The Don and The Second Root 1

The territories of Scily island were separated between the two influential clans. The eastern side was supervised strictly by Verdugo crime family, one of the major clans in the southern part of the country. Whilst, the western domain was directly governed by the Archnemesis crime family, a minor clan with a small number of members in their organization

In a few years of peace, a cold war still remained active between these households.

Continuing on.

Italia was designated to experience the four seasons, but only the winter season remained dormant in the island exclusively.

According to historians, there was a peculiar spell that altered the climate magically. It transpired upon a powerful mage from the Corleon's faction cast a high-tier spell against the Archnemesis' forces five years ago.

In the record, the battle between the Archnemesis and Corleon clan lasted for only six days. The result was devastating for the whole islanders.

Despite the overwhelming number of Corleon, the defenders emerged victorious against the odds. But their victory paid a heavy price, four of the important members of the Archnemesis and the majority of their relatives who fought together with them ended their lives in an honorific death.

However, there was alluring gossip about their deaths. There's a conspiracy statement that the clan members died under suspicious circumstances.

Facing a crucial point for their future, the youngest among the three children of the former head of the Archnemesis inherited the throne unanimously, and he became the first of his generation to be bestowed the title of the new Don of his clan at the age of ten.

In this present era where everyone wanted to dominate the divided country. The peace on the island was on the verge of collapse. All of the efforts of the old men to protect the peace within the country would soon expire due to the stupid decisions made by the new warring leaders.

These upcoming crucial events would force a young man who transmigrated into this world to fight his way to prevent it.

The battle royale for domination and unity would test the wits and intelligence of the new generation.

...

The sun set on the horizon of the island. Citizens returned to their homes, vendors closed their stores, and the guards who were stationed in the district started to patrol. The lights of the posts illuminated the street, every window of the buildings closed, and the lovely chirping sounds from the crickets could be heard.

Two shadows appeared from the corner. The black-haired scarlet-eyed masked man wearing white sleeves covered by his black coat. His black leather pants neatly covered his lower body. His neck was covered by his red scarf to warm his pale-looking skin.

His intimidating feature made the bystanders nearby look away nervously, and due to his terrifying mask, the citizens in front of them swiftly gave an open path for them.

Hermes Archnemesis was the name of the young lad.

He was a transmigrator or more specifically known as reincarnator in the present era.

It was one week earlier when he transmigrated into the gaming world.

Despite the fact that every man dreamed to be reincarnated in a fantasy world, he begged to differ. He ain't happy at all.

The truth that this world was against his character's fate was giving him false hope. With additional transparency of cruelty and despair for his life that would kill him someday, he was still displeased to live on this planet.

Behind him was his personal attendant, his name was Justin. He was usually in his custom-made butler suit but since it was still winter season, he was in his winter coat and a scarp hanged around his neck. He had no surname since he was a mere servant of a 'small-time family.'

Despite his good looking face and an aura of an angelic man who wouldn't do any harm to anyone, he was a ruthless, pragmatic, and cunning man. He was a manipulative servant of his and he would do anything to his power to wipe out his master's enemies with or without his orders.

Why they were outside of the street?

Hermes Archnemesis had received a 'favor' from Chief Zamor. The old man told him that the remnants of the bandits had still lurking at the night and they were causing too much trouble in their territory. His representative voluntarily wanted to help out however, he told them that he had someone to wipe them out. And that was Hermes.

Hermes pulled out his handkerchief, he sneezed. He wandered his eyes, looking for something that would lead him to his targets' whereabouts. Even he was worried and cautious strolling around, he didn't feel scared at all.

"Justin, what's the status on your radar?" asked the young Don, turning his gaze at his butler, "Did you find something?"

His butler, Justin, used his skill, [Agenda], and he sadly found nothing.

"Forgive me, sir. There's nothing interesting showing up yet."

Hermes halt his movement.

He heaved a deep sigh, crossed his arms across his chest, and leaned his back against the wall.

"Oh, man. It can't be helped. This place looks very 'protected'. Of course, it will take a long time to find those pests in this area."

"Sir, why are we here again?" queried Justin, resuming his mission to look for their targets.

It was the month of January.

