Fox was stunned by Smith's explanation. Today had brought more things she couldn't wrap her head around than any other.
"Quick, let me try that power level detector."
"Is it really that amazing?"
"Let's see what my power level is first."
Smith turned to face her, and the screen quickly displayed a number: 6.
He wasn't surprised in the least. While Fox was stronger than John Wick, that was mostly due to her superior techniques and gunplay. When it came to biological energy, the difference was minor.
"Six points."
Fox blinked.
"Is that… high or low?"
Smith thought for a moment.
"Slightly above the average person."
"Here, compare for yourself."
He took off the scouter and handed it to her.
Fox slipped it on and turned to look at Smith Dole. The number on the lens flickered briefly, then settled.
"Nine points… your power level is 9. That's 1.5 times mine."
"Let's check the others."
Fox shifted her gaze toward the battle still raging inside the small church. The scouter scanned the figures and displayed numbers.
"Five."
"Another five…"
"Whoa, there's even a three…"
"John Wick has a six too? No way."
"I feel like taking him out wouldn't be hard for me."
After trying it out, she handed the scouter back.
Smith put it back on and calmly explained:
"This scouter mostly measures biological energy."
"The higher the energy, the stronger the power level. If your number exceeds an opponent's by 1.3 times, the result is usually a total stomp."
"As for beating John Wick, that's due to our Brotherhood's training. Combat skill isn't factored into these numbers."
Fox nodded, understanding how the scouter evaluated power.
As she admired the device's usefulness, John Wick's battle came to a close. Two women fled the church, and smoke began to rise.
"Smith, looks like John set a fire in there. Viggo's going to lose big."
Smith nodded, but neither he nor Fox cared about the cash, art, antiques, or even the evidence of political corruption burning away.
They watched as John exited the church, but instead of leaving, he found a hiding spot.
"You know," said Fox, "I'm starting to like this guy. He's got good instincts."
John hid inside an abandoned shipping container nearby. He hadn't noticed Smith and Fox on the rooftop.
Soon, Viggo arrived after getting a call from a survivor. He inspected the basement, emerged in a rage, and promptly shot the priest who had helped John access the vault.
"Damn it! Turned it all to ash…"
Viggo turned to his advisor/lawyer.
"Can we recover from this?"
The man shook his head.
"You know what was in that basement."
"The money wasn't the important part."
Viggo fumed.
At that moment, John Wick sprang from the shadows, wielding a Coharie Arms CA-415 assault rifle, and opened fire.
Bang! Bang!
Bullets tore through the air. Viggo ducked behind a car as one of his men dropped dead.
"Shit! Return fire!"
His men responded, drawing guns and firing back. John ducked between cars, firing with deadly precision.
Viggo's men, however, were glorified target practice. Their poor aim did nothing to slow John. He took them down one after another.
Fox, watching through binoculars, commented:
"These goons have zero accuracy. Just wasting bullets and getting slaughtered."
Smith nodded.
"John Wick's a retired Marine, and the Baba Yaga of the Continental. You don't survive that long without true skill."
"And don't forget—he used to work for Viggo's Russian gang."
"He earned his retirement by completing an impossible task."
"Too bad his idiot son blew it all."
As they spoke, John killed eight of Viggo's men. But bad luck struck—one of Viggo's top guys managed to ram John with a car, sending him flying.
Crash!
John didn't die but passed out from the impact.
Fox frowned.
"Smith, your test subject's about to die."
Smith chuckled.
"Relax. He won't."
As the gunfire ceased, Viggo had John tied up and taken to a warehouse for a "chat." Fox was unimpressed.
"Is Viggo brain-dead? Why isn't he killing him?"
Smith replied:
"When facing an enemy, even if they're unconscious—you finish the job."
"Talking too much only gives your enemy time to turn the tables."
If Viggo knew this foolishness would cost him and his son their lives, he might have thought twice.
Smith and Fox followed the group, perching outside a second-story warehouse window. Thanks to Smith's skill, they made no sound at all.
Inside, Viggo had John tied to a chair. His weapons were removed, including the Dragon Ball hidden on him.
Viggo picked up the orb.
"What's this? A kid's toy?"
He tossed it aside, leaving it with the rest of the gear: three knives, four pistols, and two grenades.
Viggo had no clue what he had just thrown away.
As John began to stir, Viggo said:
"Let's be clear—my men are going to tear you to pieces."
A chair was set across from John, and Viggo sat down, preparing to deliver his monologue.
(End of Chapter)
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