Looking at the man in front of him, John Wick, the burly man spoke:
"You look a bit weak, John."
John Wick looked at the big man in front of him and replied:
"Ernest, it's not time yet."
Ernest replied bluntly:
"It's almost time."
"Who would know exactly when you die?"
John Wick's expression grew serious:
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Ernest tilted his head back, eyes gleaming with greed:
"Twenty million—that's a lot of money."
John Wick's gaze was heavy:
"No. First, you need to live to spend it."
What Ernest didn't know was that Smith Doyle and Fox had overheard everything. All they needed to do was inform Winston, and the Continental Hotel would handle him.
Ernest didn't hesitate any longer. He pulled a short blade from his coat and lunged at John Wick.
John grabbed a book from the shelf to block the attack, and the two quickly started fighting.
Ernest managed to stab John in the shoulder with the blade, but John retaliated and eventually knocked the weapon from his hand.
With his height and reach, Ernest grabbed John's head with one hand and made a "shush" gesture with the other.
"Shh!"
Then he smashed John's head repeatedly into the bookshelves.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
He then kicked John out of the bookshelf section and into the hallway.
Lying in the hallway, John caught a glimpse of Smith Doyle and Fox watching from the side. Unfazed, he grabbed a book from the floor and swung it toward Ernest's groin.
"Ah!"
Ernest doubled over in pain, and John took the chance to slam the book into his throat.
Smith Doyle, watching the scene, smirked:
"Either the groin or the throat… always aiming to kill."
According to the power scanner, Ernest had a combat level of 6—equal to John and with physical advantages in height and weight.
But after a barrage of attacks to the throat, John managed to kill him on the spot.
Looking down at the dead man, John picked up the book and returned it to the shelf. Suddenly, pain shot through his shoulder. He touched the area and found his hand covered in blood.
Smith looked at John and said:
"Continue your mission. This is also part of the observation."
John nodded. He knew Smith wasn't after the bounty. With Dragon Balls in their possession, money meant nothing—they could get as much as they wanted.
John hurried out of the library, clutching his shoulder. He knew he had to treat his wound before reaching the Assassin's Guild. Otherwise, blood loss alone could kill him.
Fox snapped a photo of Ernest's corpse and sent it to Winston with the message: "Someone acted early."
Receiving the message, Winston cursed:
"F**k!"
He immediately notified all New York assassins: anyone who disobeys the Continental's rules will be punished.
The message included a photo of Ernest's corpse.
There were still ten minutes left before John Wick's excommunication from the Continental Hotel would take effect.
Meanwhile...
In the Bowery district, underground king Bowery King told his subordinate, Erra:
"Spread the word. The Bowery respects the excommunication decision."
"No help or services of any kind for John Wick."
······
Smith Doyle and Fox followed John Wick to a Chinatown black market doctor. John pounded on the door:
"Doctor! Doctor! It's Wick!"
The door slot opened, and the doctor looked at him through it:
"Mr. Wick—no, you shouldn't be here. Time's almost up."
John replied urgently:
"I know."
"Doctor, please. There's still time."
The doctor shook his head:
"No. I can't do this."
John pulled out a Continental gold coin and held it up:
"I have five minutes left. Please."
The doctor took the coin through the slot and opened the door:
"Come in—quick."
Once John entered, the doctor peeked down the hallway and spotted Smith and Fox. He froze.
Smith smiled and said:
"Five minutes left. Get on with it."
The two men then entered and shut the door behind them.
The doctor was flustered, unsure what to do.
John yelled:
"They won't hurt me. Hurry!"
The doctor snapped out of it and rushed John to his workstation:
"Sit down, quick."
John removed his jacket, exposing his wound.
The doctor inspected his shoulder and said:
"Let me see."
He began wiping the wound with gauze and said:
"Stab wound—deep. Artery is nicked."
"Needs stitches."
Without hesitation, he began stitching.
Time ticked by.
John, sitting in the chair, looked at the wall clock and said:
"Doctor."
Still working, the doctor replied:
"Almost done—halfway there."
"Doctor, five seconds left."
John started counting:
"Five… four… three… two… one!"
The clock struck 9:00. A chime rang out.
The doctor looked at John and said regretfully:
"Sorry, Mr. Wick. I can't help you anymore."
John nodded:
"I understand. Rules are rules."
The doctor murmured:
"Rules…"
Then nervously glanced at Smith and Fox:
"I didn't break any rules."
Smith nodded:
"Very punctual."
At this moment, John Wick was officially excommunicated. No individual or organization loyal to the High Table could offer him any service.
John didn't ask Smith or Fox for help. He stood in front of the mirror and began stitching the rest of the wound himself.
······
Continental Hotel — Information Processing Center
A message was broadcast to all registered assassins under their network:
Target: John Wick and the two Dragon Balls in his possession (Photo of 4-star ball included)
Bounty: $20 million
(John Wick: $16 million, Each Dragon Ball: $2 million)
Scope: Global assassins
Status: Public
Last seen: New York – Chinatown
Update: Excommunication bounty officially active
······
—End of Chapter—
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