The cold breeze of the night could still kill a single person without a proper outfit for the season albeit the snow remained inactive to fall on their island for the past five years.

The young Don raised his eyebrows and he replied, "We're going to whack out some stupid morons that were causing troubles in this district. Remember the bastards we fought? His men are still doing some nasty stuff in my territory. They might be thinking that they could take his role as a new ganglord after his death. So, we have to do something before they could rise up from power and gain more numbers."

"Forgive me, sir. So, that's how it is. So this is a small favor from that Zamor. I know you're not the type of person who would do something like this without taking some benefits from this." Justin praised his master.

Hermes simpered, "Of course, there are a lot of benefits after this favor."

"Sir, someone's coming. It's two people who are coming in this way." His servant led the young Don to the hidden place.

Two lights from their lamp carried by the guards colored the path. A brown, old-style, and two emblems of their village's official logo pinned in their shoulders had appeared. Their hat was rag but well-mannered that could be mistaken as a soldier's official cap.

"Hey, do you think we should go in here?" one of the patrol guards asked.

"Why not?"

"Y' know. This is one of the territories of those bastards though? I think we should move away from here before one of them shows up," he suggested.

"Y-y-you're right. But, their leader had been murdered three days ago. And even the old Caption. Captain Mattia died as well. We shouldn't be worrying about them at all. Right?" his companion shivered after he said that.

"Right, however, they are still a powerhouse in this district. We shouldn't be fighting them since they might kill our family as well."

His companion fretted, "No way. I guess we should move somewhere else. I pray that they died before they could hit my family. I don't know what would I do if someone tries to hurt them at all."

The light disappeared after they left.

The young Don and his butler appeared from the shadow, gravely watching them from afar.

Hermes pulled out his toothpick, removed his mask for a while, and used it, like cigar without a smoke during the night.

"My Don, the situation isn't worse than we expected. The villagers are probably no more or no less weak than I thought. The guards are still afraid to face these morons. No wonder that jerk asked for your help. But oh, well. You have something in your mind to accept it. Its a favor of course so this mission isn't free at all. I guess we can use this as an excuse to execute your scheme," said Justin, smiling.

Hermes raised his right eyebrows and turned his gaze at his servant. He questioned inside his mind what was he meant, Scheme? What was the scheming anyway? He had no idea what's inside this person's mind, but he might be misunderstood his help for something else.

All he wanted to do was to delete his bad reputation from this place. Not only that, but he also planned to turn the village into a safe haven before he exiled himself somewhere away from this place.

Since he knew that turning it into the finest town would make a profit. Selling the tutelage and ownership rights at a high price from his rival - the Verdugo clan - would absolutely bring him a big win-to-win reward.

Although his plan was against the wishes of the villagers, the game was already set in motion. They would only bring home a hopeless fight against his rival family. It wasn't a traitorous act but it was a wise choice indeed for himself.

The village was destined to be owned by one of the major families, though.

It was an unfortunate fate but he didn't care since he would be freed from the disaster.

"Well, it'll change the flow of the story but who cares. It doesn't change the fact that this place will be annexed by that clan anyway. I'm just helping them to get in a different way," he muttered aside that only he could hear himself.

He wore his mask again after he tossed aside his broken toothpick, and he continued to stroll the street.

"Indeed. Let's continue our patrol. Follow my lead," Hermes answered.

The cold breeze from the west made him shiver a bit.

The young Don rubbed his nose and covered his head to warm it.

"My Don, is your head feeling cold? Please wait here for a short while. Let me get your hat in the car," suggested Justin. "Go on," Hermes permitted.

His butler placed a hand on his chest and lowered his head once. Then, he left him in the area alone.

...

Boredom hit the nerve of the young Don. He stretched his arms upward and cracked his neck from left to right.

He wished that this game had a cellphone to use during this time. He prayed to play some games and spent his time watching movies on Netflix or youtube. But it was undeniably impossible because he got transmigrated into this universe.

His silent night had been interrupted, more like got disturbed after three voices of old men passed through to his right ear.

Since his servant was absent and left him alone. He had two options to choose from; hide or stay.

Without a second thought, he opted to hide. After all, he had no idea if the strangers were friendly or not. Could they be trusted to talk with or not was still a question inside his mind.

