CH 3

Father of Darkness

Shadow God

Devil of Devils

And, the ruler of the underworld

A man called by countless epithets.

Don Vito Corleone.

Even if someone didn’t know him, the dozens of men in black suits who appeared with him changed the atmosphere of the parking lot.

Just standing there created tension in the air.

“Greetings, Don?”

As I bowed my head and spoke, my father made a look of disgust.

“It’s disgusting. What is point of formalities when It’s just us? Much less, it’s a private call.”

“Still, it’s outside…”

“Hmph!”

“Yes… Father.”

It already felt strange not to use honorifics, but our household was not one for strict formality from my father.

“Alright, you’ve worked hard. Let’s go home.”

“…Yes.”

Without even asking for the result, my father patted my shoulder and reached for the doorknob to open the back door.

Suddenly, his movements stopped.

“Parnello.”

“Yes, Boss.”

As my father called out the name Parnello, a middle-aged man who was sitting in the driver’s seat got out of the car and stood in front of me.

“Father?”

“Eugene, just stay still for a moment.”

My father also stood beside a man called Parnello.

It was as if they were there to protect me from something. As I cautiously followed my father’s gaze,

Chills ran down my spine.

An old man with sky-blue hair was walking towards us, holding the hand of a girl who looked embarrassed. Although his face was not visible, I could tell that his gaze was fixed on us.

As the distance between the father and the old man gets closer, the air around them starts to feel heavier. The old man slowly removed his hand from his pocket, while casually bringing his hand to the sword on his left hip.

In the midst of the tense situation, I finally understood the current situation when I saw the faces of the old man and the girl next to him. The man who can emit such energy in front of his father, and who has the setting of fiercely loving his granddaughter, with his distinctive blue hair.

Choi Seon-ho, a Sword Saint. Who is known to be 94 years old but looks like he’s in his 40s due to his extremely trained body. Even just by his appearance, it was easy to gauge what kind of level he was at.

As Choi Seon-ho and the father slowly approached each other, the distance between the two was less than 3 meters. Choi Seon-ho released his hand from the handle and slowly raised his hand, pointing in my direction.

“There.”

A clinking sound was heard from Parnello’s pocket, followed by a huge silence. It was broken by the girl, Yeon-ah, who was standing behind Choi Seon-ho.

“Grandpa…”

As Yeon-ah muttered while grabbing Choi Seon-ho’s right hand, his shoulders sank. She must have felt it, too, that something big would happen if they continued like this.

So, Choi Seon-ho melted his previously stern expression into a smile and said to the girl next to him, “Don’t worry, sweatheart. There won’t be anything you’re thinking of.”

After saying that, Choi Seon-ho pointed slightly to the side from where I was and said, “I’m trying to get into the car, could you move a little?”

…car?

When I turned my head to check, I noticed a white SUV parked next to the father’s black sedan. Was this Choi Seon-ho’s car?

At this point, the sound of laughter came from the front. “I was wondering whose car it was, turns out it was the old man’s. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

The father, who was protecting me out with his back, then moved his footsteps to the side and lifted the corner of his mouth towards Choi Seon-ho.

Choi Seon-ho shrugged, “Is he your son?”

“Yes, he is the eldest son of the Corleone family.”

As if the momentum of their previous fight was false, both of them relaxed their expressions and began to talk.

“Corleone’s eldest son is entering the academy. Interesting.”

“Even if it’s not for me, our son should receive education in a good place.”

“Hahaha! That’s right, parents are beings who can do anything for their children.”

After talking like that, Choi Seon-ho walked towards where his SUV was parked and stopped next to me, looking at me.

“Yes, son of Corleone. Make sure to meet my expectations.”

“Yes, please take care on your way back. Old man.”

“What? Hahaha! He really looks just like him!.”

After saying that, Choi Seon-ho patted my shoulder twice with the hand that was resting on the scabbard, and then got into his car.

The girl who was holding his hand, also looked at her father before getting into the car.

A brand new white SUV leaving the parking lot.

When the fierce fight between the two giants was over, Parnello took his hand out of his pocket and bowed his head towards his father.

“I will get ready to depart, boss.”

“Good job, Parnello.”

Parnello got back into the driver’s seat.

When only the two of us were left in front of the car.

“Eugene.”

And my father, who had maintained an expressionless face until the end, called my name.

“Yes.”

