Genius’s Godlike Game Broadcast

Chapter 217 : Sheriff Alex (2)

Sheriff Alex (2)

Rock'n'Roll Games values freedom. That's why Lee Gyeongbok understood the situation.

'It must be a story sequence that needs to happen.'

There must have been a reason why they made it impossible to respond any differently to the villain's appearance.

If it were a changeable situation, you might miss the villain on the first playthrough, but be able to respond differently on repeated runs.

'Without a core storyline, it would all feel too aimless.'

Lee Gyeongbok refocused on the cutscene.

The Federal Marshal jerked his chin towards the outside and spoke.

"I'm Romwell. Why don't we have a little talk?"

Alex, looking tense, followed behind. When they reached behind the office, romwell lit a cigarette.

The others stood around, overwhelming Alex with their presence.

"Want a smoke?"

"No, thank you."

When Alex refused, romwell shrugged and took a deep drag.

A harsh cloud of smoke accompanied his low voice.

"Have you ever heard of the 'Hired Gun' gang?"

"Gang? Hired Gun?"

As Alex looked bewildered, the people around him snickered.

"Guess you wouldn't know if you're from the sticks."

"That's why you guys set up shop around these parts, isn't it?"

It was outright ridicule.

― Why are these bastards so damn rude?

― This is giving me a bad feeling

― Just the way they blow smoke in his face makes me wanna deck them, lol

― They're just going full-on douchebag, lmao

"Definitely doesn't feel right."

Viewers were uncomfortable with their attitude. Lee Gyeongbok also chimed in.

"But they probably know this area pretty well, right?"

"Why do you ask..."

"To catch that gang I just mentioned. Should we just let outlaws like that roam free? They're vicious bastards. Your town won't be safe either."

Romwell flicked his cigarette ash, smirking.

"And this isn't a request—it's an order, sheriff Alex."

"An order? Even if you're a Federal Marshal, you can't just..."

When Alex reacted with displeasure, another man approached.

"Romwell, show some manners. Even as Federal Marshals, there are lines we should respect."

At that, romwell wrinkled his nose and stepped back. A long-mustached man smiled and patted Alex's shoulder.

"Sorry about that. Let me apologize. We're just anxious in case the gang slips away again. Hope you understand."

"... It's fine."

"Still, we really do need your help. And it's not all bad news for you, either."

His smile grew wider.

"If this all goes well, you'll get a big reward at the federal level. You might even get a chance to leave for the city. Wouldn't that be a great opportunity for your son?"

"How do you know about—?"

"Oh, I wasn't eavesdropping. Your son's got quite the set of lungs! And for you to put a kid like that in jail, I figured you were just the person we needed."

Alex's eyes wavered.

― If he thinks of his son, he can't say no

― For real, even Mencius' mom moved three times for education, lol

― Why does the Wild West suddenly smell like cram school?

― Parenting passions are universal, east or West

Viewers empathized with how Alex must feel. Soon, alex seemed to make a decision and nodded.

"Alright. Then just free my boy and let's go."

"No, no... We have to go now."

"What?"

"I told you, didn't I? Who knows when they'll run again."

Once more, the man smiled.

"It won't take long. Just guide us there, and you can come right back. Let's hurry up. Romwell, give this friend a ride."

"Understood."

Romwell and the other Federal Marshals half-forcibly put Alex on a horse.

The last shot was of Alex, looking anxious as the screen faded out.

― This is so suspicious and sketchy

― Come on; how long could it take just to open a cell?

― This just keeps getting weirder, right?

The viewers were nervous, but soon their attention shifted away.

Before anyone noticed, it was night, and Alex had stopped while climbing a mountain and pointed ahead.

"There it is."

At his words, the others grumbled.

"Damn bastards."

"They sure hid deep."

Afraid of being spotted, they'd tied up the horses and continued on foot, bringing exhaustion to everyone.

"Are you sure this is the spot? Nobody comes here—there are bears..."

When Alex asked skeptically, romwell motioned with his chin.

"Why don't you go ask them yourself? Why'd they have to hide in this hellhole?"

Alex's gaze shifted. From inside the bear den, someone was emerging, holding a torch.

There really was a gang hiding there.

"I'll be heading back now."

Startled, alex tried to slip away, but Romwell caught him.

"Going back?"

"My guiding isn't needed any..."

