1 vs. 500 (Part 1)

Leaving the sheriff's office, the mayor headed straight back to the grandest residence in town.

The anger on his face had not faded. Instead, it had become even more twisted because of his earlier cowardice. He stormed into his study and slammed the heavy wooden door shut behind him.

The next moment, a barrage of clattering crashes erupted from inside. The mayor smashed the precious porcelain on the shelves, the decorative paintings on the walls, the stationery on his desk... everything within reach, all ruthlessly hurled to the floor.

As he wrecked the room, vicious curses squeezed through his clenched teeth:

"Damn Lafitte! Arrogant bastard! He's just a dog I raised! And he dared... dared look at me like that! He has no idea what's good for him!"

After that wanton destruction, he finally vented more than half the resentment in his chest.

Panting heavily, he sat back behind his broad desk. His fingers tapped unconsciously against its polished surface as he began calmly considering how to deal with Lafitte.

To be fair, ever since Lafitte had become sheriff, Bash Town's crime rate had indeed plummeted, nearly reaching zero.

The only people who still dared commit crimes here were ignorant outsiders like that fool of a thief from earlier.

The locals had long been cowed by Lafitte's bloody methods and completely lost the nerve to commit crimes. Lafitte deserved much of the credit for the town's outward peace and stability.

But Lafitte's excessively violent methods of law enforcement were bound to reflect poorly on the town and easily invite criticism.

Most importantly, Lafitte was growing less and less willing to show him, the mayor, any respect.

That cold look today had been the most dangerous warning sign. No matter how capable a vicious dog was, if it refused to obey