Chapter 197 The City That Never Sleeps
"Quentin, what exactly do you want?"
Elbert asked, stifling a sigh.
Quentin gestured toward the unconscious delivery man. "You're strong, mate. Six of them down, counting this bloke. I want to see who's stronger." He puffed out his chest.
"But don't worry," he added quickly. "Assassin of assassins only kills assassins. Today, I just want to fight!" He frowned, struggling with his pronunciation.
"YVeridianian words… are very hard."
Before Elbert could respond, a figure shot out from the bushes with twin daggers. The second assassin had arrived.
Elbert's brow furrowed. This was getting out of hand.
Suddenly, a pair of headlights pierced the darkness, blinding the approaching assassin. An engine roaring echoed as the SS454, Robert's modified masterpiece turned on.
Blinded and disoriented, the assassin never saw it coming. The impact sent him flying through the air.
Elbert sprang forward, catching the assassin in mid-air. He landed gracefully, the assassin's body crumpling beneath him. One swift move, and the assassin was unconscious.
Quentin gaped at the scene, his eyes wide with admiration. He exclaimed, "How strong and fast! Now, fight me!"
Elbert ignored him, pulling a playing card – the eight of clubs – from the unconscious assassin's pocket. The SS454 rolled to a stop beside him.
"Come on!" Quentin urged, hefting his baseball bat. He was practically vibrating with excitement, looking at Elbert.
"Another time," Elbert said, already climbing into the car. "I'm not in the mood for games tonight."
"No!" Quentin wailed. "You can't leave just like that!"
Elbert sighed. "Beat him first," he said, "then we'll talk."
'You think I'm easy to deal with?'
Quentin scanned the area, confused.
Then, he felt chills down his spine.
Standing behind him, a young man with shadowed eyes stared at him blankly, dragging the third assassin's body with one hand.
"Huh?" Quentin blinked, momentarily stunned. Then, his eyes lit up. "Right, then! Second base!"
He spun around, swinging his bat with all his might.
A silver blur met the bat head-on, the impact reverberating through the air. Dust billowed as both figures staggered back.
Quentin's bat, imbued with enough force to shatter concrete, was held fast. Gripped tightly in a silver-plated mechanical hand.
"Shame you're not as handsome as me," the young man said, tilting his head with amused eyes.
"Summer," Elbert called from the car. "Let Officer Reed deal with the assassins. This one… he doesn't meet the criteria."
"Sure thing, bro," Summer replied, his gaze never leaving Quentin. "Just gonna have a little fun first."
Elbert nodded and slipped into the car. As the SS454 sped away, Quentin's voice echoed after them.
"Paul Three!" he shouted. "I will find you after I defeat the boy!"
Elbert chuckled, shaking his head. The man was a force of nature. Still, he had to admit; Quentin was impressive.
Even from a distance, he could hear their battle across the graveyard.
The Wavehaven riverside was a kaleidoscope of neon lights and pulsating music. Dozens of upscale bars and nightclubs lined the waterfront, catering to the city's elite and those seeking a taste of the high life.
Elbert frowned, leaving the SS454 in front of a swanky establishment called "SOUL Queen." The atmosphere here was… unsettling.
He drew a few stares as he approached the entrance. His meticulously styled hair, sharp jawline, and tailored white shirt marked him as a man of discerning taste.
However, it was his eyes that truly captivated the attention of the club-goers. They held a depth and intensity that hinted at a hidden power; hidden strength that set him apart from the preening peacocks frequenting such establishments.
"Who is that?"
"He's gorgeous!"
"And he's alone…"
A group of women, their eyes interested, watched him approach.
"Back off, ladies," a beautif brunette announced, playful warning, "He's mine."
Like their male counterparts, these women were seeking a different kind of conquest.
"Seriously, Phoebe?" one of her friends giggled. "You're practically drooling."
"He's worth it," Phoebe insisted, her eyes never leaving Elbert. "I'd buy him a drink. Hell, I'd buy him the whole bar if he asked."
"Easy there, tiger," another friend teased. "What happened to playing it cool?"
"Some prizes," she said in a husky voice, "are worth breaking the rules for."
She paused, looking frustrated. "Damn it, he's heading into SOUL Queen."
A collective groan rippled through the group.
"He's after her too?"
"Like every other man in Wavehaven."
"What's so special about her anyway?"
The arrival of a new dancer at SOUL Queen a few nights ago had caused a stir, to say the least. Men flocked to the club, desperate for a glimpse of the enigmatic beauty who had captivated the city's attention.
Phoebe said bitterly, "She's just… more prettier. Sexier. Everything we're not."
The other women murmured in agreement. They felt invisible, like wildflowers overshadowed by a prize-winning rose.
"Let's go somewhere else," one of them suggested in defeat. "There's no competing with that."
Phoebe glared at SOUL Queen's entrance, her jaw set with determination. "Fine," she said. "Let him go. He'll be back. They always come crawling back."
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