“Do you know who that man was just now?”

“…Choi Seon-ho.”

“Hooh, you knew and still withstood his aura.”

A thick hand was placed on my head.

“Just like earlier, never be intimidated by any enemies. You are the son of me, Vito Corleone. Remeber that.”

“…Yes, father.”

For me, who was highly tense at the appearance of the giant I met for the first time besides my father, these words were truly like words of a thousand words.

***

“Hehe, Corleone’s son has grown up so much already. I guess you’re in the same year since you came to the academy today?”

Choi Seon-ho, who was heading home with his granddaughter, Choi Yeon, sitting behind him with a raised mouth, spoke.

“Yes, I remember him taking the exam right after me.”

Ignoring Choi Seon-ho’s expression, Choi Yeon, who had been silently looking at her phone, responded that way, causing Choi Seon-ho to tilt his head.

“Oh? So, how is he? Is he worth keeping an eye on?”

In response to Choi Seon-ho’s question, Choi Yeon looked up for a moment and thought deeply about something.

“A gun.”

“A gun? What do you mean?”

“Yes, it seemed like he instructed someone who seemed to be his subordinate to shoot a gun at the instructor.”

“What? He made the instructor get shot by someone?”

“Yes.”

Choi Seon-ho, who was holding the steering wheel, burst into laughter at Choi Yeon’s very clumsy explanation.

“Really, that guy is an interesting character!”

“…Is he?”

As if she didn’t know, Choi Yeon titled her head to the side, and Choi Seon-ho immediately opened his mouth, erasing his playful attitude from earlier.

“Yeon-ah.”

“Yes, grandfather?”

“If you get admitted to the academy, be careful of that guy.”

“Why? He didn’t seem like a dangerous person.”

“It’s not that. I don’t know how to put it… There’s a smell about him.”

“A smell?”

“Yeah, a smell. It’s the smell that used to emanate from that Corleone when he was still a kid.”

Choi Seon-ho remembered the past, thinking about a man who embarrassed him, and chuckled.

“My granddaughter’s academy life is going to be quite interesting.”

***

Finally, the mail from the academy arrived.

Although I already knew I had passed, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.

“What are you waiting for? Open it.”

My father said.

“I already know I passed, so there’s no need to be so nervous.”

“But it’s the certificate from the academy.”

Even though I tried to keep a calm expression, the envelope in my father’s hand was shaking.

Maybe he was nervous?

“Okay, I got it. What is this…”

I said as I tore open the envelope with a paper knife.

Inside was a piece of paper.

Slowly lifting it up, the Korean characters for “Certificate of Passing” were the first to catch my eye.

I thought that was to be expected, but the problem was the words written below.

[Second place.]

“Second place?”

“What? Second place?!”

My father, who had picked up on the words that came out of my mouth without me realizing it, suddenly stood up.

“Oh, wait a minute…”

But even though I resisted, my father took my certificate away.

“My son got second place. He’s a genius! A prodigy!”

As I heard the sound of footsteps coming closer, a cute girl ran over.

“Second place? Prodigy! Prodigy! But, Papa, what’s second place?”

The girl naturally climbed onto my father’s lap, as if it was her own spot.

At the same time, a notification sounded from my smartphone.

[Personnel Profile (N)]

[Name: Jiyoon Han Corleone]

[Affiliation: Corleone]

[Description: The youngest daughter of Vito Corleone and the only younger sister of Eugene Corleone. She grew up receiving a lot of love from her father, Vito Corleone, after losing her mother at a young age. She is in charge of Corleone’s cuteness.]

It seemed to be my younger sister.

“Prodigy? Is second place good?”

Jiyoon looked up at my father’s face, as if she didn’t understand the meaning.

In an instant, my father’s intimidating expression melted away.

“Okay then, it’s a really good thing.”

And the heartwarming talk between father and daughter started.

As I was absent-mindedly watching the corners of the mouth of the boss of the underworld rise up., a strange sight…

[Achievement Unlocked!]

An alarm went off on my smartphone.

Achievement unlocked?

I pressed the alarm and it automatically connected me to a game app.

[Achievement (N)]

There was an achievement listed.

I clicked on it.

[Akademi’s Second Place (N)]

[??]

[??]

[??]

.

.

.

.

It seemed like an achievement that had been locked was now unlocked.

