A mansion of the biggest scale in Sicily.
Kang Yoo-sik who had to stay at the Di Seta familyâs main house, gave an amusing expression while seated on the desk.
âHmm. So, you mean itâs created by strengthening the restriction with Andvariâs curse and giving the greed with Fafnirâs stigma?â
â Right. He said it was the method of making Omerta or something like that.
Kang Yoo-sik gave an interesting look at Andvariâs words.
Though he recalled various methods of using it ever since he heard the effects of it, no way heâd use it like this to strengthen the pledge.
âBe it putting a curse on hold to trigger it later with constraints or using the greed in this way, both are so amazing.â
The effects of the âgreedâ given by Fafnirâs 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 donât need it.
And Omerta applies such greed to the âconstraintâ itself, making people want to abide by constraints, further strengthening its effects.
âThatâs why before the regression, Omerta disappeared when the Andvaranaut was with the mines.â
When Kang Yoo-sik was giving an interesting expression after figuring out what he wasnât aware of back then.
âWhat are you doing?â
Ban Hye-young who came in at some point gave a cold look.
âArenât you writing?â
âI, Iâm writing. Just about to finish it.â
âReally? Then Iâll be checking in 10 minutes.â
âTha-â¦â¦. J-, just a momentâ¦â¦â
â I will help you. Lord
Kang Yoo-sik who didnât 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 Percevalâs computation skill examined the thesis that he wrote.
âIs thisâ¦â¦ Okay?â
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.
âWho caresâ
Thereâs no way itâs 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.
âHmmmâ¦â¦â
Ban Hye-young who received it gave a mysterious look.
âUhmâ¦â¦ Huh?! Ohhhâ¦. This isâ¦.. Waaaâ¦â¦â
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.
âItâs good!â
She shook up his shoulders crazily while looking with shiny eyes.
âGood examples! Easy to understand! And there are no mistakes in the proving part too! You did all of it so well!â
âIs, Is that so? But then why do you keep shaking me sh-â¦â¦â
âBut why did you run away? You damned brat~!â
ââ¦â¦â¦.â
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.
âPhewâ¦. First of all, this is an introduction. But since there are parts in between lacking explanation, you have to add them up with comments.â
âSureâ¦â¦â
âAnother thing, since I brought the thesis I wrote as well, read it and check if itâs 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.â
âEarly August?â
Kang Yoo-sik gave a strange expression at the schedule earlier than he thought and Ban Hye-young nodded at that.
âI thought of deciding on it after seeing the progress of the thesis but since itâs this good, thereâs no reason to delay it, so⦠thatâs why. This time itâs going to be opened up big, so you need to prepare well, ok?â
âThe United Statesâ¦.â
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.
âAnd this,â
âUm? What is it?â
âItâs what Seol-ha left behind.â
ââ¦â¦.â
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, Iâve decided on one. See you on the top floor lounge of New Sky Building on the 17th of July at 7 pm.]
âLooks like I have to go to this.â
Though he can get away from Ban Hye-young somehow since he already has a debt relationship with her, in Ahn Seol-haâs case, there wasnât any proper relationship yet.
Though her personality trait of not giving up the things she likes easily wonât be turning the back on this, it could turn into a wish if he didnât care of it immediately.
âSince today is the 13th, looks like I have to go back soon.â
Anyways, the purpose of him coming to Italy was roughly done with, so thereâd 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.
âProfessor. The thing that I requested from you before. Is it done?â
âAh, right. I thought of giving it to you once youâre done writing the thesis but I forgot.â
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 Pandemoniumâs executive, catastrophic mine Agaresâs left arm sealed in it.
While Kang Yoo-sik was looking around the cube, Ban Hye-young crossed her arms and watched.
âBut 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 donât think itâs possible in that kind of way?â
âItâs kind of like that, but isnât it better than throwing it away?â
âUsually, if itâs the arm of a mine, people would throw it away immediately feeling uncomfortable, butâ¦â¦â¦ Youâre quite a freak, arenât you?â
Kang Yoo-sik smiled slightly at the dumbfounded Ban Hye-young.
Just like Ban Hye-young said, it wasnât possible to make a piece of equipment using Agaresâs left arm, but it was possible to use it in some other way.
Especially, if heâs dead or deeply injured like now, thereâs a high probability of it being a success, so all he has to do is try it once.
âLee Ha-rinâs skills shouldâve improved by now, isnât itâ¦â¦.?â
Kang Yoo-sik safeguarded the cube inside his pocket and he heard a knock from outside along with Fioreâs voice, just as if he was waiting.
âItâs me. Can I come in for a moment?â
âAh, yes. Please come in.â
Fiore who wore a black suit entered in and lowered his head slightly after finding Ban Hye-young in there.
