A few days had passed since Corbin joined the mafia. Now he knew where their headquarters was. However, he still hadn't returned to school, because the authorities were still investigating the school for clues about what had happened during the attack.
Corbin had told Miles that his house had burned down, but he didn't say anything about the mafia. For now, Corbin was living with Miles, since he was still recovering from the injury to his shoulder.
Miles' house was a beautiful private home with two floors, designed in a very elegant style.
Corbin was wearing a tuxedo, but without a bow tie.
"Alright, I have to go. See you later," Corbin said to Miles, because he had something important to do today.
"Sure, see you," Miles replied.
Miles was wearing a black jacket and slightly oversized cream-colored pants.
Last week was crazy, Corbin thought. I lost everything… my parents, my home. At least my friends are okay. At least one of them.
The thought filled him with sadness and exhaustion.
Today I'm finally going to the mafia headquarters to meet them and get my first mission! he thought with excitement.
Corbin walked down the street, passing by a supermarket. As he walked, he suddenly felt like someone was following him. When he glanced back, he couldn't clearly see the person—only that they were wearing a blue jacket and a black cap that covered their face.
Corbin quickly changed his route and headed toward a quieter area with sharp corners and narrow streets. His plan was simple: hide and jump the person who was following him.
He reached a corner and waited.
And waited.
But the person never appeared.
Maybe he left, Corbin thought.
So he continued walking toward the mafia headquarters.
But the mysterious man hadn't stopped following him.
A few minutes later, Corbin noticed him again from the corner of his eye.
He's still following me… What am I supposed to do?! Corbin thought nervously. At this rate, he would be late for his meeting with the mafia.
He kept thinking, trying to come up with a solution. Then he noticed a crowded passage where many people were walking.
Quickly, Corbin ran toward the crowd and blended into the group of people. Moving through them, he slipped away to another street far from where he had been.
He had managed to escape.
Now Corbin tried to think about how he could still reach the mafia's location.
Luckily, he realized he was already very close.
But there was one problem.
Suddenly, Corbin felt heavy breathing on the back of his neck.
Before he could turn around, the man who had been following him punched him in the face.
Corbin collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
⸻
Some time later, Corbin slowly opened his eyes.
He was inside the mafia building.
And beside him was a familiar face.
"Miles?!" Corbin shouted in shock.
Miles looked at him and said sarcastically, "Why didn't you tell me you joined the mafia?"
Corbin quickly explained that he couldn't tell anyone. If he had, they would have kicked him out of the organization or something even worse might have happened.
Miles sighed and then laughed.
"I was joking. I know you're not allowed to tell anyone," he said. "I followed you because the mafia told me to watch you. They wanted to see if you would tell anyone about them."
The two of them laughed for a moment.
After that, they walked together to the boss's office.
The moment Corbin stepped inside, he was amazed by the beauty of the place. Expensive paintings covered the walls. A carpet made of real fur stretched across the floor. Gold decorations were everywhere, and luxurious chairs surrounded a large desk.
At the center seat behind the desk sat the boss.
He was wearing the same suit as before, but this time it had sleeves.
When they entered, the boss gestured for them to sit down.
He began explaining their mission.
"You two will work together on this assignment," the boss said calmly.
"Your job is to collect money from Lorenzo Rio. He borrowed money from us and failed to return it on time."
The boss's expression became serious.
"You'll find an old, abandoned house. It's broken down and looks empty. When you go inside, you'll see stairs leading underground. That's where Lorenzo and his men will be."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Bring back the money they owe us."
He paused before adding,
"Because they missed the deadline… they now owe 5,500 euros instead of 4,000."
Corbin felt a chill run down his spine.
This would be his first mission as a member of the mafia.
Chapter: The Underground Arena
The next morning, Corbin and Miles woke up early.
After getting ready, they left Miles' house. Their destination was the place where Lorenzo was supposed to be.
Corbin glanced at Miles as they walked.
"Are you ready?" Corbin asked.
Miles nodded confidently.
"Yeah. I'm ready for whatever happens."
The two of them continued walking through the streets. After some time, they finally arrived.
Corbin frowned.
The place in front of them looked completely abandoned.
The building was old, broken, and silent.
Corbin scratched his head in confusion.
"Are you sure this is the place? It looks like even a fly wouldn't come near it."
Miles crossed his arms and answered calmly.
"This is the place. Don't judge it by how it looks."
