Nathan and Lilith temporarily halted their training with the NPC. Their dirtied clothing contrasted with the NPC's pristine combat suit as they fought with all their might while the NPC casually battled the duo while sparring. In taking their break, Nathan and Lilith rested on outdoor chairs on their home's front patio with the NPC, doctor, and blacksmith.

"Wow, that training was pretty intense!" Lilith remarked. "It feels like we've gotten more in sync, right, Nathan?"

"Hehe, you're saying that because you want to fight with me in battles," Deducing her implications, Nathan responded.

"Fufu, you got me."

"Yes, you two have gotten more in sync. If only your other party mates would train with you," The NPC remarked. "Whatever, just ensure that you learn how to utilize your blessing techniques, Lilith."

"Yup!"

"Speaking of game characters, I already imagine Olivia's still depressed, but what the hell happened to Charles?" Nathan questioned. "I haven't heard from him since Jack's death. Usually, he'd be looking for strong opponents to fight."

"The developer has told me he's relaxing in the home he was given. There hasn't been anyone to entertain him since the death of the blessed slaughterer," The NPC explained. "So he's waiting for the developer's next mission to find entertainment.

"I see," Nathan responded. I suppose that makes sense. Charles loves searching for strong guys to fight, and there isn't anyone in this country to challenge him. Nathan pondered. Well, whenever the bastard developer gives us the next mission, I'll leave the hard stuff to Charles.

"So, what do you think the next mission will be?" The blacksmith chimed in with a question. "I hope it'll involve lots of resources!"

"Hmpf, you must have forgotten how sadistic the developer is. The next mission will be just like the last two because it'll involve many people dying," Nathan retorted. "Well, I suppose the next mission may not involve as many deaths since Jack's dead."

"Huh, if the next major mission's like the last two then you'll have to take down a nation, which will involve countless deaths," The NPC remarked. "Why do you say it may not involve as much?"

"Hey, I'm not saying that there won't be many casualties, just not as much as if Jack was alive. Charles only likes fighting and killing strong opponents and not random civilians," Nathan explained. "With the help of Zack and Olivia, I'd be performing minor support roles, and I'd ensure to do everything to keep Lilith and I out of harm's way."

And I must ensure that Lilith won't have to take any more lives than the one she did because of my weakness... Nathan pondered.

"Sigh, that's the mentality I noticed about you two when we resumed training," The NPC responded. "You're relying on other people for your successes."

"Hey! Nathan's just trying to look out for us! There is nothing wrong with that!" Lilith defended. "Although I wish for him to rely on me more, I think his reasoning is perfect!"

"Hmpf, why do you two think the developer bestowed these missions on you?" The NPC questioned. "Why did he create this entire game?"

"I've been trying to find another reason other than it being for the bastard developer's sick and twisted desires," Nathan sarcastically remarked. "But I remember him saying the chaos resulting from this game is retribution against gods for a sin committed a thousand years ago or whatever."

"I remember that too, but can we be sure that's even true?" Lilith asked. "It sounds like it's just the developer's delusions."

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Nathan couldn't help it as he blurted out a laughter in response to Lilith's words.

"Delusions or not, if you want to battle someone as mighty as gods, you would need immense...no, unprecedented strength. The gruesome missions and painful situations you've experienced have pushed your bodies to become stronger and sharpen your mentality," The NPC explained. "You will encounter more difficult situations and much stronger enemies, and it will be impossible to overcome them if you don't possess a hunger to put yourself in risky situations to break through your limits."

"...You're saying this like we even want to fight goddamned gods," Nathan said. "I like you guys as NPCs, unlike the bastard developer, but I'll never find the 'hunger' to complete the developer's missions."

"Sigh, I've known the developer for a very long time, far longer than anyone, so you wouldn't know," The NPC strangely said. "But I'm telling you two this for your own good."

"H-Huh?"

"I am unsure of the developer's true motives, but I don't think he's the type to sit idly by if his plans aren't moving along," The NPC continued. "He never was, so if he realizes that you two aren't meeting his quota, I fear for what he'd do to fix that."

The air was filled with solemnity and tension because of the NPC's ominous words.

"...You know the developer for a long time, but you've never taken of your mask," Nathan joked to lighten up the mood. "I've never seen how you look. Does that bastard never let you take it off?"

"Uhm..."

"That's true, I've never seen your face before--"

"The reason why the NPC keeps his mask on is a...long story," Before the blacksmith could finish her sentence, the doctor interrupted. "It's pretty personal, maybe the developer will share it eventually."

"...I see," Nathan stated. What the hell could have happened for him to wear a mask every day?

"I see you guys have been having a wonderful conversation," The developer, who suddenly approached the group, stated.

His presence garnered the attention of everyone and almost immediately, Nathan's eyes furrowed with annoyance and he clicked his tongue which Lilith noticed.

"Developer, why have you--"

"You seemed to be talking a lot about me, NPC. If it weren't for the doctor, it sounds like you'd have said something unnecessary," The developer stated.

"No, I wouldn't have said anything," The NPC assured. "You have my word, developer."

"Heh, I'm glad to hear that. Mere NPCs aren't allowed to give characters unneeded information, so keep your mouth shut," The developer coldly stated. The blacksmith and doctor had a slight negative reaction to that.

Oh, so it's not just us, huh? Nathan thought. Haha, the developer's a bastard to everyone.

*

Skipping to other sources of Nathan's hatred, Ada conversed with John Walker in a White House room. John watched as Ada relaxed in the bed and fixed her gaze on the wall-mounted television.

Ada was watching a fashion-related channel, as several models briskly stride down a runway on the television. The flashes of light and cheers of the audience were intense as these beautiful models walked in luxurious clothing.

"Pfft, look at these models," Ada teased. "They think they're pretty. Haha, how cute!"

"...You shouldn't watch useless channels like those. They're far inferior to you, obviously," John stated. "More importantly, how is Serena Collins doing?"

"Heh, that pawn's already wrapped around my fingers," Ada assured. "She's receiving training from Charlotte now."

"What kind of training would a regular human like Serena get to make her useful?"

"Obviously Charlotte is ensuring that her acting game is up to par," Ada responded. "That's all she's good for, anyway."

"Tch, I'm starting to get impatient," John stated. "I keep having nightmares of the Hayes family when I go to sleep."

Sigh, why are you even telling me this? Ada thought. Do you really think I give a damn?

"My life has become hell because of Nathan!" John angrily exclaimed. "I can't go back to normal until I murder him, and I want to do it quickly!"

"Tch, so loud."

"Huh--"

"Look, since I became president, I've been injecting funds into our research to produce super soldiers again. Jack and Charles have massacred them, so we need to create more so we can rebuild this country," Ada explained. "I told you already that I'll make you Chief of Defense, so you'll lead them all. If you're going to be damn annoying and not wait, though, I'll retract that promise."

"Tch."

"Right now, you're nothing more than a mentally unstable super soldier. You have absolutely nothing," Ada berated. "If you want the reputation you once had and love, shut your mouth and let me do my stuff."

"...Okay."

"Good. Oh yeah, I heard that a new stock of super soldier serum is supposed to be shipped by freight train this week," Ada remembered. "I wonder which lucky participants we'll use it on this time."

Everyone had their own motivations to work towards, and so the days went by as they continued preparing. Before he realized it, the day of fulfilling his mission came for Zack Isaac.