Ch: 161-168
Chapter 161: No One is a Fool
"Wait, you are..."
*Pfft!*
"Ah..."
Inside the Room, the lawyer, who had been envisioning a wonderful life and an infinite future with his client, Drug Addict Barry, after achieving fame and fortune, had just stood up when Locke pushed open the door. The moment he opened his mouth, he saw the glowing muzzle of a gun. A scream instantly erupted as a sudden pain shot through his knee.
*Thud.*
The lawyer fell sideways onto the hospital bed next to him. Then, accompanied by another scream from Drug Addict Barry, the lawyer's body crashed heavily onto Barry's elevated, cast-covered lower leg.
Instantly.
Along with Drug Addict Barry's screams, cold sweat poured down his forehead like a waterfall once more.
"Wait..."
The lawyer, in excruciating pain, came to his senses and said to Locke, who was wearing sunglasses and holding a golden gun, with a face full of terror and urgency: "You said you don't kill innocent people. I'm an innocent person. I've never killed anyone."
The lawyer spoke hurriedly.
This was the main reason the lawyer had come to wade into these muddy waters.
If he lost...
He had nothing to lose. If the client died, he died; at worst, he'd just find a new one.
But what if he won?
Haha.
He would hit the jackpot. Once he won a lawsuit against the NYPD, his fame would spread from the slums of Queens to Manhattan's Hells Kitchen. His name would be known by everyone.
So... why not come?
Locke tilted his head, and then, as if finding the lawyer's words reasonable, the golden gun in his hand lowered slightly: "You're right. I never kill innocent people."
Although his knee was in immense pain, seeing the golden gun lower, the lawyer couldn't help but sigh in relief. Then, he squeezed out a smile: "Maybe we can talk..."
*Pfft!*
*Thud!*
*Boom!*
Struggling to get up with a forced smile, the lawyer, planning to use his professional secret art of the silver tongue on Locke, had his expression freeze the moment he opened his mouth. His head snapped back, and his entire body was yanked up like a green onion being pulled from the ground, crashing heavily back onto the bed behind him with a loud bang.
"Ah..."
Drug Addict Barry's upper body curled up like a boiled shrimp. His eyes bulged as he let out a scream, gasping for air. Then, he saw the lawyer staring back at him with a hole in his forehead, dead with eyes wide open.
"You're right, I do kill 'innocent' people."
Locke spoke indifferently. With a flick of his left hand, a genuine notice of sin flew out like a card and pinned itself straight into the lawyer's forehead with a *pfft*: "But, are you an innocent person?"
Name:...]
Crime: Aiding and abetting a villain!]
Execution: Death Penalty!]
Aiding and abetting a villain is also a crime.
And a major one at that.
The legal profession is undoubtedly a legitimate one, but there are always lawyers who prefer to take shortcuts, turning what should be a sacred profession into what it is today.
Barry on the bed was now in utter despair.
"Don't kill me!"
"Please, don't kill me."
"I beg..."
Locke looked at Drug Addict Barry on the hospital bed, whose face was filled with fear and anger, and said with a brilliant smile: "Alright, it's time for us to go. Otherwise, we'll be late. Don't worry, I won't kill you. I gave you that promise. Not only will you live well, but you'll also experience a different kind of life."
Of course.
You'll have a different life, a life from a different perspective.
Lucky you.
Thirty thousand achievement points. Even I wouldn't be so damn extravagant.
Watching Locke slowly approach him, Drug Addict Barry finally let out the greatest cry of terror and fear of his life.
"Ah!"
"Hmm?"
George, who had just arrived at the spot where Jason was shot with his team via the elevator, glanced at the building, then leaned down to pick up a stray shell casing from the ground.
Standing up, George walked straight over to Jason, who was being lifted onto a stretcher not far away.
"The Peerless Assassin's bullets disappear inside the body."
"And..."
George pinched the shell casing in his hand and looked at Jason on the stretcher, his eyes flickering: "Up until now, we haven't recovered a single shell casing from the Peerless Assassin. More importantly, don't you find the caliber of this casing very familiar?"
On the stretcher, Jason, who was pretending to be unconscious with his eyes closed, twitched his eyelids upon hearing this.
"Jack!"
George took out his walkie-talkie and called for Jack, who should have been in the hallway.
But... there was no response.
George realized. He waved off the nearby Police Officers and looked at Jason on the stretcher: "You lured me down on purpose?"
Jason opened his eyes on the stretcher.
George didn't seem angry, his voice calm: "Do you know what you're doing? You're a law enforcer, Detective Jason Blout."
Jason was expressionless: "You're the Police Superintendent. There are things you can't do, so I'll do them."
George took a deep breath: "Then you should know the consequences."
Jason snorted: "I've wanted to change my damn job for a long time anyway."
At worst, he'd just go back to his old trade after resigning.
He was former Navy SEALs. The battlefield was his true romance. New York was too advanced, too restrictive, and too damn suffocating.
*Ding!*
When George and Kate stepped out of the elevator, they saw twelve Police Officers lying on the floor in the hallway.
Fortunately.
They were hit by tranquilizer darts.
At the Nurse's station, the Nurse named Chris looked at George as he approached to question her. She snorted and turned her head away, wearing an expression that said she didn't know, and even if she did, she wouldn't tell.
George felt somewhat helpless.
Didn't he want to kill Drug Addict Barry?
He did. In short, if the Peerless Assassin hadn't arrived just in time, and if Locke hadn't happened to be at his house, Drug Addict Barry might have harmed Gwen.
But... he was a law enforcer.
Some things happen either zero times or countless times. Once done, the second time becomes natural, then the third, the fourth... and then.
A dirty cop would be born.
Inside the hospital Room.
Drug Addict Barry had disappeared, and the lawyer was pinned to the wall, with a genuine notice of sin stuck to his forehead.
"Lock down the hospital."
"George..."
Kate glanced at George. She wanted to say that it was probably too late to lock down the hospital, but then she seemed to think of something and nodded: "Okay."
Wearing gloves, George removed the notice of sin from the forehead. He looked at the crime listed on it, then at the time on his watch, his face expressionless.
New York Channel One Television Station.
At this moment.
The place was brightly lit. Ms. Patty Finn, the star producer, checked her watch. It was about fifteen minutes until the scheduled nine o'clock.
"L!"
Standing by the large floor-to-ceiling window, Patty turned to ask her assistant: "What do our people at New Amsterdam Hospital say?"
L hung up the phone with an excited look: "Ms. Finn, New Amsterdam Hospital is on lockdown. Our informant says that Drug Addict Barry has gone missing."
Patty nodded.
It was at most ten minutes from New Amsterdam Hospital to their location.
"Tell the security downstairs to keep their eyes peeled. Don't scare the guest away."
"Got it."
"Also, keep any law enforcement agencies outside until they present a search warrant."
"Understood."
Ms. Patty Finn said as she looked out the window from her high vantage point again, trying to find Locke's trace: "Where are you? And why hasn't a single law enforcement vehicle been seen yet?"
Yes.
It was one thing for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security not to show up, even though the preview was sent out at noon. But even the NYPD, which viewed the Peerless Assassin as its ultimate enemy, hadn't sent a single car.
"Nonsense."
Colin from the Federal Bureau of Investigation rolled his eyes as he listened to the audio from the bug. He took off his headset and looked at the federal Agents in the office: "What if another missile comes? Who's going to take responsibility for that?"
He still felt lingering fear when he thought about the missile from last night.
An Agent said hesitantly: "Officer, if we don't go, will there be any problems?"
Colin's gaze fell on the still-naive Agent: "Just graduated from Quantico?"
"Yes, Officer."
"Hmm, any problems?"
Colin nodded and snorted: "If we did go, that's when there'd be a damn problem."
Their people were also at New Amsterdam Hospital.
Drug Addict Barry's disappearance was normal; after all, the one snatching him was the Peerless Assassin, a reckless killer.
But Drug Addict Barry escaped with almost no sound of gunfire. Moreover, when the NYPD cordoned off the hospital, they weren't in a hurry at all, acting as if they were just going through the motions.
This was very intriguing.
Obviously.
If the Federal Bureau of Investigation went over now and offered to help the NYPD with the lockdown, they probably wouldn't get any thanks. In fact, they might even get stabbed in the back.
"The NYPD right now is a powder keg!"
Supervisor Colin tapped the table and said directly: "This case happened in New York, so it belongs to the NYPD. Right now, the Peerless Assassin is seen as one of their own by most Officers. If we get involved, setting aside whether something like yesterday happens again, even if it doesn't, we'll lose more than we gain in the future."
