"He's not a kid, he's an adult. He came to take a job," said Weasel, placing a glass of wine in front of Wade.
"Oh? Fuck… I hate faces like that!" The moment Wade heard how old Alaric was, he shot him a sharp look, his eyes full of hostility.
Ever since he became a mutant and ended up with a disfigured face, he had developed a special hatred for handsome men.
"Better not to look at your face," Alaric muttered, turning his head away the moment he saw Wade pull down his hood and prepare to drink.
Honestly, Wade's face wasn't something that could earn a compliment.
Even Weasel, who was used to all kinds of sights, flinched at that scene.
"You little brat! What's that supposed to mean?!" Wade snapped, slamming his glass on the counter.
"Hey! Don't come near me! I'm a normal human!" Alaric stepped back, raising his left hand to shield his eyes.
"Fuck!" Wade gave him the middle finger, then slumped back onto the counter with a sigh.
"If only I could get to that bastard…"
It wasn't Alaric who had angered him, but the man who had turned him into what he was now.
"Another drink!" he called toward Weasel.
"Still haven't found him?" Weasel asked as he poured him another drink.
"Nothing…" Wade shook his head.
He had spent the whole day searching, scouring hideouts, questioning people, but hadn't found even a trace of Ajax.
Thinking about it, he clenched his teeth.
It still burned him with anger that last time, after so much effort, he had managed to catch him, only for those two from the X-Men crew to interfere and let him escape.
He had even been forced to lose an arm in that fight.
He took a bitter gulp of his drink.
His arm had only just recovered in the past few days, but Ajax had vanished even deeper into the shadows since then.
"You're still looking for him?" Weasel asked.
"Of course!" Wade clenched his fist.
"That bastard owes me my face! When I find him and make him fix what he destroyed… I can stand in front of Vanessa again!"
He sighed and took another swig.
For now, he could only watch the woman he loved from a distance, hoping he could return to her once he regained his looks.
Alaric sat beside them, quietly listening to the conversation.
As Wade spoke, an idea started forming in his mind.
He couldn't help but notice an opportunity to earn some money right in front of him.
"You want to know where Ajax is?" he suddenly asked, breaking the silence.
Wade jumped up as if stung.
"You know where he is?!" he grabbed Alaric by the shoulder, his eyes full of impatience and desperation.
"Don't get so close to me! Fuck, get that face away from me!" Alaric shouted, closing his eyes in disgust.
One look at Wade's twisted face was enough to kill his appetite for several days.
"Tell me where he is, and I'll let you go!" Wade tightened his grip.
"Let me go first, then I'll tell you!" Alaric shot back, trying to pull away.
"No, you tell me first!"
"Let go, and I'll tell you!"
…
Weasel looked at the two arguing in front of him and quietly covered his face with his hand.
These two… neither of them was normal or calm.
"Wade! Let him go first and listen to him. Are you afraid he'll run away?"
In the end, Weasel stood up and pulled them apart to calm them down.
As Wade's friend, he naturally sided with him, but he also wanted this whole thing to end and for them to finally find Ajax.
After all, every time Wade came to drink and didn't pay, he had to cover the bill and it was killing him.
"Fine!"
Wade reluctantly let go.
"Speak quickly! Otherwise, if you try to go to the restroom, I'll personally stand guard!"
"…"
Alaric was left speechless.
He thought he was shameless enough… but Wade was clearly even worse.
"Ahem… I can help you find Ajax, but what can you give me in return?"
Alaric straightened his jacket, glanced at Weasel, and spoke calmly.
Weasel: ???
"Why are you looking at me?! What does this have to do with me?!"
Weasel sighed, black lines of frustration practically etched on his face.
"What do you want in return?" Wade asked, staring at Alaric.
"I can help you kill someone! Whoever you want!"
Wade spoke confidently.
Especially now, practically immortal, he thought he could easily return to his old job as a mercenary.
"I don't have anyone I want to kill."
Alaric shook his head.
"Huh?" Wade was confused.
"You want women? That's not a problem either."
"He wants money," Weasel cut in, reminding them of the obvious.
Wade fell silent.
"You don't have money?!"
Alaric was shocked.
Weren't mercenaries like Wade earning millions for assassinations and missions?
"I have money! Why don't you ask him!" Wade pointed at Weasel.
Weasel sighed, feeling as if he had been dragged into an endless comedy.
"Uh… most of the money I earned I spent on treating my illness, and what was left I gave to Vanessa."
Wade lowered his gaze for a moment. After that, he disappeared for several years, until Ajax turned him into what he was now.
Revenge became his only goal; he didn't even have time to start earning again.
Now, realistically, he was almost broke.
"Well, then there's nothing to talk about."
Alaric shook his head with a hint of regret.
"How much do you need? I can go and earn it," Wade suddenly spoke with determination.
For him, finding Ajax was a life mission.
"Tens of millions."
"Huh? Are you talking hundreds of thousands… or actual millions?"
Wade looked at Alaric suspiciously.
"Of course, the more the better."
"Then… let's start with a million! I can gather that quickly."
Wade decided firmly. In chaotic Hell's Kitchen, there was never a shortage of work for mercenaries or wealthy clients willing to pay.
Besides, he could earn while simultaneously asking around about Ajax's whereabouts.
"But… can you really find him?"
Weasel couldn't hide his doubt.
"Absolutely. As long as you have the money, I'll personally take you to him."
Alaric looked seriously at Weasel.
"Not me… whatever."
Weasel shook his head.
"Well, how can Wade contact you once he gathers enough money?"
"Call me."
"Alright. Give me your number."
Weasel pulled out a pen and paper from under the counter.
"Umm… do you have a cell phone here?"
"?"
Weasel looked up at him.
"How the hell do you not have a cell phone?!"
He was on the verge of exploding.
"What can I say… I'm so poor I don't even have money for a bottle of water."
Alaric shrugged.
"Buddy… my dear buddy… help me out."
Alaric smiled slightly and held out his hand toward Weasel in a conciliatory gesture.
"Get away from me!"
Weasel, visibly annoyed, still pulled out his phone and shoved it at Alaric.
"Don't worry, I'll pay when the time comes."
"Forget it, just don't disappear again."
Weasel waved his hand, giving up on arguing.
"Yeah, leave an address too… so you don't run off again."
Wade chimed in.
Although Alaric seemed unreliable, the glimmer of hope to find Ajax drove him to trust him.
If he could find Ajax, maybe he could finally reunite with Vanessa.
"Heh, if I decide to run, you won't be able to stop me."
Alaric smiled faintly.
"Call me when you have news, then I'll keep my promise."
"You better."
Wade clenched his fists, ready for anything.
Alaric just waved his hand, and in the next moment, vanished without a trace.
Wade, Weasel: ???
"Am I drunk… or did he really just disappear like that?"