Chapter 252 : Perfect Revenge (7)

Perfect ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Revenge (7)

Epilogue.

The end of the story began with a single phrase.

[A few months later]

The snow-white letters soon dissolved and turned into clouds. Under the sunny sky and open prairie, someone was holding a newspaper under the vastness of nature.

[Former Chief of Investigations Harold, found guilty posthumously]

Upon reading the prominent headline, Lee Gyeongbok and the viewers let out exclamations.

"Ah, so his crimes were finally exposed."

― Ah lol, his connections didn't matter once he died, huh?

― The dead don't speak, you fools lol

― Serve his sentence first, then the guilty verdict lol

― What's with the order of events!

― Don't they do posthumous punishments in the Western era?

― Frankly, even if this bastard died twice, he'd still be innocent

The screen then moved down to the article below.

[It has been a long time since former Chief of the Agency Harold was robbed on the train. Yet the authorities still have no clues regarding the culprit's identity.]

[The strange thing is, despite the officials declaring it a robbery, nothing of value disappeared from the train. Even though it could easily have been a contract killing, the Federal Marshals completely denied any such suspicion.]

[Accordingly, this newspaper requested Preston Detective Agency to investigate, but the response was that no further investigation was required.]

[Both the Federal Marshals and Preston Detective Agency are taking a passive approach to the case. It appears unlikely that the 'robber' they mention will ever be found in this situation.]

As Lee Gyeongbok read this aloud, the viewers chuckled.

― That's Alan and Herbert working their magic, lol

― It's basically an announcement that they're giving up, which is great!

― The bastard who was gonna die is dead, anything else is a waste of manpower

― Basically everyone knows and is just staying quiet, lol

-???: It was a robbery! Absolutely a robbery!

-???: Why'd you even bother with the investigation? lol

― Ah lol, not valuables, but he stole his life!

― What? Godple stole our hearts, though?

The newspaper was folded, revealing Alex's face. Time had passed, and now a slightly scruffy beard adorned his jaw.

"Are you ready?"

Alex stood and turned at the voice from behind.

"Billy is packing up."

"I was asking about your mental preparedness, not your luggage."

The camera now showed the person speaking. Upon seeing his face, Lee Gyeongbok and the viewers couldn't help but be shocked.

"Huh? This guy?"

― Whaat?

― The talking buddy guy?

― What? What happened?!

― Wow lol, so the talking buddy guy was from the same tribe as Light with the shining eyes

He was the Native American who had saved Alex's life in the prologue.

"Yes, chief."

And with Alex's response, it was revealed he wasn't simply a tribesman.

― So he was the chief?

― That explains why he talked differently lol

― He had the vibe of someone with experience, after all?

― But why were you there by yourself if you're the chief!?

― Really, though? Why was the chief alone?

Some viewers' questions were soon answered by their conversation.

"Thank you for everything. Saving my life was kindness enough, and then you even gave me and my son a place to hide."

"That day, I didn't only save you."

The chief smiled humbly.

"I claimed it was for the good of the tribe, but I defiled the sacred site my ancestors had protected. I left the tribe to take responsibility for it. I was ready to let my life end and become a part of nature."

― Ah right

― Isn't the sacred site the one? The reason why Light with the shining eyes attacked the railroad company?

― Yep, looks like talking buddy guy signed there

― Someone held a gun and threatened him? (for real)

― If it's a gun and not a knife, there's not much you can do

― Gun threat: hard counter lol

― And what's a gun king LOL

― But in the prologue, did he save someone else too?

As viewers understood the chief's circumstances, he continued.

"But seeing you that day made me change my mind. Even after waking at death's door, you only thought of your son."

"What parent wouldn't?"

"Right. That made me think the same. Any parent would do so for their child. My ancestors must have felt that way, too."

The chief turned his head subtly. The camera showed the tents set up by the tribe.

"Was the sacred site what truly mattered to the ancestors? Would they have made a different choice than me? After you left, I gave it a lot of thought."

He looked back at Alex with a certain smile.

"My responsibility isn't about defiling the sacred site. It's to protect the descendants of my ancestors—my descendants—our tribe's descendants. That's why I returned. I still had responsibilities left."

The chief held Alex's hand. Lee Gyeongbok felt the warmth transmitted from the strong grip.

