Desperate Housewives

Mike had once encountered a Vampire—pale-faced, indistinguishable from a human in appearance, yet giving off a rotten stench ordinary people could not detect. Caught off guard, Mike had nearly thrown up on the spot. That night, he had been in no mood for romance and had ditched a girl who had practically been his already.

Having gotten a general grasp of the situation, Mike said, "Mrs. Banks, there are some special rules regarding the commission that you need to hear before making your decision."

Kettleman said, "Go ahead. Despair has nearly drowned me. While waiting for news, I feel as though I've lost my soul, like a walking corpse. I think that if I lose Lisa, having the whole world would mean nothing to me. As long as Lisa lives, I wouldn't care even if I had to sell my soul to the Devil..."

Mike inwardly complained, Don't say that carelessly. What if the Devil really comes knocking?

Mephisto really did exist.

At that moment, a white ball of light floated out of Kettleman's body.

The system generated mission information:

[Commission of a Desperate Mother: Rescue Lisa, Who Was Taken by a Vampire]

[Fee: 100,000 US dollars (the system takes a 90% cut after expenses)]

[Mission Description: Lisa, who was abducted by a Vampire, is in grave danger. Rescue Lisa and safely return her to her mother.]

Mike said seriously, "I insist."

Kettleman said, "All right, please continue."

"First, the fee is one hundred thousand US dollars, paid in full upfront."

"Second, if the commission succeeds, there will be no additional charge. If it fails, there will be no refund."

Kettleman froze.

When hiring a private detective or mercenary, one generally paid a deposit first, then made subsequent payments based on milestones reached during the commission.

By Mike's rules, what if he were a con artist, or simply took the money and half-heartedly went through the motions?

It had to be said that Mike's rules were terrible and had scared off many potential clients. The problem was, the system had set those rules, and Mike was desperate too.

Mike did not urge her. He quietly waited for Kettleman to make her decision.

A few seconds later, Kettleman sighed. "Other than praying and spending money, what else can I do for Lisa now...? Mr. Tang, do you accept cashier's checks?"

Mike solemnly put away the cashier's check for one hundred thousand US dollars, then printed out two copies of the commission contract.

They each signed their names.

Then—

The white ball of light sank into Mike's forehead.

System notification: [Soul Energy +1].

Seeing that Mrs. Banks was in a daze, Mike comforted her. "So far, my commission success rate is one hundred percent. Even for the sake of my hard-earned reputation, I'll give it everything I've got. Trust me, Mrs. Banks! Please prepare hot bathwater and clean clothes. Your daughter will need them."

Mike was confident, and that confidence came from the information the system had revealed.

The system had said, "Rescue Lisa, who was taken by a Vampire," which indicated two things.

First, Lisa was in the Vampire's hands.

Second, Lisa had either been turned into a Vampire or was being kept as livestock for long-term blood extraction. In any case, she was still alive.

"Vampires..."

Mike fell into thought and took a card out of the System Space.

[Item: Nichirin Sword]

[Type: Weapon Card]

[Cost: 5,000 US dollars/hour (any period under one hour is charged as one full hour)]

[Note 1: A special blade used by the Demon Slayer Corps, forged from Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand and Scarlet Crimson Ore, iron ores that have absorbed sunlight.]

[Note 2: Every slash carries the scent of sunlight.]

Zabuza Momochi had been the first Possession Card Mike drew. As someone with mild obsessive-compulsive tendencies, Mike had desperately wanted to draw the Executioner's Blade.

Unfortunately, things had not gone his way, and he had drawn the Nichirin Sword instead.

At the time, he had thought it was useless.

The Nichirin Sword was the blade used by the Demon Slayer Corps in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba to kill demons.

Could a Nichirin Sword deal with Vampires?

Mike was ninety percent sure it could.

"Heh heh, you fat bastard. I've got a weapon for dealing with Vampires. Didn't expect that, did you?"

"Achoo!"

Fat Jerry, with a girl in each arm, let out a huge sneeze. "Who's thinking about me? Can't help it—I'm popular."

That afternoon, Old Earl and Chloe returned to the supermarket.

Chloe carried a little backpack and looked like a happy little rabbit. But when she spotted Mike, her expression stiffened. Seemingly remembering something, she hurriedly grabbed a rag and began vigorously wiping down the shelves.

Mike said helplessly, "At this rate, I'm going to start wondering whether I've done something truly awful. Have you talked to Chloe? I won't drive her away unless she wants to leave."

Old Earl sighed. "Let Chloe do it. It's how she finds a sense of security."

Mike joked, "If I ever end up in the defendant's chair for exploiting child labor, you'll have to testify for me."

Old Earl said, "That day will never come!"

Mike's gaze happened to meet Chloe's briefly. The little girl quickly gave him a fawning smile and wiped even harder.

"Forget it. We'll take it slowly." Mike felt a knot in his chest.

"Take it slowly."

Old Earl echoed softly.

Late at night.

Blood Thorn was an underground nightclub in Brooklyn, tucked away in a remote location, its outer walls covered in dazzling graffiti.

There were two guards at the entrance and several thugs smoking by the wall.

The guards were human. The thugs were Vampires.

Mike took out Zoro's Possession Card.

"Use card."

Possession Cards had a hidden feature. Once the possession was released, the character's special abilities disappeared with it, but some combat experience remained ingrained in the user. So even after releasing a Possession Card, Mike was still an experienced fighter.

That was one of the reasons Mike had chosen Roronoa Zoro.

The other reason was that Observation Haki made finding people convenient.

"Private establishment. We do not receive guests," the burly man said, reaching out to stop Mike.

Mike took out a small roll of bills and stuffed it into the guard's hand.

Feeling the thickness of the money, the guard was quite pleased. A smile appeared on his formerly stern face as he gestured for Mike to enter.

A car was parked on a street corner not far away. Coulson held Night Vision binoculars and did not lower them until Mike entered Blood Thorn. In the passenger seat sat a curvaceous beauty with wine-red hair and seduction in every inch of her.

Yet Coulson kept his eyes straight ahead, as if the beauty were Medusa and could not be looked at directly.

Mike was Coulson's surveillance and tracking target. After Kettleman came to his door, Coulson had investigated and discovered that Lisa's disappearance involved Vampires.

Whether as a group or individually, Vampires far surpassed trash like the Foot Gang in strength.

Coulson decided to stay and observe. This time, he had brought a fully armed agent team, ready to rescue Mike at any moment.

As for the beautiful woman beside him...

Coulson said speechlessly, "Natasha, are you that free?"

Natasha, also known as the Black Widow, replied righteously, "Yes. Very free."

After saying that, she smiled and continued, "I heard you found a pretty good newcomer, so I came to take a look."

Coulson said, "He is pretty good, but he probably won't be easy to recruit."

Natasha said, "It wouldn't be interesting if he were easy to recruit."

Coulson rolled his eyes at her. Did she think everyone enjoyed asking for pain like they did?

Five minutes later.

Natasha said, "Do you need me to go in and check things out first? The enemy is made up of Vampires. One mistake and he's finished."

Coulson hesitated for a moment. "Wait a little longer. He's somewhat special."

"Special?"

"Mm."

[PS: Chloe's prototype is Koala, who was once a Celestial Dragons slave in One Piece.]