socalfunplaces Chapter 218 : The Price of Free Riding (1)
Chapter 218 : The Price of Free Riding (1)
The Price of Free Riding (1)
After completing the assessment, Lee Gyeongbok returned to the building with the examiner. The examiner rummaged around in the back, then returned.
"Congratulations on being officially registered as an agent of the Preston Detective Agency."
With a satisfied smile, the examiner placed a round badge on the counter.
When Lee Gyeongbok reached out, the examiner slyly pulled the badge back.
-?
― What's with the push and pull?
― What a mischievous scoundrel
Lee Gyeongbok almost laughed at the chat, but kept his expression in check since the examiner in front of him had a very serious look.
"I have no doubt that Agent Alex will act in a way that brings honor to our agency. Still, not everything proceeds ideally."
The examiner continued, holding up the badge.
"Sometimes, solving a case will require 'improvisation.' In such times, it may be better not to reveal your affiliation with our agency."
"You mean using illegal methods."
― Ah, lol, that's correct
― To be honest, in this era, the gun is closer than the law, lol
― They even said it in the intro, lol
― Yeah, wasn't it clearly stated: do things the outlaw way?
Lee Gyeongbok, as well as the viewers, immediately caught on to the true meaning of 'improvisation.'
The examiner briefly cleared his throat.
"It's only improvisation. But, should problems arise in the process, the agency will have no choice but to impose sanctions."
"So, improvisation should never be traceable back to the agency. Understood."
― If you don't know, it's not a problem, that's what I'm saying
― Oh? This is totally military-style......
-???: A flawless leave is the real thing
― Is this the legendary 600 accident-free days?
― Gasp
― Shh!
― That old-school military feel in the unfamiliar west, lol
While the viewers chatted and laughed, the examiner nodded, pushing the badge toward him.
"Good. Also, aside from your assessment ranking, the agency evaluates agents based on their merits. An agent's basic duty is to complete assignments received from the agency."
"What's the benefit of accumulating merits?"
"You gain permission to access the agency's information. If the information we collect leaks, it becomes more difficult to apprehend or kill outlaws. I trust you understand that these standards are strict."
Lee Gyeongbok pocketed the badge and nodded.
"So, aside from ability, it's about earning the agency's trust."
"Exactly. Of course... I am aware of Agent Alex's circumstances. What you want are details on the Hired Gun gang, the fake federal marshals who deceived you, and those now known as 'Shapeshifters.'"
With that, the examiner pulled out a bundle of papers.
"The information about those people is categorized as first-class, the highest level. Since this is a joint investigation between our agency and the Federal Marshals, I trust you'll understand how strict the requirements are."
― So does the Federal Marshals office work with federal marshals?
― Yep, sounds like it
― They must be pissed since their uniforms and badges were stolen
― If someone kills their own agents and then commits crimes posing as them, they'd be priority Tier 1 cases, lol
― These guys definitely have the final boss vibe, lol
― Is that why they're called shapeshifters, because of the disguises?
The viewers, too, immediately understood the situation. The examiner then spread out the bundle of papers.
"But with Agent Alex's skills, you should be able to build up merits quickly."
What he brought out were wanted posters and assignment papers. Lee Gyeongbok briefly reviewed them, nodding as he did.
"So, I gain merits while carrying out assignments and chase after those guys that way."
― Kind of like leveling up?
― Ah, lol, these outlaws are next!
― There's actually a decent variety of assignments, lol
― Justice to be served through bounty hunting?
― Guard assignments aren't bad either, might be able to build connections
― There's even delivery of goods, lol
― I thought being a detective meant doing stuff like Conan, lol
― Ah, tranquilizer gun, where you at!
― Anything Godple touches is pure fun!
― Godple, do everything you want!
The viewers gave their own suggestions as they saw the list of possible assignments.
"I'll take the one with the highest merits."
Lee Gyeongbok chose a file without hesitation.
"That means it's the most difficult, right?"
The viewers also immediately agreed.
― He's already ranked master, and yet he still goes for the hardest assignment, lMAO
-5252, for a perfect detective, this is standard!
― That's Godple for you!
― But the supply run nets more merits than bounty hunting
― Must be for something important?
