A mansion of the biggest scale in Sicily.
Kang Yoo-sik who had to stay at the Di Seta family’s main house, gave an amusing expression while seated on the desk.
‘Hmm. So, you mean it’s created by strengthening the restriction with Andvari’s curse and giving the greed with Fafnir’s stigma?’
– Right. He said it was the method of making Omerta or something like that.
Kang Yoo-sik gave an interesting look at Andvari’s words.
Though he recalled various methods of using it ever since he heard the effects of it, no way he’d use it like this to strengthen the pledge.
‘Be it putting a curse on hold to trigger it later with constraints or using the greed in this way, both are so amazing.’
The effects of the ‘greed’ given by Fafnir’s stigma was indeed an effect that makes you crave designated things.
In other words, if Kang Yoo-sik gives greed to a pebble, the people who look at it will want to acquire the pebble even if they don’t need it.
And Omerta applies such greed to the ‘constraint’ itself, making people want to abide by constraints, further strengthening its effects.
‘That’s why before the regression, Omerta disappeared when the Andvaranaut was with the mines.’
When Kang Yoo-sik was giving an interesting expression after figuring out what he wasn’t aware of back then.
“What are you doing?”
Ban Hye-young who came in at some point gave a cold look.
“Aren’t you writing?”
“I, I’m writing. Just about to finish it.”
“Really? Then I’ll be checking in 10 minutes.”
“Tha-……. J-, just a moment……”
– I will help you. Lord
Kang Yoo-sik who didn’t even think of it, let alone finishing it, hurriedly pulled out the magic pen and wrote the thesis that came up in his mind that was related to the core of magic.
Kang Yoo-sik who wrote the thesis in the blink of an eye using Perceval’s computation skill examined the thesis that he wrote.
‘Is this…… Okay?’
Well… it made sense, considering that he wrote whatever came to his mind, but he felt a slightly odd feeling wondering if it was okay to show it because he wrote it quite easily.
Kang Yoo-sik who was worried for a moment shrugged his shoulders.
‘Who cares’
There’s no way it’s gonna surprisingly come out of his mind just because he wrote it by squeezing it all out for a long time and if any mistake or anything is lacking, Ban Hye-young will be correcting them anyway.
Kang Yoo-sik handed it over with that satisfaction.
“Hmmm……”
Ban Hye-young who received it gave a mysterious look.
“Uhm…… Huh?! Ohhh…. This is….. Waaa……”
Ban Hye-young who looked at it with a strange twist making him wonder if she was reading the thesis or a script, put it back down on the desk after going over the last page.
She came towards Kang Yoo-sik ad grabbed his shoulder.
“It’s good!”
She shook up his shoulders crazily while looking with shiny eyes.
“Good examples! Easy to understand! And there are no mistakes in the proving part too! You did all of it so well!”
“Is, Is that so? But then why do you keep shaking me sh-……”
“But why did you run away? You damned brat~!”
“……….”
Kang Yoo-sik stood still at the sight of Ban Hye-young venting all of her anger out and only stopped when his hair was all messed up.
“Phew…. First of all, this is an introduction. But since there are parts in between lacking explanation, you have to add them up with comments.”
“Sure……”
“Another thing, since I brought the thesis I wrote as well, read it and check if it’s accurate. And since it will be revealed at the Magical Society to be opened in the U.S in early August, prepare for the presentation as well.”
“Early August?”
Kang Yoo-sik gave a strange expression at the schedule earlier than he thought and Ban Hye-young nodded at that.
“I thought of deciding on it after seeing the progress of the thesis but since it’s this good, there’s no reason to delay it, so… that’s why. This time it’s going to be opened up big, so you need to prepare well, ok?”
“The United States….”
Was there anything to be gained from there at this time? While Kang Yoo-sik was pondering upon it, Ban Hye-young pulled out a letter from inside her robe.
“And this,”
“Um? What is it?”
“It’s what Seol-ha left behind.”
“…….”