"What a shame."

The mustached man cut Alex off, twisting his mustache with two fingers and clicking his tongue.

"To turn your back after seeing outlaws like that—what kind of sheriff does that make you?"

At that, the others grabbed their pistols and rifles.

― Wait, this doesn't add up!

― From how late it is, you're probably far from the village

― What if Billy's missing dinner?

― Can't stand the thought of his kid going hungry!

― The vibes are getting really bad, huh?

Just as Alex furrowed his brow, ready to speak, a dull thud sounded and his vision went dark.

Before the viewers could react, voices spoke up.

"Just like the boss said."

"That dumb hick made this way too easy."

"A sheriff like this? What a joke."

The screen blacked out, and the chat erupted.

― Huh?

― Betrayed from the start?

― Why'd they suddenly attack Alex?

― Weren't they on his side?

As the chat flooded with question marks, Lee Gyeongbok spoke.

"These guys... they're probably fake, aren't they?"

― Wow, he's right!

― They didn't really prove anything, huh

― Maybe Alex just assumed because of their badge and clothes?

― This is some Genome-kick right from the start!

Soon, the darkness faded.

"My hands and feet are all tied up."

Lee Gyeongbok frowned at the sensation of rope on his wrists and ankles. In front of him, the fake sheriffs were hauling gold bars.

"Oh, already awake?"

The mustached man—the presumed boss—grinned at Alex.

"By now, you've realized we're not Federal Marshals. But the badge and clothes are real."

― Whoa, they really were fakes

― So the gang killed the real Marshals for their gear?

― Did they come here after the gold?

With disgust, alex painfully forced out a question.

"The 'Hired Gun'... is that you?"

"Hired Gun? Us?"

The boss turned to his men. They all burst into laughter.

"Alex, we're a far cry from those dumb, savage outlaws."

"Then who..."

"You're about to die. Does knowing it change anything?"

At the boss's gesture, romwell looped a noose around Alex's neck.

"Alex, I always wanted that badge."

The boss ripped off Alex's badge, laughing.

"When we kill a man, a noose goes around his neck, just like you. But with this badge, nothing ever happens."

He threw the badge to the ground.

The small metallic sound echoed as it rolled away.

"I'll finish this like a civilized man. Unfortunately, there's no gallows here. We'll just hang you from the cliffs—it'll take a bit longer."

Alex struggled, but it was useless. Romwell dragged him to the edge and kicked him.

With the rope taut, alex wriggled helplessly. Soon he lost consciousness and the screen faded out.

― Is it over????

― Thank you for playing Roderi up to now."

-???: "Yes, it was fun. Next game, please."

― Shortest masterpiece ever, lol

Viewers jokingly expressed their shock, but Lee Gyeongbok wasn't fazed.

"You can't die this easily."

Soon, a crackling noise was heard and Lee Gyeongbok felt suddenly weightless. A splash sounded.

― Oh?

― The rope must have snapped?

― Did he fall into the river?

― Classic, falling off cliffs means you survive, lol

― But his hands and feet were tied... how'd he get out?

A few viewers guessed right. On the next screen, alex jolted awake.

"Haa... Haa..."

Breathing hard, he looked around in confusion. He was in a small tent.

"You're awake."

A man entered. He had black hair and eyes—an indigenous American.

― Ah, native is always on your side

― There's no way to paint Natives as villains

― If you do, local people will riot for sure

― The real Americans, man

As the viewers sighed in relief, alex asked,

"Wh-Where am I? What happened?"

"You were floating down the river. I thought you were a corpse, but by some luck you survived."

"Thank you for saving me!"

"Have some water. You haven't eaten for two days..."

He passed a cup, but Alex froze.

"Two days? Did you say two days?"

Alex asked, but didn't wait for an answer. Like a madman, he stood up.

"Billy! God...! Billy!"

But his body was too weak; he staggered. The native man gently supported him.

"Calm down."

"I have to—have to get back. My son, my son—"

― Oof, you'd lose your mind too

― Two days in the cell... damn

― But maybe the villagers took care of him?

― Maybe it's safer in a small town

The viewers immediately understood. Listening to Alex's explanation, the native nodded.

"I understand. Can you ride a horse?"

"A horse..."

"You're not well, so I'll help. Come this way."

They left the tent, and a horse was tied nearby.

