In the dark of the night, Nathan was driving. The streets were nearly desolate due to how early it was.

"Hey, Nathan?" The developer began to speak on his phone, which was on the passenger's seat. "What are you doing?"

"Tsk, I'm sure you already know," Nathan responded rudely. "Since you clearly watch everything I do."

"You gonna meet your little girlfriend, huh." The developer teased. "Don't be telling her any unnecessary stuff, okay?"

"She's...not my girlfriend, just a friend...and if you do anything to her, I'll make sure to find and kill you." He bluntly responded with bloodshot eyes.

"Aww...you still don't trust me, huh, even though I saved you from the death sentence? But don't worry, I won't intervene or anything... that'll be good for your character development."

"What's that supposed to-- whatever...I'm done talking to you." He ended as he switched his phone off. With that said, silence filled the car for the rest of the drive. Nathan quickly reached his destination. He got out and parked next to the sidewalk. Nathan immediately saw Lilith, who was sitting on a bench. Sweat came down his face as he got nervous.

No, Nathan...now's not the time to be nervous...you must do this.

He encouraged himself before walking up to the bench. He awkwardly sat beside Lilith. It didn't seem like she registered his presence, as the awkward silence made Nathan uneasy.

"Um...hey, Lilith," Nathan spoke to break the silence.

"Hello, Nathan," Lilith responded, but in a cold voice. This detached tone made Nathan more uneasy and nervous about the conversation he wanted to have with her.

"Um, you don't sound so happy. How's your day been?" Nathan continued. This question triggered a slight look of anger on Lilith's face.

"I'm not in the mood for jokes, Nathan."

"N-No, I meant to ask...how are you?"

"How I am doing isn't the matter right now, Nathan...I decided to meet up with you to find out something."

"Y-yeah?"

"What is it you are planning to achieve? I know your name has been dragged through the mud, but I never thought you'd do all this!"

Shame came over Nathan's face as he couldn't find anything to say.

"Why are you teaming up with those horrible psychopaths, Nathan!? Why would you do that!?" She said before showing him pictures of the destruction his party had caused. "Children lost their lives, Nathan..."

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Hearing that, Nathan shut his eyes as if trying to not think about that.

"...I didn't mean for this to happen," Nathan said in a downtrodden tone.

"Just tell me, what is going on...I know you would never do this for no reason."

"Yes...you're right. Nathan confirmed.

"S-So, what's the reason? Did someone force you to do this?" Lilith asked with hopeful eyes. Nathan, on the other hand, remembered what the developer said about not telling her anything 'unnecessary'.

"I...I'm sorry. You deserve to know the truth, and as much as I would love to explain. I can't tell you, not right now at least. I hope you'll understand." Just like that, those words caused Lilith to lose all hope.

"I see, so you expect me to just be okay with you being a murderer without any explanation, Nathan?"

"Wait, no, I'm just trying to protect you," Nathan explained as he tried to hold her hand.

"Don't touch me, Nathan!" Lilith harshly ordered as she stood up.

"I've always been there for you, haven't I, Nathan!? Ever since our school days, I have been there for you. When you would get into fights, constantly being harassed in school, and when you were accused of crimes for no reason. I've always been there, because I cared about you!" Lilith poured her heart out to Nathan with tears filling her eyes.

"I came here because I am clinging on the small hope that you were coerced to participate in this...mess. I'm sure there is someone we can go to get help for your situation. Even if no one helps us, we can even leave the country or something...I was getting tired of working at Apple Garden. Just tell me that you were forced, please."

Nathan had kept eye contact with Lilith throughout the whole time. Thoughts flooded his mind. He wanted to explain everything to Lilith, to tell her about the developer and all the things he made him do, but he knew he couldn't. He could imagine the risks that would happen if he explained everything to an 'outsider' like Lilith. He decided that it was best to push her away.

"I'm sorry, Lilith...I don't know what you're talking about. I am glad you were there for me, but I am not forced...this is something I wanted to do for a long time." Nathan spoke with a nonchalant expression. "This corrupted country deserves all that's coming to them. I simply grouped up with those criminals because I thought they would help get revenge, and I won't stop until I fully make them pay for ruining my life."

Tears ran down Lilith's face after listening to Nathan. "I...I see, then...I have...nothing more to say." She said as she turned around, preparing to walk off. She didn't leave immediately, however, as if she was still hoping that Nathan was making a really bad joke and would tell the truth, but that never happened. Nathan was completely quiet, with his head held down.

"Goodbye...Nathan." She ended as she departed. Nathan sat on the bench in silence for a good bit of time.

"Great job, Nathan...I knew you wouldn't say anything to her!" The developer said in a commanding voice.

"I...don't want to hear anything from you."

"Aww, are you sad that your little girlfriend left you? Don't worry, it's all a part of your character development--" Before the developer could finish, Nathan broke the phone by throwing it on the ground and shooting it with a pistol that he materialized. He went back to sitting in silence for a couple of seconds, however, his expression started to change.

With balled-up fists, gritted teeth, and heavy breathing, Nathan had gotten visibly angry and frustrated.

I'm sorry, Lilith...I'm so sorry. I wanted to tell you everything, but I can't. But maybe this is for the best...everyone I know had left me, but you're different. I don't hate you, Lilith. I never will. It's comforting to know you're safe...away from me...

Nathan got up and went to his car.

My hatred is for the ones that caused all this. Both this damned country...and that developer. I'll do anything to make them pay for what happened today.

With his solidified resolve, Nathan made his way back to the warehouse.