Kang Yoo-sik who swallowed his dry saliva received the letter cautiously like handling a bomb and opened the envelope after tearing the seal.
[Since cadet Kang Yoo-sik finds it difficult to look for the place, I’ve decided on one. See you on the top floor lounge of New Sky Building on the 17th of July at 7 pm.]
‘Looks like I have to go to this.’
Though he can get away from Ban Hye-young somehow since he already has a debt relationship with her, in Ahn Seol-ha’s case, there wasn’t any proper relationship yet.
Though her personality trait of not giving up the things she likes easily won’t be turning the back on this, it could turn into a wish if he didn’t care of it immediately.
‘Since today is the 13th, looks like I have to go back soon.’
Anyways, the purpose of him coming to Italy was roughly done with, so there’d be no problem even if he goes back to Korea for a while.
Since he also gained something just in time, he might as well go back and test it out at the same time.
Kang Yoo-sik who made his decision safeguarded the invitation and looked at Ban Hye-young.
“Professor. The thing that I requested from you before. Is it done?”
“Ah, right. I thought of giving it to you once you’re done writing the thesis but I forgot.”
Ban Hye-young who looked through the inside of her robe sleeve, handed him a little black cube.
Though it looks like a toy from the out, in reality, it was a quite hideous cube with the Pandemonium’s executive, catastrophic mine Agares’s left arm sealed in it.
While Kang Yoo-sik was looking around the cube, Ban Hye-young crossed her arms and watched.
“But how are you going to use it? I did hear that a piece of equipment can be made using the body of a mine, but I don’t think it’s possible in that kind of way?”
“It’s kind of like that, but isn’t it better than throwing it away?”
“Usually, if it’s the arm of a mine, people would throw it away immediately feeling uncomfortable, but……… You’re quite a freak, aren’t you?”
Kang Yoo-sik smiled slightly at the dumbfounded Ban Hye-young.
Just like Ban Hye-young said, it wasn’t possible to make a piece of equipment using Agares’s left arm, but it was possible to use it in some other way.
Especially, if he’s dead or deeply injured like now, there’s a high probability of it being a success, so all he has to do is try it once.
‘Lee Ha-rin’s skills should’ve improved by now, isn’t it…….?’
Kang Yoo-sik safeguarded the cube inside his pocket and he heard a knock from outside along with Fiore’s voice, just as if he was waiting.
“It’s me. Can I come in for a moment?”
“Ah, yes. Please come in.”
Fiore who wore a black suit entered in and lowered his head slightly after finding Ban Hye-young in there.
“Looks like you were having a conversation. I’m sorry for disturbing you.”
“Nono. I was just done with my business, so…… Take a look at this later for sure, okay?”
“Yes. Don’t worry. I won’t run away this time.”
“Make sure……”
Ban Hye-young left the thesis she brought with her on the table and left while bowing, and Fiore who returned the greeting watched the door close and gave a slight smile.
“Looks like a nice person.”
“That’s why she even came this far just for her student.”
“Huhu, is that so too?”
Fiore who smiled with a relaxed expression than before looked at Kang Yoo-sik.
“Boss said that she wants to see you for a moment. Would that be alright?”
It’s finally here. Kang Yoo-sik rose from his seat and nodded.
“Of course.”
“Follow me.”
Both of them left their room and walked down the hallway.
Only the footsteps rang out loud in the wide hallway and there was just silence between the two.
As they were busy with the agreement and stabilizing the organization, the aftermath felt quite awkward.
‘Coming to think of it, shouldn’t this side be giving a reaction as well?’
While Kang Yoo-sik was wondering when she’s going to be coming, Fiore spoke while walking.
“About cadet Kim Jin-hyuk.”
“Yes?”
“He’s amazing. His development day by day is to a point where it makes me feel like I’m seeing a different person every day.”
“Ah………..”
He completely forgot about Kim Jin-hyuk as he was busy helping Lucia recently and writing a thesis in his room. Kang Yoo-sik who remembered it just now suddenly asked a question out of curiosity.
“You’re going to be busy ahead, will you be able to teach him continuously?”
