I Become a Mafia in the Academy

Chapter 62

"Kuhah! Kuhahahahaha! You're bold, really bold! Yes! Only this much can be expected from Vito Calione's son."

Gwak Chunshik lets out a loud laugh that resonates throughout the entire cafe.

"So, you want me to teach you the Aura Technique? The Aura Technique, which is a one-on-one transmission and my pride?"

"You don't have a disciple yet, do you? As far as I know, your son did not learn the Aura Technique."

The Aura Technique was a skill of considerable difficulty even within this game.

The Aura itself is an extremely sensory skill, and it was only much later that Gwak Chunshik managed to simplify and systematize it.

By that time, his son Gwak Chunsam was already quite old... In the end, he became an Aura Master, but he could not learn the Aura Technique.

"Aura usually hardens over time. Therefore, it is a very delicate and difficult to develop primal energy among abilities."

He raised his hand and created a star made of Aura on his palm.

The star thus created continued to change its shape.

"Therefore, both time and talent are important. But even my son, who was called a genius, missed the timing and could not learn it."

Then, clenching his fist tightly around the star, he looked at me with a strong gaze and opened his mouth.

"If he is that guy's son, he must have awakened at a young age. Then, it's almost too late to learn the Aura Technique..."

Was that the reason?

"If what you say is true, I awakened my Aura less than a month ago, so it should be fine."

"...What? You awakened your Aura less than a month ago?"

"Yes. To put it in your words... I'm like a child who has just started crawling. Would that be enough qualification?"

At those words, Gwak Chunshik was taken aback.

Yes, honestly, he wouldn't want to pass on his secret technique to just anyone.

But I did not miss the moment of hesitation that flashed in his eyes.

"But... I also have a granddaughter. A prodigy given by heaven who awakened at a young age. Why should I bother teaching you when I have her?"

"Can a granddaughter who is just starting kindergarten handle the training process for the Aura Technique?"

Gwak Chunshik, trying hard to come up with an excuse to refuse.

Did he think I didn't do my homework on the way here?

Learning the Aura Technique inevitably involves forcibly expanding the path of the Aura.

Naturally, such a process comes with immense pain. And yet, you want to teach that to a child who hasn't even started school? To a granddaughter so cute and precious that it wouldn't hurt even if you put her in your eyes?

This was more like a bluff to gain the upper hand.

"I inherited my father's blood strongly. Though it's a bit embarrassing to say it myself... I can be sure that I am also a prodigy given by heaven."

Smiling, I observed his expression and saw Gwak Chunshik's pupils trembling slightly.

Indeed, could he make a different choice?

I can assure you, given what I've said, it's absolutely impossible for him.

"Ha, yes. In the end, for the sake of preserving the lineage of the Aura Technique, I must accept you as my disciple."

Pretending to be reluctant while inwardly pleased.

The fact that he decided on the term 'disciple' in the midst of it showed his will to maintain control.

Of course, I'm not one to hand over control so easily.

"...Disciple is a bit much, how about mentee instead?"

"What?"

"As you know, I am also the successor of Calione, so becoming your disciple is a bit awkward. Let's just say you taught me the Aura Technique as a mentee."

If I become his disciple, he'll act like a typical old-fashioned master all my life, so there's no need to become his disciple.

In such situations, it's enough to leverage the name of the organization.

"So, you're just going to take the easy way out?"

Gwak Chunshik shows a displeased expression at this.

"Do you think I'm doing this for my comfort? Isn't all this for the sake of saving the world?"

Gwak Chunshik was not exactly what you'd call a righteous hero.

Even now, he's here because he killed villains instead of capturing or subduing them.

In that regard, his values and mine are not so different.

Beings who would stand above the law for their goals and values.

That's the path that both Gwak Chunshik and I are trying to walk.

"Follow me."

In the end, Gwak Chunshik sighed and stood up. As I quietly followed him out of the cafe, I saw Yoo Seokhoon, the caregiver, smiling brightly.

"Yoo Seokhoon, I'll be taking this child with me for a while."

"As you wish, sir."

With just one word, Gwak Chunshik led me into Silver Town.

