Chapter 195 Marriage Alliance
Silent Strike's message popped up: [Hey, you there?]
Kaelen replied simply: [Yes.]
The reply came: [Thanks for picking up my contract. Been a while since I've had work.]
'With your 10% success rate, who else would hire you unless they had an ulterior motive?' Kaelen thought wryly.
[I'm guessing you're a woman?] Kaelen typed, deciding to have a little fun.
Silent Strike responded: [Sorry to disappoint, but I'm a man,]
Kaelen's intuition screamed otherwise. A real man wouldn't announce it so bluntly; he'd likely play along, maybe even try to use it to his advantage.
[Right. You've seen the details of the contract?] Kaelen asked.
[Yep, assassinate Skyview, chairman of the Twin Group in Golden Isle City. Half a million dollars? I'm gonna be rich!]
[Confident?] Kaelen prodded.
[Absolutely!] came the instant reply, followed by a more hesitant one; he continued typing: [Well, maybe not absolutely.]
Kaelen chuckled and typed: [Refreshingly honest.]
Silent Strike scratched his head and typed: [Hey, I'm new to this,]
Kaelen assured: [Listen, I'm not expecting a guaranteed hit. Just give it your best shot. As far as I'm concerned, a genuine attempt is good enough.]
[You're the best, boss! You deserve a bow!] Silent Strike gushed.
Kaelen instructed, sending Hilda's contact information: [Once you're in Golden Valley, contact a woman named Hilda if you need anything.]
[Don't you worry, boss. I'll do my best to take care of Skyview,]
[Good luck. I'm logging off. Goodbye.]
[Later!]
Kaelen shook his head, stifling a laugh. He'd wanted an unreliable assassin, but Silent Strike was almost comically inept.
After logging off, Kaelen called Hilda.
"Hilda, I've found your hitman," Kaelen announced, barely able to contain his amusement.
"And?" Hilda pressed. "Is he any good?"
"Silent Strike, ranked fifth on the entire dark web. Very famous," Kaelen deadpanned, struggling to keep a straight face.
"Silent Strike?" Hilda echoed, bewildered, thinking, 'The fifth-ranked assassin is named Silent Strike?'
"You have to understand, assassins, they're a quirky bunch," Kaelen explained, his tone serious. "Besides, Silent Strike is incredibly skilled."
"Alright…" Hilda said, unsure what to make of this.
"When Silent Strike arrives in Golden Valley, he might reach out to you for assistance," Kaelen continued. "Hitmen, they're not miracle workers. Especially in unfamiliar territory, they need cooperation from their client."
"Understood," Hilda replied, a strange mix of anticipation and unease swirling within him.
The following day, Kaelen, freshly groomed and impeccably dressed, arrived at the restaurant to meet an important guest: Mr. Link from Golden Isle City, a man of considerable influence.
The Link family, an old and prestigious clan, had long-standing ties with the Darkmoon family. Their power and reach dwarfed even that of the Darkmoons. After all, capital, no matter how vast, ultimately relied on the state's apparatus for true power. Without the military might of the state, capital was toothless.
Recently, the Link family had been exploring the possibility of a marriage alliance with the Darkmoon family, with Kaelen as the prospective groom. This was the reason for Kaelen's visit to Golden Isle City.
For Kaelen, such alliances were merely transactions devoid of any romantic notions. Marriage, in his eyes, was simply another business deal.
Mr. Link, whose given name was Nicholas, was a remarkable young man, one of the most promising members of the Link family. His sister was the most likely candidate for the proposed alliance, which meant Nicholas could one day become Kaelen's brother-in-law.
This potential familial connection, coupled with Nicholas' own standing, earned him Kaelen's respect. As soon as Kaelen spotted Nicholas' luxurious car pulling up, he rose to greet him personally.
"Mr. Link, it's been two years! You haven't aged a day!" Kaelen boomed, a wide smile plastered on his face as he approached Nicholas. "Your work with the blockchain economy is truly impressive. I've heard nothing but good things!"
"Kaelen, the feeling is mutual!" Nicholas replied, his eyes appraising Kaelen with an approving glint. He was here on behalf of his family to evaluate the potential groom, and so far, he was impressed.
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