Chapter 11 - Wake Up As Mafia Boss

Third District, Neue Fiona Village

Three days later, as they toured the place by themselves in the street, the young Don felt his legs starting to stiff. He spotted a bench under a huge tree near the river and he moved closer to take a rest. He mannerly sat down, cross-legged while putting his pressed arms over his left leg. The harmonic hymn of the birds hanging in the branches and the cold breeze of wind coming from the east eased the young Don's fatigue. Few people were strolling around the place which gave him a pleasant time to enjoy the view of the scenery that considered the best. But there was something he was really curious what made him so furious. Watching the beautiful facade of the river made him be confused about the villagers' condition.

Thoughtful and doubtful.

How can a village recover from a war without getting their master's assistance? How can they still maintain this peaceful way of living without any hindrance? These questions made him think there was something strange happening in this place. It almost four of the evening after he peeks at his watch. He exhaled with an exhausting sigh. He and his servant had already done their best to find some clues but for several days of investigation and listening to the gossips around the place, he still failed to get one.

"Boss, are you alright?" Justin, worried, moved closer to him. "Should I buy you some food and drink?"

"Well," The young Don blinked several times after he turned his gaze to his servant. He almost forgot that he had to keep himself away from being worried by him. He shook his head and spoke with a rude tone. "I guess we should be... No, I kind of tired from our strolling in this village. Is this really a village or a town? So f.u.c.k.i.n.g huge. By looking at the architectural structure of the building, streets, the not that good but well-balanced market system and policies of each district, it made me questioned myself how can someone like me tried to ruin it." He averted his eyes to Justin and told him, "Go get some food in the nearest store that we passed earlier. I will just be going to take a rest for a while and to inhale some fresh air."

That was really strange. The village had been divided into five districts. Each of these locations had been taken care of by district representatives. The 1st district was the main place where the Village Hall located, the barnyard, and the Holy Church of Neue Fiona. It was also the main trading hub because of strategic location. In its east, the 2nd District was located where the best news came out. It was the main source of important information that was daily reported at the place. The 3rd district was home of the best tourist spots like the Neue Fiona park he was watching right now and the main financial source because there's only one restaurant and few vendors sold their products around the place. The undeveloped land transportation and the concrete road was still the problem, however. The people used only wagons in this pre-industrial era of the 19th century. He was only grateful that he transmigrated as the young Don due to fact he got always transported here via mobile car. The next one, the 4th district located on the eastern side of the second was home of middle-income earners. It was still undeveloped but still safe from bandits. Because of the crimes happened for the last five years, the police department was established to hold the ground. It was the training ground of the village guards, thoroughly. The last one was still the important thing he wanted to survey. It was supposedly safe from the grounds of criminals and an important passage for the main quest titled, "Massacre of Elven Fry". He had no clue why his female junior named after it. There are no elves that still exist in this timeline because of the last war of the previous Latinslav Empire. It was the time where such creatures like elves, goblins, ogres, demi-humans, and demons ruled the world. He quietly annoyed but giggled when he recalled her hilarious reason: she wanted to add some tragic background story and a fan of J.J. Howkings Lord of the wings. But today, he had to find out why the fifth district was still under control by the bandits.

Justin tilted his head and noticed his dead pry eyes. He, petrified, had no intention to bother his deep concentration. But it was still his duty to keep his master away from being drawn by stress. He wiped out his boss' sweat from his face after he picked out from his pocket the handkerchief he had and fanned him with his dark magic to keep him relax. While he performed his magic, something from his heart and mind struck through. Someone was watching them. His face turned black and turned his graving gaze at the position of the person. He saw a blue cloak person smiling at them while hiding behind the wall. Her smile was not genuine and full of bloodl.u.s.t thus far. He sensed the person invited him to come over or his master's life would be in danger.

"Boss, what do you want to order again?" He asked venerably." I will try to buy some to the nearest store you mentioned earlier."

"Anything not too sweet, but with good taste, Justin." He raised his index with his eyes closed. "Make sure it was blended with good scent and its appearance looks convenient to eat."

"Anything that was not too sweet? Oh boy, that's hard to imagine." He murmured before he opened his eyes glistered at his master. "Alright then, I'll do it for the sake of the stomach of my beloved evil boss." His eyes sparkled as he looked above the sky.

"Very optimistic indeed, as expected to my loyal servant." Hermes praised him. "Go on."

