The cold press of metal against my forehead sent a shiver down my spine.
My breath was steady, but my heart pounded like a war drum. I stared into the unflinching gaze of the man holding the gun—a hardened enforcer dressed in a tailored black suit, his calloused fingers steady on the trigger.
I knew this man.
Dario Moretti.
A veteran of the Valenciari Family. One of my father's most trusted enforcers. In the novel, he was described as a man with dead eyes, someone who had executed countless enemies without hesitation.
And now?
He was pointing a gun at my head.
I swallowed hard. Think.
This wasn't a random threat. This was a test.
Vincent Valenciari—the original one—had failed this moment in the novel.
He had flinched.
He had hesitated.
And from that moment on, his subordinates never truly respected him. His father saw him as weak, his enemies saw him as prey, and even his own men doubted his ability to lead.
That weakness had set the course for his downfall.
I wouldn't make the same mistake.
I couldn't.
Dario tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" His voice was like gravel, rough and laced with amusement.
I met his gaze, refusing to break eye contact.
I needed to play this right.
If I showed fear, I was as good as dead. If I reacted too aggressively, I could come off as reckless and impulsive—someone unworthy of leading the Valenciari Family.
So, instead of answering his question…
I smirked.
"Is this how you greet the heir of the Valenciari Family, Dario?" My voice was steady, sharp, and filled with the confidence I needed to project.
His eyes darkened. The gun didn't move. "That depends."
The barrel pressed harder against my forehead.
"Are you really the heir?"
The challenge in his tone was unmistakable.
I could hear the faint click of the safety being removed. The soft sound of metal shifting as he adjusted his grip. He was waiting for me to flinch.
I exhaled slowly.
And then—I leaned forward.
Instead of pulling away, I pressed my forehead against the gun.
Dario's eyes flickered with surprise. Just for a split second.
"You tell me," I said.
The tension in the air was suffocating.
The other enforcers in the room, who had been watching silently, stiffened. A few exchanged glances, clearly interested in how this was going to play out.
Then—
Dario laughed.
A deep, hearty laugh, as if I had just told the funniest joke in the world.
The gun pulled away from my forehead, and I finally allowed myself to breathe again.
Dario nodded in approval, slipping the firearm back into his holster. "Now that's more like it."
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
You have earned respect from a Valenciari enforcer.
+10 Underworld Reputation.
I barely had time to process the message before Dario crossed his arms and continued speaking.
"Your father wants to see you," he said simply. "Get dressed."
My entire body tensed.
Luciano Valenciari.
My father.
The boss of the Valenciari Family.
In the novel, Luciano was a legend. He had built the Valenciari into the most feared and respected mafia family in the world. His mere presence was enough to command absolute loyalty from his subordinates.
And, more importantly—he had no patience for weakness.
In the original story, Vincent had always lived in his father's shadow. No matter what he did, he was never good enough. Never strong enough.
If I wanted to survive in this world, I had to prove myself. Not just to Dario—not just to the enforcers—but to my father.
I took a deep breath and forced my nerves to settle.
I wasn't just Vincent anymore.
I had the Supreme Valenciari Bloodline.
I had the System.
And I sure as hell wasn't going to live my life as some throwaway side character.
This was my story now.
And I would make sure everyone knew it.
I took a moment to glance around the room. It was my bedroom—Vincent Valenciari's bedroom.
Dark mahogany furniture, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with old mafia records, and a massive window overlooking the Valenciari estate. Heavy crimson drapes framed the view of the city below, where the lights of the Valenciari Family's empire burned brightly in the night.
I caught my reflection in the mirror.
The man staring back at me had raven-black hair, sharp aristocratic features, and piercing golden eyes that glowed with an intensity I had never seen before. Even without speaking, I exuded an aura of quiet dominance.
The bloodline was working.
I clenched my fist. A strange sensation buzzed beneath my skin—power.
I had yet to unlock all of my abilities, but one thing was clear: I was no longer ordinary.
Dario watched me carefully, his arms still crossed. "You don't have all day, kid. Your father isn't a patient man."
I nodded. "I know."
Turning to my wardrobe, I found it filled with tailored suits, silk shirts, and polished dress shoes. The kind of attire that screamed wealth, power, and danger.
I chose a sleek black suit with a crimson tie—a color that symbolized blood and authority.
As I adjusted my cuffs, a new [SYSTEM MESSAGE] appeared.
[NEW QUEST: MEET THE DON]
Objective: Meet Luciano Valenciari.
Reward: +100 Underworld Reputation, Unlock "King's Regalia: The Iron Creed"
FailureConsequence: ???
My fingers paused.
A reward… and a consequence?
The fact that the system didn't specify the failure penalty made my stomach tighten.
Luciano Valenciari was a man who didn't tolerate failure.
If I made a mistake… it could cost me more than just reputation.
I straightened my suit jacket and exhaled.
It was time to meet my father.
Time to prove I was worthy of the name Vincent Valenciari.