Chapter 3: The Lion's Den
1388 Words
Chapter 3: The Lion's Den
The convoy of black SUVs sped through the rain-soaked streets in complete silence.
Ethan sat in the back seat beside Victor Romano, staring out the window as the city lights blurred into streaks of gold and white.
His mind was still trying to process everything that had happened.
Less than three hours ago, he had been worrying about a late delivery.
Now he was riding with one of the most powerful mafia families in the country.
A glowing blue screen suddenly appeared before him.
Main Mission
- Arrive safely at Romano Headquarters.
- Reward: Beginner Gift Pack.
- Remaining Time: 70 Hours, 51 Minutes.
Ethan rubbed his forehead.
"I'll never get used to this..."
Victor glanced at him.
"Did you say something?"
"No... just thinking."
Victor nodded and returned to reviewing several files on a tablet.
For the next twenty minutes, no one spoke.
Finally, the convoy slowed.
Massive iron gates rose before them.
More than thirty heavily armed guards stood watch along the walls, each carrying military-grade weapons.
The gates slowly opened.
Beyond them stood an enormous estate.
The Romano Mansion.
It looked less like a home and more like a fortress.
Surveillance cameras covered every corner.
Guard towers overlooked the grounds.
Luxury cars filled the circular driveway.
As Ethan stepped out of the SUV, dozens of eyes immediately turned toward him.
None of them looked friendly.
Victor walked toward the mansion without hesitation.
"Follow me."
Ethan took a deep breath and obeyed.
Inside, the mansion was breathtaking.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling.
Marble floors reflected the lights above.
Ancient paintings decorated the walls.
Yet despite its beauty, the atmosphere felt cold.
Danger lingered in every hallway.
They entered a grand meeting hall.
Around a massive oval table sat nearly twenty men and women.
Some wore expensive suits.
Others had visible scars covering their faces.
Several openly carried pistols.
Every one of them radiated authority.
The conversation stopped the moment Ethan entered.
One man slammed his fist on the table.
"Victor!"
"What is the meaning of this?"
Victor remained calm.
"This is Ethan Carter."
"The man chosen by my brother."
The room exploded.
"A delivery rider?"
"Has Alessandro gone insane?"
"An outsider can't lead us!"
"This is ridiculous!"
Ethan instinctively stepped backward.
Victor raised one hand.
"Silence."
No one listened.
An older man with a thick beard slowly stood.
His name was Dominic Russo.
One of the syndicate's oldest captains.
"I gave thirty years of my life to this family."
"I buried friends."
"I spilled blood."
"And now you're asking me to kneel before a child?"
Several captains nodded in agreement.
Another man laughed mockingly.
"Can he even shoot a gun?"
Someone else added,
"He probably cries whenever he sees blood."
Laughter echoed across the room.
Ethan clenched his fists.
He wanted to defend himself.
But...
Everything they said was true.
He had never fired a gun before tonight.
He knew nothing about organized crime.
Why had Don Alessandro chosen him?
Before Ethan could speak, another figure entered the hall.
The room immediately fell silent.
A young woman with long black hair walked confidently toward the table.
She wore a fitted black suit with silver buttons.
A pistol rested at her waist.
Her sharp blue eyes settled on Ethan.
"So..."
"You're the famous successor."
Victor sighed.
"Isabella."
She ignored him.
Instead, she stopped directly in front of Ethan.
"So you're the reason my grandfather is dead."
Ethan shook his head immediately.
"I didn't—"
"Enough."
Her voice was cold.
"If you hadn't been there..."
"He might still be alive."
The accusation struck Ethan harder than any bullet.
"I never asked for any of this."
"Neither did we."
She crossed her arms.
"My grandfather built this empire."
"You've done nothing."
"So tell me..."
"Why should anyone here follow you?"
Ethan opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
He had no answer.
The System suddenly activated.
Warning
Authority has fallen to 8.
Current Status: Leadership Rejected.
New Trial Available.
Earn the respect of the Romano Captains.
Reward: Beginner Gift Pack.
Ethan frowned.
Respect...
How?
Dominic suddenly smirked.
"I have an idea."
Everyone looked toward him.
"If this boy wants to become our boss..."
"He should prove himself."
Victor narrowed his eyes.
"What are you suggesting?"
Dominic pointed toward the underground arena beneath the mansion.
"The Trial of Strength."
Several captains smiled.
Others exchanged knowing looks.