"Consider it done, Boss." Justin stepped backward before he bowed. "I'll be back in a minute."

The young Don noticed his words were so serious after he left, however. He turned his gaze above him after the birds flew away. The light of the sun blurred his view for second but after he got used to it, he saw the clear sky.

"What a beautiful scene." He muttered with a relaxing smile. "But it is not beautiful compared to my beloved country, bound with rich resources and home of smiling face and good singers. It has more than 7,100 islands so I'm used to it. " He heaved a sigh. He wondered if the world he was living in back then would still keep its image. "I wish I can still go back. Damn it, Stump G, you'd be thankful I love the sight of mother nature."

A few minutes later, Hermes realized that Justin taking too long to come back. Therefore, he decided to look for him before the sky turned dark. He followed the same track as his servant went to. He asked a few people for his whereabouts but no one saw him.

He felt strange and something on his heart was telling him not to go further. Something on his mind kept telling him if he searched for his servant, death will come upon him. He pressed his heart and leaned his side against the wall. He felt something was preventing him to advance. There's a reason for this after he thought about it. It was one of the basic skills of the old Hermes Archnemesis - the maternal danger instinct. It was only triggered if there's a danger coming after him. Furthermore, someone must trigger this. He thought first that it was one of the twelve main characters but he shook his head in denial because it was too early for that.

He kept strolling the street. As he blinked his eyes, his view changed from the crowd of citizens around the market to slums after a newspaper stuck on his face. He blinked his eyes several times after he removed the paper and he screamed inside from the sudden transport with his hand press on his head. His face turned blue while reading the words from the paper that stated:

[Mission failed: Failed to start some sub-quests. Why you didn't do this?]

[Mission failed: Failed to secure the shadow realm of the village.]

[Reputation: Negative 100, you moron.]

[Mission failed: Unable to establish some business.]

[Mission failed: You bastard get betrayed and sold out. Unable to gain favor with an important figure.]

[Mission failed: Failed to sabotage illegal activities around the place. Failed to defeat the hidden bosses.]

[Mission failed: Failed to establish good standing with important key players.]

[Reputation: It's getting even worse, you moron.]

[Due to lack of effort to finish these quests, the villain will be punished and skipped for the main quest.]

What the heck was happening? What are these? Why was he here? There are several questions kept repeating inside his brain. The street was dull and specks of dirt could be seen in the area. The plants were dead, the street was full of trash and the water was full of moles, corpses, and feces of animals and humans. He felt gross at the smell of the district he entered. He didn't really sure why was he here but he was sure that a certain person liable for this sudden transport. Compare to the boundary, this place was pretty messed up. He tore apart the paper and ignored the contents. The house had no roof and rats ate rotten plants and other flesh such as cows, rabbits and human corpses who was abandoned.

5:44:11 PM

He saw a sign of tavern nearby, he was confused in the warning stated; "Beware of Bandits! Demon creatures and other kinds of stuff!". He swallowed his saliva after reading it. He wanted to withdraw but the gate from district 4 was locked. He wanted to introduce himself but there were no guards guarding it. He had the will of the player but he had no weapons, however. Therefore, he was not a person who'll risk his life to enter the forbidden district that Chief Zamor already told about unprepared.

Where might be his servant went to was still a question he wanted to be answered. He sighed, scratched his chin as he realized it. A cold breeze coming from the east hit his body. He covered himself tightly and he continued to track down his servant. Suddenly, the wind came back but his face was surprisingly hit his face with a newspaper.

Irritated. He quickly grabbed the paper and removed it. But strange words caught his attention while reading the content. It stated:

``Mission Objective: Upon arriving at the next corner, left side behind the posting. There's a group of goons assaulted an old lady. She is not really an old hag so be careful. Your objective is to save the old lady.

PS: Don't get too close to the enemies and also to the old lady. Just show yourself.

Rewards: You'll earn a trophy of a savior if succeeded.

And also, be ....``

A big question mark left his mind puzzled before he could finish the last sentence. What was this newspaper meant to? The only person he knew who gave him this kind of treatment. It was none other than his arc nemesis. "Stump G. What's this?"

He began his searching and he arrived in the place stated in the paper without meaning to come there. But a strange and loud noise was begging for help, making his mind crumpled towards her location. As he approached the area, the voice was getting louder per meter.