They moved closer to the building.
When they got near the walls, they suddenly noticed something disturbing.
Blood.
Dark stains of blood were smeared across parts of the walls.
Both of them froze for a moment, feeling a chill run through their bodies… but they kept walking.
When they stepped inside the building, they saw a staircase leading downward.
They exchanged a glance.
They both understood.
They had to go down.
The stairs were extremely old. Every step they took made loud creaking sounds, as if the wood might break at any moment.
Corbin looked at Miles nervously.
"Do you think… the blood we saw upstairs belonged to a person?"
Miles' voice trembled.
"I… I hope not."
It was clear he was scared.
When they finally reached the bottom, they discovered something unexpected.
Two paths.
The path to the left led to a bar.
The path to the right opened into a massive arena entrance.
Near the bar stood a worker.
The bartender was tall, handsome, wearing a formal suit. His long blue hair reached down to his chest.
Corbin and Miles approached him.
Corbin asked,
"What is this place? And how does something like this even exist underground?"
Before the bartender could answer, Miles quickly grabbed Corbin and pulled him away.
"Sorry about him," Miles said to the bartender. "He's new here. He's with me."
They walked away quickly.
But the bartender didn't look pleased.
As he cleaned a glass cup, it suddenly shattered in his hand.
Yet he didn't react at all.
He just kept staring at them with the same expression… as if the broken glass didn't bother him in the slightest.
Soon, Corbin and Miles arrived at the entrance to the huge arena.
Miles turned to Corbin.
"I think we should split up and search for Lorenzo."
Corbin hesitated.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
Miles waved his hand.
"Don't worry. If you find him, send me a message. I'll do the same."
Corbin nodded.
"Alright."
Then they separated.
Corbin went left.
Miles went right.
But neither of them noticed…
Someone had started following Miles.
⸻
Corbin's Side:
Corbin searched room after room.
He walked through long hallways and opened several doors, but no one seemed to be there.
After a while, he discovered an entrance leading to the arena seats.
When he stepped inside, he froze.
People were fighting in the arena below.
Two fighters clashed violently while the crowd screamed and cheered for them.
Corbin stared in shock.
He couldn't believe people were betting on fights and enjoying watching others hurt each other.
But he stayed silent.
Corbin started asking people in the audience.
"Do you know someone named Lorenzo?"
But no one seemed to know.
Then he noticed something strange.
A short boy with black-and-white hair sitting nearby.
Corbin was surprised.
Even kids were watching this.
He walked over to the boy.
"Hey… aren't you a little young to be watching this?"
The boy looked annoyed.
"That's none of your business," he said coldly. "Besides, the boss and I are good friends. I fight here most of the time… and I watch fights too."
Corbin's eyes widened.
The boss?
Could that be Lorenzo?
"Does your boss happen to be named Lorenzo?" Corbin asked.
The boy nodded.
"Yeah, that's him. Wait… what do you want with the boss? Who are you?"
"My name is Corbin," he replied. "I came here to collect money he owes me."
The boy stood up.
"I can take you to him."
Corbin felt excitement rising inside him… but he hid it behind a calm face.
"Thanks," he said.
As they walked, Corbin asked,
"By the way… what's your name?"
The boy answered proudly.
"My name is Cosmo Valeriani."
Then they continued toward the boss.
⸻
Miles' Perspective:
Miles kept searching.
Room after room.
Hallway after hallway.
But he couldn't find anything.
No clues.
No Lorenzo.
No people.
After a while, he suddenly noticed someone behind him.
But it was too late.
The man struck Miles hard.
Everything went black.
Miles collapsed to the floor… unconscious.
⸻
Back to Corbin:
Corbin and Cosmo eventually arrived at a room.
Inside the room, there was almost nothing.
Just a table.
And three chairs.
Sitting on one of the chairs was Lorenzo.
He had an average height, with short blond hair covering one of his eyes.
Lorenzo leaned back in his chair.
"So, Cosmo," he said calmly, "who did you bring here?"
Cosmo pointed at Corbin.
"He said you owe him money."
Lorenzo chuckled softly.
"I see."
Then his expression changed.
"Cosmo… do Number Two."
"Now."
Corbin frowned in confusion.
"What are you talking abo..."
Before he could finish his sentence
Cosmo suddenly jumped into the air.
His leg slammed directly into Corbin's head.
Everything went dark.
Corbin collapsed onto the floor…
Unconscious.