The Day Before the Raid
The banquet hall of the hotel buzzed with lively chatter from the assembled crowd the day before we set out for the raid. Active heroes, those participating in the raid, and reporters from local stations.
"Whoa, all these people are heading out for the raid tomorrow?"
As Elena and Mikaela entered the hall with me, I could feel eyes turning our way one by one.
"By the way, Calione Junior. Do you have to wear that mask?"
"Considering my position and status, this is the right call."
I'd chosen to attend the banquet masked. I wanted to avoid my face getting splashed across the media as much as possible. Of course, I'd prepared other insurance besides the mask.
"Still, you're not the only one wearing a mask, Eugene."
"Yeah, about that. They're all wanted criminals or outright felons. This raid's run by Medici, after all."
As Elena said, aside from me, there were clusters of masked figures. They were Interpol or Europol wanted lists—criminals recruited by Medici solely for the raid's success.
"So if any masked guys approach, run like hell."
"Y-Yes?! Oh, got it!"
Mikaela could handle herself, so I'd just keep an eye on Elena.
"Have fun, then. If anything comes up, find me or call right away."
"Yep! So, can I go explore now?"
I nodded at Elena's question.
"If someone scouting you shows up or anything suspicious, tell me immediately."
"Got it!"
"Go play."
The moment permission dropped, Elena bolted toward the back like a shot.
"Youth really is something."
"...Sister, you don't look that old yourself."
"Thanks for the compliment."
I hadn't meant it as flattery, but if she was happy, fine by me.
"I'm heading to meet Venice's executives. What about you, Sister?"
"I'll wander and sample the wines. Not as good as what I bought yesterday, but... leaving all this wine untouched would be a sin."
With a slight bow to me, she glided toward the table stacked with bottles. She really loves her booze.
"Guess it's time for me to wage war."
I adjusted my mask and eyed the executives' table.
A war of tongues unfolding over the table. Tongue battle.
As I approached slowly, all eyes at the table snapped to me in an instant.
"Ah, there you are. The Don mentioned you."
One man rose as representative, extending a hand. Luca de Rossi. Guild master of 'Venice,' the guild operating in Venice. Known as Medici's blade.
"Luca de Rossi. And you must be..."
"Executor of the Calione Family. Eugene Han Calione."
I gripped his hand, casually dropping my rank within the Family.
"May I sit?"
"Of course. We were just about to discuss tomorrow's operation. Please, take a seat."
I sat where he indicated and scanned the table. Eyes tense with wariness, curious, amused—all sizing me up. One thing was clear: not a single ally here yet. Everyone was an opponent to topple.
"So, Calione Junior work for you?"
A woman in a white cat mask spoke in a sultry voice.
"Call me whatever."
"Cold guy, huh? Kinda hot. Junior it is, then?"
Seemed like not just Venice members—Medici had mixed in personally hired criminals too. No way they'd side with me since they were on Medici's payroll, not mine.
"Hey, Calione Junior. Why the mask? You're no wanted criminal."
This time, the man beside Luca spoke up. Cocky posture, smug face. That alone told me his type.
"You got the guts to see my face and blab everywhere? Fine by me if you can handle the fallout."
I quietly conveyed: don't worry about Calione ties.
Not an idiot, he caught on quick and waved it off.
"Not that curious. Keep it on."
Sensing the mood souring, Luca clapped to reset.
"Alright, let's get into the real raid talk. You all know the basics of Mount Etna."
Thus began the briefing for tomorrow's raid.
"First, participants: 30 Venice elites, 20 mercenaries—total 50. How many from Calione, Junior?"
"Three. Me, the spirit user, and the Vatican Sister. That's it."
The cat mask leaned in, eyeing me.
"Three? We're at 30 combined. Isn't that a bit light?"
"If Medici foots the bill, I'd bring the full Calione crew. You gonna get that approval?"
"Nah, kidding. Just joking~"
A man tilted his chair back, displeased—the same one who'd questioned my mask.
"Fine for you, Junior, but those other two any good? Looked like a kid and a nun. Your girlfriends or what?"
Now targeting my crew. I flashed a grin.
"One thing's sure—they're more useful than you. Wanna test it now...? Nah, fighting women your hobby?"
"You little—"
"—Rodeo. Enough."
Luca's voice turned icy for the first time.
"Can't cover for you anymore. He's Calione Family executive too. Mind your manners."
"...Tch. Sorry 'bout that."
He shoved hands in pockets, tail between legs. As if that punk mattered to me.
"Continuing. Etna's activity ramps up with the fire giant's movements, exploding past a threshold."
That's why even Vatican avoided Etna rashly. Provoke the giant, risk a full eruption.
"So, quick strike. Breakthrough straight to the boss room."
Cat mask raised a hand during Luca's explanation.
"Breakthrough in a volcano field? Heat, monsters—people tire, lag behind. Plan for that?"
"Venice water spirit users and 10 ice mages will support. Mercs mostly frontline for that reason."
"Hmm~ No sweat inside, then?"
Luca nodded, pressing on.
"Raid starts upon reaching the 'Giant's Bedroom.' Mercs and Venice follow my orders. Calione team operates separately."
"Huh? Just Junior's?"
"Pre-arranged with Don Medici. Appreciate the understanding."
Finally, the key point.
"So, how's the loot split?"
"60% Venice on byproducts including fire essence. 40% split among mercs and Calione. Objections?"
Pre-discussed, so I shook my head no.
"We're good. Fire giant drops could tank the market."
Basics settled. Short chats, combat tactics followed.
"Full-body heat makes closing in tough, right?"
"Spirit users and mages handle that. Past data shows cooling surfaces for effective strikes."
"Frontliners geared with flame resistance?"
"Yes. Venice and Medici are dead serious about this raid."
Medici's prep was surprisingly solid—mirroring in-game player strategies.
"That covers it. Details before entry tomorrow. Enjoy tonight without overdoing it."
"Hold on. One thing first."
As they rose, I stood, drawing all eyes.
"What thing?"
"Gotta catch the rats messing with us before we go."
──BOOM!!
A massive crash echoed from one side of the hall. Shocked gazes turned that way.
"Calione Junior. Found him."
"Gaaah! Graaak!"
Mikaela dragged a masked man by the hair, expression blank, straight toward us.
"What... the hell is this?"
Cat mask glared, recognizing her ally.
"Just said it. Gotta catch the rats."
She dumped him at my feet.
"As you predicted, Junior—a heretic worshipper. Your orders?"
Heretic worshipper.
Others gawked at the sprawled man.
"That guy's a heretic?"
"How'd a heretic get in here...?"
Heretic worshippers—here, cultists venerating the 'fire giant' slumbering in Etna. Terrorists infamous on mainland Italy.
"Pr-proof! No proof!"
Cat mask shot up, yelling. But—
"This proof enough?"
Mikaela stomped him, channeling holy power. He screamed, spewing red aura.
"Gaaaaah───!! You...! I'll offer you all to Typhon!"
Red aura absorbed into him, body glowing crimson. Explosion imminent.
Panicked, barriers rose, people fled—but
"Sister. Toss him."
"Yes, Calione Junior."
She hurled the glowing man to the hall's center.
"Fen."
I'll devour it.
──Crunch.
Gigantic Fen swallowed him whole.
RUMBLE───!
Blasting red flames, then white steam from Fen. In the stunned silence, all stared blankly at Fen and Elena. I grinned at Luca among them.
"Let's tweak the split. Venice 50%, mercs 15%, me 35%. Fair for the lifesaving, right?"
──Negotiations demand leverage for the best deal.
* * *