Chapter 8: Veil of Shadows

Vince sat in his hidden basement, staring at his status window. Since the confrontation with his father's side of the family, his stats had seen only a minor increase. The once-rapid growth felt as though it was reaching a limit, and his martial arts proficiencies seemed frozen in place.

[Character Stats]

Strength (STR): 50 (+6)

Agility (AGI): 51 (+6)

Stamina/Endurance (STA/END): 50 (+4)

Vitality/Health (VIT/HP): 50 (+5)

Intelligence (INT): 50

Wisdom (WIS): 50

Luck (LCK): 60 (+1)

Perception (PER): 55 (+4)

Charisma (CHA): 75 (+2)

Dexterity (DEX): 52 (+5)

Spirit (SP): 50 (+3)

Control: 50 (+3)

Reputation/Infamy: Locked

[Martial Arts Proficiency]

Lethal Hand-to-Hand Combat: Expert

Weapon-Based Martial Arts: Expert

Counter-Based Defense System: Expert

Situational Awareness (Combat): Advanced

Firearm Disarmament and Control: Expert

He scowled, noticing the slow progression. He needed more power, but his current methods were no longer effective. As if sensing his frustration, the system suddenly flashed a new notification in front of him.

[Quest Alert]

Objective: Become a major shareholder in one of the following ethical companies from your past life:

Aurelia Innovations

VirtuCorp Industries

Silver Horizon Investments

Reward: ???

Description: Taking a seat of power within these ethical companies will provide a foothold in legitimate sectors and access to powerful allies for the future empire.

As Vince studied the quest, another notification appeared, providing him with a brief overview of the major companies that would shape his journey:

Politician-Controlled Companies:

Vanguard Global Holdings

A multinational conglomerate masking political corruption behind legitimate investments.

Sovereign Alliance Corporation (SAC)

Deeply intertwined with government officials, this investment firm manipulates global economies for political gains.

Veritas Solutions Group

A political lobbying front, securing contracts and laundering campaign funds for allied factions.

Mafia-Controlled Companies:

La Fortuna Enterprises

A luxury empire built on mafia money, with connections in casinos and underground markets.

Blackstone Syndicate

A security company front for mafia arms trafficking and money laundering.

Illicit Nexus Corporation (INC)

A logistics giant that smuggles drugs, weapons, and contraband under the guise of legitimate cargo.

Genuinely Good Companies:

Aurelia Innovations

A tech company pushing green technology with a transparent, ethical approach.

VirtuCorp Industries

Focused on sustainable energy and social welfare projects, a beacon of corporate ethics.

Silver Horizon Investments

An investment firm for renewable energy, education, and healthcare, untainted by criminal or political ties.

Vince absorbed the information, and his thoughts shifted back to Vanguard Global Holdings. He knew this company all too well—it was one of the pillars of corruption he had clashed with in his former life. Now, they dared to step into his path once again? He smirked, a fierce determination sparking in his eyes.

He asked the system for more detailed information on each of these companies, but it remained unyielding.

"Access to detailed company intelligence will unlock upon completion of further missions."

Vince sighed but was undeterred. His path was clear; he would secure his alliance with one of the ethical companies as his starting move.

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit, abandoned construction site on the city's outskirts, Raffaele "Rafe" Barone, Vince's cousin, paced anxiously. The shadows cast eerie figures along the walls, which were lined with silent men, each bearing the unmistakable air of seasoned underworld fighters. Standing at the center of this gathering was a figure cloaked in mystery, a man whose name was never spoken but whose reputation was feared.

Rafe approached him, extending a thick envelope filled with cash.

"Listen, I can put in a good word for you with my boss," Rafe said, trying to mask the nervous tremor in his voice.

The man cut him off sharply. "Skip the pleasantries. What do you need?"

Rafe clenched his jaw, then opened his wallet and pulled out three photographs. He placed them in the man's hand: one of Vince, one of Rosa, and one of Sofia.

"That's my cousin," Rafe sneered. "Kill him. But for the other two… I want them alive. Bring them to me."

The man studied the photos for a moment, then nodded, gesturing to his men to prepare. "It'll be done. But if you cross us, you and your family will answer for it."

As Rafe watched the men fan out, a twisted smile spread across his face. He would finally be rid of Vince and the thorn that the Barone family had failed to address. This time, he would make sure there was no escape for them.