Chapter 5: Price Increase

After thanking Smith, Winston left and found an empty booth to sit in, picking up a newspaper to read.

Smith, upon hearing Fox's words, asked:

"Who's the unlucky guy with the bounty?"

Fox glanced at the message and replied:

"A guy named John Wick."

Hearing the name, Smith smiled and said:

"He's the target I brought you to observe today."

Fox asked, puzzled:

"Observe?"

"I thought you were planning to collect the bounty. But he's a retired assassin, what's there to observe?"

Both Smith and Fox knew about the infamous John Wick—known as the "Boogeyman." Smith had previously introduced Fox to the workings of the Continental Hotel and its assassins.

To Fox, the hotel's killers were beneath her. She saw the League of Assassins as heroes, like Robin Hood. Especially after learning that her family's tragedy had been due to a failed mission, her belief in the organization only strengthened. Even without the Loom of Fate, the League still upheld its ideals.

The Continental's assassins, by contrast, were rats who killed for money—a fundamental difference.

In terms of skill, the League's members were leagues above. X and Cross's long-range sniping skills were especially terrifying.

Hearing the disinterest in Fox's voice, Smith said:

"Take your time to understand—no rush."

---

Elsewhere…

After dealing with a wave of assassins sent by Viggo, John Wick drove to the Continental Hotel.

Carrying a suitcase in his left hand and a canvas bag over his right shoulder, he walked toward the front desk. His steps were steady, but his face was grim and exuded a deadly aura—clearly, he'd killed many the night before. He was like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

As he approached the front desk, a beautiful female assassin who had just checked in turned and said:

"Nice to see you again, John!"

"I feel the same, Perkins."

After the brief greeting, John checked in while Perkins left the lobby.

John checked into room 818. He took out his phone and watched a video of his late wife. Then, pulling a Dragon Ball from his pocket, he murmured:

"Helen, if this is real, I'll wish for your return."

He carefully placed the Dragon Ball into a pouch, sealed it, and hung it around his neck—close to his body, where he believed it would be safest.

Afterward, he suited up and headed to the underground bar.

At the bar entrance, he inserted a Continental coin and entered.

Scanning the room, John noted with a frown the absence of any Black assassins—a rare occurrence at the Continental bar. Something felt off.

He nodded to Perkins again as he walked past and saw Winston sitting in a booth, so he approached.

"Hello, Winston."

Winston folded his paper, looked up, and smiled.

"Jonathan."

John Wick's full name was Jonathan Wick. Only those close to him called him Jonathan.

Winston removed his glasses and said:

"As I recall, you were never one to clean up messes."

John smiled and replied:

"More or less."

Winston asked:

"What brings you here?"

John said:

"I want to talk to Iosef Tarasov."

Winston looked puzzled:

"What about him?"

John continued:

"I want to have a chat."

Winston sipped his drink and said:

"A chat, huh?"

"I know that line well, Jonathan."

"Let me ask—have you truly turned over a new leaf?"

Implying John had supposedly retired, Winston wondered why he was back.

John calmly replied:

"Just visiting."

Winston leaned in and asked seriously:

"Have you thought about it?"

"Going all the way?"

"You got out once. But you're in too deep."

"You might think you can escape again, but you'll just sink deeper."

John cut him off:

"Where can I find him?"

Seeing John's determination, Winston said:

"You know the rules—don't conduct business here, or face the consequences."

He took a sip of whiskey and added:

"Have a drink first. Relax."

Then, just as Winston picked up his pen to write an address, John stood up and interrupted:

"This is personal."

Winston shook his head as John left, thinking:

"You really think anyone believes you're retired when you step back into this place...?"

John walked to the intelligence bar.

Eddie saw him and exclaimed:

"Oh my God, Jonathan!"

"Hey, Eddie."

Eddie pulled him in for a cheek kiss.

"My God, it's been four years, hasn't it?"

John corrected him:

"More than five."

Eddie asked curiously:

"How's retired life?"

John replied:

"Good. Better than I deserve."

Eddie then said softly:

"Hey, I'm sorry… about your wife."

John cut him off:

"Thanks."

Eddie looked at him seriously:

"I've never seen you like this."

John asked:

"Like what?"

Eddie replied slowly:

"Worn out."

John took a deep breath and said:

"I'm retired."

Eddie chuckled and said:

"If you're drinking here, you're not."

Then pointed to the liquor shelf:

"The usual?"

"Yeah."

Meanwhile, in a booth nearby, Fox checked her phone, looked at John at the bar, and said:

"Smith, his bounty's gone up—four million now."

"Oh, and they're throwing in four Continental coins too."

...

(End of chapter)

Enjoying and Wanting more!? Read ahead!

Join my Patreon.com/Tenacious Hare. By Purchasing my Carrot 🥕 Tier, You get 10+ chapters ahead and Faster updates

Both Platforms offer the same content, but pick whatever suits you!! Your support and help keeps this story alive.

I Deeply Appreciate your support ❤️❤️

Thank you for supporting my work! 🗿❤️

~ Tenacious Hare 🥕