Lucas stood over Dante, a smug grin plastered on his face as he watched him struggle to move after being discarded like a piece of trash. The moment was bitterly satisfying, and he savored it.
"Look at you," Lucas sneered, bending down just enough to whisper in Dante's ear. "You're nothing. Just like your father, in the end. I poisoned him, Dante. Did you ever wonder why he died the way he did? It was me. Your old man thought he was dying of some illness. Too bad, right? He never saw the real enemy." Danteās vision blurred, not just from the pain, but from the shock of hearing Lucasās confession. His chest tightened, the betrayal weighing heavier than his physical injuries. His father... poisoned by Lucas? The world felt like it was spinning out of control. "What... what do you mean?" Dante gasped, his breath coming in short, painful bursts. He couldnāt grasp the depth of what Lucas was saying. It made no sense. It couldnāt be true. Lucas chuckled, his voice dark and mocking. "He thought he was dying of a heart attack, right? But no, I made sure he didnāt live long enough to figure out who really killed him. And guess what, Dante? I took everything from you. Your father, your future... and Mia. She was just a distraction for me. Iāve already moved on, and you? Youāre just a weak little pawn in the game, discarded when youāve outlived your usefulness." Danteās chest burned with anger, but it was mixed with disbelief. This was too much. His father... poisoned by Lucas? Mia, taken by him? His life, his legacy, shattered in one cruel moment. He tried to push himself up, his arms trembling with the effort, but the guards were quick to grab him. They yanked him back down, one slamming his knee into Danteās back, pinning him to the cold asphalt. Lucas stood over him, towering, relishing every moment of Danteās helplessness. "You really think youāve got a chance, huh?" Lucas said, his tone thick with disdain. "Youāre just a burden now, Dante. Time to get rid of you for good. Letās throw you in the trash where you belong." Before Dante could respond, the guards hauled him to his feet and began dragging him toward the alley's exit. He tried to resist, but the force was too much. His body screamed in agony with every step. With a final grunt of effort, they tossed him into the street, leaving him crumpled on the pavement like discarded trash. The impact rattled his bones, and the world around him seemed to fade. His head spun, and his breath came in ragged, painful gasps. But as he lay there, the anger simmering beneath the surface, something unexpected happened. A strange, almost imperceptible glow flickered in the corner of his vision. At first, Dante thought it was just a result of his dazed stateāmaybe a hallucination from the pain or the blood loss. But the light grew stronger, pulsing gently in the darkness, until it filled his field of vision completely. It was as if the very air around him had changed, crackling with an energy he couldnāt comprehend. And then, a voice. [Initialization Complete.Welcome to the Mafia Overlord System.] Danteās pulse raced, his chest tightening as the strange voice pressed on, explaining his new reality. It wasn't a hallucination. It was real. The world around him shimmered, and the air hummed with a strange, powerful energy. [You have been chosen. Youāve lost everythingāyour family, your power, your dignity. But through the Mafia Overlord System, you have been given a chance to reclaim what youāve lost.] "What do you mean, chosen?" Dante rasped, still struggling to process the shock. His head was spinning with the weight of the betrayal, but now, this... system... it was offering him something he couldn't ignore. [The Mafia Overlord System is designed to help you rebuild your empire. It grants you power, resources, and missions that will guide your rise from nothing. You will face challenges, defeat enemies, and complete assignments. Each victory will allow you to level up, grow stronger, and restore what was taken from you.] Danteās thoughts raced. A system. Power. Revenge. Could this really be happening? [Your first step is to understand your current state. Below are your current stats. You will begin at the bottom, as a Street Thug, with nothing but your will to fight.] Suddenly, a holographic screen materialized in front of him, glowing with an eerie blue light. Dante's eyes focused, and he saw: --- System Interface: Name: Dante Level: 1 Class: Street Thug Reputation: 0% Resources: 0 Territory: None Loyalty: 0% --- [This is where you begin, Dante. You are weak now, just like a common thug on the streets. But every mission you complete, every enemy you defeat, will help you