Constantine appeared at an intersection in New York City in a parallel universe. His mouth twitched as he watched the people bustling past.
"He actually resisted even that temptation."
Somewhat annoyed, Constantine slapped his cheeks, looked around, and headed toward a convenience store.
He had run out of cigarettes and needed a new pack.
But when he stood at the counter and reached for his wallet, he unexpectedly pulled out a brand-new pack of cigarettes.
They were his usual favorite brand, but there was no production date. In fact, the pack had none of the required manufacturing information.
Crossing space did not come with free cigarettes. That meant someone must have given him this pack.
Was this some kind of hint?
"Looks like he didn't resist the temptation completely. I just wonder when he'll contact me again."
Constantine suddenly laughed, turned, and left the convenience store, leaving the pretty cashier who had been preparing to take his money utterly bewildered.
"What a weirdo."
Constantine ignored the remark behind him. He opened the pack, lit a cigarette, and took a blissful drag. Humming a little tune he had learned at some magical bar, he bounced merrily away.
In Brad's perception, a tiny red dot suddenly lit up within the Multiverse's network.
Constantine certainly had a talent for magic, but that did not mean he could detect the microscopic nanomachines built with Brad's cutting-edge technology.
Now all Brad needed to do was quietly observe.
He would see whether some dangerous trap or conspiracy lay behind Constantine's proposed deal.
Brad gave a cold, sinister smile.
Meanwhile, Constantine strode briskly through New York City's alleys. His footsteps seemed casual, but he was following a strange rhythm all along, while his hands, hidden in his sleeves, kept forming Hand Seals.
Ten minutes later, Constantine stood