Hunter parked his motorcycle by the curb and looked at the diner in front of him.
Without hesitation, ignoring the strange and even disgusted looks from passersby, he walked inside.
"Welco... uh..."
The owner started to say "Welcome," as usual.
But seeing Hunter's exaggerated hippie getup, he stopped.
The disgust was palpable. Even a shopkeeper eager for business couldn't help but shut his mouth.
Hunter noticed it instantly. The moment he stepped in, every diner turned to look at him.
Their eyes were filled with disdain, mockery, or revulsion.
But Hunter didn't care.
This was exactly the effect his disguise was meant to achieve.
He shouted rudely, "Give me a large beef and bacon burger! And a lemon soda!"
The owner snapped out of it and nodded quickly. "Right away."
Hunter sat down at a table near the entrance.
He scanned the room, making his gaze look arrogant and aggressive.
His disguise was working well.
The over-the-top hippie look screamed "troublemaker" or "delinquent."
This family diner mostly served local workers and ordinary folks.
Hunter had been in this world's America for almost three months.
He knew that despite its reputation as the "Beacon of the World," the US had complex internal issues.
But not everyone was a gun-toting maniac looking for a fight.
Most people were ordinary citizens afraid of trouble.
Unless provoked, no one wanted to mess with a punk who looked like he belonged to a gang.
Hunter scanned the diner again, frowning slightly.
It was close to dinner time, but Teri hadn't shown up.
He decided to wait patiently while eating his meal.
He waited until 7:30 PM.
He even saw the bald, muscular black man—the protagonist of The Equalizer—come in for dinner.
Hunter exchanged glances with Robert McCall a few times.
But Teri never appeared.
"Disappointed in me?"
"Or did she never believe my lie in the first place?"
Hunter didn't know why she hadn't come.
Realizing she wasn't going to show, he decisively paid the bill.
Then, he got on his bike and left.
That night, Hunter stayed at a motel near Chinatown.
Since he had decided to intervene and save Teri...
And since he had already collected his "payment"...
He was prepared to stay in Boston for two more days.
If Teri still didn't show up by then, he would leave.
After a comfortable night's sleep, Hunter left the motel early the next morning.
It was still early, so he found a fishing spot by the sea. He pulled his fishing rod from his Inventory.
He spent the day fishing happily, grinding a ton of XP for his [Fishing] skill.
Around 4:00 PM, Hunter packed up, satisfied with his day.
He found a secluded spot, reapplied his disguise, and headed back to the diner.
Again, he waited until almost 8:00 PM.
Teri still didn't show.
That night, Hunter switched to another motel.
The next day—the third day—he checked out at dawn.
Since he hadn't fully enjoyed the fishing yesterday, and the XP gain was good, he went back to the sea.
He fished until nearly 5:00 PM, reveling in the joy of his [Fishing] skill leveling up again.
Finally, somewhat reluctantly, he put away his rod. "Time to go."
Three times was the limit.
Tonight was the last chance Hunter would give Teri.
He was willing to do a good deed, but if she didn't grasp the opportunity...
He wasn't going to beg her to be saved.
If Teri appeared at the diner tonight, Hunter would take her away by force, helping her escape Boston and the Russian mob's control.
But if she didn't show, he would leave the city immediately.
Whether she continued to suffer as the mob's cash cow...
Or was eventually saved by The Equalizer's protagonist...
That was no longer Hunter's concern.
With this mindset, he applied the garish makeup again before heading to the diner.
He also swapped the fake license plate on his vintage motorcycle one last time.
Then, he set off.
"Mexican chicken wrap. And a lemon soda."
He ordered his usual meal.
Scanning the restaurant quickly, he confirmed Teri wasn't there. A hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes.
He pulled out a boxing magazine and flipped through it boredly.
Time ticked by, second by second.
6:00 PM. No Teri.
6:30 PM. Still no sign of her.
7:00 PM. Empty.
7:30 PM. Hunter packed up his magazine.
He stood up expressionless, exchanging one last glance with Robert McCall, who was reading in the corner.
Then, Hunter paid the bill.
Magazine in hand, he walked out of the diner.
"Heh."
Hunter looked up at the night sky and chuckled.
He finally wanted to do a good deed, but ended up waiting in vain for days.
"Forget it. Everyone has their own fate."
He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, intending to light one.
But just then...
As he glanced down the street, he saw a solitary figure walking aimlessly.
It was a plump girl with bruises on her face.
It was Teri!
And she was heading straight for the diner.
Instantly, Hunter shoved the cigarettes back into his pocket.
He walked quickly to his bike parked on the side street.
Insert key. Ignition.
Skillfully turning the bike around, he rode toward Teri.
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