His character had a special trait or more like a skill to interpret his situation. His heart and body told him to hide and so he did.

He quickly jumped over the bench and hid behind it. But his shadow had already been seen by one of them before he could do that.

"Hey kid, you don't need to hide yourself from us," asked the middle man who appeared to be the leader of the crew.

The man with a bandana on his forehead cracked his fingers, "Oh, there's someone there, huh? Oho, another playmate."

"Jeez, don't you forget that we should play nice to our new acquaintance? We should be more gentle before we do something," the man on the right suggested.

"Right, right," they agreed.

The three thugs wore the same blue-breasted striped suit jacket with wide lapels. The Jackets are buttoned up high and well-fitted to its user.

Hermes clicked his tongue, and had no other choice but to show up since it was impossible to escape their sight. Yet, he remained behind the bench while the thugs moved closer from every side, blocking the path for escape.

The young Don turned vigilant and readied himself for some unexpected action.

"Well, what do we have here? A little pub is hiding behind the brown ugly bench. Are you seriously think we won't see you there?" the leader bragged, smiling.

Hermes turned his gaze at the leader. He placed his right hand on his chest and he politely greeted the folks, "Forgive me, sir. It is not what you think it is. To tell you the truth, I lost my cap when the wind blew it away from my head. I thought it had fallen behind the bench so I checked it to confirm. But my belonging was unfortunately not there. It was just a coincidence that you saw me like this."

The leader moved closer in the distance and stomped his foot on the top of the bench. He leaned his arm over his knee and looked at the young Don's mask.

"Kid," he picked out from his pocket a portion of a cigarette and lighted it by his magic. "Why someone like you wearing a stupid mask would lie to me? Don't screw with me." He blew a cloud of smoke at his mask that made the young Don lean backward.

"Sir," the young Don hesitated at first but remained his posture of a firm young lad. "It is not my intention. I'm telling the truth."

"Oh," the leader destroyed the bench by the force that came out from his foot. It divided into two and leave a huge crack. "Man, you're really a moron. Do you think such a petty answer will make us believe?"

"Sir, " the young Don calmly spoke with manner, "please, it is just a misunderstanding. If you may ―"

"― I said, " The leader grabbed his neck with threatening gaze, "Don't fuck with me, kid. Do you really think I won't see your lies behind that filthy and funny mask of yours?"

"Oh, then, so be it." The young Don, unsurprised, glared at his eyes with disgust.

The leader tilted his head in confusion, "What?"

"Get your hands... off me, you punk."

"Wha- What did you just say, kid? Oh, lads. This kid has some guts to defy me, men. He must be thinking he can deal with us alone," the leader mocked as he kept pointing a finger at his face nonstop.

His men were laughing at his mockery against the young Don.

"As I said, get your filthy hands off my neck. Or else, you will see yourself in hell," Hermes declared, gravely.

His terrifying neon sight from his eyes made the leader gulp.

"You stupid shit," the leader slapped the young Don with a smiling teeth. "Don't you know who I am? I'm Gladuce. The next leader of the Handdog gang. For your information, we control this district." He slapped the young Don twice. "Listen, listen, kid. Don't you realize your situation, huh? Let me stick this into your narrow-minded head. You are nothing. Nothing but a peddler. You're like this. An ant. In this fucking world, you should bow your head and apologize. Or submit it to me. Because you're... you're facing the new boss of the powerful gang in this place. So, you better show some respect for me," he punched his stomach to show off his strength. But nevertheless, his victim didn't even look intimidated.

The leader gulped his saliva when he realized his victim's body was fortified with magic.

Since his prey didn't react to his expectation, he got terrified.

No matter what he did, the young Don was still stiff and silent. His prey was looking at him with a disgruntled look.

Out of fear of losing his companion's respect, he released the young Don like he had proven his superiority. He didn't want them to let them realize that his hands were painfully hurt by punching his stone-made stomach.

"I guess you're a worthless being who couldn't even hurt a fifteen-year-old child like me. I guess your hands are starting to feel the pain right now," said the young Don, removing the dust from his suit.

"S-s-shut up!" Gladuce raged, and he gave a powerful slap to the young Don.