It's the same old saying.
For a cop-killer, the best option is a one-way street to death.
So.
Why bother?
Offending most of the NYPD for the sake of a drug addict like this?
It's meaningless..."
162. Live broadcast begins
The relationship between the FBI and the upper echelons of the NYPD was already strained.
It was all because of that damned S.H.I.E.L.D.
That damned Nick Fury.
Colin spat fiercely, thinking to himself that the relationship at the top was already very tense. If this matter escalated further, his car would probably be heavily targeted by those patrol officers.
He didn't want to experience the scenario of getting at least five tickets every day when he drove out.
If it happened again, at least two-thirds of all FBI agents' salaries would probably go to paying fines. By then, it would be a huge mess.
"In short..."
Colin slapped the table, "This case belongs to the NYPD. The NYPD hasn't asked us to intervene, nor have they reported anyone being kidnapped. Don't cause trouble for me. Whoever dares to cause trouble, I can't deal with the Peerless Assassin, but I can deal with you guys. Do you all understand?"
"Yes."
"Understood."
"Got it, sir."
Colin listened to the responses in the conference room, smiled, and turned to the agent holding the remote control: "Time's almost up, turn up the volume."
The image on the TV was from New York's Channel 1.
New York S.H.I.E.L.D. Operations Command Center.
Ms. Victoria Hand also stood in the operations hall with her arms crossed. On the large screen, it was also the image from New York's Channel 1, and real-time satellite surveillance of the area near New York's Channel 1.
"Sir."
"Barbara."
Mockingbird Barbara Morse, seeing Commander Hand seemingly doing nothing, asked curiously, "Sir, are we just going to watch?"
Ms. Hand chuckled and looked at Barbara: "Barbara, do you see any police cars heading towards New York's Channel 1 on that screen?"
..."No."
"New York's Channel 1 is on Manhattan Island, and Manhattan Island has the highest safety factor in all of New York. On average, a patrol car passes through any given block every three minutes. Although it's already night, this frequency will still be maintained at one police car every five minutes."
The Federation is a money-driven society. The more taxes paid, the more police force available. This is very reasonable. Just like in some impoverished areas, not only do you not pay taxes, but you also need government relief funds. Naturally, if ambulances and police cars arrive a little late, there's nothing wrong with that.
They serve taxpayers. If you don't pay taxes, their presence can be considered charity.
"But..."
Victoria Hand looked at the satellite map on the big screen: "Look now, are there any traces of patrol cars in the surrounding blocks? Do you think the NYPD wouldn't know that the Peerless Assassin's next target is Channel 1?"
Mockingbird frowned.
Commander Hand chuckled: "And, have you seen any FBI vehicles or personnel?"
"No."
"That's it then."
Commander Hand chuckled, glanced at the chair behind her, gestured to Mockingbird, sat down, and said, "Yesterday, the Peerless Assassin used missiles to deter us from acting. This time, although he didn't use any explosives to threaten, that's because the NYPD is now his explosive."
The NYPD officers can restrain themselves due to their identity as law enforcement officers.
But... restraint doesn't mean they can't go easy.
"Whoop whoop!"
When the time reached 8:50, rows of police cars drove out of New Amsterdam Hospital, but they weren't heading towards New York's Channel 1, but rather towards the direction of New York Harbor.
Just now, the NYPD received an anonymous call stating that someone had seen a man wearing sunglasses and a man in a wheelchair at New York Harbor.
Upon receiving the message from dispatch, the NYPD patrol officers had an epiphany.
So... New York's Channel 1 was just a clumsy diversionary tactic by the Peerless Assassin.
And so.
"Whoosh!"
On Manhattan Island, almost all patrol cars rushed towards New York Harbor. The sound seemed to be an assurance to New York City.
We won't turn back until the Peerless Assassin is caught!
Tonight, New Yorkers were closely following the news at home. Upon seeing this message, they couldn't help but blink and began to wonder if this was truly a diversionary plan by the Peerless Assassin.
Gold-medal producer Patty Finn, looking at the online comments, also began to suspect if she had been stood up.
After all, the other party was a killer, not a man of his word.
And it was already fifty-nine minutes past the hour.
Just then.
"Thud!"
The door to the studio hall was pushed open.
Locke, holding the Poisonous Insect Barry with one hand as if carrying a chick, pushed the door open and walked in. He looked at Patty, who was standing by the window and turning to look at him, and said, "Good evening, Patty."
Patty was slightly stunned.
The other staff members present were also stunned.
The next second.
Patty quickly recovered, then, while gesturing to the person in charge of signal transmission, she quickly walked towards Locke and extended her right hand: "Mr. Peerless."
Locke shifted the Poisonous Insect Barry from his right hand to his left, then shook hands with Patty: "Perfect timing, I'll start."
Patty smiled and invited Locke: "I originally planned to have the Weather Goddess Barbara come to host, but she didn't accept."
Locke chuckled: "Understandable."
He had just said it casually.
Besides.
How could such artificial beauty compare to his Gwen, who was prettier, smelled better, and tasted better?
He wasn't lustful and didn't plan to be a scumbag.
Locke could even responsibly say this.
Locke has never been interested in other women.
No "it smells so good."
"Hmm."
"Thump!"
Locke threw the Poisonous Insect Barry from his left hand aside, straightened his suit, then sat back in the same seat he had used yesterday. He looked at Patty and smiled: "Let's begin."
Patty nodded.
Soon.
After the TV station's transition animation, which had been frozen for a long time, started moving, the staff member who had been monitoring the ratings opened his mouth in surprise, looking disbelievingly at the signal that instantly surged.
"They're here!"
"Damn it, stop playing games, Channel 1 has started."
"Oh, for crying out loud, wasn't it a diversion?"
"It was indeed a diversion. The NYPD was sent to the harbor."
"Haha."
"Since I woke up today, I've been binging a lot of assassin movies, like 'Woodpecker Assassin,' 'Woodpecker Killer,' and even the island nation's 'Assassin Imprisonment'…"
..."Do those have anything to do with assassins?"
"Of course, I was incredibly excited watching them."
"..."
Soon.
On the TV, the scene of Channel 1's news studio appeared. Then, the camera zoomed out, and the moment Locke was encompassed, everyone started screaming.
"Finally, I've been waiting for you, but luckily I didn't see you."
"Mission Impact Bonus Factor: 50x"
"Mission Impact Bonus Factor: 51x"
"Mission Impact Bonus Factor: 53x"
..."Mission Impact Bonus Factor: 70x"
Locke raised his eyebrows, as if he heard countless crisp claps, and at the same time, the bonus factor was skyrocketing like a rocket.
"Good evening, New York!"
Gold-medal producer Patty seemed completely unfazed today. She smiled at the camera and, with the most concise language, explained the situation to the viewers. Then, she smiled at the Peerless Assassin, even joking, "I feel like we could do a show called 'My Story with Peerless.'"
Locke laughed heartily: "That show should do well."
"Will Mr. Wushuang be a regular guest on this show?"
"Is there an appearance fee?"
"Of course."
"Being a regular is impossible, but I can try being a guest, provided I have time."
In the future, he would probably have a lot of dealings with the media.
The greater the influence, the higher the settlement.
What kind of influence could be stronger than the media? Although the media are a group of people who thrive on chaos, it must be said that it is also because of the media that something that could be hidden can be exposed.
Locke thought to himself. Then, facing the camera, just like yesterday, he first extended his warm greetings to all law enforcement agencies in New York. He had also filled every corner of Channel 1 with small gifts. As long as the signal was interrupted, or if anyone dared to disturb him, he would directly detonate the Stark Industries individual missiles he had always piled at the door.
Then.
The camera focused on the struggling Poisonous Insect Barry at Locke's feet.
Patty looked at Locke: "Mr. Wushuang, I understand that this time you want to use our TV station to explain something to New York City and even the world."
Locke nodded.
"Is it related to the person at your feet?"
"Hmm."
Locke looked down at the Poisonous Insect Barry at his feet with interest, then looked up at the camera: "His name is Barry Weiss, and he's also an internet celebrity. After all, a video about him has a very high trending on video websites."
The audience in front of the TV was slightly stunned.
Then... the younger audience looked at the Poisonous Insect Barry's appearance and instantly remembered that this guy was the hooligan who had gone viral on the internet a while ago for swallowing several billiard balls!
Could it be?
Locke seemed to be responding to their doubts: "Yes, as you can see, this guy is the imposter who pretended to be my notice. To be honest, after I found out, I couldn't believe it. I didn't expect my list to be faked by such a guy. I even thought it was one of my old rivals who impersonated it."
