New Gods of North America

In America during this era, entertainment options were relatively limited.

Aside from the occasional traveling circus or musical theater troupe, people's leisure activities mainly consisted of gatherings and visiting taverns.

After taking Emma for a bath, Ineessa and Linna found themselves with nothing to do.

They left Parker and Willie, who didn't plan to go out, to look after the baby at the hotel, and asked Wayne if he wanted to go to a tavern to gather some information.

Thanks to the completed steam train lines, Clariceburg was already taking shape.

At least, due to the distribution of goods and the rest stops for travelers, the town had a fair number of restaurants and taverns compared to ordinary small towns.

Unfortunately, it was still too close to the East Coast. Travelers from the East might have just started their journey, while those from the West were almost at their destination.

Therefore, the percentage of travelers willing to stay overnight wasn't particularly high. More people and goods simply "passed through," otherwise, it might have developed faster.

It was the kind of place that benefited from steam train transportation but "not too much."

However, in western Virginia, it wouldn't be wrong to say that it was a relatively "lively" or "prosperous" place.

Wayne and the others strolled around the restaurant and tavern street near the steam train station and randomly chose one that looked relatively large.

As soon as they entered, Wayne spotted a few familiar faces.

Doug and Lane were at a table with some people he didn't recognize, and a little further away, two trainee agents were sitting at their own table.

He also noticed two guys he had seen at Mr. Russell's house. They should be leaders of some teams. One was alone, while the other was at a table with a few people.

Seeing Doug and Lane almost stand up to greet him, Wayne waved his hand, signaling them to do their own thing.

It was their free time, after all, and everyone was free to do as they pleased.

Because Ineessa and Linna were two beautiful women, several guys in the tavern started whistling.

Ineessa, carrying her guitar case, ignored them, while Linna would retaliate slightly.

For example, she would widen her eyes slightly and look over, then roll her eyes and turn away.

Then, as usual, the three of them sat at the bar, ready to ask the bartender for information.

There seemed to be quite a few teams coming recently. As soon as the bartender came over, noticing that Wayne and his companions were unfamiliar faces, he took the initiative to start selling information:

"Are you here because of the steam train company's bounty? Do you need some information about the robbers?"

Despite not knowing how many times the bartender's information had been sold, Wayne flicked a 5-dollar gold coin over.

"Three beers. Do you have any information that can't be found at the police station?"

The bartender skillfully caught the coin in the air, didn't even need to look, just pinched it slightly, and stuffed it into his pocket:

"Of course, but that's probably not enough money."

Wayne didn't mind. Anyone who really wanted to fish would definitely use more bait.

So, while taking the beer glasses the bartender pushed over from the bar, he handed them to the ladies first, and then answered the bartender who was pouring beer, "Let's hear the 5-dollar version first."

The bartender pushed the three beers over one after another, and then returned to Wayne's side from behind the bar:

"You should also know that powerful gangs usually like to stay near state borders. On the stretch from here to Ohio, there are three 'big gangs' that ordinary bounty hunters can't handle. Of course, there are also some small gangs or other robbers and thieves.

"I don't know what size of gang you're interested in?"

Wayne picked up the beer glass, took a sip. It wasn't good, not comparable to the town elder's, not even as good as the green bottled beer from his previous life.

Then, based on his impression of beer, Wayne roughly estimated the bartender's credibility, "Actually, anything is fine. But since we're trying to understand the situation, why don't you start with the big ones?"

The bartender seemed to organize his thoughts a bit:

"The exact size of the gangs is hard for outsiders to confirm. After all, gang infighting or sudden disbandment is not uncommon, and the number of people is always fluctuating.

"But according to what we locals have always known, the largest gang on this stretch of steam train line continuing west to Ohio is currently the 'Garry Adventure'.

"They should have more than thirty people. The leader calls himself William Kidd—you know, the name is the same as that legendary privateer captain, and that's where their gang name comes from—he currently has a 200-dollar bounty on the wanted list. As for other known wanted members of the gang, the total value should be around 1500 dollars."

Wayne nodded as he listened, "And then?"

The bartender continued:

"Next is the 'Skinny Gang'. They should have fewer people than the 'Garry Adventure', but it is said that they usually have no less than 20 people when they act. I heard they have 'financial dealings' with sheriffs in some counties near the state border, but I won't publicly admit that I said that. As for their leader, only a nickname is currently known, called 'Skinny' Charlie, with a 300-dollar bounty, plus other members, it is estimated to be around 1100 dollars in total."

The boss is more expensive, but the others are cheaper?

Or are the others not on the wanted list at all?

Wayne signaled the bartender to continue, "Let's get to the third 'big gang'."

The bartender paused slightly at this point:

"Actually, according to the information I got, this gang is not particularly big. It is said that there are usually only a few people when they act, but they are very brutal. They mainly rob steam trains transporting valuables, have very accurate information, and cause damage no less than other big gangs.

"This gang's name is 'Overseer', um, just like that criminal organization that is said to be active in the West. One theory is that they are a branch of that organization in the West. There is currently no bounty on them because they rarely leave nearby witnesses.

"But their identities are said to be easy to identify. It is said that they have specific tattoos or markers. It seems that a wealthy man from out of town once issued a bounty. As long as he can catch any 'Overseer' member who can be identified, he is willing to pay at least 300 dollars."

Wayne briefly recalled the information he had learned about the "Overseer" before.

Their style of doing things sounds the same as that criminal organization of the same name active in the West; they don't like to leave witnesses.

But if it's really that organization, then these people are likely to be transcendents...

While Wayne was pondering, a rough voice, seemingly with a hint of alcohol, suddenly sounded behind Wayne:

"Hey! Pretty girls, instead of being with this pretty boy, why not have fun with a hunk like me?"