The dojo doors swung open like a final‑boss gate, and Chaewon strode in. Even in casual clothes, she radiated a sharper aura than in her gi. She locked her narrowed eyes on Ace and scread his na, silencing the room.
No one dared speak—not even her father. Don Capo’s gang split into two rows as though the godmother had arrived to face their godfather.
"What were you thinking?!" Chaewon yelled, stopping an inch from Ace and grabbing his gi. "You put everyone in danger! What would you do if sothing terrible happened to you or your friends?!"
Just stay quiet.
"Don’t ignore !" Chaewon shook him, though she was weaker than usual.
"I get it," Ace said. Doesn’t an I’ll follow it. One day you’ll be just as reckless as us.
Chaewon wasn’t convinced. She stared into his eyes, then let go of his gi and gave his chest a weak punch.
"You’re amazing. You pick up every martial art fast and sharpen it with barely any help," she whispered. "But even with that talent, sothing unexpected can still hurt you. You never know what might happen, so please think about what you’re doing.
"I know you guys aren’t the type to sit at a desk or follow martial arts tournant rules," she went on, voice trembling, "but I don’t want to see you do sothing that foolish again."
She had grown to like them. Over ti she had watched them turn from thugs into disciplined martial artists. She had even played Ace’s improvised chess ga in the forest with them and had a lot of fun and new experiences. Building shelters with Don Capo and his gang in the woods had been great, too.
"You’re also my friends..." Chaewon said.
Don Capo’s gang could no longer stay quiet. So sniffed, so groaned; all shared the sa feeling. They already saw her as part of the gang. rcer was already crying—he felt truly surrounded by family, and that ant a lot to him.
Ace gave a weak smile. "Thanks. I’m sorry for making you worry. You’ll understand more later, but for now, I’m sorry." He studied her pale face. "You still look too pale. You okay?"
"Yes... thanks. It was a rare infection from the steam water, probably," she said, brightening. "I was unlucky, but you all saved . I didn’t have ti to thank you properly! I’ll cook sothing for you when I’m better."
"No worries, Godmother!" the gang chorused.
"G‑Godmother?!" Chaewon squeaked, her pale cheeks turning scarlet.
Chaewon shot Ace a quick look—the "Godmother" title hinted at sothing between them, but he only chuckled and let the notion hang. Ace’s flaw kept him romantically detached, yet insights from his first life told him exactly why she blushed. Those old mories stirred no romance now; he rembered only her unwavering kindness.
Chaewon’s father slamd his fists together. "I see you sorry lot. Finally sprouted a few damn brain cells for Don Capo, huh? Get your asses on the mats—one at a ti, every last one of you!"
The gang gulped in unison and shuffled to Emil’s side. The damage was done, but none regretted their words; they fought to stand by them.
Ace pulled rcer aside and wrapped an arm around the boy’s shoulder. With his free hand he rubbed rcer’s head hard, giving him a rough noogie that made the kid squeal.
"See how every action has consequences, rcer?" Ace asked, not letting go.
"I... I see!" rcer yelped, eyes shut.
"The boys are catching hell right now... Chaewon’s confused as hell and might rethink staying friends with us."
"Eh! Why?" rcer blurted.
"Because they called her Godmother. It forces a role on her. It’s uncomfortable, but if we act normal it’ll blow over."
Ace didn’t know it wouldn’t fade so easily.
"For now, we’ll leave them alone. We need to do so shopping," he said.
"Shopping?" rcer asked.
"Yeah. Bigger backpacks, rations, and drinks."
It sounded like another forest trip, but Ace was already gearing up for the first Gate. With new cash he could buy supplies for himself and rcer. The rest of the gang would get their own. The Chessboard Apocalypse was still far off, yet its shadow had reached Ace.
Today he learned a hard lesson.
Even if I know the future and have skills to spare, anything can happen. You’re right, Chaewon. I can’t let arrogance cloud my head.
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