Nathan Judge is your average leisure loving scum, spending every coin he has on booze and prostitutes.

He works at the mines down south from Jacksonville as a supervisor for the workers and washes money for the Stokes.

I wouldn't normally take a job on someone from the Stokes but Natalie just had to trade her favour for it, leaving me with no choice but to accept the measly three coins she offered. The Stokes are notorious for taking revenge for any slight against them, leading to their monopoly on Magitech that uses Fire Gems.

As any Elemental Gem bigger than a marble is restricted to mines or the truly high levelled [Tinkerer]'s and they threaten or kill anyone selling to their competitors, they managed to amass quite a powerbase.

Once Nathan finishes his shift, I follow, keeping to the alleys and chatting with passerbys without really listening. It's something I've picked up over the past years, nod and smile, ask the same three questions, continue.

Predictably, he goes straight for the saloon and buys himself a drink, Scotch, after sitting down at the bar.

There are four patrons in the Saloon, all sitting around a table and telling stories of monsters to the west.

I [Identify] him and get a [Coordinator-lvl 12] from it before dropping down onto the stool next to him and ordering a mug of beer. He must have switched classes to be this low level at his age or he never killed anyone.

Levelling is dependent on a few factors but the main one, that smarter people have their own complicated name for in another language, is the Stress Factor. You will level quicker if you have to meet ridiculous deadlines or fight ten people at once, while people that are rich have ridiculous resources to throw at any problem.

Anyone surviving in the Hunters plains on their own is bound to level quickly with all the monsters, bandits and gangs around. The harsh conditions here are also the reason why there are so many bandits, If some folk are to be believed.

As the bartender prepares our drinks, swiping the coin into a pouch with the help of a skill, Nathan takes a sip of his scotch before speaking up, "Why are you following me, boy?"

So he knew I was following him…

I grab my mug, pull out my revolver and slam it on the counter in front of me with a loud clunk for all patrons to see. "You haven't been paying your tab at The Open Dress, Nathan."

He scoffs without turning to me, leaning onto the bar, "Do you not know who I am? I am a part of the Stokes, boy."

Can't he drop the "boy" already? I start nursing my mug, having to hold it with both hands due to my small size. "Even the Stokes pay their tabs, or are you not paid enough?"

This time he turns to me, an ugly expression on his face as spittle flies. "Leave boy or I'll kill-"

Click

I cock the hammer of my revolver, holding it against his chin. A not so subtle threat that I have better stats than him if he didn't even notice.

He stops talking as he feels the cold Iron press against the bottom of his chin, magitech whirring quietly from beneath my coat. "I know what you are and you are in no position to kill me. I assume you are focused on Magic and Strength, are you not?"

He gulps loudly as I use [Death in disguise] to change my displayed class from [Magitech Tinkerer-lvl 4] to [Bounty Hunter-lvl 4]. I really lucked out with that skill, allowing me to change my displayed class even if I can't change the level. He obviously uses [Identify] again and upon seeing my changed class, he freezes up.

"I can give you more than she can." He bargains, "I've got money stashed away and Cinder would never allow you to walk away after killing one of her own."

I sigh and shakily grab my drink with one hand, taking a sip. "It's not about the money, She cashed in a favour and now I have to deliver."

He grabs my hand and forces my revolver out of it, taking a step back and bowling over the stool with his strength.

The entire saloon moves and before the others even stand up, Nathan and I are aiming at each other with revolvers.

I am using my Magitech revolver, barrel thrumming quietly as the Firegem bullet is being loaded, [Steady Aim] is steadily eating away at my Mana. "Last chance, Nathan. Your revolver isn't loaded."

He looks between me and the bartender who has a hand beneath the counter, probably on a handgun, and readjusts his grip. "You're bluffing."

"Try me." I say, "Shoot me or pay your tab."

He stares at me, trying to call my bluff. I can see sweat starting to pool on his forehead and soak into his beard.