"Ah, a horseback riding tutorial, huh."

With the native's help, alex mounted. The controls returned to Lee Gyeongbok, who listened to the man's instructions.

― Wait, did he already know how to ride?

― Picks it up like nothing?

― This is probably a super detailed riding system, right?

― Yup, in GAT you have to fail several times before it goes into auto mode

― He must've been Mongolian in a past life, lol

― I mean, if it's a past life, gotta respect that

As Lee Gyeongbok expertly rode the horse, viewers were impressed. Even the native man was surprised.

"He's a gentle one, but I've never seen him follow someone so well. It's like you were born to ride."

"Thank you. I'll return him when I'm done."

The native shook his head, smiling.

"No need. I'm his friend, not his owner. He wants to stay with you, so please take good care of him."

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

Lee Gyeongbok bowed in gratitude and took the reins. Picking up speed, he felt the wind on his skin.

It was easy to find the direction toward the village. The minimap and pointer made it clear.

"Wow, even though he's just an NPC, he's got depth."

― Seriously, that's just the kind of thing a Native would say

― Not an owner, but a friend"... amazing...

― Rock'n'Roll's details are great, lol

― Even just watching you ride is fun

― The scenery's just outright cheating

― This is more like a vacation than a game, lol

Lee Gyeongbok chatted with viewers as he headed for the village. But soon, he couldn't smile any longer.

"Huh?"

The village at the foot of the hill looked completely different. Both Lee Gyeongbok and the viewers were appalled.

― Why's everything burned?

― What the hell happened?

― This is INSANE

― Where's Billy!?

Most of the few buildings were blackened ruins—a wasteland.

Lee Gyeongbok hastened his pace. The closer he got, the more horrific the devastation.

"What is..."

Before he could say anything, the controls were taken away.

Alex jumped off the horse, his jaw trembling.

"Billy? Billy!"

The sheriff's office was one of the few remaining buildings. He roughly yanked the door open.

"Billy...?"

Alex called out, voice shaking, searching the jail.

― Please no...

― This story is brutal right off the bat

― Don't tell me...

Lee Gyeongbok said nothing. He'd already anticipated the outcome with his divine energy.

The cell was empty.

"Where did—where could he have gone?"

"Hands up!"

Along with relief and confusion, a harsh voice called out from behind Alex. Turning, he saw men in neat suits aiming guns.

'But these people... they're good.'

Lee Gyeongbok sensed their energy and was relieved.

"We're from the Preston Detective Agency. Who are you?"

"Detective...?"

"We'll ask the questions. Identify yourself!"

― Detectives?

― Maybe they took Billy in?

― Are they fakes too?

― Come on, they're not pulling another double cross, right?

The chat was confused about their identity. Alex, for similar reasons, hesitated, then explained.

"My name is Alex Callahan. I'm the sheriff of this town."

"Sheriff?"

One agent signaled to a colleague, who checked a notebook and nodded.

"The name and appearance match."

"Sorry, our mistake."

As their guard dropped and they apologized, alex spoke up.

"Did you see my son? Name's Billy—blond, shoulder-height to me."

The agents, looking regretful, doffed their hats.

"Ah, um..."

"Alex, I'm truly sorry."

"When we got here, there was no one left—only burnt corpses..."

Alex blinked slowly.

He couldn't muster the energy to even deny it. He just slowly shook his head.

"All we could do was collect the remains."

"The damage was so great, we couldn't tell which grave was your son's..."

"Our condolences."

The camera focused on Alex's eyes.

Through the office window, he saw makeshift wooden crosses, fashioned from broken trees, at the outskirts of town.

And the tears fell.

"No, no... This can't be..."

Alex collapsed to his knees.

He'd lost his child after his wife. And their last conversation had just been a lecture—to reflect more.

― Wow, this is...

― He'll be haunted for life

― If only he hadn't put his son in jail...

― This story is RUTHLESS

-(crying emoji)(crying emoji)(crying emoji)

The chat filled with sadness and tears.

Meanwhile, the detectives approached him.

"It was probably the Hired Gun gang."

"Not many outlaws could destroy a whole town like this."

"We were tracking the gang when we came here."

Alex's eyes widened.

"Hired Gun."

He muttered the name, overlapping the memory of the fake marshal ripping off his badge and tossing it away.

― OMG

― They attacked because of the badge, huh

― The fakes stole the gold!

