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After thanking Smith, Winston left, found an empty seat, and picked up a newspaper to read.
Hearing Fox speak, Smith asked,"Who's the unlucky target that's wanted?"
Fox glanced at the message she received and replied,"A man named John Wick."
Smith smiled upon hearing the name."He's exactly the target I brought you here to observe today."
Fox looked puzzled."Observe?""I thought you were going to complete the bounty, but what's worth observing about a retired assassin?"
Both Smith and Fox knew John Wick. After learning about the Continental, Smith had introduced John Wick to Fox.
Fox generally looked down on the assassins of the Continental. To her, the Assassin League was like Robin Hood—heroes in their own right. Especially after a failed mission had brought tragedy to her family, she held even more respect for them. Even without the Saint Weaving Device, they still upheld their ideals.
But what were the Continental's assassins? Merely mercenaries working for money—a fundamental difference from the League.
Additionally, members of the Assassin League were extremely skilled, particularly Mr. X and Cross, whose long-range sniping abilities were legendary.
Hearing Fox's cold tone, Smith said,"Take it easy. Don't rush."
Elsewhere, John Wick had just eliminated a large group of killers sent by Viggo and was driving toward the Continental Hotel.
John Wick carried a suitcase in his left hand and a canvas bag slung over his right shoulder, walking steadily toward the hotel front desk to check in. His steps were measured, his expression serious, exuding an aura of lethal intent. Clearly, after last night's bloodshed, he was like a volcano ready to erupt.
As he approached the front desk, a beautiful female assassin who had just checked in turned and greeted him from behind,"Good to see you again, John!"
"Good to see you too, Perkins!"
After exchanging greetings, John completed his check-in, and Perkins left the lobby.
John Wick went to room 818, pulled out his phone to watch videos of his wife before she passed, and then retrieved the Dragon Balls from his pocket, muttering softly,"Helen, if this is real, I'll find a way to bring you back."
He placed the Dragon Balls in a pouch with a string, sealed it, and hung it around his neck, believing keeping them close was the safest option.
Afterward, John dressed, rose, and headed toward the underground bar.
At the entrance, he dropped a Continental coin and walked inside.
Once inside, he scanned the bar but noticed something unusual: there were no African assassins present. He frowned. Normally, the Continental always had a number of African assassins; having none was impossible.
John spotted Perkins in the bar and nodded in acknowledgment. He then noticed Winston sitting in a booth overlooking the crowd and approached directly.
"Hello, Winston."
Winston closed his newspaper, looked up, and smiled."Jonathan."
John Wick's full name was Jonathan John Wick; most called him John Wick, but close acquaintances addressed him as Jonathan.
Seeing him sit before him, Winston removed his glasses and said,"To my knowledge, you never clean up your own messes."
John smiled faintly."Something like that."
Winston studied him and asked,"What are you here for?"
John Wick replied,"To see Rusev Tarasov."
Winston raised an eyebrow."What happened?"
John continued,"I want to talk to him."
Winston sipped his drink and said,"I've heard this a thousand times, Jonathan. You've ever been a wanderer?"
When Winston asked why he returned despite being retired, John Wick calmly replied,"Just visiting."
Winston's tone became serious."Have you thought about this?""Completely.""You barely survived once, yet you're too deep in this. You might find a way out, but only to sink further."
John ignored the insinuation and interrupted,"Where do I find him?"
Seeing his determination, Winston said bluntly,"You know the rules here. Don't cause trouble in my establishment, or there will be consequences."
He took a sip of whiskey and added,"Have a drink first. Relax."
"Now…"
As Winston picked up a pen to write down an address, John stood and interrupted,"This is personal."
Watching him leave, Winston shook his head, thinking,"When you step into this place again, do you really think anyone believes you're fully retired?"
John approached the bar, seeking information.
Eddie saw him and exclaimed,"Good heavens, Jonathan!"
"Hey, Eddie."
Eddie grabbed John by the neck and pulled him into a cheek-kissing embrace."Good heavens, it's been four years!"
John shook his head."Over five years."
Curious, Eddie asked,"Tell me, how's retirement life?"
John replied,"Good, Eddie. Better than I deserve."
Eddie lowered his voice."I'm sorry about your wife…"
John interrupted,"Thank you."
Eddie looked at him seriously."I've never seen you like this."
John asked,"What do you mean?"
Eddie studied him carefully and said slowly,"Your hair."
John took a deep breath."I'm retired."
Eddie smiled."As long as you're drinking here, that means you haven't been compromised."
He then gestured to the liquor cabinet behind him."The usual?"
"Of course."
Meanwhile, in another booth, Fox glanced at her phone and then at John Wick by the bar."Smith, this guy's net worth has climbed to $400 million.""By the way, here are four extra Continental coins for you."