Elsewhere.
Having taken his revenge, John returned to the Continental Hotel. Now, he needed to meet with Winston and request a blood oath marker, which he would present to Smith Dole under the witness of the hotel.
Just as he returned and was about to change clothes, he heard Charon call from behind.
"Mr. Wick!"
John stopped in his tracks, turned, and walked to the front desk.
"Something wrong, Charon?"
Seeing him approach, Charon pulled out a car key and said,
"Mr. Wick, the Continental extends its deepest apologies for the incident last night. This is a gift from hotel management to express their regret."
Charon then slid the car key toward him.
John glanced at the key, didn't refuse, and took it in hand.
"Set up a meeting with Winston. I need to see him."
Leaving Charon with the request, John turned and walked away.
After changing into a clean suit, he headed straight to Winston's office.
Upon arriving, John spoke first:
"Winston, I need a blood oath marker."
"And I need you to witness its sealing."
Winston tapped his desk with his fingers before replying,
"Jonathan, so you're truly returning to this world."
John shook his head.
"No. This is just personal gratitude."
"Only a blood oath from the Continental can truly show my sincerity."
Winston looked at him again.
"Jonathan, once you walk back into this world—especially with a blood oath contract—no one will believe you're still retired."
John's expression was resolute.
"I need the blood oath marker to prove I mean it."
Seeing how serious he was, Winston didn't argue further. He simply smiled.
"Seems like you owe someone quite a debt."
"Alright then. Let me witness your oath."
······
John brought Winston to Smith Dole's room. He knocked lightly at the door.
As the door opened, Winston was surprised to discover the recipient of John's blood oath—a member of the Assassins' Brotherhood. In his mind, he wondered: Is this a gesture of thanks, or is he seeking protection… or both?
Smith looked at the two of them and spoke:
"Looks like your personal affairs are settled?"
John nodded.
"Yes. It's done."
Smith nodded in return.
"Then come in."
Smith invited them inside.
Once in the room, John got straight to the point. He pulled out the blood oath marker and said,
"Smith, thank you for helping me. You saved my life."
"This marker is the only thing I have that might be of use to you."
"As long as you invoke this contract, even at the cost of my life—I will fulfill it."
At that moment, Winston spoke:
"This blood oath marker is officially witnessed by the Continental."
"If the person who gave it fails to uphold the contract, the Continental will enforce punishment."
Smith understood: if John ever broke the vow, the Continental would have him killed.
He looked at the bloody fingerprint imprinted on the marker and accepted it.
"Your gratitude is noted. It's sincere."
From the side, Fox asked:
"John, did you deal with Viggo?"
Hearing the sudden question, John answered truthfully,
"I only had a personal grudge with Viggo's son. I didn't go after him."
"After he gave me the location and rescinded the bounty, I let him go."
Fox rolled her eyes—clearly unimpressed by his lack of cleanup.
"Good luck. Hope Viggo doesn't mind you killing his son."
Even Winston looked a bit speechless. Classic Jonathan, he thought.
"I believe Viggo Tarasov will honor his word… but thank you for the warning."
Just then, Smith's phone rang. Seeing the caller ID as "Cross," he picked up.
"GOD, we've selected a mission range for you. Come back and prepare."
"Understood. I'll return shortly."
Smith hung up and turned to John and Winston.
"I have business to attend to. Make yourselves at home."
"Manager Winston, please inform Charon I'm checking out."
He turned to Fox.
"Fox, time to go home."
······
After Smith and Fox left, John decided to visit his old friend Marcus.
Those warning shots in the hotel bedroom that night had saved him—allowing him to kill Perkins.
Driving the sleek black Dodge given to him by the Continental's upper ranks, John arrived at the usual spot where he and Marcus met.
"Marcus, thank you for saving me at the hotel."
Marcus smirked.
"John, how many times are you gonna need saving?"
"But it looks like you've made a pretty powerful friend this time."
Marcus recalled the image of a man leaping from the top of a warehouse—ten meters high—carrying a woman and landing steadily on his feet. That guy's like Captain America reborn. Freakish.
John thanked him again.
"I really appreciate it, Marcus."
But he didn't bring up Smith.
Marcus looked at him and said:
"You seem to be in good shape."
"I'm retired. This is what retirement looks like."
Marcus didn't look convinced. But at least John didn't have that dead, hollow look from after his wife's death. There was life in him again. Still, he said:
"Retired? You really believe that?"
"The moment you reappeared at the Continental, everyone assumed you were back."
"No one's going to believe you're retired."
"You think word of your feud with Viggo didn't get around?"
He patted John on the shoulder.
"Be ready. This isn't over for you."
With a sigh, Marcus turned and walked away.
Their conversation hadn't been pleasant.
What neither of them realized was that their entire meeting had been recorded from a nearby car—by one of Viggo's men.
That agent had originally come to deliver a new mission for Marcus...
(End of Chapter)
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