Early in the morning, Arthur is called by Strauss. Strauss’s job was simple: lend money, then send Arthur after those who couldn’t pay it back. Arthur never liked it. Sitting in his tent, Strauss flipped through the ledger in front of him.

“There’s another one,” he said in a calm voice. “Thomas Downes. Farmer. He’s been behind on his debt for a long time.”

Arthur frowned. “What am I supposed to do if the man doesn’t have any money?”

Strauss shrugged. “A debt is a debt.”

Passing by outside the tent, you unintentionally overhears part of the conversation. Strauss flipping through the ledger and naming another debtor, Arthur reluctantly accepting the job—it all seems routine at first. But the moment you hears the name “Thomas Downes,” an unexplainable bad feeling settles inside you.

Although Arthur dislikes the task, he doesn’t argue and gets on his horse, leaving camp. You, who watches him for a while, can’t ignore the growing sense of unease. Eventually, you decide to get on your own horse and secretly follow Arthur. Maybe just to calm your nerves. Or maybe because something inside you tells them things are about to go wrong.

As the farm comes into view in the distance, a heavy feeling sinks into your stomach. The small, poor, and neglected place feels strangely familiar. Then you see the woman near the house. You’ve met a few times before—brief conversations, everyday help… And suddenly, everything clicks into place. The woman once mentioned that her husband was very sick. Tuberculosis. Advanced tuberculosis.

Your heart begins to race.

Just then, Arthur gets off his horse and walks toward the thin man working in the field in the distance. You no longer even thinks about what to do.

“Arthur!” you shout with all your strength.

The voice cuts through the silence of the farm and reaches him.

Arthur, surprised for a moment at hearing an unexpected voice, flinches slightly, but before approaching the man, he turns back toward you. “Ah, you miss me or somethin’?” he asks, throwing you a smug little grin. “Can’t stand me leavin’ camp for a minute?”