Not long after Mike received his new mission, he gathered his squad members at his villa.
On one hand, it was to inform them of the plan against the Vampires in half a month; on the other, it was to check on their training progress and current status.
"John, how is Helen doing? Can the doctor solve her problems?" Mike, holding a cup of black tea and sitting at the head of the table, looked gently at John in the living room.
More than a month had passed, and the scruffy former professional killer seemed to have rediscovered hope for life.
At this moment, he was wearing a well-fitted suit, and his carefully groomed beard was very neat and stylish, making him look exceptionally spirited, completely devoid of his former Dejected demeanor.
"Thank you for your concern, Helen is doing very well, and her condition is under control... It's just..." John's spirits lifted when he heard the question, and his attitude towards Mike was very respectful.
However, the expression on his face showed that he seemed to have something difficult to say.
"What, are the people I recommended to you unable to completely solve Helen's problem?" Mike frowned slightly, his tone a little displeased.
Of course, this dissatisfaction was not directed at John, but at another group of people.
It should be known that among the doctors Mike recommended for Helen were Dr. Sean (the genius doctor from 'The Good Doctor'), Henry Morgan (the legendary doctor who lived for over two hundred years in 'Forever'), Dr. Grey (the protagonist from 'Grey's Anatomy'), and Dr. House (the eccentric but truly capable Dr. House from 'House M.D.').
These people, whether their reputations were not well-known or they were plagued with troubles, were undeniably "great" doctors with extraordinary skills.
Logically speaking, with these people gathered together, solving Helen's illness should not be difficult.
"No, everyone you recommended is very capable. Dr. House and Dr. Sean have already discussed a way to treat Helen..." Seeing Mike's emotional fluctuation, John quickly explained.
It must be said that John was an old hand, picking two of the best doctors with the fewest troubles from a group of great physicians.
"Is it a money problem?" After locking onto the target, Mike quickly understood John's dilemma.
First, Dr. Sean, he should have just graduated from medical school now. Because of his autism, it would probably be difficult for him to even find an intern doctor's job.
So the problem was not with this rookie who possessed powerful spatial simulation abilities.
Then the problem must be with House, that old fox.
This eccentric Dr. House was best at, while treating patients, intentionally or unintentionally, scamming people.
For him, treating Helen's illness was not difficult. The reason he was making things difficult for John was probably because he saw an opportunity in him.
Yes, due to Dr. House's personality, his private clinic rarely received sponsorship for medical research.
In this situation, John, dressed in an expensive suit, with a very sincere and anxious attitude, approaching him, looked like a "big fat sheep" in every way.
And then, after confirming that he could treat Helen, it would not be surprising for House to pull any tricks.
After all, the other party had no integrity whatsoever.
"Go tell Dr. House, one million! This is my personal initial research fund for him. If he wants more, it will depend on his future performance." Mike, having understood the key point, directly gave John instructions.
He wasn't afraid of the other party's ambition, only afraid of their incompetence.
Mike now had the idea of building his own medical team. Although he didn't need it himself, who could guarantee that the people around him wouldn't have a headache or fever?
Moreover, if Dr. House could truly research something beneficial to the public, Mike wouldn't mind helping him open a medical company.
Benefiting the people and making money, this was a win-win situation.
"One million, that's too much! Helen and I have already received too much care from you, we can't use your money anymore." John, determined to be loyal to Mike, had learned to consider things for his boss.
"Just convey my message to Dr. House and Dr. Sean, no need for extra words." Mike had no intention of explaining to the other party, finally saying, "Also, tell Dr. House to treat Helen well."
"On behalf of Helen, thank you for your care, boss." After the matter was settled, John expressed his family's gratitude.
Looking at him now, even if Mike told him to die, he would probably do it without hesitation.
This situation also greatly shocked Wesley, who was quietly observing from the side.
Because of Mike's request, Wesley, who had been learning Gun Kata with John under Cross during this period, had become familiar with John.
This was the first time he knew that the "cool guy" who always looked indifferent also had such an emotional side.
On the other side, Cross, as Wesley's teacher and father, was much calmer than his son.