âLooks like you were having a conversation. Iâm sorry for disturbing you.â
âNono. I was just done with my business, soâ¦â¦ Take a look at this later for sure, okay?â
âYes. Donât worry. I wonât run away this time.â
âMake sureâ¦â¦â
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.
âLooks like a nice person.â
âThatâs why she even came this far just for her student.â
âHuhu, is that so too?â
Fiore who smiled with a relaxed expression than before looked at Kang Yoo-sik.
âBoss said that she wants to see you for a moment. Would that be alright?â
Itâs finally here. Kang Yoo-sik rose from his seat and nodded.
âOf course.â
âFollow me.â
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.
âComing to think of it, shouldnât this side be giving a reaction as well?â
While Kang Yoo-sik was wondering when sheâs going to be coming, Fiore spoke while walking.
âAbout cadet Kim Jin-hyuk.â
âYes?â
âHeâs amazing. His development day by day is to a point where it makes me feel like Iâm seeing a different person every day.â
âAhâ¦â¦â¦..â
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.
âYouâre going to be busy ahead, will you be able to teach him continuously?â
âOf course. Since Iâve solved all the urgent matters, and have been taking time throughout the past few days and have seen it all well, there wonât be an issue in the future too.â
âI see.â
As itâs like this, looks like it wonât 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.
âAnd recently Iâve noticed something unusual.â
âSomething unusual you say?â
Is he talking about his swordsmanship? Fiore nodded as Kang Yoo-sik questioned with a strange expression.
âThis is probably just my thoughts, butâ¦â¦. I feel like heâs being suppressed by the sword.â
ââ¦â¦â¦. Suppressed by the sword?â
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.
âIt could be misunderstood as well. Since in reality, cadet Kim Jin-hyukâs sword skills are the most outstanding of all.â
âBut stillâ¦â¦â
âBut 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 speculationâ¦â¦â
Kang Yoo-sik looked at Fiore who couldnât gather his words himself and thought for a moment.
âThereâs no way a person whoâs an S-class hunter could feel that way without a baseâ¦. I mean he shouldâve gotten the hang of it,â
When he thinks about how the last time in Kim Jin-hyukâs collection list, the A-grade skill âSky Moon Piercingâ that he didnât use before the regression was on the un-awakened side, it could be that thereâs 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.
âDid you tell Kim Jin-hyuk about this too?â
âCadet Kim Jin-hyuk said that heâll follow whatever you decide.â
âHe doesnât have to do that farâ¦â¦â
Kang Yoo-sik chuckled and nodded his head.
âIf you felt that way then Iâm certain thereâs something to it. I look forward to it.â
âMm! Though itâs all basics other than the sword, Iâll teach him well and put him through sessions.â
By the time they were sharing a conversation, they had already arrived at Luciaâs room. Fiore turned towards Kang Yoo-sik and looked serious.
âThough itâs late to say thisâ¦â¦ Thank you for convincing me and helping boss to protect the organization.â
Kang Yoo-sik shook his head in refusal at the serious ambiance.
âIt wasnât that much of a grandiose thing.â
âNo. If it wasnât for you, I wouldâve made a wrong judgment that dayâ¦. And lived in regret forever. I think now I owe to you to a point I canât pay you back this time.â
Kang Yoo-sik listened with extreme pleasure inside when Fiore called out the size of the debt on his own.
âSo, Iâve been thinking for the past few days about a good way to return that debt to you butâ¦. I canât think of anything good enough. By any chance is there anything that you need?â
âUmmâ¦â¦ I do have something in mind.â
âWhat is it?â
âTo be my strength when I need.â
Fiore gazed with a quite surprising look on his face at the same answer as before and Kang Yoo-sik continued calmly.
âThen and now, thatâs the only thing that I need.â
âUhm. Thatâsâ¦.â
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.
âI donât mind even you put a condition saying as long as the boss permits.â
ââ¦â¦â¦ For real?â
âYes. Because I donât want to bother Ms. Lucia.â
âThough he didnât have even the slightest thought as such, he wasnât bothered anyway. Eventually, Lucia will be indebted to him too and will have no choice but to accept his request.
âThank youâ¦. reallyâ
[Debtor Fiore Angeloâs debt increases.]
[Debtor Fiore Angeloâs debt rating rises to A. The collection list is added.]
That thankfulness was applied just as it is.
âI will never forget this favor. I will keep this in mind by swearing upon my name and honor.â
âIâm thankful to even hear that.â
Kang Yoo-sik smiled brightly at Fiore whoâs 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.
âAh, Iâve been held here for too long. Letâs talk the rest next time.â
âYes, sure.â
Kang Yoo-sik bowed his head and knocked lightly on Luciaâs door.
âItâs me Kang Yoo-sik.â
âPlease come inâ
Kang Yoo-sik who entered through the door looked around Luciaâs 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.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
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 chairmanâs office of Sungjin Military Academy.
