Dante woke up feeling more refreshed than ever. His body felt light, his mind sharp, and the knowledge of this strange, new world was firmly rooted in his brain. The memories he had absorbed during his sleep were like second nature now—an almost instinctive understanding of Novarath, its history, geography, and its unique system of power and currency.
He stretched out, his muscles rippling under his skin as he performed a series of exercises to keep himself in peak condition. This routine had been his daily ritual back on Earth, keeping him strong and ready to face the challenges of ruling an empire. Now, in this foreign world, the same discipline was more essential than ever.
Once satisfied with his workout, Dante reviewed the map that had become his most valuable tool since arriving. It showed his immediate location: the inner zone of the Deadmist Forest, a perilous place filled with both danger and opportunity. According to his newfound knowledge, the inner zone was relatively stable but rife with herbs, both poisonous and extraordinary. However, the real threats lurked just outside this safer area.
"Time to hunt," Dante muttered under his breath, a steely resolve in his voice. He could no longer sit idle; it was time to test his newfound strength and the abilities the Mafia System had granted him. The legendary dagger strapped to his waist pulsed with power, seemingly eager to be used.
As he stepped outside, the air around him changed immediately. The inner zone had been tranquil, almost peaceful, but beyond its borders, the atmosphere shifted entirely. A dense, heavy mist hung in the air, making it difficult to see too far ahead. The temperature dropped, and the eerie sounds of distant creatures echoed through the trees. His senses sharpened as he ventured further into the outer zone.
Dante's hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his dagger, feeling the cool metal under his fingertips. Suddenly, a rustling sound from the bushes caught his attention. His eyes narrowed, scanning the area until they landed on the source—a massive, lumbering beast with thick, armored scales and glowing red eyes.
The creature was unlike anything Dante had seen before. His mind quickly identified it, thanks to the information the system provided.
Creature: Nightclaw Beast
Level: 85
Species: Shadow Serpentkin
Skills:
Shadow Meld - Allows the creature to blend into the shadows, becoming nearly invisible.
Venomous Bite - A single bite that can paralyze its prey.
Night Vision - Enhanced sight in darkness.
Reward:
Currency: 8,000 Astrals
Loot: Venom Sac, Shadow Claws, Night Vision Crystal
The Nightclaw Beast bared its fangs, venom dripping from its maw as it prepared to pounce. Dante's eyes gleamed with focus as he tightened his grip on the legendary dagger. The creature lunged toward him with lightning speed, but Dante was quicker.
With a swift motion, he pulled the dagger from its sheath and sliced through the air in one fluid movement. The legendary blade glowed faintly as it connected with the creature's hide, cutting through its tough scales as if they were made of paper. The Nightclaw Beast let out a deafening screech as it collapsed, its body torn in two from Dante's single, powerful strike.
Before the creature's body even hit the ground, a notification appeared in his vision.
Creature Defeated: Nightclaw Beast (Level 85)
Reward Earned:
Currency: 8,000 Astrals
Loot Obtained:Venom SacShadow ClawsNight Vision Crystal
Experience Gained: 200 EXP
"Too easy," Dante smirked as he sheathed his dagger. The legendary weapon hummed with satisfaction. Thanks to the dagger's special ability, the loot had been doubled—he now possessed two Venom Sacs, two sets of Shadow Claws, and two Night Vision Crystals. It felt like a cheat, but Dante wasn't complaining. In this world, where survival and power were everything, he'd use every advantage the Mafia System provided.
After collecting the loot, Dante surveyed his surroundings again. The fog was thicker now, and the eerie silence that followed the creature's death sent a chill down his spine. Despite the looming threats, a part of him relished the danger. The thrill of battle and the prospect of gaining more power drove him forward.
But for now, he decided it was time to return. Dante retraced his steps back to the house where he had first woken up in this new world. The structure was old, wooden, and barely standing. Yet, it provided shelter, and for now, it was his base of operations.
As he walked through the door, Dante couldn't help but reflect on how different this place was from his life on Earth. Back then, his enemies had been rival families, corrupt politicians, and double-crossing allies. Here, his foes were monstrous creatures, the unknown dangers of the world, and the ever-present uncertainty of survival.
Dante placed the loot on the floor and sat down, contemplating his next move. He opened the system interface once more, reviewing his progress. The map displayed his exact location—a remote corner of the Deadmist Forest, far from any major kingdom or settlement. According to the map, he was still deep within the inner zone, but the outer zone was only a few kilometers away. Beyond that lay even greater dangers, but also greater opportunities.
A small, satisfied smile crossed his face as he looked at the unlocked tabs. The weapons tab was now filled with a variety of firearms and blades, including the legendary dagger he had used so effectively. His clothing tab also had new options—armored suits, stealth gear, and more. He skimmed through the options, planning for the future.
As Dante settled back in, the weight of the world he had been thrust into began to feel lighter. He wasn't just surviving; he was thriving. The system was generous, offering more Astrals and loot than he had anticipated. The ordinary herbs alone had earned him 1,200 Astrals each, a fortune compared to the currency of this world.
Currency Overview:
Bronze Coins
Silver Coins
Gold Coins
Astrals (1,000 Gold Coins = 1 Astral)
The Astrals were incredibly difficult to earn in this world, but the Mafia System made it almost laughably easy. Dante couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. "Feels like cheating," he muttered, but there was no guilt in his voice. He had always believed in using every tool at his disposal to stay on top, and this world was no different.
With everything in place and his next steps planned, Dante leaned back, closing his eyes briefly. His mind was already buzzing with strategies and possibilities. He had slain his first creature, earned valuable loot, and gained more Astrals than he could have imagined. The road ahead would be perilous, but with the Mafia System backing him, Dante Castellano was confident in his rise to power.