For other inmates... no, residents, Gwak Chunshik holds a position almost equivalent to a king here.

It's like the feeling of Huang Hee, a high-ranking official who was temporarily exiled during the Joseon Dynasty.

No one here would dare to touch him.

Following him, we arrived at a park inside Silver Town, where numerous awakened elderly people were exercising or chatting.

"Hey, Cheongsam, Chuncheol."

Entering among the elderly, Gwak Chunshik approached two old men sitting on a bench and chatting.

"I have a favor to ask of you."

Whispering something quietly into the ears of the two old men, they eventually looked up at me in unison after finishing their conversation.

...Something feels uneasy.

"Is it him?"

"It is."

"This will be fun after a long time."

Leaving Gwak Chunshik behind, the two old men stepped forward and started unbuttoning their shirts.

Glancing around, I noticed that the elderly who had been exercising had stepped back, leaving the park empty.

"Are you ready, Cheong?"

"Of course, Chun."

Only then did I realize who they were.

'Youth Duo.' They were C-class heroes who, when teamed up, could take on an A-class villain.

And the fact that they took off their outerwear meant...

"Isn't it too much to go against a student who is still attending the academy?"

They were going to attack me.

"Hup!"

Their upper bodies swelled with a crunching sound.

It meant that their ability, 'Muscle Enhancement,' had been activated.

At that sight, Gwak Chunshik, standing behind them, burst into laughter.

"Show me what you've got. Let's see if you really have what it takes to be my disciple."

This guy, really...

"Since it's our first meeting, let's start with introductions. I'm Cheongsam from the Youth Duo!"

Cheongsam threw a punch at me, his biceps bulging menacingly.

At the same time, I activated [Bloodline: Calione] to enhance my physical abilities.

Clang—!

Swinging my right hand, I parried his punch, and a massive sound like iron clashing against iron echoed.

"As expected, students are lively because they're young! Chuncheol!"

"Eui!"

As I pushed back Cheongsam's punch, turning it into a power struggle, Chuncheol charged at my lower body.

"Eek!"

If I took his enhanced kick unprotected, it wouldn't be surprising if my leg broke.

If it had been a one-on-one situation, I could have easily dodged the attack by jumping in place, but in the current situation where I was barely holding on, jumping would have sent me flying back due to Cheongsam's force.

A forced choice between two options.

In that case, I have no choice but to retreat.

Slowly releasing the power from my fist, I used Cheongsam's force to propel myself backward and rolled on the ground.

Rather than trying to defend against both of their attacks while facing their joint assault, it's better to create some distance and look for an opportunity.

With that, Chuncheol's kick, which missed its target, cuts through the air.

"That young kid has some tricks up his sleeve?"

"And he's quick to judge, too."

As I stand up, brushing off the dirt, I see the two of them looking at me with proud expressions from a distance.

Anyway, those monstrous old men.

Now I understand why 'Hero Silver Town' is called the final destination for old-timers in the game.

I wrap myself in the aura of [Bloodline: Calione] again to engage seriously in the fight.

"Hoho?"

Gwak Chunshik watches the scene with interest from behind.

It seems he reacted that way because he realized that the technique I used involved aura.

"Elders, if you think it's not going to work, please surrender."

"Hehe! The young one is worried about us. Thanks!"

"If our student thinks it's not going to work, please surrender."

As I take a stance and look at the two of them, I rush forward at a timing that could startle them.

Facing the two who have been partners all their lives is difficult,

In that case...!

I launch a flying kick at Cheongsam, who was slightly ahead of Chuncheol.

"Hahaha! This is fun!"

All I need to do is take down one first.

Cheongsam seems taken aback by the sudden increase in my body's speed using [Bloodline: Calione], but he quickly prepares to grab my foot.

Their experience was almost laughable, but there was something they overlooked.

"If you block it, it might break."

"Huh?"

I bend my leg and send Cheongsam flying backward, along with the hand that tried to grab my leg.

I kicked with the intention of taking at least one hand if it was blocked.

But Cheongsam shifts his weight backward and absorbs the impact by throwing his body wide.

