Chapter 227 : The Letter to Unknown Recipient (4)

The Letter to Unknown Recipient (4)

Having finished all preparations, Lee Gyeongbok boarded the boat arranged by the manager.

"Ah, that must be it over there."

An island appeared above the horizon. Once the boat docked, the view of the village came into sight.

There were several fishing boats and fish hanging on drying racks, and the number of buildings wasn't high—just a small fishing village.

― Perfect place for criminals to hide out

― But they can't fool the eyes of the great detective

― Hired Gun bastards, come on out!

With the cutscene kicking in, alex looked around. He wrinkled his nose in displeasure.

"Damn, this fish smell..."

Next to him, a laborer grumbled as he moved crates.

"All I see are fish heads. Damn it, you work hard, and you expect to eat some meat!"

He complained loudly to his coworkers, but unlike him, they just chuckled.

"What, what's so funny?"

"This your first time on Galleon Island?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Sure, in the past we only ate seafood here. Things are a bit different now, though."

"Different?"

"You can eat better-quality meat here, and at a cheaper price compared to the mainland."

As his coworkers joked, his eyes widened in disbelief.

"You're teasing me, aren't you?"

"What good does teasing you do? Just hurry up and move those crates. Let's go to the saloon when we're done."

"You'll see for yourself at the saloon that we're telling the truth."

As the laborers resumed their work, alex disembarked from the boat, and the cutscene ended.

― What? Meat talk out of nowhere?

― That cutscene must be important

― Serious foreshadowing vibes LOL

― What's at the saloon?

Lee Gyeongbok shared the viewers' curiosity.

"Something's definitely up. First, let's go to the post office."

Checking the minimap, Lee Gyeongbok headed to the post office. The village wasn't large, so it didn't take long.

The post office was also small, befitting the village's scale.

"How can I help you?"

The post office staff greeted him with a smile. Lee Gyeongbok pulled out the fake letter he'd prepared.

"This is a reply for Lady Helen."

"For Lady Helen, yes. I received it for sure."

The staff scribbled something as he accepted the letter. Lee Gyeongbok glanced around discreetly and let out a small exclamation.

"Ah, so that's why the talk about the saloon came up."

The post office was so small, there was nowhere to properly wait. Standing around outside would just make him look suspicious.

"It's perfect for surveillance."

The building opposite the post office was the saloon. From inside, he could watch who came to pick up the letter.

― Oh, he's right

― If he waits in the saloon, the event must proceed

― Guess they're giving you an excuse to wait while eating some meat

― LOL no one can resist meat!

Lee Gyeongbok entered the saloon.

It was quiet inside. If the owner hadn't been behind the bar, it might easily have been mistaken for an abandoned place.

"Ah, welcome!"

The owner, cleaning a cup, greeted Lee Gyeongbok warmly. Then, with an awkward look, continued,

"Ah, but I'm sorry, we're out of ingredients right now, so meals aren't possible. Supplies should arrive soon—would you like something to drink while you wait?"

The menu was very simple. Lee Gyeongbok ordered a coffee.

"I'll just wait and order more if needed."

He sat by the door, in a spot where he could see the post office.

― LOL if you just sit there all day without ordering anything else, you'd be a real nuisance

-???: One iced coffee please (8-hour use)

-???: Hey, let's just eat before we come

― LOL, what's a café study group doing in the Western era?

― If you wanna study, please go to the reading room LOL

As viewers chatted away, the owner brought out the coffee. Just as Lee Gyeongbok thought to taste it, control was taken from him.

A cutscene began.

"Ugh, I'm starving."

"You're not just here to mess with us, right?"

"Always being tricked... Wonder if any good meat came in today."

With a loud bang, some burly men entered.

― Wait, aren't these the guys from the earlier cutscene?

― Guess they just finished work and came for meat?

― Immediate payoff for the foreshadowing!

― But isn't there no meat right now?

― LOL, what a letdown

The saloon owner gave them the same story—wait for the supplies. Clicking their tongues, the men nonetheless agreed.

"Well, then whiskey for now."

They each grabbed a bottle and sat down. Alex glanced at them, then turned his gaze back toward the post office.

― Drinking on an empty stomach gets you drunk fast though

― Drinking whiskey as an aperitif?

― Not even soju, but straight whiskey? LOL

― These Western guys are real tough guys

― Yeah, only the strong livers survived back then

― Excuse me, were you alive in the Western era?

The camera lingered on his coffee cup as the level lowered, showing time passing.

At the same time, the saloon grew lively.

"Hey, when is the meat coming?"

"Might as well just fill our stomachs with booze instead!"

"Damn it, figured this would happen! You're just messing with us, right?!"