“Of course. Since I’ve solved all the urgent matters, and have been taking time throughout the past few days and have seen it all well, there won’t be an issue in the future too.”
“I see.”
As it’s like this, looks like it won’t even be bad to completely leave Kim Jin-hyuk to Fiore throughout the entire summer vacation.
When Kang Yoo-sik was thinking about the options better than he imagined.
“And recently I’ve noticed something unusual.”
“Something unusual you say?”
Is he talking about his swordsmanship? Fiore nodded as Kang Yoo-sik questioned with a strange expression.
“This is probably just my thoughts, but……. I feel like he’s being suppressed by the sword.”
“………. Suppressed by the sword?”
He was known as a legend of the sword before regression, then that was the reason for this guy to be suppressed like that. Fiore gave a bitter smile when Kang Yoo-sik asked with an unbelievable look on his face.
“It could be misunderstood as well. Since in reality, cadet Kim Jin-hyuk’s sword skills are the most outstanding of all.”
“But still……”
“But is that excellent skills just limited to the sword? Is what I kind of feel too. Of course, I need to see how far is it my speculation……”
Kang Yoo-sik looked at Fiore who couldn’t gather his words himself and thought for a moment.
‘There’s no way a person who’s an S-class hunter could feel that way without a base…. I mean he should’ve gotten the hang of it,’
When he thinks about how the last time in Kim Jin-hyuk’s collection list, the A-grade skill ‘Sky Moon Piercing’ that he didn’t use before the regression was on the un-awakened side, it could be that there’s a change happening.
Is he going to try the awakening of his swordsmanship without difficulty like this…? Or is he going to explore this new territory?
Kang Yoo-sik asked Fiore after thinking for a while.
“Did you tell Kim Jin-hyuk about this too?”
“Cadet Kim Jin-hyuk said that he’ll follow whatever you decide.”
“He doesn’t have to do that far……”
Kang Yoo-sik chuckled and nodded his head.
“If you felt that way then I’m certain there’s something to it. I look forward to it.”
“Mm! Though it’s all basics other than the sword, I’ll teach him well and put him through sessions.”
By the time they were sharing a conversation, they had already arrived at Lucia’s room. Fiore turned towards Kang Yoo-sik and looked serious.
“Though it’s late to say this…… Thank you for convincing me and helping boss to protect the organization.”
Kang Yoo-sik shook his head in refusal at the serious ambiance.
“It wasn’t that much of a grandiose thing.”
“No. If it wasn’t for you, I would’ve made a wrong judgment that day…. And lived in regret forever. I think now I owe to you to a point I can’t pay you back this time.”
Kang Yoo-sik listened with extreme pleasure inside when Fiore called out the size of the debt on his own.
“So, I’ve been thinking for the past few days about a good way to return that debt to you but…. I can’t think of anything good enough. By any chance is there anything that you need?”
“Umm…… I do have something in mind.”
“What is it?”
“To be my strength when I need.”
Fiore gazed with a quite surprising look on his face at the same answer as before and Kang Yoo-sik continued calmly.
“Then and now, that’s the only thing that I need.”
“Uhm. That’s….”
Fiore was lost in thoughts, unlike last time where he took it lightly. Back then he was alone, but now that he is in a position to take care of the boss, it was hard to agree hastily.
But Kang Yoo-sik gave a smile since this part had already been solved.
“I don’t mind even you put a condition saying as long as the boss permits.”
“……… For real?”
“Yes. Because I don’t want to bother Ms. Lucia.”
“Though he didn’t have even the slightest thought as such, he wasn’t bothered anyway. Eventually, Lucia will be indebted to him too and will have no choice but to accept his request.
“Thank you…. really”
[Debtor Fiore Angelo’s debt increases.]
[Debtor Fiore Angelo’s debt rating rises to A. The collection list is added.]
That thankfulness was applied just as it is.
“I will never forget this favor. I will keep this in mind by swearing upon my name and honor.”
“I’m thankful to even hear that.”
