Two weeks later.
Sacramento is one of the top cities in California, the heart of the West.
But just because it’s crowded and developed doesn’t mean the essence of the West has disappeared.
The West is fundamentally a land fought for and won by pioneers, so there’s a strong aversion to outsiders.
So-called territorialism.
It’s something outsiders usually experience when they first arrive in a new city or town.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
Here come some outsiders just entering the outskirts of Sacramento.
“Boss, there are two unfamiliar faces approaching from a distance.”
“Yeah, guys. Let’s welcome some outsiders for a change.”
At the city entrance, self-proclaimed vigilantes were waiting to harass and rob the newcomers.
But…
“…Huh?”
“…What the hell is that?”
“…Hey, eyes! Hurry up!”
The thugs, upon seeing the approaching outsiders, actually averted their gaze and acted timidly.
“Emma, is this Sacramento?”
“Is this your first time here, Boss?”
“Yeah, I’ve only heard about it. Never been here before.”
…Even though there were only two of them.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
Noah and Emma ignored the thugs who looked at them fearfully and slowly entered the city.
Murmur, murmur.
“…What, what’s that?”
“Are they bounty hunters? Then are those behind them all outlaws?”
“Do we even need to report this to the security force?”
As they moved toward the city center, more citizens whispered upon seeing them, but Noah and Emma paid no attention.
“Boss, are we heading to the security force first?”
“No, let’s hit the tavern first. The food these past few days hasn’t been great. I’m starving.”
“…People seem to be misunderstanding us.”
“What’s wrong, Emma? What crime have we committed? Let’s act a little more confidently.”
So, Noah and Emma headed to a nearby tavern.
The two roughly organized No Name and Bonnie, along with the countless “somethings” tied up behind them, before entering.
“Wahaha!”
“Drink! Drink up!”
Sacramento’s tavern was no different from the Deaf Man’s Tavern in Justice Town.
It was full of big, rough men, reeking of alcohol and tobacco, and noisy…
Creak.
“……”
“……”
The moment the outsiders Noah and Emma entered, the place fell dead silent.
“…What’s with that guy?”
“That pale dough-looking guy, never seen him before.”
Half of them were wary of the young gunslinger Noah, whom they’d never seen before…
“…What about that woman?”
“…She’s the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen.”
The other half seemed smitten by Emma’s rare beauty, staring blankly.
The men inside the tavern didn’t know what Noah and Emma had dragged in with them, so they weren’t afraid.
Thus, the Sacramento locals started their usual territorialism toward the outsiders.
They tripped Noah and gave him menacing looks, while whistling and hitting on Emma.
But Noah and Emma ignored all the territorialism and headed straight for the bar.
“Welcome.”
Fortunately, the tavern owner and bartender didn’t reject the outsiders.
“Looks like you’ve come a long way. So, what can I get you?”
“Beer, cold water, bread, and some warm food. Meat if you have it.”
“Must be really hungry. But you’re new here. If you’re ordering so much, pay up first.”
Flap.
At the owner’s words, Noah pulled out a bill from his pocket.
Seeing it, the owner grinned, showing his black teeth.
“Looks like we’ve got a rich customer! My wife’s a great cook. Just wait a bit.”
“Thanks.”
“Ah, let me pour you a beer first.”
Glug, glug.
The owner poured the beer and subtly asked,
“By the way, are you two a couple? What brings you here?”
“Couple… think what you want. Emma and I are bounty hunters. Came here to make some money.”
“…Bounty hunters?”
Whoosh.
The atmosphere in the tavern dropped as Noah casually mentioned being a bounty hunter.
There were many gunslingers and minor outlaws here, and Noah’s words seemed to scratch their pride.
Noticing the change, the owner tried to steer the conversation…
“Ah… haha. Seems like you’re pretty confident in your skills. But Sacramento has plenty of skilled gunslingers…”
“Well, all I’ve seen so far are thugs.”
Noah’s indifferent tone only fueled the already tense atmosphere.
“Man, this kid’s got some nerve.”
A gunslinger smoking in the corner finally lost his temper and stood up.
Bang!
Clomp, clomp.
His name was Mark.
Known around here for being a decent shot, he kicked the table in front of him and approached Noah.
He looked down at Noah and coldly said,
“Hey, come out. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
“Come out” meant a duel outside.
Any gunslinger would know that, but Noah didn’t get up.
“Well, I’m not some lunatic who kills anyone.”
“…What?”
“I only kill for money. Killing you wouldn’t even cover the cost of a bullet, so why bother?”
Most gunslingers live and die by their pride.
If challenged to a duel, they must accept, no matter who or why.
Which means…
“…Huh.”
Noah’s refusal to duel made him look like a coward to the men in the tavern.
“Hahaha! Listen to this guy talk!”
