John Wick reacted instantly. He lifted the corpse of his German Shepherd and used it to shield his face and vital areas.
BANG!
The sheer force of the impact made him stumble back a step. His bulletproof suit absorbed countless tiny pellets. Without hesitation, he hurled the already mangled corpse of his beloved dog at the attacker.
Seeing the dog's body flying toward him, the hunter couldn't bring himself to shoot it. Instead, he dodged out of the way.
Taking advantage of the moment, John Wick lunged forward. With his right hand, he grabbed for the hunter's rifle barrel, while simultaneously pulling the trigger of his pistol with his left.
Despite his grief, the hunter reacted quickly. The bullet hit his bulletproof vest, and in turn, he fired a shot back with his rifle.
BANG!
The shot nearly struck John Wick's foot.
With a swift jerk, John yanked the barrel upward and smashed an elbow into the hunter's chin. In the same motion, he fired another shot—this time into the hunter's shoulder.
The hunter cried out and dropped his rifle. John seized it instantly.
In one fluid motion, John loaded a fresh round and fired a shot directly at the hunter's face.
BANG!
AAARGH!
The hunter collapsed. To be sure, John fired two more rounds into his head before tossing the rifle beside the body and turning away.
Using the Assassin's League's channels in Osaka, John headed straight for Hong Kong, China.
---
New York
As night fell, a large group had gathered outside the Assassin's League's fortress—envoys from the High Table, Killer Zero and his disciples, and a slew of hired assassins.
One of the High Table envoys shouldered an RPG and aimed at the castle's main gate.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Three rockets blasted the entrance of the textile mill into rubble. Two more slammed into the surrounding walls—damaged, but still standing.
Seeing the shattered gates, the envoy waved his hand and shouted:
"Move in! Kill the target!"
The crowd surged forward, pushing through the gate toward the castle's main entrance.
Suddenly—gunfire erupted.
From the top of the castle walls, hidden defenders opened fire on the intruders.
RAT-A-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT!
Bullets rained from all sides. Those without full body armor were the first to fall—many were shot through the head and died on the spot.
Killer Zero and his disciples, known for melee combat, were wiped out in that very first volley.
The heavily armed High Table envoys returned fire, aiming at the gunmen on the wall. Some hurled grenades up toward the parapets.
RAT-A-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT!
BOOOM! BO0OM! BO0OM!
The courtyard turned into a brutal battlefield. Just then, the castle's doors and windows flew open. Dozens of assault rifles and custom weapons appeared in the openings.
RAT-A-TAT-TAT!
The air filled with fire and lead. Bullets poured out like a metallic storm, cutting down the unprotected assassins in waves.
X, Cross, and Wesley moved through the courtyard like reapers, effortlessly mowing down enemy forces.
Above them, Smith Doyle stood at the castle's highest point, watching it all unfold.
Despite taking heavy casualties, the High Table forces didn't retreat. Instead, they closed ranks and began forming a circle, advancing slowly toward the heart of the castle. From inside, defenders hurled grenades outward.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Using a combat scanner, Smith Doyle scanned the enemy for notable threats. Finding none, and confirming that no reinforcements were arriving, he prepared to join the fight.
Though the League could probably win, it would be a costly victory—and he didn't want to lose more of his people than necessary.
With that, Smith Doyle leapt from the top of the building, aiming straight for the center of the enemy formation.
In the dark, no one noticed him falling from above.
He landed in their midst, grabbed one envoy, and hurled him skyward.
AAAH!
THUD!
One by one, envoys were tossed into the air, only to crash down violently.
The others quickly noticed him and raised their assault rifles to fire, but Smith Doyle was faster—he launched a powerful kick.
THUMP!
The sheer force sent the target flying, knocking over several others like bowling pins.
Smith Doyle unleashed a barrage of attacks.
"Fang Gale Fist!"
With his special technique, his strikes became a flurry of unstoppable blows. Even reinforced helmets shattered under his fists.
Even the best-armored enemies couldn't withstand more than two hits. Meanwhile, X and Cross flanked the remaining enemies, efficiently wiping them out.
Bullets that hit Smith Doyle merely bounced off his unbreakable body—completely ineffective.
Seeing this, one High Table envoy, in desperation, pulled the pins on all his grenades and charged at Smith Doyle.
"If I die, you're coming with me!"
But Smith Doyle had already noticed. He grabbed the man and threw him with all his might.
"No!!!"
The envoy screamed, but there was no stopping it. He was launched out of the compound.
BOOM!
Multiple grenades detonated at once, killing him instantly.
Smith Doyle paused, watching the madness unfold. He couldn't help but admire the High Table's grip over their soldiers.
Still, it only pushed him to fight harder. Before long, all enemy forces had been neutralized.
With the last foe down, Smith Doyle gave the order:
"Get the Cleaners in here. Burn every corpse in the incinerator."
Just then, X walked over, looking at Smith Doyle's unharmed body in awe.
"GOD, you really gave us a surprise tonight," he said. "Putting the League in your hands was the right choice."
Not everyone in the League truly knew Smith Doyle's power—but after tonight, there was no doubt.
Their leader wasn't just strong—he was a god among men.
—End of chapter—
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