The Price of a Bullet

Misha stared blankly at Ming Yu’s retreating back, unable to regain her composure for a long while. Behind her, her husband, Exxon, lay slumped on the sofa, gasping for breath and still trembling with residual fear.

There was a saying that held true: ‘It’s better to glare at an enforcer than to speak ill of a Sea Beast Hunter.’

The city’s enforcers were bound by rules, but these hunters were utterly unrestrained. They battled against surging tides and fierce gales, slaughtered monsters from the deep sea, and lived a life constantly on a razor’s edge.

Perhaps it was because they dared to venture into the hell known as the ocean, or perhaps it was because most of them were already living on borrowed time.

These individuals simply did not fear breaking the law.

They had gambled on Viktor never returning, and the truth proved… they were right, but not entirely.

****

Viktor’s daughter, along with one of the couple’s own, had been used as collateral by Exxon and pawned off to people in the underground casino.

This had all transpired several days prior.

After getting the location, Ming Yu immediately went to a repair shop to retrieve his revolver, then set off directly toward his destination.

At this very moment, his mood was grim, and his physical condition had taken an unexpected turn.

Ming Yu distinctly felt his entire body begin to heat up. His throat was inflamed and ached faintly, making it almost impossible for him to speak.

He even felt as though his clothes had grown somewhat larger.

‘Perhaps the illness is worsening…’

Ming Yu gritted his teeth, harboring no thought of stopping to rest.

The underground casino was not far.

Following the navigation instructions and Exxon’s description, he quickly pinpointed its location.

For the Pharos government, it was far more cost-effective to designate a restricted grey zone to attract most of the city’s unstable elements, rather than funding city-wide security to maintain stability.

This was a grey paradise, where malicious-looking individuals could be seen everywhere.

Ming Yu stepped into the casino, scanning the crowd.

Based on the information Exxon had provided—green hair, gold teeth, a snake tattooed on his forearm, and a cybernetic eye—the target was highly conspicuous.

He immediately locked onto his position.

Ming Yu had never dealt with the people here, nor did he care to understand their ways. He opted for his usual method: pushing through the crowd, walking directly up to the man, and pressing his revolver against his temple.

“‘Tree Python’ Cohn, correct?” Ming Yu inquired, his voice hoarse with pain.

In such a noisy environment, a quiet question like that should have been swallowed by the clamor.

Yet, the area around them suddenly fell silent, plunging into an eerie stillness.

It was the calm before a storm.

“A few days ago, Exxon pawned two girls to you… If I’m not mistaken, you should be looking for buyers right now.”

The girls were only twelve or thirteen; too young to interest most of the usual clientele.

Without waiting for a response, Ming Yu spoke again, breaking the silent tension.

“I’ll buy one girl with a single bullet… A fair trade, wouldn’t you say?”

His face was cold, his eyes as sharp as knives.

The icy metal pressed against Cohn’s temple, and the exaggerated caliber of the gun made him swallow hard.

Cohn had experience with people showing up at his door, and he had been held at gunpoint before.

His modified skin made him immune to police-issued suppressed pistol rounds; even his vulnerable temple could withstand a shot without him dying on the spot.

That was why some on the street jokingly called him ‘The Sports Student’.

However, revolvers of this caliber were an exception.

At close range, a revolver of this size had power comparable to a sniper rifle; there was no way he could withstand it.

‘Seriously? Was this thing even made for a human to wield? Could a normal wrist even handle that recoil?’

Despite his life being threatened, Cohn’s expression remained unchanged, maintaining the same composure he displayed while dominating the gambling tables.

“Are you from the underworld?” He glanced sideways at Ming Yu, probing.

“Sea Beast Hunter.”

“…”

The sudden silence was deafening.

Cohn’s mouth twitched, his eyelids fluttering uncontrollably.

‘What in the world… why would a Sea Beast Hunter come looking for me? I’ve never provoked those desperate lunatics.’

He steadied himself, attempting to find a weakness.

“If you kill someone here, you and your family will be exiled by the Hunter Association… I know you’re not afraid, but what about your family?”

“I have no family and not much time left to live.”

“…”

Just two short sentences made Cohn grasp the reality of the situation.

An unattached, terminally ill, armed thug had inexplicably shown up, pointing an oversized revolver directly at his head.

He could handle villains, but he couldn’t handle a madman.

Cohn took a few deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the horror in his heart, and immediately plastered a strained smile onto his face.

“Since you’re a customer, everything is negotiable, everything can be discussed…”

“The girls Exxon brought, right… Locke, go, bring them over.”

Just as he spoke, Ming Yu abruptly cut him off.

“Take me there.”

He frowned, applying a little pressure and nudging Cohn’s head with the gun barrel.

Upon hearing this, Cohn gave a wry laugh and quickly complied, motioning for his subordinates to clear the way.

Inside the casino, many had stopped their games, chattering as they watched the spectacle.

Tree Python Cohn was a minor boss in the Viper Gang, well-known on the streets. No one had expected him to encounter such a tough opponent, leaving him so submissive and deferential.

Those further away, unable to hear clearly, secretly speculated on what kind of man could make Tree Python humble himself so completely.

“Cough, cough—”

Ming Yu suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, the dark red spatter landing on Cohn’s collar.

Seeing this, the nearby crowd immediately recoiled, afraid of being contaminated by something unclean. The sudden coughing of blood largely dispelled any doubts they had about Ming Yu’s claims.

He was indeed gravely ill, with not much time left.

Cohn’s expression instantly froze. He instinctively wanted to distance himself from this ‘biohazard’, but the cold gun barrel pressed against his forehead abruptly halted his movements.

“Genetic disease. It’s not contagious,” Ming Yu said coldly.

As his words fell, everyone present exchanged glances.

Cohn didn’t know if the man was telling the truth, so he could only grimace and silently pray that he hadn’t contracted some strange illness.

All he wanted now was to get rid of this plague of a man.

“Please follow me.”

****

Tree Python’s hideout was very close to the casino.

Along the way, Ming Yu not only kept the revolver out but also continuously pressed it against Cohn’s head. This attracted the attention of many passersby.

Within a few minutes, Cohn led Ming Yu to the entrance of a foot massage parlor. Behind him, a few young thugs with dyed yellow hair trailed loosely.

He went to the front desk and spoke a few words with the young girl in uniform, his face gradually becoming distorted.

“I told you not to touch my goods, didn’t you understand?!”

A low growl burst from between his teeth, yet he deliberately kept his voice suppressed.

Ming Yu stood nearby, clearly catching the conversation between Cohn and the front desk girl.

“Where are they now? Those two bean sprouts, surely no boss would want them?”

“I’m afraid, Mr. Tree Python…”

“Are you serious right now? Just tell me where they are!”

“Room 404…”

Cohn turned his head, catching Ming Yu’s gaze, which seemed ready to devour him. He immediately shivered and swallowed hard.

“No, don’t shoot, I’ll take you…”

Ming Yu bared his teeth, the surging rage in his eyes slowly transforming into a terrifyingly cold fury.

He suddenly smiled.

“Let’s go. Take me up.”