The Spark of the Incident
The origin of the incident traces back a few days to the evening of the closing ceremony.
Piles of enhancement materials and equipment stacked high in the Cube. Lying on my bed, I racked my brain over how to handle them all, but no good ideas came to mind.
"Finding people who can work with this much material should be easy, right...?"
Most weren't ordinary stuff, so the skilled artisans who could handle them were extremely limited. And those who dealt with such items usually had their own clout or stubborn principles. Plenty wouldn't budge even for the Calione name or money.
Which meant quests were the only way...
"Eh, whatever."
Finally giving up on agonizing alone, I got out of bed and left the room.
"...Young master? Where are you off to?"
Han Seojun, who seemed to have been cleaning the hallway, tilted his head at the sight of me.
"Just going to see my godfather."
The person I was about to meet was my godfather, the consigliere known as the brain of the Calione family. I figured he'd be able to help in a situation like this.
'If they won't make gear for the name's sake, just take on a quest with something else, right?'
"Ah, if it's the consigliere, he's in his office right now. I just brought him some tea."
"Good to know. Thanks."
It was a relief that my godfather was still up. Heading straight to his study, I saw soft light filtering through the frosted glass on the door.
I took a deep breath, straightened my hair, and knocked.
"Godfather. It's Eugene."
A moment later, his voice came from inside.
"Come in."
Turning the knob and stepping inside, I saw him stretching.
"Still working, I see."
"Better than usual, though. So, what's up?"
His dark circles were lighter than normal—looked like his workload had eased up lately. I sat across from him without preamble and got straight to the point.
"I'd like an introduction to a maestro or master craftsman you know."
The maestro in Seoul who made my Dis Pater specialized in tailoring. He wasn't right for the gear I wanted enhanced, so I needed someone else.
"A new artisan, eh...?"
His eyes curved into a sly smile as he heard me out.
"Perfect timing! I've got just the person. And I've been racking my brains over it myself. This works out great!"
Such a positive reaction. A great omen for a quest trigger. I checked the window right in front of me and let my excitement show.
Maestro's Request
📍 Location: Italy (Sicily)
🎁 Reward: Custom-enhanced equipment
All I had to do now was respond correctly to keep the story on track.
"Glad it worked out since you've been stressing over it. I'll help however I can."
He nodded, beaming with satisfaction at my reply.
"Excellent! Hold on a sec."
With that, he started rummaging through the mountain of papers. Soon, he pulled one out and set it on the table.
"Why don't you head back to your hometown for a bit?"
...Pardon?
* * *
After that, things moved fast. I hadn't expected a sudden quest to be local, but Italy? Our family's homeland, no less!
"Head back home" sounded all folksy, like Chuseok traffic, but slapping "Italy" on it changed everything.
'Never crossed my mind, but... not a bad idea.'
I'd only considered domestic options, not overseas. But as the eldest son of Calione, I didn't need to grind like a side character during my first break to build foundations.
Plus, the artisans in Italy—if they were who I thought—could craft top-tier gear.
I'd fallen into a rut without realizing it. Time for some self-reflection.
"Yaaawn... So sleepy..."
Across from me, Latte yawned with a super drowsy look, staring blankly out the window while munching peanuts.
"Latte?"
"Yes?"
"Why are you coming along?"
"Uh... I have a mission in Italy too?"
That explained why she was on the same flight—she had business there. With the academy on break, the Cielo Notturno cafe on campus was closed, so reassignment made sense. But there was one issue...
"This isn't a Famiglia plane. It's my private jet."
"What?!"
This was my personal ride. Sure, Famiglia had its own jets, but with Dad and Godfather potentially needing to jet off anywhere urgently, I'd splurged on this one thinking ahead. Recent earnings made it possible.
I still remembered Haru's eyes twitching when I asked her to procure it.
Anyway.
"Don't Famiglia missions usually use chartered flights, not private jets?"
"W-Well... C-Can I hitch a ride? We worked together at the academy! Right?!"
Her peanut bag shook as she trembled, staring at me like a frightened mouse.
"Hmm, tough call..."
"Pleeease! Commercial flights suck...! Hauling the kids is such a hassle!"
-Kyuu!
