Plan

Qin Ran believed that if he could guess it, Sheriff John could guess it too.

Perhaps even more easily than he could.

After all, he was merely "new to the area" and only a detective, while the other man was a bona fide native with the corresponding status and standing.

Natives—the new term veteran players like Lawless used for NPCs.

It came from their sense of reality.

Qin Ran did not object to the term. Though he was still somewhat unaccustomed to it, he believed that this reality would eventually make him adapt.

"What should I do?"

Sheriff John asked in return.

But Qin Ran no longer needed an answer.

The anger hidden beneath Sheriff John's rough exterior said it all.

Though the sheriff had remained silent until now, that absolutely did not mean he had backed down.

The justice he upheld would never permit something like this to happen.

"Damn vermin!"

"I'll make him understand what the law exists for!"

The sheriff ground out those words through clenched teeth.

Some people might have found such words laughable, but Qin Ran saw nothing ridiculous about the sheriff before him.

Because the man was serious.

Not only in expression, but in his heart as well.

"Need help?"

Qin Ran asked.

The question came naturally.

Mostly because Qin Ran had realized this was another side quest, though there were other feelings mixed in that he deliberately ignored.

Hearing Qin Ran's question, Sheriff John raised his head and looked at him in surprise.

That surprise lasted two seconds before it was replaced by a smile.

A sincere smile appeared on that rough face... though it still looked somewhat fierce.

"Thank you!"

"But now isn't the time!"

"I need to unite the others! With just you and me, we don't stand a chance!"

As