Poisonous Insect Barry: "..."
163. Do you believe witches exist?
Locke had no idea how to be a decent TV guest.
But... he could see the audience's reaction through his double.
For instance, Gwen couldn't help letting out a laugh, and the school group chat on her phone was unquestionably flooded with LOLs.
After all, the contrast really was striking.
The Peerless Assassin is known for leaving only a Notice and giving law-enforcement zero clues. Perhaps Locke isn't the deadliest hitman in the business, but in the minds of New Yorkers, such a high-profile killer definitely ranks number one.
Anyone daring to forge a Locke Notice could hardly be called bottom-tier—at the very least they'd be on equal footing.
In short... anyone brave enough to impersonate the Peerless Assassin should never be a nobody.
So what happened?
On the video site, the clip of Drug Addict Barry being forced to swallow billiard balls surged in popularity once again.
Even the star producer Patty had sweetly released the segment.
In an instant,
the whole studio turned into an ocean of laughter.
Meanwhile the man in the video—Drug Addict Barry, pinned under Locke's foot—was red as a monkey's butt, clueless about what was going on.
Come on.
This is a killer—arrest him! If I hadn't impersonated him, how would he dare show up?
Damn it.
The whole World is against me.
'You...'
'Agh!'
Locke pressed his right foot hard into the addict's mouth, then smiled toward Patty and shook his head in resignation:'So, Patty, can you imagine how I felt when I realized this clown was the one impersonating me?'
Patty thought hard. "It must have felt absurd."
Locke nodded. "Exactly—absurd. After I caught him, NYPD showed up, and I even gave the clown a chance."
'Oh?'
Patty followed up: 'What do you mean?'
Locke chuckled. 'After I nabbed the clown, NYPD wanted custody. If he'd confessed on the spot, I probably wouldn't have come tonight.'
Patty frowned. 'He didn't confess?'
Locke glanced at the addict whose mouth was still under his shoe. "Not only did he refuse, he even got a lawyer and threatened to sue NYPD—two Detectives and a superintendent included."
The instant Locke's shoe lifted, Drug Addict Barry roared, 'fuck you! You've got zero proof I'm the killer, you damn pigs—'
Enough.
Locke stomped again, then stared down at him through dark lenses. "True, NYPD has no direct evidence—but do you think I have any?"
Barry thrashed wildly,
but it was futile; he could only glare with venomous eyes.
Locke ignored him and turned to Patty. "Patty, there should be a video attachment in your inbox; I've sent you the evidence."
Only Superman can kill with his eyes.
This junkie-cum-Joker didn't scare Locke one bit.
Patty signaled her assistant, who opened the email.
Moments later,
a video appeared on the monitor.
It showed a Homeless man—
the only eyewitness who had seen Drug Addict Barry.
As the Homeless man gave his statement,
Locke's voice cut in: 'NYPD can indeed find a witness at the port; I've had him waiting there. I promised him a thousand U.S. dollars if he testified—hope NYPD will reimburse me. Thanks.'
New York Port.
Officers pulled a Homeless man from a container, compared his face to the one on TV, confirmed the match, and prepared to take him back to the station.
'George.'
'Let's roll!'
George watched the witness climb into the squad car, expressionless, then turned to Kate. "To the studio."
Kate called after him: "George, you know a court might still reject this even with the witness."
George stopped and looked at her. "Kate, we're law-enforcers."
And... he had already done everything he could.
Just like now.
George looked up at officers who once jumped into a car at a single command but now dragged their feet as if each yard were ten. "Remember, we enforce the law. Vigilante revenge—others can, we absolutely cannot. Get in."
He had given them plenty of time.
In fact...
Locke figured he'd pushed it far enough; with the bonus apparently peaking at ninety-fold, he chuckled to himself—cracking that hundred-times mark was going to take something truly spectacular.
So be it.
Under Patty's gaze Locke smiled, flicked his right wrist, and a card appeared between his fingers.
Millions of viewers watching the broadcast saw it too.
Patty blinked. "Is that the legendary Notice?"
Locke laughed. "Patty, if you want to see a Notice you'll have to visit the precinct. This isn't one."
"Then…"
"Do you believe witches exist?"
"What?"
Locke studied the card covered with tiny beasts, then looked at her. "If I told you a Witch friend sold me this, would you believe me?"
Patty fluttered her lashes. "I believe in witches; I've just never met one."
If the Federation could claim any home-grown folklore…
…it was the tales of witches and demons.
Patty shrugged, smiling. "Peerless Assassin, why not explain it to our audience?"
"Gladly."
Locke chuckled.
"The owner of this card is the Faerie Witch, Lulu."
"Faerie… Witch—what a lovely name."
"It is. Among the faerie witches Lulu is the kindest; even when enemies offend them, they never take a life."
"A good Witch."
"Exactly."
Locke toyed with the card, remembering. "So Lulu devised a way to punish foes without killing them."
"Which is…?"
"Lulu's the most imaginative of the faerie witches. She turns every trespasser into a small animal—harmless to anyone else."
"…"
Patty's eyes widened. She glanced at Locke rising slowly, then at Drug Addict Barry squirming on the floor. "Don't tell me that card…"
Locke nodded, smiling. "Lulu gave it to me. After a day's thought I decided it's the perfect warning to anyone trading on my name: impersonate me if you dare, but know the price."
He turned to the junkie trying to crawl away, head cocked. "I couldn't decide which animal you'd become, but you answered for me. Remember—I said I wouldn't kill you. What happens next is no concern of mine."
Patty swallowed audibly. "Mr. Peerless…"
Locke glanced sideways, reading her mind. "Patty, you think this is cruel?"
She nodded, then shook her head.
She couldn't say.
Cruel?
Perhaps.
But what mercy would you expect from an assassin?
Viewers leaned forward in thrilled suspense; the chatroom flooded with "hurry up" spam.
Even Gwen joined the frenzy online.
She asked Locke's double on screen: "Locke, is magic actually real?"
He shrugged. "Captain America's squad had a werewolf. If werewolves exist, why not witches?"
This World is no ordinary place.
Put it this way:
Wherever Captain America appears, Vampires, werewolves and witches can't be far behind.
His old commando unit was packed with them; after he vanished, the whole team disappeared too.
"All right."
Answering Gwen, Locke motioned the cameraman toward the floor where Barry lay pinned. "Zoom in. We're running late."
The lens tightened, framing the writhing insect.
The next instant…
Locke flicked the card—two thousand achievement points' worth—straight at Drug Addict Barry's forehead.
In a flash…
Lulu's card shot through the air and hovered over Barry's skull.
A heartbeat later…
The card blazed, humming, and a hologram filled the studio.
It was Lulu in her Star Guardian outfit.
The crowd's attention snapped to her, and a single thought formed: a Witch this cute must be good.
Then…
Lulu spun mid-air and tapped Barry with her heart-shaped wand.
In the next second…
"Naughty thing—become an animal!"
"Boom!"
"…"
164. Get the highest reward
Lulu went berserk.
It was extraordinary.
In an instant, as Lulu's somewhat soft voice rang out, the people in front of their televisions saw Lulu waving her magic wand, which then immediately burst forth with brilliant light.
In that moment,
everyone watching the TV instinctively closed their eyes, and the television screen was instantly enveloped in the dazzling light.
After a while,
the light dissipated!
"Thud!"
Commander Victoria Hand, who was also watching the big screen at the SHIELD Operations Command Center, couldn't help but gasp as she saw the aftermath of the light's dissipation, and stood up.
"Oh, sh*t!"
Commander Victoria Hand cursed, then looked at a SHIELD agent: "Immediately block the signal of New York's First Television Station, quickly!"
The SHIELD agent snapped back to attention and quickly nodded.
No other reason.
After the light had faded, Barry, who had been curled up on the ground, began to tremble all over, and then, at a visible rate, started to shrink.
Poison Bug Barry was completely transforming.
In just a few moments,
Poison Bug Barry had completely disappeared, replaced by a repulsive, enormous gray rat.
"Holy sh*t!"
Gwen saw this scene and couldn't help but jump up from the sofa, her face full of surprise, and uncharacteristically blurted out a curse: "This isn't scientific."
Locke, beside her, shrugged and said, "Gwen, this is magic, so it's definitely not scientific."
He had already said it, this was a witch's magic.
Scientific?
In the face of magic, science was insignificant.
However,
if Gwen was so surprised, let alone everyone else.
