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 nodded in agreement. "We need to take it off their hands," one of them said. "Xavier, you'll lead the team on this mission." Xavier was struck dumb before feeling a surge of adrenaline. Another mission, another chance to earn XP and level up. "I'm in," he said, his voice firm. Victor smiled, his eyes sparkled with approval. "I knew I could count on you, Xavier. Let's get to planning." The meeting room erupted into a lot of activity, the team discussing strategies and tactics. Xavier listened closely, his mind racing with possibilities. If he could keep on leveling up and acquiring skills and gold coins, he could eventually build his own Mafia empire, then go seek revenge on the Hale family. His mind drifted to his mother. 'I wonder how she's doing now.' Sigh! As the meeting adjourned, Victor pulled Xavier aside. "Xavier, I need to talk to you about something." Xavier raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" Victor's expression turned serious. "There is something we didn't tell you about this mission. Due to the raid on the warehouse, the Hale family decided to move all the goods to their family mansion. Now, the Hale is hosting a masquerade ball, that's how you'll get in." Xavier's gut tightened. He could not believe what Victor was implying. "You want me to sneak into the Hale family mansion and steal the energy cells from them? Right under their nose and roof? Isn't that plain suicide!?" Xavier almost shouted. Victor's eye locked onto Xavier's. "Yes, that's exactly what I want you to do. We won't get this opportunity ever again, and those energy cells are too valuable to let go. If you are able to pull this off, I'll promote you, and you can take on as many missions as you like." Victor said. Xavier began to rack his brain. Then he remembered something he had read in a light novel. 'System, please tell me you have a pocket dimension I can hide a lot of things.' Xavier asked the System. «Host is correct. But you need to unlock the storage room with gold coins. This will cost you 2,500 gold coins.» 'What!? That's almost all the gold coins I have.' Xavier became frustrated. He then turned to Victor. "If I do this and pull it off. I want a raise." Xavier said with knitted brows. "If you succeed in this mission, I'll triple your salary." Victor said with a smile. "It's a deal." Xavier nodded, his heart racing with anticipation. The stakes just got higher. * Xavier's team infiltrated the Hale mansion, their masks and formal attire allowing them to blend in seamlessly with the guests. Victor's voice whispered in Xavier's earpiece, guiding him through the layout and security. The ballroom was packed with men and women of power. Xavier looked around, searching for one person in particular, but he could not see her. He wanted to see how his mother is doing. He missed her. She was the only one who stood up for him. 'What if she committed suicide out of depression thinking I'm dead?' Xavier's heart skipped a beat at that thought. As he was about to leave the ballroom, he spotted her, she had no mask on. He could barely recognize her. She was now thin, and her beauty had faded.. she looked so sickly. His heart bled from just thinking about all she had passed through since his absence. As he was about to go to her, his earpiece gave a buzz. "Xavier, our man is near the storage room. Security is light. Make your way there now." Victor's voice sounded in his ear. Xavier nodded, his heart racing with anticipation. 'Hang in there Mother, soon I'll return and take you away from here. I will return more powerful than the Hale family, and no one will be able to trample on you ever again.' Xavier adjusted his mask and followed his team through the winding hallways, avoiding detection. As they approached the storage room, Xavier's earpiece crackled again. "Xavier, this is our man. I'm inside. Security is patrolling the area. You need to move fast." Xavier's eyes locked onto the door. He could hear the sound of footsteps and laughter from the other side. "Let's go," Xavier whispered to his team. "Stay sharp." They entered the storage room, and Xavier's eyes scanned the space. Crates and boxes lined the shelves, but he spotted the energy cells immediately. They glowed with an otherworldly light, packed neatly into a small case. "Get the case," Xavier whispered to his team. "We need to move." But as they reached for the case, the door burst open. Marco Hale stood before them, his eyes full of fury behind his mask. "Well, well, well," Marco sneered. "Look what we have here. Thieves in our midst." Xavier's heart sank. They had been caught. This was a perfectly laid trap. "Marco, we can explain," Xavier's team member started, he wanted to bluff that they were guests who had gotten lost, but Marco raised his hand. "No explanations necessary. You're here for the energy cells. And you're not leaving with them." Marco's eyes locked onto Xavier, and a slow smile spread across his face. "Xavier Hale. I should have known. You're just like your mother - a bug that won't stay squashed. Funny thing is that she doesn't know you're alive, perhaps it will be best we keep it that way.. forever." Xavier's anger flared, but he kept his cool. "Marco, this doesn't have to end badly." Marco had the upper hand here he and the guards all held assault rifles. But Marco just laughed. "You're no match for me, Xavier. I'll enjoy watching you suffer as I've always enjoyed seeing you suffer. I don't know how you managed to cheat death, but you won't be able to do it again." "We need to get out of here," Xavier whispered urgently. "Now." But as they turned to leave, Xavier felt a hand on his shoulder. Marco's grip was like a vice. "You're not going anywhere," Marco hissed.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
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