North American Detective: I am Proficient in All Kinds of Gun Quick Draws-Chapter 527 - 308 Letter_2
"I suggest you undergo the surgery."
"I've considered the loss of mobility before and have spent quite a bit of effort on exoskeletons and neural conduction. Although the results weren't groundbreaking, the technology for simple internal communication device implants is quite mature. It would be more discreet as well."
Dean decisively shook his head. "No need!"
Having said that, he grabbed the electronic devices and satellite phone and hastily made his escape.
Letting Little Mike operate on me? That's ridiculous.
If the operation were on Cheston En, Dean might agree, but he couldn't possibly let Cheston En know about Little Mike, his ace in the sleeve.
Once the garden had returned to calm, Little Mike picked up the USB drive Dean had left. From beside his wheelchair, he took out a large, strange pair of glasses and put them on. He then inserted the USB drive into a slot on the glasses and became motionless, as if he had fallen asleep.
If Dean had seen this, he would have been astonished.
Because Little Mike was not as frail as he had imagined.
「...」
After leaving Little Mike's place, Dean drove to the dock where he had arranged to meet Cheston En.
Last time, during the organ smuggling case, Cheston En had been left behind. This time, he had arrived in Los Angeles ahead of schedule and was waiting at the dock for Dean.
This was primarily Dean's request.
The coordinates on the invitation from the Lucifer Game Organization pointed to Hawaii. Dean planned to take a boat there.
For him, if something were to go wrong on a plane, it was almost certain death. A ship was different; with the clever use of Subspace and his supplies, he could survive in the ocean for a very long time.
By the time Dean arrived, Cheston En had been waiting for quite a while.
He looked thinner than before, and a new fierce quality had settled on his expression. Dean wondered what Cheston En had experienced during their time apart.
"Wow, Cheston En, it looks like you've grown a lot recently," Dean approached and patted Cheston En on the shoulder.
Indeed, Cheston En's muscles felt considerably firmer; it seemed he had undergone some rigorous training.
Cheston En shrugged. "I don't know what to expect this time; I can only prepare as much as possible."
"For example?"
"Training in a slaughterhouse," Cheston En said with a somewhat embarrassed smile. "I felt that compared to you, Boss Dean, I was too soft at critical moments. So, through a friend's introduction, I spent some time training at a slaughterhouse."
"Not a bad idea. Let's go."
「...」
Cheston En had booked the boat tickets in advance.
This time, neither of them had brought much. When participating in someone else's game, they would likely have to play by their rules. Thinking they could smuggle guns on board was simply wishful thinking.
For convenient communication, Cheston En had booked a double room. It was the kind with bunk beds and a small balcony outside, where one could stand and enjoy the seascape. Sitting, however, was out of the question, as there wasn't enough room for two people.
Once inside the room, Cheston En handed Dean an envelope.
Dean looked at the crumpled but still sealed yellow envelope in his hand, puzzled, and turned to Cheston En. "What's this?"
"I don't know, but it's for you."
An awkward expression appeared on Cheston En's now much sterner face. "A few days ago, right after I got off work and had just returned to my room, I was knocked out. When I woke up, this letter and a note were in my hand."
As he spoke, he took out another wrinkled note.
Printed on it was a line of letters: If you want to survive this battle royale event, hand this letter to Dean Lee!
Dean glanced at the note and became intrigued.
Is someone trying to help me? But if they wanted to help, why go through Cheston En, this unlucky guy, instead of giving it to me directly? Were they worried that approaching me directly would expose them?
Filled with doubts, Dean tore open the envelope and took out the letter inside.
It was just a stack of ordinary white paper, with printed text:
Don't ask who I am.
I won't harm you.
If you and your companions want to survive this battle royale, then remember the following:
First, the reception staff at the battle royale's assembly point are just peripheral personnel who know nothing. Their job is to verify your identities and take you to the ship that will transport you to the real event location.
