Chapter 242 : The Meaning of Betrayal (5)
5 days ago · 16 min read
The Meaning of Betrayal (5)
Billy, whom everyone thought was dead, was actually alive.
That fact left everyone in shock, but no one was as surprised as Alex.
"Billy...! Billy!"
Alex, with trembling hands, kept repeating his son's name as he lifted him up.
"Dad..."
Billy, his eyes also reddened, tried to say something to Alex.
"Don't let him escape! Grab him!"
"Don't move!"
But he couldn't finish his words because the police immediately swarmed them.
"What do you think you're doing!?"
Alex recoiled at the sight and frantically pushed the police away.
"Huh?"
"No, what are you doing?!"
The police were perplexed.
Not knowing the situation between the two, the officers expressed their confusion—it was Alex himself who had first apprehended Billy.
― No way;; Can't believe it turned out like this
― Wow, this is freaking wild, damn
― It's not like the cops are in the wrong though lol
― So what are you supposed to do now?
The viewers could not hide their regret.
Alex also realized the situation and looked flustered. But there was no way he could let Billy get arrested right here.
"Let go of him! I'll—I'll take responsibility."
"What did you say?"
"No, what nonsense is this?"
The police looked at him strangely as they restrained Billy. Billy watched Alex with anxious eyes, lips sealed tight.
The viewers picked up on what he meant.
― He's keeping quiet so his dad won't get in trouble T_T
― Why? Why is this story so intense!?
― Finally found Billy, so why isn't it a happy ending? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
― Who is the Roc&Roll writer? Who is the Roc&Roll writer? Who is the Roc&Roll writer?
― This can't go on! We need to shoot!
― Lol, why do you guys always want to shoot first lmao
The situation intensified. Alex, bloodshot eyes blazing, fiddled with his gun. The police, with serious expressions, spoke.
"Whatever you're thinking, stay still."
"Alex?! What on earth is happening?!"
Just then, light joined in. Sensing the tense air, she reached for the axe strapped to her waist.
― Bright nuna's here too, lol
― Ahahah seriously, this is insane
― Wait, was this the outlaw route?
― Me, a Grade 1 agent, suddenly wanted by the law?!
― Clip title's going to write itself now?
― Don't tell me there's going to be a shootout right here?
― Crazy, even the president's bodyguards are around!?
― Ah, please! Come on!
― This situation is getting so tangled, it's like an American drama lol
The increasingly threatening atmosphere sent the chat into chaos.
"Enough! Everyone calm down!"
At that moment, a new voice interjected, drawing everyone's eyes. Naturally, the camera turned to show the source of the voice.
A middle-aged man, neatly groomed with slicked-back hair, was stepping down from a carriage.
The chat exploded with question marks. Who could this be? Then, bodyguards standing around the carriage became visible.
Lee Gyeongbok, sensing the positive aura from the man, quickly figured it out.
"Ah, that's the president."
― Huh?
― The president?
― Wait;;; why is he coming out of a carriage?
― Wasn't he supposed to come by train?
The viewers were bewildered by his words. Alex was equally incredulous.
"President Carlson? How did you...?"
While that was happening, bodyguards whispered something to President Carlson. He nodded a few times, then approached Alex.
"You stopped an assassination attempt. I am truly grateful."
He expressed his gratitude formally. Then, an awkward smile followed.
"I can understand why you'd be shocked. Since I became president, it's not the first time I've faced an assassination threat. So, I'm always cautious. I switched from the train to a carriage for that very reason."
― Whoa?
-5252, how many backstabs do we need?!
― So, stopping the assassination was all for nothing?
― No, but he still saved people, how is that nothing? lol
― This guy clearly has an outlaw streak, lol
As viewers reacted to his explanation, carlson cautiously took Alex's hands.
"It's not just my own life that's been saved. You've protected the lives of American citizens. Thank you, truly."
Alex's eyes flashed wide. Grabbing Carlson's hands with both of his, he spoke.
"You're exactly right. No one—no one was harmed. So please, I beg you, show mercy on this boy, my son Billy!"
"Your son?"
