contents were gathered, the one I'd scanned just moments ago. I'd only glanced at it once, but recalling the layout from the game, I shot forward in a straight line.

A blunt sensation brushed my fingertips.

"Found it."

I scraped everything into the cube like I was clawing it out. Early objective complete—just had to escape now.

"Young master! Watch out!"

Haru's urgent voice crackled through my in-ear, and I immediately wrapped my body in aura as a first layer of defense.

But for some reason... a sensation took over, telling me I couldn't just settle for this.

Jet-black scales rose over my clothes—the world's top defensive material, dragon scales. This should be enough to handle it, right?

The thought had barely formed when—

Kagagagagak—!!

A slash of light pierced the darkness, slamming straight into me. The guy's attack embedded itself in my body with a chilling screech.

Kaduk—! Kaduduk!

The scales shattered or bounced off, vanishing... but ultimately, it failed to pierce my body and dissipated harmlessly.

To think he'd fire off a slash just from the sound alone.

I gritted my teeth against the searing pain that felt like it was ripping me apart, spun around, and bolted toward the open vault door.

My purpose here wasn't assassination or combat—it was recovery. No point brawling with these guys and taking extra damage.

"Hahaha, see ya!"

Of course, as I exited the vault, I dumped most of the manastone bombs I'd brought today inside. Even Galahad couldn't chase after a blast like that.

"A wise retreat, young master. Even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for you—"

"Not a retreat! It's a counterattack!"

"Ah, yes. Real men don't retreat."

I headed back up to the surface, just as a massive explosion rocked the vault behind me. The ground trembled with enormous vibrations and blasts that made it hard to even stay on my feet.

Bursting through to the first floor amid the shaking, I locked eyes with Pendragon family staff who'd noticed something was off.

"Tch, intruder!!"

"The intruder's coming up from underground!"

Shouts erupted as police, security, and Pendragon servants swarmed in.

"Yeah, come at me all at once like that."

That's when I really start feeling pumped. With the enemies multiplying, power boiled up from within me.

"Grab him!"

One shout kicked it off, and a horde charged at me.

"Young master, the second floor's clear!"

Is that so? I yanked the pin on the smoke grenades dangling from my belt and flashed a grin.

"—Magical Cloud."

Chiiiiiik—

Pink smoke swallowed the area in an instant. Coughs and shouts searching for me echoed around as I powered my legs and leaped upward.

The ceiling? Not my problem. This ain't my house.

Crunch!

I crashed through to the second floor and glanced out the window. Enemies swarming like a pack of dogs.

Rooftop escape seemed cleanest. Only route anyway.

"Rooftop's straight down the rear corridor, stairs on the left."

She was thinking the same—guiding me to the path.

"Thanks."

No time to hesitate. That monster downstairs could pop out any second.

I sprinted the corridor, hit the stairs she mentioned, and bounded up. Moonlight poured down pure white, as if the clouds had parted just for this.

"Perfect stage."

A spotlight shining on tonight's star. I stared blankly at the moon, entranced, when helicopter rotors thrummed in the distance.

"Young master, jump now!"

Haru's voice in my ear—I loaded my legs and black fog with aura. Target: the ridge I'd descended from.

I kicked off like I was running on air, soaring into the sky.

Faint shouts trailed behind.

"Uwaaaaaah! Magical Log! I'll catch you yet!"

Yeah, couldn't quit this thrill if I tried.

* * *

"Authorities have expressed condolences regarding the incident..."

Academy morning. Dragging my exhausted body from last night's chaos, I slumped over my desk. Classmates' voices tuning into the news drifted to my ears.

What an asshole. So loaded yet so stingy.

From his view, all his slush funds in physical form got wiped—fair to feel robbed. But tough luck. Untraceable cash, can't prove it's his.

And the Korean government ain't handing free money back to foreigners.

"Boossuuuu~~!!"

Ah.

"...Why the fuss again."

I quelled my twitching lips at the annoying arrival and sat up. Anyone else, I'd ignore and sleep—but Jinwoo Bivalt? He'd yap endlessly by my side regardless.

"You see this? The pic? Totally badass, right?"

Beaming, he shoved his phone at me. Some game cover-like photo.

"...What's this?"

"Magical Log."

"Huh?"

"Front page of today's paper. Killer composition, yeah?"

I examined it closely, as he said. Pendragon mansion wreathed in explosion flames and smoke. Against a stark white moon, one man striding the air.

"Heh."

"Right? Insane."

Dunno how they snapped it, but the black silhouette was definitely me.

"Internet's worshipping this Magical Log meme already."

"...Worshipping?"

"Boss didn't know? Magical Log gallery's a thing now."

"What?"

I fired up my phone, hit the community site. Searched "Magical Log Gallery." Already in the rankings, somehow.

My lips twitched. Long-dormant memories of my meme-loving days stirred in my chest. Dopamine shower washing over me—DNA from back then reviving.

Sure, "Magic Girl ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Uncle" was a community fave. Magic girl + uncle + phantom thief? Guaranteed hit.

But just a quirky, funny character. Efficient meme, nothing more. Not gallery-worthy.

But look at this now.

A community for Magical Log, churning out memes and drips galore. How could this not be fun?

"Boss. Boss? That funny?"

"Ah, yeah, just... entertaining."

"Knew you'd like it. Been ages since a romantic villain like this. Rawr."

I sat as Jinwoo did, scrolling fresh posts. All about me—addictively good.

They're playing hard. No wonder Koreans are the drip nation.

"Whoa! Boss! Let's go! Vacation time! Finally!"

Ah, right. Forgot amid the fun. First academy closing ceremony—today.