London.
Night had fallen again, blanketing the city in cold mist. Selene returned to the echoing stone halls of the castle. In a high-windowed study, illuminated only by a single green-shaded desk lamp, some of the Death Dealers she'd sent out had gathered. They stood like statues in the shadows, waiting.
"Selene," one began as she entered, his voice a low monotone. "We found information about the Dragon Ball. You'd never guess, but in the underground world, information about them was active briefly about a year ago, then it all disappeared. Recently, it's become active again."
Hearing they'd found information so quickly, Selene's typically impassive face showed a flicker of genuine joy. She unfastened her long coat, her movements sharp. "What's the news?"
Death Dealer Lance stepped forward from the gloom, holding a tablet. "According to our intelligence, the earliest connection with Dragon Balls involved a criminal faction and a single individual. Last year, the balls appeared on the dark web. The Camorra syndicate offered a bounty, and the price went from one million to two million dollars per ball."
He paused, swiping the screen. "However, both leaders of this organization were killed successively by a man named John Wick. That whole force was eventually eliminated by the Fraternity. And the individual I mentioned is none other than John Wick."
Lance produced two printed photographs from a file and placed them in the small circle of light on the desk. "According to intelligence, he possessed at least two Dragon Balls a year ago. He has the One-Star and Four-Star balls. This news was popular among all underground forces last year. He had a bounty on his head that reached over twenty million."
His expression grew more serious, his tone flat. "But according to our investigation, all forces that placed bounties on him have been eliminated. John Wick, once a registered assassin for the Continental Hotel under the High Table, earned the title Baba Yaga. He is considered a legendary killer among ordinary people."
Lance continued, "Later, because his Continental Hotel was taken over, the High Table was slaughtered and disbanded. He escaped unscathed and joined the Fraternity. It's the Fraternity that took over all the Continental Hotels and renamed them the Assassin Brotherhood. The God in New York is said to be this faction's leader."
He gestured to his notes on the tablet. "Currently, a Dragon Ball bounty has reappeared on the dark web, and the current price has reached five million."
A small, satisfied smile touched Selene's lips. Hearing John Wick possessed two Dragon Balls was exactly the kind of lead she needed. As for his identity as a legendary killer, she almost scoffed. That might seem powerful to ordinary people, but to a Death Dealer, he was no different than an infant. With their strength, any one of them who entered the Assassin Brotherhood and made a reputation would be stronger than this Baba Yaga.
However, the "God" in New York... that did make Selene pause. The strength he had displayed was terrifying. That was a different matter entirely.
"Five million dollars," she mused. "It seems we're not the only ones searching. Can you find out who posted the reward? I think they might have what we need."
Lance shook his head. "The dark web's biggest security feature is identity confidentiality. It's difficult to find their identities. However, since they're searching for Dragon Balls, we can certainly lure them out."
Hearing this news, Selene's eyes lit up. Since you dare offer rewards, don't blame us for taking what's yours.
Selene considered for a moment, her mind moving quickly. "Three directions. First, go to New York and find that John Wick. I need the Dragon Balls in his possession. Second, meet the buyer on the dark web. Tell them I have Dragon Balls, but we need to trade in person."
She smiled coldly, the lamplight glinting in her eyes. "After we deal with the dark web buyer, we also post information. Raise the price to ten million and wait for the fish to take the bait."
Hearing Selene's arrangement, the other Death Dealers shifted, a low murmur of approval in the room. Lance, however, looked hesitant. "We may not be able to leave London. Elder Marcus will soon awaken. And regarding the Dragon Ball, do I need to report this to Marcus?"
Selene's expression tightened. "The elder is about to awaken and take charge again. It's indeed inappropriate for us to leave at this time. Regarding capturing John Wick, we'll wait until the elder wakes before proceeding."
Her expression grew more determined. "As for the Dragon Ball matter, I will personally report this fortunate event to my father. The restoration of the vampire clan's glory."
As Victor's adopted daughter, Selene trusted her father completely. She didn't intend to hide the Dragon Balls, and she would even require Victor to mobilize the entire vampire clan's power to find the remaining balls.
As for Marcus, who was supposed to awaken this century, she could only apologize.
At that moment, a sharp knock sounded on the heavy wooden door, echoing in the study. Soren had arrived.
As the door opened, Soren stood in the frame, his face grim. He looked at Selene and the gathered Death Dealers, his gaze taking in the scene. Without thinking too much, he spoke directly, his voice rough. "Selene, your intuition was correct. As expected, large numbers of werewolves appeared."
His expression darkened. "Last night when I went to capture Michael, I was attacked by werewolves. They were even equipped with the ultraviolet weapons you mentioned. Several of our people died because of this."
He gestured back toward the hallway. "By the way, I brought Michael back. Come see him."
Selene originally wanted to refuse, her mind still on the Dragon Balls, but she had initiated this. She couldn't stay uninvolved. With a small, impatient sigh, she followed Soren out.
Michael, who'd been unconscious for a day, woke with a sharp, terrified gasp. He saw disjointed, nightmarish scenes in his mind: falling, fangs, the roar of gunfire.
After opening his eyes to an unfamiliar, dark stone ceiling, he attempted to rise, breathing heavily. He was on a simple cot in a damp, cold room. He was immediately pushed back down by a heavy hand on his shoulder, held there by the vampire guarding nearby.
Soren said, "It seems we came at the right time. Has he woken?"
Selene, standing in the doorway, frowned slightly. "You mean he was unconscious for a full day?"
Soren nodded, stepping into the room. "We were attacked in his home at the time. He tried climbing down the drainpipe but was attacked by a werewolf and fell straight down. Fortunately, the floor wasn't high, but he's been unconscious for a day."
Looking at Michael, who was still gasping for breath and staring at them with wide, terrified eyes, Selene asked, "Do you know why those werewolves were tracking you?"
Michael took a deep, shuddering breath and didn't answer her question. Instead, he looked around at the cold, ancient walls. "Where am I?"
Soren said, "You were attacked by a werewolf, and we protected you. You're in our base and safe for now."
Michael took another deep breath, his mind racing. He recalled he hadn't actually seen the so-called werewolf. "Are you kidding me? Aren't werewolves characters from fantasy stories?"
Soren felt a flicker of helplessness. To protect Michael, he'd thrown the werewolf into the room after it appeared, but Michael had already fled to the bathroom. He hadn't seen the werewolf's transformed appearance. As for the one outside the building at the end, it hadn't transformed and remained in human form.
Seeing no answer, Michael grew more skeptical, his fear mixing with defiant confusion. "Are you telling the truth?"
Selene didn't have time to waste with Michael. She stepped closer, her voice low and intense. "Think carefully about why those people wanted to capture you. We should have met before, at the subway station. You were their target then."