Hermes only wanted to say this, "My bad, please release me, sir."

But his mouth uncontrollably spouted a death flag phrase. Thanks to his mask, the damage caused by his slaps didn't even hurt him that much. And, he was grateful to his slime pet for fortifying his body to become an armored bodysuit.

Any type of assault couldn't penetrate his body even a single punch turned like a bite of a mosquito when it hit him.

Consequently, the young Don noticed the bully was terrified a bit, so he decided to fight back.

'Now that he mention it, he proclaimed he was the leader of the new gang? Is he talking about the Handdog gang? Oh, my... Lucky me,' Hermes's lips curled up like a crescent moon.

This lad and his companions were the people he had been searching for.

He laughed inside his mind maniacally not only because he easily found his targets but also because their luck had run out tonight.

"Boy," Hermes placed a hand on his bully's chest and pushed him away in the distance. Then, he fixed his collar and cracked his neck from left to right.

'What a good time to exert my dominance,' Hermes simpered.

He swayed his hand like pestering away some bad air.

"I think you need to brush your teeth."

The time he said it, his bully's comrades burst into laughter.

"What? What did you just call me? Hey, you two, quiet. Don't laugh!" the leader bickered.

"Yes, sir," the two responded in unison.

"The bad air keeps pondering in my nose." Hermes stepped away and folded his arms. "I don't know who you are or what organization you're working with. I don't give a fuck and that's the fact."

"Woah, you're really bold to say that infront of us, huh." The bandana man said. "Are we going to stay here and do nothin', sir?"

The other one on the right followed, "He keeps insulting you to the fullest with fact words. Let's just take this kid even our only aim is little girls."

"Oooh," the young Don turned disgusted from the suggestion of the person.

"So, you're walking together to search for little girls? You guys are sucks. You need some advice from the psychologist and eat some medicines to purify your brains."

"What the fuck? Insult us more and we're going to slice your throat," the leader pulled out his knife and cast his fire magic to heat it up. The heat from the knife illuminated. "You're a dead man now."

"Man. I guess, it would be a good idea to test my power in this situation. Right slime?" Hermes asked.

<<Slime Fortification: Activate>>

"Yes, master." replied the slime.

<<Slime CQC Mastery Level 1: Activate>>

"The night was cold and you guys are too bold. To think you've approached me like this without a single weapon on your hands. I approve of your innocent stupidity and ignorances out of this land. But I'm grateful that you showed up yourselves without even thinking about your safety. I'd appreciate your unexpected assistance for being dumb and stupids so might. Man, I'm glad that you're time has finally end tonight, " Hermes simpered and shrugged.

"Are... Are you mocking us?" the leader argued.

The young Don got surprised when the leader stabbed him. The moment the knife stuck to its target, the leader was stunned.

The blood of his comrade instead of the young Don dripped down like a fountain.

"Hmm? Oh, boy. You stab your own men. How stupid are you." Hermes mocked.

"You piece of shit!" the leader finally returned his senses, and he fumed, "You'll die for what you did!"

Hermes pulled back in a distance before the leader pulled out his weapon. "I didn't do anything. I just bent my body backward before you hit me though."

"W-w-what are you looking at and standing like a stupid henchman? Kill that kid!" he commanded, angrily.

The bandana man cast his Ice magic towards the young Don. His body instinctively bent its body slightly from the right before it could hit him.

The leader assaulted him in close-quarter combat. Left, right, elbow, strike, and knife striking. Left leg, right leg, uppercut and fireball, and vice versa. Ice attacks come from the other side were still not enough to hit him. In this situation, the thugs felt that every attack was futile against the young Don.

"W-W-What the hell are you?" the leader noticed something ain't right about the person he's attacking.

The young Don removed his mask slightly that only his right face could be seen. Only his right eye glowed in neon sight when the moonlight enlightened the field.

"Scarlet eyes. Black hair. A young man who appears to be in his teenage years. Don't tell me. I thought he was a wimpy kid. But the rumors are wrong." the bandana man stunned and he shivered when he recognized his half-face feature.

"What the hell are you talking about?" the leader asked.

