Welcome to the Nether Mafia !
Even as the world cam into focus Ling Chen realised that half of the world was pitch black , the right half to be precise .
He slowly placed a trembling finger over his right eye .
He felt something soft underneath , it was as if his hand had scraped against some fabric .
His hand fell back down .
What he could figure out was that he was now in an unknown place with just a single eye to boot.
Although his limbs felt like lead he gingerly lifted himself and slowly inspected the rest of his body ; both legs , check , both arms , check ; his body bore no traces of injury or mutilation apart from what he inferred was a bandage covering his right eye.
Shouldn't the fall have sent him to paradise already ?
How was he here safe and sound ?
His mind was drowned in a storm of questions but he could only hold them down for now ; surely , the person in charge would come soon and all of his queries would be answered .
Till then all he was capable of doing was nothing but to wait and observe his surroundings.
The room didn't confer to a ward at a [Healing Hall] instead it looked like the stereotypical room in a wealthy mansion with all the classics present ; ostentatious furniture , check , plush curtains , check and the portraits of haughty men disdaining the world below , check.
Though what was surprising that there was no sign of any [Spiritual Energy] in the room at all , try as he might he couldn't sense even an iota of [Heaven and Earth Essence Qi] which was an occurrence that was highly unlikely.
The only solution that he could think up was that for some bizarre reason someone had set up an [Isolation formation] to ensure that no Qi would spill over but why in the world would they do that ?
It was common knowledge that for smooth recovery of a patient an immense amount of [Vitality Qi] was extremely helpful which was why [Healing Halls] had some of the highest amount of [Spiritual Qi] and therefore were one of the best customers of the Mining Corporations.
He knew since he had delivered the stones once in a while in exchange for some extra money.
He couldn't help feeling that there was something intrinsically wrong here.
Just as he was trying to figure out a possible reason he heard the sound of a key turning in a lock and a door opened at one end of the room to let a man through.
The Man was dressed in a long , tight robe conductive to movement the sort that was worn by [Scouts] and [Rangers] who ventured deep into the forests in search for valuable resources except in this case this man had no lean build of a [Scout].
He instead had a robust stature with powerful muscles straining to get released under his robes you usually don't see statures like that except in the masochistic [Body Refiners] who supposedly beat themselves up to improve .
He didn't like the possibility of facing a crazy [Body Refiner] , the fellow even had the face to match with brutish , stone like features set up nicely with a menacing scowl.
Ling Chen subconsciously gulped a little.
Luckily the man didn't challenge him to a fight or anything absurd like that ; he just simply gave him a once-over , poking and prodding his body roughly causing Ling Chen to hiss in pain .
After his inspection had been completed the man at last addressed him with a deep voice quite characteristic of his look .
"Get up , the Boss wants to see you ."
"The Boss ? What Boss , you mean ? "
The Man's scowl deepened but he didn't say anything he just lifted Ling Chen up with one arm and threw him onto the floor .
"Ouch !" , Ling Chen shakily got to his feet , his legs screaming in acute pain as he did so.
The thickset man made a follow me gesture and then rapidly exited through the door causing Ling Chen to hurry up as well lest he be left behind .
The man walked at a furious pace through winding corridors and steep staircases before eventually coming to a halt before a grim ornate door located at one end of a long corridor.
He made a motion to get inside.
Ling Chen collected his breath , nodded to the man to assure him of his compliance and then slowly yet firmly turned the handle before walking inside.
The room was one of monstrous proportions , it appeared to be situated pretty high up since through huge floor to ceiling glass windows at the end facing him he could see a skyline of towering spires and large columns.
His heart shattered.
He never had seen such a sight before.
At least not in the neighbouring areas known to him .
Where in the world was he ?
"Ahem " , so engrossed was he in his thoughts that he failed to notice the Man seated in front of him behind a large desk with his back towards the windows.
His vision fell upon this unknown man .
His pitch black hair was long clearly contrasting with his pale , blanched face . His black eyes were like orbs that contained pure darkness threatening to suck his soul .
Deep in his eyes he could feel himself being lost , witnessing terrifying scenes of bloodshed and ghastly apparitions many of which he had neither seen nor heard of before but made his blood freeze at the sight.
A strange glint passed through the other's eyes like a flash of lightning and he couldn't help but step back unconsciously .
The man's brow lifted up inquiringly.
