The Don's Rewards
To be honest, the only reason I could pull off something this insane was entirely thanks to Parnello.
The guy was the branch head of an organization. No matter how much heir training I'd gone through in the past few days or how talented this body was, I couldn't guarantee a 1-on-1 win.
But in a case like just now? It was ridiculously simple.
Standing next to me wasn't just anyone—it was Calione's Hunting Dog, the family's number two.
Hell, even I had to stifle a laugh while he was radiating that murderous intent from behind me. With my
Hitman
trait, his killing intent stung like hell—so for that punk, it must've been utterly terrifying.
"It's done, Young Master."
I'd stepped out first to get some air when Parnello emerged, wiping his hands with a handkerchief.
"Good work. What about the Triad goons who came with him?"
"Yes. They're all taken care of as well."
Classic Calione. He'd wrapped everything up in that short time.
"Judging by the way he acted, the Triad probably sent him as a discardable pawn. No sane boss would dispatch trash like that here."
"I agree. They were far too low-caliber for a strike against the Caliones."
In short, even if we wiped them out here, the Triad wouldn't make a fuss. These guys were just sacrificial lambs to soothe our rage.
But they'd overlooked one crucial fact.
"Gestures like this only stoke our fury even more."
If the Triad boss had come to Korea himself, shown respect and proper apologies to my father, and offered fitting compensation, they might've at least kept their lives.
The Caliones don't forgive a dog that bares its teeth—but if the master submits, we spare the mutt.
"Well said. That's the Calione way."
"By the way, any word from Father?"
He'd said he was watching everything from his study. So Parnello must've gotten an update by now.
Sure enough, Parnello nodded with a pleased smile, confirming my hunch.
"Yes. To put it delicately, so as not to embarrass you... he said you passed with flying colors."
Embarrass? Sounded like Father had showered me with praise to Parnello.
"He also mentioned looking forward to the upcoming executive meeting and said you could expect another reward for this."
"At this rate, it feels like he's assigning me jobs just to shower me with gifts..."
"That's how much he loves you, Young Master. Best to graciously accept."
Of course, this was all false modesty on my part.
"If Parnello insists..."
I muttered as I turned, catching the first pale rays of dawn cresting the ridge.
"...Morning's already coming."
"Indeed."
"I'll give the full report when I visit the Don. You should rest before heading to the academy—though I doubt the reward distribution will drag on past your departure."
From that alone, I could tell Parnello wanted a private word with Father in my absence.
Normally, he'd ask if I wanted to report first—but he'd firmly volunteered himself.
And topics for my absence? Obviously about me.
"Thanks for the consideration, Parnello."
He gave a wistful smile and left first.
Only once his figure vanished did I head to my room.
Normally I'd still be asleep, but Father's fatigue potion had me wide awake.
By the time I'd finished planning our upcoming club activities until full sunrise, the sky was bright.
Young Master, it's Parnello.
"Hm?"
I checked my watch at the voice from outside. Time to head to school already?
"Come in."
Parnello entered and bowed as I stretched in my chair.
"You haven't slept."
"Father's fatigue remedy works too well."
"Hahaha, glad to hear it. I came at this hour to discuss the Don's reward for last night's events."
With that, he began explaining Father's gifts.
"First, you'll receive an overseas account seized from this incident."
"Overseas account?"
"Yes. Our checks show about 1.3 billion credits inside. Password included—use it freely."
1.3 billion credits... Way too much for pocket money, but I'd earned it.
"Second, a personal suit will be provided."
"I have plenty of suits already."
"Ordinary ones, sure. But this is different."
Parnello grinned mischievously. What came next floored me.
"We've commissioned a custom suit from Maestro."
"...Wait. Maestro? The one I know?"
"Yes, that Maestro. Meet Han Seojun this evening at his workshop."
"Ha, this exceeds expectations."
A Maestro suit changed everything.
Maestro—a title bestowed only on master artisans who craft treasures through personal skill alone. In other words, the pinnacle of their field.
And now, one was making my suit.
"Heh. Most of the Don's suits are Maestro-made too. It'll serve you well."
In the game, piercing Vito Calione's defenses was a nightmare. His suit boasted absurd features: sword-proof, bulletproof, self-repairing, mana-decomposing. Top-tier gear, only from high-end linked quests or dropping Vito himself.
"A Maestro suit... Feels too generous."
"You're the heir. You'll be an executive soon—gotta dress the part to uphold the Don's face. Understand his feelings, Young Master."
Listening, I got why Father and Parnello pushed this.
As a Calione executive, I'd be involved in most family ops. My tone, movements, even clothes would reflect Father's honor.
"...If you put it that way."
Parnello probably didn't notice the grin tugging at my lips.
"Eugene, something good happen today?"
"Hm? What makes you say that?"
"Your face is always blank, but today... you seem more human. Like something put you in a good mood."
A feeling, huh.
"Good stuff? Yeah."
"Ah! Knew it! Can I ask what?"
Can't exactly say I'm getting a Maestro suit, so...
"Big investment coming to our club soon."
"What?! I-Investment? For a club without even a room yet? Who'd invest that much?"
Who else?
"Helped my parents with work, got some pocket money. Planning to use it for our club room."
"Ah, pocket money~ So, how much that qualifies as 'big'?"
"The amount?"
I'd checked the account in the car—untouched funds from those guys, per Parnello and Father. Testing how I'd handle dirty money, probably.
Handing it off would've been easy, but I wanted to prove myself.
Pondering options, I thought of Inomiya Haru: International Trade Club president, Inomiya Group heiress. Perfect for laundering this.
"About 10 billion."
"Ahh~ Right, 10 bill—wait, billion?! T-T-Ten b-billion?!"
Sea-a jolted up at "10 billion credits."
"Joking, right? What kinda chore earns 10 billion as allowance? Your dad's some mega-corp CEO or what?"
A mafia don counts as a CEO?
"...Something like that."
She gaped, speechless.
"Morning, Boss~"
Jinwoo entered, and Sea-a whipped around, tackling him.
"Morning my ass—that's not the point!"
"W-What?! Why the freakout?"
She grabbed his shoulders, shaking him.
"King God General Club's supreme prez Eugene's dumping 10 billion into the club, and you say 'morning'?! Epic morning, more like!"
"Huh? What're you—T-T-Ten billion?!"
"10 billion!"
"Ten b-billion?!"
"10 billion!"
"What a insane morning, for real!"
Their volume right at arrival was absurd. I couldn't help laughing.
"B-Boss! For real? We got 10 billion?!"
Jinwoo shoved past Sea-a, demanding answers.
"...I said planned, not confirmed."
"Still means it's happening! Ten b-billion! Eugene's a blessing! Eugene's a god! Boss is divine! Boss is divine!"
As he howled like Sea-a had, I clutched my forehead.
"Good morning. President, Jinwoo, Sea-a."
"Not a 'good morning' thing!"
"Way beyond good morning!"
Déjà vu hit hard.
...I'm losing it. For real.