While the two witnessed the person they'd least expected to see again in their lives, the developer casually spectated nearby. He enjoyed a bird' s-eye view of the scene as the developer sat on top of a hotel.

The developer suddenly found himself in a relatable situation with his two-game characters when a sudden occurrence happened—a yellow radiance manifested itself beside him. The developer's demeanor slightly soured as the light morphed into a humanoid, revealing itself as Themis's projection.

"Disgraced god, what schemes are you planning this time?" Themis questioned.

"Tch, why are you here again? Haven't we talked to each other more than necessary recently?" The developer retorted. "Your very existence already annoyed me, but the recent events of your daughter taking out my game character intensified my annoyance, Themis."

"The feeling of hatred is mutual," Themis replied. "You've committed many atrocities, especially against my daughter--"

"Yeah, yeah. Get out of my sight now," The developer interjected. "I have to watch how this plays out."

"...Whatever you're planning, it won't come to pass," Themis stated as the light of her projection began to wane. "Your destructive exploits will only bring you greater suffering than what you've experienced since your disgraceful fall--"

"Just shut it and go already."

Just as quick as she came, her projection dissipated.

"What an annoying woman," The developer muttered before focusing on Nathan. "Now back to the main show."

Neither Nathan nor Lilith could believe their eyes that Serena would dare show herself in front of them again, and they gazed at her with ire.

"S-So, I'm the new game character guys," Serena stated as she nervously gazed at her feet. "I'm glad to see you guys again--"

"Is...Is this a freaking joke? I knew the developer is a goddamned sadistic piece of shit, but this is a new low," The triggered Nathan interjected. "Why...are you here...Serena Collins?"

"I...I wanted to rekindle the friendship that we three had..." Serena muttered in a low tone.

"Rekindle the friendship? Are you completely insane?" Nathan questioned. "Did you think I forgot what you did to me? I'm very close to snapping on you...you know."

"I-I understand your anger, Nathan," Serena responded. "I...I just want to explain everything--"

"There's nothing for you to explain, you two-faced bitch!" Lilith suddenly snapped, surprising both Nathan and Serena in the process. "How dare you have the audacity to show your face after ruining Nathan's life!?"

"L-Lilith?" The surprised Nathan uttered. Did she just say bitch?

"You have no idea how much I despised you! With that kind and outgoing mask you put on, you befriended us. You must have had the idea to accuse Nathan of assaulting you the whole time, that's why you got close to him, right?" Lilith interrogated. "Nathan already had a hard life, but you only added salt to the wound! And now you're returning as if you did nothing wrong!?"

Nathan simply listened with a rather solemn expression as Lilith argued on his behalf. Strangely, his anger quickly subsided and morphed into contentment as he listened. It's as though the feeling of the person he feels affection for defending him had put Nathan at ease.

"I don't care if you're chosen by the developer! If you don't get out of my sight, I will kill--"

Sob...Sob...

Synchronously, Nathan's contentment and Lilith's ire were immediately quelled and changed into bewilderment. Their source of shock was attributed to Serena, who began to break down and tear up.

"Sob...sob...I-I never wanted...to do that...to you, Nathan..." As tears streamed down her face, Serena remarked. "I-I'm...so sorry...I really...want to...explain..."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"Tch, you're a damn adult now. Crying isn't going to change anything, it just makes you look more pathetic," Lilith coldly retorted. "There's no explanation you can say that will change anything--"

"Wait, I think...we're being a bit too harsh on her," Nathan interjected.

"B-But Nathan!"

"I just think we should at least hear out whatever crazy explanation she has. I always wanted to know why the hell would she accuse me of rape out of nowhere," Nathan explained before shifting his gaze to the sobbing Serena. "So, what's the explanation?"

"I-I really did appreciate...our friendship...and I really did have feelings for you," Serena admitted, which caused Lilith to become more annoyed and agitated. "But...I had no choice...I just wanted to save my...mother from death."

"Save your mother from death?" Nathan questioned with a raised eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

"...Do you know...who John Walker is?" Serena questioned as she began wiping the tears from her eyes. This question sparked massive shock in the duo, which Serena noticed. "I take it...you do. I don't know...how he found me...but he was the cause of this."

