Paris, beneath the Eiffel Tower, was now a scene of chaos. The acrid smell of gunpowder and blood filled the air, and the ground was littered with craters and shattered stones.
The bodies of assassins lay scattered everywhere, a testament to the fierce battle that had just taken place.
John Wick and Master Ye, having dealt with their own adversaries, made their way toward Chen Ye.
As they approached, they saw only the Marquis's lifeless body and Chen Ye standing solemnly nearby. Master Ye offered a rare smile.
"Thank you, Chen. Thank you for saving my daughter and taking down the Marquis. It's finally over. Come on, I'll treat you to some noodles."
Chen Ye, his expression heavy, shook his head. "It's not over yet. Before he died, the Marquis launched a nuclear missile at Paris. He wants the entire city to be buried with him."
John Wick and Master Ye absorbed his words, their thoughts converging on the same chilling realization—the Marquis intended to take the entire city down with him.
"Is there a way to stop it?" John Wick asked, his tone as calm as ever.
Chen Ye felt a sense of relief. Their first reaction wasn't to flee. Despite being cold-blooded assassins, they wouldn't abandon innocent lives.
That was something Chen Ye could respect. He valued loyalty in friends and had no tolerance for senseless killing.
After all, in his previous life, he had been an ordinary person. He understood how fragile life was in a world filled with superheroes.
One moment, you're working to pay off your car loan; the next, your vehicle is collateral damage in a battle between superhumans.
Or worse, you're just walking down the street when an alien invasion wipes you out. If he could prevent innocent casualties, he would.
---
French Government
"Report to the leader! A nuclear missile is set to strike the capital in ten minutes!" A uniformed officer burst into the leader's office, his voice urgent.
"What?!" The French leader shot up from his chair. "Who is behind this? Are they trying to start World War III? Begin evacuation immediately! Contact our intelligence agencies—see if we can intercept the missile!"
"Leader, it's not safe here anymore. We must evacuate at once!" another officer insisted. Just then, the head of intelligence entered the room.
"Sir, we've identified the source. The missile was launched by Vincent de Gramont, the Marquis of the Paris High Table. The exact origin is unclear, but our teams are working on a countermeasure. If it reaches the city, half of Paris will be obliterated."
"There's no time for mass evacuation! Mobilize a suicide air force—detonate the missile in the sky if necessary!" The leader's voice was firm.
Then, turning coldly to his staff, he added, "And get the military to pay a visit to the High Table. I want answers."
---
High Table Headquarters – Casablanca
At the High Table's headquarters, hidden in the desert near Casablanca, the council was in uproar.
"What the hell is the Marquis doing? First, he kills our emissary, and now he launches a nuclear missile? Is he trying to destroy the High Table itself?!" one elder shouted.
Elder Makutum remained composed. "Priority one: remove the Marquis from the High Table. Publicly, we declare him a traitor. Priority two: neutralize the missile. If we fail, we all suffer."
An elder from Hongmen leaned forward. "Isn't Kingpin's godson on-site? Doesn't he have powers? See if he can handle it. If he succeeds, every member of the High Table will owe him a favor."
Silence followed. The idea had merit. Elder Makutum hesitated only briefly before picking up his phone and dialing a number.
---
Chen Ye's Perspective
Chen Ye's phone buzzed. He answered swiftly.
"Mr. Chen Ye, this is Elder Makutum from the High Table. The missile will strike in nine minutes. Can you stop it?" the elder asked directly.
Chen Ye exhaled. "I'm working on a solution, but my own life isn't in danger. Asking me to handle it alone is a tall order."
"If you do, the entire High Table will owe you a favor," Makutum offered.
"Even without your promise, I would do everything in my power to stop it. I won't let innocent people die." Chen Ye hung up. His mind raced.
Chaos magic? No—too large a scale, and his mana reserves weren't enough. High-speed movement? No—he couldn't evacuate an entire city in time. He felt the sting of his limitations.
Then an idea struck him. If magic wouldn't work… perhaps science would.
He quickly dialed a number. "Tony Stark, pick up!"
---
Stark Industries
"Well, if it isn't Mr. Chen Ye from Hell's Kitchen! You've been making waves in the underworld lately. So, have you found your mastermind yet?" Tony Stark's voice carried its usual teasing edge.
"No time for that now. A nuclear missile is set to hit Paris in under ten minutes. I'm in Paris. If you want the mastermind's name, help me stop this thing!"
On the other end, Tony's demeanor shifted instantly. "Jarvis, scan for incoming nukes aimed at Paris."
A flood of data filled Tony's screen. His eyes narrowed. "Got it. Now, listen up—there are only two ways to fix this: either the missile doesn't explode, or we detonate it somewhere safe."
"So? Can you do it?" Chen Ye pressed.
Tony scoffed. "Don't insult me. I'm already cracking the launch protocol. Just give me a minute."
Seconds ticked by. Then, at the last minute—
"Done. Redirecting the missile to detonate over the Pacific Ocean—no casualties within a hundred kilometers. Crisis averted." Tony's fingers left the keyboard.
---
French Government Headquarters
"Leader, someone has changed the missile's trajectory! It's now heading toward the Pacific Ocean. Paris is safe!"
The French leader sagged into his chair, exhaling deeply. Then his expression hardened. "Get me in contact with the High Table. I want to have a word with whoever is in charge."
Read 20 Chapters in advance at:
P@treon.com/FanficSage