Chapter 73: Chapter 73: “…….”

“…….”

Kang Yoo-sik looked dumbfounded at Fiore’s request.

It was a tip based on the swordsmanship contained in the magic sword Perceval and I may have let my guard down but as I found Fiore’s weakness, I could see what is remarkable.

But that’s because he never expected the S-class hunter like Fiore to personally make a request to him.

‘It’s too serious to be a joke though.’

Fiore’s eyes looked like there’s going to be a fuss in case he refuses. He doesn’t know how on earth this is happening but he was sure that his request was sincere.

Kang Yoo-sik who understood the situation, opened his mouth to start off by saying few words.

“That’s…… ughhk!”

Kang Yoo-sik twisted his eyes and grabbed his forehead as he spoke. Fiore widened his eyes at the scene while Kim Jin-hyuk who was seated far away came sprinting towards him.

“Yoo, Yoo-sik! Are you okay?!”

“I’m F, Fine. I just felt a little overheated……”

Though it was just the hot pendant that was overheated, Kang Yoo-sik’s frowned as if a person with chronic headache.

Actually, acting was a piece of cake as it was the terrific pain he went through before he returned, and at that perfection, Fiore too gave a worried expression.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes. It’s just a temporary condition. Since my concentration was amplified a lot a while ago….”

“Hmm… Indeed, wasn’t it an ordinary condition.”

“It’s something that happened more often than not when I study magic…. but it’s the first time to happen during this.”, Kang Yoo-sik added at Fiore who moved on as if it was a coincidence.

“…… Is it something that happens often?”

“It’s doesn’t happen that often but it had happened sometimes when I see magic that’s higher than my level.”

“Mmm……!”

Fiore’s face rekindled with interest and Kang Yoo-sik who saw his plan working well, continued talking while slightly smiling from the inside.

“By the way, earlier what did you mean when you asked me to watch your swordsmanship? Why would you Mr. Fiore, an S-class hunter ask me to….”

“The weak point that you taught cadet Kim Jin-hyuk a while ago. That’s not what comes when you let your guard down. Even I didn’t know that.”

“……. You didn’t know?”

Kang Yoo-sik was genuinely surprised at Fiore who nodded and asked Perceval who gave him the answer.

‘Was that such a skillful move?’

– Yes. It was possible for me to do so thanks to the characteristics of the sword techniques and Lord’s sensory organs that are outstanding than others.

A point that he was able to find thanks to Perceval’s sword skills and cognitive maximization. If that’s so, it’s definitely a good thing, but Kang Yoo-sik still didn’t believe it.

‘Still, how can that be when they’re S-class hunters……’

It’s a standard before regression but anyway, the power of an S-class Hunter is nothing less than that of a natural disaster. He didn’t know there was a point that even such kind of person could discover now?

No matter what, he felt like there was something about it.

‘Perhaps… Fiore could’ve had something more this time.’

Except for his past records, discipleship stories, and how he had a mysterious death after suddenly dropping out, there wasn’t much he knew about Fiore.

Kang Yoo-sik who decided to keep this part in mind continued his chat with Fiore.

“So, Mr. Fiore, are you saying that you’re going to see if there’s any more such points in sword skills?”

“Looks like it.”

At the request as expected, Kang Yoo-sik didn’t know what to ask for and slowly spoke up.

“I don’t mind but…. under one condition.”

“What is it?”

“First of all, properly teach Kim Jin-hyuk the sword skills.”

“…….”

Fiore gave an unexpected look at Kang Yoo-sik’s words. Because he assumed Kang Yoo-sik will ask for money or anything advantageous to him as a condition.”

“I hope you can teach him the way to fight as a fellow hunter and swordsman and not what will make him give up like a while ago.”

“Yoo-sik……”

It was a sincere request with no lies. Kim Jin-hyuk looked at him in an emotional expression and naturally the outcome of it appeared.

[Debtor Kim Jin-hyuk’s debt increases]

[Debtor Kim Jin-hyuk’s debt rating rises to A. The collection list is added.]

‘Oh…… very lively huh.’

Though we’ve been coming towards A-grade step by step throughout, who knew it will happen in one shot this time.

“…….. I’m sorry.”

Suddenly Fiore lowered his head.

Kang Yoo-sik who wondered if he meant that he was refusing, looked at him with a surprised expression while Fiore had a bitter look on his face.

