Chapter 102
Two weeks later.
Sacramento was one of the top cities in California, which could be considered the heart of the West.
However, just because there were many people and the city had developed didn't mean the foundation of the West disappeared.
The West was fundamentally a land that pioneers fought for and achieved, so there was strong rejection towards outsiders.
The so-called local territorialism.
This was something outsiders typically experienced when first visiting a new city or town.
Clop clop clop clop.
Here were some outsiders just entering the outskirts of Sacramento.
"Boss, two unfamiliar faces are coming from far away."
"Alright, boys. Let's welcome some outsiders after a long time."
At the city entrance, thugs who called themselves vigilantes were waiting to rob and harass outsiders entering the city.
But...
"...Hmm?"
"...What is that?"
"...Hey, eyes. Q-quickly!"
The thugs showed passive behavior, avoiding eye contact with the approaching outsiders.
"Emma, this seems to be Sacramento?"
"Is this your first time here too, Boss?"
"Yeah, I've only heard about it, but it's my first time coming."
...Even though there were only two of them.
Clop clop clop clop.
Noah and Emma ignored the thugs looking at them fearfully and slowly entered the city.
Murmur murmur.
"...W-what is that?"
"Are they bounty hunters...? Then are those behind them all outlaws?"
"Do we not need to report to the sheriff's office...?"
As they got closer to the city center, more citizens murmured seeing the two, but Noah and Emma paid no attention.
"Boss, are we going to the sheriff's office first then?"
"No, the saloon first. I'm hungry since we haven't eaten well for the past few days."
"...It seems people are misunderstanding us."
"Why are you like this, Emma? What crime have we committed? Let's act more confidently."
So Noah and Emma headed to a nearby saloon.
The two roughly arranged No Name, Bonnie, and the numerous "somethings" tied behind them in front of the saloon before entering.
"Wahaha!"
"Drink! I said drink!"
The saloon in Sacramento was no different from the Deaf Man's Bar in Justice Town.
There were many big, rough men, it smelled of alcohol and stale tobacco, and it was noisy...
Creak.
"..."
"..."
As soon as the outsiders Noah and Emma entered, it became quiet as a mouse.
"...Who's that bastard?"
"I've never seen that white flour dough-looking guy before."
Half of them were wary of the young gunslinger Noah they were seeing for the first time...
"...What's with that woman?"
"...She's the prettiest woman I've seen in my life."
The other half sent dazed looks, seemingly smitten by Emma's face, a rare beauty.
The men in the saloon didn't know what Noah and Emma had "brought" outside, so they weren't afraid of the two.
Therefore, the Sacramento locals started showing their territorialism towards the two outsiders as usual.
They tripped Noah and sent him fierce glares, while whistling and flirting with Emma.
But Noah and Emma ignored all the territorialism and just headed for the bar.
"Welcome."
Fortunately, the saloon owner and bartender didn't reject the outsiders Noah and Emma.
"Looks like you've come from far away. Well, what can I get you?"
"Beer and cold water. And bread and warm food. Meat if you have any."
"Seems you were very hungry. But this is our first time meeting, isn't it? If you're ordering so much, how about paying first?"
Flutter.
At the saloon owner's words, Noah took out a bill from his pocket.
Seeing that, the saloon owner smiled, showing his blackened teeth.
"You're a richer customer than I thought! My wife is a great cook. Just wait a bit."
"Please."
"Ah, before that, I should pour you some beer first."
Glug.
The saloon owner poured beer first and subtly asked Noah and Emma, "By the way, are you two married? What brings you all the way here?"
"Married... well, think of it however you like. Emma and I are bounty hunters. We came here to make money."
"...Bounty hunters?"
Whoosh.
When Noah casually answered that they were bounty hunters, the atmosphere in the saloon sank.
There were several gunslingers and minor outlaws here, so Noah's statement seemed to scratch their pride.
The saloon owner, noticing this change in atmosphere, tried to quickly change the subject, but...
"Ah... haha. Seems you're quite confident in your skills. But there are plenty of skilled gunslingers here in Sacramento too..."
"Well, all I've seen so far are just thugs."
Noah's indifferent tone finally fanned the already uneasy atmosphere.
"Tsk, did this young punk eat rudeness for breakfast?"
A gunslinger smoking in the corner finally couldn't contain his anger and stepped forward.
Bang—!
Step step step.
His name was Mark.
Known as quite a good shot in these parts, he kicked the table in front of him and stood up, then approached Noah.
He looked down at Noah and coldly muttered, "Hey, come out. Let's see your skills."
"Come out" here meant to go outside for a duel.
Any gunslinger would know this meaning, but Noah didn't get up from his chair.
"Well, I'm not a crazy person who kills just anyone."
"...What?"
"I only kill people worth money. Killing you wouldn't even cover the cost of the bullet, so why should I?"
Most gunslingers lived and died by their pride.
If challenged to a duel, one must accept no matter who the opponent was or what the reason was.
Which meant...
"...Heh."