grow. As you level up, you will unlock new abilities, gain resources, and start to rebuild your reputation. The system will guide you with objectives, challenges, and even new skills. Your enemies will be powerful, but so can youāif you are willing to fight for it.] Danteās eyes flicked over his stats, disbelief settling into his bones. Street Thug? Was this all he was now? A lowly criminal with nothing? He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the systemās words. But... the potential. The chance to get everything back. Revenge. The power to destroy Lucas. To rebuild his empire. [Are you ready to rise? The system has already assigned your first mission. Do you accept?] The words echoed in his mind, and Dante felt a fire stir inside him. He had nothing left to lose. His empire was gone, his name shattered. But now, the possibility to reclaim everything... To destroy those who had wronged him... Dante took a deep breath. "Iām ready," he said, voice trembling with fury and resolve. "Give me the mission." [Congratulations, Dante. Your first mission has been assigned. Are you prepared to begin?] āYes I amā [Mission Assigned: Assassinate Marley Sinclair.] Danteās heart skipped a beat as the mission details flashed before him, the weight of the name hitting him like a punch to the gut. Marley Sinclair. The system's voice echoed, but Dante couldn't focus on the wordsāit was the name that consumed his thoughts. Marley Sinclair. It was all too familiar. The same last name as Lucas and him. The same bloodline. Dante stared at the holographic image that appeared in front of him. The manās sharp features, the hardened eyes that seemed to pierce right through Dante. Marley Sinclair. His uncleHis uncle.The man who had taken him in after his mother died, who had fed him, clothed him, and protected him when his father had been too busy chasing his ambitions to care. Marley had been his rock, his family, the only constant in a childhood torn apart by loss and abandonment.And now, the system wanted him dead."No..." Dante whispered, shaking his head. "This canāt be real."[It is real, Dante.]The voice of the system returned, calm and cold, cutting through his denial like a blade."You donāt understand," Dante said, his voice trembling. "Marley... heās not just some name. Heās my family. He raised me. I canātā"[Mission parameters are non-negotiable. Marley Sinclair is your target. Failure to complete the mission will result in consequences.]"Consequences?" Danteās voice rose in panic. "What consequences?"The holographic screen flickered, and suddenly, new images filled the air around him. Visions of chaos and pain.A suffocating darkness engulfed him as the systemās voice
Danteās hands trembled slightly as he balanced the tray. He wanted to avoid troubleāLucas wasnāt worth it. If he could just quietly drop off the champagne and leave, maybe he could get through this shift without incident.āWhereās the damn champagne I ordered?ā Lucasās voice boomed across the dining hall, sharp and demanding.Dante flinched. Of course, it had to be him.His grip on the tray tightened as he glanced around. There were no other servers in sight. Just his luck. He exhaled slowly, trying to steady his nerves, and reluctantly made his way to Lucasās table.As he approached, Lucas looked upāand froze for a moment. Then his lips curled into a smirk.āWell, well, well,ā Lucas drawled, leaning back in his chair. āIf it isnāt Dante. What are the odds?āDante bit the inside of his cheek, ignoring the heat creeping up his neck. He placed the tray on the table carefully, trying to avoid eye contact.āDidnāt know you've started working here,ā Lucas said, his tone dripping with mocke
Miaās lips curled into a slight, almost sad smile as she watched Lucas kneel before her, the ring sparkling in the light. She took a long, quiet breath before nodding slowly, as if she had made a decision long ago.āYes,ā Mia said softly, her voice not as confident as she tried to make it seem. āIāll marry you.āDanteās heart dropped, his entire body seeming to freeze as he stared at her, feeling like the air was being sucked out of the room. The words hit him harder than he couldāve prepared for. His mind raced, a thousand thoughts flooding his chest, but they all collided into a single, painful truth: she was settling for him."Mia... please," Dante said, his voice cracking slightly. He reached out, but she pulled back, her gaze hardening. "I know you're not happy. This isnāt what you wanted. You canāt pretend it is. You donāt have to do this, Mia."She finally looked up at him, her eyes cold. Her lips parted, and for the first time, she spoke with real bitterness. "Oh, I donāt?"