“Not just being unable to set an example for you guys, I showed you only my poor sides. Specially to cadet Kim Jin-hyuk.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“I really feel sorry about the disgraceful acts I showed you in the sparring a while ago. Please forgive me.”

Fiore lowered his head again and Kim Jin-hyuk gave a puzzled look at that. It was an obvious reaction as he never even had a thought of it being a disgrace.

“I don’t know what you mean but…… It’s alright. Since that sparring too was a part of learning.”

“…… Glad to hear.”

Fiore who gave a soft smile turned his head and looked at Kang Yoo-sik.

“I will do everything to the best of my ability and train cadet Kim Jin-hyuk. Will you trust me one more time?”

Kang Yoo-sik nodded at Fiore’s words that contained sincerity this time.

“Yes. I will trust you.”

“Thank you for giving me a chance.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Kang Yoo-sik continued to the next topic after a handshake.

“And I have other conditions too… Can I say them?”

“Of course, say as you wish.”

“Second one is that my tip could be a quite convoluted expression too. Since I just say whatever that comes to my mind, I hope you understand that part.”

“Hmm… for example, in what way?”

“The tip I gave in the sparring a while ago….”

Kang Yoo-sik told him about the attack method that he got from Perceval and Fiore nodded at that after thinking for a moment.

“It’s pretty much understandable. Don’t worry.”

“Thank You.”

With this, he can now ignore his request to solve the attack method.

Kang Yoo-sik who smiled from within brought up his final condition.

“And the third, last condition is…… If my tips were really helpful to you, I hope you remember them.”

“To remember them?”

“Yes. Please remember it, and when I will need strength someday, help me as much. That’s my last condition.”

It’s certainly recognized that what one receives is not a ‘reward’ of teaching swordsmanship but the ‘grace’ of it. That’s what Kang Yoo-sik intended and Fiore nodded at that.

The lessons you taught me today and the lessons I will learn in the future, I will remember that grace without any exceptions.”

[Debt relationship condition satisfied.]

[Debtor Fiore Angelo’s registration confirmed. Debt rating judged as E.]

Popped up the notification. Kang Yoo-sik gave a satisfactory smile looking at it.

“Looking forward to working with you Mr. Fiore.”

*

It’s been four days since their arrival in Sicilia.

Both of them chose to stay at Fiore’s house instead of the hotel he offered and Kim Jin-hyuk started his training as well.

Whoosh!

“Uhgghk?!”

Kim Jin-hyuk who got hit 8 times in the blink of an eye rolled backward while Fiore who lightly brushed the fake sword spoke out.

“It was good until the counterattack but it was a mistake to shorten the stride. After you maintain a wider distance, make sure your territory is clear.”

“Ughh… Okay!”

“Okay then go again.”

Clang!

After the first piece of advice, Kim Jin-hyuk came running again, and not long before he gets hit lightly, goes rolling backward and hears another advice.

The training was focused on the performances throughout the sparring because it was required to see the results within a short period of time.

– Lord’s friend really got a scary talent. Looks like he has turned into a whole new person in just four days.

Perceval was amazed at Kim Jin-hyuk’s movements and Kang Yoo-sik too looked at that workshop and nodded.

‘I know right.’

Listening to Perceval’s interpretation, Kang Yoo-sik’s eyes that’s watching the swordsmanship has improved too and he could clearly see how far Kim Jin-hyuk’s skills have come.

Until yesterday he made it out with 10% attack and 90% defense but today he’s made it out with 20% attack and 80% defense.

‘This is what they commonly call as absorbing like a sponge, isn’t it.’

As Kang Yoo-sik was amazed by Kim Jin-hyuk who was changing day by day, the training that seemed like it was going to continue for long had ended.

Clang!

Kim Jin-hyuk who got rolled backward laid there flat as it is, and fainted while Fiore who approached him chuckled at the sight.

“Today too he put up with it until he passed out….. cadet Kim Jin-hyuk is really quite amazing.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Though some say they’ll put their everything, it’s not usually an easy thing to really put out all your strength to that level.

But for the past four days, Kim Jin-hyuk is learning by putting his everything until he passes out every time.

‘The best part is that it sets up the feeling of a headache.’

He felt sorry for having him endure the pain because of him, but he still concentrates on the training by reducing his free time too.

In fact, far from feeling pain, he felt a slight refreshing feeling as the cognition maximization gets activated, but Kang Yoo-sik kept the setting as it is since he felt like it would be a help for the training.

