Galon frowned as he watched Kaledo's overt and unmasked actions, aware that he had put this once friend under significant pressure. Glancing at Effie, who was looking down and dared not meet his eyes, he sighed internally, knowing that their relationship was likely over from this point on.
"I've got some things to do, so I'll be leaving first. Have fun," Galon said.
"Aren't you alone, Galon? Why don't you join us? It's more fun with more people," Kaledo, having achieved his aim, looked at Galon and suddenly smiled relaxedly, patting Effie on the buttocks as if to show off to Galon.
"No thanks, I've got some things to handle. You guys have fun. We'll catch up some other time when I'm free," Galon said, not wanting to engage further, and quickly walked away.
Soon, he left the two behind and turned into a street on the left, where a red sedan slowly pulled up beside him. The car door opened, and Gores stepped out from the driver's seat.
"Lord Galon, I apologize for being late."
Gores was dressed in a white blouse with a black OL suit, her slender legs wrapped in black stockings, and her dyed brown hair smoothly draped over her shoulders, exuding a beautiful and cold temperament.
Standing together, Galon and Gores, with their matching red eyes, looked like a perfect couple.
"It's alright. I just got here too," Galon said, looking around. The street was less crowded, with only a few children laughing and chasing each other in the distance, seemingly playing hide and seek.
"How have things been these past few days?"
"Nothing has happened," Gores replied respectfully, standing by Galon's side, almost resembling the relationship between a boss and his secretary, "Perhaps the other party has investigated my company identity. But meeting me so openly, letting them know, is this okay?"
"It's fine. This matter couldn't be kept secret forever; they would find out sooner or later. We might as well tell them directly. I also want to make contact with the people from Gold Ring," Galon leaned against the car, speaking indifferently, "After all, I'm not alone."
"Moreover, they will definitely come looking this time. My identity as Mr. Kelly can easily infiltrate the Mercury Detective Agency. Even if they don't come seeking revenge, they might seek cooperation. I suspect cooperation is more likely. Don't worry, if they come, there shouldn't be any significant danger. If Gold Ring was just an organization making enemies everywhere, they wouldn't have lasted so long. But you still need to carry a firearm, as danger often comes when one least expects it."
"Understood."
Gores lowered her head, suddenly feeling as if the person standing in front of her was not a sixteen-year-old high school student but a mature man in his thirties or forties. The contrast between his age and temperament left her feeling a bit uneasy.
"Could there really be such a thing as a genius in this world?" Recalling her own journey from an ordinary girl to her current state, Gores felt somewhat disheartened.
"What's wrong? Get in the car. Take me to the antique shop. Pick me up at four in the afternoon and take me to the dojo's main branch. Don't wander off alone, okay?"
"Got it," Gores couldn't help but laugh, feeling like she was being treated as a child by Galon, who seemed more like an elder, "I have a gun!" she argued a bit defiantly.
"Sure, sure," Galon said nonchalantly as he opened the car door and got in.
Gores took a deep breath, reminding herself not to get angry, feeling an urge to kick Galon.
The car started slowly, turning into a corner and disappearing.
By a fast-food restaurant on the street corner, Kaledo and Effie walked out, Kaledo scoffing in the direction Galon had left.
"See? He really knows how to play it cool. Acting all low-key at school but living it up outside, with beautiful women and luxury cars just as accessories. Tsk tsk... Look at that car model, you couldn't even dream of it without several tens to hundreds of thousands."
He felt a bit sour inside. Even with the allowance his parents gave him, it was nowhere near enough to afford such a car. And the way that cold, beautiful woman was so respectful towards Galon made him even more envious.
Looking at Effie by his side, who was inferior in both looks and figure to that woman, he suddenly felt a surge of irritation.
Slap!
He smacked Effie on the buttocks.
"Let's go! Hurry home!"
Effie didn't speak, just silently followed Kaledo.
Ever since Kaledo had a fallout with his friends over her, his personality had become increasingly strange. At first, she could still seduce him, but now she felt increasingly insecure about her attractiveness.
Watching Galon drive off with the beautiful woman, she felt a vague sense of emptiness, wondering if all her efforts had been meaningless.
The two disappeared around the corner, blending into the streetscape.
In the evening.
Galon sat in the car on the way back, with Gores driving quietly beside him. The dim yellow light of the street lamps intermittently flashed across their faces.
The car moved slowly, occasionally overtaken by other vehicles, even a horse carriage sped past.
As the car turned into a quiet side street, a person suddenly stepped out, blocking the way.
"There's someone ahead!" Gores said in a low voice.
"Here they come..." Galon, who had been resting with his eyes closed, quickly opened them and looked straight ahead.
The man standing in the middle of the street was slender, wearing a grey-white trench coat and a black flat-top haircut, resembling a private detective.
The car stopped about three meters away from him.
Galon got out of the car, signaling Gores to stay inside, and walked directly towards the trench-coated man.
He noticed the man wore a gold earring in his right ear, similar to number 102, but covered with a white adhesive bandage at the spot where the number would be.
"Did you kill 102?" the man asked first, "I'm here to represent and talk to you." His voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't spoken for a long time.
"Talk? About what?" Galon was momentarily taken aback, not expecting the other party to suggest a conversation instead of immediate hostility, "I killed one of your people, and you're not planning to seek revenge?"
"You could make some compensation; we don't intend to be enemies with you. We've thoroughly investigated the incident at the Dolphin Antique Shop and acknowledge our mistake," he gestured apologetically, "You and that detective don't really have a good relationship, especially since he left you alone at the Silver Gauze Castle."
"That's true. We really don't need to be in conflict; it's a meaningless struggle."
Galon nodded.
"So, I've come with our sincerity. Let's consider the past incident settled," the trench-coated man stood straight, clapping his hands lightly.
As the clapping ended, a group of burly men emerged from the side alley, armed with knives and daggers, laughing coldly as they quickly surrounded Galon and the car.
The trench-coated man chuckled.
"You can call me 101. Although the organization has ordered not to pursue further, as 102's friend, I've decided to personally test you to see if you're qualified to work with us. I also want to see what you relied on to kill 102."
"Ahh!" Gores suddenly screamed from the car, being tightly held by two men, unable to move, and being dragged towards the riverbank.
This street, alongside the river, had residential buildings on one side and a grey-white embankment on the other.
"What do you want?" Galon's eyes narrowed, his voice cooling.
"I've told you, just a test," 101 smiled, "Your woman is about to die. If you pass the test, I'll let her go. But you need to hurry; a delicate woman hanging there won't last long." He gestured, and one of his men approached Gores with a knife, threatening to cut the hand holding onto the embankment.
"Go ahead, Gores, I'll avenge you."
Bang!
As Galon spoke, he lunged at 101, his arm swelling, his hand clawing through the air with a sharp hiss. His muscular back surged, channeling strength into his right arm.
"Die!" Galon's muscles rippled as he aimed for 101, ready to end the confrontation.