The laborers, tipsy, started grumbling. The owner tried to calm them down with a troubled expression.

"N-no, it's almost—"

Before he could finish, there was a loud BAM and the rear saloon door swung open, drawing everyone's attention.

Through the open door, a hunter entered, lugging a large hunk of meat.

"Ohh!"

"Finally here!"

"We're about to eat some fresh meat!"

The workers grinned broadly, turning serious as the hunter set down the meat, revealing her face on screen.

― Huh?

― A Native?

― A woman hunter too

― Carrying that big hunk of meat? Serious strength build

The hunter was Native American. Seeing her, some laborers spat on the floor.

"Damn it! No one said the meat was caught by an Indian!"

"Shit, I didn't know either!"

"Owner! Are you crazy? Who knows what kind of sorcery that Indian might've put on the meat and you're selling it?!"

Their voices escalated, and Alex's face grew grim. So did Lee Gyeongbok's and the viewers' expressions.

― Just showing their ignorance straight up LOL

― It's Native, not Indian, okay?

― Though, honestly, back then pretty much everyone called them Indians

― Yeah LOL even now some stick to that term

― Dare to ruin the detective's tea time?

The cutscene slowed, the colors draining until only two things remained in color:

The view out the window and the shouting laborers.

[Ignore]

[Intervene]

Explanations appeared beside each choice, prompting viewer reactions.

― The choices diverge here

― If you take your eye off the goal, won't you miss the target?

― If you get involved and a fight starts, his cover might be blown

― Gang members might come to pick up the letter while you're distracted?

― Should you ignore it? I mean, it is someone else's problem...

Those favoring the former pointed out that losing focus could derail the pursuit.

― No, you need to dispatch this quickly

― Yeah LOL leaving it alone will just draw more attention

― How can you keep tailing them with all that noise?

― If it was anyone else, maybe, but Godple can clean this up instantly

― Thinking about his conversation partner, he should help the Native

― Convo buddy?

― He means the Native friend from the prologue

On the other hand, those wanting Lee Gyeongbok to step in trusted in his ability, claiming it'd actually make surveillance easier.

At the same time, Lee Gyeongbok hesitated for a different reason.

'This is different.'

He wasn't worried about the laborers—rather, the hunter caught his attention. There was a unique aura about her.

'Does her role change depending on my choice?'

Depending on his decision, her energy shifted between positive and negative.

She was clearly more than a simple extra.

'Is this a branching point?'

Making his decision, Lee Gyeongbok spoke,

"Let's settle this quickly."

He chose to intervene and turn her from a villain to an ally. With the choice made, alex stood up.

"If you're not going to eat, then get lost."

Everyone turned to look at Alex. The laborers scowled drunkenly.

"What?"

"Who the hell are you?"

"Oh, does this Indian belong to you then?"

They burst out laughing, but Alex sighed and drew his pistol.

Their laughter died instantly.

― Just show a gun and everyone wakes up, right?

― Who needs a hangover cure when you've got a pistol

― Better than any energy drink!

― LOL I'm bringing a pistol to the next drinking party

― No, seriously, that's just nuts!

Viewers were delighted by the reaction. But the laborers weren't about to give up so easily.

"Hey, who do you think you are?!"

"Yeah, like you'd actually shoot!"

"You think some guy sipping coffee can use a pistol?"

As they tried to swagger over, control returned.

― They still don't get it, huh?

― These guys are too busy saving face LOL

― That's it! Let's shoot!

― LOL, is this Roderi syndrome?

-???: One shot is enough, let me just fire one shot!

The viewers clamored for him to shoot. Lee Gyeongbok obliged.

With a string of gunshots, the bottles the laborers held shattered, spilling alcohol onto the floor.

"What...?!"

"P-please spare us!"

"Let's get outta here!"

Frightened, the laborers fled in a rush. Lee Gyeongbok chuckled and holstered his pistol.

― Punk cut!

― Lightning draw LOL

― Damn, you hit just the bottle, wow

― It'd be pure ignorance to challenge someone with that skillset LOL

― That's booze on the floor, right? Not... something else?

― LOL that's gross

With things settled, another cutscene activated.

"Th-thank you!"

The saloon owner breathed a sigh of relief and expressed gratitude. The hunter then approached Alex.

"I could've handled it myself, even if you hadn't stepped in."

Though she said that, she offered a faint smile.

"But stepping in for an 'Indian'? You're a rare sort. Thanks."

"Was that sarcasm?"

"Well, most people get mad if you call them 'Native'. Just in case, you know."

"No, not me. I actually owe my life to a 'Native' once."

Her expression shifted at that.

