The developer and director were alone as Zack departed with Octavius upon the director's orders.

"So, you were a pretty mysterious guy from the day I met you, but this is exceptionally peculiar of you, developer," the director stated as he continued to smoke. You took Zack, who was an important soldier to me, and you randomly returned him. What's with the change of heart?"

"Zack wants to become stronger, and I want the same for him. Your organization is the best place for him," The developer responded. "With the death of Jack, my strongest game character, it's mandatory that Zack gets stronger for both of our well-being."

"Heh, I don't know how you managed to recruit people like Jack the Ripper and the battle-crazed killer, but I can tell you have some pretty powerful links," The director remarked. "But, I find it strange that you want Zack to strengthen as if you can use him freely again. Do you think I'll let you take him back so easily again?"

"Oh? That sounds kinda like a threat, am I right?" The developer assumed. They gazed at each other with smirks and dangerous glares.

"Pfft, don't worry. We are business partners in some way," The director assured. "I'll lend you Zack when you need him at times."

"Heh, how nice of you!" The developer responded. This may be an even greater character development for Zack in the long run than I expected.

*

Zack had strolled through the complex with Octavius while the developer and director conversed. The atmosphere around the two was rather awkward as they walked in silence. Judging by what the director said about them being friends, the awkwardness likely stemmed from the duo not conversing in a while.

Damn, it's good that Octavius is here. He was one of the only guys I got along with here. Zack pondered. But I have no idea what to say. He probably hates me for escaping this facility after all.

Zack's gaze shifted to what seemed to be two individuals engaging each other in knife combat on a large training ground reinforced with metal. The duo seemed proficient with the knife, as they could weave attacks while expertly and rapidly performing knife swings.

Heh, those two aren't bad, but they're nothing compared to Jack. If I tell Jack about them, he'd laugh and call them prey, I bet-- Zack pondered as he smirked, but his expression quickly soured as he remembered his friend's current state. Oh yeah, I can't tell him anymore. He's dead...

Octavius had noticed Zack's depressed expression, which raised his eyebrow in curiosity.

"Huh? Zack? Are you alright?" Octavius questioned. "You don't look so good."

"N-No, I'm fine," Zack responded as he quickly turned his head away. Crap, I let it show on my face.

"Hmpf, you say that, but you turned your head away," Octavius replied with scrunched eyes. "Are you feeling guilty or something?"

"H-Huh?"

"Well, we were pretty good friends, but one day, I heard you escaped without a word. Is that what you're feeling bad about?" Octavius assumed. "You don't need to feel down. I know how badly you were treated here...I'd have tried to escape, too."

"O-Oh."

"I'm just glad I get to see my bro again," Octavius remarked with a teeth-visible smirk.

"Uh, yeah. It's good to see you again!" Zack stated. This guy is still pretty friendly. Nice.

"I heard from the director you want to get stronger. Why don't we head to one of the training facilities then," Octavius suggested. "I want to see if you've reached my level, bro."

"Yeah...I haven't gotten that good."

The duo quickly made their way and entered a large warehouse-like building. The interior was an empty area with the walls and ground reinforced with metal.

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Zack looked around in awe at the building.

"Wow, this place is so damn big," Zack stated. "Everything has changed so much. How long have I been gone for!?"

"Yeah, it was pretty easy to do what we wanted when you got rid of the super soldiers, Zack," Octavius responded. "The main threat now is the US President and her men, but they haven't gotten in our way."

"The US President...Yeah, she wouldn't have to get in your way. You guys aren't her top priority, apparently," Zack responded as the depressed expression resurfaced.

"Huh? What's with that expression again?" Octavius inquired. "Are you sure you are okay?"

"...Sigh, no. I'm not okay. A friend I made a couple of months ago got killed, and it's all my fault, Octavius," Zack vented. "So many things have happened, and it's because I was too weak to do anything and too idiotic to make the right choices!"

"...Wow, and here I thought you looked like a sad sack because you were feeling guilty that you left without letting me know," Octavius remarked.

"I-I mean, I did feel bad about that," Zack stated. "But my friend's death has been tearing me up for a good while."