How could this former League of Assassins's top assassin, whose life had been full of twists and turns and who had been betrayed multiple times, not see Mike's unintentional means of winning people's hearts?
Old and cunning!
But so what if he saw it—
Cross's situation was not much better than John's.
Mike also gave him a chance to start anew, to have a family again, and to have an identity to walk in the sunlight again.
This was something Cross never dared to dream of before.
After discreetly glaring at his "overreacting" son beside him, the old Fox withdrew the unusual glint in his eyes and resumed his straight-faced sitting posture.
And Mike, who saw everything below him, the corners of his mouth curved slightly.
"Alright, everyone, please relax, no need to be so formal," Mike smiled and then looked at Cross: "How is your training plan going recently?"
Adrenaline secretion can be seen as a talent; some individuals can gradually master it through systematic training.
And the prerequisite for practicing Gun Kata is to first learn to control adrenaline secretion.
Although for Mike, the combat power bonus provided by adrenaline secretion was the main thing, and Gun Kata was optional. But for ordinary people whose physique could not be extraordinary, Gun Kata provided by adrenaline secretion was a dimensionality reduction strike against others.
Let's put it this way, John, who already had exquisite marksmanship, if he learned Gun Kata, his combat power would definitely increase exponentially.
Considering everything, fighting five or six of his former selves would be no problem at all.
"Wesley has basically mastered the knack of Gun Kata. As for John, he can already make bullets curve slightly, and it's only a matter of time before he completely masters Gun Kata." Cross knew what Mike wanted to hear, so he reported all the training results.
"Congratulations, John! You're a genius." After listening to the report, Mike sincerely congratulated John.
Being able to make bullets curve slightly proves that he can learn Gun Kata.
This is the dividing line between "mediocrity" and "greatness."
Therefore, this entry step is very important, and it is also the key step in determining whether John can become the "King of Killers."
"This is all what I should do." John remained very restrained in the face of praise.
However, the slight ripple in his eyes still revealed that he was in a good mood now.
After all, he had to take care of Helen, help her contact doctors, and also learn Gun Kata. How to plan his time, the difficulty involved was not small.
Now that he could satisfy his boss, John was also very content.
Mike encouraged John for a couple more sentences, then finally turned his gaze to Wesley.
Compared to his energetic self before, Wesley was much calmer now.
"Your progress is also very good, Wesley. After next month's mission, I'll give you a long vacation. Relax well, with your current situation, perhaps you can try to find a beautiful girlfriend..." Mike smiled and encouraged him.
"Thank you, boss. I guarantee the completion of the mission." Wesley, who was originally a little nervous, immediately became full of vitality.
After all, he was still just a twenty-five-year-old kid, who had been struggling and impoverished for half his life. Now he had skills to rely on, and his boss was giving him money, his future was bright.
At this moment, he was already considering where to go for a long vacation to indulge and enjoy himself.
As for Fox, the bad woman he once fantasized about? Who was that! He wasn't familiar with her.
A man, you know! With money, what doesn't he have?
It can be said that the current Wesley, after this period of self-adjustment, had long broadened his horizons.
Mike didn't chat much with Wesley, then turned to ask Cross a few more questions, before getting to the main topic of this gathering.
"Tina, tell everyone about the situation in Queens."
As Mike spoke, everyone in the room looked at the beautiful woman sitting quietly in the corner.
Now, Mike's X Squad structure had initially taken shape. John, who had learned introductory Gun Kata, plus Cross and his son, who also knew Gun Kata, formed the combat sequence.
And Tina, who was good at gathering intelligence, was the team's intelligence officer.
As for Needy, who had been sitting silently with a cold face on the other side, while serving as Mike's bodyguard, she could also double as a combatant.
Excluding Mike, his X Squad already had five members, each with extraordinary abilities.
At the same time, while Mike was holding a small meeting for his squad, in the side room across a corridor from the living room, Regina and several other girls, or rather, Mike's support group, were also holding a small meeting.
Of course, there was a very special presence among them, and that was Paige.
Compared to the other girls, her relationship with Mike seemed not so "intimate."
It should be known that, apart from Paige, the other girls were all "comrades" who had "used" the same gun.