In an instant,
when this scene appeared on the televisions of most people in New York, the bonus coefficient for this mission once again rapidly soared to one hundred times.
Instantly maxed out.
The next second,
there was a crackle.
Static instantly appeared on the television screen.
"Huh?"
"..."
Locke looked at the television screen, which had turned into static, and the corners of his mouth curved upwards.
No need to guess.
This must be SHIELD's doing.
After all, SHIELD had always been dedicated to keeping the mysterious world separate from the ordinary world. Now, with such a mind-boggling scene unfolding, if SHIELD didn't act, then there would truly be no need for SHIELD to exist.
Locke wasn't annoyed.
The effect he wanted had already been achieved.
Locke looked at the large gray rat, which was also sprawled on the ground, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly upwards.
The big gray rat's hind leg was also broken.
Just like Poison Bug Barry's.
Locke looked at Patty, who was already dumbfounded, and smiled, saying, "Patty, do you think this kind of punishment can make some criminals think twice before using my name?"
Patty stared at Locke with a strange look in her eyes.
Think twice?
It was more like no one would ever dare to impersonate the Peerless Assassin again.
This was directly transforming from a human into a rat.
The living kind, too.
"Oh, right."
Locke smiled at Patty: "Even after turning into a rat, his consciousness is still there."
Patty snapped back: "What? His consciousness is still there?"
Locke smiled and said, "I said I wouldn't kill him. I'll let him live well. It's not that easy for him to die."
If he died too easily, how could it serve as a warning to others?
He didn't want fakes popping up every now and then.
Doing this was not only for the mission but also for a permanent solution. Otherwise, if one popped up occasionally, he wouldn't have that much free time.
Moreover, spring semester was about to start, and Locke still wanted to get as many achievement points and potential points as possible at the appropriate age.
So… Locke listened to the various sirens downstairs, adjusted his cuffs, and looked at Patty: "From a certain perspective, this clown is still alive, he's just changed his species. Alright, sorry for the intrusion."
After speaking,
Locke walked directly to the door, picked up the small gift placed there, and pushed the door open.
Leaving behind a large gray rat sprawled on the ground.
Two minutes later,
with a thud,
a team of fully armed special police officers burst in.
But… Azu had already run away.
Jackie Chan… bah.
George arrived late, along with Commander Hand, who had also arrived, and FBI Director Colin, who had also come to see the novelty, and they all entered the live broadcast room.
"George."
"Patty."
George's expression softened as he saw Patty approach. He looked around, then his gaze fixed on the disheartened large gray rat: "The Peerless Assassin ran away?"
Patty nodded: "Yes."
George didn't notify his subordinates to strengthen security, because it was useless.
Just then,
Jason also walked in from outside, his gaze falling on the large gray rat. Suddenly, he understood what Locke had meant when he spoke to him on the phone.
I can assure you, Jason, that by then, this Poison Bug will be delivered to you alive. Then, whatever you want to do with him, I think it will be fine, unless the animal welfare association bothers you… He finally understood why it was the animal welfare association.
However… Jason's face showed a cruel smile, and then he pulled out a large iron cage that someone he had met in the elevator had given him from behind: "Catch this damn rat and take it back to the police station."
The two police officers then looked at George.
George glanced at Jason.
Jason looked up at George: "It's a rat, not a person!"
George turned to look around at his colleagues. Although they all had shocked expressions, it was clear that they shared Jason's sentiment.
It's a rat, not a person.
Commander Hand, beside them, pondered for a moment and added, "This might be a magic trick we've never seen before. The real Barry Weiss has probably been transferred by the Peerless Assassin."
Yes.
Magic trick.
This was just a magic trick conjured up by the Peerless Assassin.
As for whether the New York public would believe it, that was their business. As long as the officials believed it, then it was fine. If the officials believed it, then it was real. This was just a rather novel magic trick.
"Detective Braut."
Commander Hand said, then looked at Jason and said, "Although this is an ordinary rat, given what happened, it still needs to be properly handled. At the very least, it cannot die."
Jason looked up at Commander Hand, understanding her meaning. He lowered his head, staring at the large gray rat at his feet, which seemed to have come to its senses and was wriggling, and a cruel smile appeared on his face: "Don't worry, we'll take good care of this rat. He'll be in our basement for a very, very long time. He won't die so easily."
Commander Hand then looked at George and smiled, "Inspector Stacy, perhaps we should hold a joint press conference. The Peerless Assassin has played such a prank, and if it's not clarified in time, the impact will be very bad, don't you think?"
George was silent for a moment.
"Kate."
"Sir."
George glanced at Jason and then directly told Kate, "Take this rat back to the police station. I don't want this rat to suddenly die when I get back."
Kate also understood the meaning of this sentence.
Whether it was a person or a rat,
the bottom line was that it couldn't die.
As for anything else?
George had no other choice. Didn't they see that he was the one who handled this case from beginning to end? None of the higher-ups appeared. If there was a police strike or something, it would be the same old story: he would have to take the blame.
Patty, on the other side, seemed to have thought of something. She walked up to Jason and whispered a few words.
Jason's eyes lit up as he looked at Patty.
Patty nodded seriously.
Jason smiled, thanked Patty, and then looked at the big rat, which was being laboriously forced into the large cage, a bright smile on his face.
He didn't care if it was magic or a trick; he only knew that a rat had no rights whatsoever.
That was enough.
Jason turned, leaning on his crutch, limping directly, seemingly eager to return to the police station to play with the police station's new pet.
Locke also quickly arrived at Gwen's apartment, then stealthily slipped in through the window opened by his clone, replaced the clone, closed the window, and then walked out of the study.
Gwen, who was chatting with her classmates on her phone in the living room, looked up at Locke as he came down and was stunned.
Locke was also stunned: "What's wrong?"
Gwen shook her head, stood up, walked over to Locke, then stood on her tiptoes, sniffed, and said with some suspicion, "I always feel like you've changed into a different person since you came down from upstairs. What did you do?"
Locke blinked: "What do you mean, 'changed into a different person'?"
Gwen shook her head: "I don't know, I just can't explain it. It was the same last time."
Good heavens.
Had she evolved some kind of Locke radar?
Locke thought to himself, smiled, and changed the subject: "I went to the study to take a look. You know, I haven't tested whether the password George gave me is correct yet."
Gwen glanced at her mother, Helen, who was keeping accounts in the dining room, then whispered to Locke, "My dad's safe doesn't have any money in it, does it?"
Locke shook his head: "No."
He had indeed checked earlier: a gun, and a few old case files and dossiers.
If a thief were to open the safe, they would probably cry.
Gwen carefully nodded: "That's good."
Mom had always been against Dad George having secret savings, especially now that George was an inspector.
Locke laughed heartily and sat back down on the sofa with Gwen.
Ding!]
Mission Complete: "Someone is imitating my face"]
Mission Base Reward: "Achievement Points * 1000", "Potential Points * 1000"]
Mission Bonus Coefficient: "100x Maximum Value"]
Mission Reward: "Achievement Points * 100,000", "Potential Points * 100,000"]
165. Fake News
Current Status Refresh:
Name: Locke Broughton [Sole Player]
Profession: Assassin [Currently switchable to Witch template]
Achievement Points: 12.3W [Can be used to purchase items in the Achievement Shop]
Potential Points: 13.5W [Can be used to upgrade skills you possess]
...
"Nice!"
After Locke and Gwen sat back down on the sofa, he glanced at the achievement and potential points that had popped up, instantly soaring and then settling at five digits. He thought to himself.
Although this time he had spent a 2W 'Lulu Transformation Card', all things considered, he still earned 8W achievement points.
That's good enough.
This wave could be considered a big haul.
If Locke wasn't bothered by the hassle, and with school starting soon, he would actually look forward to a fake impersonating him once a month. Who knows, he might be able to rely on these repeatedly refreshed small fry to directly grind until he could exchange for the Sun God bloodline.
Of course.
Locke only thought about it.
There are many foolish people in this world, but he has encountered quite few so far. Moreover, if he killed them too many times, even someone with an IQ below fifty probably wouldn't do it again.
And... if he killed them too many times, perhaps some kind of 'antibody' would appear.
"Huh."
"Dad?"
"..."
Locke snapped back to reality and looked at Gwen, who had spoken from beside him.
Gwen pointed at the TV: "Why is Dad standing with Aunt Finn?"
Helen, who was calculating accounts in the dining room, instantly looked up with a whoosh.
"Who?"
Helen stood up and walked towards the living room: "Who did you just say?"
