“If I cancel the request to Woodburn, will you open the office?”
At Jaei’s proposal, the sheriff frowned.
As if he couldn’t understand what that had to do with anything.
“Open the office? You an accept the corpses?”
“That’s right. I paid Woodburn an advance, and now it’s ti to pay the reward. Regardless of whether the job succeeded, Woodburn did his best. It’s only right to compensate him—and it’s the safest option for .”
He ant that he needed to process the corpses to get paid, and then wrap everything up.
The sheriff shook his head.
“There’s no governnt subsidy left right now. It’ll co in half a month—no, sooner than that. Just wait until then. There’s no money. What do you expect to do?”
“There is the option of accepting the corpses in advance. Because of this sudden situation, I’m incurring expenses I hadn’t planned for.”
Increased lodging, food costs, and even basent storage fees charging over 3 dollars per corpse.
The sheriff stroked his mustache and looked at the other bounty hunters.
Each of them stood frozen, guns in hand.
All of them looked dangerous.
Bang! Bang!
Gunshots rang out again.
For a mont, the sheriff flinched, thinking the hunters had fired.
But then he realized it was just Void and Woodburn’s chaos, and awkwardly coughed.
“Ahem… so, if I accept the corpses in advance, are you asking for a promissory note?”
“If you issue a note, then let it be redeemable at a bank, not the Mollibay office. As you said, there’s no subsidy right now. And if there’s none now, who’s to say there will be when we co to collect?”
Mollibay was part of the federal governnt, but the West was still outside the East’s influence.
Corruption was rampant.
Common sense didn’t apply.
Jaei judged that going through a bank would be safer than relying on the office.
The other bounty hunters agreed.
“Unbelievable…”
The sheriff chewed his lip, thinking.
The residents had already risen up.
If things escalated further, federal investigators might co.
Then even the missing subsidies would be investigated.
The calculation was simple.
‘It’s not even my money. Just advance next month’s funds. Or Edgar can raise taxes to cover it.’
At most, each corpse would be around 50 dollars.
He had already lost several n.
Those remaining were clearly afraid.
As the hunters said, it wasn’t just about numbers—it was about montum.
“Fine. Cancel the request to Woodburn, resolve the situation, and I’ll open the office today.”
“Wise decision.”
“But one more thing.”
The sheriff added.
“I can’t tolerate those two gangs running wild in Mollibay any longer. I won’t forgive them. I want it cleaned up—completely.”
He ant—
kill both Void and Woodburn.
Jaei hesitated for a mont, but the other bounty hunters nodded eagerly.
They had planned to each contribute 10 dollars to Woodburn.
But if he died, they wouldn’t have to pay.
“That’s our specialty. Leave it to us.”
“Jaei, let’s head in.”
They put on their jackets, hats, and finished loading their weapons.
Excitent filled their faces.
All except Jaei.
“Sheriff.”
“What is it?”
“I’ll capture Woodburn alive and bring him to you. You can decide what to do with him.”
Woodburn had joined this plan to eliminate Void and take his place.
His goal was to control Mollibay under the sheriff’s leash.
Capturing him and giving him a chance—this was Jaei’s final consideration.
“Hmph. Do as you like.”
At that, Jaei took a Winchester rifle from a Security Force mber.
On the first day, he had sold all his weapons except one revolver.
Until now, he had borrowed guns from others.
But now everyone had to fight at once.
“Oh, you?”
The owner recognized one of the Security Force mbers and grabbed his shoulder.
It was Mac.
The sa officer from before.
Mac avoided his gaze awkwardly.
“What was his na again, Jaei?”
“Officer Mac. Nice to see you again. Did you spend that 3 dollars well?”
“Good mory. Must be because you’re young.”
“Why don’t you check the na tag if you don’t rember?”
“True. Hahaha. Anyway, Mac—perfect timing. Take point.”
“Excuse ?”
The owner gestured with his gun.
“You were in the team that just retreated, right? Others will cover from behind. Okay?”
At the owner’s words, the sheriff waved his hand dismissively.
Mac froze, pale-faced.
The owner grabbed him by the collar and dragged him forward—roughly.
Forcefully.
“Let’s go!”
At his shout, the bounty hunters roared.
With Jaei and Mac at the front, they charged into the alley.
Behind them, cheers from the residents.
Ahead, the sound of gunfire.
Tap tap!
“There—they are!”
Without the Security Force and hunters, the battlefield had beco even more chaotic.
