John Wick's wife looked up and asked,
"John, was that Sophia—the one who once helped you?"
On the other end of the call, Sophia heard Helen's voice and instinctively hung up. Her phone dropped to the floor.
"She's been resurrected…"
"John's wife was actually brought back…"
John immediately redialed—there were things he had to make clear.
"Sophia, I know this is a lot to take in, and I understand your shock, but I need to explain."
"The Dragon Balls are sacred artifacts of the Assassin's League. The leader personally evaluates the candidates' character and wishes."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have known that you were holding one of them."
"And as you've figured out by now—my wish was for Helen."
Hearing John's explanation only deepened Sophia's awe and disbelief. A group that possessed the seven Dragon Balls… such a force was beyond terrifying. And even more inconceivably, they allowed others to use the wishes.
"John, in your quest to collect the Dragon Balls, I'm sure I wasn't the only one you encountered."
"You better be prepared for what's coming."
After hanging up, John Wick knew he had to be cautious, but he wasn't overly worried. The power behind the BOSS far exceeded anyone's imagination. Even the Assassin's League was untouchable.
Helen stepped forward and embraced John. She already knew everything—how he gathered the Dragon Balls, how he made the wish—and he had told it to her like a fairytale.
She even asked about the little dog she once gave him.
John had explained that only one wish could be made… so he couldn't bring back the dog. But he did avenge it.
Before they could continue their moment together, John's phone rang again.
This time it was Kojima Kōji from the Osaka branch of the Brotherhood.
"Jonathan, I've heard about the Dragon Balls."
"I assume your wish has come true?"
John let out a quiet sigh.
"Kōji, Helen sends her regards."
Kojima got the confirmation he needed and then asked:
"John, do you think I have a shot at this round?"
John hesitated a moment, then explained the origin of the Dragon Balls and their connection to the Assassin's League.
"So that's the truth… I figured if you managed to gather all of them, maybe I'd get a chance too…"
"Jonathan, can I ask you to take care of Akira?"
"I feel like the world's on the brink of chaos. Having her stay at HQ might be safer."
John paused, then said:
"Send her to the New York Brotherhood. I know the people there…"
But before he could finish, Kojima cut in:
"Not the Brotherhood. I mean your actual headquarters."
"Could she stay with you? Like a sister."
John immediately refused.
"I can only transfer her from the Osaka branch to the New York branch. The League doesn't let just anyone into HQ, even if I vouch for them."
"I get your concern. Best I can do is have her live at my place."
Kojima didn't push further. He knew John well—if he said it couldn't be done, then it really couldn't.
"I'm counting on you, Jonathan."
John then added seriously:
"Kōji, the Dragon Balls aren't something you can mess with. Best stay off the evaluation list."
"Unless your wish has nothing to do with ambition or desire."
Having dealt with two calls already, John could feel the tide of desire beginning to rise.
He couldn't help but wonder—what choices would the other two who had touched a Dragon Ball before make?
…
Meanwhile—in Hong Kong.
Xu Xialing of the Golden Dagger Club brought her leg crashing down, splitting her office desk in half with a roar:
"JOHN WICK!"
A year ago, she'd handed over the Dragon Ball in exchange for a promise. At the time, with Smith Dole's rising fame and status, she didn't feel cheated. In fact, she thought she got a good deal.
But now that she knew what the Dragon Balls were truly capable of, Xu Xialing realized she'd been ripped off.
If only she had collected all seven…
Her teeth ground with frustration. She'd lost big.
Hearing the noise in the office, her subordinates rushed in.
"Boss!"
Xu Xialing snapped at them:
"Mobilize every resource we have. I want all intel on Dragon Balls from across the globe!"
"I'll pay three million dollars for each one."
With Kermora's death, the Dragon Balls had fallen silent. But now, thanks to her bounty, they were back in the spotlight.
"And get me in contact with John Wick. I'm going to New York to see him personally."
She pulled out the token he had once given her and stared at it as she spoke.
The subordinates, unsure what just happened, rushed off to carry out her orders.
…
Meanwhile—Moscow.
A year ago, Ivan Vanko had sold a Dragon Ball to John Wick for $100,000. Now he was in Moscow with his father, Anton Vanko, for medical treatment.
Thanks to 2.63 million rubles, Anton received excellent care, and Ivan now had time and money to pursue his own research.
After seeing Tony Stark show off on TV, Anton turned to his son and said:
"Ivan, you could've lived like that—wealthy, admired…"
"But that bastard Howard stole our technology and had me exiled from the U.S."
"Half of Tony's fame and fortune should belong to our family. His father was a damn thief."
"That power source in his armor—if I'm not mistaken, it's the same design we once developed. Just miniaturized."
Anton handed over the blueprint for the original large-scale arc reactor.
"Ivan… don't disappoint me."
"Build the mini-reactor. Beat him face to face. Show the world the Stark family are nothing but thieves."
With proper care, Anton was recovering well and wasn't on the verge of death just yet.
Back at home, Ivan had barely started studying the blueprint when he saw the news about the Dragon Balls.
"So that thing I sold was one of the wish-granting Dragon Balls…"
"No wonder that weirdo paid $100,000 for a cracked orb."
Back then, Ivan thought it was junk—not even worth a decent meal. Selling it for six figures had made him feel like he won the lottery.
Now that he knew the truth, he wasn't regretful—just a little annoyed.
He should've asked for a million.
As for collecting them himself? Ivan knew his limits. That wasn't his game.
His focus now was on shrinking the arc reactor.
Fulfilling his father's legacy.
…
(End of Chapter)
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