Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Defeat in total war meant literally losing everything.

Everything you use, everything you have, and everything you don’t have. However, you can’t take everything with you, so most of the time, you lend it out as a “loan”.

Although, to be honest, it’s more like “lending” than “renting”.

“I added up the cost of using the stall, the cost of the supplies inside the stall, and the cost of using the equipment and facilities.”

After the all-out war, it was Haru who greeted us off the field.

She was already convinced we were going to win so she had the detailed calculations in her hand.

At the end of the final calculation, the price of [5,000,000C] was written.

“Five million.......That’s about 50% of a Bronze Club grant?”

“Yes. If we want to get out of this situation, they’ll either have to buy back the rights to use the non-performing loans from ‘Familia’ or buy most of the non-performing items outright.”

The paper Haru handed me said [4,000,000C] would be charged for the non-performing rentals.

This meant that even if they bought back all the stuff, they would still have to pay 4 million credits a month if they wanted to stay as a club.

It was no exaggeration to say that I held the fate of the Ranger Club in my hands.

“I’ll leave the Ranger Club to you and I’ll pay you 10% as a commission.”

I wanted to give her more, but given her personality, I knew she would refuse, so I proposed for a price that was slightly above average.

“Personally, I think that’s too much, but I’m sure it’s just pocket change for you.......so yes, I’ll take care of it.”

“Please.”

Three and a half million credits a month.......

I thought that would be enough to pay for snacks and maintenance.

“Then I’ll go talk to Kwon So-hyeop, I’m afraid that if I don’t go first, he’ll put pressure on you.”

The guy who had been defeated in an all-out war looked at me like he was about to cry.

I had avoided him because I didn’t want to be bothered, but Haru had the good sense to go first.

“I’m always grateful.”

“I’m just doing what I have to do.”

Haru walked in the direction of Kwon Su-hyeop while I walked in the direction of the children, dragging my body, which was still exhausted from using my powers.

“......You all had a hard day. You must be exhausted, so let’s get some rest.”

The three nodded wordlessly at my words. Especially the two who had used their mana to the limit were sobbing as if their bodies were about to melt.

“Seriously, this is so hard.......”

“I haven’t used all my mana in a long time.”

The only one who was still fine was Jin-woo. Of course, I could see that he was exhausted too.

Eventually, I decided that it would be too much for them to do anything more today so I decided that we would meet tomorrow to go over the details of today’s events, and I got into my car.

And the moment I got into my seat.

“Whoa.......”

My body collapsed onto the seat with a lurch.

I looked down and saw a slight twitch in my right forearm. I had pushed myself too hard to test my new abilities.

Even looking back, the power of that moment gave me chills.

The ability to channel all of my energy into one place, to amplify my strength, to strengthen my equipment, and even to change its form was enough to overpower any Awakened.

In fact, the guy was sent flying dozens of meters after being hit by Midas’ gloved knuckles.

Of course, the force of the blow was so great that the strain on my entire body was unbelievable. It felt like all the energy in my body had been sucked out of me.

It wasn’t even on the same scale as what Vito Corleone did in the game so I wondered how anyone could use a technique of this magnitude continuously.

“Master, the clothes the maestro made arrived at the mansion today.”

Han Seo-joon, who was behind the wheel, spoke up as I stretched out in exhaustion.

“Huh? Directly to the mansion?”

“Apparently, since the heads of each family are coming today to commemorate your promotion to Executive, they arranged it so that you could wear them as soon as you arrived at the mansion.”

“......Ah, yes.”

A gathering of the family bosses that I’ve actually never seen in real life.

I had no idea what kind of big party he was planning to throw.

‘Anyway, I’m looking forward to it.’

With that, I returned home in silence to find Parnello waiting for me on the porch.

Parnello smiles broadly, as if he reads my question as a concern.

“From what I’ve heard, it’s nothing serious, so you and Don shouldn’t worry too much.”

“Really? Only if you say so.......”

I thought I’d take this opportunity to update the Character Book, but I can’t help it.

“Well, tell him I’ll see him later when I’m done.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

I moved on, hoping for the best, then I noticed something new as I walked.

The manor’s guards were everywhere, as many as there were blades, all of them fondling their in-ears and carrying on endless unintelligible conversations.

The gathering of all the Executives of Corleone, the bosses of the affiliated families was a big deal but to be honest I wasn’t nervous.

I mean, who doesn’t get nervous when you’re the main guest at a dinner for the bosses of the mafia?

I’m just a little more excited than usual but I don’t know if it’s nerves or excitement.

What I do know is that my future could change dramatically depending on how I present myself to the people I meet.

Being the boss of a family under the Corleone umbrella was a position of great authority. But since I was attending the dinner as the heir apparent, I tried to look as relaxed as possible.

With that, we arrive at the front of the banquet hall.

Unlike the family’s usual dining room, this was the room used for outside guests, and it was designed to keep conversations inside from spilling out.

– Ding. Ding.

Parnello knocked twice on the door, then opened it, stepping in first and addressing those inside.

“Please allow me to introduce Eugene Han Corleone, the rightful heir of the Corleone family, the scion of Don Vito Corleone, the eldest son of the Corleone family, a Hitman and an Executive.”

I steeled myself and looked up then I stride inside with a confident gait, recalling the faces and names of the other family bosses I’ve memorized over the past weekend.

I can’t even count the small ones, and if I count the ones above the local precinct level, five in the country alone and twenty-four Family Bosses if I count the ones in foreign countries.

Bevalt.

Move.

Kowalnoz.

Pirlo.

Milan.

Raikoslo.

Deira.

Comdère.

Normache.

Neckgrave.

Leonardo.

Isaac.

Each and every one of them was a “king” in their own realm so I had to brace myself.

As I stepped fully into the banquet hall, I could smell the thick smoke of cigars and the bittersweet scent of cologne.

A huge table was set in front of me and in the center of it, seated on either side of my father, are the bosses of the family.

Everyone is looking at me, twitching the cigars in their mouth.

They’re either intrigued, smile or tap their fingers on the table.

I’m sure everyone is calculating the kind of man I am.

To them, I was the boss, the backup Don, the one to follow, so their demeanor was justified. And for them, it’s the first time I’m going to be standing up as a successor, so I can’t afford to make a mistake.

I fold my right hand across my chest as I learned from Parnello and bow gently to them.

“I apologize for keeping you waiting. I am Eugene Han Corleone, heir to the Corleone family and son of Vito Corleone.”

Silence fell over the dining room but when I slowly raised my head again, what I saw before me was an outrageous sight.

“Is my nephew here?”

“He’s starving. Don, tell him to sit down quickly. Isn’t he a little stiff?”

“Hehehe, he’s cute. Cute.”

“Hey, sweetie, Uncle will give you some pocket money!”

“Kids grow up so fast these days. That cute little Eugene is already all grown up.......”

“──No.”

......Was this really a family dinner?