Korean Mercenary’s Wild West - Chapter 10: California Rangers
“No, I’ve never seen him before.”
“If you’re thinking of settling in Kansas, it would be good to get close to that man.”
“He’s clearly a different type from us. He must be from the East and born into a wealthy family.”
“That’s exactly why we should get closer to him.”
At a glance, it seemed like words for James’ sake, but a fire lit up in Max’s eyes. A longing to belong to that class, perhaps.
“I’m sorry, but could you introduce me to that guy?”
“What for?”
“I need to get a job. Just drop one line – say there’s a gunslinger who caught the Five Joaquins gang.”
The California Rangers would have already heard the rumor anyway. That it was Max Jo, not James, who caught the gang.
“Work under Holliday?”
“I should do what I’m good at. Besides, working with a capitalist will be helpful in many ways.”
‘This guy, he’s ambitious.’ The more James learned, the harder it became to figure out Max’s personality.
He thought survival was his only goal, but now it seemed like Max was aiming for something more. At 18, it’s an age to chase dreams and ideals. But Max looked like a shrewd failed businessman aiming for a comeback.
Suddenly, he remembered what Mary had been saying all along:
– Max is an old soul and a sly fox.
It was probably a joke, but it was quite on point.
“As a matter of fact, I was just thinking about finding you a job. This works out well.”
“Then instead of standing here, you should go talk to Holliday before he disappears.” Mary urged James, saying it was a good opportunity.
“I’m sorry for the trouble.”
“No trouble at all. I’ll be right back.” James immediately went after Holliday, who was moving away from the square.
*
– Holliday, that guy certainly has an outgoing personality.
– How was it?
– When I told him about dealing with the gang, he said he really wanted to meet you. So I told him we’re staying at the inn, and he can come anytime.
But Holliday, who James thought would come soon, was nowhere to be seen for days. During that time, Max stayed in the wagon indefinitely.
‘I need to eat and exercise to build up my strength.’
Lee Mak-san’s body, which had been on the brink of starvation, needed considerable time to recover. Following James in the first place was to buy that time. He focused solely on building his body without dwelling on his boredom.
As usual, when James brought food, Max asked about Holliday.
“I heard he was in and out of the sheriff’s office yesterday.”
“Really?”
‘What on earth is he up to? Is he being cautious, or suspicious? Or… could he have noticed my intentions?’
If he was in and out of the sheriff’s office, he must have gathered various information. He might have noticed that there would soon be a conflict with the California Rangers over the bounty.
‘If he’s that smart, it’ll be fun to work with him.’
Though hopeful, it remained to be seen what Holliday was really thinking.
On the third day of staying in Kansas City like this.
“Are you Max Jo?”
Suddenly, a group rushed to the barn behind the inn. It was the California Rangers.
‘Why are you guys coming first…’
*
A middle-aged man with long curly hair and a mustache. The stout man glared at Max with intense eyes.
‘Those eyes, damn.’
At a glance, he was clearly the leader of the Rangers. That first impression wasn’t very good.
“I asked if you’re Max Jo.”
“Yes, I am.”
Just an Asian with a skinny body. Seeing Max, the Rangers’ leader clicked his tongue and opened his mouth. “So the Five Joaquins gang was taken down by a wet-behind-the-ears coolie, is that it?”
“I guess so.”
“Boy. Do you think that makes any sense?!”
As Max moved his hand to his waist, the man who shouted actually looked scared.
The Rangers also flinched and took a step back.
‘These bastards, they’re scared.’
Judging by their reaction, they had clearly heard the rumors. Even while saying it didn’t make sense, their bodies were honest.
“Sleeping in the wagon, there were a lot of bugs.”
As Max scratched his waist, the Rangers’ leader’s eyes narrowed. Then he cleared his throat and continued, “I’m Captain Harry Love. I lead the California Rangers.”
‘What a name. Wait… Love?’
Murieta, Three-Fingered Jack, and Love…
‘I remember. The Mask of Zorro!’
In the movie, Zorro was Murieta’s dead brother.
And he seeks revenge on Love…
It’s not that important, but it feels strange that the villain in the movie is named Love.
‘Is this bastard the villain…?’
But Zorro is a fictional character, and in reality, Murieta didn’t have a brother.
Moreover, judging by what he did to James’ family, Joaquin Murieta was definitely the villain.
While Max was lost in these thoughts, the bouncer managing the inn interrupted. He asked Harry Love, as if he had caught onto something:
“Did this Oriental guy cause some trouble?”
“This is none of your business.” Harry Love revealed his gun by pulling back his coat. The menacing aura emanating from the men behind him was no mere threat.
‘Why did the California Rangers crawl all the way here?’
The bouncer raised both hands, rolling his eyes nervously. “Whoa, whoa, calm down. I’m just worried something might happen to the inn.”
“If you understand, then get out.”
The bouncer slowly moved back. But he didn’t intend to leave, watching the situation from a corner.
‘They came from California, so it seems they’re here to catch that guy.’
But Harry Love’s next words defied his expectations.
“Max Jo, your name has spread all over the Oregon Trail area.”
“Is that so?”
“They say you single-handedly caught the Five Joaquins gang?”
‘Hiik!’ The bouncer widened his eyes and took a sharp breath.
At this point, Max spoke up. “They were causing trouble, so I dealt with them.”
“Then why did you put someone else forward? Because of the bounty processing?”
“I’m not a U.S. citizen yet.”
“Is that the only reason?”
“I can’t think of any other reason.”
