While the ghostly moon ran across the horizon, Zack spent the night in the hospital. With the aid of the painkillers, Zack was able to sleep soundly on the hospital bed.
RING, RING!
Along with the sun's rays, which shone through the transparent windows and right on his face, Zack was awoken by the audible ringing of his phone.
"Urgh, who is it?" As he sluggishly rubbed his eyes, Zack answered his phone.
"Hey, Zack. It's the developer," The developer responded on the other side of the phone. "Come on outside. I've got something for you."
"Huh?"
*
As he ventured outside, Zack noticed the developer standing around the complex's grounds. He witnessed the developer conversing with his friends Octavius and Rose. Judging by her furrowed eyebrows and negative demeanor, it was clear Rose wasn't pleased with the developer's presence.
"Hey, developer. What did you--"
"So you're the one who stole Zack from us, huh!?" Rose angrily remarked. "How dare you show your face here again, developer!?"
"Uh, I don't think you should talk to the director's partner like--"
"Shut up, Octavius! I won't give him any slack just because he's the boss's partner!" Rose exclaimed. "Who gives you the right to take Zack from us!?"
"Hehe, I understand your anger, but we already worked things over with the director," the developer, who kept a friendly smile, explained. Plus, Zack has gotten stronger after working for me. You guys should be happy to get a more capable worker!"
"You bastard! You think everything is fine and dandy!?"
"Guys! What's going on!?" Zack exclaimed, garnering the trio's attention.
"Oh, Zack! There you are! I heard that you've gotten better control of your ability! I also heard about the successful chaos you caused yesterday, so I want to reward you!" The developer stated.
"Reward?" Zack questioned. "You're rewarding me for something like this?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you normally give out rewards after destroying...I don't know, countries!?" Zack said.
"Ha! This isn't a big reward, though," The developer responded. "This will be helpful for you, too."
With open palms, an amethyst-purple aura manifested in the developer's hands. The light morphed into the shape of gloves before dissipating its radiance. The developer had created a pair of black gloves.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
"Wow, what's that?" Zack questioned in awe.
"Just gloves made from a very tough and resistant material. It's temperature resistant and hard to be destroyed," The developer stated. "I'll leave you to figure out how to use it efficiently."
"Huh, how did you even make that?" Octavius questioned. "Is that your blessing or something?"
"...Yeah, it's my blessing," The developer responded.
"Tch, how dare you ignore me!" Rose exclaimed. "Zack is not your subordinate! He's mine, so stop rewarding him like he is!"
Zack's eyes widened with shock in response to her statement. The developer, who noticed this, smirked in response.
"Wait, aren't you being too contradictory? First, you acted like you hated my guts, but now you're berating the developer for 'stealing and rewarding me' as if I belong to you," Zack said. "I'm getting mixed signals, you know. I don't hate it though. I want to be friends with you after all."
"Damn, you could have hesitated with that, bro..." Octavius muttered.
Being called out by Zack sparked a flustered and annoyed expression in Rose.
"Tsk, y-you think I care! I couldn't give a damn about you!" The flustered Rose defensively exclaimed. "A dog should simply stay with his original owner is all! You know what, I'm leaving!"
Having enough of them, Rose stormed off.
"Uh, damn. I never expected this," Octavius remarked. "I've never seen Rose Thatcher this flustered ever."
"As expected from my game character. No one can act normally when around them," The developer weirdly bragged.
"...Uh huh. I just remembered I have something to do," Weirded out by the developer, Octavius said. "See you later, Zack. If you're feeling better, let's train some more when...the developer is gone."
"Sure."
Without wasting any time, Octavius followed Rose and left.
"I see you've made some pretty good friends," The developer said. "They seem a bit normal...compared to the game characters."
"Yeah, we're friends, but our relationship probably became strained since I left. Rose seemed like she remembered me too, but I unfortunately can't remember her," Zack explained. "But I still haven't forgotten why I even came here in the first place. To avenge Jack and get stronger, of course."
"Ah, that makes me glad. You are still devoted to the game and your fellow party members," The developer responded. "But it wouldn't hurt to get those two closer on your side, especially Rose."
"Rose? Why her?"
"You might not know, but she sees you in a better light than she lets on. I can see it on the microexpressions that Rose shows on her face," The developer replied. "It'll be easy to get her on your side, and you'll have a very strong ally. Her blessing seems to be...what's the word...unique?"
"Well, I'd love to be friends with her," Zack agreed. "Not because she's strong, though."
"Heh, sure, sure," The developer replied before turning around. "Well, I'd hate to interrupt your training so I'll be taking my leave--"
"Wait, I have something I want to ask!"
"Huh? Oh sure, ask ahead."
"...So, what's Ada up to these days?" Zack suddenly questioned. "Even though that woman is still considered as your game character...I haven't heard anything from her."
"Wow, I never expected that question! I felt tingles in my skin after hearing that question!" The developer jokingly admitted. "I can't tell you exactly what she's doing, but I will say this; Ada's planning something that'll be great for your guys' character development!"
"H-Huh? Can't you talk less nerdy language and use actual English!?" Zack retorted.
"You guys are lacking some development, so Ada's being a kind character to her fellow party members to rectify that!" The developer continued. "I'm sure you guys will become motivated after! Trust me, I know all about her plans!"
"Tsk, that didn't answer--"
"Sorry, but I can't stay any longer!" The developer interjected. "I gotta go! Bye!"
"Wait--"
The developer suddenly disappeared before Zack's eyes.
"Damn it! I shouldn't have asked about Ada! Now I'm feeling extremely nervous!" Zack exclaimed as he clenched the gloves the developer gifted him. "Sigh, there's nothing I can do, I guess. Might as well find Octavius to train..."