Just after Smith Doyle and Fox followed him, the previously clear sky suddenly turned overcast, as if a storm was approaching.
At this moment, John Wick, dragging his injured body, slowly left the park when an assassin blocked his path.
"John, you have less than an hour left. I'll give you a million to buy the two Dragon Balls you have."
Hearing that the other man was eyeing his Dragon Balls, John Wick gave him a cold glance and said,
"Not for sale."
After being rejected, the assassin tried again:
"Tell me their true value, and as payment, I won't come after you for the next hour."
John Wick knew clearly—if he revealed the Dragon Balls' secret, he'd be as good as dead, and the test would be a failure.
"If you want to die, just come after me in an hour."
The assassin shrugged. He just wanted to make a quick profit. Not only had John Wick's bounty gone up, but the Dragon Balls had skyrocketed in price too. Rumor had it that people were even trying to forge Dragon Balls on the black market. The problem was—no one really knew what the genuine ones looked like or what their true value was.
Perhaps only John Wick and the people of Kamora knew the truth.
John Wick knew his ultimate destination was the Assassins Guild's textile factory. But it was too far. First, he had something to retrieve from the library on Park Avenue in New York—a stash of gold coins and an item that could help him escape: the Rossrom pass.
If he couldn't fight his way out, the pass could help him get there.
Rain suddenly started pouring down from the sky.
John Wick stepped into the street and quickly hailed a cab, telling the driver,
"To the Park Avenue Library."
The driver glanced back and replied,
"Okay."
The car started, but didn't get far—it was stuck in traffic. It was rush hour, and now with the rain, they barely moved.
Car horns honked constantly as they crawled forward just a few meters. John Wick grew anxious. A quick analysis told him—at this rate, he wouldn't make it to the textile factory, maybe not even the library.
Fox, holding an umbrella, said,
"Unlucky guy. There's a crash up ahead."
"Looks intentional."
Smith smiled,
"Someone just doesn't want him leaving by vehicle."
"An hour's time in New York by car isn't far anyway."
As they spoke, John Wick figured it out. He pushed open the door and got out.
He started running in the rain toward the library.
All the killers on the street turned their eyes to John Wick. No one made a move—the time wasn't up yet. Everyone respected the rules of the Continental Hotel.
Soon, John Wick arrived at the Park Avenue Library, dripping wet.
At the front desk, he said to the librarian,
"'Russian Folk Tales' by Alexander Afanasyev, 1864."
He didn't rush the librarian, just checked the time—his hour of safety wasn't over.
Soon, the librarian handed him a slip:
"Second floor."
"Thanks!"
John Wick sprinted upstairs.
Inside, Fox looked confused:
"Why is he here?"
"Shouldn't he be heading for the textile factory?"
"Does this place have some hidden weapon or secret?"
Smith nodded,
"Definitely something helpful. Otherwise, he wouldn't come here."
Checking his tracker, Smith smiled,
"Do you think anyone will strike early?"
Fox scanned the people in the library and replied,
"You once said: men die for wealth, birds die for food. There's bound to be someone bold enough."
"Plenty of people have broken the rules before—including John Wick."
Smith nodded, smiling. Assassins never lacked boldness.
Meanwhile —
Charon drove Winston back to the Continental Hotel.
Inside, Charon said,
"I really hope Mr. Wick makes it out alive."
Adjusting his collar, Winston replied,
"Charon, he broke the rules—killed someone in the hotel."
Charon asked,
"You think he'll make it?"
Winston turned to look at him and said,
"There's a $20 million bounty on him and those two Dragon Balls. Every killer in the city wants a piece."
"I'd say he has a fifty-fifty chance—if he reaches safety in time."
Charon asked,
"Where?"
To him, it seemed impossible. Every assassin in the city wanted Wick dead. Not even the Boogeyman could survive this.
Winston smiled,
"Smith Doyle promised that if Wick reached their territory, they'd protect him."
"A force powerful enough to rival the High Table."
"If he makes it, he lives. If not, he dies on the road."
Then Winston headed upstairs.
Charon stood still, stunned. He couldn't imagine what force could stand against the High Table—or that Smith Doyle had such power behind him.
---
Back in the Library —
John Wick reached the shelf, tore open a sticker on a book, and found a photo of his late wife, five gold coins, and the Rossrom pass.
He placed the photo on the shelf, pocketed the coins and the pass.
Then, holding a picture of him and Helen, he whispered,
"Soon… we'll see each other soon."
He kissed the photo and placed it back in the book.
Suddenly, a voice sounded beside him:
"Think about why God created you."
"Not to live like a beast, but to seek virtue and knowledge."
A giant—over two meters tall—stepped out, holding a book.
"Dante," he said, showing John the cover. Then he shelved the book.
John placed his book back 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 🥕