The elixirs I brought in the cube were for my people.
Among them, I gave Iharu the 'Mermaid's Tears,' which are good for recovering from fatigue and relieving stress.
Though it was a small vial, like a perfume sample, the fact that it cost ten million would probably be understandable once one experienced its effects.
The permanent stat increases upon first consumption were nothing short of top-tier.
"Is this... Mermaid's Tears?"
"I thought it would be good for you to grow both physically and in ability, as you are now the head of a club. Please, don't refuse it."
In the academy, 'power' was closer than law and money.
And Iharu, being the one involved, would know this more than anyone.
So, this elixir was more necessary for Iharu than for me.
Now, it was no longer just a fatigue recovery potion for me.
"Thank you."
Iharu, perhaps sensing my thoughts, extended her hands and took the vial.
"Since I thought of it, I should also distribute some to the other Familia members. Do you have any plans later?"
As I asked while getting up, she bowed her head and replied.
"I think I'll be a bit busy from now on as we've just secured a new client. I'm sorry I can't go with you."
"Sorry to the point of apologizing."
If she had to work, I couldn't force her to come along.
Most importantly, thanks to her, I was able to advance the main quest.
ใMain Storyใ
[You have caused a new wind to blow through the academy by founding a new club! Lead the club to success and promote it to a Silver Club!]
[Achievement Condition: Complete 5 club requests!]
[Requests completed: 2 / 5]
[โปRewards may vary based on the outcome.]
Three more...
At first, simple requests weren't counted, but it seems the system also has its own standards.
"I'm really grateful for today. Please visit the 'International Trade Club' sometime."
"Sure, I will."
After seeing Iharu off, I found Seo in the break room, munching on snacks.
Seo, who was licking her fingers, stood up when she saw me, and the crumbs on her clothes fell to the ground.
"Are you going to clean this up?"
"Of course."
I flicked my fingers, and the crumbs disappeared instantly. It seemed she had used spatial magic to clean up the mess.
She must have learned some strange things from Ji-Soo-Yeon.
"Seo, you're good at this."
"Hehe, I have younger siblings at home, so I'm good at this. But, what brings you here?"
"I have something to give you."
As I said that, I took out two lollipops.
"These are lollipops made from solidified fairy honey. Give them to your siblings."
These elixirs were also hard to obtain unless you were a major conglomerate. Since Ji-Yoon had been looking for this all day, Seo's siblings would surely love them.
"Fairy honey... Eugene! I'll swear my loyalty to you!"
"Ah... why are you crying?"
"Eugene Boss... I really think joining the Familia was a good decision..."
Then she suddenly burst into tears.
"No, calm down..."
"Uaaaaaah!!"
Oh, dear.
Fortunately, the other members came over to help calm the crying head.
"We'll definitely succeed with the 'Golden Walnut Pie'! The first dish will be for you, Eugene!"
I watched Seo being dragged away by the members who held her arms, and then I returned to the club room.
Indeed, taking care of subordinates is thrilling.
* * *
That night.
After receiving a call, I sat in my father's study, exchanging messages with the Familia members while waiting for my father.
[Jin-Woo: No, I told the mentor who keeps saying not to fear getting stabbed that I'd really get stabbed ใ ใ ใ ์ใ ใ ]
[Me: You really got stabbed?]
[Jin-Woo: He stabbed me right in the thigh without hesitation. The funny part is, he avoided all the major blood vessels and important spots, so I can walk tomorrow ใ ใ ใ I feel like escaping ในใ ใ ใ ใ ใ ]
...Considering Han Ye-Eun's personality, who is Jin-Woo's mentor, it's no surprise she did that.
You're suffering.
[Seo: But why hasn't Young-Jae contacted us? He hasn't said a word all day.]
[Jin-Woo: He's not answering calls either? Oh, 1 is gone. Young-Ha~ Young-Jae, come on over.]
[Young-Jae: Just woke up.]
[Seo: What? You were sleeping all this time? You must have had a great sleep.]
[Young-Jae: I passed out at dawn and just woke up.]
[Seo: ใ โฆโฆ. ใ ใ ]
[Jin-Woo: Why did you pass out? Did you get stabbed too?]