Hugging her guinea pigs tight, now with tears welling up. After confirming her reaction, I chuckled.
"Kidding. Same destination, so hop on."
"A-As expected of the young master! Merciful young master! Cool young master!"
"No need to overdo it."
"Ah, yes sir."
And so our flight to Italy began. Sipping drinks, snacking, watching movies in the smooth private jet, we arrived in no time.
Latte... I thought she'd chat the whole way, but she crashed once and slept straight through. Felt like flying solo. Apparently her first sleep in four days. Couldn't blame her after hearing that.
...Sorry, Calione.
* * *
We landed in bright morning light. Jet lag, I guess? The airstrip was a small private one in Sicily, Italy. No welcoming committee due to mission secrecy—bummer.
"Uuuugh... Finally here. Where you headed, young master?"
Latte stretched and asked the moment her feet hit the ground.
"Straight to my mission spot. You?"
"Oh, Calione's Italian HQ. That's where the request came from."
Slinging a bag as big as herself, she bowed deeply to me.
"Then I'll head out first. Young master! Hope to see you safe and sound!"
"Yeah, good luck."
I watched her trot off, then started walking myself. Destination was a hike, so I grabbed an Uber.
Olive trees peeked between passing walls and fences. The scorching sun and exotic scents screamed foreign land. Low population, few cars—air felt fresh.
'Feels like a breath of fresh air.'
Finally arriving at a small Italian village, I approached the statue at the edge. There, an old man leaned against it, puffing a tobacco pipe.
That was the Italian maestro I sought: Ludovico Marco.
As I drew near, our eyes met. He grinned wide and approached.
"Hahaha! If it isn't Calione's young pup. No, you've got that Calione money-grubbing look down pat!"
Chuckling heartily, arms wide. I naturally accepted the hug with a smile.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Maestro."
"Haha! Waiting? This is my usual—feeding pigeons. Heh!"
After the embrace, he extended a hand.
"Ludovico Marco, once a shoemaker."
"Heir to the Calione Famiglia and son of Vito Calione: Eugene Han Calione. An honor to meet you, Maestro."
His hand was rough, callused, firm—telling tales of years past.
"An honor to meet this old coot? Come, to my place. It's a ways off—best hustle!"
His home was on a seaside cliff outside the village. He welcomed me like a long-lost grandson. I returned a warm smile as we arrived.
"Go on in. Can't smoke inside—someone'll nag. I'll light up and join ya."
"Sure. See you inside."
Leaving him to his pipe, I entered—and something lunged!
"Wak!"
* * *
Sighing at the girl sprawled on the bed, I glanced at Ludovico beside me, who tsked and shook his head in exasperation.
"Always pranking this old man—karma's a bitch. Tsk tsk."
He looked almost pleased, like it wasn't his first rodeo.
"Sorry. Didn't expect a granddaughter..."
Who'd think she'd be lying in wait? No hostility or killing intent, so no harm done.
But.
"Huh? Not my granddaughter."
"...Pardon?"
Apparently not.
"Then why was this girl in your house?"
He gave a wry smile and approached, gently stroking her hair.
"She used to live in our village. Now... she just helps out this poor old fool. Always has."
Some deep bond there. Clearly, he cherished her.
As I watched him stroke her hair silently.
"Grandpa, big trouble!"
"Whoa! You scared me!"
The girl bolted up, yelling.
"G-Grandpa! Calione! Calione!"
"...What?"
"The Caliones are here for you! Hurry! We gotta run—"
Uh...
"Me?"
I spoke cautiously, and she turned her head like a creaky doll.
"Huh? You?"
Her face drained of color. She jumped up, fists clenched, blocking Ludovico.
"Wh-What business do you have with Grandpa?! M-Mafia!"
...Well, I am mafia.
Pondering how to respond.
"Elena. Enough. He's my guest."
"...Huh?"
Ludovico spoke from behind the girl called Elena. She whipped around.
"You... called the Caliones?"
"Yeah. Figured it was time for a change."
He pulled her aside and approached me.
"Heard the request?"
"Reclaiming your stolen workshop. Right?"
He nodded and extended his hand. His face had shifted from kindly grandpa to weathered heavyweight.
"Good. Let's talk business."