Viggo Tarasov was fixated on killing John Wick to avenge his son, who had been captured—though not yet killed—by William. Meanwhile, John Wick believed Viggo was hiding his son Iosef and was just as determined to assault Viggo's headquarters and force him to hand Iosef over.
As he quietly planned his next move, John Wick naturally recalled the werewolves he had already taken down and assumed that Viggo must have more werewolves around for protection.
He knew full well that the only reason he was able to eliminate more than a dozen werewolves without injury was because of his superior weaponry. If it came to close combat, John Wick wasn't arrogant enough to think he could survive being surrounded by a dozen werewolves.
Since his strength lay in long-range attacks, he would need to find a way to exploit that advantage.
After thinking for a short while, John Wick said, "Sunday, see if you can find any places where Viggo hides his gray income—or other special locations."
"No problem, Mr. Wick."
A few minutes later, Sunday reported, "A church six kilometers away in Queens—Viggo visits it once a month. Based on my calculations, it is highly likely the location where he stores his money."
"However, I should warn you: I've just discovered that someone posted a $1 million bounty on your head in New York's underworld. You're now the hottest target in the city—every assassin is desperate to take you out."
Hearing that, John Wick felt a chill. "Is there a way for me to leave the Continental Hotel secretly?"
"I'm sorry." Sunday actually knew there was a secret tunnel in the hotel, but without William's authorization, he couldn't disclose it.
"I suggest you leave immediately—before word of the bounty spreads and people have time to prepare."
John Wick quickly realized that the longer he stayed in the hotel, the more likely someone would find a way to trap him.
He immediately got up from bed and, while packing and checking his weapons, said to Sunday, "Find me a ride."
"Understood, Mr. Wick."
When John Wick, carrying a backpack filled with M416 magazines, arrived at the hotel entrance, he found an off-road motorcycle parked at the curb.
He handed a gold coin to the bellhop who gave him the keys. Under the watchful eyes of a dozen assassins, he mounted the bike and sped off.
After only two kilometers, he ditched the bike in a narrow alley.
Running several dozen meters through the alley, he climbed into a nondescript off-road vehicle and quickly left the area, easily shaking off anyone tailing him.
News of his departure from the Continental Hotel quickly spread through the underworld.
When Viggo heard the news, his first thought was that John Wick was coming for him.
The idea terrified him. He began recalling as many of his men as possible, secretly stationing them at his nightclub headquarters in preparation to ambush John Wick when he came knocking.
But he waited... and waited... and waited the entire night, and John Wick never showed up.
Just after 7 a.m., Viggo received a call. After answering it, he sat silently in his chair, speechless.
The night before, after ditching his pursuers, John Wick had driven to a parking lot near the church.
Wearing his smart monocle, he watched the feed from a Black Hornet drone Sunday had sent into the church.
Since this was where Viggo stored his gray income, the vault door would surely be sealed tight at night. Even John Wick couldn't do much against a bank-grade alloy door.
After thinking for a moment, he decided to wait until the next day when Viggo's men showed up for work to make his move.
He curled up in the backseat with a coat, closed his eyes, and waited for dawn. Just like that, the night passed quickly.
At 6 a.m. the next morning, staff, thugs, and a priest arrived early at the church.
Although this place was a base for Viggo, it still maintained the outward appearance and functions of a church.
However, since it catered only to the Polar Bear gang's denomination, the congregation was sparse—limited to the families of Viggo's thugs.
Once Sunday confirmed that the manager had entered the church, John Wick slung his M416 bag over his back and walked toward the church.
As soon as he entered, two men in black jackets shouted at him, "It's not open yet, you—"
"Bang, bang."
John Wick quickly drew his Glock and shot the two obvious thugs without hesitation.
The sudden gunfire instantly alerted the rest of Viggo's men inside the church.
Wearing a bulletproof suit, John Wick didn't even bother with cover. With a relaxed mindset, he fought at his peak.
The remaining four guards barely had time to aim before John picked them off with precise shots, one after another.
Pointing his gun at the terrified manager, who had collapsed onto the floor, John Wick said expressionlessly, "Take me to the basement."
"You're crazy! Do you know who owns this place?"
Bang.
Without a word, John Wick shot the man in the leg.
The latest novel was first published on Six Nine Book Bar!
"I'm John Wick. If you don't want to die, lead the way."
"J-John Wick?"
After last night's bounty circulated, there wasn't a single soul in New York's underworld who didn't know that John Wick was now worth $1 million.
The manager instantly realized that not only had he run into a top-tier monster, but also the very man with a grudge against his boss Viggo.
"Or should I send you to God now and break in myself?"
"I-I-I..." Hesitating for a few seconds and feeling the heat of the muzzle against his head, the manager—still wanting to live—could only limp and lead the way to the basement.
With Sunday controlling the Black Hornet drones to scout ahead, and with John's auto-adjusting targeting rings and smart monocle, none of the basement guards ever saw him coming.
One by one, they were taken out with silent shots from his Glock around corners.
After taking down the last two guards, John stepped into the basement vault and saw duffel bag after duffel bag of cash, and neatly stacked gold bars.
The dazzling sight almost blinded him. But as he snapped out of it, he noticed the manager stealing glances at a particular standalone safe.
There was no need to ask—whatever was in that safe had to be the most important thing in the entire vault.
Pointing his gun at the manager's forehead, John asked coldly, "What's in that safe?"
"I—I can't say. I wouldn't dare say," the manager stammered, trembling at the thought of how brutally Viggo punished traitors. "Even if I told you, it's useless. Only Viggo can open that safe."
"If no one else can open it, then telling me doesn't make things worse for you, does it?"
John's words were calm, but the barrel of his gun pressed harder against the manager's forehead. "Or do you think Viggo will kill you, but I won't?"
"P-please, spare me. I have two children. If I say anything, Viggo will wipe out my whole family."
Click.
As the sound of the hammer cocking rang out, John Wick said coldly, "I'll count to three. If I don't hear what I want, I'll pull the trigger."
______
(≧◡≦) ♡ Support me and read 20 chapters ahead – patreon.com/Mutter
• Every 100 Power Stones = 1 extra chapter on Saturday.• Every 5 reviews = 1 extra chapter on Saturday.