While the depressed and burdened Zack returned to the director’s clutches, the developer’s NPCs did their own things.
In the confines of her smithing room, the blacksmith worked under the blazing fire to forge metallic weapons. She had an audience, as the other NPCs observed the metalcraft.
Contrasting her usual excitement and vigor in her smithing, the blacksmith seemed rather disenchanted while working.
“...Sigh, it hasn’t been that long, but it’s already feeling different! My partner, Nathan, isn’t here to try these out,” The blacksmith uttered. “What’s the point of making this stuff but there’s no one to use it!?”
“...Can’t you just make them then he’ll use them after recovering?” The C. Specialist nonchalantly questioned while surfing on his smartphone.
“So, I should put them down and risk my precious creations building rust? Plus, how do we know Nathan’s ever gonna wake up?” The blacksmith retorted. “Sigh, Nathan was the perfect guy for my creations…I wish the developer didn’t do any of this, but who am I to judge.”
“...I feel the same way. The level of injuries they sustained was too much,” The doctor remarked. “And seeing Lilith’s desperate begging for me to heal Nathan’s mind…this is far more than they need to go through…”
“...I agree with you guys, but we can’t feel sorry now. The developer picked us up from rock bottom, so we have to help him to the best of our abilities,” The C. Specialist stated. “We’re just his NPCs, questioning his word…isn’t allowed.”
“...I know,” The doctor muttered. With the heightened tension caused by the depressing topic, silence filled the air.
“The seeds have already been sown. It’s already growing, there’s no time to be planting new seeds,” Breaking the silence, the NPC strangely remarked. “Although we have no clue what exactly he needs them for, the developer has chosen those characters and requires them to grow quickly. Although his methods may be seen as cruel, it may be necessary.”
“...Sigh, I know,” The doctor repeated.
“But…don’t get me wrong. I agree with the C. Specialist, but I also understand you guys,” The NPC continued. “Seeing Lilith depressed over her beloved Nathan…is rather unappealing.”
* * *
After receiving permission to train with his friend, Zack, and Octavius commenced a spar in a confined training grounds owned by the Blueblood Corps. Although he was eager to improve, considering his current circumstances, his performance against Octavius could be put into question.
With his bare fists, Zack charged at his opponent. From the sleeves of his arms to the soles of his shoes, Octavius was drenched in emerald green slime and prepared to retaliate against his opponent.
Zack attempted a quick two-piece consisting of a left then right hook, but it was easily evaded by Octavius. Like a dog seeing an appetizing meal left unsupervised, Octavius took advantage of the opening Zack unintentionally created by his missed strikes without hesitation.
Octavius expertly restrained Zack’s arms with slime ropes and followed up with a powerful right hook to his jaw.
“Ugh!” Zack grunted as he staggered. Octavius struck him again in the jaw before ending with a straight punch to Zack’s gut.
The blow to his digestive organ roused up excessive coughing in Zack as he fell to his knees. Octavius did not continue assaulting Zack but instead gazed at him with a raised eyebrow.
“Hmm…you’re making some mistakes you never normally do. You’re leaving yourself open to so many counterattacks, it’s too easy,” Octavius remarked. “What’s wrong with you all of a sudden?”
“I…I can’t focus properly. I…I keep remembering…shit, I don’t want to!” Zack responded. “I…I can’t…I can’t take it anymore!”
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Hmm, you did seem off when you returned, so I gave you some drugs to feel better,” Octavius replied. “I’m sure they’ve kicked in now. Are the antidepressants not enough? Do you need more?”
“N-No…those Prozac pills aren’t enough. I-I need…something harder than that,” Zack responded as he rubbed his face out of agony. “I just want…to escape this terrible feeling.”
“Hmm, harder drugs, huh?”
* * *
The developer had traded the scenic view at the cliffside for a stroll in the grasslands as he continued to converse with Ryzen. As he treaded through the grassy terrain, the developer took in the fresh air.
“Ah, the gentle breeze feels so good on my skin and through my hair,” The developer said as he rubbed his hand through his hair which flowed through the wind. “There’s nothing better to do in this world than to take strolls and admire the scenery, especially when you’ve lived here for so long. Don’t you agree, Ryzen?”
