Some time has passed since the great incident in the United States - two months exactly. The developer had not called the gang to carry out any orders since, which allowed them to enjoy their free time, and they each used it in their own ways.

Although they knew enemies like Ada were still up and about, this was the first time our characters could take a breather. They could chill out and unwind slightly.

"Haha! You're bad at this, aren't you, Nathan!" Zack taunted. Zack and Nathan seemed to be sitting around a couch playing a soccer video-game on a large flat-screened television.

The living room that they were in gave off a rich feeling due to its decor and architecture. From the colorful curtains covering the sliding glass doors to the red couches of varying lengths across the living room, it was well-decorated. The coffee table in the center also enhanced the beauty of the room.

Strangely, the clanging of what sounds like metal was audible outside as they played.

"Tsk! Shut up...I haven't gotten to play this in a while," Nathan said with knitted eyebrows, indicating his frustration.

Nathan seemed to be wearing a black size-fitted tracksuit along with a pair of black dress boots. He also seemed to have put on more muscle over the two months. Zack on the other hand, was wearing a chocolate brown corduroy overshirt with a pale polo shirt on the inside, peanut brown size-fit jeans, and brown dress shoes.

They both wore different clothing from before. By the time the game match was over, the scores were 7 - 2, with Zack being the winner.

"Haha! You suck!" Zack taunted again, causing Nathan to become even more annoyed and frustrated.

"Tsk! Whatever..."

"Well, even though you suck, at least you took some time off to play some games," Zack added.

"...Yeah, well, you keep coming over, so I have no choice. But I think I've had enough of getting my ass kicked in a game," Nathan responded as he stood up. "I'm going back to training with the NPC."

"Oh yeah, speaking of that. I'm surprised you let your girlfriend train with the NPC as well." Zack continued.

How many times do I have to tell this stupidass that she's not my girlfriend...

"...Yeah, I realized that I'm not strong enough to protect Lilith...not yet at least. Which is why I allowed her to train, too." Nathan explained as he looked to the ground. "She's gotten quite strong at such a fast rate. If I'm not enough to protect her from danger...hopefully, she'll protect herself."

Although it pains me when she requested more intense training with the NPC...

"Yeah...danger. There's a lot of danger out of there..." Zack said as he rubbed his chin. "Especially Ada."

"Hmpf, she's the bastard developer's game character. She's not a danger or anything." Nathan said sarcastically. "But on a serious note, she's playing the part of a president rather well...after likely manipulating her way to the top."

"...Yeah. Surprisingly, Ada hasn't come after us or anything. I've seen her gang 'helping' with the damages from the super soldier war. It's strange, considering how she declared that we would all suffer by her hands." Zack said. "It makes you wonder...what the hell she's cooking up."

...The last time she went this silent, we got ambushed by super soldiers, Olivia got sent on death row, and we got thrown into a war. Nathan thought.

"Damn it...now that we're talking about this...I'm regretting not killing Ada." Zack said as he laid back on the couch and put his hand over his face. "I had my hands around her neck...I could have just snapped it and killed her, and none of this would have happened..."

"She's cooking something, alright." Nathan agreed. "But it doesn't matter what it is. The next time we meet, we'll kill Ada. We've got monsters like Jack and Charles on our side."

"...I hope so. Oh yeah! Jack is off to England now." Zack said. "He said the visit won't take long at all."

"Why did he go to England anyway?"

"Apparently, to visit an old friend," Zack replied. "That's what he said, at least."

Jack has friends!? Nathan wondered with raised eyebrows. How the hell did that guy make friends...that has to be a lie...

"Whatever, I'm going to train now," Nathan said as he approached the front door.

"I'm coming to watch." Zack declared. "Seeing you improve so much makes me wonder what training you've been through."

"It's just regular hand-to-hand and weapon combat training," Nathan revealed. "But when you're training as frequently as Lilith and I with a monster like the NPC...you'd have no choice but to chalk up results fast."

With that said, they both went outside. They were met by Lilith and the NPC sparring. They were doing sword combat as Lilith was clashing her black katana with a longsword that the NPC was using.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Lilith was wearing a similar black tracksuit to Nathan.

Her sword skills seemed somewhat decent as she swung rapidly but not randomly. Her target was always on one thing - the NPC. She was doing a good job, although the NPC was parrying her strikes with minimal effort.

"Man, you guys have gotten much better, huh?" Zack commended. Nathan simply watched Lilith with a small smile.

Suddenly, however, the NPC swung his sword and struck hers with high force, causing her arms to recoil backward (she still had her katana in hand). This understandably caused Nathan to become worried.

The NPC tried following up with a palm strike to her stomach, but Lilith readjusted herself and blocked with the katana in time. Although she blocked, the strike had enough force to send her rolling several times across the yard.

Lilith!!!

Lilith stopped herself from rolling any longer and stood up once more. She rubbed her gut for a second before letting go.

Ugh...strong...

"Good...your skills are getting better than before, but your reaction speed is that of a human's peak." The NPC commended. Simultaneously, Nathan ran up to Lilith.

"Lilith! Are you okay?" Nathan asked with clear concern in his eyes.

"Yes, I am, Nathan...didn't I tell you not to worry over me while I'm training?" Lilith asked.

"Uhm..."

"It's funny...I never thought I'd get this strong and athletic..." Lilith said.

