Meanwhile…
The Continental, New York.
Winston watched the Adjudicator approach and knew that his attempt to divert the disaster had failed. Though disappointed, he had already begun preparing for war.
The Adjudicator stood before him and asked coldly,
"Have you chosen a successor?"
Winston's expression hardened as he replied,
"I refuse."
Over the past seven days, Winston had not been idle. He had summoned a number of assassins from across New York—killers who owed him favors or were bound to him by blood-oaths. Only those with such deep ties dared stand with Winston against the High Table.
Hearing Winston's refusal to step down, the Adjudicator replied,
"Then this is your choice."
She turned and took out her phone, dialing the Administration Division.
"I'd like to amend an order. Adjudicator 3C434A21. The Continental Hotel, New York—operations suspended."
Once the confirmation came through, she hung up and walked back to Winston.
"Winston, the Continental has officially ceased operations. You are now fair game inside its walls."
"Since you've chosen not to step down… you forfeit your life."
"A High Table enforcer will soon arrive… to erase your existence from this building."
"Good night, Winston."
Without another word, she turned and left.
Watching her go, Winston murmured,
"The sanctuary is no longer safe."
He pulled out his phone and informed Charon,
"Our war with the High Table has begun."
He hung up and headed for the armory and safe room hidden deep within the Continental.
Moments later, an announcement rang out over the hotel's broadcast system:
"Ladies and gentlemen, please be advised: the Continental is shutting down. Operations are temporarily suspended."
"We apologize for the inconvenience."
"Please proceed to the nearest exit."
At that moment, the Adjudicator reached the lounge and looked at Zero and his disciples seated on the sofas. She said,
"You may begin your work in the Continental now."
Before leaving, she added,
"We will send our best to provide additional support."
Zero grinned.
"Good. Very good."
The Adjudicator returned to her suite to await the outcome of the judgment.
Not long after, two armored buses pulled up outside the hotel. Dozens of heavily armed assassins disembarked, clad in advanced ballistic armor and helmets, weapons at the ready. They formed tactical units and began to move into the Continental.
The bloodshed inside the hotel… had officially begun.
---
Meanwhile…
Assassin League Headquarters – The Textile Mill.
Three armored buses rolled toward the textile mill. They hadn't even stopped when bullets started flying.
"RAT-A-TAT-TAT!"
But the bullets bounced harmlessly off the armored plating and bulletproof glass. The buses barreled forward, smashing the front gate without hesitation—
"BOOM!"
Once inside, the doors flew open and elite assassins poured out, returning fire.
"RAT-A-TAT-TAT!"
"RAT-A-TAT-TAT!"
Kira and Caine leapt into action, covering their heads with their bulletproof suits as they stormed out with the others.
On the rooftop of the main building, Mr. X opened fire using a specialized weapon, triggering bullet-time to pick off High Table agents by targeting exposed areas like the neck and face.
Even though the enemy wore full armor, it made little difference to Mr. X—only the pace of his kills slowed.
Both sides exchanged heavy fire. Despite suffering some casualties, the High Table's forces breached deeper into the textile mill, forcing Mr. X to relocate his sniper nest.
---
Elsewhere…
Smith Doyle and his team, riding camels through the desert, followed the Elder until they arrived at the base's hidden entrance.
Built into a rare rocky zone deep in the desert, the headquarters wasn't above ground—it was underground, masterfully hidden and fortified.
Gazing at the entrance, Smith Doyle activated his combat scanner. The device scanned everyone within and returned a reading: not a single combatant had a power level above 5.
Now Smith understood why the Elder had valued John Wick so highly. He turned to Fox and said,
"Tell the others—begin the assault."
Fox nodded and quickly contacted Cross and the Gunsmith, giving the signal.
On receiving the message, Cross and the Gunsmith led their own teams to attack the locations of Camorra and Gramont.
Smith Doyle entered through the front, releasing Poole to assist the squad and reduce casualties.
Poole, though not as strong as Smith Doyle, had graduated with honors from the Morph Academy and was more than capable in combat.
"Attack!" Smith Doyle shouted.
The first casualty… was the Elder himself.
Smith Doyle led the charge, plowing through enemy lines like a force of nature. Bullets didn't slow him down. With his signature Wolf Fang Windstorm Fist, no High Table soldier could last a single exchange.
Thanks to the combat scanner, no one could hide.
Wesley and Fox entered dual-gun mode, dispatching enemies in a deadly rhythm. John Wick fought with ruthless efficiency—any enemy not finished with a headshot got a follow-up shot.
Soon, alerts of the Elder being under attack were sent from the base, and calls for help from Camorra and Gramont followed.
Smith Doyle and his team cleared the entire underground base—no survivors. Every hidden enemy was discovered with the scanner.
Even so, the cost was not small. If not for Smith Doyle's quick reactions, a bomb might have taken him out.
Including John Wick, eight of his operatives were wounded, and three died—all three killed by grenades, none by gunfire.
Standing in the emptied base, Smith Doyle said,
"This Elder's forces have been wiped clean. Gather our fallen brothers—we're pulling out."
This battle gave John Wick a firsthand view of Smith Doyle's strength—comparable to Captain America—and a deeper appreciation for the Assassin League's true power.
---
Elsewhere…
As three major attacks on Elders were reported, the High Table convened an emergency meeting. Only nine of the twelve Elders appeared on the encrypted call.
—End of chapter—
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