"You saved me, too."

― Wow lol, their kindness saved each other

― Ohh! Otakus are weak to stories that begin and end symmetrically!

― Oh, I think this has some symbolic meaning, too

― What do you mean?

― In the prologue, alex lost his badge, and the chief was always a person of nature, right? Neither had ties to the law anymore

― Oh, now that you mention it!

― It's not about law, but kindness, you fools!

Lee Gyeongbok also nodded at the chat's reaction.

"Wow, I see how you could view it that way. The more I know, the more I think this is a good game."

― Wow, you never miss a chance for homework, hyung!

― No lol, he's just genuinely impressed

― Frankly, it really is a well-made game lol

― The direction is good, the gameplay is fun, and there's a message? Lol, where else are you gonna find that

― It's GOTY, right? GOTY? GOTY? GOTY?

― Rock'n'Roll, why are you so good at this! Come on!

― Lol, it's outrageous they didn't develop Roderi for Capsule use!

― They better start developing Roderi 2 immediately, damn it

Laughing at the chat, Lee Gyeongbok resumed the cutscene he had paused.

"So, you and your son are leaving, then. I'm sad to see you go."

"I'll visit from time to time."

"You'd make me grateful if you did. Light would be happy, too. Ah, by then, you won't be Alex anymore."

"Yes, changing my name is probably safer."

"Well then, have you picked a new one?"

With the chief's question, Lee Gyeongbok felt control return to his head.

"Oh? Do I get to choose the name now?"

― Huh!?

― Does this mean a full new identity?

― Lol, what should the new name be?

-???: From now on, call me not Guruja, but Jisamu Khan!

-???: Ah, you did it, guruja!

― Let's make it Tobong

― What, lol is that fried chicken?

― You're a detective, so obviously it should be Kingnan or God Jeon-il, right?

― Wasn't that the Grim Reaper's name?

― But Godple is pretty good at killing, lol

With all sorts of names pouring into the chat, Lee Gyeongbok laughed and said,

"I'll just go with Purple."

The chief nodded.

"Purple, is it? Then when we meet again, I'll call you by that name. I wish you luck."

With that, the chief stepped aside. Next, light appeared as if passing the baton.

"Did the chief bother you?"

"No way."

"He's been talking so much more since he came back. Well, I'm just glad he returned safely."

Light shrugged and asked Alex,

"I won't stop you from leaving, but what will you do now?"

"I plan to become a ranch owner."

"A ranch?"

"Yes. Jerry, the banker, sold it to me at a good price."

Alex chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I did have to take out a loan, but it's pretty much interest-free, so it's doable. Once I pay the loan off, I can pass the ranch on to Billy."

― Lol, jerry that bastard

― That's Lancaster's ranch, right?

― He kept talking about ranches, and in the end he got it, lol

― Genome types do have loyalty

― I want an interest-free loan too!

― Lol, save someone's life first then!

Like the viewers, light looked pleased.

"Oh? You've got a plan, that's good. If you didn't, I was going to suggest we hunt for some gold bars together."

"Gold bars?"

"The shapeshifter stole some gold from the Hired Gun. I doubt they used it all at once, so it must still be hidden somewhere, right?"

The mention of gold bars caught the chat's attention.

― Oh? That's true!

― Alex would have had to hide it, since he was a wanted man

― Find the gold and pay off the debt~

― Treasure hunt content, lol!

Light patted Alex's shoulder with a laugh.

"Of course, it won't be easy, but you're a detective, aren't you? If you follow the clues, I bet you'll find it."

"Hmm, I'll think about it. There's no telling how long it'll take."

"Anytime you change your mind, come find me here."

Billy waved from behind Light with a big smile.

"Dad! I'm ready!"

"Ah, it's time to go."

"Thank you for everything. Let's meet again."

Alex tipped his hat in farewell. Then, as father and son boarded the carriage, the tribe members came out to see them off.

* * *

The cutscene changed, and the carriage arrived at the former Lancaster Ranch site.

"Ah! Detective! Over here!"

Jerry, waiting in advance, greeted them enthusiastically.

"Great to have you here! I've already had the manor built!"

The camera showed Jerry standing in front of a small house and an overgrown lot, laughing sheepishly.

― Lol, it's totally neglected!

