Dangerous Associates

Kim Jisoo was no ordinary woman. If anything, my survival this time was because she was somewhat hesitant… no if anything I amused her.

I looked at my status:

[ Name: Nikolai Orlov ]

[ Health: 50 ]

[ Armor: 0]

[ Wanted Level: 0 ]

[ Reputation: Trusted Associate]

[Status: Near-death]

She shredded my health like damn paper. I was on the brink of death. But blocking her attacks was the same as letting them shred me. She didn't hold back at all. If anything this was one way of keeping up with her.

"Shit, she's ruthless. Good thing I survived."

I really need to stop parrying things with my bare hands. I thought I could resist her blade yet I feel like I ate shit instead. I must have been too reckless or excited to think that I could parry her blade. Thankfully, I managed to draw my hook-bracer. Close-combat isn't suitable for me. If anything I also knew that my armor and my health are merely extra safety measures. Once they're gone then it means I am back to being human. I have to rely on my own health. I came to realize that. Third-person control means that I am heavily relying on my health and armor points for protections. Once they are gone it means that I'd be relying on my flesh and blood. Injuries will happen and it'll take me weeks or months to recover from the injuries.

The reason why I survived the gunshot to the head was probably because of this. Perhaps only because of the shot in the head that I started to learn. My abilities were lying dormant and only through external factors that I was able to remember my previous life and discover this.

"A shot in the head…"

What a way to remember.

I rode back to my apartment. I nursed myself with foods and drinks to recover my health. When my regeneration kicked I rested on my couch and took the chance to relax. After a while I woke up to a missed call. Saw that the Solomons were calling for me. It was hard to ignore them. Took a bath, changed my clothes, and rode my car back to the hotel and casino before noon. When I came to see Mr. Strauss was telling me about a business. No, it was an inquiry about recent problems that needs solving. I told him straight that I ain't going to be a courier. Just a driver like they told me. He said, "Of course," but I knew that he was going to send one of the girls or have me accompany Jon Locke again.

Surprisingly he had me take care of the boys. David and Michael were one of the head enforcers of the Solomons. David was the type of brute you'd want to go shooting with, while Michael was this sour-face, suit-wearing giant that made you think that the suit doesn't match his stature. Both of them are heavily armed and their coats hid their weapons well.

This time I took the car of the Solomons. The 4DR-Ghost was waiting for me by the time I saw them smoking. Michael nodded at me. David thumped me hard on the shoulder.

"So you're our new trusted associate. Heard how you did a good job. Say, you ain't becoming a soldier of ours?"

"I can't, Sir."

"Why not?"

"Can't do any killing and I am content with my position."

"I see. That's alright with me. Folks here are rather curious about your skills. Say, if we need a driver, we might call you, Nik."

"Come on," Michael cuts in. "We need to deliver this to the Dantons before evening."

His tone was commanding. A voice filled with force that'd made you think that it is best and wise to follow him. David merely shrugged. He sat on the back and relaxed. Michael rode shotgun and leaned on the window. Can't believe the man would fit in the vehicle.

"Many are talking about you. Seeing that you aren't joining us. I think it's best if you think where you stand. You look strong, boy. Strong and healthy enough, but you lack the proper step."

"I know."

"That you do. However, as I say to those who already hesitate. Don't do it. There ain't no place for those who hesitate in this family. You do good because you know what you can do and that is driving and flying. You're a good runner, but you aren't strong enough to think of killing. Stay in that good line, boy. Nothing good comes out of this profession, especially to the soul."

"You tell me, Micky. Anyway, if you stop being so moral, then make sure to call us, Nik. We'll show you the ropes and we will start scheming and robbing folks, okay?"

"I doubt that."

"Sure. Say that and maybe one day you'll see why this profession pays."

The rest of the ride was quiet. David made a call to the folks who we were about to meet and saw Danton with his crew. David and Michael confronted the two while keeping their hands on their holsters.

It felt like a standoff. But that fucker called Danton felt and sound so slimy. I keep myself on the driver's seat while keeping a lookout for the boys. I don't know what they were talking about, but there was a slight moment where things went bad. David was running his mouth while Michael was keeping his cool. It was a good thing that Michael managed to talk David down, but I knew from the look on Danton's face that he was intimidated by the sheer presence of Michael.

Then the exchange happened. Michael exchanged cases. And after a few words from both parties, they separated from each other. Danton and his crew left first while Michael and David looked around, before entering the car.

Could hear the bottled up fury in David. Michael entered the front passenger seat, turned around and scolded David as if he was a damn fool.

