Vincent strode through the dimly lit corridors of the Valenciari estate, his fingers tightening around the black envelope in his grip.
His first mission.
It wasn't a suggestion. It wasn't a test.
It was an order.
A name. A location. A single command—Kill.
The weight of those three letters pressed against his chest like an iron chain. But fear? Hesitation? No. Those were weaknesses that didn't belong in this world. Weakness got people killed.
His father knew that.
And now, so did Vincent.
As he reached his bedroom, he shut the door behind him and exhaled slowly. His heart was steady, his breathing calm. He wasn't some teenager playing mafia. He was Vincent Valenciari—heir to the most powerful criminal family in the world.
He unsealed the envelope, his golden eyes scanning the neatly written details inside.
[TARGET: MARCO DONATTI]
[LOCATION: LA ROSA CLUB, DOWNTOWN]
[TIME: TOMORROW NIGHT, 11:00 PM]
Marco Donatti… That name felt familiar.
His eyes narrowed, the gears in his mind already turning. But before he could process further, his system interface flickered to life, golden text forming before his eyes.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATIONS]
[UNREAD BLOODLINE INFORMATION DETECTED. WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCESS IT?]
Vincent's lips curved slightly.
"Access it."
A flood of information filled his mind, his vision overlaying with golden text.
[BLOODLINE PROGRESS UPDATE]
[CURRENT BLOODLINE: ROYAL MAFIA VALENCIARI BLOODLINE (SUPREME LINEAGE)]
[UNLOCKED ABILITIES:]
[MAFIA SIXTH SENSE] – Heightened instincts. Detects danger, deception, and suspicious behavior. (Unlocked when Don threw a knife at him.)
[UNLOCKED ARTIFACTS FROM KING'S REGALIA:]
[THE IRON CREED] – Brass knuckles that increase strength and allow him to shatter weapons with his fists.
[LOCKED ABILITIES:]
Phantom Arsenal – Summon legendary mafia weapons.
Gunslinger's Instinct – Perfect firearm control and bullet guidance.
Sovereign's Authority – Weakening enemies in his presence.
Final Command: The Don's Rampage – Berserk ability, making him nearly unstoppable.
Other King's Regalia artifacts – (More to be unlocked with progression.)
[PENDING REWARDS:]
[SYSTEM REWARD: MEETING THE DON – CLAIMABLE NOW.]
[QUEST REWARD: "A KILLER'S FIRST STEP" – CLAIMABLE AFTER COMPLETION.]
Vincent leaned back in his chair, processing the details.
So far, he had barely scratched the surface of his bloodline's power. The potential was there, locked away, waiting.
His fingers drummed against the desk.
"System," he said. "Claim the reward from meeting the Don."
[CLAIMING REWARD…]
[SYSTEM REWARD UNLOCKED:]
[BLOODLINE SYNC RATE INCREASED: +5%]
Vincent narrowed his eyes.
Bloodline Sync Rate?
"System, explain."
[BLOODLINE SYNC RATE REPRESENTS YOUR COMPATIBILITY WITH YOUR INHERITED BLOODLINE. INCREASING SYNC RATE UNLOCKS NEW ABILITIES AND STRENGTHENS EXISTING ONES.]
[CURRENT SYNC RATE: 15%]
So he needed to increase this number to gain more of his Valenciari inheritance.
Vincent exhaled, feeling a strange sense of relief.
At least now he knew how to progress.
His golden eyes turned back to the black envelope on the table.
His first kill.
If this was the price for power, then so be it.
His system flickered again.
[NEW SYSTEM QUEST ACTIVATED: "A KILLER'S FIRST STEP."]
[OBJECTIVE:] Execute Marco Donatti before the deadline.
[REWARD:] +1 Bloodline Mastery, Phantom Arsenal Unlock, Bonus Skill Unlock.
Vincent's smirk deepened.
Good. More power. More mastery.
This world was built to kill him—to make him a stepping stone for the protagonist.
But he refused to play that role.
He lifted his hand, focusing on the only unlocked weapon from King's Regalia.
"Iron Creed."
A subtle metallic glow shimmered around his knuckles as the heavy brass weapon formed over his fingers. It felt natural, powerful.
He clenched his fist. The air itself seemed to tremble.
Tomorrow night. La Rosa Club. 11:00 PM.
One shot. One kill.
And Vincent Valenciari would take his first true step toward power.
Vincent stood, walking toward the large floor-to-ceiling windows of his bedroom. The city stretched before him, a kingdom of shadows and lights.
This world had been scripted to see him fail.
But he would rewrite that script.
His golden eyes gleamed as he spoke, his voice calm, steady.
"System, prepare a full tactical breakdown of La Rosa Club. Entry points, exits, security, and potential snipers."
[ACKNOWLEDGED. RETRIEVING DATA…]
Vincent smirked, feeling that familiar fire ignite within him.
Tomorrow, he would kill Marco Donatti.
And with that kill, he would announce his arrival to the underworld.
No longer a side character.
No longer a disposable heir.
He was Vincent Valenciari.
And soon—
The underworld would bow before him.
---
[END OF CHAPTER.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hey guys! Hope you're all enjoying the novel so far! I've made some changes in this chapter, so keep an eye out for the tweaks in the story, bloodline abilities, and system interface. Fingers crossed it's more clear now!
I know, I know, updates have been slower than my coffee refill. But here's the thing: I'm a perfectionist, and I edit each chapter multiple times to make sure it's the best it can be. Quality over quantity, am I right?
So, what do you guys think? Should I make any more changes? Let me know your thoughts, and don't be shy! I can take it (I think).
—Sovereign of Shadows