John Wick, having avenged his greatest grievance by killing Iosef Tarasov, returned to the Continental Hotel. His next urgent task was to formally bind himself to Smith Doyle. He needed to meet Winston, receive an authenticated Blood Oath contract, and deliver it to Smith Doyle with the Continental's manager as a witness.
John Wick had just re-entered the hotel lobby and was about to head toward the elevator when he heard the familiar, formal voice of the concierge behind him.
"Mr. Wick!"
Hearing Charon, John Wick stopped, turned, and walked back to the service desk. "What's wrong, Charon?"
Charon, his face perfectly impassive, took out a set of car keys—not for John's Mustang, but for a brand-new vehicle. "Mr. Wick, the Continental Hotel deeply apologizes for the egregious violation of rules that occurred last night. This is the Continental Hotel management's apology for the incident."
Charon pushed the keys to a sleek, black Dodge Challenger across the counter.
John Wick accepted the apology without comment, taking the keys directly. "Please make an appointment with Winston for me. I need to visit him for something important."
After instructing Charon, John Wick headed to his room to clean up before his meeting.
After cleaning up, John Wick went directly to Winston's office.
"Winston," John Wick began without preamble, "I need a Blood Oath Badge."
"By the way," he added, "I need to take the blood oath with you as my witness."
Winston slowly tapped his fingers on his desk, his expression wry. "Jonathan, you really have decided to come back here, haven't you?"
John Wick shook his head, maintaining his cover. "No, this is just a personal thank you. Only the blood oath of a Continental Hotel can appear sufficiently sincere."
Winston looked at him hard. "Jonathan, you're entering here again and even holding a Blood Oath contract. Others won't think you're retiring."
"I need the Blood Oath Badge to increase my sincerity," John Wick insisted, his eyes serious.
Hearing John Wick's unwavering commitment to the ritual, Winston gave up the argument, a knowing smile touching his lips. "It seems you owe a very big favor this time, Jonathan."
"Let's go," Winston said, standing up. "Let me witness your Blood Oath contract this time."
John Wick brought Winston to the door of Smith Doyle's room, 819, and knocked several times.
As the door opened, Winston got his answer: the person John Wick was swearing a Blood Oath to was a member of the legendary Assassin's League. Winston wondered whether John Wick was doing a favor, securing a backer, or both.
Smith Doyle surveyed the two men at the door. "It seems the personal matters have been dealt with?"
John Wick nodded. "Yes, it's done."
"Come in and sit down, both of you," Smith invited.
Once inside, John Wick wasted no time. He took out the freshly minted Blood Oath Badge—a small, circular marker—from his suit.
"Smith, thank you for your help this time. You saved my life," John Wick stated, the sincerity evident. "This Blood Oath contract is the only thing I think might be truly useful to you."
"As long as you activate this contract badge, I will complete the mission, even if it costs me my life."
Winston then spoke, formally authenticating the pact. "This Blood Oath Badge will be signed under the authentication of the Continental Hotel. Those who pledge the Blood Oath and violate the contract will be punished by the Continental Hotel."
Smith Doyle understood the unspoken promise: if John Wick failed to complete the task when the badge was presented, the Continental Hotel would personally send an army of assassins to kill him for breaking the sacred contract.
Looking at John Wick's bloodied fingerprint on the badge, Smith Doyle carefully took the marker and put it away. "I received your thanks. It was very sincere."
Fox, who had been observing the solemn ritual, then chimed in, unable to resist her criticism of his incomplete revenge. "John, have you dealt with Viggo?"
John Wick reported truthfully: "I just had some personal grudges with Viggo's son, and the incident didn't affect him. I let him go after he told me his son's address and canceled the reward."
Fox rolled her eyes, shaking her head at the sloppy conclusion. "Good luck, and I hope Viggo doesn't mind you killing his son."
Winston, too, was speechless at Jonathan's characteristic lack of ruthlessness toward an old friend. "I believe Viggo Tarasov will abide by the agreement between us, but thank you for your reminder."
Just then, Smith Doyle's cell phone rang. It was Cross, the League's sniper.
"GOD, we have already selected the mission scope for you. Please come back and prepare."
"Okay, I got it. I'll be back later," Smith replied, hanging up. He turned back to John Wick and Winston.
"I have something to take care of here. Please help yourselves."
He then gave his final instruction to the manager. "Manager Winston, please tell Charon that I'm checking out."
Smith Doyle looked at Fox. "Fox, go home. We have work to do."
After seeing Smith Doyle and Fox leave, John Wick prepared to meet his old friend, Marcus. He was grateful for the warning shots Marcus had fired the night before, which had given him the opening to defeat Perkins.
Driving the new black Dodge gifted by the Continental, John Wick came to the secluded spot where he often met Marcus.
"Marcus, thank you for saving me at the Continental," John Wick said simply.
Marcus complained playfully. "John, how many more times do you want me to save you?"
Then, his voice dropped to a serious whisper. "But it seems you've made a very powerful friend this time."
Marcus recalled the image caught in his sniper scope: the impossible jump from the high warehouse, the smooth landing while holding a woman. "That guy must be a Captain America in this world. He's so perverted and outrageous. Is that the strength of the Assassin's League?"
John Wick simply reiterated his gratitude. "Thank you very much, Marcus." He chose not to reveal anything about Smith Doyle or the Dragon Balls.
Marcus looked at his friend. "You look in great shape," he observed.
"I'm retired, and this is how I'm retired," John Wick said, sticking to the lie.
Marcus was clearly dissatisfied. "Retire? You still believe that? When you reappear at the Continental Hotel, everyone will think you've returned."
"No one will believe you when you say you're retiring."
Marcus clapped John Wick on the shoulder, his final words a dire warning. "Your dispute with Viggo—do you think no one else got the message? Be prepared, Jonathan. Your story won't end here."
Marcus sighed, turned, and walked away. The conversation, though necessary, was not pleasant.
What both Marcus and John Wick failed to notice was the car parked nearby. Their entire meeting was recorded by one of Viggo Tarasov's men, who had originally been sent to give Marcus a new assignment.
The footage and the details of the conversation were immediately reported to Viggo.