Harry Love’s eyes narrowed. But perhaps because of his drooping eyelids, he looked more sleepy than sharp.
He glanced at the bouncer and said:
“How long are you going to stay there?”
The other Rangers also glared at him.
Sensing that the atmosphere was not right, the bouncer quickly retreated into the inn.
As the bouncer disappeared, Harry Love spoke to Max again. “Do you know that the Rangers were created to catch the Five Joaquins gang?”
“I don’t know.”
“We’ve been busting our asses chasing those guys for 3 months. We took care of two of them and were about to catch their leader, Murieta, when you snatched it away.”
“I guess it was a problem that they came to me first.”
“You should have just been victimized.” He shamelessly spouts such nonsense. “You’ve turned our efforts into nothing, so you must take responsibility.”
“I don’t have the ability to bring them back to life, though.”
At Max’s words, Harry Love let out a snicker.
“Seeing you make jokes even in this situation, you’re not an ordinary guy. You’re certainly different from the dirty and ignorant Chinese in California.”
“I’m Korean.”
“Korea… Well, no matter where you’re from. You need to disappear.”
“Do you think you can get the bounty by doing that?”
Harry Love raised the corner of his mouth and gave a signal to his subordinate. As he untied the bundle attached to the horse, a large liquor bottle was revealed.
And in that bottle were Murieta’s head and hand.
‘Ugh, that startled me…’
This meant they had already visited the sheriff’s office, confirmed the body, and even cut off the head.
“Don’t you think it’ll taste amazing if we let it soak for about ten years?”
Harry Love even licked his lips while looking at the bottle.
‘This guy is crazy.’
Max pretended to be calm and opened his mouth, “Do you think the California legislature will give you the bounty for showing that?”
“If the beneficiary dies, it’s right for us who recovered the body to take it. Or we could just grab some Asian guy who looks similar to you and present him.”
“So you’re going to kill me?”
“Well… Do you think we’ll only kill you?” Harry Love gives a sinister smirk.
Since James was put forward, has he also become a target for extermination?
This guy…his drooping eyes must be due to the weight of greed and desire, not laziness.
‘This bastard, I see. He wasn’t portrayed as a villain in Zorro for nothing.’
But judging by the fact that he’s showing the bottle with the head and even having this detailed conversation, he probably didn’t come to kill him.
Coming in broad daylight, murder is likely a secondary option.
In the end, what the California Rangers want is…
‘They want to negotiate with me.’
If I take all the bounty, their resentment will reach the sky. Maybe later, but for now, I should avoid making enemies.
Having finished his thoughts, Max calmly opened his mouth. “The California legislature isn’t stupid. Would they give out the bounty without investigating? Even if you receive it, it probably won’t meet your expectations.”
“What do you know about the legislature to be running your mouth?”
“Any country is stingy when it comes to giving money. Aren’t they the type to sit at their desks and think about how to save money that isn’t even theirs?”
Harry Love snorted. But deep down, he thought the same as Max.
‘Those damn legislators, indeed.’
Max opened his mouth again. “Well, give me some options first.”
How much do you want?
Max and Harry Love’s gazes intertwined.
“You catch on quick. Then give up the bounty.”
“All of it?”
“I’ll give you 300 dollars.”
“Just one-tenth? That’s too greedy.”
“We have a lot of mouths to feed.”
Those mouths are now glaring fiercely at Max.
“Let’s just make it clean, I’ll give you 500 dollars. I’ve conceded a lot.”
“Conceded?”
Everyone makes an incredulous expression. Some even fiddle with their guns, looking threatening.
“I thought you understood, but you’re stupid.”
“Stupid? As you can see, I have nothing to lose.”
It’s the nature of guys like this to bite harder if you show your tail.
You have to show that you’ll charge straight ahead as if you’re living only for today, even if you die soon.
“But is it okay for California Rangers to commit murder in Missouri?”
“Nobody cares if an Asian dies.”
“Are you confident you can kill me without dying yourself?”
“What?”
To the snorting Harry Love, Max spoke ominously, “Do you think Murieta and Three-Fingered Jack died while taking a shit? I have 6 bullets.”
“So you’re going to fight us?”
“I can take 6 of you with me. Where to?” As he said this, Max slightly gestured towards the sky with his eyes. “To heaven…”
Exclamations mixed with curses flowed from here and there among the Rangers.
But no one dared to draw their gun.
‘These bastards are scared shitless.’
An absurd ratio of 1 to 20.
Yet, that 1 was dominating the scene.
The California Rangers knew through witnesses that Max was an incredible quick-draw shooter.
In fact, the bullet lodged in the center of Murieta’s forehead proved it.
It wasn’t just a feeling that 6 bullets might fly towards them.
‘Should I just shoot him? Ah, that bastard, really.’
Harry Love, the leader of the Rangers, was in a terrible mood.
If he acts tough, one bullet might fly towards him, but if he backs down, he’ll lose face in front of his subordinates.
‘Right. I came here to make a deal.’
He came for money, not to kill, right?
Having rationalized himself, Harry Love spoke with a voice that tried to sound authoritative. “Excessive confidence brings trouble.”
“The first shot will definitely hit your forehead.”
‘Ah, this bastard. He has no tact.’
Let’s start negotiating again.
Harry Love glared at Max, his lips twitching.
Silence fell over the scene for a moment.
The tense emotions were solely directed towards the bounty. The battle of nerves continued to gain favorable conditions for negotiation.
It’s enough that I’ve made them nervous for now.