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, the more anger his mind brew. «Ding! Data collection complete! Fusion successful! Host's health is currently in a critical state. Injecting revitalization serum!» Xavier heard a female mechanical voice. He immediately turned around but saw nothing except infinite darkness. «Ding! Host's emotions are a mess! Injecting Ever-Calm serum!» Xavier felt his mind calm as a cool sensation ran over him. He began to rearrange his thoughts, but first thing first, what exactly was that mechanical voice earlier. «Welcome Host, I am Erebus. Earlier I detected an attempt of brainwash on the host, thus I made use of the Ever-Calm serum on the host.» the voice spoke again. "Erebus, huh? Who or what are you?" Xavier asked. "I am an Artificial Intelligence System, you can think of me as your personal assistant. Needless to say, I am not of this backwater world of yours. I was soaring the data airspace when I felt a pull to you. I felt your unbridled desire to make a change at your life, thus I am here to help.» the mechanical voice said with a hint of glee in its voice. "And how will you be able to help me?" Xavier questioned the system. In the past he would have been fretting, but now his mind was as calm as the sea. «I can grant the Host sets of skills and monetary rewards should host walk in the path of accomplishing his goal.» the mechanical voice replied. "Like those Systems in Lightnovels that make their protagonist so OP? Hmm, fine. But where exactly I'm I?" «You are in the void, an airspace between the Living and Purgatory. Host should awaken in ten minutes.» the system replied. "Alright. Since you said you're a system and I'm the host, can you show me my stats?" «Ding! STAT (System for Transfer and Analysis of Tactical data): Host: Xavier Hale Age: 18 Status: Comatose Attributes: Strength (STR); 10 Intelligence (INT); 25 Agility (AGI); 10 Vitality (VIT); 25 Endurance (END); 25 Charisma (CHA); 15 Combat stats: Attack power (ATK); 10 Defense (DEF); 10 Health points (HP); 100% Mana points (MP); 100 Accuracy (ACC); 0 Evasion (EVA); 0 Performance metrics: Experience points (XP); 0 Level; 1 Skills: Revitalization (passive, upgradable) Ever-Calm (passive, non upgradable) Gold or currency; $0 Kills or deaths; 0 kills, 1 death Win-loss record; 0 Goal: To be a Mafia Lord. (System suggests host to level up ASAP or host's goal will just be nothing but a pipe dream).» Xavier was stunned by his stats, he didn't know he was this weak. But when he saw the Mana point and the skills, he got a bit confused. "Hey system, what's with Mana point? Isn't that part of a game-like stat for mages and spellcasters? Why is it amongst my stat?" «Host is correct. But in this case, the Mana point helps you to perform certain active skills which you will acquire in time. With the Mana point, you can perform some skills that can enable you dogde bullets, shoot in a curved manner, read lips and other excellent active skills.» "That's really cool. What about the two skills there, Revitalization, what does it do and why it is upgradable?" «Ding! Revitalization will aid the host to recover from any wound, illness, or poisonous state. Also when upgraded to a certain level, host can even regrow a severed limb and recover from even a bomb attack. Nevertheless, that will cost lots of Mana point.» WHAT!? "Hold on! Are you saying that with the right amount of Mana point and revitalization level, I can be said to be immortal!?" «You could say that.» "This is so damn OP, I feel like I'm a protagonist in a light-novel." «Ding! Host will awaken in sixty seconds. Host is currently in a facility. System detected traces of attempted brainwash earlier but terminated it by injecting Host with the Ever-Calm serum. System suggests Host to act brainwashed as Host is currently too weak to defend himself against whatever the unknown individuals will do. Again, System urges the Host to find a way to level up quickly, else host's goal will never be achieved.» "Huh!? What!?" «Host to awaken in 5.. 4.. 3.. 2.. 1..» * "He's coming around!" "He's regaining consciousness!" "Quick, get Doctor Ambrose!" "Get some guards in case he goes berserk!" Xavier could hear a cacophony of voices as his brain and eyes tried to adjust to the new surrounding. He felt he was laying on a soft bed and wearing a strange helmet on his head, also there were a lot of tubing attached to needles that had inserted into him. He didn't know where he was, but he had a feeling this was exactly where the system told him about, and he remembered the system telling him to act brainwashed in order to stay alive. Sigh! "Even with after being revived and given a second chance in the same world, I'm still weak. It won't be long though." Soon Xavier heard hurried footsteps, he could tell there was more than ten persons coming. Then he saw a clean shaven middle-aged man in a white medical coat that came and stood near him. "Welcome back son, from now on, your name is X, and you serve the Continental."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
Xavier and his team were dragged to a secured cell in the basement, the sound of dripping water and faint screams echoing through the corridors. Marco sneered at them, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "You fools," Marco spat. "You thought you could infiltrate our mansion and steal from us? We've been expecting you." Xavier's eyes narrowed. "How did you know?" Marco chuckled. "Your precious Victor thought he was clever, planting a spy in our midst. But we discovered the traitor and turned them to our advantage." "Who was it?" Xavier demanded, his anger rising. Marco leaned in, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Ah, that would be telling. Let's just say they were very close to Victor. Close enough to feed us information and lead you into our trap." Xavier's mind raced. Who could it be? One of Victor's most trusted allies? Marco continued, "We fed your spy false information, and they unsuspectingly led you into our trap. And now, you'll pay the price." Xavier's anger flared, b
Xavier sat in Victor's office, nursing his whiskey, his mind reeling from the failed rescue mission. The dim lighting and soft hum of the air conditioner couldn't calm his frustration. He still couldn't believe the fact that Marco played him and got away with it again. Now what was he to do about his mother. He couldn't begin to imagine what his Mother would be going through at the hands of Marco and rest of the Hale family.Victor's expression was grim, his eyes reflecting the weight of their failure. "Xavier, I'm sorry. We underestimated Marco's preparations."Xavier's gaze drifted toward the cityscape outside, his voice laced with frustration. "It's not your fault, Victor. I knew the risks. But I won't give up." Of course he won't give up. He couldn't tell Victor the real reason for his determination.Victor leaned forward, his elbows on the desk. "We'll regroup, plan again. We won't let Marco win."Regroup and plan again? Not a chance. Xavier had already received a message from th
Xavier left Victor's office, determination in his stride. He had a plan, and now it was time to execute it. His first stop was the city's underworld, where mercenaries and black-market dealers lurked.He had paid the system ten gold coins to get a list of the most reputable mercenary group in the country.He arrived at the infamous Red Diamond bar, a hub for illicit activities. The bouncer, a towering giant, eyed Xavier before nodding."You here for business or pleasure?"Xavier smiled. "Business. I'm looking for Jack Harris."The bouncer's expression changed from curiosity to caution. "What do you want with Jack?"Xavier handed him a hundred dollar bill roll. "Tell him Xavier wants to discuss a job."The bouncer pocketed the bill and disappeared into the crowded bar. Minutes later, he returned with a rugged-looking man in his mid-40s."Xavier, this is Jack Harris," the bouncer said before melting into the crowd.Jack's piercing gaze assessed Xavier. "What's the job?"Xavier gestured