MTLNOVEL Chapter 124: An agreement between men of honor
«I guess after what you saw me do, you didn't drag me here just to get roughed up by one of your goons. So what do you want?» Hakuto asks, his voice firm and steady, after Tony invites him to follow him away from the crowded city center.
They now sit at a small table in a shady bar known for its sketchy clientele.
Hakuto slowly sips a hot chocolate, while Tony enjoys a glass of white wine—both offered for free by the bartender, a known Caspada affiliate.
Around them, dozens of men mind their own business, but it's obvious they're watching, ready to intervene at the first sign of danger to Tony.
They have no clue who Hakuto really is—or that Tony is now a vampire.
Only a few close family members and the select few present during the meeting with Velshekar know the truth.
«That night, a week ago, you asked me who turned me into a vampire… Well, I might tell you, but only if you give me something in return. I help you, you help me. Sounds like a fair deal, doesn't it?» Tony replies, acting like he's in full control, flashing a smug grin that makes Hakuto chuckle.
«What makes you think I need to make any deals with you? You're a vampire. And the only reason I haven't handed you over to those who deal with your kind is because I need information. So here's the deal—you tell me what I want to know, and I'll pretend, for now, that I don't know a certain Tony Caspada, small-time punk from the suburbs, also happens to be a vampire,» Hakuto replies coldly.
Not exactly the kind of answer Tony expected.
But even Hakuto didn't mean to respond like that—it's as if his mouth moved on its own, faster than his brain could process the words, leaving him surprised by himself.
~Why did I say that? Sure, I don't regret it, but blackmailing someone like that… it's not like me. Could Ana's energy have messed with my personality too?~
«Are you blackmailing me, you damn bastard?!» Tony snaps, jumping to his feet and slamming his fists on the table in anger.
At Tony's sudden outburst, everyone around them freezes, their gazes now locked on Hakuto with open hostility.
Tony signals them to relax with a wave of his hand, then calmly sits back down.
«You clearly don't know who the hell you're dealing with!» Tony growls in a low voice. «Let me make it simple—around here, I'm the one who makes the rules! I don't give a fuck if you can shoot flames out of your ass, my family has connections everywhere. I wouldn't be surprised if we had people inside your little monster-hunting group, or whatever the hell you call yourselves! So you better stop acting like a badass!»
Those threats don't rattle Hakuto at all.
But he realizes that with someone like Tony—used to always getting what he wants—the only way to have a productive conversation is to play along.
And honestly, the idea that the Caspada family might have ties inside HESPARC Italy isn't so crazy.
After all, in Italy, crime has its hands everywhere… and HESPARC isn't exactly a temple of purity either.
«Fine…» Hakuto sighs, sounding almost defeated. «What do you want to know?»
Tony's expression suddenly turns serious.
«That red-haired girl who was with you that night… she's a vampire, right? She has the same red eyes I do, and her body gives off the same red energy. Plus, she looks crazy strong. I want her to teach me everything she knows about using these powers. If you guarantee she will, I'll tell you everything I know about the vampire who turned me.»
Hakuto stares at him, puzzled.
«You plan to tell me everything just based on my word? Why the sudden trust?»
«You trusted me with Lucrezia's life. Now it's my turn to trust you. Among men of honor, a promise is as good as a contract. I consider myself a man of honor. I hope you are too,» Tony replies seriously, with a hint of menace in his tone.
Hakuto nods.
«The vampire who turned me is a woman. Her name's Levreshka Hawkley, and from what I've heard, she's a big player in New York's underworld. A couple of weeks ago, she came to my late grandfather's house looking to form an alliance—she promised to turn us into vampires in exchange for our loyalty. You can imagine how that meeting went. And she didn't stop with us… she made deals with several other crime bosses around the world. I don't know exactly why she's doing this, but come on—even an idiot like you could figure it out. And before you ask—yes, I'm the only one she's turned so far. She wanted to wait, but I insisted. When I want something, I get it, no matter who's in my way,» Tony concludes, his voice low, meant for Hakuto's ears only.
~Hawkley… a New York crime boss… Itsu told me about her once, but I think he called her John… John Hawkley… Velshekar's other identity! But that doesn't make any sense. Raelos said he killed him, so this vampire and Velshekar can't be the same… unless—of course! My father said Velshekar is actually a wandering spirit that can possess bodies. And according to what Velune confessed during her interrogation at HESPARC U.S., Velshekar is also part of the Cult of the Primordial Shadow! As if that wasn't enough… that bastard's building a vampire army! He's definitely planning a massive assault… I have to warn someone at HESPARC before it's too late. Velshekar must be eliminated—ASAP. And Tony might be the key~
«Tony, I need to ask you one last favor,» Hakuto murmurs, summoning all the firmness and resolve he has.
Tony eyes him with suspicion, sipping his wine as he waits for him to speak.
«I need you to contact Levreshka Hawkley. I don't care how, but you have to make her believe it's urgent. You said it yourself, right? Even an idiot can figure out why she's gathering an army of vampires! Soon enough, you'll be forced to obey whatever deal you made with her. And I have no intention of making someone stronger if I'll have to fight them later!»
«You broke your promise one minute after making it. Impressive…» Tony mutters. «But now, you're the one with more to lose, Hakuto. Getting Levreshka Hawkley out in the open is worth more than learning a few vampire tricks. So it's your call. If you don't force the redhead to train me, I won't do what you asked. And I don't give a fuck if you tell your people I'm a vampire—I'm Tony Caspada, don't forget that! No one can touch me in these streets!»
He pauses, thinking for a moment.
«If Levreshka Hawkley starts turning others, I won't be Tony Caspada, the vampire—it has a nice ring to it, don't you think?—I'll just be Tony Caspada, yet another vampire. That'd be a pain. Final offer, Hakuto Tendo: a meeting with Levreshka in exchange for training and my silence. If you kill her, no one will force me to attack you, and teaching me vampire magic won't count as helping the enemy. So in the end, it's up to you whether we're enemies or not.»
Hakuto stares deep into Tony's eyes, then exhales.
Finally, he holds out his hand.
«Deal.»