Kang Yoo-sik smiled brightly at Fiore who’s sending a lot of faith this way with the debt increase.
Fiore who gave a warm smile at the sight of it looked at the door beside and gave a slightly surprised expression.
“Ah, I’ve been held here for too long. Let’s talk the rest next time.”
“Yes, sure.”
Kang Yoo-sik bowed his head and knocked lightly on Lucia’s door.
“It’s me Kang Yoo-sik.”
“Please come in”
Kang Yoo-sik who entered through the door looked around Lucia’s office that he had seen for the very first time.
A floor covered up in red rugs and a wall lined up with huge pictures of the previous bosses.
The room was decorated with fancy ornaments and luxurious furniture all over the room and just by looking around, he could tell that the cost of it was way higher than even the chairman’s office of Sungjin Military Academy.
‘Indeed, the money in this side is…….’
Kang Yoo-sik who was amazed by the interior, belatedly turned his head looking for Lucia and discovered her standing with her back towards a huge window.
A black coat slightly over her shoulder along with a tight black dress. And her red hair as dark as blood.
Kang Yoo-sik smiled at how she’s changed quite a bit in the days.
“It’s been a long time Ms. Lucia.”
“Yes. I should’ve met you earlier, but since it was delayed with the internal arrangements……… I’m sorry.”
“Not at all. That is more important than this. You don’t have to worry about it a lot.”
“I feel better to hear that. Ah, first of all, please be seated.”
Both of them took a seat on the sofa laid on the side of the office and Kang Yoo-sik looked at Lucia who sat opposite him.
Though she was in the state of being a complete human ever since the beginning, after becoming the boss of Cosa Nostra, there was quite a change.
Eyes glaring this way without a movement and a natural sense of pressure. She had all the basic virtues necessary to lead someone.
‘Nice…….’
Though she wasn’t outstanding in terms of individual force, it was a level that can lead excellently in the case of an organization like Cosa Nostra.
Considering that Fiore was beside him too, he could even widen the territory beyond just Italy.
“First of all, I want to thank you entirely regarding this. Thank you so much for helping me out.”
Lucia lowered her head deeply in gratitude and Kang Yoo-sik shook his hands in refusal while smiling at that.
“I just did what I could. You did the rest of it.”
“I’m telling you there’s nothing that I did this time. If it wasn’t for you, I’d probably not even be where I am right now.”
Lucia gave a bitter smile while patting the sofa armrest.
There was nothing wrong with her statement. If Kang Yoo-sik hadn’t helped them out, Lucia would have been abducted that day and Fiore would’ve been killed by a member of the Pandemonium.
And Cosa Nostra that was run by the Di Seta family for years would’ve been taken over completely by those guys.
“Though I became the boss of Cosa Nostra…. In reality, I can’t call it mine, isn’t it? Because all of this was done by you, Kang Yoo-sik.”
Kang Yoo-sik said in a soft tone at Lucia who spoke with a bitter expression about her being lacking.
“Wouldn’t that change according to what you’d do in the future? If I were you, I’d think that I can become a boss superior to anyone else.”
“……….”
Lucia’s eyes widened at Kang Yoo-sik’s sincere words and she continued with a soft smile.
“Right. Just like what you said…… I’ll work hard to become a better person than I am now.”
[Debtor Lucia Di Seta’s debt increases.]
[Debtor Lucia Di Seta’s debt rating rises to A. The collection list is added.]
‘Oh…… Ohhh……’
Not as much as Cha Si-hyun, but the debt rose to a similar level at once!
Perhaps it means that Lucia’s love towards Cosa Nostra has gotten bigger to that level.
‘Good. I like it.’
If it’s this much then he can even make few requests that can falter the organization. Kang Yoo-sik who looked at Lucia with a satisfactory expression suddenly looked towards her hand.
‘That’s……’
The gold ring she wore on her ring finger. Though it looked similar to Andvaranaut, it was an ordinary item that did not contain any power.
When Kang Yoo-sik was looking at it wondering what it was, Lucia who noticed it showed him the ring while flashing a slight smile.