âIndeed, the money in this side isâ¦â¦.â
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 sheâs changed quite a bit in the days.
âItâs been a long time Ms. Lucia.â
âYes. I shouldâve met you earlier, but since it was delayed with the internal arrangementsâ¦â¦â¦ Iâm sorry.â
âNot at all. That is more important than this. You donât have to worry about it a lot.â
âI feel better to hear that. Ah, first of all, please be seated.â
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.
âNiceâ¦â¦.â
Though she wasnât 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.
âFirst of all, I want to thank you entirely regarding this. Thank you so much for helping me out.â
Lucia lowered her head deeply in gratitude and Kang Yoo-sik shook his hands in refusal while smiling at that.
âI just did what I could. You did the rest of it.â
âIâm telling you thereâs nothing that I did this time. If it wasnât for you, Iâd probably not even be where I am right now.â
Lucia gave a bitter smile while patting the sofa armrest.
There was nothing wrong with her statement. If Kang Yoo-sik hadnât helped them out, Lucia would have been abducted that day and Fiore wouldâve been killed by a member of the Pandemonium.
And Cosa Nostra that was run by the Di Seta family for years wouldâve been taken over completely by those guys.
âThough I became the boss of Cosa Nostraâ¦. In reality, I canât call it mine, isnât it? Because all of this was done by you, Kang Yoo-sik.â
Kang Yoo-sik said in a soft tone at Lucia who spoke with a bitter expression about her being lacking.
âWouldnât that change according to what youâd do in the future? If I were you, Iâd think that I can become a boss superior to anyone else.â
ââ¦â¦â¦.â
Luciaâs eyes widened at Kang Yoo-sikâs sincere words and she continued with a soft smile.
âRight. Just like what you saidâ¦â¦ Iâll work hard to become a better person than I am now.â
[Debtor Lucia Di Setaâs debt increases.]
[Debtor Lucia Di Setaâs debt rating rises to A. The collection list is added.]
âOhâ¦â¦ Ohhhâ¦â¦â
Not as much as Cha Si-hyun, but the debt rose to a similar level at once!
Perhaps it means that Luciaâs love towards Cosa Nostra has gotten bigger to that level.
âGood. I like it.â
If itâs 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.
âThatâsâ¦â¦â
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.
âThis is a newly made item after the successorâs token was lost. Itâs made with just the external appearance of the original item.â
âHmm. So, is that going to be the token of the new successor?â
âNo. It most probably wonât be the case.â
Lucia turned her head away and caressed the ring on her hand.
âBecause I realized that I had to be in authority to lead the organization. So, Iâm not going to rely on any symbol in the future, but work hard on training instead.â
âThatâs wise of you.â
The forthcoming future cannot just survive with the strength of others.
Oneâs 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 wonât 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.
âIf thatâs so, I think itâs better not to give Andvaranaut.â
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, itâs better off if an old tradition like Andvaranaut is disappeared.
â Thatâs just an excuse, isnât it?
âTake her awayâ
â Yes. Lord.
â 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.
âI 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.â
âI certainly donât think that way thoughâ¦â¦â
âNo. I feel bad with just that.â
Kang Yoo-sik gave a mysterious expression at Lucia who was talking firmly while turning her head.
After creating a debt relationship, itâs not a good thing to receive something big in value. If the debt is considered as settled with that, thereâs a chance that the debt relationship will disappear too.
âBut againâ¦. It doesnât look sort of like that when you see her eyes.â
A look thatâs 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.
âAndâ¦â¦ Iâm certain that thereâs only one thing right now that I can give you.â
âUm? Whatâs that?â
âCosa Nostraâ
ââ¦â¦.. What?â
Kang Yoo-sik questioned with a dumbfounded look and Lucia continued with a serious look.
âI think that the most valuable asset I have right now, and something that can repay you enough is the Cosa Nostra.â
âN-, No. But still, taking your position isâ¦â¦â
Though he can get Cosa Nostra along with Lucia, it will be a different case if itâs taken literally!
Lucia smiled at Kang Yoo-sik who was taken aback.
âOf course, Iâm not foolish enough to blindly hand over this position just like that. Because thereâs something called a legitimacy and you, Kang Yoo-sik whoâs still a cadet, have your enlistment as well.â
âMmm. Right.â
âSo. Though you may think that it holds no meaningâ¦â¦â¦. I hope you can accept my sincerity.â
âSorry?â
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-sikâs 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.
âThough itâs a small pledge ceremonyâ¦â¦â¦ I, Lucia Di Seta, swear here to serve you.â
Lucia raised Kang Yoo-sikâs hand slightly and kissed on the back of his hand.
âBoss of all bosses (Capo Di Tutti I Capi).â
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.
âLooks like I wonât be betrayed.â
Though it was small, it was a ceremony as meaningful.