Noah's refusal of the duel now looked like a coward's escape to the men in the saloon.
"Hehehe, hahaha!! Look at how this guy talks!"
"Just say you're scared if you are!"
"Kuhahahahaha!!"
The atmosphere in the saloon, which was already unfavorable towards Noah, changed to mocking him.
Mark, who had challenged him to a duel, rode this atmosphere and provocatively patted Noah's shoulder.
"What? You only kill people worth money? Puhaha, did you want to save face in front of the woman?"
"..."
"She's too good for a coward like you. A beautiful woman deserves a brave man. This saloon is full of real men unlike you, how about leaving just the woman behind?"
"Wahaha! Well said!"
"Leave just the woman and get lost, you coward! Hahat!"
Usually, at this point, one would draw their gun even if just for pride.
But Noah just stared at the man expressionlessly.
"...Boss. Please ignore such petty provocations. I'm tired. And hungry."
Even Emma beside him grabbed Noah's shoulder as if telling him to endure.
See that?
This sight once again hurt Mark's pride.
At this, he clicked his tongue once and took something out from his clothes.
Flutter.
It was someone's wanted poster.
And the sketch in it was...
"Hey, you said you only kill people worth money, right? Here's an $85 head."
It was Mark himself.
When Mark took out his own wanted poster, the saloon stirred once again.
"What... that bastard was an outlaw?"
"...Crazy guy."
"No wonder he was so damn good with a gun."
"Huh... why would you take out your own wanted poster just for a duel."
But the atmosphere in the saloon turned to praising Mark's crazy act and cheering him on.
Originally, being often called crazy means you're a brave man.
Mark, feeling good about being acknowledged as crazy by the men in the saloon, pressed Noah even more confidently.
"Still won't come out, punk? Huh?!"
But...
"...Wow."
Despite Mark's pressure, Noah just shook his head while checking the wanted poster.
"Why are there so many people with a death wish in the West, Emma?"
"...Haa."
Noah turned his head and gave Emma a look asking for permission.
At this, Emma sighed deeply and nodded as if there was no choice.
"...Do as you please, Boss."
"Right, it's just $85, but every little bit counts."
"...What?"
An $85 bounty wasn't an amount just anyone could achieve.
Mark had always been proud of the $85 bounty on his head.
But what? Just $85? A little bit?
Mark, annoyed by Noah's dismissal, drew his revolver without even going outside.
"You bastard!!"
But...
Click.
...Huh?
As soon as he drew his gun, he felt a cold sensation on his forehead.
$85 bounty Mark couldn't even follow Noah's movement with his eyes just now.
He just came to his senses and found a gun muzzle in front of him.
What is this…?
And before he could come to his senses...
Bang.
Blood splattered from his head.
"...Huh?"
"..."
The other men in the saloon also couldn't understand what had just happened.
They blinked once and suddenly Noah had a gun in his hand...
Thud.
And Mark had collapsed on the ground.
"...This crazy..."
Mark's companions belatedly tried to draw their guns and step forward, but...
Click.
"Are you outlaws too? Got wanted posters?"
Whoosh.
As Kid turned his gun muzzle with a slight smile, they were overwhelmed by the atmosphere and couldn't move.
"..."
"Never mind then."
When Mark's companions froze and did nothing, Noah put away his revolver and picked up Mark's corpse.
"Sorry, Emma. Looks like we'll have to eat later."
"...Boss, you deliberately provoked an outlaw to make money this time too, didn't you?"
"Was it obvious? Anyway, sorry."
And while apologizing to Emma...
"Hey. Owner."
"...Ah, yes."
"Sorry for messing up your place. This is a tip."
He handed the saloon owner a $1 bill and went outside.
The men in the saloon who had been badmouthing Noah held their breath and peeked outside a while after Noah left.
And what they saw was...
"...Gasp."
"Damn, how many are there?"
"...Shit, are those all outlaws? Mark is tied up there too."
Noah and Emma calmly riding their horses down the street.
And behind them...
A procession of countless outlaw corpses.
The horses Noah and Emma were riding showed no signs of fatigue while dragging the corpses of what looked like at least dozens of outlaws behind them.
A handsome couple from who knows where.
Two famous horses that looked like they'd cost at least several hundred dollars each.
A procession of outlaw corpses stretching about 30 yards behind them.
"Wow..."
"...What kind of people are they, that couple?"
The citizens of Sacramento came out to the streets to see this rare spectacle.
As people's gazes focused too much, Emma sighed softly and scolded Noah.
"...Haa, Boss. Didn't I tell you to catch outlaws in moderation?"
"I only caught those with gang marks and wanted posters, what's wrong with that?"
"It's burdensome with people staring so much… Let's go to the sheriff's office quickly to deal with these corpses."
"Okay, we'll visit the railroad tycoon uncle after that."
So the two headed to the Sacramento sheriff's office, leading dozens of outlaw corpses.
The rumor that a crazy bounty hunter couple from the east had arrived spread through Sacramento in an instant.