Carlson's eyes widened at this request. The police and Light, too, quickly understood the situation.
"Ah, dad..."
Billy choked up and started to sob.
"Um, what kind of situation is this...?"
Carlson was taken aback but soon composed his face.
"Mr. Alex, it's not that I don't trust you. But I don't think I can make that decision alone here. I'll be as understanding as I can, but this is something that needs to be investigated."
He then looked toward the train.
"You should discuss the details with the Chief of Investigations."
"... Chief?"
Alex and the chat alike were full of questions. As the camera turned, it caught another man getting off the train.
He, too, listened to his bodyguards and then walked toward Alex.
"My name is Harold."
He calmly introduced himself, then glanced at Carlson.
"It would be best to go to Saint Cloud for a proper conversation."
The scene gradually faded to black alongside him.
― Investigation Bureau? Is that different from the police department?
― If he's coming with the president, he must outrank everyone?
― Oh lol at least it's not a bad ending
― Godple did all this, how could it possibly be a bad ending? lol
― Was that just for dramatic effect?
The viewers were reassured.
But Gyeongbok thought otherwise.
'A character named Harold...'
With his appearance, Gyeongbok's sixth sense detected an aura.
'A total villain.'
He felt the uncomfortable energy without fail.
* * *
With the cutscene over, the location changed. Gyeongbok's new setting was the underground jail of the police station.
Behind the iron bars sat Billy. His trembling shoulders and quivering pupils spoke for his state of mind.
"D-Dad... Am I going to die now? Are they going to hang me? I don't want to die... That's not what I meant to do..."
Tears and trembling voice spilled from his lips. Billy's bloodshot eyes were fixed on Gyeongbok.
"Accused of assassinating the president? No, that's not it. That wasn't my intention! Why did it turn out like this...?"
Gyeongbok hardened his face at Billy's words.
― He's in total panic, jeez
― We're shocked, imagine how he must feel
― But if it's attempted presidential assassination, isn't hanging a given?
― If this were our country, he'd be like a high schooler—must be really scary
― Listening to him, sounds like he needs to calm down first?
― Yeah, if it's not a cutscene, we have to actually do something
Gyeongbok agreed with the rapidly rising opinions.
"Looks like this is a deduction or organizing part, like during the composite sketch. We need to learn what happened to Billy. But first, let's calm him down."
He whispered to the viewers, took a deep breath, and looked at Billy.
"Billy."
"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen..."
"Billy, it's okay. You're not going to die."
Gyeongbok spoke in a calm voice. If he was anxious, billy would never calm down.
"I won't let that happen."
"Dad...?"
It seemed effective—Billy's eyes slowly regained their focus. Gyeongbok nodded.
"But I need your help. Try to take a deep breath. Slowly, deeply breathe in. If it's hard, follow me."
"Slowly..."
Gyeongbok breathed as he did after a workout's cooldown. Billy breathed with him, and his tremors slowly eased.
― Lol, why is he so good at this?
― How could anyone not calm down with that Perfect Voice guiding them? lol
― Finding myself following along, too
― This is actually pretty good
― Is this the Perfect Breathing Technique?
Once Billy calmed down, Gyeongbok smiled gently at him.
"Good job. Feel a bit better now?"
"Yes..."
"I'll help you, just like this. Just tell me what happened."
Billy flinched, but unlike before, he didn't panic. Though his face was still confused.
"I mean... what do I say? Where do I start?"
"Start from how you joined the gang. Why did you end up with the Hired Gun gang?"
― Yeah! That's what you have to ask, lol
― Lol, no one even imagined Billy would be in a gang
― My head's still spinning from that twist
― Gotta listen to this, no matter what
Most viewers agreed, sending matching messages in chat.
Eventually, billy spoke in a dark tone.
"The ones who attacked the town back then—those were the Federal Marshals we went with, the Safe Shifters."
"... What?"
Gyeongbok's eyes widened. The chat echoed his shock.
― Not the Hired Gun, but the Safe Shifters?
― Another twist?
― Wait, how can there be more backstabs?
― What the heck is going on!?