‘As long as the end results are good.’

Within this huge momentum of a summer vacation, he could either certainly learn a single element of swordsmanship or just straight up have an awakening too.

When Kang Yoo-sik was looking at Kim Jin-hyuk with interest thinking about how much he’s improved, Fiore clears his throat beside him.

“Now that the lessons have ended, we should get started slowly too, isn’t it?”

“Sure. I’ll put him up and then go down.”

Kang Yoo-sik chuckled and laid a passed-out Kim Jin-hyuk on the third-floor room and came down to the first floor.

Fiore who went downstairs first sat on the wooden chair opposite the sofa and had pulled out his notebook, being all set. Kang Yoo-sik chuckled at the sight.

‘I just can’t get used to it not matter how many times I see it.’

Than an S-class hunter, he looked more like a beginner hunter who is learning anything for the first time. Kang Yoo-sik took a seat on the sofa opposite and spoke out.

‘So, let’s get started.’

‘Please do.’

At Fiore who was looking passionately, Kang Yoo-sik ordered Perceval on standby.

‘I need the results today.’

– Sure, Lord.

Perceval who finished the calculation already, told him the attack methods discovered through Fiore’s performance today and Kang Yoo-sik captured the ambience adequately, explaining in an intact way.

“Today you seemed like a steady stream of wave.”

“Mm…..”

“And in between, there was an enormous reef that made the waves go awry… if you cave in together the moment the waves recede, a path will be opened.”

“Waves…… reef……”

Fiore who gave a serious expression muttered to himself and widened his eyes as if he realized something.

“Indeed… Indeed. Is that so! Around the end of the series, the balance held in order to alter the swordsmanship becomes a gap and…”

Fiore who was in awe started writing something on his notebook and Kang Yoo-sik watched while giving a subtle smile.

‘I don’t understand anything at all.’

His eyes watching the swordsmanship certainly improved but he can never get used to that damned cranky attack method no matter what.

[Debtor Fiore Angelo’s debt increases.]

Don’t know if it was certainly helpful to Fiore that the debt went up crazily, Kang Yoo-sik just waited for him to finish writing his notes.

Right then.

Click

The sound of the front door opened without an initial authentication. It followed with footsteps of dozens of people, Fiore’s hand stopped writing and her expression hardened at the sight.

And in a while, dull-looking men wearing black coats in black suits with a black fedora entered in a row through the hallway.

“Long time no see, Master Fiore.”

Among them was a man who smiled brightly while flashing his snowy white teeth. Though his face couldn’t be recognized as it was covered by his hat, the brooch on his chest was clearly visible.

“Black rose with four red petals.”

A token indicating that he’s a key member of Cosa Nostra (Sicilian Mafia). Kang Yoo-sik who realized that watched the scene while Fiore started speaking with a cold expression.

“Why did you come here?”

“Nowadays I keep hearing a strange story, so I’m just here to clarify it once. But……”

The member turned towards Kang Yoo-sik and gave a sly smile.

“Looks like you’re having an amazing guest.”

“That’s none of your business.”

An even colder voice rang out, the member looked as if quite unexpected and chuckled.

“I get it, I get it. Let’s just talk business.”

The member who was waiting for a laugh hardened his lips that were smiling throughout and continued.

“They say that nowadays Lady Lucia keeps visiting this place…… Digging back what was already over will just be tiring for you and me. You know what I mean, right?

“…….”

“Don’t you have to repay the ‘true’ heir with a token, the favour you owe to the predecessor. Just in case you don’t get confused about whom you’re dealing with.”

Fiore’s eyes twisted at his words and he spoke after taking a breath.

“I won’t intervene, so don’t worry.”

“Indeed, I believed that you will understand. It gets messy when things inside the organization are influenced by the outside world. Isn’t it the best to personally come to solve it?”

“…..”

“Ah, oh my, I’ve spoken for too long. I’ll get going now that my business is over.”

Members of the organization made way for him, and the member walked through the way.

“Ah, That. I forgot that.”

Said the member and turned towards Kang Yoo-sik and muttered coldly.

“No matter what, you can’t look up at me like that you know?”

Fling!

A sharp sound rang through the members, and a dagger came shooting towards Kang Yoo-sik’s heart.

Slice!

But a flashing black light sliced the dagger into dozens of pieces before it reached and Fiore who picked up his sword at some point, looked with a cold expression.

