Chapter 9 - Wake Up As Mafia Boss (1/2)
From the shocking twist and unexpected turn of events, the young Don, Hermes, had learned the whole plot changed. Hermes predicted he would encounter some trouble in the future. The strange behavior and action of all NPC certainly due to the bugged mods installed before he transmigrated. He gulped some air and sighed.
”What's wrong, Aljen?” Chief Zamor sincerely asked, patted once his leg to get his attention. ”Did something botherin' you?”
”Hmm, ” Hermes turned his gaze at him, and shook his head with a smile, ”It's nothing, sir. I, uh, just recall a bastar-, I mean, a personal acquaintance of mine that, I really wish not to see him again. However, I'm truly sure, we'll meet again someday.”
'If fate destines me to face him once more, I won't hesitate to punish that moron. I'll definitely kill him on the spot.' He muttered, clenching his fist with sharp eyes glaring at the chief.
Chief Zamor, confused, grinned as he tried to understand his reason. He thought that he was the same as him who holds a grudge to his nemesis, as well.
”Uh, *cough*, Forgive me. Anyhow, as a merchant who introduced himself, truthfully and equally, a savior and coffee drinker, and both intellectual with friendly terms. Is there a chance for us to get access to this place? Since we don't have any goods to sell nor anything to convey. But I'll use my money to invest in here. But I'm sure it's impossible because there's a decent restriction on here. It might possible that there are some requirements to be filled up before I can do that. So, we might advertise your village to other places. Don't you think its a good investment opportunity for both parties?” Hermes explained, telling his plan.
”Oh, ho, ho,” Chief Zamor glorified, ”You've already grasped the situation here, huh. And, you have a sharp analyzation, at your age. Very impressive, indeed. Yes, it's true that we do some requirements for the strangers who want to reside and live here. And also, we really create our own law within the place within consulting the landowner. How 'bout a tourist visa? I thought you became more furious when I told you half of our plan. Umm, I don't know why but I saw something convenient in you that made me tell you. Maybe, because you saved my children and my own life from your companion by risking yours. I'm so indebted to you. Just by looking in your weird face, you're a person who wouldn't leak out a secret across the globe though. So, I sincerely glad in your kindness, Mr. Aljen.” Chief Zamor bowed his head and waited for Hermes to reply.
'Half? You only mentioned half of your plans? Sounds like you haven't even acknowledged me yet. But... thank you for your compliment, Chief.' Hermes scratched his left cheek when he saw his appreciation.
Chief Zamor interrupted him while giving him a half-smile.
”That's why I'd really grateful for your kindness to save their lives in your way to this place. It was your decision that made me thankful. Although it would risk your life, you still save them. Moreover, I want to apologize for my men's unforgivable action during your arrival. I'm very worried that you'll behead us by the help of your butler but you insisted to restrain him from doing that. I don't know what to do, but thank you very much, sir. Don't worry, I'll do my best to help you, too. You'll be granted a certain reward for what you did. As the head of this place, I guarantee it'll be done.” His words flattered the young Don more. He took another sip of his cup of coffee and covered his face with one hand. He beheld it on his knee, while his gaze at the chief.
”Sir,” Hermes sighed, ”I'm very happy to hear that, but please, don't overdo somethin' that'll cause a new problem.”
”No, as the Village Chief, I must do what is venerable to the saviors of my twins. Also, it is our fault for shooting your vehicle without a warning. That's why you're friend maybe got angry during the assault.”
”if you insist.” Hermes gave in. ”It is good to know you really want to repay the debt and cost of the action of your men recently. But I think it was too much to receive so much gratitude.”
”By the way, can you show me your passport to send it to my secretary to enlist your name here as a tourist. We need it badly. It was the only way to make sure you won't be considered as a passerby or anything related to the mafia. You know it was for the safety of all citizens in this village.”
”Ah, sure...” Hermes, smiled, scanned his pockets to look for it. But his face turned pale, dropped a lot of sweat and trembled with half-smile after he realized he didn't bring any personal card.
He, petrified, gulped some air and exhaled. 'Eeeeh...? Holy crap, I don't have something like that. All I know is that there is no need to show some kind of passport in this place. Oh shit, I remember now! Passport and any type of ID are always needed in this world. What the heck am I doing?' Hermes realized his mistake today. He had forgotten the most valuable items to secure his life such as visa, insurance card, and other government doc.u.ments. He must make a good excuse before the chief became suspicious again.
Thanks to his mask, he covered his embarrassment.
Chief Zamor patted his right closed hand over his left palm, ”Aah yeah, I remember we do have another way to do that. Too bad you don't bring your passport for that, but where did you leave it then?”
”Hehe~, I maybe forgot it in my room at the hotel,” Hermes replied, fidgeting his hands from right to left.
”Hotel? Is there a hotel in this place, I don't even recall anything like that unless it was from the Eastern Scily, what is the name of the hotel?”
”Hehe, it was Archne - I mean Arch Hotel” Hermes has almost spilled out the word, Archnemesis mansion, but thanks to his rapid speed of thinking, he changed it to Arch Hotel.
”Arch Hotel, huh.” Chief Zamore put his arm on his chin and pictured the place. But after a few minutes, he gave in and replied, ”I never heard such a name on this island. Is it possible that there's a nearby inn but it was located at the west than this place?”
”Y-yeah, there is one. Oh, so, I think we already sealed a deal. Should we head now to the Village Hall?”
”Aah, sure. Let's head to our village hall then.” Hermes put down the cup, smiled and fixed his collar, while standing up from his chair.
”Please, wait for a moment,” The Chief stopped the young Don, and said, ”I tell the kids that we're going to leave. And I'll pick up some important things inside my room to help us out related to your card. Anyways, enjoy yourself for a while. Feel free to wander around outside of this place.” the chief left his side, picked up the cups from the table.
”Sure..” he accepted with a smile.
The young Don opened his eyes and suddenly found himself in the same chair he was sitting for a while. The same place he was having a conversation with Chief Zamor earlier.
'A dream? But... it felt real earlier.' The young Don was confused, tapping his fingers to calm himself. He stood up and ran towards the warehouse to check the place he was attacked. But the place remained the same and nothing but the sacks of herbs was intact. He gave in and thought that the glowing object was just a dream.
He realized that the chief had taken it too long so he decided to search for him. He stepped on the stairs to reach the next floor and searched for the person he was waiting. He heard the voice from the next part and checked it. The door was slightly opened so he took a peek. His eyes caught the chief was contacting someone on the phone.
”I know. I know. But please, don't do any harm to my people. We'll pay. We will pay you so much.... Alright, goodbye,” he hanged the phone and clicked his tongue. ”What a bunch of morons. Damn it, it's too late to give up though.”
Hermes hadn't heard anything, decided to show himself. Chief Zamor, surprised, asked him if he heard his conversation earlier, but the young Don shook his head that he didn't. The chief was relief about that.
”Let's head off, sir”. Hermes suggested.
”Right.”
Afterward, both of them strolled the street towards the hall. Hermes was amazed by how the village maintained its security and beauty of their village even though they've suffered a lot from continuous raid committed by his mercenaries.
”By the way, Sir. Aljen, the village was subdivided by five districts. The four districts are under the protection of our security while the fifth one is still on the verge of chaos. So, I wanna remind you not to cross that place or else you will encounter a lot of criminals. No help will come to aid you.”
”Hmm? Yes, what is it then?”