Dante sat back, feeling the familiar rush of power coursing through his veins. The moment he consumed the legendary herb, his body pulsed with raw energy, and the system responded immediately with a notification of his level-up.
Ding!
"Congratulations, Dante Castellano. You have gained 100 levels for consuming the legendary herb."
The screen in front of him flickered, revealing a series of newly unlocked tabs, previously grayed out and inaccessible. Now, each one was highlighted in bold, demanding his attention. Dante, with his sharp instincts, began examining each tab carefully, starting with the most intriguing one: Weapons.
Weapons Tab
Upon clicking the Weapons tab, a series of firearms and blades materialized before his eyes. The Mafia System, tailored to his past life as a ruthless underworld leader, had provided him with tools that perfectly suited his style. His attention was drawn to a particularly sleek rifle, labeled:
AK6M – Enhanced Assault Rifle
Damage: HighAccuracy: ExtremeSpecial Ability: Piercing rounds capable of penetrating magical barriers.
Next, his eyes landed on something far more fascinating: a weapon he had only heard of in legends.
Legendary Dagger – Shade's Whisper
Damage: DeadlySpecial Ability: Double Loot Reward – Any creature finished with this blade yields twice the usual rewards.Effect: Grants its wielder faster reflexes and the ability to move silently in the shadows.
He felt an instant connection with the dagger. In his previous life, Dante had relied on stealth and precision just as much as brute force. Shade's Whisper would give him a tremendous edge.
"Double the loot..." Dante muttered, a cold smile creeping across his face. This meant double the herbs, double the resources, and double the power.
Clothing Tab
Next, Dante examined the Clothing tab. Unlike traditional equipment, the Mafia System provided outfits that blended both fashion and function. The first item that stood out was a black, sleek coat, embroidered with intricate patterns.
Shadow Mantle
Defense: HighSpecial Ability: Camouflage – The coat changes color to match its environment, making the wearer nearly invisible in low light.Durability: Unbreakable under normal circumstances.
Dante selected the Shadow Mantle without hesitation. Wearing it would give him the stealth of a ghost and the protection he needed in this hostile world. As he materialized it onto his body, he admired how it fit perfectly, as if it had been designed just for him.
Beneath the coat, there was also a bulletproof vest, suitable for his Mafia life.
Vanguard Vest
Defense: ExtremeAbility: Nullifies the first three hits from any attack, regenerating over time.
Perfect for surviving ambushes and frontal attacks.
Accessories Tab
Curious, Dante clicked the Accessories tab, wondering what else the system could offer. The page displayed a variety of useful items, but the one that caught his eye was a gleaming ring.
Ring of the Syndicate
Effect: Doubles the user's charisma, increasing the chance of forging alliances, convincing enemies, and negotiating better deals.Special Ability: Unlocks the hidden potential of allies, strengthening their abilities in combat or trade.
Dante's smile widened. This was exactly what he needed to start building alliances in this world. With the Ring of the Syndicate, he would manipulate others into becoming assets, pawns in his grand plan to dominate Novarath.
Abilities Tab
After reviewing the weapons and equipment, Dante turned his attention to the final unlocked section, the Abilities tab. Upon opening it, he felt his heart quicken. This was where his true power would lie. The Mafia System rewarded him generously for consuming the legendary herb, and as a result, multiple skills had become available.
The first was a skill that perfectly suited his newfound position in this foreign world:
Aura of Authority
Effect: Projects an aura of command and dominance, making weaker creatures and humans cower in submission. Those who meet his gaze will instinctively recognize him as a leader.Range: 10 meters initially, increases with each level.
Dante recognized the value of this ability immediately. In a world filled with potential threats, having creatures or even people hesitate before attacking would give him an immense advantage. It also meant that negotiating or intimidating others would become second nature.
The second ability that caught his attention was even more destructive:
Bullet Time
Effect: Slows down time for a brief moment, allowing Dante to dodge attacks and strike enemies with lightning speed.Duration: 3 seconds initially, extends with each use.
This was a game-changer. With Bullet Time, Dante could evade deadly strikes and counter with precision. It played right into his tactical mind.
As he scrolled through the abilities list, one final ability stood out, fitting his identity as a Mafia boss:
Territory Control
Effect: Instantly marks an area as your territory, giving you complete awareness of anyone entering or exiting that space. Any hostile entity stepping into your marked territory will have their strength weakened by 20%.Range: 50 meters initially, can be expanded with progression.
With Territory Control, Dante could secure safe zones, fortify locations, and ambush enemies with precision.
Strategizing
Dante closed the system interface for a moment and leaned back, contemplating the power he now possessed. The weapons, clothing, and abilities provided by the Mafia System were unlike anything he had in his past life. His empire on Earth had been built through ruthless efficiency, manipulation, and fear. But here, in Novarath, he had access to powers that defied reason.
The legendary dagger alone promised untold riches, while the ring would help him forge alliances and secure control over anyone who dared oppose him. The Shadow Mantle and Bullet Time gave him the mobility to operate both in stealth and in combat.
This world was his for the taking, and now that he had leveled up and unlocked key functions, he knew that his rise to dominance had begun.
But there was no time to bask in his newfound power. Dante glanced around the dilapidated house he had claimed as his base of operations. He knew that in the Deadmist Forest, danger lurked in every shadow. Creatures that could tear him apart roamed freely, and though he now possessed formidable tools, he couldn't afford to be reckless.
He equipped the Shade's Whisper dagger and attached the AK6M rifle to his back. With his Shadow Mantle draped over his shoulders, he felt prepared for the challenges ahead. As the Mafia boss always had, he planned his next moves carefully.
The first step was simple: gather more resources. Dante planned to return to the forest to harvest herbs—ordinary or extraordinary, it didn't matter. With his newfound abilities, he would accumulate Astrals at an unprecedented rate. The world of Novarath operated on its currency, but with the Mafia System, Dante could manipulate the economy to his advantage.
A cold smile touched his lips. This world had no idea what was coming.
Ding!
Another notification appeared on his screen:
"New task unlocked: Begin establishing your criminal empire. Every great leader starts with a foundation—yours begins with gathering allies and acquiring wealth."
Dante laughed to himself, already envisioning the empire he would build. Novarath was ripe for the taking, and Dante Castellano had the tools, the knowledge, and the ruthlessness to claim it.