Billy scrunched his face, recalling the painful memory, but continued speaking.
"They tried to kill me first. But then they changed their minds. They thought if they killed me right away, the gunshots would make it harder to handle the others. Since I was in jail, I couldn't escape anyway..."
He didn't finish, but it was clear enough.
"They pretended to be Federal Marshals and caught people off guard..."
― Wait, maybe because the villagers might fight back?
― They're worse than we thought
― Then who were the detectives in the prologue? Weren't they the Hired Gun?
― Well, that actually makes sense
― Yeah, even the detectives at first didn't know about the Safe Shifters
― That's why they concluded it was the Hired Gun
As Billy described it, the viewers gave a sigh.
"There were screams and gunshots. I was so, so scared. But the scariest thing was... when the sounds stopped."
"Billy..."
Billy's breathing quickened. Gyeongbok hesitated—was it okay to keep going?
But Billy shook his head first.
"Dad, I'm okay."
"If it gets too hard, you can stop at any time."
At those words, billy steadied his breath and continued.
"I was shaking in fear. But the attackers never came back. Only later did I find out it was because the Hired Gun gang started chasing them, so they ran away."
"The gang? So that means..."
"Yeah, the boss saved me."
The chat went wild at this new revelation.
― Whoa?
― The target for revenge actually saved his son!?
-5252, this is way too tangled up!
― American dramas in a nutshell
Ironically, billy's survival was thanks to the Hired Gun gang.
"The boss showed me your badge, dad. So I thought... I thought you'd been killed by them."
"Were you trying to get revenge for me?"
"... Yes. The boss said we had to take revenge on the Safe Shifters, and that's why he kept me alive. I was the only witness, the only survivor. I didn't have a choice, but I joined the gang to get revenge, too."
The events during the two days Alex was unconscious were finally revealed. Gyeongbok let out a breath without realizing.
"But I wasn't with the gang the whole time. After what happened to the town, the boss said he had to hide. So everyone scattered, but the boss took me with him. He said he needed to watch me so I wouldn't run away. During those months, I learned a lot."
"You learned?"
"Yes. How to shoot, how to hunt, how to tell herbs apart—he taught me things I needed to survive."
Gyeongbok's expression grew more complicated at this. The viewers shared their feelings in chat.
― While Alex was at the detective agency, billy was with the boss
― Feels like the boss played the parent
― But still, a gang is a gang
― A hitman watching over a kid doesn't make him a good person
― Isn't this just like Meong and Latilda?
― What, lol, totally different, dude
The chat was split for a moment, but soon the mood shifted again.
"And then, he said it was time. The boss said it was the hour of revenge and gave me dynamite."
Billy shook his head roughly.
"Dad! I really didn't know the president was on that train. I thought the Safe Shifter boss would be there... that's what I thought...!"
"Billy, deep breath. Breath in, slowly."
As Billy started to panic again, Gyeongbok quickly intervened.
While Billy calmed, the viewers pieced things together.
― So the boss used Billy
― Isn't this kind of like Stockholm Syndrome?
― Feels like when the Romwell gang tried to use our bright nuna
― He's a minor, so no one would suspect him, lol
― If it was our country, who'd believe a high schooler would carry dynamite
― Would've exploded if not for Godple, right?
― But not a chance with Godple there—just snuffed out the fuse
The boss' kindness to Billy was clearly just to use him.
While the viewers discussed, Gyeongbok also succeeded in calming Billy.
"That was tough, but you did well. Leave the rest to me."
Now that he'd heard everything, there was nothing left to ask. At Gyeongbok's words, billy nodded.
Control passed away, and another cutscene began.
"Billy, don't worry."
Alex, reaching through the bars, stroked Billy's hair.
"Losing you once was enough. I never want to experience that again."
"Dad..."
"I will never lose you again."
With those words, alex turned away.
"No matter what it takes."
His final words were so quiet Billy couldn't hear them.
― Bright Dad T_TT_TT_T
― Ah, this is what parental love looks like
― Get their kid back, only to lose them again? That would drive anyone mad
― Game that actually encourages filial piety, lol
― But why Trooper?
