The High Table judge found the Marquis admiring a painting.
He stepped forward and presented a challenge letter from Alex Ray, stating, "This is a challenge letter from Alex Ray of Hell's Kitchen. According to High Table rules, you must accept the challenge."
At first, the Marquis showed no concern. He spread his hands and crossed his legs comfortably, saying, "According to High Table protocol, individuals who are not affiliated with any established family cannot initiate a challenge."
The judge bowed his head respectfully and replied, "Today, the High Table unanimously agreed that the Fisk family will replace the D'Antonio family of New York as a new branch. By those regulations, Alex Ray is here to challenge you on behalf of the Fisk family."
Hearing this, the Marquis's previously carefree expression dropped sharply.
Though outwardly calm, the weight of Hell's Kitchen's power—embodied by Alex Ray—was unmistakable.
The Marquis was no longer relaxed; standing with hands on hips, his eyes dulled as he recalled his recent humiliating retreat.
As a High Table marquis, he knew refusal was impossible. The judge then laid out Wilson Fisk's (Kingpin's) demands—those of Alex Ray, his godson.
First, compensation of $500 million.
Second, John Wick's freedom.
Third, the complete reconstruction of the Continental Hotel in New York, at the Marquis's expense.
Of course, all these conditions hinged on Alex Ray's victory.
The Marquis stared at the painting before him and reluctantly agreed. He realized just how costly it would be to provoke Hell's Kitchen.
He then proposed they discuss the duel at the Eiffel Tower tomorrow at noon.
"I will inform Mr. Alex Ray," the judge said before turning to leave.
The Marquis remained, deep in thought.
. . . . . .
Hell's Kitchen, Good Luck Restaurant
"Alright, got it." Alex Ray ended the call. John Wick and Winston waited anxiously.
Alex Ray spoke slowly, "The Marquis has agreed to the conditions and will come to Paris tomorrow to discuss the duel."
John Wick and Winston exchanged relieved looks. They hadn't expected Alex to secure such outrageous terms from the High Table.
"France is the Marquis's territory. Are you sure he'll participate willingly?" Winston asked, clearly concerned.
"Of course I know it's his turf, and I know he won't let me duel him without a fight. He knows who would lose if it came to a real duel." Alex smiled faintly.
Alex understood the Marquis's plan: use family influence to gather assassins and kill him before the duel.
The Marquis wanted Alex dead—and Alex wanted the Marquis gone. Not just the Marquis, but his entire faction.
If Alex moved to New York, it would provoke endless retaliation. While he wasn't afraid, it would still cause problems.
So the best plan was to kill them all at once. Going to their territory would show who truly had the power. To get involved in Paris, influence and strength were key—and Alex had enough people in Hell's Kitchen to call on.
"Pack up. John and Marcus are coming with me to Paris for the operation. Winston, you stay here with Pietro and wait for good news."
Alex rose to prepare.
. . . . . .
The next day at noon, Alex and John Wick arrived punctually. Confirmed by the High Table messenger, the Marquis sat with crossed legs at the duel table, waiting.
Seeing Alex and John, the source of his troubles, resentment flickered across the Marquis's face before he masked it with a smile.
"Mr. Alex Ray, you are indeed a formidable man. The incident in Hell's Kitchen was my fault. I will pay the $500 million in compensation.
If you hand John Wick over to me, I will pretend nothing happened.
After all, you're now a member of the High Table, like me. No need to sacrifice everything for an insignificant assassin, right?"
Alex took the seat opposite the Marquis. Ignoring him, Alex spoke quietly to Caine behind the Marquis in Japanese: "The community college in Hell's Kitchen is ready to recruit students." It was a discreet message to let Caine know his daughter was safe.
Alex hadn't wanted to use such an obvious code. Even in Japanese, there was risk, and the Marquis might guess the meaning. But since Caine was blind and couldn't see gestures, Alex had to use sound.
The Marquis overheard and looked confused between Alex and Caine. He hadn't expected their connection, his expression darkening.
Caine clearly understood the message but remained expressionless, giving the impression he ignored Alex.
At that moment, Alex's internal system pinged:
"Ding."
"Congratulations, host. Successfully added Caine as a friend."
"Attribute acquired: Swordsmanship Lv7."
"Caine's favorability increased to two stars."
"Attribute acquired: Hearing Enhancement Lv8."
"Caine's favorability increased to three stars."
"Attribute acquired: Martial Arts Mastery Lv7."
"Merge now?"
"Yes," Alex mentally replied. Caine's daughter was clearly very important to him.
Returning to the conversation, Alex asked the Marquis, "Sorry, I didn't catch what you said."
The Marquis narrowed his eyes, displeased by Alex's indifferent tone. He wanted to kill this fool but restrained his anger.
"It's simple. I mean, you can hand over John Wick…"
Alex shook his index finger, interrupting, "No matter what you say, John Wick is my friend. People from Hell's Kitchen protect their own. I just need to confirm that you want to kill my friend. So stop wasting time. Let's start."
As Alex finished, the system chimed again in his mind:
"Ding."
"Congratulations, host. John Wick's favorability increased to three stars."
"Attribute acquired: Assassination Mastery Lv10."
"John Wick's favorability increased to four stars."
"Attribute acquired: Driving Mastery Lv9."
"John Wick's favorability increased to five stars."
"Attribute acquired: Dog Breeding Lv10."
"Merge now?"
"Instant merge."
Alex immediately felt the mental image of a human skeleton, identifying likely weak points.
Seeing the dog-breeding mastery, Alex grinned. John Wick really loved dogs; his skill was almost maxed out. He even had a dog at home.
The system's prompt confirmed that John Wick truly regarded him as a good friend.
Hell's Kitchen was welcoming a legendary killer again—albeit a retired one.
The Hell's Kitchen school might add a self-defense class soon, with John Wick as the instructor. New York was chaotic enough to warrant it; kids needed to learn how to protect themselves.
"Alright, if you're determined to go against me, then you and your friends will all go to hell together."
The Marquis's patience snapped; he no longer cared about High Table rules.
With a wave of his hand, countless assassins who had been lying in ambush rushed out from all directions. Two helicopters appeared overhead.
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T/N : This John Wick Plot Will Be over in next 3 Chapters and Will be back to Marvel plot
Bonus Chapter - 150 Power Stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones