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These skills would give him a significant edge, both in combat and in his day to day activities. Combined with his Past Life Memory skills, Caleb felt he could use the knowledge he had much more efficiently. He could enrich himself with some of the knowledge he has about the treasures, as he has done a bit before when he plays the game.
He dismounted Morgan and began unloading the supplies and clothes from her saddlebags. The hotel clerk was different from the one in the morning, and greeted him with a bright smile as he approached the front desk. "Good evening, Mr. Thorne. How can I assist you tonight?"
Caleb returned the smile. "I'd like to extend my stay for another ten days," he said, placing 10 dollars on the counter. "Also, if it's possible, I'd like my clothes washed. I'm willing to pay an extra dollar for the service."
The clerk's smile widened. "Of course, Mr. Thorne. We'd be happy to take care of that for you. If you'd like, you can hand your clothes to me, and I'll ensure they're cleaned and returned to your room by tomorrow morning."
Caleb nodded and handed over his clothes. "Thank you. One more thing, I'd like to take a hot bath if one's available."
The clerk gestured toward a hallway to Caleb's left. "You're in luck, sir. A hot bath has just been prepared. It's the second door on the left. That'll be 25 cents."
Caleb paid the fee and made his way to the bathroom, eager to wash away the grime of the day. The room was warm and inviting, with steam rising from the large tub of hot water. Caleb quickly undressed and stepped into the bath, sighing in relief as the heat soothed his tired muscles.
As he relaxed, a soft knock sounded at the door. "Excuse me, sir," a young woman's voice called from the other side. "I'm here to offer assistance with your bath. It's 50 cents for a wash and massage, if you're interested."
Caleb considered the offer. While he wasn't interested in anything beyond a wash and massage, the idea of some extra relaxation was tempting. "Come in," he called, making sure to keep himself covered.
The door opened, and a young woman entered, carrying a tray with soap, a sponge, and a towel. She gave Caleb a polite smile. "Good evening, sir. My name's Clara. I'll take good care of you."
Caleb nodded, returning her smile. "Thank you, Clara. Just the wash and massage, please."
Clara set the tray down and began her work, her hands skilled and efficient. She washed Caleb's back and shoulders, her touch firm but gentle. As she worked, Caleb couldn't help but feel a sense of calm wash over him. The stress of the day seemed to melt away, and for a moment, he allowed himself to simply relax.
"You've got quite rough skin," Clara remarked as she worked. "You must've been through a lot these past couple of days."
Caleb chuckled softly. "You could say that. Life out here isn't exactly easy as you must have known."
Clara nodded in understanding. "That's true. But you seem like the kind of man who can handle himself. I've heard some of the townsfolk talking about you. They say you've been helping out around here."
Caleb shrugged modestly. "Just doing what I can. It's not much, but it's something."
Clara finished the massage, kissing Caleb on the forehead, and stepped back, giving Caleb a respectful nod. "There you go, sir. All done. If you need anything else, just let me know."
Caleb thanked her and handed her the 50 cents. "You've been a great help, Clara. I appreciate it."
After Clara left, Caleb finished his bath and dried off, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. He dressed in a clean set of clothes and returned to his room to take a rest.
As he settled into bed, Caleb opened the Map function again, studying the areas he had explored so far. Valentine and its surroundings were now clearly marked, but the rest of the map remained blank.
Caleb knew he would need to venture further afield to unlock more areas, but for now, he was content to focus on his immediate goals.
The next morning, Caleb woke early, feeling well rested and ready for the day ahead. He heard a knock on the door, and saw a hotel staff giving him his freshly washed clothes neatly folded.
The hotel staff had done an excellent job, and Caleb thanked her while also giving her a tip of a dollar for her great work. After that, he packed his clothes inside the wardrobe and headed downstairs.
Caleb stepped out of the hotel into the crisp morning air, the sun just beginning to rise over the rooftops of Valentine.
He stretched, feeling the stiffness in his muscles from the previous day's activities, and made his way over to Morgan, who was patiently waiting at the hitching post. "Good morning, girl," Caleb said warmly, patting Morgan's neck and scratching behind her ears. The horse let out a gentle snort, nuzzling his hand in appreciation.
As Caleb reached into his satchel to pull out an oatcake for Morgan, he noticed Sheriff Malloy approaching with a couple of deputies in tow. The sheriff tipped his hat in greeting. "Morning, Caleb. Fine day, isn't it?"
Caleb nodded, offering a polite smile. "Morning, Sheriff. It sure is. What brings you out this early?"
Sheriff Malloy's expression turned serious. "We're about to hang Harland, the man you brought in for being the mastermind behind the livestock thefts. Thought you might want to be there, seeing as you're the one who caught him. It's not every day we get to see justice served so clearly."
Caleb was surprised by the invitation but quickly masked it. He knew that building a good relationship with Sheriff Malloy and the townsfolk was crucial, and attending the hanging would only solidify his reputation. "I'd be honored to join you, Sheriff," he said, his tone respectful.
Sheriff Malloy nodded, clearly pleased with Caleb's response. "Good young man. Let's head over. It's just around the corner."
