Chapter 2: Leon: The Professional
At this moment, Luca looked at the two smiling goodfellas, feeling speechless.
These two guys truly had no bottom line and were a pain in the ass.
In the original plot, Henry was caught by the Police for drug trafficking. To avoid being imprisoned, he became a Police witness and betrayed his boss and all his brothers.
And Jimmy took a group of people to rob an airport, but being greedy, he was unwilling to share much money, and eventually, because his accomplices were too ostentatious, he killed all of them.
There was also a goodfella named Tommy; that guy was a brute who killed a formal member of the family and was eventually executed by the family.
This trio combined made up three goodfellas.
But why did only two come?
"Come, let me introduce you two."
Maurizio motioned for the two goodfellas to sit down, then introduced them individually to Luca. Afterwards, he pointed at the photo in Luca's hand and added:
"Luca, Henry and Jimmy know Kahn quite well. They know where Kahn often hangs out. When you need any specific information, you can talk to them."
Then he said to the two, "You two cooperate with Luca; all actions are to be under his command."
Jimmy was already over 40, much older than Luca, yet he acted very humble in front of Luca. "I've long heard of Luca's name. Who in the Bronx doesn't know his title as Peace Ambassador? I am very willing to serve him."
He narrowed his eyes, smiling like an old fox.
Unlike himself, Luca was a pure-blooded Sicilian. At this rate, he would sooner or later become a formal member. If he could build a good relationship with him…
Thinking of this, Jimmy's gaze towards Luca became even more "cordial."
Henry also quickly expressed his stance and even toasted Luca, "It is my honor to serve you, sir."
Luca politely clinked glasses.
But in his heart, he couldn't stop complaining: "Damn it, relying on you to serve me? Just don't betray me."
While everyone chatted, Luca opened his panel to check the two's skills.
At least it was a C-rank card.
"Character Card: Henry"
"Scoundrel: When communicating with the Police, Police trust +10%; when betraying and providing testimony to the Police, Police trust an additional +40%."
"Learning Requirements: 1. Bond must reach Friend or above; 2. Skill Shard x20."
Luca: "..."
You're a Mafia member, why do you have this ability?
"Character Card: Jimmy"
"Greedy Scoundrel: Each time illegal income is obtained, illicit money conversion rate +5%, and Police search trigger probability -10%; after liquidating teammates, illicit money conversion rate an additional +15%."
"Learning Requirements: 1. Bond must reach Friend or above; 2. Skill Shard x20."
Luca: "..."
Goodfellas! Luca exclaimed, "Goodfellas!"
Although he had expected these two guys to be no good, these abilities still dazzled Luca.
They were all skills for backstabbing teammates.
Truly goodfellas.
These abilities are good, Luca claims them!
After a few bottles of wine, the relationship between the three had become much closer.
They were all peripheral members of the same family, and Luca, being a pure-blooded Sicilian, whose father was a "war hero who died in battle," had strong business capabilities and was highly valued by Maurizio. Becoming a full member was only a matter of time.
Without Luca needing to deliberately socialize, Jimmy and Henry both actively tried to build a relationship and get close to him, wanting to make Luca "one of their own."
If they had someone on their side within the family in the future, they would undoubtedly have a much easier time.
"I used to hear about you two, you ran with Pauli, right?" Luca said, casually, "Pauli is a pretty good boss; he treats his subordinates well."
Pauli was another capo in the family, not in the same territory as Maurizio, so Luca had rarely interacted with these goodfellas before. Moreover, before he awakened his past life memories, he wasn't aware of anything special about these goodfellas.
But now it was different.
Hearing Luca's words, Henry just chuckled dryly. Pauli was a decent guy, but he was too timid and didn't let his subordinates traffic drugs.
Thinking of this, he secretly glanced at Jimmy, who was smoking beside him. He remembered that when Pauli warned him not to traffic drugs, he also told him to stay away from Jimmy... Jimmy was good at making money, but he was too wild, too adventurous, an restless person.
