Chapter 35: Bounty (Patreon)

With Coulson's departure, Charles's agency returned to its usual calm.

Charles didn't bother to deal with the surveillance personnel stationed outside.

A bunch of pigs—they could stare all they want. Right now, he had other things to do and didn't want to stir up SHIELD's hornet's nest like this.

But if they didn't know their place, Charles wouldn't mind sending them to hell to rest!

…

Although Charles's agency had only been open for three days, they hadn't received any mission requests.

Instead, the focus had been on the renovation, which had been ongoing for six days. During this time, Charles persisted in daily check-ins and finally obtained another Ninja Recruitment Scroll.

As for the other rewards: three times 5000 copper coins and two times 200 reputation points.

At this point, Charles had accumulated 7896 reputation points, 2.937 million copper coins, 1058 gold coins, and a Ninja Recruitment Scroll.

Charles thought to himself, "When I reach ten thousand reputation point, I'll upgrade Aoda. Speaking of which, I haven't summoned Aoda for communication yet."

After closing the system page, Charles was about to leave home and head to the agency when a message appeared on his phone.

Sender's name unknown, public bounty, John Wick, $7 million!

Seeing this message, Charles knew that John had killed Gianna D’Antonio, the head of the Camorra and a High Table member.

Any assassin registered at the Continental Hotel received this public bounty. Looking at the information on it, many assassins were left speechless.

The legendary assassin, Charles Doyle, had also been the subject of a public bounty, but the reward had been a mere $2 million.

Outside the Continental Hotel, it had been a scene of carnage with bodies and blood everywhere.

This time, it was a much more serious public bounty contract, targeting the former legendary assassin, Night Devil.

A public bounty and a public contract for assassination were two entirely different things.

The former was just one of the many bounty tasks in the Continental Hotel's mission list, while the latter was directly sent to the hands of every assassin.

Some of the newer assassins who didn't understand John's strength chose to abandon the task.

After all, both were legendary assassins. Charles Doyle's reputation had been confirmed three days ago, and it was safe to assume that this former legend wouldn't be any weaker.

On the other hand, some experienced assassins who had encountered John Wick's skills before became interested in this task.

After all, although John was powerful, his abilities were within their scope. He could be wounded if shot and killed with a headshot. What's more, John Wick wasn't capable of slicing bullets in half...

$7 million was enough for them to take the risk.

···

Just as Charles was about to leave home, his phone rang again.

"BOSS, John Wick, whom you saved once before, is on the bounty list again, and it's a public contract for assassination. The reward has now reached $7 million."

"His value has increased really quickly!"

"BOSS, your investment in him might go to waste."

Charles smiled and said, "Ginny, don't worry. My investment won't be in vain, and he won't die."

"BOSS, as long as you're confident. I just wanted to remind you."

"Also, Carlos sent $4 million to us. He wanted me to tell you that he's managed to locate Sloan's cash, but he can't access the money in his bank accounts, including the other Brotherhood members. None of the funds in their bank accounts can be accessed."

Hearing that more money had come in, Charles laughed and said, "Tell him I received his goodwill. If there are more tasks, remind him to contact Charles's Agency."

As for the money in the bank accounts, Charles didn't care. After all, money that couldn't be accessed was as good as non-existent.

Hanging up the phone, Charles closed the door, got into his car, and drove to the Continental Hotel.

"Mr. Charles Doyle, it's a pleasure to see you again."

Charon greeted Charles respectfully.

Charles smiled in response, "Charon, it's good to see you."

"Is the manager around?"

Charon replied, "He's been here the whole time."

"Do you need me to inform him?"

Charles chuckled, "That would be great."

Charon picked up the phone and dialed, "Sir, Mr. Charles Doyle would like to visit you."

"Okay!"

After hanging up, Charon said, "The manager is in the hotel dining area. You can find him there."

Charles nodded and headed towards the dining area on the basement level.

When he reached the dining area, he quickly spotted Winston, who was reading a newspaper. He walked over and sat down directly across from him.

Winston folded the newspaper and placed it on the table after adjusting his glasses. He then slowly said, "Charles, did you come for John's matter?"

Looking at the person in front of him, the master of the Continental Hotel in New York, Charles Doyle slowly spoke, "Santino D’Antonio is unethical. Right after John completed his blood oath, a bounty of $7 million was placed on him."

Charles paused for a moment and continued, "The most important thing is that John Wick must not die. The blood oath badge I obtained must not go to waste."

Seeing the earnest look on Charles's face, Winston thought to himself: The last sentence is what really matters.

He then calmly said, "Issuing a bounty is a right held by every member of the Continental Hotel."

"Moreover, Santino D’Antonio has already inherited the family's position and become a member of the High Table. He has privileges and it's reasonable to issue a bounty for him."

"Most importantly, Gianna D’Antonio was a member of the High Table to begin with. If John kills a High Table member, he will inevitably face repercussions from the High Table."

"Anyone who kills a member of the High Table will face consequences and even those who aid him!"

Charles smiled and said, "Winston, don't forget about Gianna D’Antonio’s identity. She was just a member of the High Table, and a recent one at that. Even Santino D’Antonio, who has inherited the leadership of the Camorra, is just a High Table member."

"They're not part of the High Table's management, let alone one of the thirteen seats."

"Besides, I don't believe that Santino, who took over the role of the murdered sister, can withstand John Wick's retaliation after angering him."

"After all, this guy burned John's house, the place where he and his loved one lived."

Winston assessed Charles for a moment and curiously asked, "You know John quite well?"

Charles smiled, "Winston, bet or no bet, Santino D’Antonio will definitely seek refuge at the Continental Hotel. It'll happen tomorrow night."

Looking at the confident Charles Doyle, Winston rose from his seat and said, "I'm also full of confidence in John!"

"Enjoy your time at the Continental Hotel, Mr. Charles."

Watching Winston leave, Charles knew that he was going to reclaim the blood oath badge from Santino D’Antonio.

At this moment, Charles Doyle thought to himself, "It's coming, it's coming. The time is ripe!"

"The High Table, which has stood for countless years, should also have a change of leadership!"