Chapter 80 - John's Payment

John was able to bring his daughter and Matsuri into the nearest hospital. It has been a few hours now since they had arrived, but no pursuers of the Yui Clan came after them. It was obvious that Fade had done his job.

Milly was now in surgery and her status was still unknown. On the other hand, Matsuri was awake and trying to call Tang Ao. 

John did not know what was happening to Fade right now and had no time to worry about the assassin and the people from the Yui Clan. The only thing that filled his mind at the moment, was the safety of his daughter. 

Matsuri had ended her call with Tang Ao and he agreed to help hide the father and daughter from the Yui Clan. She wanted to tell John the good news but then she saw the expression on his face and no longer bothered him. 

....

John who only had one hand left was sitting on one of the hospital's waiting room benches. He wanted to pray but stopped himself. Ever since he lost his daughter he had prayed to the Gods numerous times. From the old Gods to the new ones he prayed to any that would listen to him.

Yet no matter how hard he prayed no one ever responded, only Fade had taken notice of him and helped him. Of course, the Detective and Captain had helped him as well, but Fade was the one he owed the most. Without Fade, John would've died in his apartment, unable to save his own daughter. So he did not pray instead he clenched his fist and hoped that his daughter would live through this. 

...

A few hours have passed and John could not help but worry more and more. He had cried a few times as he waited for the results of his daughter's surgery. He was so worried that he didn't notice that the doctor was already standing right in front of him. 

"Mr. Yui?" 

John who was deep in thought finally heard the doctor's voice. He quickly stood up from the chair and looked at the doctor his expression filled with worry. 

"Doc what happened to my little girl is she alright?!" 

John grabbed hold of the doctor who showed visible pain from John's touch. Even though he wasn't putting much strength into it, John was still a rank five martial artist while the doctor was a normal person, so the strength of John's grip was hurting the doctor. Seeing the doctor's reaction John realized what he was doing and let go of the doctor. 

"I'm so sorry." 

"It's alright, Mr. Yui I understand what you're feeling, but do not worry, the surgery was a success." 

When John heard the news he hugged the doctor while sobbing but this time he was able to control his strength. 

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," John kept on repeating the same words to the doctor. 

"You're really lucky Mr. Yui, if not for the first aid given and if you were a few minutes late in coming to the hospital, then no matter what we did it would've been too late."

Hearing what the doctor said John felt even more grateful for what Fade has done for him, he could not thank him enough. 

"Can I go and see my daughter?" 

"... She's still unconscious... I guess you could stay by her side."

The doctor was going to tell John that he should let his daughter rest first before meeting her, but when he saw the look on John's face as well as John's missing arm, the doctor knew that this man has been through a lot. The doctor didn't have the heart to deny him. 

John once again thanked the doctor before heading to his daughter's room. John sprinted towards the room passing by the Detective and those soldiers of the Elite Dragon Brigade. He arrived at the door to his daughter's room. He stood there for a couple of seconds now hesitating to go inside. He calmed his heart and finally opened the door. 

He saw that his daughter was laying on the bed breathing, still living. He went closer and as he saw her there asleep he felt a wave of relief. The tension in his body disappeared and he fell on the floor. He started sobbing but this time it was not out of despair but because of joy. As John was overcome by various emotions someone spoke from behind him. 

"I see that you were able to save your daughter." 

The person who spoke was none other than Fade. He was standing in a corner of the room. John wasn't surprised by Fade's sudden appearance as he stood up faced Fade, and bowed. 

"It's all thanks to you." 

"Like I said before there is no need for thanks since this is just part of the job."

"Even so, I must thank you, because of you my fate has changed." 

"Hmph, I did not change your fate, you did that yourself." 

John showed an awkward smile as he listened to Fade's response. 

"So I guess since you're here the job is over?" 

"Yes, I have eliminated all your pursuers. I even encountered your eldest brother-in-law, that look at me like that I did not kill him, I simply rendered him unconscious. So now that I have finished the job, it is time for you to give me my pay."

John was rather shocked to hear that Fade had encountered Minato and had bested him. Based on Fade's unblemished trench coat it would seem that the assassin had won quite easily. This was truly surprising to John since he knew that Minato was a rank seven martial artist. He thought that Minato would at least put up a decent fight but it turns out that he could not even put a scratch on Fade. Does this mean Fade was at Grandmaster level? John shook his head as his mind started to wander. 

"So what is it you want as payment? Are you going to take my life?" 

"Yes, the payment I asked of you will be the life of John Yui the martial artist."