The Black-Haired Mercenary Who Went West
Well, no effort.
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prolog
Wheeeeeeing.
A wilderness where harsh sandstorms blow.
In the heat of the earth, in the blooming azaleas,
A horse slowly approaches the village.
Multi-faceted, multi-faceted, multi-faceted.
Heeeeeeeing.
“Wow, wow.”
The uprooted tumbleweeds rolling around like a ball of thread irritated the horse’s nerves.
The man who had calmed the horse by holding the reins lifted his ten-gallon hat, also known as a cowboy hat.
Sharp eyes without double eyelids, black pupils.
The gaze of an oriental man, out of place here, scans the village.
It was a small town with only a few buildings.
Crunch. Crunch.
A bloody storm was about to blow in. People hurriedly closed their doors as the dark clouds enveloped the village.
And then someone went into the bar and announced the entrance of an Asian.
“Oh, Max Joe is here!”
“hmm······”
Tom Bell, who created a gang named after himself.
He sat up with a deep sigh.
“Go back and finish drinking.”
The bartender nods.
Leaving the whiskey alone, Tom Bell heads out of the bar, followed by his men.
Squeak squeak.
The oil-dried swing door rattled and shook. Tom Bell stepped outside and glanced around.
Some of his men are aiming at him from behind the carriage and on the roof of the building.
‘I’ll shoot bullets all over your body.’
Tom Bell, one corner of his mouth raised.
I narrowed my eyes and looked at the Oriental man, Max Joe, approaching me on horseback.
Multifaceted, multifaceted.
Heeeeeeling.
The horse stopped and Max Joe got down.
Tom Bell, his lips parted behind his moustache, looked at the dark-haired Max Joe and said:
“You came alone? You’re a man after all. I thought you’d run away.”
The distance between them is approximately 20m.
Tombell shouted, his right hand wriggling toward the holster.
“Today, I will complete my brother’s revenge!”
Max Joe makes a mockery of himself.
Tom Bell’s eyes became fierce as he clenched his molars.
“I will kill not only you, but all of China!”
Max Joe looked indifferent despite the maddening rebuke.
“Here we go again. I’m from Korea… no, Joseon, Inma.”
“Bullshit! I’ll kill you right now and all the Chinese bastards in California…”
Before Tom Bell could finish speaking.
Max Joe’s hands moved quickly.
It only takes a split second to pull out the gun, cock the hammer of the revolver, and cock it.
Tatang!
Panning followed by a fast draw.
dump.
Tom Bell and his men fell like rotten straw.
“fast···.”
Tom Bell’s body stirred and then became quiet.
But the fight wasn’t over.
Taaang! Bang! Bang!
Gunshots could be heard here and there, and the screams of those who had fallen from the building behind the carriage could be heard.
After a while.
“Hoooo.”
Max Joe blew away the smoke from the muzzle of the gun.
Whirlirik tucked the gun into his waistband and walked with staggering steps, swinging his poncho.
His colleagues began to gather around him, one by one.
When the gunfire stopped, the townspeople quietly opened their windows.
Corpses strewn everywhere.
And then I see people standing with their backs to the sunset.
“Seven Strong!”
But why eight?
While the townspeople were solving their doubts.
Max Cho, the leader and the only Asian, glanced to the side.
“The numbers don’t match. The youngest is behind.”
“seed···.”
The youngest fell back, pouting.
‘I guess the picture is starting to come out now.’
Wild West.
Gold rush.
cowboy.
And the outlaws.
This is the romantic, chaotic West.
Texas, USA, mid-19th century.
Is this how it goes?
Fast is fine,
but accuracy is final
Fast is good, but
Accuracy is best.
——– Wyatt Earp
Damascus, the capital of Syria, where civil war is in full swing.
– Hello, Jo Yu-kang.
A voice coming from the other end of the receiver.
He is the owner of a PMC (private military company) called Alpha Leadcorp, whose name he has not been able to pronounce properly for years.
– I heard you. Are you serious?
“After seven years, it’s time to quit. Why, are you upset?”
– Of course. It seems like only yesterday that we went on a mission together. How can we just quit like this!
“What? Are you telling me to go out after getting shot?”
– Even if it’s a joke, it’s not like that. Be honest. It’s because of Eric, right?
“Well, it’s a bit of a mixed bag.”
The death of Eric, a colleague who was like a brother to me.
What made Jo Yu-gang feel helpless more than anything else.
The fact that they caught the murderer who killed Eric but failed to deal with him properly.
Rather, the man who massacred Eric and dozens of civilians even ridiculed Jo Yoo-gang as he was handed over to the Syrian government forces.
It will take at least a year for him to be brought to trial and receive a verdict. Given the circumstances, even that verdict will likely be in his favor.
PMC mercenaries who die on the battlefield are not included in the official death tally.
‘That’s what a mercenary is…’
The limits of a mercenary who trades his life for money.
His colleague’s revenge also had to be resolved within the boundaries of the client and the law. These things made Jo Yu-gang depressed.
– I know how you feel, but I couldn’t help it. Killing him was beyond our mission.
“I know. That’s why I lost interest and passion.”
– Then I’ll send you wherever you want. Iraq, Sudan, Somalia. Just tell me where.
