"Sounds a bit low."
"When you realize the value of a single gold coin, I think your perspective might change, sir."
"Then, I'll be waiting," Morin said.
"If you're sure you want to register as an assassin, I'll need your identification for some paperwork, sir."
The receptionist placed a tray in front of Morin, gesturing for him to put his identification on it.
"Okay." Morin took his ID out of his satchel and placed it on the tray. "Is there anything else?"
"Please wait a moment, sir. You can have a seat over there. Our staff will verify and register your information for you."
The receptionist pressed a button, and within five seconds, a man in a suit walked over, took the tray, and headed toward a side door.
"You can wait over there..." The receptionist was speaking, but his eyes suddenly moved past Morin to look at what was behind him, and the rest of his words got stuck in his throat.
Morin was a little curious.
His sharp hearing had picked up the sound of the Continental Hotel's front door opening behind him, followed by someone walking inside.
Morin hadn't been concerned before, but the receptionist's behavior had successfully piqued his curiosity.
Who could make a Continental Hotel receptionist,
someone who had seen all kinds of assassins and undergone rigorous training, react this way?
Morin waited quietly.
It wasn't until the person stopped behind him that Morin turned slightly to get a look.
Keanu Reeves... no, in this world, it should be the "Boogeyman" John Wick!
Or perhaps, "the strongest dog lover on Earth" would be a more fitting title.
He was the protagonist of the John Wick trilogy.
However, the events of John Wick were supposed to happen a few years later...
Morin paused, thinking about the plot of the movies, which took place five years after Wick had retired.
That meant that at this point in time, Wick was still an active assassin for the Continental Hotel!
"Hmm... come to think of it, Wick was going to leave the Continental eventually. What if I tried to win him over now..."
As he thought this, Morin gave Wick a slight nod and a smile before turning around, heading to the rest area, and taking a seat.
"..." Wick looked at Morin for a moment, thought hard, and realized he had no memory of the man.
"Sir?" the receptionist asked. "Will you be staying for two nights?"
His tone was less formal and polite, tinged with a hint of admiration and respect.
"Yes, two nights," Wick said, taking a gold coin out of his pocket and handing it over.
"Room 613, sir." The receptionist put away the coin and handed Wick a room key card.
"Is that a new guy?" Wick glanced at Morin, who was watching them, and asked the receptionist.
"That gentleman is preparing to register as a new assassin, sir," the receptionist replied. "I can't reveal
anything more... Is he a problem for you?"
"No, just asking," Wick said. "Preparing to register... heh."
Wick took the key card and walked away from the front desk toward the elevator. He pressed the button and waited for it to arrive.
Just then, the side door opened, and the man in the suit returned with the tray.
"Sir, please come get your identification," the receptionist said politely to Morin.
Wick, who was waiting for the elevator, turned to look in Morin's direction.
It wasn't that he felt any particular connection to Morin.
He had come to find the owner of the New York Continental Hotel to ask about revoking his assassin status.
A few days ago, Wick had met a woman he felt was worth protecting for the rest of his life.
So, he planned to retire from the assassin world and become a normal person. He wanted to be with her, get married, have children, and live a life completely different from his current one of living by the sword.
"Here is your identification." The receptionist handed Morin his documents back.
"Your information has been recorded. Congratulations, you are now a probationary assassin. After you complete one qualifying mission, you will be officially registered and have access to all the hotel's services."
"Also, here are your five gold coins." The receptionist took out five gold coins and a small white booklet, placing them in front of Morin.
"The gold coins are very valuable and difficult to acquire, but their value is immense. This booklet contains all the hotel's rules and the privileges you currently have. Please read it carefully."
"I need to emphasize one more thing," the receptionist said, "fights and bloodshed are absolutely forbidden inside the hotel."
The receptionist stressed the words "inside the hotel."
"Sounds good," Morin nodded, taking four of the gold coins. "How long can one coin get me a room?"
"Five days, sir." The receptionist looked at the coin. "Did I not tell you the coins are very valuable?"
"Yes, you did. Don't doubt yourself," Morin said, gripping the four coins in his slender fingers, tightening and then opening his hand. The coins had vanished. "But aren't gold coins meant to be used?"
"You're right." The receptionist smiled, taking the coin Morin had left behind.
How Morin chose to spend his money was of no great concern to him, and he had already warned Morin. His duty was fulfilled.
"Hey kid, you don't look like you'll make it through a mission anyway. Why not give me those four gold coins, and I'll take you on a mission? What do you say?"
Just then, a man with a beard walked over and said to Morin, "I guarantee I can get you through a mission!"
"How do you know I can't?" Morin asked with a smirk, looking at him. "Are you that strong? Can you beat that guy over there?"
As he said "that guy," Morin raised his chin toward Wick.
"You..." The bearded man was speechless.
He didn't expect Morin's retort to be so direct, and more importantly, he truly didn't dare to say he could beat Wick, not even as a boast.
The title "Boogeyman" wasn't something you bragged about; it was a title earned through killing!
"Exactly, how can you say that?"
A woman walked over and, in what she thought was a seductive tone, leaned close to Morin's ear. "The little brother is very confident... How about we go outside and talk?"
"Old woman, please stand back. I really don't want to smell the scent of that cheap perfume you can buy for a few bucks."
With that ruthlessly honest remark, Morin successfully changed the female assassin's expression.
"But, you do have a point," Morin said after a moment's thought.
"Let's go outside and have a nice long talk."
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