After their victorious and overwhelming performance in eliminating the Silverdust gang, the trio returned to their organization. In only one day, Zack again found himself in the infirmary for treatment.

He received the company of his two allies and only friends in the Blueblood Corps, Octavius, and Rose, while he occupied the infirmary room.

"The director seemed pretty happy that we destroyed them and recruited all those members," Octavius stated. While never in need of treatment as much as Zack, Octavius had visible bandages around his arms to treat the blade cuts inflicted by now-deceased Noah. "He even sounded impressed by your performance."

"Yeah, whatever. I suppose it's good that the man who made me realize my blessing is happy, I guess," Zack responded as he lay in the patient's bed. "But I'm just glad I've gotten stronger. I never thought a blessing like this could be useful in close combat."

"Yeah, your blessing is almost as good as mine, bro," Octavius said as he handed Zack a bottle of pills. "Keep this if you need it. Take as much as you need."

"Thanks."

"Hey, what the hell are you doing?" Rose questioned. "What do you mean 'take as much as you need?' What if he gets hooked on that shit?"

"Uh, don't worry," Zack assured. "I'm a responsible adult. I'll only take in moderation."

"...You better," Rose said. "We're supposed to be selling these drugs, not taking them."

"Yeah, yeah--"

DING!

Interrupting Rose's lecture, Zack's phone suddenly pinged audibly. Thankful for the sudden disturbance, Zack sighed with relief. His gesture didn't slip past Rose's gaze, as she rolled her eyes in response.

Ah phew, perfect timing. Zack thought as he reached for his smartphone situated on a coffee table at his bedside. "Who could it be all of a sudden?"

As he curiously browsed his phone, Zack found the cause of the unexpected ping. The developer had communicated a message with his game character.

"Hey, Zack! I got a new mission!" The developer's message outlined. "It's for you, Nathan, and Lilith specifically!"

"Huh?"

"What's wrong?" Octavius questioned. "What did you see on your phone?"

"Uh, you remember the developer? The guy who gave me those gloves?" Zack questioned. "Well, he has a mission for me."

"Tsk, are you still keeping contact with that bastard!? And you're contemplating returning to him even after finally remembering me!?" Rose angrily questioned. "So you're just going to leave again, huh!?"

"N-No, I'll return as soon as I'm done with whatever mission he has," Zack assured. "I'd never leave my friends willingly. Just trust me."

"... Either way, you'll have to convince the director to let you go," Rose said. "And aren't you still too injured anyways?"

"Well, I'm sure it'll be fine..." Zack replied. I can ask the doctor to heal me right up. I wonder what this mission will be. I feel excited to show Nathan how much I've grown!

*

Nathan's current life was far less hectic than his fellow game character, as he enjoyed the comfort of his home. He spent his time like he always had - with Lilith.

The energetic duo stood in their living room. Judging by the animated tennis setting on their television and the fact they were holding remotes and waving them around like rackets, they seemed to be playing a tennis video game.

The two were engrossed in the game as they constantly swung their 'rackets,' and even moved around each other. Their competitive spirits were truly shining when playing against each other.

The outcome of the match was confirmed, as the tennis ball soared past the racket of the female video game athlete. The duo's facial expressions immediately contrasted as a smirk surfaced on Nathan's face, while Lilith's eyebrows furrowed and she frowned.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Heh, and that's game," Nathan remarked victoriously. "That was close though! Better luck next time!"

"Sigh, let's try again!" Lilith begged. "I'll beat you next time!"

"Heh, sure. Let's get something to eat, though--"

BAM!

"Hello, my game characters!!!" Surprising Nathan and Lilith, the developer suddenly flung open the door and exclaimed. The developer had a talent for ruining Nathan's mood, as his expression almost instantly soured upon seeing him.

"Ah, for goodness sake..." Nathan muttered. His sudden shift in mood caused Lilith to slightly chuckle. "What the hell do you want now?"

"I've got great news for you guys!" The developer loudly stated. "A new mission has presented itself!"

This was the last thing the two wanted to hear, as their expression immediately morphed into fright. They were so affected by the developer's revelation that they broke out into sweat. Who could blame them after all? If this new mission were anything like their prior missions, they would be forced to cease their peaceful time together to suffer most likely.