Jimmy took a deep drag from his cigarette, his gaze uncertain. He had been with Pauli for over twenty years, paying that guy so much money, but what was the use? Because of his bloodline, he was still only a peripheral member and would never be able to become a full member.
Luca casually mentioned Pauli, causing many thoughts to surface in the minds of the two.
"Oh, by the way, I remember you two had another accomplice, named Tommy, right?" Luca said, acting as if he didn't remember clearly, "Didn't he come with you?"
Three goodfellas, why did only two come?
"Tommy... passed away unfortunately, just last week." Jimmy's expression was complicated. When he heard the news, he was so angry he almost smashed his car.
He had thought he could finally rely on a powerful figure, but it turned out to be just a dream.
Luca was stunned after hearing this. Oh, he had already been executed by the family?
—This was the consequence of killing a formal member of the Mafia.
What a pity, Tommy was probably also a C-card, and perhaps he also had skills that could be learned.
Out of the three goodfellas, only two remained.
"Oh, that's truly regrettable news." Luca sighed, raising his glass, "May he rest in peace."
The two accompanied him in a toast.
Then Luca asked about the current mission, concerning information about Kahn Jones.
Jimmy and Henry had been trafficking drugs together for a long time, so they naturally knew that a new player had appeared in their territory, taking away a lot of their business. To drive that guy away, the two had tried everything, but to no avail.
Kahn had a team of gunmen around him, and their strength was considerable. Jimmy and Henry, two average fighters, had no ability to deal with that kind of drug lord.
"Every Tuesday, he brings goods to the Bronx."
Jimmy rambled on about many things, including several of Kahn's trading partners, such as the Russian Gang and the Japanese Gang, among others.
Luca's gaze, however, was somewhat unfocused.
He stared at Kahn's photo, and for some reason, he felt like he had seen this guy somewhere before?
Which movie character was it?
Next Tuesday, inside a hotel in the Bronx.
"Nice to see you again, Mr. Jones."
With the enthusiastic greeting of the bellboy, the bloated and obese Kahn Jones, surrounded by a group of gunmen, entered the elevator next to them.
He left a few subordinates to guard downstairs, while the rest went upstairs with him.
At the same time, across the street from the hotel, a black car was parked. Luca, sitting in the back seat, silently stared at the hotel entrance, a thoughtful expression reappearing on his face.
After seeing the fat guy in person, the sense of familiarity became even stronger.
But for some reason, no character card information popped up on the panel.
Was he not an important character?
In the Peace Ambassador system, usually, only some relatively important characters would have character cards appear.
Jimmy, in the passenger seat, turned back and asked, "What do we do now?"
Luca took out a silencer and calmly attached it to the gun barrel. "You two keep watch downstairs; I'll handle the rest."
Henry was startled, "Are you going up alone? They have so many people..."
"What's wrong with many people?" Luca smiled slightly. "Peace is always the most valuable thing. Harmony brings wealth. I believe Mr. Jones won't do anything to me."
Henry: "..."
Peace is the most valuable thing? Big bro, why are you so skillfully attaching a silencer?
Jimmy, a person with a strong adventurous spirit and great courage—otherwise, he wouldn't have robbed the airport—was eager to build a good relationship with Luca and actively suggested, "I'll go with you; I can help you."
You're a weakling, only good for bullying ordinary people. Luca didn't want him to die, at least not before he learned his skills. Jimmy and Henry couldn't die.
"No need, you'll only get in the way." Luca calmly shook his head. "You two just keep a good watch for me. If the Police come, remember to call and notify me."
With that, Luca put on a pair of dark sunglasses, concealed his gun and dagger, pushed open the car door, and quickly disappeared from their sight.
Henry swallowed, worried, "Jimmy, Luca, he won't get into trouble, will he?"
It was hard enough to find another powerful person; don't let him die just a few days after meeting him.
Jimmy shook his head, "With Luca's ability, he probably won't. I've heard things... Do you know his reputation in the underground world?"
"Peace Ambassador?"
