The hallway leading to my father's office was silent. Too silent.
It wasn't the peaceful kind of silence—it was the kind that carried weight. The kind that made men second-guess their every step.
The mansion was massive, built like a fortress, but the deeper I walked, the heavier the air became.
Two men in black suits stood guard in front of the door. Their faces were carved from stone, eyes devoid of emotion.
One of them reached for the door handle without a word and pulled it open.
Beyond the threshold, Luciano Valenciari sat behind a grand mahogany desk.
And just like that, the weight in the air doubled.
I had read countless descriptions of him in the novel, but none of them did him justice.
He was a colossus of a man—broad shoulders, sharp, chiseled features, and dark hair neatly combed back. His piercing gray eyes locked onto me the second I stepped inside.
Power radiated from him.
Not the kind that came from weapons or wealth—but the kind that was earned through blood, fire, and absolute dominance.
This was a man who had built an empire from nothing.
A man feared across the entire underworld.
And he was my father.
I closed the door behind me and forced myself to walk forward.
Luciano's eyes didn't leave me.
For a long moment, there was only silence.
Then, finally, he spoke.
"You didn't hesitate when Dario put a gun to your head." His voice was deep, even, yet filled with an undeniable authority.
I met his gaze without wavering. "Was I supposed to?"
Luciano leaned back slightly, observing me like a predator sizing up its prey.
"The old you would have."
I fought to keep my expression neutral.
Shit.
I had changed too much. Too quickly.
Luciano was no fool. He had spent decades reading people, understanding them in ways they didn't even understand themselves.
He could see the shift in my demeanor.
The way I stood. The way I spoke.
The original Vincent had been hesitant, desperate for approval, and easily rattled.
I wasn't.
Luciano's fingers drummed against the desk. "You remind me of my younger days."
That caught me off guard.
The legendary Don of the Valenciari Family… was comparing me to himself?
Before I could respond, he gestured toward a chair across from him. "Sit."
I did as I was told, adjusting my posture to maintain a balance of respect and confidence.
Luciano studied me in silence for a long moment.
Then he finally spoke.
"I don't have time for weakness, Vincent. Our enemies smell it like blood in the water. They circle, waiting for the first sign of it—like sharks."
I nodded. "I understand."
Luciano's eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you?"
His tone was sharp, testing.
Then, before I could respond—
A knife came flying toward my face.
My body moved before my mind even had time to process the danger.
CLANG!
My hand shot up, fingers closing around something cold and solid.
The knife stopped inches from my eye, its blade gleaming under the dim office light.
The room was silent.
Luciano's expression didn't change. He merely tilted his head.
"Interesting."
I lowered the knife slowly, setting it on the desk without breaking eye contact.
My heartbeat was steady. My breathing was calm.
I had just caught a knife.
Barehanded.
And I hadn't even realized I was doing it.
A [SYSTEM MESSAGE] flashed in the corner of my vision.
[SYSTEM ALERT: SUPREME VALENCIARI BLOODLINE ACTIVATED]
Passive Ability Unlocked: "Mafia Instincts"
Your reflexes, perception, and reaction time automatically adjust to deadly situations.
So that's what happened.
My body had reacted instinctively, moving on its own.
Luciano's lips curved slightly—a ghost of a smile. "You're different."
It wasn't a question.
I straightened in my seat. "Is that a problem?"
Silence.
Then—
Luciano let out a small chuckle.
It was brief. Quiet. But it sent a chill down my spine.
Because Luciano Valenciari did not laugh.
Not unless he was truly amused—or truly dangerous.
"You're learning," he finally said. "That's good."
I exhaled slowly. "That wasn't just a test, was it?"
Luciano leaned forward. "Everything is a test, Vincent. Every second. Every decision. In this world, you either control the game or get played by it."
His gray eyes locked onto mine. "And I don't tolerate pieces in my family. I only accept players."
I met his gaze. "Then I'll be a player."
The room fell silent.
Then—
Luciano reached into a drawer and pulled out a small, black box.
He slid it across the desk toward me.
I hesitated for half a second before picking it up.
Inside was a golden signet ring.
The crest of the Valenciari Family was carved into it—a roaring lion encircled by a crown of thorns.
Luciano's voice was calm, measured.
"This belonged to your grandfather."
My fingers brushed against the cold metal.
Luciano leaned back, watching me carefully. "This is the first step. Keep proving yourself, and I'll give you what you need to claim the rest."
I nodded, slipping the ring onto my finger.
It felt… right.
Like a piece of me I hadn't even realized was missing.
Another [SYSTEM MESSAGE] flashed.
[NEW TITLE UNLOCKED: HEIR OF THE VALENCIARI]
Your presence now carries weight in the underworld. Some will recognize your authority. Others will seek to test it.
[NEW QUEST: PROVE YOUR WORTH]
Objective: Establish dominance among the Valenciari enforcers.
Reward: Unlock "King's Regalia: The Emperor's Mantle"
FailureConsequence: Loss of Reputation
Luciano's gaze didn't waver.
"Make no mistake," he said. "You are still unproven. You are still a target. And the moment you show weakness, someone will take what is yours."
I clenched my fists. "Then I won't give them the chance."
Luciano smirked slightly. "Good."
He gestured toward the door. "You may go."
I stood, gave a respectful nod, and turned to leave.
But as I reached the door, Luciano's voice stopped me one last time.
"Vincent."
I paused, glancing back.
Luciano's gray eyes held something unreadable.
"Welcome to the real game."
A slow smirk spread across my lips.
"Bring it on."