Marley returned from the balcony, his phone call finished, and looked at Dante with a forced, almost tired smile."Look, kid," Marley began, pulling a chair closer and sitting down in front of Dante. "I know things have been tough. I know losing your parents, losing your mom-" He paused, his voice softening. "I know it hurts. I've been there too. It's never easy losing someone you love." Dante's chest tightened, but he said nothing, still staring at the phone on the table as if the answers he needed would come from it."I know how you feel, Dante," Marley continued, his voice laced with an almost sympathetic tone. "You think I don't? Losing your mother.. my sister..." His voice cracked slightly as he let out a slow breath, his gaze dropping to the floor. "It was the hardest thing I ever had to deal with. You know how it is, losing someone that close to you."Dante finally looked up, his eyes narrowing. "Youknow how it is, huh?" His voice was low, but thewords were sharp. "How exac
Minutes later, the sirens screamed as a convoy of police cars surrounded the building. Dante stood there, handcuffed, still reeling from what he'd just done. His mind was blur. He had avenged his mother, but now, standing here in the aftermath, everything felt surreal.Lucas stood a few feet away, his face twisted with shock and anger. Mia, his girlfriend, leaned on his shoulder, her expression grim as she watched the unfolding chaos. She kept glancing at Dante, her eyes filled with doubt, unsure whether to feel relief or fear.The police officer approached Dante, his face a mix of sympathy and professionalism. "Sorry Mr Dante," he said, looking at the handcuffs, "we're sorry for what happened. You're free to go."Dante blinked, utterly confused. "What? I... I don't understand. What do you mean, I'm free to go?" He looked at the officer, his brow furrowing."The evidence... it's not what it seems. We found no handprints on the objects used on the deceased. Thereās no solid proof lin
Three Days Later Lucas slammed the empty bottle on the table, his fourth for the day, and it wasnāt even noon. He muttered under his breath, his face red with frustration. āDante kills my father, and the authorities just let him walk. This is bullshit. Absolute bullshit!ā Mia entered the room quietly, her heels clicking against the marble floor. āLucas,ā she said softly, trying to sound calm, āyou need to take it easy. Drinking like this isnāt going to solve anything.ā He shot her a glare, his voice sharp. āTake it easy? Take it easy? My fatherās dead, and DanteāDante!āis out there celebrating like nothing happened! And you want me to take it easy?ā Mia hesitated, her voice faltering. āIām not saying itās fair, butā¦ā She paused, choosing her words carefully. āBecause of all this, the weddingā¦ itās been postponed until further notice.ā Lucas froze, then slowly stood, his eyes narrowing. āPostponed?ā His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. āYouāre postponing our wedding because o
Lucas stepped into the backyard, the cool breeze doing little to calm his frayed nerves. He pulled out his phone, dialing Victorās number with a sharp jab of his finger. Pacing the length of the garden, his tone was already laced with frustration when Victor answered."I told him, Victor," Lucas snapped, not waiting for a greeting. "I warned the damn doctor. I said thereād be consequences if he didnāt cooperate. But he ignored me, and now heās gone. Vanished! And no one knows where the hell he is."Victorās voice on the other end was steady but tense. "Calm down. We know who took him."Lucas stopped dead in his tracks, narrowing his eyes. "Who?"There was a brief pause before Victor said the name. "Dante."For a moment, Lucas was silent. Then he let out a bitter laugh, running a hand through his hair. "Dante? Of course, itās him. Heās like a damn roachāalways creeping back no matter how many times you think youāve crushed him. Whatās his problem now?"Victorās tone sharpened. "He kno
At a private airport, the rumble of a plane engine gradually faded as it came to a halt on the runway. The doors opened, and heavily armed men stepped out first, scanning the area with sharp, trained eyes. Then an old man appeared, stepping onto the tarmac with the casual confidence of someone who had seen it all. A cigar hung from his lips, its ember glowing faintly in the dusk light.Victor stood near the hangar, his posture respectful but firm. He held a bouquet of fresh flowers, an unusual but calculated gesture of deference. As the old man approached, Victor extended the bouquet toward him."Mr. Delgado," Victor said with a polite nod. "Itās an honor to see you again after all these years."The old man took the flowers, a faint smirk curling his lips as he examined them briefly before looking back at Victor. "Nice touch, Vic. Youāve grown into a proper man, havenāt you? Your father would be proud.""The pleasureās all mine, sir," Victor replied smoothly. "Welcome back. Weāve prep