Gwen opened her mouth, then, seeing Helen's nervous expression, quickly said: "Mom, don't worry, there are other people there. It should be an emergency press conference."
After all, half of New York probably saw a living person turn into a giant rat just now, and coincidentally, the signal was cut off?
If they didn't come out to explain this...
Hehe.
Then tomorrow, New York City would probably be buzzing.
On the TV.
The broadcast studio had clearly been tidied up.
Some news reporters, especially those on good terms with the NYPD and considered their media partners, had already arrived urgently.
After a while.
The press conference began abruptly.
In a word.
The so-called magic just now was actually just a small trick, a gimmick by the Peerless Assassin, merely a magic show that required personnel cooperation.
Yes.
Magic.
A magic trick that the Peerless Assassin used to deceive everyone.
They had evidence.
And several detectives from around the studio pretended to retrieve several small projectors that seemed to have been there all along. Then, they presented videos that had already been prepared, proving that the person-to-rat transformation was a pre-arranged video, and the source of the video was actually footage a Hollywood sci-fi director was in the process of post-producing.
Everything was a lie.
There were no witches.
How could such a thing as witches exist in this world?
In summary.
What everyone saw just now was fake!
This is... Fake News!
Some reporters, with expressions that clearly said 'you're fooling us,' directly questioned: if all of this was magic, then what about Barry Weiss?
George smiled and stated that Barry Weiss had been under police custody the entire time and was never abducted.
In a word.
If the Peerless Assassin could abduct their suspect from New Amsterdam Hospital, then why didn't the media reporters, known for their keen sense of smell, receive any clues about a shooting at the hospital?
That rhetorical question left the media reporters looking at each other.
Then... Ms. Hand subtly nodded to George on stage.
George understood and immediately stated that after Barry Weiss was apprehended, he had been undergoing emergency treatment at the hospital, and just now, the hospital sent news.
Simply put, the suspect in this case, Barry Weiss, had been in the hospital the entire time, and just now, Barry Weiss died on the operating table due to failed resuscitation.
Then... George gave a wink, and inside the operating room of New Amsterdam Hospital, on the operating table, Barry Weiss, with his eyes tightly closed, looked very peaceful as he passed away, and the equipment beside him flatlined.
Impressive.
Locke watched the press conference, clicking his tongue twice.
No need to ask.
This definitely wasn't George's doing; it must have been S.H.I.E.L.D.'s doing. Only S.H.I.E.L.D. could, in such a short time, fake the video and simultaneously fake the hospital situation.
Look.
They had evidence to prove that the man-to-rat transformation was a video fabrication, and they also had evidence that Barry Weiss had been in the hospital and was now in the morgue. George even welcomed a few reporters to the hospital morgue tomorrow to verify the truth.
This combination of moves.
The effect was remarkable.
Gwen frowned: "So, everything that just happened, the witches and magic, was all fake?"
See.
Even Gwen was starting to doubt.
But.
Gwen shook her head: "No, the Peerless Assassin disdains fakery."
Locke asked curiously: "Why?"
Gwen pursed her lips: "The Peerless Assassin is an arrogant and conceited person. Such a person possesses a special kind of pride. He would not allow others to impersonate him and ruin his reputation, so how could he ruin his own reputation?"
Locke exclaimed: "Wow, Gwen, that's amazing."
The Peerless Assassin's personality was originally Locke's second persona, one he was incredibly proud of as a player.
It's still the same saying.
The world Locke saw with his glasses on was a game, and it was a single-player game with only one cheater.
And the world Locke saw without his glasses on was life, a living world.
Locke chose to use his glasses to perfectly separate these two worlds.
And what Gwen had just analyzed was what the Peerless Assassin had displayed.
However... this wouldn't do.
"Perhaps he just wanted to use this method to tell New York City the price of provoking him."
"No."
"Why?"
Gwen looked at Locke, her expression serious: "I'm analyzing this from a professional psychological perspective. Besides, Locke, you've only interacted with the Peerless Assassin once. I've studied all of George's files concerning the Peerless Assassin. I think I understand the Peerless Assassin, and you, you don't understand him at all."
Locke opened his mouth.
I don't understand?
I am the Peerless Assassin, and you say I don't understand?
Locke's brow twitched imperceptibly twice, but looking at Gwen, who was in her 'academic' state and ready to defend her academic reputation to the end, he smiled and said: "Alright, so, there are witches in this world?"
Gwen instantly retreated from her academic state: "I... I haven't seen a witch."
Locke shrugged.
"So, you just thought that having witches was unscientific, and now George has given an explanation, but you say that's not right. So, what is it then?"
"..."
Helen spoke directly from the side: "You two, just watch TV. Why think so much? Just ask George when he gets back, won't that do?"
Locke breathed a sigh of relief internally.
Gwen looked up at Helen: "Mom, Dad definitely won't tell me."
Helen chuckled: "Then when he gets back, I'll ask. It's perfect, I want to ask why he and Patty were sitting so close. Does he really think I wouldn't watch TV just because today is tax day?"
Gwen and Locke looked at the TV.
The press conference had ended, and as they were descending the stage, Patty's high heel twisted, and she let out a gasp, falling backward. Fortunately, George was quick-witted and steadily caught Patty.
But... Locke and Gwen felt the temperature in the room suddenly drop and glanced at Helen.
Helen's face was frosty, her gaze fixed on the TV, where George and Patty were talking and laughing, as if watching an adulterer and his mistress.
George!
Danger!
Locke thought to himself.
"Gwen?"
"Huh?"
"I just realized I haven't done my taxes for this quarter yet. Could you help me?"
"Okay."
Locke and Gwen rose from the sofa, then carefully brushed past Helen, who was standing still, and then, after reaching the stairs, they scurried up to the second floor.
In the second-floor hallway.
Locke and Gwen both breathed a sigh of relief at the same time, then exchanged glances.
Gwen couldn't help but let out a laugh.
Helen's voice came directly from downstairs, very cold: "Little girl, I can still hear you."
Gwen stiffened, then quickly apologized, and then, pulling Locke's hand, she quickly ran back to her room.
Thud.
The door closed.
Gwen leaned against the door, looked at Locke, and said: "Please do me a favor, don't leave tonight."
Locke was slightly taken aback.
That wouldn't be good.
Although Helen and George had already tacitly accepted his identity, if he stayed overnight here, Helen might be happy, but George would probably drag him out hunting this weekend.
As for whether he'd be hunting or being hunted, that was a whole other story.
Gwen looked at Locke's expression and whispered: "I mean, if you're here, when Dad comes back, Mom won't argue with George."
Locke hesitated for a moment, then shook his head: "I don't think so."
What a joke.
Wouldn't argue?
When did Helen *not* make suggestive remarks during dinner?
The wheels of the 'car' were practically running over his face.
Wouldn't argue?
You probably have some misunderstanding about Helen, Gwen.
Moreover... Locke sat on Gwen's bed, looking at Gwen, who was leaning against the door, and said: "Even if I'm here and they don't argue, what about tomorrow?"
"I won't be home tomorrow."
"...What?"
Gwen smiled: "You forgot, tomorrow we, Cindy, and Pepper are meeting for dinner. Little George and the other two will be home tomorrow, so even if they argue, I won't see it."
Locke: "..."
...PY for a similar Marvel novel, "American Warden." Those who like it can go check it out!
Monthly passes!
Recommendation tickets!
Begging for them!!!!
166. Locke 1.9 version update
It was late at night.
Locke left Gwen's apartment almost the moment George returned.
Coincidentally,
As Locke walked out of the apartment, he saw George getting out of his car across the street.
Their eyes met.
George glanced at his wristwatch and then at Locke, "It's a bit late to be heading back."
Locke replied, "I believe the NYPD can protect us, George."
"Hm?"
"Nothing."
Locke opened his mouth, intending to warn George, but then remembered what Helen had said when he was leaving. He smiled at George and said, "Helen isn't asleep yet."
With that,
Locke wished George a good night, pressed his car keys, got into his car, started the engine, and then drove away from the street.
George turned his head and watched Locke's taillights disappear, frowning.
Helen isn't asleep yet?
George's heart skipped a beat; he seemed to understand something and swallowed hard.
That's not right.
They had just 'made love' yesterday, so why wouldn't she be asleep?
Could the toys be out of battery?
No reason, all the toys in the bedroom are rechargeable.
George's mind raced with wild thoughts.
Locke, on the other hand, didn't think much of it. After getting out of the car, he returned to his apartment in the Star Tower.
"Pop!"