"Somebody, help me!" a voice of an old woman bullied by three thieves in the quiet and isolated corner. No one was near to the place but only him.

He hid behind the post and murmured, "... No wonder this is a forbidden district, there's a lot of fools enters this place with no idea upon them. Oh I know, maybe this is my chance to increase my great reputation. Hang on. But how.., " He thought, putting his hand over his chin. "Hmmm, thinking about this, it might cause my life to be in danger. If I save the old woman from those thugs, will they reward me? Will I be considered a hero? But it only works for main characters and their capture targets. I wonder if she'll tell her a story about my effort to the public. Oh whatever, let's see what I can do about this." Hermes smirked, imagining his great epic expectation of being a hero.

But something made him rethink and judged the situation. An old woman in the forbidden district with baggage was really suspicious conduct. Who might be a fool will enter the place which will risk their lives? But looking at the situation, the old woman was getting hurt by the bandits and if he didn't do something, her life would perish. He clicked his tongue and made a quick decision; Save her or leave her?

Play a hero or run away what always his character will do? Risking his life for the sake of the old hag was a foolish mistake he would commit but if he wanted to show up his guts then he must take action.

"Hold it right there!" He showed up and ordered the thieves to return her luggage and stopped their harassment with pure courage. "Stop it now, or else?"

"Oh, he really showed up, " the red-haired man murmured after his gaze turned at his location. "Foolish mistake. But according to his background, he shouldn't appear like that. Did we miss something? He really did change, huh. But his sense of fashion is... have no sense at all." One of his comrades came closer and whispered on his ears, "Boss, is that him?" The red-haired man nodded with a convincing eye.

"Anyways," he turned his gaze at the young Don. "Or else, what? Hey kid, just step aside from here. It's none of your business." The curb haired blonde man stepped forward while l.i.c.k.i.n.g his knife from edge to the point. "Do you wish for instant death? I'm happy to help you meet Mr. Death." The bald one with a black shirt while looking at him with pure l.u.s.t. "I like him."

"Greetings," The young Don didn't flatter and gulped some air before he spoke. "Foolish morons. My name is Aljen. Remember my name because you'll experience a lot of shame because you choose to face someone like me. I demand you all release that old hag and kneel before me if you want to live."

Embarrassed.

He needed to make sure to fool them that he was an inevitable man.

"Boss, the prey has shown up, " the shirtless bald man silently laughed, "Excluding the weird mask he wears, that outfit can be sold at a high price. The shoes have a good price of around 200 Luzers. If we take him as a slave, we could earn a large portion of money!" He tossed his knife, caught it as he approached the young Don, two steps ahead.

"Oh my, good idea. That could be good in our business."

Hermes, petrified, remembered his character's body was a useless person. He didn't possess any kind of blessings related to magic. Although he had a brain and mastered everything related to science and technology, he was freaking weak in close-quarter combat. Therefore, he needed to deceive the enemies. And don't let them got near to his position at all cost.

"Oooh," Hermes shrugged his arms with a mocking gesture, "Do you really think you can take me down easily? I know you're planning something."

"Hmm.., " the red-haired man surprised; his choice of words tittered him. "He must read the situation very carefully. This young man has keen eyes but he was bluffing from the very beginning. Let's play along and see what he can do." His men nodded with agreement.

Hermes clicked his tongue and resumed his bluff, "To think you guys are hurting and targetting that old hag. I'm sorry, I mean old lady. Do you guys have no idea that there's authority will get you and bring you to prison?" His words didn't startle them but they only boisterously laughed instead.

"What's so funny then?"

He thought and folded his arms. He muttered, "Aah, that's explains everything. I see. Poverty outclassed the mindset of the authorities in this district and money prevails over dignity. Manipulated… The security system was already partially unstable in this district so bandits can easily breakthrough. Gosh, why Chief Zamor didn't even tell us about this? Oh yeah, that reminds me, he already told me earlier before we went to the Village hall. C'mon, I'm a game developer of this world so I should be more knowledgeable about this event. …. Jeez, it's been over ten years since it was ended so how can I even recall something like this."

"I guess the playtime is over." The red-haired bandit said, lifting his sword behind him. "Capture that man."

"Yeah, it seems pretty interesting to take his clothes." The bald bandit replied, l.i.c.k.i.n.g his knife from his tongue.

