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Volume One Begins

Chapter 0001 Nightfire Bar

Chengdu, late at night.

William Carter sat at the bar of a nightclub called ‘Nightfire’, drinking. This was his fifth day in Chengdu.

He liked alcohol, liked the atmosphere of this club, and liked listening to the pounding music inside even more.

“Are you here alone?”

A woman in her twenties sat down next to William Carter, smiling at him.

William Carter was handsome and attractive, with fair skin, thick eyebrows, big eyes, and lips that naturally curled up at the corners. Even when he kept a straight face, it looked as if he were smiling. His charming smile easily made people feel good about him—at least, to strangers. For those who knew him, his smile was enough to send chills down their spine.

Because he was a killer—a killer who could take lives without batting an eye.

William Carter turned his head, looking at the woman in confusion, and asked, “Do we know each other?”

The woman wasn’t exactly beautiful, but she was far from unattractive. She wore a cool, midriff-baring top and hot pants that showed off her shapely, long legs. Her sexy outfit made her figure look even more alluring. She smiled slightly and shook her head, saying, “I’m a waitress here. I’ve seen you come in alone to drink for several days in a row.”

“Oh!” William Carter swirled his glass and grinned, saying nothing more. He was smart—much smarter than most people. Anyone who caught his attention, he could remember at a glance, even after years had passed. But in this world, very few people could catch his attention.

William Carter’s smile drew people in, but when you actually interacted with him, you could clearly sense the coldness behind that smile—a coldness that came from deep within his bones.

“From your accent, you’re not from Chengdu, are you? What brings you here? Business trip?” The woman seemed very interested in William Carter, ignoring his indifference and asking in a friendly, familiar way.

William Carter stared at his glass, remaining silent. If he didn’t want to talk to someone, he wouldn’t say a single extra word.

Just as the woman was starting to feel awkward, a large hand suddenly reached out from behind William Carter and landed on his shoulder. At the same time, a rough voice sounded behind him: “Buddy, this seat is taken. Move it!”

Hearing this, both William Carter and the woman turned their heads at the same time.

Behind William Carter stood four young men dressed like street punks. Nothing else about them caught William Carter’s attention, except for their four shiny bald heads, which looked like four big light bulbs lined up behind him. Seeing these four, the woman’s face immediately showed disgust, but her eyes also revealed a hint of fear and respect.

William Carter looked confused and said, “I’ve been sitting here the whole time.”

“The whole time?”

“Yes!” William Carter replied seriously, “It’s been five days.”

“Heh heh…” The bald man with his hand on William Carter’s shoulder sneered, pointing his thumb at his own nose. “Damn it, my brothers and I have been hanging out here for five years. Kid, if you know what’s good for you, get lost and don’t cause trouble, or you’ll regret it!” As he spoke, he lifted his shirt slightly, revealing a hidden knife tucked underneath.

William Carter stared straight at the knife. After a moment, he seemed to swallow nervously and stood up, smiling, “This seat is indeed yours.” With that, he picked up his glass and walked toward an empty table in the distance.

“Hahaha—” Watching William Carter ‘flee in panic’, the four bald men burst into wild laughter. Then, with a shake, they crowded around the woman on both sides.

The woman was deeply disappointed by William Carter’s cowardice. Looking at the four bald men, her disgust only grew. She made to get up and leave, but the leading bald man grabbed her wrist and leered, “Grace, where are you going? Why are you leaving as soon as we show up?”

The woman yanked her hand free and snapped, “I have to work!”

The bald man grinned insincerely and said, “When that pretty boy was sitting here, you didn’t seem to be working. You were all smiles and chatty with him. But as soon as we show up, you want to work? Grace, you’re not giving us any respect!”

“Yeah, that’s right!” the other three bald men chimed in.