The assignment Lee Gyeongbok chose turned out to be a supply run. The examiner gathered the rest of the papers and said,
"The client should be waiting at the train station. Good luck."
Lee Gyeongbok returned a nod and left the agency.
* * *
When he arrived at the station, a cutscene began.
Alex exchanged greetings with the waiting client.
"I'm Agent Alex from the Preston Detective Agency."
He shook hands with a thin-faced man wearing glasses and neatly parted hair, slicked back with pomade.
"Ah, you're truly reassuring! That's what you get from Preston! Ah, I'm Jerry. I work at a bank."
― You can tell he grew up sheltered, huh?
― If Alex squeezes his hand, his wrist would break, lol
― He looks super shrewd, lol
Alex simply nodded and glanced around with a blank expression.
"Where's the item I need to guard?"
There didn't seem to be anything important. He shifted his gaze toward the train.
Around the cargo car, armed security guards were keeping watch.
"Oh, there's nothing in the cargo car. If there were, there'd be no need to contact your agency, right? As you can see, the railroad company hired plenty of gunmen."
"So?"
"The item to be protected is this."
Jerry grinned and held up his work briefcase.
"Tsk, sneaky."
Alex clicked his tongue, looking disapprovingly at Jerry.
"So, what you really wanted wasn't transport, but protection?"
It was rhetorical.
"A true detective! Now I'm certain your agency sent the right man."
But Jerry just smiled even bigger, unfazed.
"You see, transport jobs are cheaper than protection jobs. Still, this isn't illegal, right? I went through all the proper procedures."
― Ah, lol, look at Jerry being shameless
― He's gonna betray them, right? Just look at him, classic rat face
― Ah, is this THAT Jerry? (nods)
― So it really is that Jerry, lol
― The way he talks, he really does seem like a rat type, lol
― Is 'rat type' like a specific rodent class or something? LOL
The viewers laughed at his shamelessness.
Alex sighed and moved his hand.
"It's time. Let's go."
"Haha, I'll be counting on you!"
The screen soon changed.
The two sat facing each other in a passenger car. Alex looked out the window while Jerry sipped a cup of tea.
"To have the famous Preston detective by my side, I feel so secure."
Was it that he couldn't stand the silence?
Jerry smirked and complimented him, but Alex just glanced at him, making no reply.
"Really, it's hard to feel safe on trains these days, what with all the gangs."
At that, alex's eyes shifted.
"You know a lot about gangs?"
"Eh? Ah, well, I'm in banking, so I know. The bigger gangs don't hesitate to rob banks. I'm busy enough with my customers, but I have to worry about those outlaws too, it's exhausting."
"Then have you ever heard of the Hired Gun?"
Alex ignored Jerry's complaint and shot the question. Jerry swallowed nervously at his sharp gaze and nodded.
"Oh, of course. They're notoriously brutal, aren't they? Anyone with connections knows they're not just a simple gang."
"Not simple?"
"Right. What's their name? Hired Gun, right? There's no hard evidence, but it's pretty much accepted they have contacts in politics and business."
"Contacts?"
"It's no surprise those animals commit crimes. But their main source of income is 'contract killing.' That's why politicians and businessmen end up dead by their hands."
Jerry lowered his voice, as if revealing a great secret.
"Rumor has it, they take requests to eliminate their client's rivals or destroy competitor companies."
― Ah! So Hired Gun in Korean is Hired Gun in English
― So they're not just a gang, but a killer organization, geez
― Seems like they're really connected with big names
― Obviously they can't be the final boss if they're just a gang, lol
The viewers showed interest at that. Lee Gyeongbok had similar thoughts, but soon frowned.
'There's quite a few of them.'
His divine energy sensed a threat from outside the train.
At that moment, alex raised his hand to cut Jerry off.
"Detective?"
Jerry asked in confusion, but Alex only narrowed his eyes instead of replying.
Following his gaze, the scene shifted—outside the window, riders on horseback were coming down the ridgeline.
With a hardened look, alex spoke.
"From this point forward, do exactly as I say."
"Eh?"
Jerry looked baffled, glanced out the window, and his eyes grew wide.
The approaching group all covered their faces with bandanas.
― Huh?
― It's a robbery, isn't it?
― I had a feeling something was about to happen!
― Ah, lol, once you accept a job, trouble's gotta appear!