I keep as blank a face as I can manage, aiming for his head.

It only takes a few dozen seconds but as my Mana reaches half, he reaches a decision.

His finger tightens around the trigger but I am faster, activating [Reap Shot] and using up the last of my Mana.

The hammer slams into the firing pin, igniting the magical charge at the back of the bullet and activating the runes throughout the chamber and barrel. A reddish glow races along the barrel, shining through small gaps between the chamber and the barrel.

A singular gunshot rings out as he falls down to the ground, the right side of his head blown away by my skill empowered bullet.

[You've killed a Coordinator-lvl 6]

The bartender is pointing a shotgun at me cautiously. "You a Bounty Hunter?"

I casually walk over to Nathan and lean down, picking up my revolver and emptying its chamber before putting both into my holsters on the inside of my coat. "Yes but he is the only target of mine today. I will take care of the corpse of course and…" I grab two coins from my pouch and put them on the counter, "This should be enough for his drink and the disturbance."

He checks the coins by biting into them and puts them in the register, satisfied. "Fine."

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

I finish my mug of beer and grab the corpse, throwing it over my shoulders.

As I walk out, I can't help but think about my revolver. It's hot inside the holster, nowhere near hot enough to cause burns but I also only shot one bullet. Cooling fins or an exhaust might be needed for bigger or faster firing weapons.

I carry his corpse all the way to the east, where a pack of hyenas make their territory, and dump the body on the ground.

I rifle through his pockets and find four coins, a ring with the Stoke emblem, a dagger and a canteen full of something foul smelling. I take it all and leave the body for the hyenas after taking his necklace, proof of a job done.

I can hear the hyenas pounce on the feast as I start walking back to town. It's not proper and many people would prefer him buried but I prefer to have my victims not be able to be brought back with a grudge by a [Necromancer].

I make my way to The Open Dress, the only brothel in Jacksonville, and ask for Natalie.

"Oh, Natalie only meets with regulars, sorry. I can recommend you one of our other girls or boys though, Laura is exceptionally popular this month." The receptionist says, instantly trying to sell me a night of fun.

I brush back my coat and reveal my revolver. "I am here because of the bounty."

"R- Right away sir!" She rushes off and guides me through the brothel, past the dancers and into a private room in the back. "She will be with you shortly."

It doesn't even take a minute for her to arrive but I still put some snacks in my pockets and eat an apple, a rarity. They left me in a VIP room if they really have apples laying around here. It's a spacious room with a couch and a huge bed covered in cushions and silk sheets.

She opens the door and saunters in, a bounce in her steps and a swing in her hips. "I hear you have been successful Grant and I think it's time for a reward."

She sits down in my lap and straddles me, arms roaming over my shoulders and down my chest as I answer "The coins you provided are enough, it was a favour after all."

She leans forward and whispers into my ear "But you did not have to try so hard nor send such a strong message."

With her hands continuously wandering over my body, slowly roaming beneath my coat, it gets increasingly difficult to concentrate. A blush is slowly creeping on my pale face as I answer, voice a whisper "It was a favour so I wanted to make sure you are satisfied."

She purrs as she slides her already revealing clothing down her torso, revealing her plentiful chest "Oh yeah, you satisfied me alright."

I shove her off of me, more roughly than I intended, and stand up, pulling out the necklace. "I thank you for the offer but I- I am not interested, not that you aren't beautiful but it's my fault."

She crosses her arms beneath her chest, pushing it up as she sighs. "It's an open offer Grant. I've got another offer but I'd like you to sit down for it." She pats the cushion next to her and I oblige.

"What is this offer?"

She clings to my arm and looks down at my face, an inviting smile on her face. "Come work for me, there are a lot of people around here that don't pay their tab. It's easy levels for you and I get my money, everyone wins."

"I wish I could but I can't stay."