Confronting them is pointless. They know nothing. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦
If this causes you to miss the ship and fail to show up, specialized Sweepers will handle the defaulting targets and their families.
Second, the ship is fitted with a sufficient amount of remote-controlled explosives, and the rooms have pipelines for anesthetic liquids.
Here, you will be drugged unconscious, and all hidden items on you will be cleared.
If any abnormal individuals are discovered, they will be dealt with immediately.
Don't count on luck! The Lucifer Organization has the most advanced equipment for operational support!
Third, the final destination of the event is an island not recorded on any map. It used to be a Military Human Research Base of the United States, but now... it just has a new owner.
Before you are dropped on the island, electronic collars will be fitted around your necks.
The collars can track and also contain an explosive device—do not attempt to remove them, as this will only lead to your own death.
Fourth, the game is key.
You must follow the rules of the game; otherwise, you will trigger the death rules.
Fifth, this game pursues the utmost fear and despair.
Humanity is a luxury here.
Once the game starts, never trust anyone!
If something feels off, even if the target is old or weak, do not hesitate—kill them immediately!
Sixth, find the woman with a spider tattoo on her face.
She is the key to your survival.
The Lucifer Game Organization will abide by the game rules and will not continue to trouble those who complete it, provided you are not targeted again.
Seventh, at a critical moment, you can choose to sacrifice Cheston En. He will not hold any grudges.
Finally, Dean, I know you are very capable.
But as someone who has helped you a few times, I must remind you: for your safety and your family's, do not get involved in the Lucifer Game Organization's cases ever again.
The Lucifer Game Organization is never just about the game.
It is not a mere criminal organization.
「...」
Dean reread the letter several times, his brow furrowed. The information it revealed made him even more puzzled.
Although he didn't know who the sender was, he could feel from the disclosed information that the person had good intentions toward him.
The problem is, who could it be?
First, if what they said is true, then given how much they knew about the battle royale event, they were likely an executive in the Lucifer Game Organization, or even the event's organizer. When had I ever met someone like that? And they claimed to have helped me several times... Mentor Anthony? The timing doesn't fit. The apprentice Mentor Anthony had before me, the one who went missing? Possible. But that doesn't quite add up either! I didn't have any particular connection with them.
Dean reviewed his encounters with the Lucifer Game Organization. After mentally eliminating people he knew, he had some theories, but things still didn't quite add up.
Second, the sender's last words in the letter were somewhat profound: 'It is not a mere criminal organization.' Combined with their statement that the event location was an island formerly housing a Military Human Research Base of the United States, it was frightening to consider.
And third, what the hell was that about sacrificing Cheston En at a critical moment? Everyone's afraid of death. Why was the sender so sure Cheston En wouldn't hold a grudge?
「...」
Forget it. I'll take it one step at a time. I have no intention of playing nice in this event. Playing games? I'll just flip the damn table!
Dean shook his head, took out a lighter, went to the toilet, and burned the letter, flushing its ashes down the drain.
Afterwards, Cheston En hesitated, looking like he wanted to say something. Clearly, he was curious about the letter's content.
Dean glanced at him and said with a smile, "Cheston En, is there something you've forgotten to tell me?"
The letter contained too much information. If Cheston En had peeked, it would be very troublesome. So the sender must have had a way to ensure Cheston En wouldn't dare look.
Facing Dean's friendly inquiry, Cheston En, a man hardened by killing and as cold as ice, grimaced and raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, nothing gets past you, Boss Dean. The sender promised that if I protect you during the battle royale, they'll help me avenge my parents. This might be my only hope."
Is that so... Dean stroked his chin. It's evident the sender really values and cares about me a lot. Just who could they be?
「...」
「The next day, early in the morning.」
The cruise ship docked at a port in Hawaii.
Dean and Cheston En, following the provided coordinates, met the person assigned to receive them—a guide who looked very honest.