“This is a newly made item after the successor’s token was lost. It’s made with just the external appearance of the original item.”
“Hmm. So, is that going to be the token of the new successor?”
“No. It most probably won’t be the case.”
Lucia turned her head away and caressed the ring on her hand.
“Because I realized that I had to be in authority to lead the organization. So, I’m not going to rely on any symbol in the future, but work hard on training instead.”
“That’s wise of you.”
The forthcoming future cannot just survive with the strength of others.
One’s force is the most reliable shield, and without it, they become fierce enough to live doing all sorts of dirty things.
If Lucia leaned on another symbol or thought of living by relying on Fiore, she won’t be able to go on for a long time.
In that way, it looks like Lucia could perhaps see through the future with this incident and changed her mind.
‘If that’s so, I think it’s better not to give Andvaranaut.’
According to Andvari, the previous boss used various safeguards and used them from time to time.
If Lucia developed her force and put herself in the line of authority, it’s better off if an old tradition like Andvaranaut is disappeared.
– That’s just an excuse, isn’t it?
‘Take her away’
– Yes. Lord.
– Uarghhhhh!
When Kang Yoo-sik was giving a satisfactory smile at the sound he heard. Lucia who was meddling with the ring was thinking intently and spoke out.
“I thought of several ways I can repay the help I received from you. Because I think that promising to give just the aid is not enough.”
“I certainly don’t think that way though……”
“No. I feel bad with just that.”
Kang Yoo-sik gave a mysterious expression at Lucia who was talking firmly while turning her head.
After creating a debt relationship, it’s not a good thing to receive something big in value. If the debt is considered as settled with that, there’s a chance that the debt relationship will disappear too.
‘But again…. It doesn’t look sort of like that when you see her eyes.’
A look that’s better than that of Lee Hyun-chang who wanted to repay the debt as soon as possible and a look much closer to that of Cha Si-hyun who wanted to help him in some way.
When Kang Yoo-sik was feeling nervous at that strange look, Lucia spoke as if she decided on something.
“And…… I’m certain that there’s only one thing right now that I can give you.”
“Um? What’s that?”
“Cosa Nostra”
“…….. What?”
Kang Yoo-sik questioned with a dumbfounded look and Lucia continued with a serious look.
“I think that the most valuable asset I have right now, and something that can repay you enough is the Cosa Nostra.”
“N-, No. But still, taking your position is……”
Though he can get Cosa Nostra along with Lucia, it will be a different case if it’s taken literally!
Lucia smiled at Kang Yoo-sik who was taken aback.
“Of course, I’m not foolish enough to blindly hand over this position just like that. Because there’s something called a legitimacy and you, Kang Yoo-sik who’s still a cadet, have your enlistment as well.”
“Mmm. Right.”
“So. Though you may think that it holds no meaning………. I hope you can accept my sincerity.”
“Sorry?”
Lucia stood up from her seat and approached Kang Yoo-sik, got on her knees, and took off the ring from the ring finger on her right hand.
She carefully took Kang Yoo-sik’s left hand and put the ring on his ring finger.
A ring that looks as if it fit him from the very beginning. When Kang Yoo-sik was giving a blanked-out expression at the ring on his left hand.
“Though it’s a small pledge ceremony……… I, Lucia Di Seta, swear here to serve you.”
Lucia raised Kang Yoo-sik’s hand slightly and kissed on the back of his hand.
“Boss of all bosses (Capo Di Tutti I Capi).”
A title that could only be received by the top of all mafias and the owner of Cosa Nostra. Lucia gave that away and pledged allegiance to him.
Perhaps due to the cognitive maximization or the body temperature, Kang Yoo-sik looked at Lucia on her knees at the sense of the back of his hand burning.
The red-haired lady looked at him with an eye-smile after kissing the back of his hand. Kang Yoo-sik chuckled without his knowledge at that deadly sight.
‘Looks like I won’t be betrayed.’
Though it was small, it was a ceremony as meaningful.
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