＜ Episode 19 ＞
Preconceived notions based on first impressions are strong.
John’s ruthless hand, which he thought was an infallible man, was stronger because of this, and thanks to some disabled people, there were no more people blocking his way.
At least that’s the case in this alley.
“Here.”
As John entered the alleyway, a store appeared in his eyes.
A small store in between stores that display all sorts of suspicious items behind bars and intimidate customers with bloody eyes.
It had no distinctive features, no display of goods, and no brutal owner, but that made it all the more conspicuous.
with my daughter
All eyes were on John as he entered with a bell that didn’t match Luna’s back alley at all.
There was a long bar on one side, and at several tables sat men with dignified faces.
‘It’s similar.’
In an atmosphere similar to that of a slum agency, John felt a part of his heart soften without realizing it.
After all, it was a place where I spent three years.
However, unlike the slum’s threatening bald head, the owner of this place was a handsome gentleman in a neat suit, and his presence created an atmosphere similar to, but completely different from, the slum agency.
John looked for a moment at the bartender, who was washing his glasses with a gentle smile that was completely out of place in the back alley, then moved and sat across the bar.
“This is the first time I see you.”
It was only then that he greeted John with the same smile as if he had recognized John’s existence, but John knew at once that he was not an easy person.
‘Eyes aren’t smiling.’
Eye.
The narrowed eyes thanks to the gentle smile gave an impression that made the mind feel comfortable just by looking at them, but the narrowed eyes actually had a cool light.
These people are usually not easy.
Because most of them cover themselves with a smile to catch their opponent off guard and strike a fatal blow.
At least the ones John met did.
After raising the tension in his heart, John met the bartender’s eyes and opened his mouth.
“I was introduced to you by Miller.”
“… Hoo.”
A small light flashed in the bartender’s eyes and quickly scanned John up and down.
The implants attached to the artificial eyes must have scanned John’s appearance and confirmed the information.
“Nice to meet you. Fixer John Doe.”
In the meantime, as if checking John’s information, the bartender opened his mouth with the same smile, and at the same time, John felt the air inside the store change slightly.
‘Those guys over there are bodyguards.’
Two men sitting in a corner seat.
John’s powers let them know that they had let go of the weapons they had hidden in their arms.
“So what do you need?”
“Information.”
John continued, placing a small folded note on the bar.
“I want to know the whereabouts of those who lived here. Be as detailed as possible.”
John’s eyes lit up as he handed over the villa’s address.
“Wait a little.”
The bartender, looking at the note, smiled and turned to head inside the bar, while John leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.
His head was still pounding from the excessive amount of information, but John continued his thinking, thinking that it was much better than the first time, perhaps because he had gotten used to it a little.
If it were a standard method, he would have visited the ward office, looked at the land cadastre, visited the private school that Yekaterina attended, confirmed the date of attendance, and started questioning the students and teachers.
However, it took what Ivan said.
– Also, Igor is a problem. That guy will vaguely know.
Assuming that Igor knew.
Even Ivan, who was speaking, didn’t have a certain tone, but the fact that there was a variable in any case made John decide that he needed to be careful.
Ekaterina’s existence is Ivan’s only weakness that does not kill him even if he kills him.
Ivan, who couldn’t do this or that, had been imprisoned for two years, so from Igor’s point of view, Ivan would be like a thorn in his throat, and it was clear that he would do anything to get rid of it.
What if, in such a situation, John asking for information about Ekaterina was exposed?
‘It will never go over well.’
Like Mipha, there was a high possibility of action rather than words, and John did not want to take that risk.
That’s why he came here.
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Miller was asked for an informational introduction, and Miller readily agreed.
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Miller’s assurances that at least nothing going on in the 56th Ward is unknown here, so I had no choice but to believe it.
And even though it was a short time, Miller, who I worked with, was a man I could trust enough.
“Here it is.”
The bartender, apparently figuring out the whereabouts, placed several sheets of paper on the bar, and John examined the contents without hesitation.
‘Hmm.’
The personal information of the couple, including Ekaterina, the time when they moved, and, crucially, the address where they moved were written, so John’s efforts were not wasted at all.
