Taking the Mafia to the Magic World

Chapter 1132: 1-Star Transcendent

Endless obsidian plains stretched before them as an otherworldly chill permeated the air. An eerie silence enveloped Vicente and his companions as they materialized in Hell’s domain.

Upon his return to Hell, Vicente could feel his power surge with each breath. There was something oddly comforting about being back in this realm, as if some ancient force welcomed his presence with silent approval. Yet he remained vigilant, scanning his territory for potential threats while his companions marveled at their forbidding surroundings.

To his relief, the immediate area appeared secure, with no hostile entities in sight.

A knowing smile crossed Vicente’s lips as he sensed imminent transformations. Turning to observe his companions, he witnessed their auras expanding at an extraordinary rate, far exceeding the modest boost to his own considerable power.

Within mere seconds of their arrival, Larissa and Rex experienced near-simultaneous power surges, while Kong’s energy swelled exponentially, approaching unprecedented levels.

Being naturally less powerful than Vicente and Kong, the human and lion easily gained multiple power levels. But Vice barely registered their advancement, his attention fixed on the dragon who, true to his expectations, had begun ascending toward the momentous 10th stage upon entering this dimension!

Vicente watched intently as the infernal black liquid merged with Kong’s dragon form, the dragon’s bestial nature emerging in all its magnificence. ’Kong will soon achieve Transcendent 1-Star,’ he thought with satisfaction. ’Perfect. Having a Transcendent with me will significantly advance my plans.’

The progress of Kong, Larissa, and Rex would be remarkable. While Larissa and Rex would advance three levels beyond their previous standings, Kong would achieve an even greater feat by establishing himself at the threshold of the 10th stage.

The infernal environment, rich in elemental energy and mana, facilitated their rapid advancement. Such progress was not merely beneficial but necessary in this realm, where countless beings vied for territory and influence.

Those who cultivated slowly would inevitably fall behind!

Vicente beamed with pride as he congratulated his companions on their achievements. However, time was of the essence. Within moments of completing their consolidation, the group set out toward Vice’s domain, where his concealed palace of darkness awaited them.

During their brief final trek, Vicente addressed the group. “While you’re familiar with Hell’s mechanics, we must remain united for now. Though there are numerous opportunities for growth here, our current circumstances require us to stay together. We’ll need to make the most of our journey as we execute our plans before returning to Anicane.”

The companions expressed their agreement, echoing Vicente’s thoughts.

“We’ll make a brief stop at one of my palaces,” Vicente explained. “I’ll create a clone to await Senior Minos while you gather intelligence from my guardians and subordinates. When I departed previously, a war was raging. We must understand what’s changed before approaching Devil Ritter. Even with his potential alliance, the journey remains treacherous,” he concluded, his gaze settling on Larissa.

The human woman’s long white hair swayed as she clasped her hands tightly, her heart racing at the prospect of reuniting with Lothur after countless years.

The passage of time since Lothur and his wives had left Concordia had dimmed many memories. Though she kept vivid recollections of their shared adventures, certain details—like the exact timbre of his voice—had faded into the depths of her mind.

“I can’t guarantee anything,” she said to Vicente, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “Don’t set your expectations too high. As I mentioned before, my alliance with him and his wives belongs to a distant past. They may have forgotten me entirely.”

Vicente acknowledged her concerns with a nod. “Your help would be invaluable, but I’m prepared to fight if necessary. We’ll gather resources and seek opportunities to strengthen ourselves along the way… just in case.”

“Master, will you be able to advance quickly?” Rex inquired eagerly.

Vicente spotted his palace nestled among the black mountains as he replied, “Unlikely. Kong and I already possess considerable strength by the dimension’s standards. Though I might advance before returning to Anicane, our progress depends more on the challenges we encounter than local opportunities. While Hell offers immense potential for growth, I can’t afford to seclude myself for training now.”

He gestured toward their destination, situated near their dimensional entry point, bringing the conversation to a close.

Before the imposing black palace stood a group of kneeling figures awaiting Vicente’s arrival. The infernal guardians and undead servants, having sensed their master’s presence, emerged to offer their formal welcome.

“Welcome back, my lord,” intoned the sole native among the minions. “Congratulations on your advancement. Your enhanced powers will surely make Hell tremble even more than during your previous sojourn.”

Ignoring the creature’s comment—a humanoid being with an obsidian-like body that appeared partially formed of stone—Vicente proceeded to introduce his companions and establish their authority within the palace.

After concluding the brief introductions, he made his way through the palace corridors until he found a suitable dark chamber for cultivation.

“Now I must create my duplicate,” he murmured, settling cross-legged on the floor. Closing his eyes, he directed his consciousness inward to access his soul space.

Within Vicente’s inner realm lay his magical arsenal—intricate pentagrams and magical forms—alongside the essence of light he had absorbed prior to his first descent into Hell.

Without hesitation, he began the creation process, focusing on crafting a vessel that could endure in Hell even without his presence.

’The essence of Hell lies in the soul,’ he contemplated. ’Perhaps Argardus operates similarly, but here in Hell, physical form holds little value. A purely physical copy would quickly dissolve. I need to create a soul duplicate capable of persisting until Senior Minos fulfills his word.’

As these thoughts formed, his hands wove through the air, conjuring violet pentagrams that encircled his body. The magical pressure throughout the palace shifted palpably in response.

Before him, a spectral silhouette materialized gradually, mirroring his own form as though reflected in an ethereal looking glass.

Yet this was no mere reflection—it was a distinct entity, possessed of infernal powers and magical capabilities identical to Vicente’s own. Its power level surged explosively from nothing, rapidly ascending to the 9th stage, placing it just one step below Vicente’s current strength.

As the duplicate’s form solidified and its cultivation stabilized, creator and creation opened their eyes in perfect synchronization. They gazed deeply into each other’s eyes, each recognizing in the other a perfect understanding of their shared purpose and nature.