Chapter 12
“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 mean accept the corpses?”
“That’s right. I paid Woodburn an advance, and now it’s time 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 me.”
He meant that he needed to process the corpses to get paid, and then wrap everything up.
The sheriff shook his head.
“There’s no government subsidy left right now. It’ll come in half a month—no, sooner than that. Just wait until then. There’s no money. What do you expect me 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 basement 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 moment, 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 come to collect?”
Mollibay was part of the federal government, 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 come.
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 men.
Those remaining were clearly afraid.
As the hunters said, it wasn’t just about numbers—it was about momentum.
“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 meant—
kill both Void and Woodburn.
Jaei hesitated for a moment, 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.
Excitement 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 member.
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 members and grabbed his shoulder.
It was Mac.
The same officer from before.
Mac avoided his gaze awkwardly.
“What was his name again, Jaei?”
“Officer Mac. Nice to see you again. Did you spend that 3 dollars well?”
“Good memory. Must be because you’re young.”
“Why don’t you check the name tag if you don’t remember?”
“True. Hahaha. Anyway, Mac—perfect timing. Take point.”
“Excuse me?”
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 become even more chaotic.
Void had come 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 member’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 men 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 someone didn’t die in one shot, chills ran down his spine.
It meant the bullet had been intercepted—and could’ve come for him instead.
He cocked the hammer mechanically.
Bang! Bang!
He saw only targets.
Even if someone 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 aimed 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 became unrecognizable.
Jaei frowned.
Woodburn shrugged.
“Why? This is what all this was for.”
“······Gather your men. 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 men followed.
They would be investigated—but they had acted to save innocent women.
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 emerged—cheers erupted.
“They’re out!”
“Incredible! Gunslingers really are something else!”
“That’s Woodburn! What about Void?”
“Is Void dead? Please tell me he is!”
The sheriff looked at Jaei.
Jaei nodded.
“His body is unrecognizable, but Void is definitely dead. I handled it myself. All his men 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 me explain—”
Bang!
Before Woodburn could finish—the sheriff shot him in the head.
His body collapsed sideways.
His men stared blankly.
“Wha—”
Bang! Bang!
The sheriff executed them one by one.
When all were dead—he muttered.
“Too much talking.”
Saving women.
Self-defense.
None of it mattered.
They were gang members.
That was enough.
“Clean it up.”
Jaei and the owner exchanged glances.
The ending was messy—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.”
“Time to eat meat again. Jaei, thanks to you.”
“It was everyone’s effort.”
They talked excitedly.
Clothes, guns, going home.
“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 become a gunslinger of the West.
And for people like them—a stable life was like a blue-tinted sunset.