― They thought Alex and the townsfolk took it, so they attacked?

― That's it, damn

Alex's eyes regained their spark.

But that vitality was fueled by wrath. He clenched his fist so hard, blood seeped out—proof enough.

He explained to the detectives what he had gone through.

"Impersonating Federal Marshals? Another gang, then?"

"Which means Hired Gun is chasing those guys."

"Remember what they looked like?"

Alex nodded.

"I'll never forget as long as I live."

Suppressing his rage, alex's voice shook the detectives. But soon, they asked for his cooperation.

"Alex, if you help us, we'll catch them faster. If you can describe their faces..."

"I'll help."

Alex stood and groped around the floor of the office, prying up a floorboard.

Underneath were dirt-covered stacks of dollars, a revolver, and ammunition.

"But on one condition."

Alex packed the money and revolver, loaded the rounds.

"I have to catch them with my own hands."

With a click, the cylinder locked into place.

The screen faded to black.

[Prologue – Alex Callahan]

[End]

The message signaled the end of the prologue.

― Wow, the immersion was insane

― I actually forgot to breathe mid-scene, lol

― I teared up when Alex cried

― That's classic Roderi!

― It's got Royal, desperate, and Revenge in spades

― The motivation here is intense from the start

― Neighbors and your own son? Of course it's time for revenge

The chat flared with excitement. Lee Gyeongbok felt the same.

"Yeah, same here. I could literally feel every physical sensation, and I talked to village people and all... That really took the immersion up a notch."

Lee Gyeongbok exclaimed and hit next right away.

[Chapter 1 – Private Detective]

[A few months later]

The words faded and the perspective changed. Alex was standing behind a building.

"Congratulations. You're well-versed in the theory and obligations of a detective. Only the final exam remains."

From the words of the man next to him, Lee Gyeongbok and the viewers figured out the context.

― Oh, that's why there was a time skip

― Joined the detective agency?

― Fast pacing, love it

After the prologue, alex had been training at the agency. The man, the examiner, continued seriously.

"Our agency can't afford to lose valuable people like you, alex. You have to know how to protect yourself in order to survive outlaws."

He gestured towards targets placed at varying distances and positions.

"Your grade as an agent will be determined by this test. Listen carefully and shoot the targets as I call them."

― Ah, the shooting tutorial, lol

― Come on, really? lol

― Teaching Godple how to shoot?

― Like teaching a fish how to swim

― Not even MasterDissection-tier but still a free pass, haha

― Free pass? That's a Perfect-Pass, if you ask me

The chat's predictions were correct. As soon as Lee Gyeongbok got back control, he started the test.

"Three, oh. Seven, wow. Eleven, whoa..."

The examiner exclaimed in awe, eyes wide, as every target was hit dead-center on cue.

He started clapping.

"I've assessed countless rookie agents, but I've never seen shooting this fast and accurate. With these skills, no gunman could beat you."

"Thank you for your praise."

"And you're so polite... No one would ever guess a gentleman like you is a sharpshooter."

The examiner laughed, scribbled something, and looked at Alex.

"For someone like you, I think it's better for you to choose your own rank rather than me assigning it."

― Oh? Is it usually assigned?

― Yup, in GAT it's automatic

― Game difficulty ramps up if you don't die, lol

― But Godple is so good, they just let you pick, ha

He spun the pen and clipboard over.

[Preston Detective Agency]

[Agent – Alex Callahan]

[Rank]

[Probationary ( )]

[Beginner ( )]

[Standard ( )]

[Expert ( )]

[Master ( )]

Viewers knew what Lee Gyeongbok would choose.

He grinned and moved the pen.

[Master (V)]

[Warning: This is the highest difficulty. You cannot change it mid-game. Are you sure?]

[(First playthrough is recommended for Standard difficulty or lower.)]

A confirmation message appeared after the box was checked.

"If the game's too easy, it's no fun."

Lee Gyeongbok clicked confirm without hesitation.

And the chat:

― Starting at max difficulty on the first run, obviously

― That's the Purple confidence we know

― A master picking Master—any objections?

― Master is actually an understatement, if anything

― Seriously, could Godple become a Master?

― Human difficulty can't contain Godple's skills

― If there was divine-rank, he'd have chosen it

They only lamented there wasn't an even harder mode available.