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, but he kept his cool. He knew he had to stall for time. Perhaps Victor will attempt a rescue operation. Marco leaned in, his voice dripping with malice. "After I kill you, I'll make sure your mother suffers too. One of our loyal servants will poison her, and she'll die a slow, agonizing death." Xavier's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't let that happen. With a surge of adrenaline, Xavier made a split-second decision. He would pretend to cooperate, gather information, and wait for an opportunity to escape and protect his mother. He now wish he had killed Marco during that raid. "Marco, you win," Xavier said, feigning defeat. "I'll tell you everything. Just spare my mother." Marco's smile grew wider. "Oh, Xavier. You're no match for me. But I'll enjoy watching you beg." Xavier's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't let Marco harm his mother. "Please, Marco," Xavier begged, trying to sound desperate. "Have mercy. My mother has nothing to do with this." Marco laughed, the sound echoing off the cold walls. "Mercy? You want mercy? You should have thought of that before you crossed me, Xavier." And with that, Marco left the cell, leaving Xavier and his team to their fate. But Xavier's mind was already racing with plans, determined to outsmart Marco and save his mother. He has handcuffed and also chained to a chair, there was no way he could escape.. unless.. 'System, is there way to boost my attributes without leveling up?' «Yes. Host just need to use gold coins. 10 gold coins will give you 1 point in any attribute you wish to allocate it. This is not a temporary boost. 10 gold coins can also give you 100XP. Nevertheless, you can only use this method once every thirty days.» 'That means my five hundred gold coins will only amount to fifty points. I accept. Convert it all and add twenty points to Strength, twenty points to Agility, and then ten points to endurance. I need to be fast and overwhelm the guards with strength if I am to succeed.' «Ding! 500 gold coins have been converted to Attribute points.» «Ding! Congratulations! Host's Strength is now at 55 points.» «Ding! Congratulations! Host's Agility and Speed is now at 55 points.» «Ding! Congratulations! Host's Endurance is now at 50 points.» «Ding! Host is now comparable to a level 5 individual. With active skill Undying Resolve, Host will become comparable to a level 10 individual.» Xavier felt his body tingling, and then he could feel the handcuffs could not hold him any longer. With a slight yank, the handcuff broke in two and he was a bit free. With a hundred points in strength, he was able to break free from the chains. Now his next plan was to free his teammates, steal the crates, and if possible.. take his mother away from here to the LaGraine family mansion. Xavier's eyes shone with determination as he assessed his situation. He had broken free from his restraints, and now it was time to free his teammates. "Alright, guys, let's get out of here!" Xavier exclaimed, his voice low and urgent. "Leave the basement and return to the ballroom. From there, make your way back to the LaGraine mansion. I'll take care of the crates." His teammates stared at him in awe, still trying to process how Xavier had broken free. "How did you...?" one of them started, but Xavier just shook his head. "No time to explain. We need to move, now!" With his 100 point in strength, Xavier quickly freed his teammates, who nodded and quickly made their way out of the basement. "Be careful," Xavier called after them. "Marco will stop at nothing to get what he wants." As his teammates disappeared into the darkness, Xavier turned his attention to the crates. He sprinted to the next room where the crates were kept. The moment he opened the door, he came face to face with four burly Mafia guards, the whirlwind symbol was embroidered on their breast pocket, that was the Hale family's symbol. Xavier stood facing the four big bodyguards. They were guarding the crates. Xavier was not afraid. He was ready to fight. He was already pissed at Marco's antics, perhaps he will use these guys to quell his anger. The first bodyguard, a really big guy with a beard, swung his fist at Xavier. But Xavier was too fast. He moved out of the way just in time. Then he punched the guard in the nose. The guard was shocked as his eyes rolled back and he fell down unconscious. The strength behind that punch was terrifying. These guards were level 4 each, so to Xavier, they were a bit weak. The second bodyguard, a man with a shaved head, tried to tackle Xavier. But Xavier was too quick. He dodged the tackle and grabbed the man's arm. He twisted the arm and made the man fall to the ground. Face first to the concrete floor, he too was knocked out cold. The third bodyguard, a mean-looking guy with a big grin, swung his fist at Xavier again. But Xavier was ready. He ducked down low and then with the force of a tsunami, he gave the guard an uppercut. The guard was out cold before he landed on the cold floor. The fourth bodyguard, the biggest of all, grabbed Xavier and tried to hold him down. But Xavier was strong too. He wrapped his legs around the big guy's head and squeezed tight. The big guy tried to shake him off, but Xavier held on. Then with a punch at the back of the neck, the guard slumped and was unconscious. Xavier then focused his attention on the crates. He possessed a pocket dimension, a secret space where he could store the crates. He quickly moved the crates into the pocket dimension, feeling a sense of satisfaction. But now, it was time to rescue his mother. Xavier made his way to her room, his heart pounding with anticipation. He burst through the door, ready to face whatever lay ahead. But the room was empty. Xavier's mother was nowhere to be found. His eyes narrowed. This was Marco's doing. He knew it. "Marco, you coward!" Xavier shouted, his voice echoing through the empty room. "I'll find you, and I'll make you pay!" But there was no response. Xavier knew he had to move fast. He quickly made his way to the ballroom, his eyes scanning the room for any signs of Marco or his guards. The music and laughter of the guests masked the tension, but Xavier could sense the danger lurking beneath the surface. He knew he had to be careful. As he made his way through the crowd, Xavier spotted Victor, his eyes locked on him with a mixture of concern and admiration. "Xavier, what happened?" Victor whispered, as Xavier approached him. "We were worried sick about you." Xavier shook his head. "No time to explain. I have to get out of here, now." Victor nodded, understanding. "Go. We'll cover for you." Xavier nodded, and quickly made his way out of the mansion, his heart heavy with the knowledge that he had left his mother behind. But he vowed to return, to rescue her and bring Marco to justice. This was far from over. He gritted his teeth as he swore.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
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