William packed his gear and became a tourist again.
First time abroad, might as well see the sights.
He actually enjoyed it.
The streets were busy.
Crowded.
Dirty.
His phone led him to the destination.
A storage center.
High Table territory.
They offered long-term deposits.
Only recognized passwords and credentials.
Even if you were excommunicated, you could still retrieve your things.
The High Table was like a cat.
Watching rats fight below.
When the rat tired, they’d finish it.
Then find a new one.
William’s credential was half a sponge.
A system item.
He tore it in half, gave one piece to the attendant, and stored the other in his inventory.
No one else could ever retrieve his goods.
Storage cost one gold coin per locker.
Lifetime validity.
The password was even crazier.
Eighteen digits.
Hieroglyphics included.
How was William supposed to remember that?
Easy.
First letters of the full phrase “Producers, hello, everyone.” Upper and lower case.
Add a circle.
And a chicken symbol.
Forget that?
Not a chance.
One less thing to worry about.
William watched his money dwindle.
Gold coins were disappearing fast.
He needed to open a shop when he got back.
Expenses were piling up.
That thought annoyed him.
Then he got cornered.
A group of locals.
Tourist district.
Foreign face.
He’d walked out of an expensive hotel.
Money.
Alone.
No backup.
Perfect mark.
They herded him into an alley, speaking French, gesturing aggressively.
Then they saw the gun.
They scattered like roaches.
William holstered his weapon and headed back to the Hotel.
Lunch was decent.
He was glad he wasn’t in England.
British food was…
The doorbell rang.
A man in black handed him a package and left.
Inside: several fake IDs.
Ten gold coins.
A property deed.
A phone.
At the bottom of the box, a card.
Elegant handwriting.
“Welcome to the team.
Looking forward to your contributions.
Thank you for joining.” A small joker symbol at the corner.
William felt no joy.
No relief for his wallet.
All this for a new hire?
The organization was massive.
And the job they had in mind must be terrifying.
He was tagged now.
But if the Joker was The Harbinger, who was the King?
He clutched the phone and thought.
Time to go home.
Business was done here.
Back to his assets.
He booked a flight for tomorrow.
He’d paid for three nights, so he might as well stay.
Waste not.
But rest wasn’t guaranteed.
Twenty minutes later, another knock.
A Hotel deputy stood outside.
“Apologies for the disturbance, Mr.
Stanley.
We need your help.” The conference room was packed.
Documents everywhere.
Photos on the board.
William blended in.
A man named Kaze stood at the front, calm on the outside, panicked within.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we need a favor.” He scanned the room.
“Two days ago, Duke Nathan’s daughter was taken.
We’ve located her.” “She’s safe now.
The Duke is furious.
He wants them gone.
Your opportunity.” “The targets are on the table.
Questions?” “Who says we help?” A curly-haired man spoke.
“Two million dollars.
Private contract.
Off the books.
Leave now, and you’re out.” The room went quiet.
Heavy breathing.
Two million.
Once-in-a-lifetime job.
Seventeen people here.
Even split, that was over a hundred grand each.
And not everyone would make it out.
Kaze smiled.
He handed out sheets of paper.
“Write down what you need.” Most needed nothing.
Their gear was already here.
William was the odd one out.
He’d come with nothing.
He filled out the form.
Glock 17.
9mm rounds.
Familiar.
Reliable.
Half an hour later, they deployed.
Three targets.
A construction site.
A bar.
An old mansion.
The gang’s hideouts.
Now they were goldmines for hungry wolves.
The Hotel’s involvement had tipped Snader off.
When he heard his men had kidnapped the Duke’s daughter, he almost passed out.
Sure, he ran a business catering to high-end clients.
But think before you act!
Kidnap a Duke’s daughter to auction her to…
high-end clients?
Snader couldn’t even imagine the Duke’s face at that auction.
He’d paid some costs.
But he still felt uneasy.
He’d been watching for threats.
Then his scouts reported strangers in the area.
Trouble had arrived.