Chapter 87: Became a Mafia of the Academy

That night.

In the conference room of the Calione family, all the bosses and executives of the families within the country gathered for the first time in a long while.

And the person sitting in the chair of the presiding officer was the boss who oversees all the Calione families.

Don Vito Calione.

"Let's begin the emergency executive meeting hosted by Eugene Han Calione."

He struck the gavel in front of him, much like a judge announcing the start of a court trial.

Given that this was the first meeting I hosted as an executive and the heir of the Calione family, it would have been a risky move to bring up a mundane agenda, but I was confident.

Well, if anyone had seen this with their own eyes, they would have no choice but to retract any doubts.

"I am Eugene Han Calione, the host and proposer of this meeting. Thank you all for taking the time to attend."

Including myself, there were a total of six family bosses present at this meeting.

The Move family, who usually act as cleaners.

The Bivalt family, who manage the coastal areas of the central region.

The Ferro family, who manage the Busan area.

The Kovalev family, who run a guild and also work as hunters.

Myself, who established a new family at Seoul Hero Academy, the Famiglia family.

And the supreme commander who oversees all of them, Don Vito Calione.

In addition to the bosses, there were also executives from each family, making the number of attendees even larger.

"The reason I have gathered you all here is because I have obtained important information."

As I said this, I observed the expressions of those seated at the table.

Unlike the first executive meeting I attended, they were now listening to me with serious expressions.

Although they were like close uncles in private, they began to evaluate me professionally from the moment I convened the meeting.

I wonder what kind of evaluation they will give by the end of this meeting.

With that thought in mind, I played the video I had prepared.

"Despair will land in Korea."

A video of Plague, a notorious global criminal and high-ranking officer of the Villain Union, declaring war.

The executives' faces showed interest as the man, whose face and position were previously known, appeared in the video.

"This video was anonymously sent to government agencies and implies a terrorist attack on South Korea. I am showing this video to you for one reason: the area the Villain Union plans to attack includes our Calione territory."

The bosses and executives looked puzzled.

"Are you saying our territory is included in their terrorist plans?"

The question came from the boss of the Kovalev family.

Given that the Calione family, which controls the underworld globally, inevitably has points of contact with the Villain Union, they have an almost non-aggression pact, where they avoid interfering with each other.

To be precise, the Villain Union tends to avoid us.

However,

"This information is confirmed through the Villain Union's informants. It has been verified by my father... Don."

According to what Latte, whom we rescued last time, said, they no longer intend to maintain a non-aggression pact with the Calione family.

If they are turning into enemies, that's one thing.

But considering the future story, we need to prepare in advance.

"We need to prepare for the terrorist attack. We should increase the number of patrols in each area and create an environment where we can respond at any time."

At that moment, the boss of the Move family, Leg Move, raised his hand and asked.

"Is there any guarantee that the terrorist attack will happen? Could this video just be a threat?"

As he said, the video I showed earlier did not specify when or where the attack would take place.

It only stated that despair would come to South Korea.

As I was about to explain, the boss of the Bivalt family, Antonio, spoke up.

"But it's true that a large number of villains have recently entered the country illegally. If they plan to carry out a terrorist attack, it's not impossible."

"However, there's no evidence that they are targeting us. We only need to protect our own people. We might provoke them if we act unnecessarily."

"Isn't that too passive? We could be caught off guard!"

"It's just speculation! What could they gain by attacking us first?!"

"That's why I'm suggesting we prepare!"

The voices started to rise.

"Preparation? I agree with preparation. But if we move, the citizens in the areas we protect will become anxious. Besides, do you think the government will just sit by if we start large-scale operations?!"

"Then we should inform the citizens in advance──"

The conversation became more heated.

Just as the bosses' voices were about to rise,

"──Silence."

A single word.

The moment a single word was spoken from beside me, the atmosphere in the room became heavy, pressing down on everyone.

Two people, sweating cold sweat, slowly turned their heads toward the source of the voice.

Red eyes flickered through the thick cigar smoke.

"My son, Eugene Han Calione, has not finished speaking."

Thud.

The ash from the cigar in my father's hand fell onto the table.

"Show respect. Leg, Antonio."

The two bosses, who had just been raising their voices, quickly bowed to my father.

"I have been rude, Don."

"……Please forgive me."

Despite their apologies, the room remained silent.

The other executives and bosses also had tense expressions.

After silently observing the two for a moment, my father nodded, and the two bowed and returned to their seats.

The meeting room fell silent again. My father glanced at me and said,

"Then, the proposer can continue."

"……Yes, Boss."

Thanks to the recent incident, everyone, including those who were not paying attention, now focused on me.

This was a rare opportunity to engage people with strong egos. I needed to seize this chance.

If they understood the danger, others' thoughts would change.

"According to the informant... Plague does not make threats or false propaganda."

He is that kind of man.

A man with a twisted ideology who believes that humanity must be swept away to truly save it.

A man who believes that only the highest-ranking humans, who have survived countless plagues and wars, can create a new world.

"He believes he must become a great plague to filter humanity, that he must bear the original sin like Jesus, to become a villain."

Given that a psychopath like him has declared war, there can be no dissent.

"The officers of the Villain Union have made their delusional beliefs their life goals. In this case, they have even revealed themselves in a video. Therefore, they will definitely carry out the terrorist attack."

And this terrorist attack will spread nationwide, starting with an upcoming event.

Will it be good or evil?

Will they act for themselves or to protect everyone?

In this war that no one can avoid, what choice will they make?

My answer, as a member of the Calione family, is simple.

"We need to monitor the villains in each area. We need to be cautious of unregistered Awakened individuals. We need to identify those who have entered the country illegally, avoiding the government's eyes and ears."

The Calione family... must prepare for a real war.

At my final words, everyone in the room became serious.

They were gradually realizing the gravity of the situation.

"Let's summarize this."

My father, holding a cigar, spoke first.

"If what Eugene says is true, the Calione family will eventually be affected, sooner or later. We have a duty to protect those who trust and rely on us. However,"

His gaze swept over the room.

"Originally, this should be the government's responsibility. This will be on a much larger scale than just managing our territories. There will naturally be opposition. We must also consider the balance of power."

Now, let's start the vote on this agenda.

With that, he took a deep puff of his cigar and exhaled, sending a cloud of gray smoke above his head.

The cigar in his hand burned down to the end.

"Raise your hand if you think the Calione family should prepare for war."

At the same time, the executives and bosses of each family began to raise their hands.

One, two, three.

Hands continued to rise.

Eventually, the vote ended.

"Good. The decision is made."

Among them was the boss of the Move family, who had just asked if it was necessary to prepare.

He looked surprised at the result, but then──

"──The Calione family does not leave wolves that target their family alive."

Farnello, who was closest to my father, raised his hand and spoke in a deep voice.

At the same time,

"“The Calione family does not leave wolves that target their family alive!”"

Everyone echoed Farnello's words, and my father, with a smile, pressed out his cigar in the ashtray.

"Unanimous."

Then, he slammed his hand on the table.

"As you say, the Calione family does not leave wolves that target their family alive. Spread this to all the families. From now on, the Calione family will prepare for war."

My father then looked at Farnello.

"Farnello. Take the video and go to the Calione information command center. Spread it on the internet so everyone can know. They have the right to protect their own families, so don't let them be manipulated by the government."

"As you wish, Don."

Farnello bowed and left the room.

"Bivalt."

"Yes, Boss."

"Strengthen patrols around the ports and investigate recent illegal immigrants to identify any Awakened individuals."

"Yes, Boss. I will do so."

"Move. Focus on finding where the villains have infiltrated in Korea."

"