"..." Jimmy's mouth twitched, a speechless look on his face. "I'm talking about before he became the Peace Ambassador. He used to be a killer, nicknamed the Butcher; many people know him."
Half an hour later.
Outside the hotel suite, bodies lay strewn everywhere; all the gunmen were dead.
Luca stood beside Kahn, one hand holding a gun to his temple, the other pulling out his phone to dial his boss's number.
Kahn raised his hands, not daring to move. "Buddy, calm down, okay? There's a box of drugs in the room, uncut, very pure! Let me go, and it's all yours."
Luca's tone was gentle, "Mr. Jones, you were the one who made the first move. I told you I was just here to deliver a message. Wouldn't it be better to sit down and talk? Why resort to fighting and killing? Can't we just have peace?"
"..." Kahn wanted to curse. You killed so many of my men, and you talk about peace? Can you put down the gun first?
"Who sent you?" Kahn asked.
Just then, the call connected.
Luca put the phone to Kahn's ear, "You talk."
"Hello?" Kahn looked confused.
"This is Maurizio, do you remember me?" Maurizio, completely trusting Luca's ability, slowly said, "Didn't I warn you to leave New York? I see you're back again."
Was it this Lucchese bastard? Kahn immediately remembered and quickly explained, "No, no, no, I just happened to be passing through New York today."
"Is that so? Does that mean today is your last day here? And from now on, I'll never see your damn fat pig face in New York again?"
"Yes, yes."
Kahn felt the cold touch of the gun at his temple and hastily agreed.
Maurizio was not at ease, but he couldn't kill Kahn because Kahn was also a family member, just a head of a family from another city.
Above all the families, there was also the Committee, which formulated a series of troublesome rules to maintain peace... In short, killing some insignificant peripheral members was fine, but killing Kahn, a boss, would cause a lot of trouble.
At that point, it wouldn't just be the two bosses fighting each other, but a conflict between families.
"Luca." Maurizio instructed Luca, "Take all his goods, give him a profound lesson, let him understand the consequences of intruding into New York, and then let him go!"
Luca stared at the bodies on the floor and felt Kahn's trembling body, a friendly smile appearing on his face.
He hung up the phone and asked with a smile, "You heard Maurizio's words clearly, didn't you, Mr. Jones? How about we pursue peace and harmony?"
"Peace and harmony, peace and harmony!" Kahn immediately said, "I promise I will never set foot in New York again!"
"I hope you keep your word. I really dislike meaningless conflicts." Luca put down his pistol, waved his hand, turned, and left.
Kahn turned around and found that Luca had disappeared. He quickly rushed into the room, searched everywhere, and the box of drugs was gone.
"Fuck!"
Kahn furiously kicked over the table in helpless rage.
But as soon as he thought of Luca's elusive figure, a strong fear surged within him.
Forget it, it's better not to come to New York again.
"You killed 9 vicious drug dealers and struck fear into their leader, making him afraid to dump drugs in New York again. You defended the peace of New York."
"Obtained Skill Point x15"
"Obtained Skill Shard x5"
Luca put all his ability points into Firearms Mastery.
"Firearms Mastery: LV5 (72/100)"
"I have 23 ability shards now; I can exchange for a skill."
Luca showed a satisfied smile. As long as he cultivated the favorability of those two goodfellas to Friend or above, he could exchange for hidden abilities.
Along the fire escape, Luca carried the box down to the second floor. Just then, his phone vibrated.
"Luca!" Jimmy's anxious voice came through the phone, "The DEA is here! Get out of there quickly!"
"???"
DEA?
Luca quickly went to the hallway and glanced down through the second-floor window. He saw several Police cars parked below the hotel. After the car doors opened, a man with blond hair, wearing a gray suit and wired headphones, stepped out.
The panel popped up.
"Discovered Character Card: Stanfield (Unlocks)"
"Stan: S"
"Source: Leon: The Professional"
"Skills: Beethoven's Madness, Wolf's Sense of Smell"
"Bond: Stranger"
Luca's expression changed slightly.
Leon: The Professional?!
Shit! It's that perverted Police officer?!