(Author's Note: Three chapters has been allocated to Maximus' colorful and action packed backstory. It will be a first person POV as Maximus is recounting his earlier days).
"Some think the mighty and powerful – heads of state, military commanders, and billionaires – are untouchable, exempt from the rules that govern the rest of us. But I've seen the other side. I wasn't born with a golden spoon or a title. I was once just like everyone else, with hopes and heartaches. And I, too, once felt the all-consuming fire of passion." I stepped into the dimly lit room, neon lights casting an eerie glow. A long, imposing table dominated the space, flanked by six chairs, only one of which remained empty. The darkness was suffocating, obscuring everything, including my own reflection. I claimed the final seat, my presence a declaration of defiance. They thought me ill-prepared, too green for this high-stakes mission. But they underestimated me. As leader of the KWE mercenary group, a small yet formidable mercenary unit, I'd proven my mettle. Our numbers may be laughable, but each member is a battle-hardened elite, forged in the fire of countless battles. We'd tackled missions that would make even the most seasoned operatives tremble. Flanked on my sides were high ranking men and women dressed in dark suits. I had been called to handle a few problem for them. “The Xenos Militia are planning to send in reinforcements, we need you to infiltrate their ranks and incapacitate them.” a voice said. I couldn't see their faces but it didn't matter, all that mattered to me was the mission which I knew was going to change a lot of things about me. “The Novak will provide you with all the information you need.” A female voice said. I frowned, I didn't the idea of external help, I prefer to handle the missions alone. The reason the KWE mercenary group has few members is due to the fact that we have secrets we don't want anyone else knowing, thus bringing the Novakians with me on this mission is comparable to inviting unsolvable problems. “Why are the Novakians involve in this debacle of ours? What can the Novak President do except send untrained ignorant men to their doom? My team and I are enough to handle this trifle matter.” I said with annoyance. Wherever there is trouble or war, the Novak will meddle into the affair with the notion of maintaining peace in that country, but in truth they have their hidden agenda. And now the americans want to get involved again? Besides, what's so special in Candace that every country wants a piece of? “Who will the Secretary of Defense send to aid me?” I asked after a moment of silent. “Major Triston Allen and Sergeant Anderson Marshal.” a male voice said. Damn! It just had to be them, why couldn't they send normal soldiers! These two are part of an elite force known as the Apostle clan, it's more of a militia that Lucius set up for his daughter Simran, and few years ago, precisely '2019' I was told by Lucius that Simran is my soulmate and we were to be married once we come of age. Our love has bloomed and I am willing to die for her, I will do anything to please her and make her happy, I love her more than life itself. But it doesn't mean I like those arrogant pricks who serve her. I didn't like the idea of traveling with those Apostle soldiers, especially Major Triston Allen and Sergeant Anderson Marshal. “I don't think that's necessary, I can do this by myself, I don't need a babysitter. They will only slow me down. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate their gesture of goodwill, but I don't need escorts.” I tried to reason with them. “This isn't up for discussion.” another voice, a male voice said. “I don't trust anyone apart from my teammates!” I said raising my voice a bit. “If you can't trust others, then how can we trust you.” a voice chipped in, and I recognized that voice but just can't place its owner. “You seem to be forgetting the importance of this mission. If the Xenos troops manage to get even a piece the merchandise, then Candace will lose its current trump card in the black market. The Novakians are aiding us because of the agreement we have with them. Understood?” a voice chipped in. “Fine, let's get this over with.” I said. “Know this Maximus; your chances of returning alive is 0.01%.” a female voice said. “Are you still willing to proceed?” she asked as if expecting me to refuse. I simply looked at these haughty men and women and smiled. “Where do I sign?” * “TEN HUT!” Starlet shouted as soon as I got into Wardogs meeting room. All six members of the KWE Mercenary group stood up to salute as soon as I entered. We were but a small mercenary group, and thus our hideout was one inconspicuous three room