“Anyway, that’s odd. Did this couple do something? There are quite a few people looking for it lately.”
“···Is that so?”
The bartender muttered in passing, but it was something he could never pass away, and John, who was examining the paper, looked up and met the bartender’s eyes.
Still with a gentle smile and a hint of ignorance, John could bet his fortune on the bartender’s intentional leak.
Quite valuable information.
The information contained in this one was quite useful.
‘There are a lot of people looking for it lately. It might be too late.’
The fact that the couple and Ekaterina were well concealed and that at least one force is after them.
It was unclear what their identity was, but at least one was clear.
‘Pushkin Mafia.’
It must have been Igor’s hand.
The rest of the forces would be those who had interests with Ivan, and it was too early to judge Ivan’s life so far.
The words were spilled by someone who was not aware of the value of such information, so along with gratitude, doubts arose in John’s heart, and he opened his mouth to confirm his intention.
“Thanks for the advice.”
“Not even advice.”
The bartender gave a gentle smile to John, who lightly lowered his head, and whispered softly.
“Think of it as a light courtesy for a competent fixer. We also have quite a bit of work on our side. Someone like you would be a good fit.”
“I will consider it.”
It was a short time, but it was clear that I had a good understanding of John.
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Miller, who has a reputation as a competent broker, is a troubleshooter supported by Miller, and his past record is also stable.
He has smart workmanship that doesn’t seem to come from a slum, so in a way, John might be a better person to work in Area 56 than Area 53.
It would be a pretty good investment from the bartender’s point of view, since John bought the favor with the information he would know if he went to meet the couple anyway.
“See you next time.”
John, who adjusted the device and paid the amount, stood up from his seat, and the bartender bowed his head with the same smile.
***
It was night when the sun had completely set after leaving the back alley.
Street lamps giving off a soft light, different from the flashy lights of District 53, gave off a sense of calm by illuminating the street, but very few people actually crossed the street.
It’s a fairly safe area, but this is also part of Luna.
Leaving aside the alleys full of dangerous guys, wandering around alone at night is tantamount to committing suicide.
And, by the way, if anyone wanders alone in such a place, there’s a high probability that it’s a criminal or someone who deserves it.
“Go to this address.”
“…Tasho.”
Unlike the mild and cheerful taxi driver I met during the day, the taxi driver I met at night looked like a mercenary who had gone through all sorts of hardships.
Scars all over the face and a solid-looking body, as well as weapons worn around the waist, and even a heavy-looking vehicle that was bulletproof and hard to see as a taxi at all.
It was impossible to sit in the front seat, and it was clear that the transparent window separating the back and front seats would have a bulletproof function.
Of course, night taxis are much more expensive.
The fare was almost five times higher than that of a daytime taxi, but neither the taxi driver nor John had any disagreement with it.
Because the taxi driver won’t turn into a robber as much as he gets a high price.
Kururureung.
The taxi that crossed the street making a sound like a tank arrived at a quiet residential area.
“You have arrived.”
“Can you tell which house it is?”
Through the bulletproof glass, John asked the taxi driver who was speaking in a brusque tone.
“…that house.”
After a moment of hesitation, the taxi driver pointed to a house, and John nodded.
Tidik.
The taxi driver asked John, who paid the price for the terminal and went outside.
“Wait?”
John pondered for a moment at the completely unexpected proposal.
Area 56 was completely unfamiliar to John, and it was quite far from the business hotel he stayed at.
Crucially, it was difficult to predict what would happen from this moment on, so mobility was essential.
“Then please.”
It was dizzying considering the price of the taxi, which was profiteering five times, but fortunately, the down payment from Ivan was considerable.
When I handed over cash, not an electronic transaction, the tightly blocked window came down quietly, but was quickly intercepted.
“I can’t wait long.”
“It won’t take long.”
The article that checked the amount said in a blunt tone, but John answered lightly and turned away.
Despair was visible beyond the close-knit houses, and it made me know that this place was on the outskirts of Area 56 as well.
“Looks like you were in a hurry.”
It’s a house that makes me feel sorry to compare it to the villa I visited for the first time.
John took a step through the dim light of the street lamp, as if his lifespan had expired.
＜ Episode 19 ＞ End