Since waking up in this world, Elion had realized that cities were not the way they were supposed to be, and that events were unfolding in places where they should not exist.
That was why he had encountered John, assassins, and events that should not have happened in New York. For example, his job—the hospital where he worked was not supposed to be in this city, yet here it was, and he would make sure to find new opportunities.
When Elion entered the hotel, he drew curious looks from everyone.
Not only because of Elion's appearance, but also because, to many, he was completely new to these places.
Most of the assassins knew each other and even occasionally cooperated on some of their jobs. However, no one recognized Elion.
"A stray dog? I bet this man doesn't even know where he's standing."
"Just another ordinary person."
"What if he's an assassin?"
"We should observe him."
Everyone present, who seemed to be talking to one another, was actually paying attention to everyone who entered the hotel. That was their job—to be observant. Their role was to watch who came in and out, send that information to their superiors, and allow them to anticipate the things revolving around them.
In the middle of that dangerous storm, Elion entered the hotel without concern, with a goal in mind.
Since he was in a new world, he had a plan—one that might get him out of some trouble.
"Welcome, how may I help you?" The hotel receptionist, named Charon, whom Elion knew well, looked at him and asked with a friendly smile.
With his years of experience in this world, Charon noticed that Elion did not seem to have the qualities of an assassin and therefore would have no way to pay.
But even if he did, an ordinary person not connected to the dark dealings of this world would not be able to stay in this hotel.
They did this for several good reasons. One of them was to prevent assassin targets from hiding forever in this kind of hotel, where violence was not allowed.
Another was to keep good people away from bad ones.
Elion smiled kindly and said, "I sent an application for a night shift job. I'm Elion Whitmore, and I'd like to apply for one of the vacancies at the hotel's night clinic."
"That is…"
"I sent an application before, but since I didn't know if there was a response, I wanted to come and check in person." Elion took out his identification and placed it on the counter.
"As we replied, your application was taken into consideration." Charon did not manage this part of the hotel and knew that Winston would take a long time to approve this position for Elion.
"Really? My friend said that might be what they say when they don't want to accept my application, so he told me to mention his name." Elion showed a worried expression.
"Oh, that's unexpected. Tell me, who is your friend?" Charon was about to politely escort Elion out of the hotel, but that last question unsettled him.
"John Wick." Elion did not speak loudly, instead keeping his voice low.
"Then you know what we do here."
"Of course I know where I'm standing right now," Elion said confidently.
"Then why are you still applying for the position? Forgive my frankness, but someone like you probably wouldn't even survive a situation outside this hotel."
"Who said I applied for a hitman position? I thought that if I treated people who need medical attention in this hotel, they would protect me."
"And outside the hotel?" Charon knew how strange assassins could be at times, so unless Elion had skills, he would only be safe once he finished his night shift.
"Who would harm their doctor?" Elion asked, taking Charon's warning into account.
"Come with me."
When people saw Charon escorting Elion to the elevator, everyone present began forming their own thoughts.
"Did I underestimate him?"
"He doesn't look like an assassin, but he's being led by the receptionist—what kind of job will he be doing in this hotel?"
…
Guided by Charon, Elion curiously watched as they took the elevator, which kept going down.
After passing the laundry room and the plumbing room, they arrived at an iron door with an observation window.
There was a coin slot in the iron door.
Charon gestured with his eyes for Elion to observe, then took out some coins, inserted them into the slot, and said, "I can assume you're not affiliated with the hotel, so this is how you enter the nightclub."
Elion understood that he would have to pay every time he entered that place. "I understand."
"If you're rejected, it doesn't matter, but if you're accepted, you'll pay me later." Charon would not charge a guest recommended by John Wick himself; even if he wanted to, Winston would not allow it.
But he knew Elion would be accepted, so he would cleverly collect those coins later.
Compared to the gold coins he might earn in the future and the number of days he could survive—something Elion did not know—what did the value of these two gold coins matter?
The observation window opened and then closed again after seeing Charon at the entrance.
Then, with a creak, the heavy iron door opened, revealing the assassin's bar hidden inside.
Charon led him through the crowd and finally stopped in front of a sofa in a corner of the bar.
Then, making a respectful bow to the elderly man with glasses who was busy with his head lowered, he said, "Winston, a new doctor of death has come to apply for the night position, recommended by John."