Dogs That Bare Their Teeth
Was it because they saw their comrade die right in front of them without putting up any resistance? One by one, a few began tossing their weapons aside and surrendering, and soon the others followed suit.
In the end, only their leader—an executive from the mainland—remained.
"All your men have surrendered. You planning to hold out till the bitter end?"
The guy glared at me, still clutching his weapon tightly. Red laser dots from the snipers' sights were already flickering across his body.
"If I surrender here, who knows what kind of punishment I'll get from the organization back home. Better to leave proof that at least I resisted to the end, right?"
"That's your reason?"
"What?"
I gestured in the air, and the red dots vanished all at once.
"No need to worry about that. Just surrender."
I turned away, giving him the answer to the dilemma he'd been agonizing over.
"Calione doesn't let dogs that bare their teeth live anyway."
Moments later, the clatter of metal and the sounds of his men binding him echoed through the warehouse.
The mission wrapped up easier than expected. I called the work phone Parnello had given me before heading out, to make my report.
"Looks like you finished earlier than expected."
Parnello's kindly voice came through the moment he picked up.
"Yeah, full custody secured. Have the Incheon branch take them off our hands."
"Understood. Good work, young master. Then, come straight to the Don's office once you're back at the mansion."
"Father's office? At this hour?"
"Yes. The Don has something to say."
"...On my way now."
"We'll be waiting."
I ended the call and turned to see the crew lined up, ready for my debrief.
"The Don's summoning me, so I gotta head out first. You good escorting them to the Incheon branch?"
"Yes, sir. We've got mana restraints on all of them—no issues."
"Thanks."
I clapped his shoulder a couple times before sliding into the sedan that had brought us here.
It was late, so the roads were clear as we sped toward home.
"Young master, any injuries?"
Han Seojun glanced at me cautiously through the rearview mirror. Since I'd headed out on a late-night op, my secretary had to pull overtime too.
"Nah, they were dumber than I thought—no scratches. Sorry for keeping you up."
"No problem. That's what they pay me the big bucks for."
I smirked along with his easy laugh, lightening the mood.
"Glad you see it that way."
Soon we pulled up to the mansion. After a quick shower, I headed straight to Father's study.
"You're here, young master."
Parnello stood waiting by the door, as if he'd known.
"The Don awaits inside."
I nodded to him and knocked.
"Father, it's Eugene."
"Come in."
I always get tense stepping into Father's room—no matter how many times. Even with my
kicking in, it's still this bad. How much of a monster is Vito Calione, really?
"Faster than I expected."
Father stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray as I entered.
"Yes, the crew I took was top-notch. Wrapped it up quick."
"Hah! Think I didn't get the report? From what they said, you handled damn near everything yourself."
Someone had already briefed him separately, and he looked thrilled.
"The Blunti mess last time, this one now—you keep exceeding expectations. Starting to worry what to reward you with next."
"You're too kind. It's family business; I don't need rewards."
"Hahaha! The greedy kid grew up. Alright then... Parnello!"
Parnello stepped in at Father's call.
"You rang, Don?"
"I've been thinking it's time Eugene learned the management side, not just combat training. What do you say?"
...Management?
"In my view, the young master is more than ready. Whatever the Don decides is best."
"Hahaha! If you say so, can't be wrong. Then... right! Hand this Triad business to Eugene. Parnello, you'll assist?"
"As you command, Don."
"Perfect. I'll announce at tomorrow's meeting that Eugene's in charge. Anything else... hmm. That should do it."
Father pulled a phone from his desk drawer and dialed.
"It's me. You know why I'm calling."
Who was he talking to? As I wondered—
"The Triad boss who tried smuggling into Incheon Harbor tonight," Parnello whispered from behind me.
Wait, he can just call a guy like that on speed dial?
"No long talk. Two hours. Drag that bastard here by any means. If he's not here in two... I'll come get him."
His tone shifted—stern, heavy, worlds away from the praise he'd just given me.
Father listened silently, then said "I'm waiting" before hanging up.
"He's coming. Parnello, set up a spot for Eugene to negotiate with him. I'll watch how our boy handles it."
"As you wish, Don."
"And Eugene—if you nail this, I'll push your promotion to executive at tomorrow's meeting. Think you can?"
A reward befitting Calione's heir, fresh off two successes. For a regular soldier, it'd be a pipe dream.
"I'll live up to your expectations, Father."
"Good. I expect great things. But wrap this up tonight, and you won't sleep... here."
Like a grandpa slipping candy to his grandkid, Father casually handed me something from his pocket.
"Recent gift. You've been busting your ass—might as well be yours."
"This is...?"
"Fatigue recovery potion from a famous alchemist guild. Can't let family work tank your studies. Drink up."
The glass vial in my palm. If memory served, this was the Alchemist Workshop's fatigue reducer from the game—a max-level rarity even there. Precious stuff here too.
I smiled gratefully and downed it in one gulp.
"Thank you, Father."
"Hah! Just a potion. Wait here till they arrive. Dad's gonna catch some Z's now that his boy's got it covered."
This was Father's job originally, but he'd handed it off for a breather. Rare downtime for the Don of Calione.
"I'll head out then."
"Good luck, Eugene."
He waved me off, leaning back in his chair. I bowed and left, exhaling the tension I'd bottled up.
"Heh. You've matured a lot lately—or so I thought. Still get jittery around the Don, huh?"
Parnello smiled warmly at my sigh.
"He gave 'em two hours—they'll be here. Rest up till then, young master."
"...Yeah. Hey, Parnello—one thing."
"Anything I know, I'll answer fully."
I nodded and voiced my question.
"If Father can summon them to Korea like that, why'd they even try sneaking in behind Calione's back?"
"Ah, that?"
Parnello stroked his chin beard.
"Some fools get delusions—like, 'If we fight hard enough, we can hurt Calione.' Reality snaps 'em out of it."
"Hm?"
"Think about what you pulled off today."
The Triad's handpicked twenty elites. Comms cut the second they hit the port. All captured alive.
By one Calione hitman.
"...Yeah, I get it."
"Exactly. That terrifies 'em. Then they fantasize, 'Maybe that Calione will show mercy?' Phone rings from the Don? They come running, hoping for a way out."
Parnello chuckled softly, murmuring the truth everyone knew: Calione doesn't let dogs that bare their teeth live.
"That's why the Don and I are watching your choice closely—but excited too. This tests if you've got executive material."
To them, I was deciding hundreds of fates. As an executive, it'd be routine. Testing me early.
But maybe they still saw me as a kid.
"Good."
"Pardon?"
Parnello tilted his head.
"Just make the Calione choice. Simple. ...I'm a Calione too."
I'd handled worse in countless playthroughs. This was nothing—experience-wise, I had the edge.
Trust my judgment, like always.
I'd prove my heir potential here.
Parnello beamed proudly.
"Indeed. This old dog worried needlessly. You're Calione through and through."
He bowed deeply.
"I'll fetch you when they arrive. Rest easy."
"...Thanks."
Looks like sleep's off the table tonight.