"AAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaah!"
'One' sat up screaming, "What the hell happened? How am I still alive?"
Before he could finish his sentence, an agonizing pain racked his head as someone else's memories were forcefully rammed into his head. After a short while, the pain receded, and One could finally think things through.
"So, Goddess Nyx really heard me, huh. She transmigrated me to this completely new world. I seem to have taken over the body of one Alexander Night, an orphan currently attending the Royal Secondary Academy of Stockton in the city of Stockton, capital of the Royal Islands of Britannia. He seems to have gotten in through a much frowned upon scholarship. The previous owner had just started in his last year at the school and has made a long time enemy of the son of a prolific entrepreneur which caused him to be targeted in a hit and run. Therefore, he seems to have died and kindly provided me with a body to inhabit while the Goddess kindly healed me up."
After Alex got some general bearings of his new body, he decided to head back to the previous owner's dormitory room. Picking himself up and walking the rest of the route home from where he was hit on his way home, he slowly categorised the information he has been dumped with. After a while, he finally entered the apartment complex he resides in, and the studio flat he calls a home.
"So, the most pressing information is the fact that unlike my previous life, this world does not rely on strength but on money, and that it seems to be much more advanced, having long abandoned the era of cold weapons in preference of modern living."
Alexander Night, the previous owner of the body had been a technological wizard and the youngest recipient of the Binary Cup, a prestigious programming competition, which led to his acceptance into the Royal School, a training ground for heirs of conglomerates, politicians and royalty. Being an orphan from a very mediocre orphanage, he stuck out like a sore thumb in such a prestigious school, having already made enemies just by breathing on his first day.
After getting in, satiating his hunger and cleaning up was a priority. Shortly after the mental exhaustion finally hit in and Alex collapsed on the bed – quickly falling into a deep slumber.
Alex got a much-needed rest, and early in the morning he was suddenly woken up by an unknown voice echoing in his empty bedroom,
"Mafia System initiating, please be patient"
0% … 25% … 50% … 75 % … 100%
"Mafia System successfully bound"
Alex was immediately shocked awake, sitting up and trying to get his bearings.
"A system seems to be something straight out of the novels the previous host seemed to enjoy. When I was looking through the previous hosts memories the time spent reading his novels was the happiest times in his childhood and practically the only positive memories aside from programming."
"Must be something Nyx has arranged as a reimbursement for both of our tragic fates ending horribly. But don't worry Alex I will take good care of us; I will get back the righteous bastards that always target the people who can't fight back. This will be the glorious rise of those who walk the night, preying on those righteous hypocrites."
Before Alex could finish his monologue, he was cut off by an unexpected prompt appearing in his vision.
"System scan has confirmed that host has successfully transmigrated along with four other souls. New conditions met; system has begun evolution."
0% … 25% … 50% … 75 % … 100%
"System has evolved into the Syndicate System."
"Welcome Host to the Syndicate System. The goal of the host is to create the greatest syndicate in this world."
"The system is a tool to help the host achieve this goal."
Alex was taken aback at the confirmation that Two, Three, Four and Five also transmigrated into this world. This was the best news he has gotten yet, ranking second right after the fact that he is still alive. Or more accurately, given another chance at life.
"It seems that Nyx, wants me to glorify the Night for her. Since she has given me a second chance at life, I will happily payback all these righteous hypocritical assholes on her behalf."
"Now, I should look at what this system really is about. According to my adopted memories, I should say something along the lines of status!"
A translucent screen immediately appeared in his view, with a game-like status box.
[Host]: Alexander Night
[Class]: None
[Skills]: None
[Level]: 0 (0/100 XP)
[Organisation]: None
[Subsidiaries]: None
[Subordinates]: None
[Base]: None
Being slightly disappointed at the blank fields displayed, he finally understood just how long a climb to the top of the world will be. However, he was pleasantly surprised at the game-like inclusions of class, skills and level. The suggestion that there was a strength progression gave him a reassuring feeling. It is still too early for him to completely change his strength centric viewpoint of his previous life.
"System, if I am to run a syndicate, why do I need a class, or skills for that matter?"
"A syndicate is a form of organized crime, and therefore abides by the rules of the jungle. What would host do if he does not have enough personal strength to cement his position as the overlord of his syndicate? Being weak is just completely unacceptable."
"Alright system, with the level field being visible, it suggests that I can gain XP, how do I do that?"
"To answer you host, you simply have to commit criminal acts. The bigger the act the bigger the gain. However, I suggest the host pays attention to prudence as being caught will have many ramifications the worst of which would include getting caught by the police, and the repercussions that would bring, as well as a substantial Level Penalty. Much like a level penalty for dying in video games."
As Alex thought about the revelations the system gave him, he finally noticed a little notification pop out in his view.
[New Quest]
You have transmigrated along with your fellow disciples. Find them again and establish their connection to the system as your subordinates. A marker has been put on them to help the host.
[Time Limit]: 48 hours
[Reward]: $1000, Subordinate tab unlock
Looking up from the quest he saw a floating arrow appear to his left, with an 8.7km distance written on it. Thinking that it was better to keep a low profile for now, he decided to attend the Academy for now and look for them after school. Looking at the time, he decided to get ready and head to his first day at a modern school.