“Wow, you’re back here again, huh?” Popping out of nowhere, Ryzen suddenly said. “The desperation is dripping off you.”
“Oh, Cain.” The developer uttered in regards to Ryzen’s presence. “I wouldn’t say it’s desperation, you know.”
“Oh? But word on the streets says that your ‘game characters’ got dominated by your other character, you know, Ada?” Ryzen remarked. “Though, I know you orchestrated today’s events. You’re desperate to see growth in them.”
“...When you put it that way, I guess my actions make me seem a bit desperate,” The developer admitted. “But do you blame me? There’ll be far worse threats in the future, so they need to be prepared to fight.”
Well, it all depends on whether they’ll muster the willpower to fight, the developer speculated. Maybe today’s events will act as a motivator, or they may lose all determination.
“Oh, no. I agree with you perfectly, don’t get me wrong. I think what you did will force the potential out of them,” Ryzen replied. “Especially for Lilith Ashley. I’m sure she realizes she can’t hope to protect Nathan with her current strength. She’s not a proper knight, yet.”
“Heh, I don’t care about her love for Nathan, but it does serve as a source of growth I can exploit.”
“That’d go double for Nathan, considering what he experienced,” Ryzen continued. “It’s simply a matter of whether or not he’ll wake up. I do hope he does since I took a liking to him. He’s got a lot of potential.”
“Truthfully, I never wanted this outcome, but you can’t cry over spilled milk,” The developer said. “So, I’ll accept this reality and make necessary changes, and I’m sure my game characters are doing the same.”
* * *
Just as the developer speculated, the game characters were also attempting to accept this reality. Well, attempting isn’t the correct word, but more so that they were forced to accept the suffering they endured.
The humiliation, despair, and guilt, all these feelings and thoughts filled their minds, especially Zack, who returned to the Blueblood Corps. Like a broken recorder, painful thoughts replayed in Zack’s mind.
His naive attraction and failure in killing Ada which led to Jack’s death was already chewing away at Zack, but things couldn’t have been any worse. Unimaginable suffering was dealt to Lilith and Nathan, and Zack felt responsible.
As he stepped foot in the gates of the complex, his presence was spotted by Rose. It seems she was coldly directing the transporting of several crates by fellow gang members. Her cold demeanor slightly mellowed upon seeing Zack, but quickly morphed to confusion.
The way he trudged in the complex, and the depressed, furrowed eyes that Zack had, raised Rose’s eyebrows.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“...I’ll be back. Make sure to store the goods properly,” Rose advised her subordinates.
“Yes, ma’am,” The members responded as Rose quickly headed off. Her interest in Zack and his current demeanor was too great for her to continue her duties, so she had to check up on him.
“Zack, you returned as you said, and rather quickly too,” Rose stated as she approached him. “I thought you’d at least be gone for the day.”
“...Uh huh,” Zack muttered in a depressed tone which sparked annoyance in Rose.
“...Your injuries seemed to be gone,” Rose continued. “I guess that guy called the developer healed you somehow?”
“...Yes.”
“...Alright, what’s the matter with you all of a sudden? You were pretty happy earlier when he took down the Silverdust gang,” Rose remarked. “You were so excited that you got stronger. Now you’re acting the same way as when you were treated back then.”
“...Yeah, I was…excited…by my…miniscule strength, huh?” Zack responded as he gazed upon the sky. “How…goddamned…foolish, huh?”
Rose’s annoyance intensified as pulsating arteries became visible on her face and neck in response to Zack’s pity speech.
“Tch, you’re starting to piss me off, you know,” Rose said. “What the hell happened to you after leaving earlier today?”
“...Don’t worry…Rose,” Zack muttered. “I’ll…get over it…someday.”
“Tch…you didn’t answer my question,” Rose remarked with furrowed eyebrows. “Sigh, there’s no point in forcing it out of you right now…you’ll tell me when you’re ready.”
“...Where’s Octavius?” Zack questioned. “I need…something from him.”
“Huh?”
* * *
Octavius, who was being sought out by Zack, was with the director. The only audible sound was the director sipping a cup of tea. Octavius simply sat there with a strangely nervous expression as they matched each other’s gazes - the tension was rather palpable.
“So, when will Zack make his return exactly?” The director questioned.
“I’m not sure…he didn’t say,” Octavius replied. “But he did promise he’d come back.”
“...I can’t believe Zack’s still working with the developer,” The director continued. He paused for a few moments before taking a sip of his tea. “I’m even trying to be nicer to him than last time. It seems the dog doesn’t know who his master is.”
“...It’s not necessary to make any rash decisions now,” Octavius said. “He’s more than likely…loyal to you.”
“He should be. You’re supposed to ensure he stays here too,” The director remarked. “It seems you’re not fulfilling your purpose properly. You know what that means, right?”
“...Zack’s not going to leave his friends,” Octavius assured. “And you don’t need to worry about me, pops.”
KNOCK, KNOCK!
The repeated knocking on the door shifted the two men’s attention.
“Hmm? Who is it?” The director questioned. In response to his inquiry, the door opened and to their surprise, the depressed Zack was revealed.
“...I’ve returned, director,” Zack greeted.
“Oh? Perfect timing. We were just speaking about you,” The director stated. “I hope you won’t leave again like that to help a different group, alright?”
“...I understand.”
Huh? Why does Zack look so down? Unlike the director, Octavius noticed Zack’s mannerisms and internally questioned. What happened to him?
“Can…can I train with Octavius…if you’re done speaking to him?” Zack asked.
Huh?
“Heh, sure, why not,” The director agreed. “I’m glad you were useful in the Silverdust gang’s subjugation, but I don’t want your growth to stop there. Go right ahead.”