The Don's Gift and Hitman's Orders
After wrapping up everything at the academy and returning home.
“Oppa!!”
A creature of indescribable cuteness came charging at me, wrapping her arms around my leg in a tight hug.
“Welcome baaack?”
Jiyoon peeked her head up, gazing at my face. Just looking at her brought a smile to my lips as I gently stroked her tiny head.
“What were you up to?”
“Hide-and-seeek!”
Jiyoon giggled gleefully, spreading her arms wide as if it was the most fun thing ever. At the same time, urgent voices echoed from inside.
“Quick, find the young miss!”
“She ran off in the middle of homework?! Where the hell is she?!”
…Looks like she was having a blast.
“Alright, be careful not to get hurt, okay? Oh, the fountain in the garden looks like a good hiding spot.”
“Yay!”
With quick little steps, Jiyoon scampered off toward the garden. A moment later, as I entered the mansion, I informed a passing servant of her spot behind the fountain and headed to my room.
No matter how cute she was… homework was non-negotiable.
Tucking a pang of guilt deep in my heart for Jiyoon, I arrived at my door to find Parnello waiting, eyes fixed on me.
“Welcome back, young master.”
“…Parnello. What’s going on?”
This wasn’t the usual kindly Parnello. His demeanor was calm yet sharply intense.
“The Don has an order for you. And something to deliver.”
“Father’s not at the mansion right now, I take it?”
“Correct.”
“…Come in.”
I entered the room with Parnello, brewed a simple cup of tea using the coffee pot and tea bags, and set cups before us both before sitting down.
“So, what is it?”
As I wet my lips with the black tea, Parnello stood, pulling an item from his pocket and handing it to me.
“The Don was overjoyed to hear about what happened at the academy today. He wanted to give this to you personally, but given the circumstances, he entrusted it to me.”
“…This is?”
“Aegis Clock. One of the items in the Don’s collection.”
It was an item I naturally recognized. In the game, it was one of the rarest to obtain.
Carefully taking the clock, information about the Aegis Clock appeared before my eyes.
◈ Type: Item
◈ Description: A clock imbued with Aegis's magic. Once per day, it protects the user from an attack they fail to perceive.
A Unique-grade item with automatic defense capabilities. Its ability to block unforeseen attacks made it the equivalent of a spare life.
“…This feels too precious for just doing a good job.”
“It means the Don was that thrilled with your achievements. Especially since you’re his son, after all.”
Because I’m his son, he can give me something this valuable.
Inspecting the back of the clock, I saw a “1” engraved in the corner. It meant it hadn’t been used yet.
“I’d like to thank Father, but… he’s out on business, so I’ll hold off.”
“Yes. And what I’m about to say next is the Don’s direct order.”
“Speak.”
Everything Parnello had said so far was to Eugene, son of the Don. From here on, he was addressing Eugene Han Calione—soldier of Calione and heir to the family.
“First, based on the agenda from the last general assembly, the Don has highly commended your successful execution of the Blunti family and officially appointed you as an executor of the Enforcer division—a Hitman.”
With those words, he placed a matte silver round badge on the table, proving my status as a Calione enforcer. At its center was an asphodel flower, symbolizing nobility, mystery, pride, and solitude.
“This grants you the authority to request organizational support befitting an executor before missions.”
In other words, I could now requisition weapons, ammo, gear, and personnel through the organization.
“Next is the directive for you, Young Master, as Calione enforcer and Hitman.”
The order’s contents were as follows.
[Several hours ago, intel confirmed the Hong Kong Triad attempting illegal entry via Incheon Port.]
[Internal sources indicate an issue with one of their domestic money laundering operations, prompting this smuggling attempt.]
[The Don expresses profound regret over their attempt without contacting Calione Family. The moment they set foot in Incheon Port—Calione territory—they are to be executed in the name of Calione.]
In short, pride demanded we eliminate them.
Incheon Port was effectively under Calione management, and they’d tried sneaking in without a word.
Even so, it felt off for me to handle it personally. I wasn’t just any soldier now—I was an Enforcer Hitman.
And I could infer why Father had assigned this to me.
“I see the picture.”
