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Sofia looked at the blood oath marker John Wick had pushed in front of her, then calmly slid it back toward him.
"No. This has nothing to do with that."
Clearly, Sofia did not want revenge. What she wanted was to sever all ties with John Wick completely—to have nothing more to do with him, forever.
John Wick fell silent for two seconds and said nothing more. He understood her stance.
He had never had many friends. Even fewer were willing to risk their lives for him. And now, he had lost one more.
On the table between them sat a square box, exquisitely crafted. Sofia picked it up and opened it. Inside, resting quietly on a bed of yellow cloth, were two spherical objects—like planets.
Sofia glanced at the Dragon Balls inside, then turned the box toward John Wick.
"Is this what you want?"
John Wick looked at the contents and said,"Two planets… I didn't expect you to be the one holding these."
Sofia replied,"I didn't expect the one in my possession to be called the 'Second Planet.' It seems to be connected to the stars inside."
"You were even willing to swear a blood oath for it. That means the secret it hides must be extraordinary."
When John Wick remained silent, Sofia pushed the box toward him.
John picked it up and carefully examined the Dragon Balls in his hand. They were no different from the ones he had touched before.
"Yes," he said. "This is what I want."
Sofia looked at him and asked,"I've given you what you wanted. Now can you tell me what the Second Planet is actually used for?"
"Just out of curiosity."
John Wick took a deep breath and looked at her seriously."Sofia, it's not that I don't want to tell you. It's that knowing this would bring you enormous trouble—possibly even cost you your life."
Seeing the gravity of his expression, Sofia knew he wasn't lying. But what kind of secret could lead to death?
John Wick didn't believe Sofia was lying either. In his view, if she truly knew the secret of the Dragon Balls, she would be interrogated by the High Table. If she failed that interrogation, she would die. And beyond that, they would attract countless other enemies.
"Sofia."
Hearing him say her name, she asked in confusion,"What is it?"
John Wick asked in a low voice,"What is your wish?"
The question startled her. Though confused, she still answered,"I want my daughter to be safe. That has always been my wish."
John Wick knew how the High Table controlled its assassins. He was the one who had helped rescue Sofia's daughter and send her away. If Sofia ever reunited with her child, the High Table would discover it. The only real threat to her daughter was the High Table itself.
Thinking of the current movements within the assassin world, John Wick said,"I believe your wish will be fulfilled very soon."
With that, he opened the blood oath marker, pierced his finger, and pressed his fingerprint onto the other side.
He closed the marker, handed it back to Sofia, picked up the Dragon Balls, slipped them into his suit pocket, and turned to leave.
Sofia stood frozen in place, not getting up to see him off. She was replaying his words in her mind. She knew very well what truly threatened her daughter's safety.
Her expression grew grave.
What she didn't understand was where John Wick found the confidence to say such things.
That was the High Table—a power beyond ordinary reach.
New York.
Inside a theater in Belarus, the Director was watching a rehearsal when Zero and his apprentices stormed in.
Using only cold weapons and stealth, they went completely unnoticed. It wasn't until they emerged from backstage that the Director sensed something was wrong. Looking at the three figures onstage, he raised his hand.
"Stop."
The music ceased. The Adjudicator stepped out from behind the Director and stood before him.
The Director looked at the woman and barked an order to his subordinates,"Leave."
The dancers immediately exited the stage.
Soon, the Director and the Adjudicators ascended the stage. The Director sat down.
The Adjudicator said,"The High Table has reached an agreement with the Russian Gypsies."
Another Adjudicator added,"Yes. But you aided John Wick."
The Director looked up calmly."He had a marker."
The Adjudicator countered,"But no marker outranks the High Table. Your sins must be paid in blood."
"Now, extend your hands and swear your loyalty."
The Director knew he could not refuse. Nor could he bear the consequences of betraying the High Table. He stood up, pressed his palms together, then extended his hands.
"I have served the High Table," he said. "And I will continue to serve."
At that moment, Zero drew a short blade and drove it straight through the Director's clasped hands. Blood spilled instantly.
The Adjudicator stepped forward, took a glance, then turned and left with her entourage.
John Wick left the Continental Hotel, stole a vehicle, and drove straight toward the edge of the desert.
After the story continued its course, John Wick finally reached the desert's edge after dawn.
He stepped out of the jeep, watched the sun slowly rise, and began walking deeper into the desert.
…
The sun rose and fell. In the blink of an eye, three days passed.
New York.
A torrential rain poured down.
The Bowery King sat in his "internet café," letting the rain soak him as he cradled a pigeon in his arms, gently stroking it. Several of the Adjudicator's men surrounded him, watching closely.
At that very moment, a massacre was unfolding in the underground base below.
Zero and his disciples slaughtered the Bowery King's forces without mercy. No one could stop them. No one could resist their killing spree.
Whether with blades or firearms, the Bowery King's men could not harm Zero or his students in the slightest. Only after every last defender had been butchered did the battle finally end.
On the rooftop, the Bowery King saw the Adjudicator approaching under an umbrella. He immediately stood and walked toward her.
"Very well," he said. "You've made your position clear."
"You have my loyalty."
In those seven days, he had tried everything to save himself—but no one came. No one was willing to anger the High Table or break its rules for him.
Without enough resources to contact the Elders, the Bowery King ultimately chose to submit in despair.