Locke walked over to the bar, poured himself a glass of bourbon, took a sip, refilled it, and then carried the glass directly up to his study on the second floor: "System!"
Instantly,
Locke's current status interface appeared in his line of sight.
School was starting in a week.
Locke pulled a piece of paper from the nearby printer and began to draw and write. He always regarded the start of each school year as a milestone, and basically, the money he had saved would be spent at such times.
It was still the same saying.
You can't just rush to max level wearing common gear.
This is a game.
But this isn't a game with infinite resurrections. Rushing also requires a scientific approach; mindless rushing only leads to a dead end.
The Resilience talent needs an upgrade.
Ding!]
"Supernatural Talent, Resilience (Red Quality Level 2) upgrading to Supernatural Talent, Resilience (Red Quality Level 3) requires 40,000 Potential Points."
"Confirm / Cancel]
"Confirm."
Ding!]
"Upgrade successful!]
"Supreme Talent: Resilience (Red Quality Level 3): Even in combat, your stamina and energy will flow endlessly, undisturbed by battle. Simultaneously, your physique receives another significant enhancement.]
Locke clenched his fists.
Power!
He had the illusion that he could punch straight through a steel plate.
After a while,
The illusion brought on by the upgrade faded, but Locke could still feel that he could punch through a steel plate.
It couldn't be too thick.
He definitely couldn't punch through the iron doors of a bank vault; at most, he could leave a fist print on them.
From the very beginning, the Resilience talent had always been something Locke cared about deeply.
After all, before he acquired Endless Energy, the Resilience talent was arguably the foundation of Locke's survival.
Endless Energy could ensure that, if absolutely necessary, he could transform into a witch and unleash his full power.
But the Resilience talent could ensure his personal safety.
Resilience was for a warrior.
Endless Energy was for a mage.
Not specializing, but developing comprehensively, was the way to go.
As for the others?
Locke looked at what he had written on his paper, calculated, and began a comprehensive overhaul.
By the time the next day dawned,
Locke had completed another round of upgrades.
"Current Status Update:]
"Name: Locke Broughton (Unique Player)]
"Occupation: Assassin (Currently switchable to Witch template)]
"Achievement Points: 33,000 (Can be used to purchase items in the Achievement Shop)]
"Potential Points: 35,000 (Can be used to upgrade your own skills)]
"Supreme Talent: Extraordinary (Gold Quality Level 1): My energy is endless...]
"Supernatural Talent: Resilience (Red Quality Level 3): Even in combat, your stamina will be continuously replenished, and your physique will be greatly enhanced once more.]
"Supernatural Skill: Gun Kata (Blue Quality Level 1): Your marksmanship is not only profound but also unparalleled.]
"Supernatural Skill: Falconry (Advanced): Your trained hawk will become your eyes, seeing what you see, thinking what you think. But where is your hawk?]
"Supernatural Skill: Concealment (Intermediate): As long as you're careful, you can pull off a real-life 'Empty House' scenario.]
"Faction: Land of Light, M78 Nebula]
"Members: 1 (Although your energy is endless, the energy you can currently channel can only be shared with one person)]
"Name: Carrie White]
"Occupation: Witch]
...After taking a shower, changing his clothes, and bringing his first cup of bourbon for the morning to the balcony, Locke gazed at the rising sun in the distance, raised his glass, admired his current attributes, and then drained the drink.
This was the result of his overnight contemplation and upgrades.
He had improved Resilience, maintaining his vitality and defense.
His 'Gun-slinging' skill had also been upgraded and merged into the formidable and even terrifying Gun Kata, a powerful ability that combined unarmed combat, gunmanship, and swordsmanship, thus boosting his offensive power.
And the Assassin League's signature skill, Concealment, had also been upgraded by one level.
This skill was quite useful, allowing him to infiltrate smoothly even in crowded places, serving as an escape skill.
As for the Falconry skill, which he had maxed out despite not even having an eagle yet?
Well... Locke felt he would need to upgrade it sooner or later. Rather than waiting until he needed it, he might as well do it now. At least, upgrading it now wouldn't make him feel bad about the cost.
The rest?
Locke decided not to touch it.
He had said he was saving money to buy a divinity, so he couldn't just spend it all as soon as he had a lot, could he? He wasn't a spendthrift, and with his current stats, Locke felt it would probably be enough for the whole year.
Living alone, one always had to be careful with money.
I'm truly frugal.
Locke raised an eyebrow, turned and walked into the living room, grabbed his keys, and then pushed the door open and left.
Half an hour later,
Locke picked up Gwen and then drove towards a rather nice restaurant located at the harbor.
"By the way, how was yesterday?"
"You abandoned me."
"Cough, cough."
Locke coughed twice, glancing repeatedly at Gwen, who was sitting in the passenger seat beside him, "I told you, and you agreed."
Yesterday, he hadn't planned to stay, to avoid making George uncomfortable comforting Helen.
But if Gwen had strongly insisted, Locke would have stayed.
But Gwen didn't.
Gwen looked at Locke's expression, laughed, and said, "I'm just kidding, Locke."
Locke smiled.
When he first met Gwen, she was a gentle but very resistant-to-strangers academic prodigy. But now, Gwen seemed to have returned from her academic prodigy state to become a gentle girlfriend.
Gwen then shrugged, "Dad slept on the couch yesterday, and then Mom didn't make him breakfast today."
Poor George.
Locke silently mourned for George. He swore to God that his choice of Patty wasn't to help George and Patty get together.
This point had to be made clear.
If George and Helen were to divorce, Locke certainly didn't intend to take the blame.
Gwen turned her face to look at Locke.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing."
"Are you thinking about whether George and Helen will divorce?"
...I'm not.
Gwen's eyes curved into cute crescent moons, "It's okay, I thought so too. But do you know what happened last time?"
Locke looked at Gwen curiously.
Gwen chuckled, "Last time, eleven months after Dad slept on the couch, I got a little brother."
Locke: "..."
Good heavens.
Locke exclaimed, 'Good heavens,' a new brother after every argument.
So, if that's the case?
Locke looked at Gwen with an inquiring gaze.
Gwen nodded, "Yes, that's right. I'm guessing that by this time next year, I'll have another brother or sister being born."
Locke no longer knew what to say.
After a long silence,
Locke parked the car in front of the restaurant, turned off the engine, thought for a long time, and then looked at Gwen: "Congratulations."
Gwen: "..."
The doorman, seeing the Audi stopped at the entrance, walked over and took the keys from Locke's hand.
"Please wash my car, thank you."
"Of course."
As the doorman took the car keys, he also accepted a Franklin bill handed to him, nodding happily, "Thank you, sir."
Locke grunted in acknowledgment.
Gwen opened the door beside him, watched Locke follow her in, and then recalled their previous conversation: "'Congratulations'? Is that what you just thought of?"
Locke shrugged, "What else could I say?"
Besides saying congratulations, what else could he say?
He could say 'okay,' but he felt it wasn't quite there yet. Just as Locke was very clear about his own position, he was still a student, and studying was his main priority.
Gwen covered her forehead, "I already have three stinky little brothers."
Oh my goodness.
One more, and Gwen felt she would go crazy. She had finally managed to train little George to be respectful and loving towards his older sister, and she was currently working hard on six-year-old Mark. As for the youngest, Allen, who was just two, his turn hadn't come yet.
If another one was added tomorrow?
Gwen felt she would go mad.
Locke had already spotted Dylan and Maggie who had arrived. He waved from a distance and walked over with Gwen: "Look on the bright side, maybe it'll be a sister. Haven't you always said you wished you had a sister?"
Gwen rolled her eyes, "I also wish I had a daughter."
Locke laughed, "That might be a bit difficult."
"Why?"
"Because if you got pregnant now and it interfered with your going to college, I think George would definitely take me hunting, the kind of hunting where I'm the prey."
One Hundred Sixty-Seven: Pepper the Spoiler
Although in New York, one can register for marriage at sixteen.
But... Locke felt that George would definitely beat him to death, or, when George wanted to beat him to death, he would accidentally be killed in a counterattack by Locke.
Anyway.
Locke looked at Gwen with a serious expression: "Gwen, this idea of yours is very dangerous."
This idea was too dangerous.
Gwen opened her mouth and looked at the serious Locke, feeling a bit dazed.
Fortunately.
Dylan and Maggie over there had already stood up.
"Gwen."
"Maggie, long time no see."
"How is it going?"
After Locke and Gwen sat down, he looked at Dylan and said, "How is your firefighting company coming along?"
"Almost ready."
"That's good."
