Gold Coin.

Arthur sat on the wooden railing of his porch, absently tossing a small rock in the air and catching it. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the town. His father wouldn't be home for a few more hours, likely caught up in some Law business. That suited Arthur just fine.

He had no interest in discussing justice, duty, or honor with William Bethonen.

Not when his own beliefs clashed so violently with his father's.

His gaze drifted toward the town square, where people bustled about finishing their daily routines. Merchants closed their stalls, farmers hauled sacks of grain, and blacksmiths hammered the last of their work before nightfall.

Arthur had lived in this town his entire life. It was safe, orderly, and quiet.

And it bored him to death.

"Arthur!"

He looked up to see Lenn and the others waving him over. With a smirk, he hopped off the railing and jogged toward them.

"We're gonna watch the bounty board get updated," Orin said, excitement in his voice. "Old man Garret said a new outlaw got posted today—someone big!"

Arthur's eyes lit up. The bounty board was one of the few things in town that truly interested him. Every week, new names were added—criminals, runaways, and dangerous men who had earned a price on their heads. Some had their faces sketched onto the posters, others just descriptions.

And every week, Arthur imagined himself among them.

The group of kids made their way to the bounty board, which stood tall in the town square, nailed to the side of the sheriff's office. A few adults had gathered around, murmuring amongst themselves as the latest poster was pinned up.

Arthur pushed through the small crowd to get a look.

A crude but intimidating sketch of a man with a scar running down his face stared back at him. His eyes were hollow, his expression twisted into a cold sneer.

"Garrik the Red-Handed"

Bounty: 1,700 Gold Coins

Wanted for multiple accounts of murder, arson, and robbery. Approach with caution. Highly dangerous.

Arthur whistled. "Now that's a real outlaw."

Mira shuddered. "He looks terrifying. Why would anyone want to be like that?"

Arthur didn't answer.

He wasn't foolish enough to admire murderers or criminals, but not all outlaws were monsters. Some were just people who refused to bow to the system, people who wanted to carve their own fate instead of letting the Law decide for them.

Still, 1,700 gold coins was an insane bounty. It meant that Garrik wasn't just strong—he was a threat to the Law itself.

"Who do you think will go after him?" Orin asked.

"Probably a 4-Star or a bounty hunter looking to make a name for themselves," Lenn said. "Maybe even a 5-Star."

Arthur scoffed. "You think some 5-Star is gonna waste their time on a 1,700 gold coin bounty? Please. Those guys only move for the really big targets."

Orin nudged him. "Like the Three Devils of Sand?"

The moment Orin said the name, the air around them changed. Even the adults nearby quieted slightly.

The Three Devils of Sand.

The only outlaws alive with bounties over 10,000 gold coins.

No one knew their real names. No one even knew where they were. But their reputations were legendary.

The first Devil was said to have razed entire towns to the ground, leaving nothing but scorched ruins in his wake. The second Devil could supposedly take down entire Law squads singlehandedly. And the third—well, no one knew much about the third. Only that he was the most dangerous of them all.

Arthur's heart pounded just thinking about it.

Being an outlaw wasn't just about causing chaos. It was about being free. And if anyone embodied that freedom, it was the Three Devils of Sand.

"Alright, that's enough troublemaking for today," a voice cut through the air.

Arthur turned to see a Law officer approaching.

He recognized the man immediately—Sheriff Gallen, a 3-Star Law and one of his father's closest allies. He was a tall, gruff-looking man, his uniform adorned with the insignia of his rank. He wasn't someone to be messed with.

"You kids shouldn't be gawking at wanted posters like it's a game," Gallen said, arms crossed. "These men are dangerous."

"We were just looking," Mira muttered.

Gallen's sharp eyes scanned the group before landing on Arthur.

"Bethonen's kid," he said with a sigh. "Figures."

Arthur tensed.

He hated being called that.

Not Arthur. Not his own person. Just Bethonen's kid.

"Your father would be ashamed if he knew you were standing here, admiring criminals," Gallen said. "You're the son of a 4-Star Law. You should be setting an example."

Arthur clenched his fists. "I'm not my father."

Gallen's expression darkened. "No, you're not. And that's exactly what worries me."

Arthur scowled, but before he could say anything, the sheriff turned and walked off, muttering something under his breath.

The moment he was gone, Lenn nudged Arthur. "Man, you really piss off the Law, huh?"

Arthur sighed. "Yeah, well, they piss me off too."

Orin chuckled, but Mira looked uneasy. "You know, Arthur, you could be a great Law someday. Your dad's a 4-Star. You'd probably be able to reach 5-Star if you really tried."

Arthur's jaw tightened.

If he tried.

If he followed orders. If he abandoned his own dreams to become another cog in the system.

No. That wasn't happening.

"Forget it," Arthur muttered. "I'd rather be an Outlaw."

His friends fell silent. Even though they were used to him saying things like that, it still felt different this time.

More real.

More serious.

And deep down, Arthur knew why.

Because one day, he was going to be an Outlaw.

And not just any Outlaw.

He was going to be one of the greatest in history.