When Xu Xialing heard John Wick mention using the token to exchange for intel, she frowned and said:
"John Wick, don't you think you've gone too far?"
"I gave you a Dragon Ball capable of granting any wish in exchange for a promise—and now you're trying to repay me with some intel about how you used the Dragon Balls?"
"Even capitalists aren't this ruthless. You should be hung from a streetlamp."
John Wick wasn't the slightest bit ashamed. In his mind, this kind of information was extremely valuable.
Xu Xialing really wanted to punch a hole through John Wick's head right then and there, but she controlled herself and said:
"John, just tell me what you can say."
John Wick paused for two seconds, then spoke:
"Looks like you've decided to join this new Dragon Ball hunt."
Xu Xialing met his gaze and asked:
"What? You're not planning to gather them again?"
John shook his head.
"My wish has already been granted. I have no need to collect them again."
Then he began to explain the origin of the Dragon Balls and their connection to the Assassin's League.
"The Assassin's League is an organization with over a thousand years of history. The seven Dragon Balls are sacred relics of our order."
"Whoever gathers all seven can have one wish granted. The story of Aladdin's lamp? It was adapted from this legend."
"After granting a wish, the Dragon Balls scatter across the globe, hiding in plain sight as stones. After some time, they reawaken."
"But the Assassin's League observes every holder, studying their desires."
"If someone is deemed worthy—if their wish isn't selfish or destructive—we guide them to the remaining Dragon Balls."
"But if their heart is filled with greed or malice, then destruction is all that awaits them."
Xu Xialing was shocked by these hidden truths. She had always thought her own family background was extraordinary, but clearly, the Assassin's League was even deeper and more mysterious—powerful enough to let outsiders use the Dragon Balls.
Even her father, Xu Wenwu, never let the Ten Rings leave his side. The idea that the League allowed others to touch something this powerful was wild.
She then thought about how John Wick had gathered all the Dragon Balls under the League's guidance. But considering his current position, she asked:
"Does everyone who uses the Dragon Balls end up joining the Assassin's League?"
John laughed and shook his head.
"Not everyone. The League isn't desperate for new recruits, you know?"
Then he added:
"So, have you decided?"
"What do you want to get from me using that token?"
Xu Xialing's eyes darted as she thought. The Dragon Balls were sacred to the League, and John was now one of their key members. Still, since the Dragon Balls had just reappeared, John probably didn't know who held them now.
She put the token away and said:
"I haven't decided what I want yet. But you owe me—and you will repay it."
With that, she left the villa and returned to the car parked outside.
Once inside, she immediately gave an order to her subordinates:
"Spread the word. Raise the price for Dragon Balls to $5 million."
"Even just a credible lead—$500,000."
Then, she crushed one of the Dragon Balls in her hand and added:
"And no more fakes. A real Dragon Ball is so hard it barely shows a mark even from a bullet."
…
Elsewhere.
At the headquarters of the Assassin's League.
Fox found Smith Dole and said:
"We received some intel from the London Brotherhood. I think it's worth looking into."
Smith Dole looked up at her and asked:
"What kind of intel?"
Fox replied:
"One of the intelligence agents there received reports about vampires. Based on today's investigation, it seems very credible. They're asking how we want to proceed."
"If these are real vampires from the legends, our people there may not be able to handle them."
"After all, normal bullets won't kill those things."
Upon hearing the word "vampires," Smith Dole thought of the leather-clad woman he had seen. Could it be that the three-star Dragon Ball was in Selene's hands?
He mused to himself: So this is really Underworld, huh?
"What else did the intel say?"
Fox checked the report and answered:
"It says the vampires are slaughtering people, keeping blood slaves, drinking blood for pleasure, killing for fun…"
Smith Dole frowned. That didn't match his impression of the Underworld vampires.
In the modern age, the vampires from that series had long since transformed. But not all of them had necessarily turned good.
"Have someone investigate."
"If they're really behaving like this, send Aleksei and Mr. X to wipe them out."
"And get the weapons division to produce a batch of ultraviolet bullets. Vampires fear those."
Fox nodded, then asked:
"Boss, sounds like you know a lot about this species."
Smith Dole thought back to the movie's lore.
It all began with Alexander Corvinus and his three sons. Two of them became infected—one by a bat, the other by a wolf. That gave rise to the vampire and werewolf bloodlines.
The Corvinus bloodline was unique—exceptionally long-lived and adaptable. Alexander himself didn't seem quite human, though aside from longevity, he had no special powers.
One of his sons, who turned into a werewolf, completely lost his mind and became a wild beast.
The vampires, on the other hand, developed a full-fledged civilization. Some even evolved to have teleportation-like powers.
And their ability to extract memories through blood made them perfect for intelligence gathering—especially for digging into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secrets.
"Yes, I know a few things about them. And there are werewolves too."
Thinking of Lucian running wild in search of Michael, Smith Dole added:
"Investigate the werewolves as well. They're vulnerable to silver. Produce a batch of silver bullets and ship them out."
"If they're just as evil, wipe them out too."
Fox nodded:
"Got it. I'll dispatch Aleksei and Mr. X."
Just then, John Wick's call came through. Smith answered and heard his voice:
"Boss, Xu Xialing left."
"She didn't use the token to cash in on a favor—but I think she's planning something big."
"Anyway, I told her about the Dragon Balls."
"And now, the price of a Dragon Ball on the dark web has jumped to $5 million."
…
(End of Chapter)
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