"Strange what in the world happened to make you as timid as that ? You would have held my gaze before far ...more confidently . If I wasn't sure that you weren't an impostor I would have sliced you to bits already or perhaps are you really an Impostor ? In that case , congratulations not many manage to outwit me , the boss of the [Nether Mafia] ! You now have one free opportunity at the [Death Lottery] !"
What the hell ?
Where had he ended up in ?
Had someone picked him up mistakenly from the mines and sold him to this weird gang ?
He had heard of much weirder incidents occurring so it wasn't entirely improbable .
Well , that was irrelevant.
He was now in front of a [Mafia Boss] and had an opportunity to withdraw from the [Death Lottery] ; for a suicidal maniac like him it didn't get any better !
"What are the options available ? Are the funerary expenses covered ? " he couldn't help asking enthusiastically.
The Boss rested his face on his chin as if in deep thought .
"Well there are all sorts of options available from being flayed alive to be tossed awake into a nest of [Fire Ants] , as a bonus we even provide extra [Pain Increasing Drugs] for the perfect otherworldly experience ! "
"As for funerals , not to worry ! We are quite professional , as a [King of Hell] I guarantee that after your death your souls shall experience an eternity of blissful torment in the [Flames of Hell ] ! How does that sound ? You game ? "
Heck , after all that talk of a Mafia he , Ling Chen just had to end up in a den of [Ghost Cultivators ] !
The whole selling point of Death was the release not ending up as a trussed chicken at the mercy of vile [Ghost Cultivators ] !
Pass , he was certainly going to pass on this heaven-sent opportunity !
Find another suicidal maniac for your lottery , Boss ! This one is of far nobler stock !
Of course , he didn't say those words aloud instead he replied in a more even tone , "Unfortunately although I would love to give a try I prefer more milder options with a free funeral attached ."
"What a pity ! " , the Boss uncorked a bamboo jar by his side releasing a pleasant fragrance that spread through the air and tickled Ling Chen 's nose .
He pulled out two glasses from thin air and then proceeded to pour a golden liquid from the jar into them both .
"Here ," he said , handing one of the glasses over to Ling Chen.
"Good Wine !" Ling Chen exclaimed involuntarily.
Of course , he was being pretentious with his previous condition it was practically impossible for him to have afforded any wine much less one that belonged to the good variety still a flattery or two will only help plus his statement was heartfelt , from the fragrance and the look he truly felt that the wine was quite 'excellent' .
"Quite ! After all the [Hundred Year Blossom] must surely have something to justify its exorbitant price ! " the Boss said before lifting his glass his meaning evident.
Ling Chen who was enthralled by the appearance of the wine hurriedly lifted up his glass in response and drunk it in one single gulp.
"Really" , the boss sighed , "Something has gotten into you if you have even forgotten basic etiquette .Well not that it matters , since you have chosen not to play the [Death Lottery] then it is reasonable that you must instead do a job for me . Satisfactory conclusion guarantees the continued well-being of your head on the other hand failure regardless of your status , Dead or Living , Guarantees a bonus prize without any proper [Funeral] of course . So how about it ? You willing ? "
"Do I even have a choice ? " Ling Chen grumbled inwardly.
"Sure ," was all he replied outwardly.
"Excellent . Very well , the situation is as follows . About a couple of days before , a ship belonging to one of our executives was caught in a certain ..mishap . When the ship arrived at its destination , all members were found dead . What was interesting was the entire crew and the Executive himself seemed to have committed mass suicide but of course it wasn't despite all evidences to the contrary since I can assure you of their mental states which were perfectly healthy . Your task is pretty simple , you are to find out who killed them .Naturally , you would be provided with any support necessary"
"You got that ?"
"Yeah "
"Off to work then ! Time is ticking !"
Ling Chen nodded to express his compliance and then excused himself.
"Oh ! One last thing !"
Ling Chen turned his head over .
"Your office is just down the hallway and towards the right , in case you don't remember . Good Luck!"
Ling Chen smiled ruefully before closing the door behind him.
The Boss smiled , he was quite satisfied with the way things had gone.
"I don't care who you are , but since you have usurped the body of one of my subordinates I expect that you will fulfil his duty as well . Otherwise it will be such a pain ."
He slowly put the glass of wine to his lips and took a long , drawn-out sip
"Welcome to the Nether Mafia ," he said softly.