“Is that so?”
Parnello smiled with interest at my words.
“Today at the academy, I essentially disbanded a club. The ‘Fund Investment Club.’”
In the game, that club grew by taking in external funds for money laundering.
Which meant…
“They were the Triad’s laundering front.”
“Correct.”
I hadn’t expected no informants in the academy, but Father had full details on my actions today.
“And Father figured that if the Triad investigates in Korea, they’ll uncover my connection… so he wants me to sever it personally?”
Parnello simply nodded, confirming it.
“Expected docking time and numbers?”
“Five hours from now. Around 20 men, estimated.”
Checking the time on the Aegis Clock in my hand, I saw we still had plenty of leeway.
“I’ll catch three hours of sleep, then head out. For resources… I’ll handle support myself.”
“As you wish, young master.”
Bowing deeply with a “Rest well,” Parnello left the room.
Location: Incheon Port. Time: dawn. Enemy count: about 20.
Coming to Calione territory meant they weren’t ordinary grunts. At minimum, Awakened ability users. A standard response wouldn’t meet Father’s standards.
“…No time to slack off.”
Through my smart lenses, I organized every scrap of info in my head. Incheon Port’s layout, surrounding terrain, tonight’s weather, and all my immediately available abilities.
In the end, after an hour of planning, I only managed two hours of sleep.
* * *
“What the hell kinda mess is this? Those bastards were doin’ fine till now—why the sudden radio silence?”
On the wildly rocking deck, two men with cigarettes dangling from their lips griped with frustrated faces.
“How the fuck should I know? We do what the boss says.”
Thanks to the Hero Academy connection, their laundering op had been safer than most. But the sudden cutoff had enraged their money-mad boss, dispatching them to Korea to sort it out.
“Man, this sea fog’s thicker than usual today. Can’t see shit.”
“Instruments say this way, so it’s right.”
Unable to even enjoy the scenery amid the dawn fog blanketing the dark sea, the Triad grunts just grumbled and clung to the pitching boat.
“That lighthouse light over there?”
“Yup. Almost there—go wake the boys below.”
As the lighthouse beam pierced the thick fog, the boat slowed. Realizing they’d reached their destination, the men stirred, scanning around.
“Fog’s so dense, smuggling’s a breeze.”
“Heaven’s on our side.”
“Heard this zone’s Calione turf—had me spooked. But looks like no big deal, huh?”
To them, Calione was an object of fear. Calione saw the Triad as not worth eradicating—better to leave them be for profit. But that very tolerance bred their arrogance: full force could wound even Calione.
“Shut your yapping. Time to dock ourselves.”
At the executive’s words from the bridge, the men nodded and headed aft.
Dragging things out at Calione-run Incheon Port would draw heat; quiet and stealthy was smarter.
“Listen up. Once we dock, we scatter to shake any tails. Me and Lang Shen head north to Bukseon Dock; Kaolong and Tianzhong to Incheon Station.”
“Got it.”
“Word of warning: if Calione grabs you… recommend suicide on the spot. No point dragging it out.”
The men swallowed hard, knowing Calione’s rep, and just nodded.
“…Good. That’s all.”
The executive nodded back, finished briefing escape routes and rally points, then glanced out the window.
The pier emerged from the fog. Straightening up, he said,
“Get ready.”
All 20 elite Triad members—handpicked for Korean fluency and combat prowess, to avoid sparking war with Calione—gathered aft.
“──Target: full capture of the ‘Fund Investment Club’ chief and vice-chiefs at Seoul Hero Academy. Drag ’em to the pre-designated warehouse and bail Korea.”
Clunk—the boat halted.
Clunk again—the dock began opening.
“For nation and brothers.”
“For nation and brothers.”
They echoed the executive’s chant to steel themselves. The dock met the pier.
Still thick fog on the wharf. As the Triad men moved to melt into it—
“Buona sera, amici.”
(Good evening, friends.)
“Tch, ambush! Everyone, hit the deck!!”
───!
───!
───!
───!
───!
───!
───!
───!
───!
───!
───!
From the silent fog came typewriter-like cracks, flashes raining down relentlessly.