“You like spending time sightseeing, huh? Ryzen questioned. “I should have known you’d have roped me into this.”
“C’mon, you should admire the beauty of this world, as it won’t be here for too long,” The developer remarked. “My game characters may be struggling now, but for our sake, they’ll come through in the end.”
“Kind of a stretch to say ‘our sake,’ don’t you think?” Ryzen retorted.
“...They have their weaknesses, but we both saw potential in them,” The developer continued. “I’m not wrong in who I chose…I hope.”
* * * *
After hearing his friend’s desperate pleas to erase the pain that gnawed at his mind, Octavius granted Zack substances more powerful than the pills. What occupied his cupped hands was a handful of snow-white powder.
“Since you’re blessed, I gave you a lot more than I’d give a normie,” Octavius, who stood beside him, remarked. “I’m sure whatever you’re going through will be gone in a flash after taking that.”
Zack did not respond to Octavius, but instead fixed his gaze on the colorless powder in his hands.
Sigh, I can’t believe…I’m taking something like this… Zack pondered. He had not made up his mind despite all things considered…not until he recalled the painful expressions of Nathan, Lilith, and Olivia. I can’t believe I’m taking this…but I want this pain…to go away.
Finally resolving himself, Zack placed his entire face into the powder mounded in his hands. Sniffing was audible as Zack took a long whiff. This was not without issues, as the powder traveled up and irritated his nostrils. The itchy and unpleasant sensation in Zack's nostrils roused up spontaneous coughing.
“It should kick in pretty quickly, and you’ll feel great. We can continue with training if you want, bro,” Octavius suggested. “You don’t need to worry about wanting more in the future. As long as you’re here, you’ll always feel amazing.”
Zack lifted his face to reveal the powder that dirtied him. Zack’s narrowly opened eyes, his delirious expression, and sudden rocking justified Octavius’s claim that it would kick in.
Zack was high. How unfortunate that the overbearing burden he felt forced Zack into something as destructive as this.
* * *
Zack was not the only one being crushed by an overbearing sadness though, as Lilith helplessly sat at the bedside of the catatonic Nathan. All she could do was stare at Nathan with a despair-filled gaze.
The callous words of the developer explaining that he forced this on them for their ‘development,’ along with the NPC’s warning for them to fix their complacent nature or risk the developer taking drastic actions replayed in Lilith’s mind.
This was not all she recalled while gazing at Nathan, as the grievous experiences they had while carrying out the developer’s missions resurfaced in Lilith’s mind.
The broken bones, ripped muscles, and profuse bleeding Nathan suffered just to protect his dear Lilith. The crimes he’d committed and the lives Nathan was forced to take, solidified him as a criminal irredeemable by the world. When they thought they could finally acquire a good life…the developer treated Nathan so disgracefully.
These depressing thoughts only served to deepen Lilith’s despair. With her head held down, she sat there in silence. It was as though something came to her, as she muttered a laugh.
“...Fufu, I remember…you protected me…from those brats when we…were kids. Despite everything…you’ve protected me all this time…that’s why you’re in this state,” Lilith muttered as tears surfaced. “I was just…a weakness for you…I was too weak…to help you. I’m sorry…you have to always…go through this.”
* * *
“It’s good to go out and enjoy the beautiful earth…seeing the environment change after the passing eras is interesting,” The developer said. “But if I’m being honest, I can’t even call this a hobby. It gets boring after a while, you know?”
“I know you only do this to pass the time. Moirai told me all about your true ‘passion,’ Ryzen replied. “I’m sure being restricted must be hard for you.”
“Ah, of course, she told you that. Let’s not act like it’s not hard for you, Mr. cursed child,” The developer teased, causing Ryzen to roll his eyes. “We both got it rough…and all we can do now is admire the scenery.”
“Okay, enough yapping.”
“Heh, hearing Moirai’s name only makes me more eager for the future. A world where the gods who wronged us, who got in our way, will be dealt retribution,” The developer remarked. “I’m sure the looks on their faces will be better than any scenery this world can offer.”
“Heh, that I can agree to.”