Chapter 93

“Everyone worked hard today. Go home now. Don’t stop anywhere on the way.”

“Yep!”

Since it was late, Sheriff Jet ordered the security team to go home as soon as Joe and Rize’s bodies were moved to the office.

As soon as the security team scattered, Jet pulled out some money from the corner of the office.

It was the bounty for catching Zodiac.

Zodiac’s original bounty was $12,000.

Adding the atrocities in Justice Town, at least another $1,000 would be added.

But…

“Sorry, it’s such a large sum… Even if we combine all the money left in the office, it’s only $2,000.”

“……”

The cash Jet handed me right now was only about $2,000.

Well, it’s not like a small-town sheriff’s office would have a ridiculous amount of $12,000 in cash.

Having anticipated this on the way, I rubbed my sleepy eyes and said to Jet, “Then give me a promissory note.”

Sheriffs can issue promissory notes in case they run out of money to pay bounty hunters.

But judging by Jet’s expression, even that seemed unlikely.

“…The thing is, I can only issue a promissory note for up to $5,000 at a time.”

“……”

“Sorry, I’ll write you a $5,000 promissory note now, and the rest will be paid in installments whenever the巡回 judge comes by.”

So it’ll take about 3 to 5 months to get all the money.

Not bad.

I was about to nod when…

‘…Family… gotta take care of the family… family…’

Suddenly, Joe’s last words came to mind, and my feelings changed a bit.

“…When you pay the rest, set aside $2,000 and give it to Joe’s family.”

“……!”

Jet looked surprised by my unexpected request.

It’s understandable—someone like me, who’s usually obsessed with money, giving away $2,000 to someone else.

“Is that okay? I mean, I’m worried about Joe’s family too, but this is your money… No one would blame you if you kept it all.”

“It’s fine. Just give it to Joe’s family when the money comes.”

“…Alright.”

As far as I know, none of Joe’s family can earn money properly right now.

$2,000 should be enough for them to get by.

“So, are we done here? I’m heading out now.”

Having finished all my business at the sheriff’s office, I turned to leave.

But…

“…Wait, Kid.”

“…?”

Jet called me back as I turned to leave.

He stared at my face for a while and then said, “…So, you’re human after all.”

He muttered something incomprehensible.

Human.

I was very sensitive to those words.

Especially when NPCs brought up humanity or being human around me.

I frowned, and Jet came over, patting my shoulder as if to comfort me.

“Joe’s death wasn’t your fault. So don’t dwell on it.”

“…Who said I was dwelling on it?”

“Huh? No? You just looked unusually sad.”

“What are you talking about?”

Sad? Yeah, right.

I was just sleepy.

“Joe was a good guy… but I’m not sad he’s dead. You know what kind of guy I am.”

“…I see.”

At my indifferent words, Jet let go of my shoulder.

Still, his face showed concern for me.

His expression felt unfamiliar, so I quickly opened the office door to leave.

As I did, Jet left me with one last remark.

“Kid. Most people who say they’re fine aren’t really fine.”

“……”

“Sorry for the lecture. You look really tired. Go home and rest.”

“…Yeah~.”

I waved at Jet and stepped outside.

It was so cold outside that snow was falling.

I looked at the falling snow and thought, “…I should’ve just said $1,000.”

Why did I offer $2,000 to Joe’s family when I still had a long way to go before I could go home?

Even $1,000 would’ve been enough for Joe’s family to live well. I regret it.

“…No, even $500 would’ve been fine.”

I considered going back into the office to adjust the amount for Joe’s family, but…

“…Ugh. What am I doing?”

I rubbed my eyes and climbed onto No Name.

“No Name, I’m too sleepy. I’m gonna close my eyes for a bit, so take me to the office.”

“Hehe.”

No Name was a smart one.

He started moving even before I grabbed the reins.

Clip-clop.

On No Name’s back, I closed my eyes.

The seat was uncomfortable, but I was so sleepy I decided to nap anyway.

But…

Whoosh.

The freezing, biting wind and the snow piling on my shoulders kept me from fully falling asleep.

Too sleepy to stay awake, but too disturbed by the cold to sleep properly…

It was just frustrating.

“…It’s cold.”

I was wearing a coat, but it was still too cold.

This wasn’t the kind of cold you could shake off by bundling up or sitting by a fire.

It felt like my chest was hollow, and the cold wind was rushing through it.

“…So cold.”

…I just want to go home.

The home I’m talking about isn’t my office.