“Just admit you’re scared!”
“HAHAHAHAHA!”
The already hostile atmosphere turned into mockery.
Mark, who had challenged Noah, took advantage of the mood and provocatively tapped Noah’s shoulder.
“What? You only kill for money? Pfft!”
“Ha, trying to save face in front of a girl, huh?”
“……”
“A girl like that is wasted on a coward like you. A beauty deserves a brave man. This tavern is full of real men, unlike you. How about leaving the girl and getting lost?”
“Wahaha! Well said!”
“Leave the girl and get lost, you coward! Hah!”
Usually, by this point, pride would make someone draw their gun.
But Noah just stared at the man expressionlessly.
“…Boss. Just ignore that petty provocation. I’m tired. And hungry.”
Even Emma, standing next to him, grabbed Noah’s shoulder as if to stop him, sighing.
‘Look at this?’
That sight hurt Mark’s pride once again.
He clicked his tongue and pulled something out from his pocket.
Flap.
It was someone’s wanted poster.
And the sketch inside…
“Hey, you said you only kill people worth money, right? Here’s an 85-dollar head.”
It was Mark himself.
When Mark pulled out his own wanted poster, the tavern buzzed again.
“What… that guy’s an outlaw?”
“…Crazy bastard.”
“No wonder he’s so good with a gun.”
“Wow… who pulls out their own wanted poster for a duel?”
But the tavern’s atmosphere shifted to cheering for Mark’s crazy move.
Being called a madman often means you’re a brave man.
Feeling good about being recognized as a madman by the tavern’s men, Mark pressed Noah even more.
“You still not coming out, you little punk? Huh?!”
But…
“…Wow.”
Despite Mark’s pressure, Noah just shook his head while checking the wanted poster.
“Why are there so many suicidal people in the West, Emma?”
“…Sigh.”
Noah turned to Emma, seeking her permission.
Emma sighed and nodded as if she had no choice.
“…Do as you please, Boss.”
“Alright, even if it’s just 85 dollars, every little bit counts.”
“…What?”
An 85-dollar bounty isn’t something just anyone can achieve.
Mark had always been proud of his 85-dollar bounty.
But just 85 dollars? A speck?
Annoyed by Noah’s dismissal, Mark drew his revolver without even stepping outside.
“You little-!!”
But…
Click.
‘…Huh?’
As soon as he drew his gun, he felt a cold sensation on his forehead.
Mark, with his 85-dollar bounty, couldn’t even follow Noah’s movements.
By the time he realized, there was a gun barrel in front of him.
‘What the…’
And before he could even process it…
Bang.
Blood splattered from his head.
“…Huh?”
“……”
The others in the tavern were just as confused.
In the blink of an eye, Noah had a gun in his hand…
Thud.
And Mark was already on the ground.
“…Crazy.”
Mark’s comrades, late to react, tried to draw their guns…
Click.
“You guys outlaws too? Got a bounty?”
Swoosh.
Kid smirked, swinging his gun, and the atmosphere froze them in place.
“……”
“Or not.”
As Mark’s comrades stood frozen, Noah holstered his revolver and picked up Mark’s body.
“Sorry, Emma. Looks like dinner will have to wait.”
“…Boss, did you provoke that outlaw on purpose to make money again?”
“Was it that obvious? Anyway, sorry.”
After apologizing to Emma…
“Hey, Tavern Owner.”
“…Ah, yes.”
“Sorry for the mess. Here’s a tip.”
He handed the tavern owner a dollar bill and walked out.
The men in the tavern, who had been badmouthing Noah, held their breath and peeked outside after Noah left.
What they saw…
“…Gasp.”
“How many is that?”
“…Holy crap, are those all outlaws? Mark’s hanging there too.”
Noah and Emma, calmly riding their horses down the road.
And behind them…
A long line of outlaw corpses.
The horses Noah and Emma rode showed no signs of fatigue, dragging what looked like dozens of outlaw bodies.
A mysterious couple, a man and a woman.
Two horses that looked like they’d cost at least a few hundred dollars each.
And behind them, a line of outlaw corpses stretching about 30 yards.
“Wow…”
“…What kind of people are they? That couple.”
The citizens of Sacramento came out to witness the rare spectacle.
As the stares became too much, Emma sighed and scolded Noah.
“…Sigh, Boss. This is why I told you to tone it down with the outlaws.”
“I only went after the ones with bounties and the gang members. What’s the big deal?”
“People are staring too much. It’s uncomfortable. …Let’s just hurry to the Security Force to deal with these bodies.”
“Alright, we’ll visit the railroad tycoon after that.”
And so, the two headed to the Sacramento Security Force, dragging dozens of outlaw corpses.
Rumors spread quickly through Sacramento that a crazy bounty hunter couple had arrived from the East.
