Chapter 70
Hera and Skadi both sat up straighter, their curiosity piqued.
Skadi hurriedly opened her inbox and clicked on the email. The screen was filled with links.
Hera whispered, “It’s not a virus, is it?”
Skadi didn’t even flinch, her focus unwavering as she clicked on the first link.
The page instantly loaded, revealing that they had somehow stumbled onto the dark web. To their surprise, an account had already been set up, as though someone had anticipated their visit.
The page refreshed, and they were redirected to the Dark Web Assassins Leaderboard. A profile with a smiley-face avatar was ranked in first place, proudly displaying a country flag beside it.
The name “Smiling Grim Reaper” was boldly written, and beneath it, his KDA (Kill/Death/Assist ratio) flashed: KDA: 999-0-9999.
Skadi’s hand shook, and the phone slipped from her grasp, clattering onto the red carpet. Hera’s face went pale, her breath caught in her throat.
What did it mean? A 999-0-9999 KDA… Did that mean the Smiling Grim Reaper had personally killed 999 people, or was it a combined total, including those he’d assisted in killing? Either way, the number was chilling.
Her mind flashed to the image of the old woman shot through the chest, and the air in the room felt suddenly stifling.
Hera’s eyes darted up instinctively, meeting the cold, unflinching gaze of the masked man.
His eyes… they radiated an aura so terrifying, it made her heart race. She quickly turned away, burying her face in Skadi’s shoulder as fear gripped her.
Nash, however, simply shifted his gaze with a slight smirk hidden beneath his mask.
Skadi, noticing the subtle change in his posture, realized the situation. Nash was no ordinary person. His masked persona, Smiling Grim Reaper, was infamous—an assassin of the highest caliber. Skadi understood that his appearance at the party was a warning, and he wasn’t here for anyone to get in his way. But, as she looked around, she realized that even with his power, Nash was still hiding his true identity—something no one, except his closest allies, would ever recognize.
He only dared wear this outfit here because, in this crowd, his identity was a secret. Besides, the only people who had seen him in this outfit were already dead.
Meanwhile, in the Estate
Joseph forced a smile, bowing as he approached the warden. “Warden… I apologize for not greeting you sooner. Please accept my sincere apologies!”
The entire Lee family followed suit, bowing to show respect.
Grant, watching from a distance, couldn’t help but smile, though his words were tinged with mockery. “You’re truly a special kid, Joseph. Didn’t even show the warden any respect… Shameful.”
Joseph, his face flushed with embarrassment, bowed even lower, clearly ashamed.
The Lee family was one of the most respected families in Jonford, and yet, they had failed to greet the warden upon his arrival. It was a disgrace, no matter how Joseph tried to explain it.
Grant, still holding a smug expression, didn’t expect the warden’s next move.
The warden waved his hand dismissively, a faint smile curling beneath the mask. “There’s no need to be so uptight. When I’m off the battlefield, I’m just like anyone else. Mr. Lee was a great mentor to me, and I’m here today as his student, to celebrate his 88th birthday.”
Joseph, eyes wide, exchanged a long look with Grant, trying to process what he had just heard.
“Thank you for your consideration, Warden…” Joseph replied with newfound respect. “Please, this way…”
Grant stood rooted to the spot, his face a mixture of confusion and anger. He hadn’t expected to hear that Mr. Lee and the warden shared such a connection.
Walter, still nonchalant, finally spoke up, his voice cool. “You should be more careful with your words, Zell. I wonder who gave you the audacity to jeopardize the warden’s relationship with the Lee family.”
The words stung Grant, but he didn’t dare respond.
Zakariah stood quietly on the sidelines, not daring to interject. He knew better than to get involved in the tense power struggles between the families.
As the group made their way toward the wheelchair at the mansion’s entrance, Joseph knelt down beside his father, whispering, “Dad, the warden is here to wish you a happy birthday!”
Mr. Lee, his frail body barely able to lift his head, blinked slowly. His eyes filled with tears as he looked toward the warden, recognition and gratitude in his gaze.
The warden’s expression softened as he saw Mr. Lee’s condition. “What happened to him?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.
Joseph’s face darkened as he began to explain, “My father suffered a stroke seven years ago, and since then, he’s been paralyzed. He was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.”
The warden’s face grew somber as he looked at Mr. Lee, the weight of his words sinking in.