Victor spun around, meeting Danteās calm gaze. He tightened his fists, his voice cold. "You better not mess this up, Dante."Dante chuckled lightly, his hands raised in mock surrender. "Relax, Vic. I didnāt, and Iām not planning to. Just here to enjoy the moment."Victorās jaw tightened as he caught movement behind Dante. His men rushed in, encircling them quietly. A faint smile tugged at Victor's lips as he stepped closer to Dante. "You see, Dante, I could get rid of you right now. A snap of my fingers, and you'd disappear. No one would notice a thing."Danteās smirk didnāt falter. He tilted his head slightly. "You could, but Iād advise against it. Unless, of course, youāve accounted for everything Iāve been keeping an eye on."Victorās eyes narrowed, his voice a deadly whisper. "What the hell are you talking about?"Before Dante could answer, Delgadoās voice boomed behind them. "Victor! Whatās going on here?"Victor stiffened, quickly masking his annoyance with a forced smile. "Noth
Victor adjusted his cufflinks as he walked toward the Golden Gala Hall, his tailored suit reflecting his usual precision. The valet quickly opened the car door for him."Keep it close," Victor instructed, handing over the keys before striding inside.The hall was alive with music and laughter. On the stage, the bride and groom danced under the sparkling chandeliers. Delgado sat at a prominent table, his guards stationed strategically around him. Victor moved through the crowd with purpose, nodding politely at familiar faces."Mr. Delgado," Victor said as he approached. Delgado turned, a broad smile lighting his face."Vic," Delgado greeted warmly. "I hope you're not here to talk business. Tonight's about family and celebration."Victor offered a small smile. "Of course, sir. Just wanted to let you know the containers have been moved to a more secure location. Everything's under control."Delgadoās grin widened. "Thatās why I trust you, Vic. Youāre your fatherās son through and through
At a private airport, the rumble of a plane engine gradually faded as it came to a halt on the runway. The doors opened, and heavily armed men stepped out first, scanning the area with sharp, trained eyes. Then an old man appeared, stepping onto the tarmac with the casual confidence of someone who had seen it all. A cigar hung from his lips, its ember glowing faintly in the dusk light.Victor stood near the hangar, his posture respectful but firm. He held a bouquet of fresh flowers, an unusual but calculated gesture of deference. As the old man approached, Victor extended the bouquet toward him."Mr. Delgado," Victor said with a polite nod. "Itās an honor to see you again after all these years."The old man took the flowers, a faint smirk curling his lips as he examined them briefly before looking back at Victor. "Nice touch, Vic. Youāve grown into a proper man, havenāt you? Your father would be proud.""The pleasureās all mine, sir," Victor replied smoothly. "Welcome back. Weāve prep
Lucas stepped into the backyard, the cool breeze doing little to calm his frayed nerves. He pulled out his phone, dialing Victorās number with a sharp jab of his finger. Pacing the length of the garden, his tone was already laced with frustration when Victor answered."I told him, Victor," Lucas snapped, not waiting for a greeting. "I warned the damn doctor. I said thereād be consequences if he didnāt cooperate. But he ignored me, and now heās gone. Vanished! And no one knows where the hell he is."Victorās voice on the other end was steady but tense. "Calm down. We know who took him."Lucas stopped dead in his tracks, narrowing his eyes. "Who?"There was a brief pause before Victor said the name. "Dante."For a moment, Lucas was silent. Then he let out a bitter laugh, running a hand through his hair. "Dante? Of course, itās him. Heās like a damn roachāalways creeping back no matter how many times you think youāve crushed him. Whatās his problem now?"Victorās tone sharpened. "He kno