"Talk like that again. I dare you to talk like that again and you and I are going to have a problem."

"Fuck that cunt. He's been sneering and shouting at us and you are taking shit from him! Where did your balls go!"

"David, you idiot. He was looking for a chance. I ain't taking a chance and no way in hell that I'd stoop so low that I'd be compared to that slimy cunt. What I want from you, my brother, is calmness. Be as dead looking like Nikolai here."

I stayed silent.

David had something to say. Nevertheless it wasn't a good choice to do when Michael's voice had this sharp fury in it. One word could trigger him to let that rage go and David knew when to poke and talk.

"I just don't like being disrespected."

"I know, brother. Remember that we represent the family. We are Senior Enforcers. We can't be as rowdy as ever when there are times where our juniors are looking up to the wise us. I do not like it. But it had to be this way. We keep our cool and we continue to do what we do. That's what it means to be a Senior Enforcer. You know how tight things are and if we cannot placate some of these leeches and snakes. Then it means that we'd be in their crosshairs."

"Got it. I'll be careful and calm, if that'll make you happy."

"It will. So try not to mess things up for us. Things are hard right now and any misstep could lead to problems. The Boss doesn't need any of that right now. Mordred and Josiah got us by the balls and if we can't prove that we can't stay calm. Then it'll mean that he'll have some asshole instead of us working as Senior Enforcers. You got that?"

"Got that."

David cracked his neck.

"You met Danton, Nik?"

"I have."

"What do you think of him?"

"He looks and sounds like a slimy snake, Sir."

"You got that right, hah!"

David laughed. Michael shook his head as if his brother was helpless. Michael turned his eyes towards me.

"Danton's a cunt. But he's a smart guy who knows how to play the game of families here. There's a reason he's been the lead enforcer for years now. He got the wits and he shoots well."

"Well, the old man will get his debt paid sooner or later. Until then I hope it's me or some lowly cunt that gets to kick him in the head."

Their opinion of the Danton was certainly so low. Respected him. But beyond that it was this utter dislike. Guess Danton himself probably knew that and didn't bother being friendly to the boys.

Cops were spread everywhere. Knowing that they liked searching folks lately. I started to drive while avoiding any of them. It was only when it was near evening that we reached the Hotel. The boys wanted to invite me to a meal, but spending more time with them wasn't good for my soul.

As I drove back to my apartment. I got out of my suit and walked to the nearest place to eat and spend time quietly. I have the money so it was easy to get a place. I was about to dine peacefully when a person who I clearly didn't invite sat opposite of me. Her bang-covered right eye. Her familiar outfit coupled with that dark red hair of hers made her quite an eye candy.

She tapped her gloved hand. Didn't think that I'd meet Miss Jisoo immediately. No, she was here to make it clear. The good thing was that she wasn't carrying her blade.

"Hey, Miss Kim."

"Nikolai. I checked your status. It seems that you've been working with the Solomons truly. You weren't lying to me."

"I wasn't."

She leaned back.

"Do they know that you fight well?"

"I think they do. It's just that I'm hired to be a driver. If you've looked me up then you know that I started because I fought in a fight club. Did well and got involved with matters regarding running some things. So am I clear?"

"You are. If anything you are far too clean that it makes one feel suspicious."

"Are you going to monitor me?"

"Who knows? They did say that I have to keep an eye on you."

"That's a problem."

"I won't pry on the business of the Solomons. A few days is all that is asked and then we'll be clear."

"Well, might as well join me, Miss Jisoo. Please, don't refuse me."

"Okay then," she settled down. The way she looked with that backlight made me want to gawk at her.

It was awkward at first. Nevertheless I was able to find something to talk about. Miss Kim Jisoo was a swordswoman and in a way she was willing to talk about matters regarding those who are above the families. Her world was far too different. Consortiums and Corporations who are tearing each other's throats.

It reminded me that despite what I've been through in the past few months. I was still in Pacifica City, and was nothing more than some associate to a crime family whose influence only reaches this state.

It was a crazy world out there. A world that I don't know if I can have the confidence to ever step on. Miss Kim must have seen my worries and maybe because I'm one of the few who had not perished under her that she was far friendlier than I expected her to be. She was still cool as ice, but I was looking like a dead fish as well.

Didn't even know what time it was until the waiter told us that they needed to close. Miss Kim Jisoo left without much to say. Although she was far more… expressive when I text her. I didn't mind her company. And that she really was quite a joy to spend time with. Despite the lack of emotions on her face. Then again, I was a pot calling the kettle black.