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 knife he used to kill the previous guard. With his strength and agility boost now both at 20 each, he found it easier to take down the guards. Suddenly, a guard landed a lucky blow, sending Xavier crashing to the ground. The disruptor flew from his hand, sliding across the floor, broken to pieces. "No!" Xavier shouted, scrambling for the device. The guard raised his gun, ready to deliver the final blow. Xavier rolled aside, avoiding the bullet by mere inches. With a loud shout, Xavier launched himself at the guard, tackling him to the ground. They wrestled, punching each other. Xavier kicked away from the guard, then picked up the knife which laid beside him, just as the guard made one more jump at him, Xavier made it his last. Puchi! «Ding! Congratulations to Host for killing a level 4 hostile individual. 700 XP and 300 gold coins has been awarded to Host. Host is now a few points away from leveling up.» As he stood up, Xavier realized he was bleeding - the bullet had grazed his arm. He gritted his teeth, ignoring the pain, but soon, he saw the wound healing at a speed visible to the naked eye. In no time, the wound had scabbed. 'This revitalization skill is no joke.' Xavier inwardly rejoiced. The disruptor lay nearby, now trashed. Xavier picked it up, but it was now just a piece of junk. Fortunately there was no more guards heading his way, it seemed that Victor and his team had drawn all the attention to themselves. The corridor was silent, except for the sound of his own ragged breathing. Xavier leaned against the wall, catching his breath. He had won, he was very proud of himself. His first battle and he had emerged victorious. Although he knew it was with the help of the system, but still.. «Ding! Host, you're clear to escape.» The system's voice echoed in his mind. Sigh! "It seems from now on the Continental will not stop hunting me." «Host is correct. Host is therefore advised to lay low while he continues to level up and amass skills and wealth» Xavier nodded, wincing in pain. "I'm ready." 'It seems I have to really make use of Victor and his fallen Mafia family. With their help, I can lay low and grow at a steady pace. Xavier made his way through the deserted corridors, his eyes looking for any signs of danger. He knew the Continental wouldn't give up easily, sooner or later more guards will be here, but he had a head start. Although he didn't know what part of the city he was right now, but he had a feeling he was in a place he that could easily link him back to the Hale family. As he turned a corner, he saw Victor waiting for him, a hint of a smile on his face. There was blood all over him. "Well done, X," Victor said, clapping him on the back. "You're a natural." Xavier grinned, feeling a sense of pride and belonging. "Thanks to you and your team. I owe you one." "I know this isn't the time, but I'm curious, how did you manage to break through the brainwash? That had never failed before." Victor asked and Xavier saw pure curiosity in his eyes, although Victor just escaped the Continental, that didn't mean he could trust him with the secret of the system. "Luck I guess." Xavier shrugged. Victor's expression turned serious. "We need to get out of here, now. My team has bought us some time, but the Continental will regroup soon." Xavier nodded, following Victor through the narrow corridors. They reached a secret exit, and Victor handed Xavier a new device. "This is a secure comms device. Use it to contact me when you need help." Xavier took the device, feeling a sense of gratitude. "Thanks, Victor. I won't forget this." Victor smiled, but didn't move away from Xavier, he stared long at Xavier which started to creep the teenage boy out. "Where will you go now X?" Victor asked even though he had already guessed the answer. "Well, I don't know. I guess I can just find a motel and you know, get a job if I can." "That only established the fact that you have nothing in mind. Why don't you come join my family. You can offer your services to the LaGraine Family in exchange for food and shelter, and of course you will be paid for your services too." «Host is advised to take this offer as it will allow host the means to level up and still be out of reach from the Hale family and Continental. Host is still too weak to fight against them.» Xavier pretended to think about Victor's offer but in truth, he had already made his decision. "Fine. But I must warn you, I am an amateur when it comes to combat." Xavier replied. "Not to worry, that can be fixed. Welcome to the LaGraine family." Victor smiled and stretched out his hand which Xavier shook. «Ding! Congratulations to Host on getting his first base of operation Base: LaGraine Family 500 XP and 500 gold coins has been awarded to Host.» «Ding! Host has reached level 2. Attributes have been boosted.» Xavier smiled, feeling a sense of excitement. He was just getting started. Soon he will rise to the ranks of a Mafia Lord.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
(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 fo
The air erupted in a cacophony of gunfire as my team and I found ourselves trapped in a deadly ambush. Xenos militia troops emerged from the shadows, their weapons blazing."Dammit, we've been set up!" Risky yelled, diving beside me to avoid a hail of bullets. "I knew those Candace government officials couldn't be trusted! Saboteurs, every last one of them!"My instincts had warned me something was off, but I hadn't anticipated this level of betrayal. The Xenos had brought an entire battalion to take down seven former soldiers – an absurd show of force."Three hundred soldiers against seven of us?" I muttered, incredulous. "Who mobilizes an army for a handful of men?"The militia's relentless barrage pinned us down, forcing us to scramble for cover. Our team's training kicked in, and we returned fire with precision, but the odds were stacked against us.As bullets whizzed past, I assessed our situation. We needed a new plan, and fast, or risk being overrun.“Father! Shall we retreat!?