The sound of fingers tapping swiftly on keys filled the small room as Vince continued making his trades. His eyes moved with purpose, scanning stock trends with the precision of a man who had lived this moment before. Each click, each trade brought in more money—enough to make anyone question how someone so young could manipulate the stock market so easily.
Unknown to Vince, his actions were sending shockwaves far beyond his modest home.
---
The scene shifted across town, to a gleaming high-rise in the heart of the city—the headquarters of the most powerful stock brokerage firm in the country. The CEO's office, located at the top floor, was a vision of luxury, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the skyline. Inside, several men and women in suits sat around a massive conference table, their faces tense.
"Who is this 'Lorenzo Greco'?" the CEO, an older man with graying hair and sharp eyes, demanded. His voice was cold and sharp as he glanced at the stack of reports in front of him.
One of the analysts nervously cleared his throat before speaking. "Sir, this... 'Greco' made a series of extremely precise investments over the last 24 hours. He's managed to turn a small sum into a fortune in no time. Our system flagged his trades because the patterns are... well, they're almost inhuman."
"Inhuman?" one of the board members scoffed, but the anxiety in the room was palpable. "It sounds like someone just got lucky."
The analyst shook his head. "This is no ordinary luck. His trades perfectly align with major market shifts that haven't even happened yet. He's either the best investor the world has ever seen, or... something else is going on here."
The CEO's eyes narrowed. "Track him. I want to know everything about this 'Lorenzo Greco.' Find out who he is and how he's doing this."
The room fell silent as they all nodded, tension thick in the air. No one wanted to say it, but everyone was thinking it. Whoever this "Lorenzo Greco" was, he wasn't playing by the usual rules. And that meant he was dangerous.
---
Meanwhile, back at the Barone household, Vince clicked the final button to close out his stock trades for the day. He leaned back in his chair, satisfied with the massive returns he had just secured. In less than 24 hours, he had made more money than most people would see in a lifetime. But this was only the beginning.
As the screen dimmed, Vince spoke aloud. "System, now that I've secured enough resources, I need to focus on my physical strength. Show me the training methods to make me more powerful, and introduce me to the martial arts I'll need to defend myself."
The Mafia System responded immediately, its voice filling his mind.
"Initiating training protocol. You are currently weak compared to the threats you will face. To rise to power, you must increase your physical capabilities and learn advanced combat techniques."
A new screen appeared before Vince, glowing with intricate details and diagrams of various martial arts styles, weapons, and combat strategies. His eyes widened as he absorbed the information.
*"I will introduce you to a martial art specifically designed to counter every lethal move known to the world. This style has been crafted by merging the knowledge of all existing martial arts, designed for close-quarter combat, gang fights, and defense against armed opponents. It is unparalleled in its ability to neutralize any threat."*
Vince's pulse quickened as he scanned the techniques displayed on the screen. The names of different moves and stances flickered before him, each more advanced and deadly than the last.
"But before you can master this art,"* the system continued, "you must train your body and mind. Physical power is essential in the mafia world, but only when paired with agility, endurance, and mental clarity."
Another screen appeared, listing the stats Vince needed to improve:
---
[Status Window]
- Strength (STR): 12
- Agility (AGI): 10
- Stamina/Endurance (STA/END): 8
- Vitality/Health (VIT/HP): 15
- Intelligence (INT): 20
- Wisdom (WIS): 18
- Luck (LCK): 11
- Perception (PER): 14
- Charisma (CHA): 13
- Dexterity (DEX): 9
- Spirit (SP): 16
- Control: 10
- Reputation/Infamy: Locked
---
"Your reputation is currently unknown. To unlock this, you must make your name known—not just with your fake identity, but with your true self, Vincenzo Barone. As you gain notoriety, this stat will increase, opening new opportunities and challenges."
Vince absorbed the information, realizing the importance of each stat. Strength and agility would give him the edge in fights, while wisdom and intelligence would ensure he made calculated decisions in the criminal underworld. The stat system wasn't just about physical power; it was about mastering every aspect of his being to rule with an iron fist.
"Start with the martial arts training," Vince ordered, standing from his chair. "I need to be able to defend myself before I get my hands on more firepower."
The system complied, and Vince immediately felt his body react to the commands being given. His muscles tightened, his senses sharpened, and his reflexes grew more responsive. His mind flooded with the knowledge of countless martial arts—boxing, judo, taekwondo, krav maga, and even ancient styles of combat he had never encountered in his previous life.
"Your body will adapt as you train. Every strike, every block will become second nature. With time, you will be able to counter any attack, whether it comes from fists, knives, or bullets."
Vince clenched his fists, feeling the power coursing through his young body. He had never been this strong before—not even in his previous life. With each movement, his confidence grew. Soon, he would be able to take on anyone who dared to challenge him.
But then the system spoke again, this time with a different tone.
"New Quest Unlocked: Eliminate the Local Thugs. They will soon come to collect on the family debt. Train for the next few days, then destroy their hideout. Completing this quest will increase your strength and reputation, paving the way for your rise."
A grin spread across Vince's face. This was his first real test, a chance to prove his new power. He wouldn't just defeat those thugs—he would send a message to everyone who ever thought they could cross Vincenzo Barone.
With that, he began his training, his mind and body sharpening into a weapon more lethal than anything the world had ever seen.
The Blood King was beginning to awaken.