"I'm married now, Mr. Callander. I have a wife who loves me, and a wonderful son."
"Having a family means I can't roam the land like before—chasing fugitives, collecting bounties. Every time I headed out, my wife worried herself sick."
"Once, a fugitive I'd brought in escaped from prison and came after my family. Luckily, I was home that day and stopped a disaster from happening. I can't even imagine what would've happened if I hadn't been there."
"I had to give up the life of a Bounty Hunter because, frankly… it scared me."
"But I don't know how to do anything else. I've applied for all kinds of jobs, but I keep getting turned away. At my age, nobody wants to hire me."
"I made good money when I was young, but I never saved—so now I'm stuck taking rough, low-paying work: helping out on farms, ranches, building houses, whatever comes my way."
"The pay barely covered food. I couldn't even buy a cake for my wife's and son's birthdays."
"To be honest, sir… if the Post Office hadn't covered my train fare, I wouldn't have been able to make it here from Annesburg."
"I know I'm older than your requirements, but I really have no other choice. This is the only work I'm capable of."
"So please, sir… consider hiring me. I truly need this job. I'm even willing to take less pay."
Kerry Laval explained with a bitter smile, his tone almost humble—completely unlike the legendary hunter and Sharpshooter he used to be.
Once, he had stood above all others, galloping freely across the great plains of the West.
But now, he realized he had nothing left.
This was the fate of many cowboys in their later years—not just Kerry Laval.
If Uncle had a wife and child, he might have ended up in the same situation.
"Congratulations, Mr. Laval. You're hired—as a Senior Employee."
"Given your situation, I can advance you a month's salary so you can bring your family here."
"As a Senior Employee, you're entitled to company apartments."
"And fortunately, my apartment building is already finished. You can move in today."
Davey patted Laval on the shoulder with a warm smile.
This was a four-times-speed Sharpshooter—on the same level as Mac. With such skill, even Mac might not be able to beat him.
For a talent like this, Davey felt that even $1,500 would've been worth it, let alone $150.
"Thank you. Thank you so much, Mr. Callander. I… I don't know what to say."
"I'll work hard for you, Mr. Callander. I promise."
Laval grabbed Davey's hands tightly, unable to let go.
To him, this felt like a gift from heaven—like a pie dropping out of the sky.
Before coming, he had fully expected to be rejected. If not for the reimbursed travel and lodging, he wouldn't have dared try.
His only confidence came from his marksmanship and horsemanship.
Later, Davey personally brought him to the apartment building, and Laval felt as if he were dreaming.
In Annesburg, the three of them shared a cramped room barely five square meters wide.
Now he was looking at a fifty-square-meter apartment, with a separate kitchen, bathroom, walk-in closet—an expensive vanity, curtains, carpets, and a proper bed.
Laval could hardly wait to bring his wife and son out here to enjoy this wonderful life.
Davey liked Laval a great deal. Beyond his impressive abilities, Laval offered something even more valuable: loyalty.
And right now, Davey needed loyal and reliable people to make everything go smoothly.
With fifty-two skilled men under his command, Davey had become a true powerhouse.
At least in this western region, no one would dare provoke him lightly.
...
Meanwhile, at Clemens Point.
After weeks of staying hidden, the Van der Linde Gang had finally settled down.
They began gathering intel on nearby Rhodes.
Inside the camp, an argument was erupting.
"I'll skin that fat bastard alive and cook him for dinner!" Sadie roared in fury.
With Kieran Duffy gone, Sadie had taken over kitchen duties.
The repetitive, boring work was wearing her down, making her more irritable by the day—and she had no patience for Pearson's orders.
Arthur saw Sadie, the ranch widow he once saved, arguing fiercely with Pearson and hurried over to intervene.
"Watch your damn mouth, you shrew!"
As the enforcer of the Van der Linde Gang, Pearson had a temper of his own—especially toward a widow who didn't back down.
Hearing that insult, Sadie snapped and lunged straight at him.
Thankfully, Arthur managed to hold her back.
Otherwise, Pearson might very well have ended up on the losing end.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser