Korean Mercenary’s Wild West - Chapter 11: Holliday
Max thought this was the perfect timing for negotiation.
‘The bottom line is a thousand dollars.’
A consolation fee for the California Rangers who had been busting their asses chasing Murieta. A thousand dollars seemed appropriate as a settlement to avoid leaving any grudges or revenge with those guys.
‘With the current atmosphere, it’s possible.’
Just as Max was about to start negotiating with Harry Love…
“How about we do this instead?”
Someone abruptly interjected.
It was Holliday, whom he had seen in the square. He appeared on the scene, leading a group.
Behind the inn, around the shabby barn, thirty armed men exuding a gloomy aura like dark clouds gathered.
*
“California Rangers, how about we settle on a thousand dollars for you, and two thousand dollars for our Asian friend here who caught them directly?”
“Shit, what’s this now?”
Rough curses erupted from the Rangers at Holliday’s words.
On the other hand, a smile appeared and quickly disappeared from Max’s lips.
‘Did he anticipate the situation in advance?’
From the rational distribution of the bounty to everything else, Max was impressed with Holliday.
Harry Love looked at the suddenly intruding Holliday with his characteristically droopy eyes. “I don’t know who you are, but mind the place before you butt in.”
“Pardon my late introduction. I’m Cyrus Kurtz Holliday, a businessman from Pennsylvania.”
He emphasizes Pennsylvania in the East, not Kansas. It was intended to convey that he was a proper businessman from the East, not some country bumpkin.
But Harry Love’s reaction was lukewarm. “Young man, you should stick to your business. Why are you meddling in others’ affairs?”
“I’m interested in this friend here.”
Harry Love sighed and pointed at Max. “What interest could you have in someone who’s about to die?”
“I told you I’m not dying alone.”
Holliday looked at the unyielding Max with a strange gaze, then quickly addressed Harry Love. “Is that how you handle business? The California legislature will never give you the bounty.”
“I don’t know why everyone’s running their mouths like they know the legislature so well.”
Holliday raised the corner of his mouth and said, “Governor John Bigler, legislature leader Neely Johnson, John McDougal. And I know quite a few others.”
“……”
“Even if you take the bodies, they absolutely won’t give you money. I’d rather pay you myself.”
Harry Love’s eyes sparkled. When it came to money, it was worth listening to capitalists.
“To save you the time of receiving the bounty, I’ll give you a thousand dollars right here.”
“Now?”
“Right now.”
As soon as Holliday finished speaking, the man behind him held out a heavy bundle of money.
The Rangers looked at it with bewildered yet greedy eyes.
After a moment of silence, Harry Love opened his mouth. “Going this far just because of one lucky Asian. You’ll go bankrupt soon doing business like this.”
“I don’t do anything that loses me money. I’ll get it all back from the California legislature. I’ve even taken photos with the gang’s bodies just in case, so don’t get any ideas.”
“Hmm…” Harry Love glanced at his subordinates. They all nodded. They wanted to take the money and leave right away.
If the negotiation failed here, the only thing left would be an all-out fight.
Facing Max and the ten men Holliday brought, casualties for the Rangers would be inevitable.
No one wanted that to happen.
Harry Love finally nodded. “As expected of a businessman, I like how straightforward you are.”
“Deals should be clear-cut.”
Just as the bundle of money was about to change hands.
“Wait. I haven’t agreed to this yet?”
A deal going back and forth excluding himself.
Wouldn’t staying silent make me look like a pushover?
As Max clicked his tongue in disbelief, the watching Rangers were even more dumbfounded.
“Why is that bastard so confident all by himself?”
It was the typical behavior of those with nothing to lose. Max was the epitome of someone living as if today was his last day.
On the other hand, the Rangers had something to lose.
The money right in front of their eyes made their lives precious.
Ignoring the Rangers’ reactions, Max looked at Holliday.
Holliday needed a capable gunman to protect him, and that’s why he came looking for Max with money in hand.
‘You’ve sensed that a bloodbath is coming to Kansas soon too, haven’t you?’
*
– Let’s finish this first. I’ll pay the rest to our Asian friend separately.
Holliday wrapped up the situation, saying he would pay Max separately in cash.
Harry Love, pocketing the hefty bundle of money, glared at Max and spat out one last thing. “Kid. Be prepared next time we meet.”
“Not gonna prepare; let’s have a drink with a smile next time.”
“Drink? Cheeky little brat.”
As Max moved his hand to his waist, Harry Love and the Rangers once again took a step back. Someone among the Rangers, perhaps disgusted with themselves, let out a self-deprecating lament.
A moment later, Harry Love led the cursing Rangers out of town.
Max snorted and stared at their retreating figures.
“Shall we have a proper conversation now?” Around the time the Rangers disappeared from view, Holliday spoke up.
He was 28 years old this year. There was a 10-year age difference with Max.
“So where’s my two thousand dollars?”
“I’ll give it to you tomorrow. I can’t help it if the bank is out of money. But you speak our language well.”
Perhaps because he grew up wealthy, Holliday looked spotlessly clean unlike the gloomy Lee Mak-san from Joseon.
“Anyway, I heard you want to work as my bodyguard?”
“Yes. But…” Max glanced behind Holliday. “Aren’t those people enough?”
“I need to do a lot of things. When they’re scattered to different businesses, there’s not enough security personnel.”
“Is that the only reason?”
“Well… The atmosphere has been ominous lately.”
Max nodded and said, “What are the terms?”
Holliday leaned in close and whispered in Max’s ear. “Ten dollars a week.”
“That’s a miner’s wage.”
“……Miners originally get paid the most.”
“What are you talking about, the governor would get more, right?”
“You’re not the governor, are you?”