― Gotta stay in student character^^
― Watching this makes me want to call my parents...
-???: Why are you calling at this hour! You woke me up!
-???: What's up? Out of money?
― Parents' reactions are too brutal?
― Deleted my parents' number after seeing this, lol
― Have you lost your mind? Lol
As the viewers chatted, the scene shifted.
Alex entered the chief's office.
"Doing things your own way again..."
The police chief started to raise his voice, but fell silent, panting as he looked at Alex.
"Let's continue this later. Could you please step outside?"
Harold, in front of them, spoke as if it was a question, but his demeanor was anything but.
In the end, the police chief, irritated, left the office, slamming the door behind him. Harold let out a sigh.
"Seems he thinks we're equals, just because we're both 'chiefs.'"
He walked over to Alex and held out his hand.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm Harold, head of the US Federal Investigation Bureau under the Department of Justice."
"I'm Alex, grade 1 agent at the Preston Detective Agency."
"Yes, I know."
Harold replied smoothly and sat back down, leaving Alex standing.
-?
― What manners?
― Something feels off...
― Never met a stiff-necked guy who was a good guy, lol
The viewers felt uneasy at that attitude. Harold sat back, fingers interlocked.
"I've heard the circumstances. The assassin you caught is your son? That's ironic."
"... What's going to happen to Billy?"
"You're a detective; you must know already."
With no hesitation, harold replied.
"Even attempted murder is a heavy crime—attempted assassination of the president? There's no need to wait for a verdict; execution is a given."
Gyeongbok couldn't help but interject, unable to suppress his discomfort.
"Even if it's true, that's not how you should talk in front of a father."
― Seriously, is he a psychopath?
― Don't like this Harold guy at all
― This can't go on! We need to shoot!
― Please stop with the shooting meme, lol
― But I actually want to shoot this guy, lmao
Despite all this, alex stood firm. There was something he could never give up.
"If it was so obvious, you wouldn't have called me here separately."
His voice dripped with suppressed anger. Harold smiled.
"Indeed, I can see you're much easier to speak with than the chief who just left. I quite like that."
"What do you want?"
"Let's clarify the current situation first. You and that Indian girl—Light, was it? Capturing the gang member alive was excellent."
Harold clapped lightly. But no one took it as sincere praise.
"However, it happens that these folks are very tight-lipped. Typical of those backward Southern Confederates. Really, what era is it? Slavery, racism."
The viewers were floored by this.
― Didn't he just call her "Indian" himself?
― He doesn't even realize his own racism, lol
― Such blatant hypocrisy, so gross
― His villain points are stacking up fast, lol
― Honestly, he's clearly a villain
― I support shooting him after all
But Harold, of course, didn't pick up on their feelings and continued easily.
"But if your son was just deceived by the gang, and not actually a Southern sympathizer, as you say..."
"It's true. My son is different from them."
"Right. In that case, you're willing to cooperate with the investigation, and given the president's words, I'd like to propose a plea deal."
Alex brightened at Harold's words.
"Of course! We'll tell you everything we know. It'll help the investigation!"
― Oh, so at least he does his job right
― Was he just rude, not crooked?
― Luckily, it's not a bad ending lol
― Okay, shooting meme off for now
― Or maybe almost shoot lol
The viewers were reassured. But Gyeongbok still felt uneasy.
'Doesn't seem like it'll be resolved that easily.'
And sure enough.
"Good. I'm glad we reached an agreement. As long as you cooperate, your son will avoid execution and get life imprisonment instead."
"... What did you say?"
Harold's answer chilled the air. It wasn't just Alex's face that hardened.
― So just not dying is all we get?!
― Still bad ending?
― Is this supposed to be a joke?
― I said don't bring out the shooting meme. I'll shoot him myself, damn it
― This is making me so angry
Reflecting that anger, alex gritted his teeth.
"Innocent."
He strode up, glaring at Harold.
"What must I do for him to be found innocent?"
Harold's smile grew even wider.
"Just as I expected! Excellent! I knew we'd understand each other."