"The developer probably didn't tell you this, but on average, humans with blessings are stronger and receive better results psychically than regular humans...with the right mindset." The NPC explained. "And you're motive to get stronger, Lilith...well, that's the perfect mentality for your blessing in particular."

"My mentality is perfect?" Lilith asked with visible confusion.

"It's fine. You'll understand in the long run." The NPC said. "Let's continue."

"I'm ready to train again," Nathan interjected. "That's fine, right?"

"You took a rather short break...you're pretty determined, huh?"

"Yes, I promised myself I'll get strong as soon as possible..." Nathan responded. So I'll never lose again...

"Heh, those two are truly made for each other..." Zack said. Hmm...I wonder what Jack's up to in England now...

* * *

In the streets of England, where the sounds of noisy cars in traffic and street folks going about their day, Jack was seen walking down the road. Although he was wearing a white version of the hoodie that Olivia had given him a while ago instead of his usual white overcoat to cover his face, you'd think that someone would notice him...that was wishful thinking.

Not a single civilian noticed Jack walking about.

Man... there are so many buggers I could just murder... Jack said to himself. But now's not the time. If I kill now, I'll make a scene, and things will get annoying. I'll just do what I came here for...

Although no civilians noticed Jack, he was not out of the waters. Someone had spotted Jack the Ripper. Sitting on a bench in the shadows, they watched him walk past everyone.

"...There's no way that bastard...is here," The unknown man said in a deep, slightly raspy and menacing voice. "The balls to show your face around here...well, that's good. I can use this opportunity..."

Strangely, Jack stopped moving before smirking.

Feels like a lot of killing intent is being directed towards me...haha.

Suddenly, he disappeared.

"Heh...you're not getting away." The unknown man said before he too disappeared. The civilians were none the wiser.

Jack quickly arrived at a mountain range, away from civilians.

"Wow, what a beautiful scene," Jack said as he looked around at the greenery of the mountains.

RING! RING!

Ugh...what now...? Jack thought as his phone was ringing. Quickly, he answered the incoming call.

"Um...hello, Jack." Olivia greeted him on the other side of the call. On Olivia's side, she was inside what seemed to be a laboratory. The one given to her by the developer. There were many lab equipment around, such as beakers, test tubes, funnels, flasks, bottles, and others. On a desk in front of her was a funnel with purple liquid flowing through long transparent connecting tubes.

She was experimenting on her poisons. She even had the lab coat to play the part.

"What's up, love?" Jack asked with a slightly annoyed look on his face.

"Um...I was just wondering when you'll be back?" Olivia asked. "We...can watch movies if you want."

I literally just left yesterday. Jack said to himself. This is the third time she's called me...

"C'mon, I already told you I'd be back when I finish my business, love," Jack assured. "You don't need to call me so much."

"But Jack--"

"Um-- Kssht...sorry...it's...kssht* breaking up..." Jack said as he made static sounds to get out of the conversation. "Kssht...talk to you...kssht...later." Jack said before hanging up.

"Wait--sigh..." Olivia said as the call disconnected. Am I being too desperate...?

Jeez...her knitting and poisoning skills are good and all...but she's so annoying...I have no freaking idea why she's clinging onto me so...

"Whatever, the scenery really is beautiful," Jack said as he once again admired the view. He also removed the hood that was covering his face. Suddenly, a twisted smile came over his face. "It gives the urge to destroy it all...don't you think so too?"

A few feet behind Jack, a man stood there.

"You must be an idiot for coming here, Jack," The man said. From his voice, it was the same individual that noticed Jack.

The individual's aesthetic was the exact opposite of Jack's. While Jack wore white, they were wearing full black. They wore an assassin's cloak which had no hoodie nor sleeves, but his arms were hidden by the sleeves of the overalls he wore inside. The only thing this man had in common with Jack was that he also had bandages wrapped around his hands. That and he gave a menacing and intimidating impression.

His physical features were just as menacing. He seemed to be a young man with light brown skin. His black hair was rather thick, straight, and long, nearly reaching his lower back and stomach. There was also a single long band of hair coming from the front of his scalp.

While his aesthetic, for the most part was that of the night, there was one feature of him that differed - his red eyes. His eyes were so bright red that they emanated a faint glow.

"Wow, you've grown a lot from the last time I've seen you!" Jack said with a pleasant surprise written on his face as if mocking him. "You've become taller and everything! Good job...Kreuger!"

"You dare show up here, and now you're trying to have a friendly ol' chit chat, mate?" Kreuger, as referred to by Jack, questioned. "In case you haven't realized...after what you did to our clan...to our brothers and sisters back then...there's no room for chit-chat!"

"Aww, you're hung up on that?" Jack asked. "Even though you're the reason I came to this country?"

"...Haha, well, it's good that you've come here," Kreuger said as he began searching in his cloak, causing Jack to smirk. "I've been yearning for this day so much...that I think I've gone insane!" Suddenly, he pulled out two long daggers with slightly curved blades. Strangely, parts of the blades seemed to be covered with blood, but they were not dripping to the ground. It's as if the blood hardened on them...or the blades themselves were partially made...with blood?

Oh my...what strange weapons. Jack thought.

"With my Bloodbaths...I'll kill you for the sin of killing our brothers!" Kreuger declared.

Wow...he pulled his daggers rather quickly, huh? Jack thought as he continued smiling.