“I’m not a miner either.”
Holliday made a ‘tsk’ sound and pulled his face away for a moment. But he soon leaned in again. “Thirteen dollars. No more than that. You’re Asian, and we have to consider your age.”
“Alright. But in exchange….”
“What other conditions are you adding?”
“Saturdays and Sundays are holiday…?”
Holliday’s eyes wavered, then he burst into a hollow laugh. “Of course Sunday is a day off, but isn’t it too much to rest on Saturday too?”
“You shouldn’t think of it as resting. Self-improvement can enhance the performance of guard duties.”
“…..Fine, Saturday morning work. But let’s deduct 1 dollar from the weekly wage.”
‘This guy, he’s good at negotiating.’
Max nodded willingly. In fact, making such an offer to an Asian was quite groundbreaking in its own way.
However, to the men behind Holliday, Max was just an Asian who had suddenly popped up. Their expressions were calm, but their eyes were filled with contempt and envy.
‘I need to build up my body quickly.’
They agreed to start the job of guarding Holliday a month later.
Of course, Holliday protested, but Max made excuses about being malnourished from not eating properly.
“Ah well. Anyway, I’ll come with the money tomorrow, so let’s meet then.”
“Then please give me a thousand dollars for now.”
“A thousand dollars? What if you change your mind later?”
Max narrowed his eyes and didn’t answer. Holliday chuckled and turned away.
*
“Is there really a need to go this far?” The man next to Holliday asked.
He was a former officer from the Mexican War, a man named Albert Abston.
“Why, because he’s Asian?”
“Well, that’s part of it. But he’s just a scrawny kid.”
While 18 isn’t exactly young, Max’s appearance certainly made him look younger.
“Do you know much about the Rangers’ captain, Harry Love?”
“To some extent.”
“He’s quite skilled with a gun, right?”
“Well, he’s somewhat famous in that area.”
“Yet that Asian kid didn’t back down at all in front of him and 19 Rangers.”
Albert didn’t respond. Holliday glanced at him and said, “The Five Joaquins weren’t just some amateur gang. Harry Love let them slip through his fingers three times, and even lost two of his men. Moreover, he was outgunned by Murieta and Three-Fingered Jack, so isn’t it natural for me to want Max?”
“……”
“By the way, the Five Joaquins stole gold worth 100,000 dollars. Perhaps that’s why the California legislature recently raised the bounty from 3,000 to 5,000 dollars.”
“5,000 dollars… you say?”
“Shh, this is a secret.” Holliday put his index finger to his lips, smiling.
Albert didn’t say anything more. He still didn’t like the skinny Asian, but he realized something new about Holliday.
‘He never does anything that would lose him money.’
He thought Holliday was meddling unnecessarily, but he had just made 2,000 dollars sitting down.
“If the Rangers find out about this, will they stay quiet?”
“That’s an issue Max will have to resolve.”
“……”
“Why are you looking at me like that? I never said I’d keep it all for myself.”
*
After the armed men disappeared, silence fell around the barn as if nothing had happened.
‘So far, so good.’
He had reached an amicable resolution with the troublesome California Rangers, and in two months since being thrown into the West, he had gained money and a job.
For weapons, he had three pistols, two rifles, and three Bowie knives. It was excessive armament, but there would be use for them later.
While he was lost in these thoughts for a moment, Max suddenly drew his knife.
Then he threw it in one direction.
Swish. Thunk.
“Heup!”
Someone took a sharp breath, and Max approached the knife stuck in the corner wooden wall.
“Don’t hide secretly. Come out before you get a hole in your body.”
“……”
The one who appeared with an embarrassed face was the bouncer. Max had known he was hiding and watching since Holliday arrived.
“Are you here to collect money for the water?”
“Ah, no. I have something to tell you. Ahem.”
“Something to tell me?”
“Well, you know. Come inside the inn to sleep tonight.”
“Did the rules suddenly change?”
“I just do what the owner tells me to.”
Max thought for a moment, rubbing his chin. He considered what could have caused this sudden change in attitude.
‘Reputation. Connections. Or maybe they’re trying to prevent any potential trouble in advance?’
Whatever it was, one thing seemed clear.
Once you build up fame and wealth, racial discrimination becomes a non-issue.
Max stared into the bouncer’s nervous eyes. “If possible, give me a room with a bathroom.”
*
Max stared at his face in the bathroom mirror.
‘Is it because this kid is young? Why is there no beard?’
Being young was good, but the smooth skin without a single whisker made Max look even younger.
But there was also something unexpected for his age.
‘That’s quite robust.’
If he had to compare, it was better than Jo Yukang’s from his previous life.
Max examined his body in front of the mirror and smiled with satisfaction.
He submerged his body in the bathtub filled with water. Even though it hadn’t been long, dirt was already floating on the surface of the water.
‘Come to think of it, this is the first bath I’ve taken since coming to America.’
It might even be the first in his life.
Although he might have dipped in streams, there was no memory of bathing in Lee Mak-san’s recollections.
After an hour in the tub, Max got out feeling refreshed and put on the new underwear and clothes. They were things James and Mary had bought from the clothing store.
Boots that came up to his calves. Pants, shirt, and even a vest, all in black.
‘This style isn’t bad.’
The clothes he had been wearing belonged to a dead man, which made him uncomfortable, and someone might recognize them. He burned them all to erase any traces.
Not in the wilderness but in the inn’s restaurant. For once, Max had dinner under a roof.
“Eating together like this feels like we’re family.” Corneil couldn’t keep his mouth shut, seemingly in a good mood. James and Mary were also happy as if it was their own business that Max could finally stay at the inn.
“It’s a shame we’ll have to live apart from now on. I had so many things I wanted to learn from Max…”