He laughed heartily. Alex's face didn't move an inch.
"I don't know if this will comfort you, but this isn't just about your son's pardon. This concerns public safety in the US."
"What do you mean?"
"Why would I, the Chief of Investigations, come all the way out West? To guard the president? No, of course not. I don't pull the trigger myself."
Harold slowly shook his head, eyes narrowing like his curled lips.
"When the train stopped, I was convinced. I saw what this blessed land and great nation need."
"Get to the point."
"Really, you should have a little more patriotism. Everything we do here is for the country."
His gaze chilled.
"Outlaws, and even detectives like you... This nation has much to fix."
"What..."
"In broad daylight, we have assassination attempts, countless gunfights. There's arson, robbery, even bootleg liquor flowing in the saloons. Can't you see what the problem is?"
He didn't wait for an answer, shaking his head and continuing.
"In the West right now, law and order are being trampled. Sheriffs, federal Marshals, private detectives? All these law enforcement agencies running wild. I'm here to correct this!"
"To correct it? How, exactly..."
"It's simple. All law enforcement and personnel need to be under one system—under the Bureau of Investigation."
Harold shrugged as if it was nothing.
"To do that, the president has to realize what a mess the current system is. And for that, your role will be the proof."
"Proof?"
"What if a mere detective solved what Federal Marshals, sheriffs, and the Police couldn't? Wouldn't that clearly show their incompetence?"
Alex's face hardened.
"So that's your condition."
"Smart, aren't you? Wipe out the Hired Gun gang—dead or alive. Then your son will be free. I promise."
Alex placed a hand on his revolver as he replied to Harold's prepared answer.
"You'll have to keep that promise."
"Of course. I uphold law and order. A promise is part of that."
Alex said no more.
He turned to leave the chief's office.
Left alone, harold casually took a sip of coffee. Ripples spread across the pitch-black surface.
[Chapter 4 – Betrayal]
[End]
The words appeared over the scene.
Chapter 4 had ended.
"Wow... That's how this chapter ends."
Gyeongbok remarked with a sigh.
"Billy returned, so I thought it might be the ending, but it looks like a new phase is beginning."
― Seriously lol, thought finding Billy meant the revenge and end, but nope
― With what happened, the chapter title fits perfectly lol
-lol, how many backstabs in one chapter!?
― There's a traitor in the gang, billy's alive, the village attack wasn't done by the Hired Gun gang, lol
― Where's Genome Jerry? Why isn't he included?
-lol, that'd be too much
― And why does the game title still fit so well?
― Finding the son, and the revenge is still desperate and noble~
― Revenge for son 〉 Revenge on behalf of son
The viewers poured out their agreement.
"Today was really fun. Especially with Billy's appearance, the chapter was so immersive. I can't wait to see what happens next!"
As Gyeongbok wrapped up, the chat burst into tears.
― And so the stream ends, t_T
― Billy returned, so why is Godple leaving?
― Gonna miss this, sob
― Isn't it the game company's fault for these chapter breaks?
― If there weren't chapter breaks, you'd have to marathon the whole game, lol
― Purple withdrawal symptoms incoming, lol
― Withdrawal? Did you just say withdrawal!?
― Are you hooked?
-???: Unable to accept the sudden end of the stream, meltdowns are happening everywhere. Just like outlaws in Roderi, people are getting violent.
― Have you lost your mind, lol
Smiling, Gyeongbok waved at the raving viewers.
"Alright, there's another stream tomorrow! Thank you for watching! Tro-ba!"
When Gyeongbok disappeared, viewers were left in deep thought.
― In line with the law-abiding nature, the stream closes at just the right moment, lol
― Not much time left for Roderi's streams either?
― Yeah, with Billy coming back, we must be in the last arc
― Wonder how the ending will go...
They sensed the end was near.
― Please, a happy ending!
― Hey, with Godple, it'll be a perfect happy ending, guaranteed!
― Has Godple ever played a game and not gotten a perfect ending?
-lol, just make sure you tune in for the next stream
The ending, as always, promised satisfaction.
And this stream would be no different.
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