apartment. This mission will yield forth bountiful cash which will aid us expand. “Take your seat guys. You all know why we're here today, right?” I said looking at the face of every one of them. We were all in our early twenties, yet due to the fact we were dishonorable discharged from the army for not obeying a direct order to destroy an entire village, we've bounded up to fight against terrorism as a mercenary group. “Tsk! They can't handle their own mess. Bornu has become a place of war, rather than of peace.” Risky said. He's of average height, lean and a skilled gunfighter. “This reminds me of the 2018 plateau state attack. Same kind of mission, we were only ordered to retrieve the merchandise and leave the terrorists to annihilate the village.” Starlet said. Being second in command, he was respected by the others because he never slacked in his training. “We are not going to Plateau, and we are not soldiers anymore. So man up, gear up. We leave at dawn.” “SIR! YES SIR!” They echoed in unison. * When they had all left the room, I took out a photo from my pocket. It was a photo of a dark skinned beauty; Simran. She had been with me for so long and now this mission will get us the resources to finally get married. “Mother will be so proud of you.” a voice said but I didn't turn around, I knew who that was; my ever silent son— Erik The Hollow Reaper. “After this mission, we shall retire and settle down as a normal family.” I said and put the photo back into my pocket. “You know I'm with you Father, till the ends of the earth.”Xavier Hale stood at the periphery of the grand party, his eyes sweeping across the room with a mix of disdain and longing. The lavish decorations, the cacophony of conversation, and the clinking of glasses seemed to mock him, a constant reminder of his position in his family. His mother, Alicia, a stunning woman with piercing green eyes, laughed and chatted with the other guests, her beauty and charm captivating everyone around her. But Xavier knew the truth - she was a mistress, a mere plaything for the powerful Mafia lord, Donatello Hale."Xavier, darling, come join us!" his mother called out, her voice dripping with sweetness, like honey. Despite all the mistreatment she received from the other women in the Hale family, she still treated Xavier like a treasure that could not be exchanged for anything.Xavier hesitated, knowing he didn't belong. The weight of his mother's expectant gaze forced him to move forward, his feet heavy with reluctance, as if trudging through quicksand. As
Xavier made his way to the garage, his mind racing with questions. What was this business transaction his father wanted him to oversee? Why was it so important? And why did his father seem so cold and calculating?As he approached the car, Edgar, the driver, greeted him with a nod. "Ready, sir?"Xavier nodded, getting into the car. "Let's go."As he got into the passenger seat of the car, his mind couldn't help but go back to what his father said about clearing away the shame by completing this mission, but still, somehow he felt uneasy about everything.Edgar drove through the winding roads, eventually leading them to a deserted warehouse on the outskirts of town. Xavier's instincts told him something was off, but he pushed aside his doubts."Wait here," Edgar said, getting out of the car. "I'll go check if everything is ready."Xavier watched as Edgar entered the warehouse, his heart pounding in his chest. Suddenly, he heard footsteps coming from the shadows."Xavier Hale," a voice
In a starless void of darkness. Xavier floated away. His mind replayed the events of what had happened over again and over again. He was overwhelmed by the emotions of regrets, anger, loss. He had refused to believe what those men said about his father being behind everything that happened, but deep down he knew it might just be true. Edgar didn't dispute what those men said, and Edgar himself said he was just following orders, that only meant his father planned all these.. but why? Because he was the son of a mistress? Because he had no significant place in the family? Or because his mother was once a maid? Were these reasons enough to kill him? Hadn't he been laying low, taking in all their abuses and insults without any form of retaliation? Why would they still plan to kill him, and without even letting him say goodbye to his mother! If he was allowed to live, perhaps he could become a Mafia Lord one day."WHY!?" Xavier screamed to the starless void. The more he thought about it, t