"Sigh, you're lucky that you're my good friend. I have just the stuff for your depression," Octavius stated as he began rummaging in the pockets of his overalls. "I can't help you get stronger if you're such a sad sack, bro. Why don't you take a couple of these."

Octavius pulled out a green bottle of pills and tossed them to Zack. Zack caught them only after frantically juggling them due to Octavius's sudden throw.

"W-What is this?" Zack questioned as he opened the pill bottle. It contained numerous green and white pills inside.

"It's Prozac tablets. It'll help you with your depression, bro," Octavius explained. "These antidepressants aren't too strong and addictive, but they'll fix your depression right up!"

"What? You never did drugs before," Zack responded with a raised eyebrow. "What's with the sudden change."

"I took drugs out of curiosity, and life became way easier to deal with," Octavius replied. "Of course, I don't take those hard drugs. The soft drugs will do it for me. You'll feel a new person when you take those pills, and it'll help you focus on your training better, bro."

"...Fine," Zack relented. "Do you have any water I can consume these pills with?"

*

Nathan and Lilith were sparring with the NPC while Zack confronted his current ordeal. The doctor and the blacksmith were on the sidelines spectating their battle.

"Ooh, I hope the NPC doesn't accidentally go too hard and injure them badly just because they have gotten stronger," The concerned doctor hoped. "I don't like seeing them be so reckless and breaking themselves."

"Sigh, you're such a worrywart, doctor. They'll be fine," The blacksmith assured. "Besides, what injury can't you heal?"

"I do have my limits, I'll have you know!"

Nathan and Lilith engaged the NPC in sword combat while the two NPCs conversed. Lilith used the sword attached to her blessing, and Nathan used a standard metallic katana.

The two were moving quite quickly, surpassing the speed of sound as they attacked the NPC. Their attacks were also well-coordinated as the duo didn't hamper the other's movements or attacks. This wasn't a surprise, considering they've trained with the NPC many times before...and how close the two naturally were.

It was clear that they got much stronger and achieved greater skill for combat, but that didn't matter to the NPC. He effortlessly avoided and parried their sword swings...with a wooden sword.

The NPC witnessed an opening and immediately executed a powerful kick to Nathan's chest, which blasted him many meters across the land. He quickly followed up by striking Lilith's side with the wooden sword, also knocking her away.

"Ugh..." The two groaned.

"Ooh...there it is," The doctor uttered as she covered her eyes. She opened a space between her fingers to view their condition, though.

Heh, even though we've gotten a lot stronger, we're still no match for this monster. Nathan thought. He's like a bottomless pit of strength.

"I heard you guys failed your second big mission. Your strongest ally had been killed too," The NPC suddenly spoke. "How do you two feel about that?"

"Ugh, this again? Did the developer tell you to ask us about that?" Nathan questioned, but the NPC didn't respond. "Sigh, I don't care that we failed a barbaric mission like destroying England or whatever. You win some, you lose some."

"Yeah, I feel the same way. I know how sad Zack and Olivia are about Jack, but I'm personally contented," Lilith added. "I'm happy as long as Nathan is fine."

Aww, I feel the same way.

"Sigh, that's not a good answer. You two are only concerned for each other and wish for a peaceful time together. That type of selfishness and greediness is lovely, but it holds no substance in the long run," The NPC stated. "You have been leaving the brunt of the tasks to Charles and Jack while taking the easy way out, Nathan. You two lack the motivation to achieve everything the developer wants from you, and I'm sure he's realized that, too."

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Nathan questioned. "I'll never want to please that damn developer. I've been forced into everything this whole time, after all."

"Sigh, I've taken a liking to you both, so it would be unfortunate to see anything happen," The NPC stated. "But if you two don't realize how crucial your roles are, the developer will force you to grow. Or he may 'restart' his game."

The doctor and blacksmith's expressions soured in response to his words as if they knew what he meant. Of course, Lilith and Nathan seemed confused by the NPCs' warning.

Tch, it sounds like the NPC is trying to help me, but I don't want to do anything for the developer. Nathan thought. What does he mean by the developer 'restarting' his game?

"C'mon, let's continue sparring."