There’s a fuss going on because other teams want to work with you too.
“I told you, it doesn’t matter where you are.”
There was silence for a moment.
– Okay! Then let’s work at headquarters together.
“Wearing a suit in the office?”
– Humans are creatures of adaptation. Think of yourself in a suit. It may be impossible, but who knows if you’ll date a woman.
“Impossible? Tsk. If you stay in a stuffy office, you’ll miss the field. Then you’ll ask to be sent back. Is that what you’re aiming for?”
– Ahem. Thanks to you, our Alpha Leadcorp has grown this much. It would be a waste to let it go like this. Please consider my suggestion as well.
After becoming the owner, he became quite sinister.
Jo Yoo-kang said with a light sigh.
“I’m sorry, but this is a decision I made after careful consideration.”
– Tch. Then give me back the revolver I gave you.
“Would you do that fatally? Giving and then taking away is the worst thing you can do.”
A small laugh is heard over the phone.
The revolver was a gift from him and is an antique that is over 140 years old.
The official name is M1873 Colt Single Action Army.
It is a method of firing that requires the hammer to be cocked back every time a trigger is pressed, called a Peacemaker.
Even if it is an antique, it still works without any problems if you put bullets in it. Jo Yoo-gang always carried a personal firearm on his waist when he was on a mission where he could carry it.
I liked it so much that I never thought of giving it back.
The owner, who enjoyed Jo Yoo-kang’s reaction, continued speaking with a smile.
– Okay, okay. Instead, when you come to the US, stop by the office. You’re going to travel here anyway.
“That’s a quick piece of information. How did you know I was traveling to the US?”
– Because it was Eric’s will.
Just before he died, Eric gave the necklace he cherished to Jo Yu-gang.
With the words, “Please go to Vista, a place in the western United States that I wanted to travel to instead.”
– Anyway, come visit me when you’re done with your trip. We’ll have a nice drink.
“Okay. See you then.”
Once a decision is made, it is not easily changed.
Since the owner also knew Jo Yu-gang’s personality, he did not try to persuade her any further.
It’s frustratingly easy to quit a job you’ve been working at for years. It’s all a few phone calls away.
However, parting ways with colleagues I had grown close to was a sad and regrettable experience.
Jo Yoo-gang stared blankly at his comrades who were arming themselves with their arms crossed.
Today’s mission is to protect a key person at the request of the Syrian government.
“If you really want to, then come and take it, Captain.”
Merrick, a black man with a height of 190cm, glanced at Jo Yu-gang and said.
In place of Jo Yu-gang, he became the leader of the eight-member team.
“You don’t feel any regrets at all?”
“It’s not like that based on the look in your eyes. What is it?”
Merrick’s colleagues snicker at his words.
“I thought it would be a sea of tears. These guys are laughing.”
“If I don’t see the captain, then I’ll cry. Huh.”
Merrick turned his head away as if he was embarrassed by his size.
That sight isn’t cute at all.
“So, what are you going to do next?”
This time, Henry, the white man next to Merrick, asked with a sour expression.
That’s just his original personality.
He has good skills, but he is a terrible leader.
“You said you were traveling to America.”
“Then I’ll tell you.”
“I need to make money. I’m thinking about starting a business in Korea.”
“Business? You, the crazy one who only seeks out battlefields? You, the PMC’s ultimate weapon?”
Henry sneered, wearing his combat vest.
‘How many times do I have to be hit before I come to my senses?’
Even though he kept fighting and getting beaten up by Jo Yoo-gang every time, his personality did not change easily.
“Now that I’m gone, you’re the best.”
Henry laughed at Jo Yoo-kang’s words.
“That’s a happy thing. Anyway, you don’t have a family or anyone waiting for you. This job is perfect for guys like us.”
“Well, if I see something that doesn’t seem right, I’ll contact you.”
“Tch. You’re going to go all the way, right? Now I don’t have to see that disgusting imitation of Che Guevara.”
The 21st century Che Guevara. He was not a revolutionary, but he was given the nickname because he always carried a book with him.
However, most of the books were about history and economics, not philosophy or politics, and their basis was preparation for life after becoming a mercenary.
“Let’s see how well you eat and live!”
Henry shouted, wrapping his scarf around his neck nervously.
The other comrades who met Jo Yoo-gang’s eyes shrugged their shoulders. Merrick, the leader, checked the weapons status of the men and spoke.
“It’s time. I don’t know when we’ll see each other again, but let’s keep in touch, Captain.”
The agents’ armament was completed with M4 rifles and Glock pistols.
Starting with Merrick, Jo Yoo-kang shook hands with each and every agent as they left the hotel room.
slam.
Instead of shaking hands, Henry slapped his palm.
“If you change your contact information, we will find out until the end.”
“Are you a stalker?”
“Anyway. I’m going···”
When Henry disappears, the surroundings become quiet.
In the empty room left alone, Jo Yu-gang looked around.
The room was so clean that there was no trace of anyone having stayed there.
I was going to get back to it anyway, but I got into the habit of doing it just in case I couldn’t.
“Goodbye, everyone.”
Suddenly.
I close the hotel door and pack my backpack.