Xavier, now known as X, pretended to be brainwashed, staring blankly at Doctor Ambrose. The doctor smiled, seemingly pleased with Xavier's condition."Good, good. The treatment is working. You will make a fine asset for the Continental," Doctor Ambrose said, nodding to the guards.One of the guards, a tall, muscular man with a scar above his left eyebrow, stepped forward. "Sir, can I have a word with you?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.Doctor Ambrose frowned. "What is it, Victor?"Victor glanced at Xavier before speaking. "I think we should be careful. He's not as brainwashed as we think."Doctor Ambrose laughed. "Nonsense. The treatment is foolproof. X here will do our bidding without question."Xavier's mind raced, remembering the system's warning to level up quickly. He knew he had to play along, but he also needed to find a way to escape and start his journey to become a Mafia Lord. He knew if he remained here, he would be nothing but an experimental subject, a guinea pig fo
More guards arrived, forming a semi-circle around Xavier. He stood tall, disruptor at the ready."You're surrounded," a guard sneered. "Surrender now and perhaps we might go easy on you."'Surrender?' Xavier repeated the words in his mind. How many times had he always surrendered to the Hale family? How many times had he stepped down with his head low just to survive? And what did he get for those acts of cowardice? A painful and undesirable death orchestrated by none other than his own father. From now on, he would never bend a knee, ever again.Xavier smiled grimly. "I'd rather die."«Ding!New skill acquired!Undying Resolve (non upgradable)Description: In desperate times, Host's resolve to persevere will give all attributes ×2 boost.»'Hehehe, things just keeps getting better and better.' Xavier chuckled inside.The guards opened fire, but Xavier's disruptor rendered their laser guns useless. Seeing them shocked at the fact their guns weren't working, he rushed at them with the k
After leaving the Continental facility. Xavier and Victor ran without any pitstop till they got to a busy road. There they boarded a taxi."Take us to Ancroft city." Victor said."That would be $200 each." The taxi driver said with mischievousness clearly written on his face. Victor was about to refuse when Xavier simply opened the door and went in."I only have $500 only me right now, and we still need to buy some food along the way." Victor said a bit worried."Do not worry about it." Xavier spoke with a smile.'Hey Erebus. I can make use of the gold coins as hard cash, right?' Xavier asked the system via telepathy.«Ding! Yes. Host just needs to will a few coins to materialize in his hand and it will be so. Note, one gold coin is equivalent to ten dollars.» Xavier smiled at the system's response.*Ancroft city was in front of a mountain. Victor's family mansion was hidden in the mountain."Welcome to our humble abode," Victor said, one could sense pride in his voice. As they walke
Xavier sat on a metal chair in the armory. Victor had decided that the ambush operation will only consist of twenty persons including Xavier. Knowing the kind of effect his identity will have on this mission, Xavier had decided to wear a mask."System. Kindly show me my stats please." Xavier said to the system.«Ding!STAT (System for Transfer and Analysis of Tactical data):Host: Xavier HaleAge: 18Status: HealthyAttributes:Strength (STR); 35Intelligence (INT); 40Agility (AGI); 35Vitality (VIT); 40Endurance (END); 40Charisma (CHA); 25Combat stats:Attack power (ATK); 45Defense (DEF); 40Health points (HP); 100%Mana points (MP); 300Accuracy (ACC); 60%Evasion (EVA); 55%Performance metrics:Experience points (XP); 1,400Level; 3 (1,400/20,000)Skills:Revitalization (passive, upgradable) lvl 3Ever-Calm (passive, non upgradable)Undying Resolve (active, non upgradable)Weapon master (passive, upgradable) lvl 4Hand-to-hand combat (passive, upgradable) lvl 5Gold or currenc
Xavier walked into the meeting room, the morning sunlight streaming through the windows. The LaGraine family elders and Victor were already seated, their faces stern and focused. "Xavier, thank you for joining us," Victor said, his voice firm. "We've received intel that the Hale Family is transporting a new shipment to their warehouse. We believe it contains more of the crystalized energy cells we discovered amongst the crates." Two nights ago, they had ambushed the Hale family's convoy and raided their warehouse. They discovered that apart from refined gold, most of the crates contained blocks of energy cells. Xavier's eyes narrowed. "What's so special about these energy cells?" Victor leaned forward. "They have the potential to produce new, highly advanced weapons. We can't let the Hale Family get their hands on that kind of power, once they make use of these energy cells, they will be unstoppable amongst the Mafia community. We need to get that power for ourselves." The elders