― So the interest-free loan was the last thing he could do lol

― He actually bought this? Jerry kick!

― Lol, what's a Jerry kick now

Seeing Alex and Billy's half-disappointed expressions, jerry smiled awkwardly.

"The auction was canceled and it was abandoned, so it might not look impressive now, but with some care, it'll make an excellent ranch!"

"Yes, we'll make it so."

"I'll work hard, dad!"

When the two smiled, jerry finally relaxed and grinned.

"Alright, once you sign these papers, the ownership transfer is complete."

Jerry offered a sheet of paper and a quill pen. Lee Gyeongbok felt control return to his hand.

He signed the new name, 'Purple,' in the signature field.

"Congratulations! Alex—no, ranch Owner Purple! If you need any more help, just come see me!"

Jerry said his farewells, congratulating them as he left.

[Thank You For Playing!]

The game paused as the familiar notice appeared before his eyes.

[Royal Desperate Revenge, alex's story ends here. Based on your previous actions, alex has become a 'ranch owner.']

[But from here on, you're free to play however you like.]

[You can rebuild the ranch, buy livestock, and create a great ranch for Billy.]

[However, billy is no longer a child. If you want, you can entrust the ranch to someone and set off on your own adventures.]

[You can take new cases at the detective agency, or perhaps become a notorious outlaw. Or, you can abandon everything and enjoy nature. Why not try fishing or hunting?]

[Whatever you do from now on is entirely your choice.]

Lee Gyeongbok read the notice and marveled again.

"So that's why you change your name. Truly, this is why Rock'n'Roll Games is famous for freedom."

― Lol, even in the console version of Roderi, you can keep playing after the ending

― There's a ton of content beyond the main story lol

― The average playhours in console Roderi reviews is over 100, and there's a bunch of people with over 1000 hours

― I even saw someone with 20,000 hours lol

― If you have 20,000 hours, you've basically lived in VR before Capsule even came out lol

Genuinely shocked at the viewers' reports, Lee Gyeongbok exclaimed,

"20,000 hours? Wow... No wonder Rock'n'Roll Games standardized the UI. I'm not just saying this because of sponsorship, but you really do feel like you're part of this world when you play!"

And though he hadn't intended it, what moved people's hearts was sincerity like that.

― He's genuinely surprised lol

― But compared to other assignments, his reaction to Godple is more on point this time

― Lol, he's just gotten used to streaming by now

― Ah, I couldn't resist and bought it right away

― I usually wait for discounts, but this one I bought at full price

― Officially recognized as a god game by Godple! Who can wait?

― Hyung! You're going to do free play now, right!?

― Start by fixing up the ranch?

― Nah, find the gold and clear the debt right away lol

The viewers demanded that he continue in free play. However, Lee Gyeongbok paused the game.

"Well, we've watched the Roderi ending today. Given the time, I'll discuss free play with my staff later."

The sponsor's requirement was to see the ending. Everything else was truly up to him.

Though he enjoyed streaming, it was, strictly speaking, 'work,' and he couldn't just ignore others' opinions.

― Do a bit more, please!

― It's a shame, but it was Perfect Revenge, after all!

― I'll miss it since it's been around from the startㅠㅠ

― Did you start watching Godple as soon as you were born? lol

― Hyung! Thanks for the always-fun broadcast!

Regretful as they were, the viewers saw him off.

"See you next time! Bye!"

With Lee Gyeongbok's farewell, the broadcast ended. But the chat was still energetic.

― Ah lol, it was so much fun

― I'm so jealous of Billy's Godple-level talent

― I'll just play on baby mode lol

― School assignment streams are the best when it's Godple lol

― Lol, there's nothing worth skipping

As viewers basked in the afterglow, someone dropped a link.

― Lol, metaGamer article just went up

― Huh? It's a speedrun article?

― Wow lol, they must've been monitoring

― Uploaded immediately after the record was set, lol

― Journalist, are you here?

― WA! First place immortalized!

― Ah lol, finally I can say it out loud, right?

The article on MetaGamer confirmed it as news.

― Just world number one, godple!

-???: Sorry to interrupt, but Godple is world-class!

― Ah lol, proven with records, what can you say?

― And not just any tier, but Master tier lol

― Made it perfect again!

Fastest first clear in Master ranking.

That achievement belonged to Lee Gyeongbok.