[Marshall of Dust Town, Saint Louis]

Jingluo Ecstasy strutted down the street of the small town, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, with a five-pointed star badge hanging on his chest, and a shining brass title on his head. It’s a pity this is in Missouri and not Night City, otherwise, other players would be green with envy.

If only he could take off that Hell Diver suit, he would look more normal. After all, normal people don’t usually wear hats on top of full coverage bulletproof helmets.

But for players... fashion is all about personal choice.

This was a title recognized by New America, and for players, it was absolutely awesome.

Ironically, as the government’s control over localities weakened, criminals and gangs roamed everywhere, law and order regressed to the point where the US in 2076 was like it was back in 1876.

It’s still okay around big cities, but in a small town like Dust Town with little to profit from and few people, there’s not even a police station. The government doesn’t fund it, so locals have to pool money to hire some tough guys to maintain order.

However, when the Jingluo trio arrived here, the former marshal had already been hanged by a gang on a road sign.

When they revealed their identities and the mission to eradicate the gang, combined with the exaggerated combat prowess displayed on Super Earth in the livestream, the locals immediately begged them to take over the marshal role.

What kind of people are players?

A little flattery can send them flying high, and a few nice words are enough to make them decide the name of their future grandchild.

After some back-and-forth, they accepted, especially since even the system issued a mission, asking them to take on the title and organize a team to exterminate the robbers who had looted company goods.

[Side Mission: Iron-Handed Marshal]

[Mission Description: Organize manpower to eradicate the Black Blood Gang]

[Mission Reward: Horizon Corporation’s regional reputation boost, temporary incorporation of local law enforcement under Super Earth Ltd’s jurisdiction, bandit loot]

After players investigated, Black Blood Gang was the name of the robbers who stole Lin Miao’s goods.

If players went alone for the extermination, the people in Dust Town would just offer some compliments, but if they took the locals with them, it would undoubtedly be a huge boost to the company’s prestige.

It’s also considered as formally extending the reach of Horizon Corporation to the Midwest of the United States.

Tears followed behind Ecstasy’s arrogant stride and couldn’t help but mock him.

"Bro, I just heard that before us, six marshals have died in this little town this year. You really have guts to take this task."

Ecstasy was dismissive, what does an NPC’s introduction count as? Is that Black Blood Gang tougher than Hansen?

"What are you afraid of? We’re Rome, and in front of a marshal in Rome, any gang is a mere chicken."

The more Tears looked at this guy, the more unreliable he felt.

"I suggest waiting for reinforcements before acting. It’s too risky to do it like this."

"Hey!"

Ecstasy was not pleased with Tears’ timidity.

"One more person means one more mouth to share the loot. Think about it, Tears, once we finish this mission alone, Rome’s glory will shine on this town, and we will be the Caesars of the new era!

Besides, Rage is already gathering the townsfolk, right? These puny bandits can be easily wiped out with a flick."

In the town square, almost all of the local hundreds of residents showed up.

Ordinary people wouldn’t have such influence, but Horizon Corporation’s Super Earth is currently a top influencer in New America, with countless companies wanting them to endorse products. Naturally, people came to the town to see the excitement.

Moreover, these three Hell Divers came to trouble the Black Blood Gang.

The Jingluo trio stood on the box stage, and Ecstasy asked the gathered townsfolk:

"First, who here knows how to shoot?"

A burst of agitation.

Hundreds of dark gun barrels pointed at the Jingluo trio’s heads, with one almost touching Ecstasy’s face, and he hurriedly pushed it aside with his hand.

"Ahem... alright... no wonder they’re from the Old West, overflowing with martial virtue..."

The small town is not in the city and lacks reliable police, guns are their only means of self-defense, almost everyone has one.

Though they’re quite old, and mostly shotguns and pistols, antiques that players wouldn’t even take for free.

A naive boy walked to the stage, holding a budget gun and asked with his head raised:

"If you die, can I have your helmet? Everyone says your helmet is cool."

"...."

Kids say the darndest things, no need to get angry.

Ecstasy took off the marshal badge on his chest and hung it on the child.

"When we leave, you’ll be the one to protect the town."

"Really?"

The boy’s eyes widened with excitement.

"I heard the Black Blood Gang’s boss has six hands, and he fires faster than rain. Can you really win?"

"Is that so?"

Ecstasy snorted, six hands, as if they don’t have them too.

Between the three of them, not just six hands, they have six legs too, outmatching them.

Ecstasy made a finger-gun gesture, pointing at the boy’s head.

"But I reckon he only has one head."

Bang!

------

The Black Blood Gang is an itinerant tribe. Though small in number, only a few dozen, they are all desperadoes guilty of murder, based around Saint Louis, making money by robbing merchants, convoys, and even train cargo.

They often come to Dust Town to drink, and if they have a dispute with someone, they kill them outright, hanging the bodies on road signs to dry. If they take a liking to a woman, they kidnap her. If they’re lucky, after the ransom is paid, she’ll be returned. But most people aren’t lucky enough to come back alive.