"Good job. Nathan. I now understand why the developer likes you."

The presence of the NPC greatly annoyed Rebecca.

What? There's no way he got to call someone. I definitely shot his phone before he could.

"Just wait, Nathan. I'll take care of this."

Suddenly, the NPC appeared in front of Rebecca and attempted to deliver a swift kick to her chest. Alarmed by his speed, Rebecca couldn't dodge and had blocked just in time. Despite blocking, she got sent into a building meters away.

Nathan's jaw dropped at what he had just witnessed.

I-I'm saved?

Rebecca slowly came out of the building she crashed into.

"You bastard! Who the hell even are you!?" Rebecca shouted as she was riddled with anger. Without exchanging words, the NPC continued his assault. He forced her to engage him in hand-to-hand combat.

Damn it. Who the hell is this guy. and why are his movements so fast for a regular person!!

He delivered an uppercut to her chin, causing her to cough up saliva. He immediately tried following up with a swipe to her face, but Rebecca leaned back in time. She tried to draw back to gain distance from him, but he immediately grabbed her arm.

What the--

By grabbing her arm, the NPC pulled her into a palm strike to her gut. The palm strike was so strong that the impact behind it sounded like an explosion. Reflexively, blood came from her mouth.

"AAAHHHHHH!!!!!" Rebecca screamed as she was sent through multiple buildings, across the block.

Nathan was left in utter shock as to what he had just witnessed.

What the...who the hell...is this guy anyway...

As if letting go of the urgency of the battle due to being saved, Nathan's adrenaline had worn off. With his vision going, the last thing he saw was the NPC walking towards him. The NPC was trying to communicate with him, but to Nathan, his words were muffled due to him losing consciousness.

Finally, he blacked out.

* * *

An officer entered Sergeant John's office. He handed him a file containing some papers.

"These are the reports for today's casualties, sir." The officer said.

"Sigh...this is getting annoying to go through. It's only been a week, and so much damn carnage has unfolded!" John said as he angrily threw the documents on his desk.

The officer seemed fearful at the sudden outburst by John, but surprisingly, he managed to regain his composure.

"My bad...how has the media been taking this...I've purposely avoided going on the internet because I've got an idea of what they're saying." John asked.

"Well, there are numerous negative posts describing the horrible situation they are living in, comparing it to a warzone. People outside the country have also expressed their concern." The officer explained.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Sigh...if it wasn't for Jack or Nathan, the death counts wouldn't be this high. It's ironic that there isn't much activity from the other criminals"

Nathan...you're really leaving me with no options.

"I really don't want to, but we might have to start sending out super soldiers," John remarked. "For that, people like the president would need to be made aware."

"That will put the civilians in even more danger, though." The officer said.

"Did I ask you?" John said in an annoyed tone. Remembering who he was speaking to, the officer became fearful again.

"S-Sorry..."

"You can go now." John bluntly stated. Without hesitating, the officer took his leave. As John was reading the reports, he was getting increasingly angry. He tightened his grip on the documents, crushing them.

Nathan Hayes, for the things you've done to annoy me, killing you isn't enough. You really are just like your parents...always getting in my way. I promise that I'll watch you suffer.

* * *

Suddenly, Nathan awoke from his state of unconsciousness. He was lying in a hospital-like bed. He had a look of confusion at the change of setting.

Huh? Where am I? The last thing I remember was getting attacked by that super soldier and then saved by the NPC. After that, I think I blacked out.

Nathan slowly sat up on the bed. He noticed that bandages were wrapped around his arms and that the intense pain he felt in the fight was reduced to a minor sting.

"Oh, you're up." Nathan heard a voice. He looked and saw the NPC sitting on a chair to the side of the room.

"...Where are we?" Nathan asked.

"We're underneath the main warehouse room." The NPC responded.

Was there a room underneath the warehouse?

"You're a pretty tough guy. Those injuries you sustained were pretty severe. Even though I tried to dispatch that super soldier as fast as I could, most people wouldn't survive for that long, but you managed to survive being carried so the doctor could treat you."

"I...see," Nathan responded. A few seconds of silence had passed until Nathan continued talking. "You came just in time. If it wasn't for you, I would have died, so thanks."

"Actually, I was there the whole time, watching your fight." The NPC admitted.

"WHAT!?" Nathan said, raising his tone in confusion. "So you watched me as I got the hell beaten outta me!?"

"Yeah, I was wavering on whether or not I should save you. That is until you won me over with your determination to live." The NPC explained. "I have a soft spot for selfish people like you who'd refuse to die."

"Sigh...that's not something I'd necessarily want...but whatever. Thanks still."

"Oh, no need to thank me. You should thank the developer because he was the one who told me that you were in danger."

"What? The developer?" Nathan asked in confusion. Suddenly, the NPC's phone began to ring. Without letting it ring for too long, he answered.

"Hey guys!" The developer began talking, automatically putting himself on speaker. "It's true. I was the one that told my NPC to save you."

"But why? Why would you even save me?" Nathan asked. "If I died, then you'd have the other characters to complete your game or whatever."

"Because Nathan, you aren't like any of my other characters. I actually like you." The developer responded.

"What. Don't screw with me!" Nathan shouted, his tone taking a noticeable shift. "Sure, it's nice that I didn't get put on death row because of you, but you made my life worse than it already was." The NPC and developer were silent as Nathan started to vent.

"Murdering officers, fighting super soldiers, and getting revenge on the state for publicly hanging my parents. I watched my parents die before me and...it is something I'll never forget." Nathan brought his trembling hands to cover his face as he recalled his past trauma.

"I hated the country more than anything. Both the state for killing them and the civilians for cheering at their deaths. But as much as I hated them, I never cared for revenge, because I at least had Lilith to keep me whole. But now you ruined that and forced the idea of revenge in my life....and you say...that you actually like me!? DON'T YOU EVER SAY THAT AGA--"

"Nathan." The developer calmly and in a peaceful tone, interrupting Nathan as he was drowning more in his anger.

"That's exactly why I like you. I understand your hatred. I understand all the suffering that has happened in your life."

"SHUT U--"

"I understand, and I like you because Nathan...You are me." The developer said.

"Huh? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Don't worry about that. For now, just understand I won't let you die so easily." The developer said. "And if you want revenge against the country and against me...you have to get stronger. Get stronger so you can get rid of everything in your way so you can return to Lilith, your little girlfriend."

Damn you...I hate you so much.

"My NPC here will make for a great teacher for you. Use him. After all, that's what NPCs are there for."

Nathan looked at the NPC when the developer said that.

"Goodbye for now, Nathan."

"Just...go away," Nathan said as the developer hung up.

"So, I'll be training you, huh."