When I said I would make the International Trade Club a Gold Club, a look of bewilderment finally appeared on Iharu's face, which had shown no change in expression until now.
"Sir, what do you mean by the International Trade Club aspiring to become a Gold Club?"
Iharu, who seemed to have realized her mistake, quickly wiped the expression from her face and looked at me as she usually did.
But I couldn't help but smile, having already seen her expression crumble.
"Are you afraid of the aftermath?"
"Of the aftermath... What do you mean by that──."
"The International Trade Club maintains its safety through its necessity by establishing trading relationships with other clubs."
In other words, the International Trade Club, which lacks the power to protect itself, can only maintain its existence due to its 'necessity.'
However, this necessity only holds as long as the International Trade Club doesn't reveal its true intentions.
"Recently, you've been planning to hire Bronze-level clubs as mercenaries, haven't you?"
"That's a groundless rumor."
"Sure, if you want to think that way. Moreover, you've been preparing to sign non-aggression pacts with other clubs, spending a lot of money, haven't you?"
If other clubs were allowed to intervene during the Club War, it would almost certainly lead to a defeat. So, you must have already been discussing this with other clubs, spending a lot of money.
"......That's confidential information known only to the vice president and the section chiefs. How did you find out, sir?"
"Are you thinking that there's an informant in the International Trade Club?"
"Nothing else makes sense in this situation."
Of course, there isn't. All this information is available if you follow the Academy Route in CS, and it's one of the major events that occur in the first semester of the first year.
The Silver-level 'International Trade Club' hired other clubs as mercenaries to upgrade and then declared war on a Gold Club, but ultimately suffered a fatal blow due to the betrayal of the other clubs with which it had signed non-aggression pacts.
As a result of this event, all the key officers of the 'International Trade Club' were ousted, and the club, having lost all its important officers, ended up becoming nothing more than an affiliate of another club.
From the player's perspective, this event is a branching point to decide whether to build rapport with the 'International Trade Club' or with other clubs. But as 'Eugene Calione,' it was more efficient for me to side with the 'International Trade Club.'
After all, the International Trade Club, and Iharu's family, are essentially subordinate organizations of the Calione family.
In other words, I intended to change the future of this club, which would otherwise fall to a state no better than slaves.
"Don't underestimate the information-gathering abilities of the Calione heir, Iharu."
I activated my Bloodline Ability to instill a sense of intimidation in Iharu.
She flinched, perhaps recognizing the red mist that surrounded my body, a reaction I had anticipated since only my father, the current boss of the Calione family, 'Vito Calione,' had ever shown such a presence.
"Are you thinking that there's a traitor among your club members? Do you think your security is that great? Forget such ridiculous talk. What's important now is what I'm preparing, knowing this information."
Little by little, I could feel the fear emanating from her seeping into my skin.
Until now, the president of the International Trade Club, Iharu, had only seen me as a childhood friend. This was proof that she was now feeling fear towards me.
Seizing this opportunity, I leaned back in my chair, put my feet on the desk, and looked at Iharu.
"Fund Investment Club."
Iharu looked at me with trembling eyes as the words slipped out of my mouth. I smiled at her reaction.
"I'll dismantle the Fund Investment Club by the end of today."
"......Even if you are the young master, do you really think it's possible?"
"It is possible."
I spoke with such confidence that Iharu's mouth dropped open.
"I acknowledge your information-gathering abilities, sir. But dismantling a Gold Club is a different story."
"Didn't you choose the Fund Investment Club as a target because it has less power compared to other Gold Clubs?"
"......If you know that much, you should also know that even if it has less power compared to other clubs, it's still a Gold Club. I would have to risk everything to succeed against them."
The Fund Investment Club, while having less power, compensates for it with wealth. Therefore, as long as they have alliances or contracts with other clubs, their lack of power cannot be ignored.
"Still, how can a mere freshman like you dismantle a Gold Club by the end of today? Even if you are the young master──."
"Didn't you just say it yourself?"
"──What?"
"A freshman. It's possible because I'm a freshman."
I stood up and walked to the wall where the calendar was hanging.
"What day is it today?"
"......It's the second day since the freshmen have enrolled."
