The Consigliere Arrives
The moment I checked the message, my mind went blank, frozen solid.
I could understand why my father was so rattled this time. His son was at the academy, caught up in a Villain Union terrorist attack, after all.
But I'd made one mistake: assuming the others could hold him back.
"......The consigliere and the hitmen are coming?"
This wasn't the rank-and-file soldato. The hitmen coming meant the Calione family's elite were mobilizing. And led by the consigliere himself......
That was firepower capable of wiping out an entire faction without raising eyebrows.
Calione's number three.
Heading straight for this academy.
"Aigoo, my head...... Huh? The sports field. Did the others get sent somewhere else?"
As I racked my brain, Jinwoo's voice came from beside me. It looked like we'd been teleported separately from the rest.
"Boss, looks like a ton of people are gathered by the main building. Should we head there?"
Jinwoo pointed to a group that seemed to have just returned. They were probably checking headcounts.
But I had a more pressing matter on my hands now.
"......Something urgent came up. You go ahead."
"Urgent? Where to?"
"Tell the instructor and the others for me!"
I felt bad for Jinwoo, but there was no time for details. I whipped out my smartphone and called Han Seojun.
"Young master?! You're back? Where are you?!"
Han Seojun's voice came through in a panic before the phone even rang once.
"Just finished clearing a dungeon. Where's the consigliere?"
"He just arrived near the academy. He's heading to the parking lot where the Don was waiting last time, so I'm standing by, but......"
"Stop him! Hold the consigliere there no matter what!"
"Pardon?! How am I supposed to──"
"Do whatever it takes!"
The consigliere himself—Calione's brain—leading hitmen into the academy? That was a declaration of war on the government and every organization with kids here.
One wrong move, and we'd turn not just the Villain Union, but the entire Hero Association of Korea against us. The worst possible scenario.
I had to stop it before that happened.
I bolted toward the external parking lot without looking back, scanning my surroundings as I ran.
No sign of Calione members yet.
Had I ever sprinted this hard in my life?
As that thought crossed my mind, I spotted a man in the distance clutching his head and spinning in circles.
"Han Seojun!"
"Young master!"
Han Seojun, whose face barely showed emotion, lit up like he'd seen his savior and waved frantically. A expression I'd never seen before.
"The consigliere?!"
"He hasn't arrived yet!"
Good, not too late. I slowed to a jog, catching my breath as I entered the parking lot. Then, distant engine roars echoed.
Three black sedans pulled into empty spots.
Click.
Doors flew open, and black-suited men poured out.
One opened the rear door, and a man in a black suit stepped forth.
Silver hair slicked back neatly, a beard connecting his sideburns to his chin.
He scanned the area the moment he exited, his sharp eyes landing on me.
"......Eugene."
"......You've come, padrino."
Dominic Adanbanto.
Calione's third-in-command. Father's left hand.
And my godfather.
"I heard from your aide that you just came out of a dungeon...... Glad you're safe."
His shoes clicked as he approached, patting my shoulder.
"No injuries?"
His deep, resonant voice brimmed with concern.
"None, sir. And...... I never imagined you'd come here yourself."
"Ha, I figured. Your father insisted on coming personally—Parnello and I barely talked him down. I was the compromise. Looks like you're fine, though. Good."
"Then...... you're heading back now?"
If Han Seojun knew, the government did too. They were probably watching us already.
Dominic Adanbanto appearing near the academy was a major incident in itself.
"For now, yes...... But wouldn't it be cleaner to hold the academy accountable? They let the villains' terror happen—it's a security failure."
He had a point. Pursuing responsibility was natural.
The problem was today.
"The academy's already in chaos cleaning up. Why not wait until things settle? Besides...... my friends here don't know who I am yet."
The consigliere was the most objective, precise judge in Calione.
He'd listen, even now.
"......If you say so, then we'll hold off."
As expected.
If the Caliones left without a scene, it was over.
"Yes, then we can talk details at home──."
"Haa......! Haa......!"
Rough breathing from behind.
I sensed something off as eyes—including the consigliere's—fixed on my back.
Why are they staring...... behind me?
I turned.
"Huh?"
"Haa...... Made it in time."
Choi Yeon, panting hard.
"Choi Yeon?"
"......Huh? Eugene? What are you doing here?"
She glanced past me at the men.
"Ah...... Caliones?"
Click-click. Weapons drawn behind me.
"She knows us."
"Take care of her?"
"Consigliere. Your orders."
Shit!
I yanked her behind me. "Stop! She's Choi Yeon of the Cheoncheon Sword Clan!"
"......Cheoncheon Sword Clan? That hair color's rare, alright. The Sword Saint's granddaughter?"
At "Sword Saint," Yeon peeked out.
She glanced around, stepped forward, and bowed.
"Choi Yeon of the Cheoncheon Sword Clan."
"......Dominic Adanbanto, consigliere of Calione."
"I see the Shadow in the Dark."
"Ho ho, you even know that title. You must be the one to inherit the clan this generation. Choi Yeon, was it?"
"Yes."
Shadow in the Dark
Shadow in the Dark.
Dominic's moniker as Calione's consigliere.
Dominic smiled, pleased, his face kind as he regarded her.
"Yes, child of Cheoncheon Sword Clan. Why the rush? You didn't follow Eugene......"
Yeon grimaced, hesitant, then faced Dominic.
"My grandfather......"
"Hm?"
"My grandfather...... the Sword Saint is heading here now."
"......What?"
Dominic tilted his head, processing.
"The Sword Saint...... Choi Seonho is coming to the academy?"
"Yes. I just heard from the clan......"
......Déjà vu.
Never thought Calione and Cheoncheon Sword Clan had anything in common, but this?
The consigliere spoke in disbelief too—situation assessed.
"Right, child of Cheoncheon. Just contact the Sword Saint, then."
"He...... left in such a hurry, forgot his phone. So I came here, on the way to the academy."
Calione's consigliereand Cheoncheon's Sword Saint.
Like with Father before, a powder keg ready to ignite.
I stared blankly at the absurdity when I spotted something flying toward us from afar.
Huh? That's a person...... wait.
"Yeon!!"
A roar from the sky, followed by a boom! on impact.
"Yeon! Any injuries?! Where?! Can't have a scar—we need a doctor now!"
"G-Grandpa......!"
He'd soared in, hugging Yeon and checking her over.
Choi Seonho, the Sword Saint.
He'd landed right behind me.
"Phew...... No injuries, good. That Villain Union filth...... I'll tear them apart myself!"
"Grandpa, calm...... calm down......"
"How, when my granddaughter was attacked?!"
"There are others behind you......!"
"Behind?"
He finally turned.
Our eyes met.
"......Calione brat."
"Long time no see, Sword Saint."
"And behind you...... Hah. What brings Calione's underboss here?"
They knew each other. Seonho eyed Dominic warily.
Dominic grimaced, unpleased.
Tension crackled between them.
"......Not underboss. Consigliere, Sword Saint."
"Hah, same difference. What brings a face we rarely see?"
"Same purpose as you. We heard our precious heir was caught in the terror."
Seonho nodded, convinced.
"So you're not involved in this mess."
The consigliere's face twisted.
"......Watch your words, Sword Saint. Think we'd orchestrate this? Calione's hunting Villain Union scum as we speak."
"So we're after the same goal?"
"You could say that."
Seonho turned, shielding Yeon, facing Dominic squarely.
"Calione...... Your intel network's impressive, I'll give you that."
"Sword Saint, your prowess commands respect in Calione."
"Looks like we have much to discuss."
"Yes...... some fruitful talk, I suspect."
......Huh? What the hell is happening?