She narrows her eyes slightly before correcting her expression. "What is a boy your age running from? I've got all the money, food and water you could want."

I shake my head and reply "Sorry, some things are just not worth risking."

She hums, thinking, before reaching a conclusion. "I don't think the girls would mind giving you some free entertainment." She conspiratorially whispers into my ear, sending shivers down my body. "I know I don't."

I stand up and wrench my arm from her grip. "Thanks but I am already longer in this city than I intended. I'll keep your offer in mind."

Her intent to bribe me into being a personal debt collector is beyond obvious. She could probably also provide me with everything I need to tinker and enjoy myself but it'd be short lived.

She leans on the edge of the bed and supports her head with her arms, laying on her stomach with her legs kicking air behind her. "Don't wait too long, this offer has a time limit."

I nod my understanding and leave through the door before realising that I forgot the necklace, opening the door and dropping it on a drawer.

I quickly leave through the front door and make my way to the sheriff office to pick my next Bounty.

Jackson, the Sheriff, may be a colossal ass but he does his job dutifully. He is sitting at his desk and working on paperwork with a glass of Whiskey sitting next to him. "What do you want, kiddo?"

I toss him the ring and turn to the bounty board, picking up the bounty on the members of the Stokes. "Killed one of the stokes, 2 coins, wasn't it?"

He sighs and pulls out two coins from the safe under his desk, putting them on the table as he replies "You'll get yourself killed Kiddo."

He is probably right but I can't stay in one place too long and taking on bounties seemed like the best option.

I grab the coins and walk back to the board browsing through the wanted, looking for my next target. There are a few bounties that I have no hope of completing with ridiculous rewards.

Cinder, the leader of the Stokes, is worth 20000 coins.

Hard pass, she has a ton of resources at her beck and call.

Goblins have been sighted down south, harassing the miners. 10 coins reward and 1 coin for each confirmed Goblin kill.

Possible but I've enough scrap to tinker for now.

A Dragon took over the Farmol factory in Buzzards Dale. 200 coins for its Death, 100 for it to be driven away.

Very hard with my given time limits but it might be possible if I get a few levels before.

A few bandits have been harassing merchants, 15 coins.

"Donald!" I freeze up upon recognising the voice of him.

I pick up a random bounty, careful as to not pick Cinder as I won't be able to officially pick a new one until completion and I have no chance of beating her, and rush to the Sheriff.

He shouldn't be here already! He should take another half of a day to catch up!

"What got you this spooked Kiddo, daddy coming home and you haven't done the dishes?" The Sheriff asks before screaming starts outside, quickly followed by gunshots.

"Please let me accept this bounty."

He furrows his brows and walks to the door but I grab his arm, stopping him in his tracks. "It's Idanu, you can't stop him."

He turns around, slaps the bounty onto my chest, activating [Bounty contract], and turns around, sprinting outside to die a valiant death, protecting his people.

Gunfire quickly starts outside as I run out, sprinting away from the city, glancing at the pop-up in the corner of my vision.

[You have accepted Bounty:Dragon]

"Donald!" He screams, "You can't keep him from me forever!"

I change direction and start running south-east towards Buzzards Dale.

Fuck. I can't deal with a Dragon before Idanu catches up to me.

I'll have to take a detour and stock up, maybe make new rounds to penetrate its thick hide.

I decide to go south. I can always scavenge the Goblins hideout and get the bounty for the kills, a shame that I won't get the 10 coins for getting rid of that particular settlement.

With my next few days somewhat planned, I run into the wild, gunshots and screaming echoing from behind me.

As usual.

I check my status and get greeted by two very pleasant notifications.

[Congratulations, Death has reached level 5. Stats have been awarded.]

[You've gained the Class Skill:Death from afar]

[Death from afar: Death often comes unseen, take this skill and enhance the range of your weapons to stay out of your enemies sight. -5 MR.]

[Congratulations, Marksman has reached level 4. Stats have been awarded.]