"Is that so? Ah, my apologies. Name's Dawn Light—your people's way of saying it. I could tell you my real name, but most folks can't pronounce it."

"Dawn Light. Like the light of dawn. Nice name. I'm Alex."

"Alex, huh. Hey owner, serve this friend the best cut you've got. Charge it to the value of my catch."

Before Alex could protest, she waved her hand dismissively.

"I owe you for helping, but my catch will be happier this way, too. Better than becoming flesh and blood of those rude bastards."

"... Alright, then."

Light left with a smile, and Alex returned to his seat.

― Light-nuna's a really likable character LOL

― Yeah, she's got a refreshing personality

― In westerns, the Natives are always the good guys!

― From her name alone, she's got to be good

Viewers were pleased. The owner hastily prepared and served a meal.

Even though it was drool-worthy, alex paid it no attention, his focus entirely on the post office.

His face turned serious as he watched.

Then the scene shifted, and viewers filled the chat with question marks.

― Huh?

― What's going on?

― Light-nuna?

― What, is the story twisting this much?

Dawn Light was seen at the post office, looking joyful. In her hand was the fake letter Lee Gyeongbok had written.

She was the target—a member of the Hired Gun gang.

― That's a nasty twist!

― Genome-kick is brutal this time!

― Does this mean he just helped his enemy?

― They're making the Native a villain?

― Damn, that'll definitely cause controversy locally

Lee Gyeongbok was surprised. But not for the same reason as the viewers.

'I assumed all the revenge targets would be villains, but that's not the case?'

Because she still gave off positive energy.

* * *

Night fell.

The forest grew darker, but that made the light from the cabin even more distinct.

Following Light led to what was clearly her hideout.

"Let's see if she's inside."

Silently, Lee Gyeongbok approached the cabin. Looking through the window, he saw Light holding the letter up to a candle.

"What is this...?"

She narrowed her eyes, tilting her confused expression.

"Send the letter again? Seven copies?"

Muttering in total confusion at what Lee Gyeongbok had written, she seemed at a loss.

― LOL

― She's reading it for real

― Roc&Roll AI is legendary

― Haha! Taste of Britain!

― LOL I actually cracked up there

Viewers were delighted. Lee Gyeongbok chuckled quietly, then drew his pistol.

"Time for an interrogation."

He kicked the door open and stormed in. Startled, light jerked her head up.

Control ceded; a cutscene started.

"Alex?"

Recognizing his face, light frowned.

"What? How are you here? Didn't like the meat or something?"

"Absolutely disgusting."

Alex gave her a look of pure contempt.

"I know you're with the Hired Gun gang. Stop pretending to be a good person."

Light's face hardened. She exhaled deeply, staring Alex down.

"Federal Marshal? No, those cowards never work alone. Who are you—bounty hunter?"

"I'll ask the questions. Hands up."

With Alex's threat, she clamped her lips shut, then slowly began to raise her hands.

But she wasn't thinking about surrendering. As she put her hands up, she flung a tomahawk from behind her back.

"Ugh...!"

Alex twisted his body to dodge the attack. In that split second, light—a bow and quiver already at hand—leaped out the window.

― LOL, saw that coming

― Honestly, this is just normal person stuff, but still

― Yeah, but Godple wouldn't get caught by that

― That's exactly right—for Godple, this is nothing!

― Build-up for a boss fight

― If it was a Trooper control, he'd get hit by the axe and scream for a whole minute

Viewers guessed that it would be a boss fight just like with Lancaster. But the cutscene wasn't over yet.

Alex chased after her in a flash.

"Damn it..."

But the forest was dark, and Light was faster. What really slowed Alex were the traps laid all around.

"A trap for animals, huh."

Sharp traps glinted in the moonlight. One careless move would spell his doom.

As he hesitated, a whoosh sounded through the air.

"You're not just going to run, then."

An arrow whizzed past, embedding itself in a tree beside him. Grim-faced, alex snapped the arrow shaft, ending the cutscene.

― Pretty tough difficulty level

― Can't tell where the arrows are coming from at all!

― Can't just run around with all those traps

― Barely any moonlight, too

― And you can't kill Light either

― That's just too tough for average players!

Viewers marveled at the challenge. But that was only from their vantage point.

― That's why Master ranking content is for Masters LOL

― Yeah, godple will breeze through this

― Darkness and traps? The ultimate stage for Godple?

― Light should've watched Anatomy of a Master before this

― Did Q-tube exist in the Old West or what LOL

For Lee Gyeongbok, these obstacles were virtually nonexistent.

"I'll have her captured in no time."

His voice brimming with confidence.

No one knew that better than himself.

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