The bandana man turned his gaze at his boss, "Sir, our gang is new in this village and some of our members don't know who he is. He is the sole survivor of the war that emerged here five years ago."

"What?"

"Not only that, but he is also the youngest man who succeeded in his family's criminal organization at the age of 10. Their family tradition was considered as a taboo in this undivided nation since the leader of their organization was often male heir unlike the other family clans used females as their Donna. Only the respective and chosen by the female Donnas could earn the title of the Don. However, this family was too powerful that could rival them all. The new Don of that household is the fourth generation of this prime and the new owner of this territory. If I'm not mistaken, his name is none other than Hermes Archnemesis."

"What?" the leader screamed in shock.

"Man, you're too talkative. Sssh, the people nearby would hear my name and tremble in fear. So, don't shout so no one could think of my presence. It would only lead them to panic." said Hermes, with his index pressed on his lips.

"What? I thought he was a jerk and outclass moron. But to think he would show up like this. He could fight one on one with me. It can't be true."

The young Don laughed, "C'mon, stupid. Accept the truth. Your henchman has a brain after all. I'm Hermes. Hermes Archnemesis. But since you know my true identity. It appears that one of you must die and the lucky bastard shall be imprisoned for interrogation."

"What?" the two stunned in unison.

"Justin, my loyal servant. Take care of this lads for me. Choose the best man for special interrogation treatment, wisely." he flicked his finger and the bandana man's head rolled down on the ground.

Before the leader could move his feet, he got pinned down by the weight of the butler. He snapped his neck to subdue him. The leader got knocked down after his neck got hit by his hand.

"Forgive me, my Don. I didn't make it in no time to be here. Thankfully, I can see that you're unharmed when you talk with them." said Justin.

He handed over the hat to his master, while he remained to kneel in one knee in front of his presence. "Please wear this to shield your head from the cold tonight."

"Good," he wore the hat on his head and he commanded, "That person is our price. Take him with us."

Justin hung his head in respect and he replied, "Affirmative, my Don. Please, return to the vehicle before me. I will settle this one first before I unite with you."

Hermes nodded without saying a word. And he left the place before his servant.

Inside his room, Hermes removed his clothes and laid it down to his bed. He moved to his closet and wore his pajamas. Supposedly, Justin was the one who should assist his master to do it but he reluctantly refused his assistance.

Hermes wanted to do it by himself and asked him to entertain well their 'guest'.

The young Don finally washed his face in his personal comfort room and returned to his bed. He checked the surroundings and after confirming he's totally alone, he sat down beside his clothes.

"What's up? You may show up. There's nothing to afraid. During that time you become my savior and my aide. " He placed his hand on the top of his sleeves and gently rubbed it. "Why don't you materialized yourself so we can talk. I read a lot of books about your existence so there's no point in denying it. There's no norm that is why I won't balk."

The clothes slowly deformed and transformed into a huge, black, and slimy oblong creature. It didn't have a mouth and ears, but it could still feel and read the person's heart.

"So," the young Don scanned the creature by looking at it, "It is not my a dream that time, huh. You're truly a splendid, and magnificent creature. I don't know if you can see me but the only I could say is," he rubbed again its top, "Well done, slime. You're a very useful subject in this timeline. It's been three days but I'd appreciate your service unlike this demon box, I still don't know why it doesn't work that time."

"You're welcome, master." said the slime.

The slimy creature jumped on his lap and rubbed its body to his stomach. The young Don, confused, grinned at the affection he was having with it.

"Now, how did you get close to me? I don't even know how did you manage to hang around with me without my notice. The thing you did about eating my clothes is unforgivable, however. You saved me that's a good compensation for your service so I'll let it slide for tonight."

"As I told you before, you're my master. No matter where you at, I'll always find you. I'm glad to be united with you." the slime rubbed twice its head to his stomach.

Hermes simpered, and he petted its head, "No matter, huh. Well, I often heard it from you for the last three days so I still don't know how to handle something like you. So forgive me if this is the only thing I can give as a reward for your service."

"There's no need to thank me. You're my life and soul so I should be the one to be grateful. I won't let anyone hurt you anymore. That's my oath for eternity!" the slime jumped down and showed its utmost respect.

"We'll see about that," he said, smiling.