Void had co out into the open.
Now, ironically, Woodburn was the one trapped in buildings.
Blood everywhere.
Corpses scattered.
Jaei slowly advanced, rifle braced—and fired.
Bang! Bang!
Click! Bang!
The owner, hunters, and a few officers rushed past him, spreading to cover.
Bang!
Jaei’s bullet pierced a Void mber’s head cleanly.
Then again—
Bang! Bang!
“Ghk—!”
Instant death.
His shots were fast and precise.
Every bullet, one kill.
If anything, those killed instantly were lucky.
Those wounded in limbs or torso writhed in agony.
Bang!
“Over there! Go right!”
“Kill all of them!”
Void, panting heavily, assessed the situation.
The Security Force had turned against them.
Charlie had betrayed them.
After all the money he had spent—this was the result.
“Kill them! Even the Security Force—kill them all!”
Bang!
At his command, his n charged.
The hunters moved skillfully.
Jaei wove between them, eliminating enemies one by one.
‘Left—behind the cart.’
Bang!
‘Yellow coat next to him.’
Bang!
If soone didn’t die in one shot, chills ran down his spine.
It ant the bullet had been intercepted—and could’ve co for him instead.
He cocked the hamr chanically.
Bang! Bang!
He saw only targets.
Even if soone fell beside him—even if screams tore through the air—he didn’t waver.
If he did, he would die.
Tap tap!
Thud!
As he turned a corner—Void.
Drenched in sweat.
Jaei’s rifle aid squarely at his forehead.
“You—!”
Void tried to pull the trigger—but Jaei was faster.
His head burst.
His gun pointed skyward.
Thud—
Void fell.
Silence.
Jaei wiped his sweat and breathed out.
Then—footsteps.
“Oh? I was going to kill him myself!”
Woodburn.
He had hidden inside, waiting.
Now he stepped out.
Clicking his tongue, he placed a foot on Void’s body—and fired repeatedly into his head.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Until his bullets ran out.
Void’s body beca unrecognizable.
Jaei frowned.
Woodburn shrugged.
“Why? This is what all this was for.”
“······Gather your n. Line up. The job is canceled. We’re going to the sheriff.”
“Ah, yes. Canceled! I’ve been waiting. Officers, you see? Void’s dead, and I have no job now. I won’t cause any more trouble.”
Woodburn threw down his gun and surrendered.
His n followed.
They would be investigated—but they had acted to save innocent won.
And Void had attacked first.
‘Self-defense.’
With money for lawyers and bribes—they would walk free.
“Drop your weapons. Hands up.”
“Yes, yes.”
The officers restrained them and escorted them out.
As they erged—cheers erupted.
“They’re out!”
“Incredible! Gunslingers really are sothing else!”
“That’s Woodburn! What about Void?”
“Is Void dead? Please tell he is!”
The sheriff looked at Jaei.
Jaei nodded.
“His body is unrecognizable, but Void is definitely dead. I handled it myself. All his n were eliminated.”
“Waaaah! Void’s dead!”
“Good! Very good!”
“Damn, should’ve borrowed money yesterday!”
As the residents cheered, the sheriff glared at Woodburn.
They knelt in a line.
Waiting.
The sheriff frowned deeply.
“Idiots. Causing all this chaos.”
“Sheriff, let explain—”
Bang!
Before Woodburn could finish—the sheriff shot him in the head.
His body collapsed sideways.
His n stared blankly.
“Wha—”
Bang! Bang!
The sheriff executed them one by one.
When all were dead—he muttered.
“Too much talking.”
Saving won.
Self-defense.
None of it mattered.
They were gang mbers.
That was enough.
“Clean it up.”
Jaei and the owner exchanged glances.
The ending was ssy—but not bad.
“······Shall we go collect the bodies?”
“Yeah.”
“Hey, let’s take one wagon together!”
The bounty hunters called out.
Jaei and the owner turned.
“Finally getting paid.”
“I already owe the inn 14 dollars.”
“Ti to eat at again. Jaei, thanks to you.”
“It was everyone’s effort.”
They talked excitedly.
Clothes, guns, going ho.
“Jaei, what about you?”
He paused.
A house.
Stability.
Maybe settling in Mollibay.
“······I’m not sure.”
He answered vaguely.
He didn’t know.
He had already beco a gunslinger of the West.
And for people like them—a stable life was like a blue-tinted sunset.
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