…It’s my real home, the one I can only go to after saving $1 million.

Only then will this cold go away.

That’s when it happened.

Thud.

“…?”

With my eyes closed, I instinctively knew No Name had stopped.

No Name wouldn’t stop for no reason…

“……”

“……”

Someone was blocking No Name’s path.

“…Seriously.”

I just wanted to get back and lie down in bed as soon as possible.

I woke up feeling annoyed.

I couldn’t stand whoever was blocking No Name’s way.

But…

Flash.

“…Who are you to block… Oh.”

“……”

When I opened my eyes and saw who was blocking the way, strangely, I wasn’t angry.

It was Emma blocking No Name.

Come to think of it, I had left Emma at Deaf Man’s Tavern and completely forgotten about her until now.

Feeling guilty, I awkwardly laughed and got off No Name’s back.

“…Ah, Emma. Sorry. I totally forgot.”

“……”

“But how did you know to come find me? I told you to stay put at Deaf Man’s Tavern because of Zodiac.”

“…Security officer Walter told me everything at Deaf Man’s Tavern. Zodiac was Rize, and the Boss fought alongside Joe, but Joe died.”

…Jet told me to go home and not wander off, but of course, someone had to go drink and spill everything.

Loose lips, huh.

“And I heard that Rize, the Zodiac, is a member of TKK.”

“……”

“…Is it all true?”

At Emma’s question demanding the truth, I hesitated for a moment before nodding.

“Yeah, it’s all true.”

“Ah…”

I was so tired right now that I couldn’t think straight.

…I wasn’t planning to tell Emma about Joe being Zodiac either.

“Let’s talk about the details later. I’m too tired and need to get some sleep. You should go home too, Emma.”

With that, I mumbled something to Emma and grabbed the saddle to get back on No Name.

And if I had just left, it would’ve been fine, but my mouth had to run.

“Ah, right. Congrats, Emma. Joe said you’re the most beautiful woman in this town.”

That was just a joke to lighten the mood since Emma looked so serious.

“…The most beautiful woman? …Ah.”

But Emma froze at my half-asleep rambling.

I immediately realized I had messed up.

The most beautiful woman in this town.

That was Zodiac’s next target.

Emma seemed to have figured out the hidden truth as soon as she heard those words from me.

‘Ah.’

I should’ve thought before speaking… I was so exhausted that I blurted out something unnecessary.

Startled, I turned to try and fix things.

“…Emma, what I just said…”

Squeeze.

“……”

Instead of asking more, Emma hugged me.

And then she whispered.

“…It’s not your fault, Boss.”

“……”

It was the system that turned the innocent Joe into a serial killer.

Rize was an enforcer sent by the organization to kill me.

Killing those two was obviously not my fault.

I killed them to survive, and it was a justified choice.

But…

“……”

“……”

…Maybe it was because Emma’s embrace was strangely warm.

I couldn’t let go of Emma.

I stayed in her arms for a long time…

“…Let go.”

Finally coming to my senses, I pushed Emma away.

It wasn’t because her embrace had turned cold over time.

…It was too warm.

That warmth, for some reason, made me nostalgic.

If I stayed like this any longer, I might get addicted and not let her go…

“Let go, Emma.”

“……”

I had to let go now.

Forcing myself to separate from Emma, I climbed onto No Name like I was running away.

“…I’m going. You should head back too.”

“…Yes.”

Without looking back at Emma, I pulled the reins.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

As No Name ran fast, the cold wind made me shiver again.

The warmth Emma had shared with me quickly faded.

**

Holding the reins myself, I arrived near the office in no time.

But moving around so much had doubled my already severe fatigue.

‘…I feel like I’m going to die.’

I just want to jump into bed and sleep like the dead.

Like a beast driven by instinct… I ran madly toward the office just to sleep.

But…

“…Huh?”

Just as I was about to reach it, my sharp eyes caught something in front of my office.

Focusing on what that uninvited guest was…

“…Ah, what the hell.”

Sophia, who had left angrily earlier, and her horse were standing in front of my office.

Still upset, she was frowning.

I was just as angry.

“Sigh… I’m tired.”

It was strange.

When Emma stopped me earlier, I wasn’t angry at all… but seeing Sophia camped out in front of my office made my blood boil.

‘…I need to be careful not to make a mistake.’

I made sure to keep my hands firmly restrained to avoid accidentally drawing my gun.

As I arrived, Sophia glared at me with eyes full of resentment.

…I really didn’t like that expression.

Enough to make me want to do something about it.

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