(Short Chapter)
***
As I lay in bed, my mind raced with the weight of everything that was unfolding around me. Giovanni's execution was inevitable, but I couldn't simply accept it. I had a chance to alter the course of history, and I wasn't about to let this family crumble. The knowledge I had gained through the games, combined with my new abilities, gave me an edge, but the challenges ahead were far more dangerous than anything I had faced in my past life.
I opened my system interface, the familiar glow of the menu lighting up the room.
—
[System Message: Character Status]
[Name: Dante Auditore]
[Rank: Initiate]
[Level: 3 (1445/3000)]
[Skill Points: 6]
[Skills:
• Eagle Vision (Lvl.1)
• Hidden Blade Proficiency (Lvl.1)
• Assassin's Focus (Lvl.1)
• Leap Of Faith (Passive)]
[Skill Tree Unlocked:
• Altair
• Connor
[System Shop(Locked)]
—
[You have unspent Skill Points. Would you like to allocate them now?]
I hesitated. Six points. Enough to unlock something meaningful, maybe something that could tip the scales. My finger hovered over the Altair Skill Tree—refined, stealth-focused, precise. But my attention drifted instead to Connor's path: raw, grounded, and instinctive. Built for guerrilla warfare. Built for survival.
I tapped into the Connor tree.
[Connor Skill Tree – Initiate Tier]
• Predator Instincts (Passive) – Enhances situational awareness. Slight slow-motion effect when enemies are about to detect you. (Cost: 3 SP)
• Tomahawk Mastery (Lvl.1) – Increased efficiency with axes and improvised weapons. (Cost: 2 SP)
• Climbing Agility (Passive) – +15% climbing speed. Reduces fall damage from mid-heights. (Cost: 1 SP)
Without thinking twice, I chose Predator Instincts and Climbing Agility. The system responded with a pulse of warmth through my chest, like a heartbeat syncing to something deeper.
—
[Skill Acquired: Predator Instincts]
[Skill Acquired: Climbing Agility]
[Remaining Skill Points: 2]
—
But I was not done yet as I focused on Altair's skill tree, previously I purchased Hidden Blade Mastery from it.
[Altair Skill Tree – Initiate Tier]
• Silent Step (Passive) – Your movements become quieter, reducing noise while running, climbing, or walking near enemies. (Cost: 1 SP)
• Disarm (Lvl.1) – Gain the ability to disarm enemies during combat, redirecting their momentum to use their own weapons against them. (Cost: 2 SP)
• Throwing Knife Proficiency (Lvl.1) – Unlocks the use of throwing knives with improved accuracy and quick draw. (Cost: 1 SP)
With 2 points left, I made my choice quickly. Silent Step was a no-brainer. In this world, being unheard was just as vital as being unseen.
If I had one more point then Disarm with Silent Step would be absolute perfection. But for now, Silent Step would give me a solid advantage, especially when it came to sneaking around or making a quick getaway.
[Skill Acquired: Silent Step]
[Remaining Skill Points: 1]
I leaned back, feeling the satisfying weight of my new abilities settling in. The system had become a powerful tool, and now I felt more equipped to handle the dangers that awaited me. Every decision mattered, and with Giovanni's eventual death looming, I needed to be sharp, prepared, and ready to act quickly.
This is really Hardcore difficulty~
With that thought my eyelids dropped as exhaustion finally took its toll. The day ahead would be just as daunting as the one before, but now, with my skills improved and my thoughts more focused, I felt a surge of determination.
The next few days would be critical. Giovanni's fate was sealed, but how I played my cards would determine whether we emerged stronger or fractured forever. I had to be strategic—never letting my emotions cloud my judgment. The Templars were relentless, and the Auditore family was caught in their crosshairs.
As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but think about Ezio. My older brother, was destined for greatness, but also for grief. Would he be able to handle the weight of what was coming? I knew that, for better or worse, I would have to guide him through the chaos.
***
The morning came quickly, as it always does in times of crisis. The early light filtered through the window, casting long shadows across the floor. I was already awake, preparing myself mentally for what lay ahead. The system's quiet hum was a constant reminder of the power I now wielded—and the responsibility.
After a quick breakfast, I set off to meet with Federico, who had been handling the arrangements for the family's departure to Uncle Mario's. His face was serious, a far cry from the carefree expression he often wore.
"Dante," he greeted me, his voice tense. "Father's orders are clear, but I have a feeling things won't be as easy as we hope."
"Don't worry I have a solid plan, Take Mother, Claudia, and Petruccio to the market under the pretext of shopping in our family carriage. You will drive the carriage, and after some light shopping on the way back stop at the alleyway just two blocks away from home for 'peeing'. Inside the alleyway, the private carriage will be waiting after picking up them. You will drive our empty family carriage here and bring it back, no one will suspect anything." I outlined my plan in a low voice, making sure no one overheard our conversation. "We need to make sure everything appears normal, as though we're simply going about our day. The Templars are watching for anything that might seem out of place. This needs to be smooth and quiet."
Federico nodded, taking in the details carefully. "Understood. I'll make sure no one is suspicious. I'll also keep an eye out for anything unusual along the way."
"Good," I said, a sense of relief washing over me at least for the moment. "The less attention we draw to their departure, the better."
Federico gave me a knowing look. "You know they'll probably try to track us. The Templars have eyes everywhere. We need to be ready for anything."
I grinned slightly, my confidence growing. "That's why we have backup plans. If anything goes wrong, we need to be prepared to move quickly."
He clapped me on the back. "Alright, Dante. I'll handle it. You stay focused on your end of the plan. Father has a few errands for you."
I watched as Federico left to prepare the plan with our family. My mind shifted back to my own duties. I couldn't let the threat of the Templars distract me. Giovanni's inevitable execution was coming, and with it, the risks we'd all face. The network of spies, corrupt officials, and hidden enemies was slowly closing in on us, and the Auditore family's survival rested on the steps we took in these next days.
I made my way to the main hall, where Giovanni was already waiting. His expression was calm, but there was something in his eyes that hinted at the weight he carried. He knew what was coming, and he had likely already prepared for it.
"Dante," Giovanni said, looking up from a letter in his hands. "There's something I need you to take care of for me. It's time for us to alert our allies."
I walked over to him, ready to listen.
"I have a contact in the city—a thief named Marco, deliver this letter to him. He will pass it to my ally."
La Volpe.
Hearing thief my thoughts immediately went to La Volpe, who was the leader of the Florentine and Roman thieves' guilds, and a member of the Italian Brotherhood of Assassins.
I nodded, understanding the importance of the task ahead. La Volpe was a key ally, a man who commanded the underground network of thieves in Florence and Rome. If anyone could help us now, it was him. The fact that Giovanni trusted him enough to involve him in this delicate situation spoke volumes about the potential impact of La Volpe's help.
"I'll make sure the letter gets to him," I said, taking the letter from Giovanni's hands. The seal was simple yet unmistakable, bearing the mark of the Auditore family. If Marco—the contact—was as trustworthy as Giovanni believed, the message would find its way to La Volpe's hands without incident.
Giovanni placed a hand on my shoulder. "Be cautious, Dante. The Templars are everywhere, and we cannot afford to make any mistakes now."
"I know, Father," I responded, holding his gaze. "But I have a plan, and I'll make sure everything goes smoothly."