It would have been better to knock him out immediately, but Cheongsam skillfully deflected it.

"Chuncheol!"

"Hey!"

Normally, he should have worried about his flying partner first, but Chuncheol, ignoring that, swings his clenched fist at me as I approach.

"You want to fight by keeping distance from each one? That must be exhausting!"

"I'm still young, so I have enough stamina!"

I twist my waist to dodge his fist and then punch with all my might into his solar plexus.

"Ugh!"

It feels like hitting an iron plate with my fist.

This time, too, I aimed for the solar plexus to finish it in one blow, but Chuncheol just staggered back without falling.

"That kid's got a mean punch..."

"You think it's just his punch that's mean? His kicks are pretty mean too. We might have to attack together."

"Do you think so too? We should do that then."

"Yeah. On the count of one, two, three, we charge. One!"

But without counting to three, both of them charge at me.

One from the top, one from the bottom.

I raise my guard to minimize damage to my upper body and block the lower attack with my shin or deflect it while stepping back.

"Hey, Cheongsam, this kid is holding up?"

"Indeed. Shall we speed up a bit more?"

Their attacks are becoming increasingly fierce.

If this continues, my body will inevitably tire out from their relentless barrage.

If that happens, I'll be the first to take a hit and collapse quickly.

It was a moment when a decisive move was needed.

"I apologize in advance!"

Timing my punch with Cheongsam's, I concentrate the aura spread throughout my body into my right fist.

And then.

Boom──!!!

I detonated the amplified power directly from my fist.

No matter how agile the heroes of the past were, the decline in stamina is inevitable.

If he were still active, he might have endured, but now he lacks the regenerative power to recover after a rush.

"Oof!"

And Cheongsam's body flies backward from my punch that exploited the opening.

"Oh my!"

"Cheongsam!"

Despite the cry of concern for Cheongsam, Chuncheol's sharp fist mercilessly aims for my left liver.

Trying to induce carelessness by pretending to worry even when one is down.

Isn't that not experience but foul play?

Judging that avoiding Chuncheol's next attack would be difficult, I turn my face aside to minimize damage and take the punch while stepping back.

"Huff... Huff..."

My body is already exhausted after knocking out just one.

It's not easy, indeed.

Yet, I couldn't give up, so I looked at Chuncheol, who was glaring at me from ahead, preparing for the next attack.

"That's enough."

A blue-shaped palm appears before me, blocking the space between me and Chuncheol.

"...Is the test over?"

Upon hearing my words, Gwak Chunshik smirks and nods.

At his words, I collapse to the ground and spit out the blood pooling in my mouth.

"Wow."

That's blood from inside my mouth?

Just how powerful was that old man's punch?

To get this injured from just a few hits. If I were an ordinary person, my head might have exploded from one punch.

That's how strong the two I faced were.

Their combination attacks, hard to defend against, and their seamless coordination as if they could communicate without words. If Gwak Chunshik hadn't intervened mid-fight, it would have been a tough sparring session without risking my life.

When I glance up, I see Gwak Chunshik deep in thought.

"Ha... Ha... These old men here... seem to eat and exercise all the time..."

"Yes, it's that boring here. I asked the Cheong brothers to help since you're a first-year student at the academy, but to be on par with active heroes is surprising."

"I live a rough life."

"Ha, I'm sure you do."

No, really...

After all, I am a hitman and an executive of the Calione Execution Squad.

"At least for now, you don't seem to lack real combat experience, and seeing you gather aura in your fist, you seem to know how to handle it within your body... Not bad."

Listening to Gwak Chunshik's evaluation, I catch my breath and slowly stand up.

"Why leave out the moral evaluation? I held back out of respect for the elders."

"A guy who sent an old man flying with a punch without hesitation is moral? That's not respect, it's an attack."

...No, he's the one who started the fight, and now he's being too harsh. Seriously.

But his expression was very bright.

"Follow me. I'll write you a confirmation letter to accept you as a mentor."

As I watch Gwak Chunshik walk ahead after saying that, the two old men who had approached me before I knew it were smiling at me.