“Billy, the gun.”
“Here… it is…”
Billy, who had always been nagging me, handed over the gun without any hesitation this time.
Billy really knows how to read the room.
*Click.*
The Colt Single Action Army, aka the Peacemaker.
Some might think it’s an old gun from the Wild West era, but in this timeline, it’s only been out for a year.
‘This’ll do.’
Especially since the SAA has been my go-to pistol for the past year.
Satisfied, I turned around.
‘…Noah, you’re just a human who’ll die if you get shot too.’
Cocky brat.
I wasn’t about to let that arrogant punk get away with it.
*Thud.*
Just as I couldn’t hold back my excitement and took a step forward—
*Grab.*
“…!”
A hand stopped me in my tracks.
“…Boss.”
It was Emma.
Emma grabbed my sleeve and refused to let go.
Even as we wasted time, Django and Josephine were getting away.
Frustrated, I turned to Emma, smiled, and said, “Emma, let go.”
“……”
Emma was known for her stubbornness, even in Justice Town.
Of course, she didn’t let go easily.
And then…
“You’re badly hurt.”
Her voice was lower than usual—not cold, but somber, almost pleading.
“Isn’t this enough? Just… stop.”
“……”
“You need to get treated first…”
*Throb.*
Honestly, my body wasn’t in great shape.
I’d been shot in…
The ear, shoulder, ribs, and right arm.
None of them were immediately life-threatening, and the bullets had grazed me, but taking four shots was still a big deal.
*Drip.*
The bleeding wasn’t heavy, but it was steady.
Still, I wasn’t about to collapse.
In fact, I felt light and agile.
And it’s not like I was the only one injured—Django was in the same boat. If I caught up now, I could take him down.
But Emma didn’t see it that way.
“Get treated… and go back to Justice Town. Just… stop.”
Emma’s expression made it seem like she thought I was about to die.
It really bothered me.
“……”
*Snap.*
I forcibly pried Emma’s pale, delicate wrist off my sleeve.
As I turned away, Emma cried out, “Didn’t you hate it when people called you a brat?”
“……”
“But now you’re acting like a kid throwing a tantrum because you lost a fight—!”
“……”
“Get a grip, you idiot—! Where do you think you’re going after getting shot like that—!”
Emma was right.
If I were truly smart, I’d be taking care of myself instead of chasing Django.
And I did hate it when people called me a brat.
But…
‘A man only grows up after serving in the military. Once you’re discharged, Noah, you’ll be a real adult.’
That’s what Dad said.
A man only becomes a true adult after serving in the military.
“Emma, I’ll always be a brat here.”
So even after 17 years in this world, I’m still a Kid.
Even if 30, 50, or 100 years pass, in this damn Wild West game, I’ll always be the Kid.
You think I’m acting like a kid throwing a tantrum because I can’t admit I lost?
You’re right.
I can’t admit I lost to him.
I’ve been like this for the past 17 years.
And…
I’ve always won in the end.
This time will be no different.
*Tap.*
With that, I coldly ignored Emma and followed Django.
Even after three years, I was still familiar with San Francisco’s layout.
Meanwhile, Django and Josephine were just visitors who hadn’t been here long.
Plus…
‘They went this way.’
There were still traces of Django’s blood on the ground.
I was sure I’d catch up to them soon.
**
“Huff—, huff, huff.”
“Haah…, haah.”
After escaping from Noah, Django and Josephine ran nonstop toward the harbor.
The alleys were winding, and the ground was uneven, but it didn’t matter.
They kept running.
Honestly, they were already quite used to running.
Ever since Josephine confessed her feelings to Django…
They’d been on the run.
They’d run from William, from the bounty hunters he sent, and from the fate of being a black man and a white woman.
Now, they were running from Noah to escape America.
Sometimes, running felt like too much.
This was one of those times.
“Huff…, huff….”
Running nonstop made it hard to breathe.
Django, his mind hazy from lack of oxygen, unconsciously thought:
‘This is too hard.’
Why is running so exhausting?
Why is my life so hard?
Why do I have to suffer like this?
Honestly, sometimes I just want to give up and find peace.
Wouldn’t it be nice to just die and rest in God’s warm embrace?
No more grueling tobacco farming, no more whippings from the overseer, no more exhausting runs.
Just as Django’s spirit was about to give out, a gunshot snapped him back to reality.
*Bang—!*
“…!”
In Django’s black-and-white world, a single colored line appeared.
At first, Django didn’t know what color it was… but later, he realized it was red.
Django immediately dodged the red line.
“Josephine—! Get behind me!”
“Okay…!”
That red line was the trajectory of a bullet.
Ever since he was a kid, Django could see those trajectories.
That’s why the Montague family produced the best gunslingers in the South.
‘Who’s shooting? Could it be Noah already…?’
After dodging the bullet, Django quickly turned his head.