"Come on guys, this mission won't be bad!" The developer, realizing their change in expressions, assured. "This one's quite simple! Like a side mission!"

"...What is this mission about?" Lilith asked.

"I'm glad you're giving it a chance, Lilith. I recruited a new game character!" The developer revealed. "I want you guys to meet them. They may even have a special surprise for you!"

"...A new game character?" With narrowed eyes, Nathan muttered. "I don't want to associate myself with any more crazy bastards..."

"Trust me, this person is far more normal than the rest of your party members!" The developer once again assured.

"...I guess if it's just that, then we can get this over with," Nathan said. "I still don't trust this, though. I want to know what the 'special surprise' is, but you won't tell us, right?"

"Don't worry! You guys will find it beneficial for your future," The developer vaguely stated. "I sent their location to you guys!"

"...Okay," Nathan responded. "Let's go, Lilith."

"Alright, Nate."

Alright, this is it. The developer pondered. I can't wait to see how things will turn out.

Although the two had their doubts about the smoothness of this 'mission,' they proceeded anyway, via a materialized armored sedan from Nathan's inventory.

*

The atmosphere in the car was a friendly and accommodating one, as Nathan and Lilith found themselves having conversations with each other.

"Sigh, I wonder how long we'll keep doing the developer's bidding," Lilith wondered as she looked out the car window. "I feel like our lives are slowly returning to normal...no, it's gotten better than before we acquired these blessings. Our only obstacle is just the developer."

"Him and Ada, I suppose. But yeah, I hate the developer for everything he's put us through. I'll kill him when I get the chance," Nathan responded. "But at the same time, the bastard saved me from being executed wrongfully. I even got to kill that utter asshole, John Walker."

"...As much as I don't want you to get blood on your hands, I'm glad you got to put that devil in the ground," Lilith stated. "He's put you through so much suffering...It makes me angry just thinking about it."

"...Well, that trash has already been taken care of. He's in the past now," Nathan coldly said. "Let's just focus on what's in the present, now."

"Yeah, you're right. I wonder who the new person will be?"

"No idea, but I know one thing for certain," Nathan said. "They probably have some screws loose if the developer took them in. Just stay close to me when we meet them, Lilith."

"O-Oh okay," Lilith said as her face flushed red. "N-No problem."

The remainder of the drive kept similar energy, as the two went on to converse about more trivial topics such as movies to watch.

*

The duo had arrived at their destination after a drive lasting over an hour. The location point sparked confusion in the two as they found themselves in a residential area.

"Huh? The person should be around here somewhere," Nathan, who parked his car on the side of the curb and disembarked his car with Lilith, remarked as he looked around. "So, where the hell are they?"

"Don't worry, they will be here any minute," The developer, who suddenly appeared, assured. This sparked surprise in the two, as they never expected the developer to randomly pop up.

"...Tch, they better hurry up," Nathan impatiently said. "I want to go home and eat with Lilith soon."

"Oh, there they are!" The developer said as he pointed in the direction behind Lilith and Nathan. "I'll be nearby!"

"Huh--"

Before Nathan could say anything, the developer suddenly disappeared. He simply left a gentle breeze, suggesting that the developer darted away at immense speeds. "Sigh, whatever."

"U-Uhm, hello," An unfamiliar voice was audible behind the backs of Nathan and Lilith. Or, judging by their sudden widened eyes, the voice was a bit familiar? "Thanks for coming here...guys."

"H-Huh!?" Nathan and Lilith uttered synchronously as they frantically turned around.

"Hehe, I'm the new game character guys..." The voice belonged to Serena Collins, who spoke with slight sorrow on her face. "D-Do you remember me?"

She never needed to ask this question, as they could never forget her. The duo's minds and faces raced with emotions as they recalled their experiences and relationship with Serena at university.

The classes they took together, how good they got along with her, and how she fell in love with Nathan, the two remembered it all. Of course, they could never forget the greatest thing - how two-faced she was when framing Nathan for rape and ruining his life.

Their faces quickly morphed to anger upon sight of Serena, but Lilith's rage was far more apparent on her face.

"I-I see...you two remember me," Serena muttered as she witnessed their expressions. Lilith simply gazed at her with ever-increasing rage.

Y-You bitch! Lilith thought. Why the hell are you here, snake!?