Locke nodded. Although he never cared whether people paid him back when he lent money, it was still a happy thing to see his money being used for the right reasons.
Gwen looked around: "Where's Pepper? I thought Pepper was already here."
Maggie, sitting next to Dylan, smiled and said, "She should be arriving soon. I just called her."
In the past, Maggie's family had some money, but they were still a level below Pepper. However, the trip on the poseidon had brought them together.
While they were talking.
The restaurant door was pushed open again, and Pepper, Cindy, and Kahn walked in together.
Gwen looked at the approaching Cindy, curious: "Cindy, did you meet Pepper at the door?"
Cindy hugged Gwen and then said to Locke beside her, "Hello, the ladies are going to sit together."
Locke stood up and moved to the men's side.
Kahn said, "Remember that patent I sold?"
Locke nodded.
It was because of that patent Kahn sold that he was able to go on the poseidon. When the poseidoncapsized, Kahn was full of regret.
Kahn said, "The company that acquired my patent was bought by Stark Industries, and then Stark Industries invited me to join their latest Marine Laboratory."
Locke was stunned: "Stark... Marine Laboratory? Is there such a thing?"
Pepper said, "There wasn't before, but there is now. It should be ready in about half a month. Kahn's patent is very helpful to our research. Coincidentally, I didn't expect that patent would belong to Kahn."
Cindy said to Gwen, "The person we were meeting this morning was Pepper. Kahn and I thought something had gone wrong."
Gwen was happy for Kahn: "I'm happy for you, Kahn."
Since Stark Industries had approached Kahn directly, it meant they valued his patent highly. If that was the case, Kahn could continue his studies in the field he loved.
The ocean... is very vast, after all.
"However..."
Dylan looked at Kahn with a strange expression: "After one trip on the poseidon, do you still dare to go to sea?"
Kahn shrugged: "As long as it's not on a cruise ship."
The group laughed knowingly.
Even Locke had deleted cruise ships from any of his future travel plans.
He would rather hold onto a piece of wood to cross the ocean than take a cruise ship again.
While chatting and laughing.
The food the group ordered was served, and they talked and laughed.
Dylan sipped his whiskey, glancing at Locke occasionally.
After all, this was a formal restaurant.
And Locke was under twenty-one, not yet at the age where he could drink, at least not at the age where he could drink openly.
"By the way."
Cindy seemed to think of something and looked at Gwen: "Gwen, did you ask your dad?"
"What?"
"About yesterday's events. Such a sensational matter, you didn't forget, did you?"
"...I forgot."
"Huh?"
Gwen looked up at Locke and then at Cindy: "I forgot about that matter."
It was the inquiry about New York Channel One Television Station—specifically, which version was true: the Peerless Assassin's version or the one debunked by Police Superintendent George Stacy.
Cindy slapped her forehead: "How could you forget?"
Gwen gave a forced smile.
Since Locke left yesterday, she hadn't gone out. she had been in her Room, ears pricked, eavesdropping on the sounds outside, fearing the two would start fighting so she could go break it up.
Naturally, in her nervousness, she forgot about it.
Maggie and Dylan glanced at each other: "Gwen, are you talking about the New York Channel One Television Station incident from yesterday?"
"Yeah."
"Maggie, which version do you think is true?"
"The Witch one, probably."
Pepper also raised her hand: "I agree with Maggie. I also think the Witch is real."
Locke looked at Pepper curiously: "Pepper, do you also believe in Witches?"
Pepper said, "The argo, do you all remember?"
Gwen nodded: "Of course, there was a big monster."
And the crew of the argo still hasn't been found. The authorities haven't given an official explanation yet. However, since the argo is from Paris, specific news is likely only known over there.
Pepper looked around and whispered, "Remember the Department of Homeland Security and CIApeople who boarded back then?"
"Yeah."
Gwen glanced at Locke: "That woman from the Department of Homeland Security knew Locke, and there was a man in a suit whom Locke recognized as CIA at a glance."
Pepper laughed: "After all, the CIA dress just like they do in the movies."
Gwen hummed in agreement, her ears pricked along with Cindy and Maggie as they looked at Pepper.
Pepper's status was higher, so she could surely hear and see things that weren't visible at their level.
"Actually, the crew of the argo didn't go missing."
"Ah."
"How is that possible?"
"We clearly didn't see a single person."
"We didn't go inside the ship, did we?"
"Inside the cabins?"
"You mean..."
"Yes."
Pepper lowered her voice and said, "I heard that all the argo crew members were actually inside the cabins, but they were all killed by that mutated Giant Octopus."
*Gulp!*
Kahn swallowed hard.
Cindy and Gwen looked at each other: "Really?"
Pepper said, "I got the news from Washington."
That was confirmation.
"Luckily we didn't go down."
"Yeah."
Listening to the scoop from Pepper, the group couldn't help but say so.
They had originally planned to go into the cabins to shelter from the cold wind.
Fortunately.
They saw the tentacles in time, and Locke, who led them out, also said not to be like a death-seeking little team in a horror movie, going down one by one to their deaths, and to stay honestly on the deck.
The group looked at each other.
Pepper even raised the red wine in her hand and smiled, "I have a proposal. A toast to our Hero, Locke Broughton!"
Dylan joined in, "Good proposal."
Locke's brow twitched: "Pepper, I said, I'm not..."
Pepper nodded: "I heard about it while shopping with Maggie last time, but we didn't tell anyone. You're our Hero. To you."
Locke looked at the water in his glass and shook his head: "I hope these four years pass quickly."
In four more years, he could drink publicly.
It wasn't easy.
Locke felt that being seventeen was good sometimes, but this one thing was bad. Every time he drank secretly, he always felt like he was doing something shameful.
Wine glasses and drink cups clinked.
After Pepper set down her wine glass, she spoke again: "However, I also know a bit about what happened last night, but you mustn't tell anyone."
The group nodded.
Cindy, in particular, nodded repeatedly.
Pepper whispered the spoiler to everyone: "There really is a group of Witches."
As the secretary to the chairman of Stark Industries, naturally, Pepper was among the few who knew the real World.
"However..."
"Witches rarely deal with us."
"As for the reason, that's unknown."
"But the number of Witches is very small. This World is still a World for us ordinary people. So, to avoid unnecessary panic..."
Pepper said, "It's enough that you know. Don't go around talking about it. Actually, saying it won't matter because Witches rarely contact people. New York City probably doesn't have a single Witch."
While they were talking.
A waiter came up with a drink.
Connor looked at the drink, his eyes lighting up: "Mine."
Locke looked at the waiter and then thought about what Pepper had just said.
Witch?
Not a single one in New York City.
Then what was that Witch who just walked past doing?
Locke thought to himself.
Half an hour later.
The group walked out of the restaurant, and Locke's car had already been washed clean and driven back by a valet.
They said their goodbyes and arranged a date for their next meeting before getting into their respective cars and leaving.
The incident on the poseidon had brought them closer.
And the group tacitly maintained this closeness. From the first gathering after returning to today's third gathering, after a few more times, it would likely become a habit.
The car sped along.
Gwen, sitting in the passenger seat, looked at the news on her phone: "It's exactly as Pepper said."
"Hmm?"
"All the videos are gone."
"What?"
"The video from yesterday's live broadcast where the Peerless Assassin turned that scum into a rat. They're all gone."
"That's normal."
S.H.I.E.L.D. had already done the first ninety-nine steps; there was no reason not to do this final step.
Locke quite agreed with what Pepper had just said.
Witches do exist in this World, but this World is still a World for ordinary people.
Yeah.
A World as ordinary as me.
Gwen put down her phone and shook her head: "By the way, the holiday is over. I'm going back to Osborn Biologics to continue my internship tomorrow. What do you plan to do?"
Locke smiled: "Chester has something for me. I'm going to see Chester tomorrow."
To be precise.
Locke was the one who needed to find Chester.
Because... there was a Witch who was about to start a brand new life and needed Chester's care.
168. Chester's Illegitimate Daughter
So... Pepper's logic just now was flawed.
Even if that waitress working at the restaurant wasn't a Witch, there was actually another Witch who had just arrived in New York City, ready to start her brand-new life.
And she was a genuine, high-quality, certified Witch.
Carrie the Witch.
But this Carrie was not that Carrie.
The Carrie White who was born and raised in Maine was dead; the Carrie Locke spoke of also hailed from Texas.
To be precise...
She was supposed to be Klint Clinchester's illegitimate daughter.
"Pfft!"
"What did you say?"
Inside his typical American detached house, the bearded Klint, who was drinking a Lone Star Beer, spat it out instantly upon hearing Locke's words.