Victor's expression darkened.
"That's enough."
But Isabella surprised everyone.
"I agree."
Victor turned toward her.
"You can't be serious."
She met his gaze without flinching.
"If he dies..."
"Then Grandfather made a mistake."
"If he survives..."
"I'll admit he deserves another chance."
The room became silent once again.
Victor looked toward Ethan.
"You don't have to do this."
Before Ethan could answer—
The System chimed.
Mandatory Mission
Accept the Trial of Strength.
Reward: Beginner Gift Pack.
Failure: Death.
Ethan nearly laughed.
"Again with the death..."
Victor looked confused.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Ethan slowly lifted his head.
"I'll do it."
The captains exchanged surprised glances.
Dominic smiled cruelly.
"Excellent."
Minutes later...
The entire syndicate gathered beneath the mansion.
The underground arena resembled an old boxing ring surrounded by steel fences.
Hundreds of members filled the seats.
Word had spread quickly.
"The new boss is fighting!"
"I heard he's just a student."
"He'll be dead in minutes."
Ethan stepped into the ring.
His hands trembled.
Across from him stood a giant.
Nearly two meters tall.
Muscles bulged beneath his black shirt.
His name was Bruno.
The syndicate's strongest enforcer.
Bruno cracked his knuckles.
"I don't enjoy hurting kids."
"So stay down after the first punch."
The referee raised one hand.
"No weapons."
"No interference."
"Fight!"
Bruno charged immediately.
His fist cut through the air like a hammer.
Ethan barely dodged.
The punch struck the ropes instead.
The entire ring shook.
"If that had hit me..."
He would already be unconscious.
Bruno attacked again.
And again.
Ethan continued retreating.
The audience laughed.
"He's running!"
"What a coward!"
Even Isabella watched expressionlessly.
The System suddenly appeared.
Combat Analysis Activated.
Weak Point Detected.
A glowing blue circle appeared around Bruno's injured left knee.
Ethan blinked.
"What?"
The System highlighted every opening in Bruno's movements.
His breathing.
His balance.
Even the slight delay before each attack.
It was as though time itself had slowed.
Bruno swung another devastating punch.
This time...
Ethan stepped inside the attack.
He drove his shoulder into Bruno's chest.
The giant stumbled.
Gasps echoed through the arena.
"What?!"
Without hesitating, Ethan kicked Bruno's injured knee.
CRACK!
The larger man dropped to one knee.
The audience stood in disbelief.
Bruno roared with anger.
"You little—!"
He rushed forward recklessly.
The blue markers shifted again.
Final Opening Detected.
Ethan trusted the System.
He sidestepped.
Bruno's momentum carried him forward.
Unable to stop, the giant crashed shoulder-first into the steel fence.
The impact echoed through the arena.
Before Bruno could recover...
Ethan landed one clean punch to the jaw.
The giant collapsed.
Silence.
Complete silence.
The referee stared for several seconds before finally shouting,
"Winner..."
"Ethan Carter!"
The arena erupted.
"No way!"
"He beat Bruno!"
"Impossible!"
Even Dominic looked stunned.
Victor allowed himself a small smile.
Isabella stared at Ethan with narrowed eyes.
Not admiration.
Not yet.
But for the first time...
Curiosity.
A familiar chime echoed inside Ethan's mind.
Mission Complete.
Authority Increased to 20.
Trust Increased.
Beginner Gift Pack Unlocked.
A golden treasure chest materialized before Ethan's eyes.
Would you like to open the Beginner Gift Pack?
YES / NO
Ethan stared at the glowing prompt.
Slowly...
A smile spread across his face.
"Yes."
The chest burst open in a flash of golden light.
Congratulations!
Rewards Obtained:
- $100 Million
- Master-Level Combat Mastery
- Elite Bodyguard Summoning Card ×1
- Lie Detection Skill (Passive)
Before Ethan could react, another notification appeared.
Emergency Alert!
A traitor has been detected inside the Romano Syndicate.
New Main Mission: Find the traitor before sunrise.
Failure: The Romano family will suffer another devastating loss.
Ethan's smile vanished.
He slowly looked around the arena.
Hundreds of faces stared back at him.
Some were impressed.
Some were angry.
One of them...
Was secretly working with the enemy.
And somewhere in the crowd, hidden behind a calm expression, the traitor smiled, believing no one had discovered the truth.
The real game had only just begun.
- Writer