Gunfire erupted from both directions.
"Kyaa!"
"R-r-robbers!"
"Everyone, get down!"
Other passengers screamed and shouted. Jerry frantically dove under his seat.
With a loud screeeech, the teacup fell and shattered on the floor.
"D-Detective!"
"Damn... the train's slowing down."
Alex drew his pistol and clicked his tongue.
"Tsk. Looks like they took the engine car. We're trapped."
"Please... please, don't let me die!"
"Whatever you do, stay down."
Just as Alex warned him—
The rear door burst open, and he swung his gun around.
"W-wait a second!"
The one who came in was one of the cargo car's security guards. He looked Alex up and down and raised his hands.
"Damn, if you know how to shoot, help me! They killed all my colleagues!"
"All the security?"
"Yeah! Damn it, those bastards will be here soon! We've gotta stick together!"
Meanwhile, the train came to a complete stop. Alex nodded and stood up.
The return of control.
Lee Gyeongbok faced away from the security guard, gripping his pistol.
"B-be careful...!"
At that moment, jerry cried out in alarm.
And right then, gunfire rang out.
― Huh?
― What? What just happened?!
― There must be a reason for this, right!?
― Was it because he used informal speech?
― Seriously, is he a psychopath or what? LOL
The one who collapsed was the security guard.
Lee Gyeongbok calmly took the fallen guard's gun.
― How'd he land a headshot without even looking?
― For Godple, this is way too easy!
― But why did he kill the security guard?
― That's not the point right now!
― Lol, why did his lawfulness stat go UP for killing a security guard?
― What the heck is even going on?!
Like the shocked passengers, the viewers were dumbfounded. He'd just shot someone dead, but the '+' icon briefly flashed and disappeared.
Lee Gyeongbok calmly inspected the dead security guard's gun and explained.
"He was in on it, too."
From the moment the guard appeared, he sensed he was a villain. But viewers who didn't know this kept asking questions.
"The gunfire at the rear was too little."
Lee Gyeongbok explained.
"There were four security guards. Had they fired back at the robbers, there should've been much more shooting. But only three shots came from back there."
― Wow, so this guy killed the other security guards, huh
― Damn, he actually saw through that?
― You can figure that out in that situation?
― That's insane, lol
― So cool!
Lee Gyeongbok smiled faintly at the chat.
"Yeah, he was probably in league with the robbers. With the other guards out of the way, stealing the goods would be easy."
Having finished checking the gun, Lee Gyeongbok looked at Jerry, who sat blinking in shocked confusion.
"H-he was right behind you..."
"I knew."
"And you did it without looking? How—?"
The viewers laughed at Jerry's reaction.
― Even the NPC's are impressed!
― Wow, the NPC AI's reactions are amazing
― LOL, jerry is showing serious Trooper tendencies
― What if this is really a Trooper logged in as an NPC? LOL
― To be honest, I'd sign up for that right away, lol
Lee Gyeongbok, revolvers in hand, turned to Jerry.
"There are still bandits outside. I could just sneak off the train right now..."
Strictly speaking, there was no need to save Jerry. The job was only 'supply transport.'
If he wanted, he could just grab the bag and leave.
"No need to walk when there's a train, right?"
Lee Gyeongbok flashed a brief smile.
Jerry grinned back awkwardly at his confidence.
"Have another cup of tea. I'll be back soon."
He said that and stepped through the passenger car. Other passengers stared wide-eyed as he passed.
― Ah, those robbers are done for
― Damn, if it were me, I'd have run for it right away, lol
-???: I'll be back before the tea gets cold
― Is this Guan Yu or what? LOL
― I feel reassured as soon as Godple picks up a gun!
― American-style justifiable defense is great!
― Let's take out the bad guys!
Viewers cheered for his bold stride.
There were more than a dozen robbers visible outside the window, but no one was worried.
Because—
― Lawfulness stat, looking good!
― Bring on the justice, lol
― Of all people, these fools picked the train Godple was on, lol
― A whole gang's getting erased today, lol
― With a cramped train car, numbers barely matter, lol
-77-uh, time for a cool moment!
― Spoiler: It's all headshots again
― Can't resist the basics, lol
For Lee Gyeongbok, the number of enemies merely meant the number of times he'd have to fire.