What did he just hear?
Illegitimate daughter?
Klint looked grimly at Locke, who was sitting on his sofa with his legs crossed, sipping bourbon. "When the hell did I get an illegitimate daughter? Why don't I know about this? Besides, I already have a damn granddaughter."
Locke shrugged. "Your granddaughter is only five. Carrie is seventeen. There's no scenario where your illegitimate daughter is younger than your granddaughter. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Klint's thick beard practically danced with rage. "You know what you're doing? My ass! Goodfellas, I guessed right after all. All that talk about being pure, about waiting for 'the right person'—it was all bullshit. You might as well just say Texas girls weren't good enough for you. Tsk tsk, you haven't even been in New York for a year and you've already learned how to dump your women on me?"
Back in Texas, before Klint left, he used to tease Locke constantly, telling him to experience the taste of love.
But how did Locke answer back then?
Klint remembered it clearly.
I'm waiting for the right person.
Klint had believed him then.
And now?
Klint seriously suspected that Locke simply looked down on the girls from that small Texas town—girls who could handle a gun in a civil debate and wrestle a bull in a physical one.
"Hypocrite!"
Klint wiped the beer from his beard and said to Locke, "Locke, I'm already retired."
Locke interrupted, "I know. I've been waiting to take care of you in your old age and give you a proper burial."
Klint gave a cold sneer. "Is this how you take care of me? An illegitimate daughter? Only you could come up with that. If word of this gets out, where am I supposed to hide my face?"
He was nearly sixty.
An illegitimate daughter?
And a seventeen-year-old at that.
Good grief.
If his daughter found out about this, she'd probably explode. After all, Klint's wife had only passed away ten years ago. In other words, this implied he had cheated while his wife was still alive.
"No way."
Klint flatly refused with a dark expression.
"Handle your own business. You promised you wouldn't trouble me. Is this your guarantee?"
"Is that a no?"
"It's a no."
Locke leaned back on the sofa, watching the huffing and puffing Klint with a slight upward curve of his lips. "Are you sure you just don't want your illegitimate daughter interrupting your 'good times'?"
"What good times could I possibly have?"
"In all of New York, across four boroughs and hundreds of strip clubs, which one doesn't know that you're still going strong? When the mood strikes, you call for five in one night. By the way, can your body even handle that?"
"...Are you spying on me?"
Klint's mouth twitched. He stood up and headed straight for his bedroom.
Sitting on the sofa, Locke watched Klint's movements and sipped the wine in his glass without stopping him.
After a while.
Klint walked back down.
"Where are the bugs?"
"What?"
"How many listening devices did you plant in my house?"
"I didn't."
"Impossible. Then how did you—"
Klint stopped there, coughed, and cut himself off. His beard quivered as he sat on the sofa opposite Locke, staring him down with the gaze of a simple, honest Texan.
Locke sipped his wine and laughed. "Seriously, using a credit card? If you're short on cash, just tell me and I'll give you some. I thought it would be hard to find out, but when I pulled your credit card statements, I could hardly believe my eyes."
As expected.
The intoxication and luxury of the big city could easily lead one astray.
The most ridiculous part wasn't that Klint used a credit card to pay for his overnight services.
It was that even though he used a credit card, the payment categories were all listed as 'consultation fees'.
Though... from a certain perspective, sexual issues could indeed be considered consultation fees.
Klint sneered. "What the fuck do you know? All those Wall Street guys do it this way. On tax day, it saves a lot of money."
Locke shook his head. "The Wall Street crowd are jackals. Are you one too? It's not easy for those people to earn a living, and you're using a credit card? That's just classless."
"It's five thousand dollars a night. They take credit cards."
"..."
Five thousand dollars a night?
Good grief.
That wasn't just high-end; that was top-tier quality.
Locke felt a hint of envy.
The next second.
Locke's envy vanished. He didn't have any prejudice against women in that profession, but it was hard for him to accept letting his 'Little Locke' out onto a public track.
As everyone knows, public roads are where accidents happen most easily.
Locke shook his head and looked at Klint. "Fine, I never said Carrie was going To Live in your house. Haven't you noticed that the house next door has been bought?"
Klint turned his head and looked through the yard at the white-walled house next door.
"You bought it?"
"Yes."
"You're really going all out. What if Gwen finds out?"
"...I'm not a scumbag."
And Locke didn't intend to be polyamorous.
At least for now.
Locke rolled his eyes and said to Klint, "I just see Carrie as a sister. Besides, have you really retired so thoroughly that you don't pay any attention to the news?"
Klint said, "I watch the news. My paid TV channels are all adult channels. I don't watch any other channels at all."
Locke's mouth twitched. "So, you haven't heard about the things I've been doing in New York City these past few days?"
Klint was slightly taken aback. "You've been doing things? What things?"
Locke closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Although he was glad to see Klint had truly and cleanly retired, those words still gave Locke the impression that Klint didn't care one bit about his disciple's life or death, while still expecting said disciple to take care of him in his old age.
He really deserved a smack!
However... Locke thought of the consumption list from a gay club in New York that was considered quite famous among those countless bills, and he quickly shook his head to banish the image.
Some people get more lecherous as they get older.
Klint?
Ever since this guy came to New York, it seemed he hadn't just become more lecherous; he apparently didn't care about the 'menu' anymore either.
Klint picked up his phone nearby. "What kind of trouble did you stir up? Let me see."
Locke interrupted, "Don't bother. You won't find it anymore."
S.H.I.E.L.D. might be a bit lacking in strength, but there was no denying that once they got serious, they were quite powerful, at least in terms of information control.
In just two days, the hype regarding the Peerless Assassin on the internet had dropped to freezing point. As for those print media outlets that thrived on chaos, they seemed to have received some kind of warning; after yesterday's frenzy, they had also gone completely silent.
Locke looked directly at Klint. "Carrie is a Witch."
Klint looked up.
"What did you say?"
"Carrie is a Witch. Remember that explosion that happened when I went to Maine?"
"You mean..."
"Yes."
Locke nodded. "I faked Carrie's death and brought her back to New York. During this time, she's been with Dr. Hans Keller. The surgery is almost complete."
Klint frowned. "Hans Keller, that gold-medal plastic surgeon of the criminal underworld?"
Saying that.
Klint looked at Locke with some confusion. "How did you end up getting involved with a Witch?"
Being a simple, honest Texan, he was naturally no stranger to creatures like witches. After all, the last Witch trial in the Federation was conducted in Texas.
Forget witches; Texas Cowboys had seen more than a couple of demons in their time.
Locke looked at Klint's eyes and knew what he was worried about. He smiled and said, "Don't worry, Carrie is a very kind person."
Unfortunately.
Carrie treated the World with kindness, but the World mistook her kindness for weakness and vulnerability.
Tsk tsk.
Locke thought to himself and shook his head.
Klint wiped his face. "If she's so kind, take her to your own home. Why dump her on me?"
"I'm an orphan."
"...What's that supposed to mean? Are you showing off?"
"No."
Locke gave a speechless laugh. "After bringing Carrie back, I've been trying to find a way to forge an identity for her. But as you know, creating a 100% official fake identity is very difficult. Plus, setting up a family trust fund from scratch takes a lot of time."
Klint seemed to understand. "So, she's my illegitimate daughter. That way, if anyone comes to investigate, as long as I don't say anything, her identity is real?"
Locke's eyes lit up, and he gave Klint a thumbs-up. "Smart!"
"Smart my ass!"
"..."
"Motherfucker."
Klint couldn't help but stand up, pointing at Locke with spit flying everywhere. "So, for your little Witch, you're willing to ruin the lifelong reputation of the mentor who brought you up? What do you call this? This is betraying your master and destroying your ancestors!"
Locke blinked and looked at Klint. "The mentor who taught you to be an assassin is still alive?"
Klint's mouth twitched. "He's been dead a long time."
He killed him.
That was also why Klint hadn't let Locke join an assassin organization.
Locke nodded. While Klint's anger was momentarily interrupted, he spread his hands and looked at Klint with clear eyes. "Klint, in this World, you are the first person I can trust unconditionally."
Klint looked at Locke, whose wide eyes were full of innocence and 'trust me', and gave a cold, mocking laugh. "And also the one you need to screw over unconditionally."
Locke showed a trace of a smile. "Klint, in this World, you are the first person I care about. How could I possibly screw you over? Do you think I'm asking you to take care of Carrie?"
Klint glanced at him. "Aren't you?"
Locke's lips curved upward...