Hearing this, Nathan began scratching his chin as if deep in thought.

"He...he threatened to kill...my mother...if I didn't accuse you of raping me. I had no say...in any of his demands. All he told me...was that...he wanted to bring you...suffering, Nathan," Serena explained. "I'm truly...sorry. I just wanted to...protect my mother..."

"...Now that I think about it...the story adds up," Nathan responded, surprising Lilith.

"W-What do you mean, Nathan?"

"When I encountered John, I told you that the bastard blabbed everything he did to me and my parents, right?" Nathan explained. "Well, he did tell me he was the one who framed me for all those crimes, including the rape accusation. I guess I forgot about that because I wanted to murder him badly at the time."

"I-I see..." Lilith muttered. "So she's telling...the truth. But still..."

"As much as it still pisses me off, your explanation makes a lot of sense," Nathan remarked. "But how did you get yourself roped into the developer's schemes?"

"W-Well...even though I said...I wanted to protect my mother...the guilt of what I did to you...gnawed at me...for years," Serena explained. "But a couple of days ago...I randomly received a text message...from the developer. I was skeptical at first...but he lured me in when he asked if I wanted to make things right...with you guys."

Nathan glanced dangerously at the developer in response to Serena's explanation before sighing in annoyance. He matched Nathan's gaze with a smile and a wave.

"Sigh, I understand. I can see you're remorseful," Nathan stated, which caused Lilith to frown. "But I think you've gotten yourself in far worse shit by accepting the developer's offer."

"I have an idea...what the developer does, but...I don't mind," Serena stated. "I just want...to become close with you two...again."

"...Listen, although I understand your reasons, we can't return to that sunshine and rainbow type friendship, and as I said before, I can't return your feelings...if you still have any," Nathan responded, which caused Lilith's expression to brighten. "But I guess...we can start over as fellow game characters...or whatever cringy shit the developer calls us."

"...Yeah, you're...right," Serena said before tears suddenly streamed down her face again. "I'm so glad...I finally got that off my chest. Thank you...guys."

"...The developer said you had a special surprise. I suppose this explanation was the surprise?" Nathan questioned.

"O-Oh...I have something else that the developer told me to give you," Serena replied as she quickly wiped her face before turning around. "It's in my home. Follow me."

"Okay," Nathan agreed before he and Lilith walked behind Serena, who led them.

"...D-Do you truly forgive her, Nathan?" Lilith whispered. "I know she's been coerced by John, but I still find her actions...terrible."

"Yeah, I honestly feel the same way, but seeing you so adamantly arguing for me lessened my anger. It made me remember how you're always on my side, which made me more happy than angry," Nathan explained. "So it was easier to hear her out because of you."

"Sigh...I'm always on your side, Nathan," Lilith declared. "And I'll never stop."

"Yeah," Nathan uttered. This may be where my life turns around. Most of my main enemies are dead, I get to spend most of my time with Lilith, and I think I can finally call myself strong enough to protect her. Nathan pondered as he strolled when a smirk suddenly formed on his face. He truly felt the sensation of hope after such a long period of suffering. I never thought this would happen, but I'm even forgiving someone for doing great wrong to me. This is what you two always preached about. Right, mom, dad?

"Thank you so much, guys...for giving me this chance," Serena expressed as they arrived at the end of the road.

"Y-Yeah, you already said thanks," Lilith retorted before rolling her eyes. "You don't need to repeat yourself."

"No, really...you don't understand," Serena said. "I have to thank you."

"Uh, now it's getting weird," Nathan said. "Why do you keep saying that--"

The cause for Serena's peculiar thanking would be quickly revealed, as the trio encountered the unexpected after approaching alleyway; what seemed to be a platoon of highly geared soldiers brandishing military-grade firearms were noticed by Nathan and Lilith in the dimly lit passage.

Nathan and Lilith gazed blankly at the soldiers as they never expected them. Serena had placed herself in safety as she already passed the alleyway.

"Thanks for being such a gullible fool!" Serena loudly exclaimed out of nowhere as her expression changed to a menacing smile. "Go to hell for abandoning me! You and your Lilith!"