The group made their way toward the gallows, which were located behind the hotel and to the left of the butcher's stall. As they passed the butcher's stall, Caleb greeted Old Bob, who was busy sharpening his knives. "Morning, Bob," Caleb called out.
Old Bob looked up and gave a gruff nod. "Morning, Caleb. Heard you're the one who caught that no good rustler. Fine work."
Caleb tipped his hat in acknowledgment. "Just doing my part."
When they reached the gallows, Caleb saw that a small crowd had already gathered. Townsfolk stood in clusters, murmuring among themselves as they waited for the hanging to begin.
Harland stood on the platform, his hands bound and a noose around his neck. His face was pale, and his eyes darted around nervously as he realized the gravity of his situation.
The deputies went to the front of the gallows, while Sheriff Malloy and Caleb climbed the stairs to the platform, the sheriff taking his place at the front while Caleb stood slightly to the side, observing quietly. The deputy who had been guarding Harland stepped back, giving the sheriff space to address the crowd.
Sheriff Malloy raised his hands, and the murmuring crowd fell silent. "Good people of Valentine," he began, his voice strong and commanding. "Today, we gather to see justice served. This man, Harland, stands accused of masterminding the theft of livestock from our hardworking ranchers. His actions have caused hardship and suffering for many in our community."
The crowd murmured in agreement, some shaking their heads in disapproval. Sheriff Malloy continued, his tone solemn. "But thanks to the efforts of Caleb Thorne, this criminal was brought to justice. Caleb's bravery and dedication have proven him to be a true friend to Valentine, and we are proud to welcome him into our community."
Caleb felt a mix of pride and discomfort as the crowd turned their attention to him, some applauding and others nodding in approval. He gave a small nod of acknowledgment but remained silent, letting Sheriff Malloy take the lead.
The sheriff then turned to Harland, his expression stern. "Harland, you have been found guilty of your crimes. May God have mercy on your poor soul." He then gestured to the deputy, who stepped forward and placed his hand on the lever.
Harland's eyes widened in panic, and he began to struggle against his bonds. "Wait! Please! I didn't mean to—" His words were cut off as the deputy pulled the lever, and the trapdoor beneath Harland's feet opened.
The crowd gasped as Harland dropped, the rope snapping taut. He thrashed violently, his legs kicking as he struggled for breath. The townsfolk watched in silence, some with grim satisfaction, others with averted eyes.
Caleb stood stoically, his expression unreadable. He had seen death before, but the sight of a man being hanged was still unsettling. He reminded himself that Harland was just a means to an end for him, to gain fame and acknowledgment from the people do Valentine. Still, he couldn't help but feel a pang of unease as Harland's struggles gradually ceased, his body going limp.
Sheriff Malloy turned to the crowd once more. "Let this be a lesson to all who would seek to harm our community. Justice will always prevail in Valentine."
The crowd dispersed slowly, some lingering to discuss the hanging, while others went about their day. Sheriff Malloy turned to Caleb, his expression softening. "You did good work, Caleb. The town owes you a debt of gratitude."
Caleb nodded, his tone respectful. "Just doing what's right, Sheriff. I'm glad I could help."
Sheriff Malloy clapped him on the shoulder. "My offer still stands, if you ever decide to make this line of work official, you know where to find me. We could use someone like you as a deputy here in Valentine."
Caleb gave a small smile. "I'll keep that in mind, Sheriff. For now, I've got a few things to take care of."
The sheriff nodded, understanding. "Fair enough. Take care, Caleb."
As Sheriff Malloy and the deputies walked away, Caleb took a moment to collect himself. The hanging had been a sobering reminder of the harsh realities of this world, but it had also solidified his place in the community. He knew that his actions had earned him the trust and respect of the townsfolk, and that was no small thing.
Caleb made his way back to Morgan, who was still patiently waiting at the hitching post. He gave her another pat and a piece of oatcake before mounting up. "Let's get moving, girl," he said softly. "We've got a lot to do today."
Caleb mounted Morgan and rode out of Valentine, his mind set on exploring the surrounding areas to unlock more of the map. The morning sun cast a golden glow over the landscape, and the crisp air filled his lungs as he guided Morgan eastward, passing through Citadel Rock.
The familiar terrain brought back memories of his recent adventures where he had managed to capture Harland and kill his bodyguards, but Caleb was eager to see what lay beyond.
As he rode, he activated the Map function, watching as the areas he passed were gradually filled in with details.
The train station at the Heartland Oil Fields came into view, and Caleb saw that its location slowly revealed on the map before turning south. The road stretched out before him, winding through rolling hills and open plains. The scenery was breathtaking, and Caleb couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom as he rode.
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Name:Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 6/10
- Agility: 6/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 6/10
- Charm: 4/10
- Luck: 5/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl 1)
- Rifle (Lvl 1)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl 2)
- Past Life Memory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl 1)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 1)
- Sneaking (Lvl 1)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl 1)
- Poker (Lvl 1)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl 0)
- Eagle Eye (Lvl 1)
- Dead Eye (Lvl 1)
Money: 229 dollars and 25 cents