There, dressed in old slave patrol uniforms, was one man, and five others hiding behind the alley walls.
As soon as they made eye contact, they bowed to Josephine and said:
“William sent us.”
“……”
“Come with us, miss.”
Of course, the men William sent were…
Oh, it wasn’t just one person.
But why?
“…Josephine, close your eyes.”
To Django, who had just dealt with Noah, they seemed like mere chaff.
Swoosh.
“…!”
“Shoot, shoot!”
The moment they sensed the change in Django’s aura, they immediately tried to pull the trigger.
But…
Bang bang bang bang bang bang!
Django’s fanning and firing six shots was faster than them pulling the trigger.
And the six bullets that flew out…
“Ahhh!”
“Ugh!”
Each found their mark and took them all down.
“Ugh…”
“Ugh…”
But none of them died.
Because Django had deliberately avoided their vital spots.
“Phew…”
Confirming they were all subdued, Django quickly reloaded.
And then…
Swoosh.
“……”
Feeling a chilling sensation, he turned to Josephine.
“…Josephine, you can open your eyes now.”
“Mm…”
Swoosh.
Having fled from Noah and run non-stop, they were now right by the sea.
In the distance, they could see the port they needed to reach.
Django patted Josephine’s head and pointed towards the port.
“And… go to the port first.”
“…What?”
Startled by his words, Josephine hesitated, but Django continued firmly.
“Go to the port and hide near the ship until boarding time. And if I don’t show up, board the ship alone…”
“Django!”
“……”
“…What are you saying?”
Josephine, who understood the meaning behind Django’s words, had tears in her eyes.
“…Let’s go together.”
“……”
“Let’s go together this time too, Django…”
“…I will follow you, Josephine. But I need to buy some time.”
Josephine wanted to go with Django no matter what, but he was resolute.
Unable to do anything, Josephine clenched her fists and shouted.
“Promise me!”
“……”
“Promise me you’ll come back to me…!”
“I promise.”
“Swear to God!”
“I swear to God that I will return to you.”
Django was a devout Christian.
Only after seeing him swear to God did Josephine finally take a step.
Leaving Django behind, her steps were heavy as she slowly headed towards the port.
Watching her, Django muttered a prayer in relief.
“…God, please forgive me for lying to her.”
Ever since leaving William’s farm, running away had become too exhausting and difficult for Django.
But Django had no regrets about running away with Josephine.
Not just no regrets.
Being with Josephine was the greatest joy and light in his life.
That’s why Django had to stay.
Even if it was Josephine he loved… he wanted her to break free from the oppressive cage and live the free life she desired.
Swoosh.
To do that, he had to stop the gunslinger bringing the chill to this place.
Thud.
“…!”
Bang!!
As soon as he sensed the presence, Django fired immediately.
But…
“Whoa.”
The opponent casually dodged Django’s bullet and revealed himself.
Noah, the only one with color in Django’s world, born without the ability to see color.
Django could only see red when bullets flew, but Noah was a vibrant mix of colors.
That’s why Django was drawn to him… and his attitude of not discriminating based on race was very appealing.
But now, with a gun in hand, Noah…
“What’s wrong? Seen something you shouldn’t have?”
His very existence seemed dangerous, drenched in red.
Thud, thud.
Click.
Django didn’t fire until Noah was within 50 yards.
Noah was the same.
Both being top gunslingers, they knew all too well.
That drawing first doesn’t guarantee victory.
In the dim alley, facing each other, Noah was the first to speak.
“Do you have a preferred body part? Ear, nose, hand, foot?”
“……”
“If not, I’ll go with the ear. I don’t like being cruel either.”
There was no hint of a joke in Noah’s words, his face devoid of any smile.
From his demeanor, a chilling aura of death spread.
How dangerous must he be to be entirely cloaked in red?
Shiver.
He’s trembling.
But the more he trembled, the tighter Django gripped his gun.
Noah, sensing the time was near, pointed to a ship entering the distant port.
“…San Francisco is always busy. Ships come and go even at night.”
“……”
“That ship arriving soon. It’ll sound its horn as a sign of arrival. When the horn sounds, we draw.”
Is he proposing a duel?
For Django, with no real combat experience, it was welcome news.
So Django nodded and holstered his gun.
Seeing this, Noah also holstered his gun and asked.
“You fired one shot earlier. You don’t need to reload?”
“…It’s fine.”
What’s the big deal about one bullet?
Rather, Django shook his head, fearing Noah might pull a dirty trick during reloading.
“You’ll regret it… but if that’s what you want…”
As Noah shrugged, a sea breeze coolly enveloped them.
Django sensed the ship’s horn was about to sound.
The duel was about to begin.
Before the horn sounded, Django offered one last prayer to God.
‘God, please forgive me for killing him.’
And as if in response to his prayer…
Booooom.
The sole witness to this duel sounded the horn of commencement.
