Chapter 33: Blood for Blood, Life for Life
David glanced at his watch—the timing was exactly as calculated.
At this moment, Harry was already at death's door; not even the best trauma surgeon alive could save him.
In other words, any evidence that could implicate David had been personally eliminated.
After opening the door, David unsurprisingly saw the furious face of Wesker's head of security.
The man was under immense pressure from letting Harry escape.
If Harry's body wasn't recovered tonight, his own corpse would be found in a dumpster tomorrow!
Now, hearing intelligence that Harry was here, he couldn't wait for hotel personnel and rushed over immediately, not even bringing backup.
When he spotted David by the door, he impatiently shoved David aside:
"Move it. Out of my way."
Then he quickly advanced into the room, and upon seeing the dying Harry, disregarded his condition and immediately threw a punch.
"Fuck!"
As a result, Harry—already lingering at death's threshold—was directly sent across by this strike.
Looking at Harry, who'd completely stopped breathing, the bodyguard's face filled with shock.
This guy hadn't been this fragile on the 88th floor.
He'd broken through their perimeter even after taking multiple rounds, so how did he just die like that?
The bodyguard turned, about to interrogate David, only to see David pointing at him with horror:
"You killed him! You killed someone! This is the Continental—killing is prohibited!"
A vicious look flashed in the bodyguard's eyes upon hearing the accusation, and he was about to simply draw his weapon and eliminate this physician as well.
Winston's voice sounded at precisely the right moment:
"Killing is prohibited at the Continental. That is the rule.
Blood for blood, life for life. That is also the rule."
A malicious expression immediately appeared on the bodyguard's face:
"Rules? Do you know who I work for—"
Before the bodyguard could finish, a shuriken forged from tempered steel deeply penetrated his chest.
Feeling the impact, the bodyguard looked down in surprise, only to see another shadow flash rapidly before him.
Shink!
The bodyguard's head flew high, and his decapitated body sprayed arterial blood freely.
Behind him, an assassin wearing full tactical gear was slowly sliding a bloodless katana into its sheath.
Then he extended his palm toward Winston.
After Winston placed five gold coins in his hand, this ninja contractor leaped directly through the window and vanished into the night.
David, having already glimpsed Winston's arrival, feigned being startled and let out a scream.
He even simulated a normal person's reaction by doubling over to vomit.
In reality, David used the visual blind spot to stick his finger deep into his throat, only then managing to trigger his gag reflex.
Watching David vomiting profusely, Winston smiled.
This young man lacked experience yet, but he'd adapt after a few more exposures.
Then Winston stepped over the headless corpse and walked to Harry's side to confirm his death.
Immediately, he extracted his phone and placed a call.
"Wesker, it's Winston.
We found him. He's dead. Your man did it.
Yes, but he violated the rules. I've already sent him to meet his maker.
Heh, threatening me?
You don't want me informing people that you've killed two individuals at the Continental, do you?
I imagine other High Table members would find this quite interesting.
What? One percent equity? That's insulting.
Five percent? We have an accord."
Winston, having settled matters with Wesker in moments, turned and patted David's back:
"Kid, you did well this time.
But you understand what happened tonight remains confidential, correct?"
David raised his head with an ashen face and asked, feigning confusion:
"What exactly happened here?
Why did this Harry want me to treat him and also attempt to kill me?
If I hadn't incapacitated him during treatment, I'd probably be dead right now."
Winston chuckled, wearing an expression that said 'I warned you this profession was dangerous.'
"If you don't know, then you don't know.
Remember—in our profession, the less we know, the longer we survive.
Especially for a physician, discretion is a valuable quality.
Alright, the rest doesn't concern you. Find Charon and change rooms."
After dismissing David, Winston carefully examined Harry's body again.
When he noticed the swelling on the neck, he was mildly surprised.
Appears Harry's neck sustained a heavy strike before death. Could that kid have done it?
If so, it would be criminal if this year's Academy Awards didn't recognize him.
This kid isn't suited to be a physician—he's clearly more qualified to be an operator.
Winston smiled slightly. Things were becoming interesting.
However, he didn't share this discovery with anyone else.
Just as he'd said—in their profession, the less you say, the longer you survive.
David, having obtained a new room from Charon, reviewed recent events.
Everything that transpired had been essentially under David's control, except for the neck injury.
However, this could be explained as damage Harry sustained while attacking Wesker.
In summary, the outcome aligned with David's predictions.
Winston of the Continental was unquestionably ambitious—if power were offered, he wouldn't hesitate to betray whoever necessary.
As for Wesker? Fine—after all, his position protected him somewhat.
But Wesker's bodyguard?
Winston would never permit him to act with impunity in the hotel Winston managed.
This was also the critical reason David dared speak up and expose the bodyguard's violation.
David, having successfully distanced himself from the incident, exhaled slowly.
The High Table wasn't easily handled—better to avoid this kind of thing in future, gambling on random pawns.
For stability, it would be more reliable to wait until John's dog died and then hunt High Table members alongside him.
After all, this was something guaranteed to occur in the narrative.
So as long as David remained patient, he'd certainly await the opportunity to acquire substantial lifespan.
But before that, he needed to verify someone's information.
As Frank Martin's identity was entered into the intelligence system, a photograph accompanied by several lines of data appeared on the monitor before David.
Looking at that familiar shaved head, David grinned.
There genuinely was a Frank in this world.
He figured he could fabricate more reasons to purchase intelligence from Charon later.
The surprises in this world might exceed his imagination.
However, current Frank couldn't assist him yet.
Because he was presently still in the Deep South, and the profession column stated 'specialized courier.'
As for the bounty column—zero.
This indicated the narrative related to Frank hadn't yet unfolded.
He remained a diligent transporter currently.
David shook his head, lay on the bed, and studied the ceiling's textured patterns, beginning to recall who else were the dangerous operators in America.
Perhaps he should monitor the news more carefully.
After all, these operators either don't make moves, or when they do, it's headline material.
Additionally, if he intended to confront the High Table, he'd need to actively save lives to accumulate lifespan.
Otherwise, with his current physical condition, he wouldn't last minutes in combat.
Contemplating his future strategy, David slowly drifted into troubled sleep amid the rhythmic pain.
[Reader Event Active]
500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter
10 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter
Thanks for reading!
20+ advance chapters on P1treon Soulforger