~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For 20 advanced chapters, visit my patreon:
patreon.com/fatimasoomro123
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"In fact, I intend to fill your ass with my devotion until it spills out of your mouth."
The Adjudicator paid no attention to the Bowery King's vulgar taunts and said calmly,
"I gave you a chance."
As for his so-called loyalty, the Adjudicator dismissed it entirely.The rules of the High Table stood above all else.
The Bowery King looked at the Adjudicator and said,
"If that's what you think, then I suppose it's time I told you something."
"Get off your High Table and get the hell out of here."
The Adjudicator ignored his words and said expressionlessly,
"I accept this outcome."
"You gave John Wick seven bullets. Your sins will be repaid with seven blades."
Hearing the punishment, the Bowery King let out a long sigh of relief. Seven cuts sounded terrifying—but it was better than a death sentence. He snorted and said,
"Hmph. Sometimes you've got to teach that bastard a lesson."
After speaking, the Bowery King glanced at the assassin Zero beside him. With one hand, he covered the eyes of the pigeon he was holding and said softly,
"Don't look this way, sweetheart."
Then he turned to the Adjudicator and said,
"The king is dead."
He released the white pigeon into the air, stepped toward Assassin Zero, and declared,
"Long live the king!"
Without hesitation, Assassin Zero slashed at the Bowery King seven times in rapid succession.
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
After seven lightning-fast strikes, blood sprayed everywhere. The Bowery King screamed and collapsed to the ground.
The Adjudicator looked down at his fallen body, then turned and left with her entourage.
The judgment had been passed.From this moment on, he was no longer the King of the Bowery.
After everyone left, Aura came up to the rooftop. Seeing the Bowery King gravely wounded, she helped him up and took him away.
Two days earlier.
Paris.
Grammont sat at the High Table and ordered his men to bring Caine to him.
When Caine arrived, Grammont whistled at him—like calling a dog.
"I have a job for you."
Caine refused immediately.
"With all due respect, I'm retired."
"I'm done. I've had enough."
At that moment, a waiter approached with a tray. Grammont picked up a dessert, took a bite, and said,
"I don't think so."
Caine rejected him again.
"I'm of no use to you. And no use to the High Table."
Grammont smiled.
"That's not for you to decide."
Caine smiled as well, even wiping his nose with his hand.
"I think you should find someone else."
Grammont took another bite of dessert and looked at him.
"You're too close to her."
Later, when his men went looking for Caine, they found him sitting beside his daughter, listening to her play the violin. According to the agreement between the High Table and Caine, he was not allowed to see her.
"Today, the margin was too small."
"You put her in danger."
Hearing the veiled threat, Caine said nothing more. He reached for the tray in the waiter's hands and said,
"I know the terms of our agreement."
On the tray lay a business card. Caine picked it up and ran his fingers over the Braille on it.
John Wick.
Grammont said,
"An old colleague?"
Caine took a deep breath.
"Yes."
"And my friend."
Grammont nodded.
"Ah."
"The agreement with the High Table remains in effect. We will give you a name, and you will kill him."
"Otherwise, we will kill your daughter."
Caine looked helpless. Finally, he dropped to one knee and raised his cane.
"I accept the job. I swear my loyalty."
Grammont applauded.
"Excellent."
Then he stepped closer and said,
"But this target is… different."
"John Wick has violated the rules of the High Table, defected to our enemy—the Assassin Alliance—and gained their protection."
"This time, your enemy is not only John Wick, but also members of the Assassin Alliance."
"To find him, you must first infiltrate their headquarters."
Caine's expression changed.
"Am I going alone?"
Grammont shook his head.
"How could it be just you? Though I admit, you are formidable."
"Kira will lead her team and three task forces to launch a feint attack on the Assassin Alliance. Your mission is to eliminate John Wick."
Caine nodded.
"I understand."
At the edge of Morocco and the desert.
Smith Doyle calculated the time. John Wick had been gone for three days. According to the natural progression of events, he would soon meet the Elder of the High Table.
Sensing the Dragon Balls on John Wick, a vision appeared in Smith Doyle's mind:John Wick lay unconscious. An Arab man appeared atop a sand dune, leading a camel. After glancing at the unconscious Wick, he descended the dune, hoisted him onto the camel, and rode away.
Seeing that John Wick had been taken in by the Elder's people, Smith Doyle waved his hand.
"Let's move. Prepare for action."
"I'll guide you."
Thirty-two people followed behind him, fully armed and riding camels. Their weapons were specially made by the Assassin Alliance—immune to damage from sandstorms.
Wesley twisted his neck and said,
"After waiting this long, we're finally making a move."
"The evil High Table will eventually be destroyed."
Fox glanced at the endless desert. Compared to cleanup operations out here, she preferred assassinations in the city. She looked down at her latest bulletproof vest, hoping casualties would be minimal.
Elsewhere.
Caine followed Kira and the others to New York.
Kira met with the Adjudicator and asked,
"How are things on your end?"
The Adjudicator glanced toward the New York Continental Hotel.
"The Belarusian faction and the rulers of the Bowery have received their punishment."
"Now only Winston of the New York Continental remains."
"When will you act?"
Kira replied,
"Our original plan was a night assault on the Assassin Alliance's New York headquarters. However, new intelligence indicates that John Wick was seen in Casablanca three days ago and is suspected to have entered the Moroccan Continental."
"According to Manager Brendha, John Wick exchanged a blood oath marker with Manager Sofia for the Dragon Balls."
"He has now completely disappeared."
The Adjudicator said softly,
"A blood oath marker… Sofia did not violate the rules."
Kira nodded.
"If there's no new intelligence, we'll probe the Alliance."
"They've likely returned already."