"Right, and today is the day freshmen visit clubs. So, where are the members of the other clubs that the Fund Investment Club has hired or contracted with?"
"Of course, they are setting up booths to recruit other freshmen. But even if we apply for a Club War, it's uncertain when the Student Council will approve it."
"Using the connections of the International Trade Club, which has been taking on Student Council commissions, we can get approval by the end of today."
"......We might get approval by the end of today, but you know we can't stand against them with just our club, right?"
"You don't need to worry about that."
"Sir?"
I turned around and took out the artifact, [Midas' Glove], from the cube, putting it on both hands.
"More than half of the Fund Investment Club's forces will be gone by today."
"What do you mean──."
"──Iharu. Do you remember the proposal I made to you at the beginning?"
"......I remember."
Here, I finally revealed the overall proposal I hadn't told her until now.
"My proposal is simple. I will personally prepare everything so that you can dismantle the Fund Investment Club by the end of today. In return, I want you and your club to promise absolute support and backing for the club I will create."
The abilities of the International Trade Club are real.
She can mobilize her family and skills to obtain items that cannot be found in South Korea faster than anyone else, and in the original story, she successfully upgrades the International Trade Club, which was only a subordinate club, to a Gold Club.
If I can recruit such talent to our side from the beginning, it would be a huge help.
"Join me, Iharu."
I extended my hand towards her, who was still dazed by my words.
"Huh."
She burst into laughter.
"Haha."
It was the first time I saw a genuine smile on her face, which had been like a mask until now. Iharu, who had wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, slowly raised her gaze and said to me with a playful smile.
"Is this a confession, like back then?"
...A confession? I never imagined she would make a joke at a time like this.
Still, it was a joke from Iharu.
Thinking it was a positive reaction, I smiled and replied.
"Overthinking, Iharu."
"Never thought I'd hear that from you, sir......"
She showed a brief look of surprise before smiling wryly and taking my hand.
"Very well, sir. I accept your proposal."
"Good."
I shook her hand lightly and immediately opened the office door.
"Wha? Wha?!"
Jinwoo, who had been leaning against the door, tumbled in.
"What's up?"
"Ah, hello, boss."
While I was sighing at his pathetic appearance, Youngjae shook his head and helped Jinwoo up.
"Since it's a soundproof door, you wouldn't have heard anything anyway. I saw you doing this right after I came out of the office."
"Huh? It's a soundproof door? No wonder I couldn't hear anything."
I had known it was a soundproof door and let him be.
"......Mr. Eugene, did the talk go well?"
Seo-a, who was standing behind Youngjae, asked me cautiously. She seemed worried because the conversation had taken longer than expected.
"Yeah, the talk went well without any issues. In fact, it was quite successful."
"Ah, that's a relief! So, are we heading to a Gold Club right away?"
"Yeah. And, Iharu, we'll start acting first, so just head out once the approval comes through."
"I will do as you say, sir."
She bowed deeply as I left the office.
Seeing this, Jinwoo, who had been lying on the floor, jumped up and clung to me.
"Huh? What's up? What do we have to do now?"
"Yeah, we've already obtained the Bronze and Silver endorsements, so we're going to get the Gold endorsement right away."
"Without even giving us a break, you're heading to a Gold Club?"
"Since Eugene has done all the work, what's there to rest for?"
Youngjae sighed at Jinwoo's request for a break.
"We're going to a Gold Club, right? Since Silver clubs are on the 4th floor, Gold clubs should be on the 7th floor, right?"
"No, we're going to the playground."
"......The playground?"
Youngjae, who had been about to leave the International Trade Club, stopped and tilted his head.
"Why the playground all of a sudden?"
"The place we're going to isn't the club room but the club booth. And......that guy will have to do his part there."
As I said this, I looked at Jinwoo, who had become extremely dejected. He looked around and then pointed at himself.
"Huh? Me?"
"Yeah, with your help, I think we can finish this task more quickly. It's probably something only you can do."
Perhaps because I suddenly praised him, his drooping shoulders began to rise.
"Something only I can do? Of course, I should help! So, boss, what do you need me to do? Bodyguard? Negotiation?"
"Riot."
"......Huh?"
"Go cause a riot."
I didn't bother to say that I thought he would do well at it.