Chapter 82: Berlin

’Berlin... never thought I got to hear that name again.’ Lorenzo thought as he stepped out of the teleportation gate and looked over the vast city, Berlin.

Only few city have their original name since the fall of earth and Berlin was one of them.

Not to mention, Berlin hold a special place in Lorenzo’s heart.

’This was the place...a turning point in Samuel where he first ever killed someone.’

Lorenzo shook his head to cast aside that thought.

’This is not the same Berlin as it was in my previous life.’

Lorenzo took a deep breath and looked down at the city stretching beneath him.

The Berlin he remembered belonged to a different world, one that had existed before the Fall of Earth changed everything.

Back then, it had been a city of history, culture, and ordinary people going about their lives.

Now, it was something else entirely.

Towering skyscrapers stood beside ancient buildings that had survived the catastrophe. Massive defensive walls surrounded the outer districts, while mana-powered barriers shimmered faintly above the most important areas. Airships traveled between buildings, and floating advertisements illuminated the streets.

Awakeners walked alongside ordinary civilians, some carrying weapons openly, while others wore the uniforms of powerful guilds.

The city had adapted to its new reality.

"Quite a change, isn’t it?"

A voice came from behind him.

Lorenzo turned to find Salvatore stepping out of the teleportation gate. The older man adjusted his glasses before surveying the city with an expression of mild interest.

"Have you been here before, young master?"

"Not in this life."

Lorenzo answered casually.

"I didn’t you joke as well, Young Master." Salvatore said with chuckle and looked over city.

"Berlin has changed considerably since the Fall. Several districts were destroyed during the initial monster outbreaks, and the reconstruction took decades. Some historical landmarks were preserved, while others were rebuilt from scratch."

"Is that so?"

"Indeed. The World Government officially administers the city, but the Riina Family maintains considerable influence over its underworld."

Salvatore paused.

"Naturally, that influence is not something the government openly acknowledges."

Lorenzo smiled faintly.

Of course it wasn’t.

The World Government could claim authority over Berlin, establish laws, and deploy its forces throughout the city.

But beneath that polished surface existed another world.

A world of underground businesses, illegal exchanges, information brokers, assassins, and organizations that operated beyond the reach of ordinary law.

And the Riina Family stood at the top of that world.

At least, that was how things were supposed to be.

Lorenzo’s smile gradually faded.

’Zomboto Hiroshi.’

Lorenzo was not going to give him peaceful death.

"Let’s go. It’s time to take out trash."

---

Standing before the Hiroshi House, Lorenzo felt strangely calm.

Under normal circumstances, anyone in his position would have been furious. Zomboto Hiroshi had betrayed the Riina Family, and now he had openly rejected Aldric Riina’s final offer of mercy.

Yet Lorenzo felt no anger.

’Is this because of my new trait?’

He opened his status screen.

\[Hitman\]

[Ruthless Killer — The sword of an organization that eliminates its enemies. Hitmen maintain their composure in any situation. Proficiency with firearms is greatly increased.]

Lorenzo studied the description for a moment.

His composure had always been unusually perfect, even before acquiring this trait. Aside from the significant boost to his firearm proficiency, he hadn’t noticed any obvious changes.

However, there was one difference he couldn’t ignore.

Since activating the trait, his thoughts had become remarkably clear. The distracting thoughts that had haunted him ever since he transmigrated into the game world seemed to have faded into the background.

Even Sofia wasn’t occupying his mind.

That realization surprised him more than anything else.

His obsession with her had become such a constant presence that he barely noticed it anymore.

But now?

Nothing.

He could focus entirely on the task before him without his thoughts wandering elsewhere.

’Not bad. This trait is better than I expected.’

’Let’s get this over with. I have to return to the academy tomorrow.’

The Hiroshi House was the headquarters of the Hiroshi Family, one of the organizations operating under the Riina Family’s influence in Berlin.

The mansion was surrounded by tall walls, with security cameras covering the entrance and armed guards stationed beside the main gate.

Judging by the size of the property, there were probably more guards and security measures inside.

Unfortunately for them, none of that would make much difference today.

Lorenzo walked toward the entrance without hesitation.

"Hey! Who are you?"

One of the guards stepped forward, eyeing him suspiciously.

Lorenzo ignored the question and glanced at the security camera mounted above the gate.

He had already prepared what he intended to say.

"This is a message from Don Aldric Riina, the Overlord who rules the Death Domain in the Spirit Realm."

His voice was calm and clear.

"Zomboto Hiroshi, you have dishonored the Riina Family and betrayed the trust placed in you. However, the Don is willing to offer you one final chance. If you come forward now and sincerely repent for your crimes, he will take responsibility for your punishment and grant you a peaceful death."

Lorenzo paused briefly.

"Will Zomboto Hiroshi accept the Don’s offer?"

This was a rule he had learned during his successor training.

The Last Chance.

Before passing judgment on a former subordinate who had committed a serious offense, Aldric would sometimes offer them one final opportunity to surrender and acknowledge their crimes.

It was an act of mercy, but only to a certain extent.

Not everyone was granted the privilege of a peaceful death.

And in Hiroshi’s case, the situation was especially serious.

He had not only betrayed the Riina Family but had also attempted to target Aldric’s son.

Even if Hiroshi surrendered now, death was the only mercy he could reasonably expect.

As for the rest of his family, their fate would depend on how deeply they were involved in his crimes.

Lorenzo wasn’t interested in punishing innocent people merely because they shared the same surname.

But anyone who had knowingly participated in the betrayal would have to face the consequences.

The guard hesitated after hearing the message.

For a moment, Lorenzo thought he might actually relay the offer properly.

The man raised his radio and spoke into it, presumably informing someone inside the mansion.

A few seconds later, he lowered the device.

Then he looked at Lorenzo with a mocking grin.

"The boss says you can go eat shit!"

Lorenzo stared at him.

"...I see."

He sighed softly.

"What a shame."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

’Perfect. That’s exactly what I wanted.’

He had fulfilled his responsibility by delivering his father’s message.

Hiroshi had been given a chance to surrender and had refused.

From this point onward, Lorenzo had no reason to hold back.

He raised his hand slightly.

"Uccidere per la Famiglia."

Kill for the Family.

The moment the words left his mouth, the world erupted into chaos.

BOOOOOMMMM!

A deafening explosion shook the entrance as the gate was blasted apart.

Gunfire followed almost immediately.

Bullets tore through the air, smashing into walls and shattering windows. The armed guards barely had time to react before the attacking force overwhelmed their defensive positions.

Shouts echoed throughout the mansion grounds.

Lorenzo stood at a safe distance, watching the operation unfold with an almost detached expression.

The attack was swift and overwhelming.

Within minutes, the defenders’ resistance began to collapse. The sounds of gunfire gradually diminished, replaced by the occasional groan of an injured man.

Then a voice came through the earpiece in Lorenzo’s left ear.

"The entrance is clear, young master."

Lorenzo touched the earpiece.

"Understood. Thank you."

He turned toward Salvatore, who stood nearby with his usual composed expression, and gave him a brief nod of acknowledgment.

Then Lorenzo walked toward the ruined entrance.