Three Days Later Lucas slammed the empty bottle on the table, his fourth for the day, and it wasnāt even noon. He muttered under his breath, his face red with frustration. āDante kills my father, and the authorities just let him walk. This is bullshit. Absolute bullshit!ā Mia entered the room quietly, her heels clicking against the marble floor. āLucas,ā she said softly, trying to sound calm, āyou need to take it easy. Drinking like this isnāt going to solve anything.ā He shot her a glare, his voice sharp. āTake it easy? Take it easy? My fatherās dead, and DanteāDante!āis out there celebrating like nothing happened! And you want me to take it easy?ā Mia hesitated, her voice faltering. āIām not saying itās fair, butā¦ā She paused, choosing her words carefully. āBecause of all this, the weddingā¦ itās been postponed until further notice.ā Lucas froze, then slowly stood, his eyes narrowing. āPostponed?ā His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. āYouāre postponing our wedding because o
Minutes later, the sirens screamed as a convoy of police cars surrounded the building. Dante stood there, handcuffed, still reeling from what he'd just done. His mind was blur. He had avenged his mother, but now, standing here in the aftermath, everything felt surreal.Lucas stood a few feet away, his face twisted with shock and anger. Mia, his girlfriend, leaned on his shoulder, her expression grim as she watched the unfolding chaos. She kept glancing at Dante, her eyes filled with doubt, unsure whether to feel relief or fear.The police officer approached Dante, his face a mix of sympathy and professionalism. "Sorry Mr Dante," he said, looking at the handcuffs, "we're sorry for what happened. You're free to go."Dante blinked, utterly confused. "What? I... I don't understand. What do you mean, I'm free to go?" He looked at the officer, his brow furrowing."The evidence... it's not what it seems. We found no handprints on the objects used on the deceased. Thereās no solid proof lin
Marley returned from the balcony, his phone call finished, and looked at Dante with a forced, almost tired smile."Look, kid," Marley began, pulling a chair closer and sitting down in front of Dante. "I know things have been tough. I know losing your parents, losing your mom-" He paused, his voice softening. "I know it hurts. I've been there too. It's never easy losing someone you love." Dante's chest tightened, but he said nothing, still staring at the phone on the table as if the answers he needed would come from it."I know how you feel, Dante," Marley continued, his voice laced with an almost sympathetic tone. "You think I don't? Losing your mother.. my sister..." His voice cracked slightly as he let out a slow breath, his gaze dropping to the floor. "It was the hardest thing I ever had to deal with. You know how it is, losing someone that close to you."Dante finally looked up, his eyes narrowing. "Youknow how it is, huh?" His voice was low, but thewords were sharp. "How exac
Miaās lips curled into a slight, almost sad smile as she watched Lucas kneel before her, the ring sparkling in the light. She took a long, quiet breath before nodding slowly, as if she had made a decision long ago.āYes,ā Mia said softly, her voice not as confident as she tried to make it seem. āIāll marry you.āDanteās heart dropped, his entire body seeming to freeze as he stared at her, feeling like the air was being sucked out of the room. The words hit him harder than he couldāve prepared for. His mind raced, a thousand thoughts flooding his chest, but they all collided into a single, painful truth: she was settling for him."Mia... please," Dante said, his voice cracking slightly. He reached out, but she pulled back, her gaze hardening. "I know you're not happy. This isnāt what you wanted. You canāt pretend it is. You donāt have to do this, Mia."She finally looked up at him, her eyes cold. Her lips parted, and for the first time, she spoke with real bitterness. "Oh, I donāt?"
Danteās hands trembled slightly as he balanced the tray. He wanted to avoid troubleāLucas wasnāt worth it. If he could just quietly drop off the champagne and leave, maybe he could get through this shift without incident.āWhereās the damn champagne I ordered?ā Lucasās voice boomed across the dining hall, sharp and demanding.Dante flinched. Of course, it had to be him.His grip on the tray tightened as he glanced around. There were no other servers in sight. Just his luck. He exhaled slowly, trying to steady his nerves, and reluctantly made his way to Lucasās table.As he approached, Lucas looked upāand froze for a moment. Then his lips curled into a smirk.āWell, well, well,ā Lucas drawled, leaning back in his chair. āIf it isnāt Dante. What are the odds?āDante bit the inside of his cheek, ignoring the heat creeping up his neck. He placed the tray on the table carefully, trying to avoid eye contact.āDidnāt know you've started working here,ā Lucas said, his tone dripping with mocke