[Young-Jae: No, I got hit by a fireball.]
[Jin-Woo: ์ใ Fireball ใ ใ ใ ใ ]
[Seo: ใ ใ ใ ใ ใ ใ I only get hit by Instructor Ji-Soo-Hyun's fists. I'm the best ใ ใ ใ ใ ]
[Young-Jae: The day Instructor Ji-Soo-Hyun's fists become the best ใ ใ ใ ใ ]
[Jin-Woo: ในใ ใ ใ ใ ]
...It was fortunate that the kids were growing up happily.
As for me, I had learned how to move aura in just one day and even caught a villain, so I was taking it easy.
There was no point in telling them this, as it would only dampen their spirits, so I decided to stay quiet.
Still, getting stabbed is a big deal, really.
As I chuckled at the messages, I heard footsteps approaching from outside.
"You're here, Father."
It was my father and Farnello.
Both looked more exhausted than usual.
"Your clothes suit you well. That's a relief, hehehe."
Despite this, my father tried to put on a bright face when he saw me.
"Yoojin. Have you seen the recent news?"
My father, who had taken a seat, lit a cigar and exhaled smoke.
"The news?"
"Yes, the news about five villains escaping from Niflheim."
"Yes, I saw it on TV."
As I nodded, my father gestured to Farnello to continue, and Farnello nodded and explained.
"It seems that one of our Calione's informants, who was imprisoned in Niflheim, also escaped. However, it appears that the villain alliance has discovered that he was working with us."
...One of the escaped villains was Calione's informant?
Indeed, in the game, out of the five escaped villains, only four had capture quests.
The remaining one was always uncatchable.
And the name of that villain was...
"Ratte. We need to retrieve him, who was the information officer of the villain alliance. Given the secrecy of this mission, it will be difficult to bring many people along."
Ratte.
A villain who can turn into a rat and control other rats.
He hadn't committed any major crimes but was serving a 30-year sentence for leaking state secrets. It made sense that he seemed suspicious, and now I knew he was part of Calione.
My heart began to race as I learned this new information.
"Then, should I retrieve him alone?"
My father shook his head.
"No, Farnello will accompany you on this mission. However, given the nature of the matter, Farnello will have command, and you will act as his assistant."
Farnello's involvement meant it was a significant matter.
A bigger issue than I thought. And the fact that I was assigned to this mission probably meant...
"This is an extension of the successor training."
"Yes. Since Farnello is leading the mission, there will be much for you to see and learn. And you are also qualified as a hitman."
As my father said, there would be much to learn from going on the mission with Farnello.
I decided to ask for more information about the mission.
"Is the identity of those chasing Ratte known?"
Farnello answered.
"Two of the four escaped villains. Blanca and Jackal."
"Those are the experts in tracking and hunting."
Blanca and Jackal.
Both were villains who specialized in contract killings.
Blanca had the ability to transform into a werewolf, and Jackal was a villain who specialized in using a bow, essentially a hunter.
"They seem determined."
They must have considered Ratte a traitor and a target that must be caught.
"According to the last information Ratte sent, he is hiding in an abandoned warehouse in a factory complex in Gunsan. I've called a helicopter, so we can leave immediately."
I bowed my head upon hearing my father's words.
"Yoojin Calione. I accept the Don's command."
"Good, be careful."
My father, who stood up, patted my shoulder.
I knew this mission would be difficult.
In the original story, Farnello ultimately failed to secure Ratte.
However, I accepted the mission without hesitation because I was added to it.
If Farnello were alone, it might be different, but with me, I was confident we could complete the mission perfectly.
I left the study and headed straight to the garden where the helicopter was waiting, along with Farnello.
"Farnello."
"Yes, young master."
"Is Ratte carrying information so valuable that he must be kept alive?"
It was crucial to determine if he must be kept alive before embarking on the mission.
Because once I took on the mission, it had to succeed.
"I don't know the details of the information... but the Don said it would be a weapon to prepare for threats not only to South Korea but also to Calione."
"...I see."
In other words, if possible, he must be brought back alive.
"Let's go."
"Yes."
With that, the helicopter took off from Calione's mansion.