“I clearly warned you that it’s none of your business.”

At Fiore’s move, the members nervously made a formation and the key member smiled at the sight.

“It’s just a joke. You really don’t know a joke.”

Though he tried to humorously get it over with, what the key member intended to convey was clear. In case he tries to do any nonsense and puts Kang Yoo-sik in danger, he had to give him a warning.

Fiore who understood that, looked away in disbelief and laughed coldly.

“I see. Indeed, it’s a joke.”

Slash!

“Uhaarghhhhhh!!”

Along with the end of his words, both arms of the member who threw the dagger fell to the ground, and the smile on the key member’s face completely disappeared at the sight.

That’s because though he had been preparing for it, he couldn’t yet grasp the shot that happened a while ago.

“I definitely would’ve told you…. that the guy’s sword is rusted……”

When the key member’s expression was getting colder at the unexpected situation, Fiore who aimed at the sword continued.

“I’ve no thoughts on getting into your crappy fight without a proper reason. But by any chance, if you lay a hand on my guest……”

Fiore said cut and clear with a cold glow in his eyes.

“I will kill you all.”

Flop!

At his word, a few of the members lost strength in their legs and collapsed to the ground, the key member who witnessed the scene replied in annoyance.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

The key member got out of there, following the members who had to leave with the guy who got his both arms cut off.

Cosa Nostra members left after cleaning even the bloody prints. Fiore checked on it and gave a bitter expression after putting his sword back.

“I’m sorry. For getting you caught in a dirty incident.”

“No. I’m fine. But above that……”

Kang Yoo-sik who looked at the dagger that shattered into dozens of pieces, gave an amazed expression.

“Indeed, you’re incredible.”

He knew that the dagger came flying, he prepared for it easily too. But Fiore’s sword that slashed it had realized it only after it was swung.

Kang Yoo-sik was in amaze of

the new skill of Fiore while Fiore just chuckled.

“It’s all thanks to your tip. I wouldn’t have been able to do it that fast if it was before.”

“What? If it’s as much as slashing the dagger then….”

“I’m not talking about the dagger but the arms. Since that was slashed together.”

“…….”

Slashing the dagger that came flying and continuing to slash both the arms of the guy who was breathing normally among all the members.

Kang Yoo-sik looked dumbfounded at his ludicrous swordsmanship while Fiore who looked towards the front door again, muttered while taking a breath.

“Really so bothersome……”

“Uhh… If you don’t mind, may I know what’s going as well?”

Though it’s something he roughly knows about, Kang Yoo-sik asked as if he didn’t know while Fiore hesitated for a moment and shook his head.

“No. It’s better off that you don’t know. Just pretend like you didn’t see it.”

“Mm… Alright.”

“I’ll be out for a while so, you stay at home today.”

“Sure.”

Fiore left after his words, and a strange wave of mana spread through the entire house. It’s most probably a spatial magic along with a protective spell.

Looking at Fiore who left after it’s thoroughly guarded, Kang Yoo-sik laid back on the sofa to recall the events that took place a while ago.

“I wondered why he didn’t help out even when he knew Lucia…… was it because of such a reason.’

A while ago the key member addressed Fiore as an outsider and warned him about getting involved in matters of Cosa Nostra organization.

He means, if he helps Lucia without a cause, they will bring in external forces too.

‘If Fiore joins us and the external forces join hands with those guys, things will rather get worse, isn’t it.’

There wouldn’t be a case where Fiore dies but in Lucia’s case, the survival rate will drop lower than it is now.

So far, though they are fighting over a successor in line according to the organization’s internal tradition, but when that situation comes, all sorts of dirty things will happen.

‘Eventually, the ring is the key card.’

A ring reeking of blood, roaming all over Italy.

The situation changes depending on who has that token that brings out the legitimate successor of Cosa Nostra.

‘In my thoughts, seems like it’s time for it to arrive.’

A wondering Kang Yoo-sik turned on the TV to a news channel and he saw nothing but unsatisfactory stories.

Disappointed at that, right when Kang Yoo-sik was about to turn off the TV, a piece of breaking news was announced as the host continued to speak.

– Once again today, a victim of a minor murder case was discovered. The victim is a fisherman in his 60s who is a Sicilian resident and traces of the killer have still not been discov-….

The voice of the host that settled relaying the news of a minor murder case. Kang Yoo-sik’s eyes widened hearing the breaking news.

‘It’s here.’