To get rid of N, I clicked on “Academy’s Second Seat,” and an alarm went off.

[You have successfully passed the Academy’s entrance exam!]

[Your entrance exam score is second place. You are among the top 2 out of 120 applicants!]

[Special reward will be given!]

[A new trait, ‘Bad Boy,’ has been granted!]

They’re giving me a new trait just because I got second place?

I left the achievement window and checked my information.

[Name: Eugene Han Corleone]

[Gender: Male]

[Occupation: Heir to the Underworld]

[Trait: Bad Boy (N)]

A new trait was added.

[Bad Boy (N): Your charm increases in proportion to your notoriety.]

It was a trait I had never seen before while playing the game.

It seemed like a trait created for the game’s concept.

I should probably proceed with the plan a bit faster now.

“Father?”

“Hmm? Oh, yeah.”

My father snapped out of it and looked back at me.

Even while doing so, his hand was still stroking Jiyoon’s head.

“I have something important to tell you.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

Perhaps noticing the seriousness in my expression, my father stopped stroking Jiyoon’s head and tapped her waist instead.

“Jiyoon. Papa needs to talk to brother, so play in your room for a bit.”

“Okay~”

After hearing my father’s words, Jiyoon got up from his lap and went to her room. She seemed to be listening to my father’s words well.

After Jiyoon went up the stairs and heard the sound of the door closing, my father pulled out a cigar and lit it. His eyes had become serious again.

“What are you so serious about? You got a Second Seat, so are you trying to demand something as a reward?”

A thick cloud of smoke emerges from my father’s mouth as he speaks.

Even in the midst of it, his eyes shine red.

Honestly, I’m trembling.

But I knew I had to say it as it was necessary for my plan.

“…Now that I’m an adult, I want to take the ‘Successor Training’.”

My father stared at me dumbfounded after hearing my words.

Then he cleared his throat and asked again.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, I am. I think it’s time for me to start taking the ‘Successor Training’.”

My father began tapping on the table with his fingers.

I had seen him do this before while playing games, one of Vito Corleone’s habits.

It was a behavior that came out when he was calculating or thinking deeply.

After he finished thinking, he looked up at me with a serious look.

“Okay, if that’s what you want, go ahead. I don’t know what made you change your mind about wanting to take the successor training, but…”

That was because Eugene had always been someone who sucked up the power of the family but didn’t want to take responsibility.

But I was different. To survive in this damn world, it was most important for me to get help from the Corleone family, no matter what it took.

No matter what, I had to inherit the Corleone family’s organization, using any means necessary.

Smoke from my father’s lips obscures his face.

Through the gap, I could see his red eyes.

As I gulp down my saliva, feeling an indescribable energy emanating from him, my father finally opens his mouth.

“Once you start the successor training, you cannot turn back. You understand that, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Okay, if so…”

Father said that, and then rolled one ring that he had on his left little finger towards me.

I carefully caught the ring as it rolled towards me.

The alphabet C was engraved on the ring.

It was also the alphabet that decorated Corleone’s head.

“That ring was made to give to the successor. Originally, I planned to give it to you when you became an adult… But I didn’t know you wanted to learn about the successor’s teachings first.”

Just as I was about to put the ring on my finger, my father spoke again.

“Once you put it on, there’s no turning back.”

It was as if he was giving me a warning. My father’s cold voice echoed in my ears.

But for me, who was already mentally prepared, my father’s words were just concerned, nagging.

Silently, I put on the ring and looked at my father.

“I won’t regret it.”

Did he feel satisfied with my response?

My father smiled faintly.

“Alright, I trust you. There’s about a week left until school starts, right?”

“Yes.”

“During that time, I’ll teach you the basics. Such as how to use your body movements, and management. And during the semester, you can receive lessons while commuting.”

“Okay.”

My father spoke with dignity and then stood up and headed towards the stairs.

Tap.! Tap!

As the sound of his footsteps grew distant, the oppressive atmosphere that was unique to him also disappeared.

I let out a light sigh.

“At least I passed the first step, right?”

Ha, I was nervous. I wiped the sweat pouring all over my body and leaned back for a moment to relax.

Somehow, it seemed like I still couldn’t resist Father’s energy.

Will I really become Don like Vito Calionae…?

Then I heard a voice from upstairs.

“Daddy, I hate the smell of cigarettes!”

… It seems that Father has been rejected by Jiyoon.