'Seriously? My clothes? That guy is a pervert! I change my clothes and its now pure white sleeves! 'Hermes covered his body when he got chilled from the bald one.

"Don't move!" said the young Don, with his hands raised to stop them. "Huh?" The red-haired bandit was confused. "What now?" The young Don stepped backward for two steps and continued, "You two, don't you know what would happen if you tried to attack me?"

".... No," the two bandits replied. "What gives?"

"Look at the corner, the red wall, you morons." He pointed his right side. "... Red wall? What just did you call me, kid?" the leader stepped his right foot forward but still, Hermes warned him once again. His face turned blue after he saw something pointing at his location. "What the hell?"

'Oh, he's good. To think he set up a magical crossbow! Boss, you're wrong about this kid.' The leader thought. He bites his lips for failing to see it through. 'He's prepared!'

"I said, don't move. Hmm?" Hermes noticed that the leader stopped. "What's going on?"

The red-haired bandit looked at his right and saw the shining stuff behind the huge hole. His face turned blue with cold sweat.

"Hey, Rag, why did you stop moving? Hey rag, rag!" said the bald bandit, shaking his left shoulder by his right hand. The leader of the group who had been exposed to his identity as Rag turned his cold gaze at him. "Don't move, pal. Something is pointing in this direction."

Hermes folded his arms while still gazing with the dark face at the bandits.

"Eh? What the heck, it's a crossbow?" The bald one panicked after he figured it out. It was a reversed trap. Hermes, clueless, stepped forward with an antagonistic manner. "Hey, what's taking you so long, morons? You're afraid of me now?"

"Darn it, if we take a step, that weapon might trigger the other set of traps in this place. Sir, I think that weapon is a magical item. It can also contain an explosive arrow. One-shot will cost us to death. Damn, this kid has a lot of secrets on his sleeves. No wonder he is too confident to show himself. We shouldn't just approach him without asking for help?"

The bald bandit looked behind him. Several flashes of dark strings lay scattered behind the leader, holding the old lady from his side. The blonde-haired man's face turned blue like the others with cold sweat after he realized he's in big shit.

"Sir, I'm also in a shit situation," the blonde pointing at the strings that's two inches away from him. "Sorry, I can't help as well."

"What?" Rag, surprised, turned his angry face at the young Don. "Y' got us."

"Don't touch it. That string…. That magical string might be a poisonous type. Looking at the purple color, it could be one. I experienced to touch something similar to my previous occupation as a merc. I was lucky back then to have an antidote. It was one of the types of assassination items to kill an enemy behind the scene." The bald bandit explained, wiping out his sweat from his face. They turned their gaze at Hermes who had still no idea what's keeping them to move, however. Thus, all of them envisioned him as an evil c.u.n.t and a powerful opponent like his background written from the intel.

"What the heck? How did that bastard set this one from my back?" He asked, moving forward away from it. The old hag took a glance at the string, checking if it was real or not by her own eyes. When she noticed Hermes looked at her condition, she began to do something, "Oh dear, please… please don't hurt me!" The old lady panicked, pushing herself away from the leader.

"Shut up!" he said, giving her a hard punch from her face. His action made the young Don shouted angrily. "Old hag! You dirty bastards. That's an old lady, show some respect to your elders!"

"You dirty bastard," said Rag while clenching his teeth. "How did you set a trap in this place?"

'…. Eeeh? What trap is he talking about? Seriously, I just warned them to look at the right side because it was the direction of the guards.' The young Don, surprised, was unable to respond for a few seconds.

Hermes turned his gaze in the direction of the bandit's pointing at. He found a crossbow inside the wall and the string behind the leader.

'What? I didn't even know there was a crossbow on that side. What the heck are those strings? I don't have any slight idea of what they are afraid of that one. What's special in that simple thing…. Unless they mistakenly thought it was a poisonous weapon. Oooh…' His face turned dark and his scarlet eyes trembled with the scheme. 'What a coincidence.'

"Ooh, you finally realized, maggots." He shrugged his arms and stepped three steps forward. "You see, I already held your asses from the beginning. Judging in your ugly and filthy faces, you're a group of stupid assholes who don't like to negotiate in a good way. As per saying, to make a dog listen to his master's words, he must give them a little bit of taste of food to follow his command. Now, now, now…. put down your weapons in the ground, raise your hands and hand over the old lady immediately."