The conference meeting in which Ada revealed the details of the S-Class criminals had concluded, and everyone returned to their respective stations.

While the higher-ups began deliberation to formulate an adequate plan against the criminals, the Enlightenment Program's soldiers continued their training to sharpen their skills for the upcoming and imminent battle.

"That was a lot to hear in the meeting..." Aiden said as he occupied the training grounds and sparring with his friends. "I never knew they'd be that powerful. That kinda removes the determination I once had in defeating them."

As he expressed himself, Aiden was skating around Baran and weaved wind attacks from him.

"We can't let it surprise us. After all, it took only the five criminals to cause mayhem in the US," Sariel reminded as she pulled out several metallic Rubik's cubes from her person. She tossed a couple of them in the air, and they morphed into the shapes of drones. The two she didn't throw had morphed into a pistol enshrouded in blue holographic energy and a metallic katana, which periodically radiated electricity.

"You're right. We aren't just adults. We're also soldiers," Ivory agreed as Sariel began firing pure energy rounds at her, which Ivory blocked with crystal shields. "We're soldiers, but don't we have the right to be afraid, at least a little?"

Suddenly, Shadow, Ariel's dog, rushed Sariel from behind. It pounced on her, but Sariel managed to sidestep it, even though she never laid eyes on it.

Gleaming energy balls suddenly soared through the area and exploded with flashbang grenade equivalent light. The cause was none other than Amber, who also was sparring.

Bright... Sariel thought as she squinted her eyes.

"Those demons cannot frighten us! We'll make them pay for the suffering they caused!" Amber declared with a steeled expression. "We're not going to lose!"

Hearing that, Ariel, Aiden, and Sariel smiled.

With Amber's words, they ramped up their efforts in sparring to break past their limits. They did this while being spectated by Ryzen, Trixie, and Altius.

"Wow, her blessing truly makes sense, doesn't it?" Ryzen said. "The light which glows from Amber provides clarity and encouragement for her comrades. So delightful."

"Tsk, they shouldn't even have to encourage themselves to tackle such a problem like this. The United States should have executed those criminals long ago," Altius stated with furrowed eyebrows of annoyance. He then looked up into the air. "But we can't cry over spilled milk, I guess. Now, these young adults who have barely got to live their lives have been roped into this."

"Don't worry, Altius. Well, you should worry since it powers up your blessing more, hehe," Trixie teased.

"Sigh, I suppose I'll make them continue patrolling communities to capture potential criminals tomorrow," Altius stated. "It'll be good for their growth."

Good for their growth, huh? Ryzen pondered. I have a feeling that the events to come shortly will be far more beneficial, though. So beneficial, that the true meaning of this 'Enlightenment Program' will be seen.

After a long and hard sparring session, Amber and her friends finally took a break.

"Phew, you know, Baran. You better train even harder than you are now," Aiden said. "If you don't wanna get left behind, that is."

"Ah, shut...huff, up," Baran responded. His breathing rate compared to the rest was faster, and he seemed the most exhausted.

"We are making progress. That's what's important..." Amber stated with a strangely somber expression.

Tsk, I don't need you to back me up. Baran thought.

"I wonder what happened to Kreuger," Sariel wondered. "He just up and left after the meeting with President Ada finished."

"He said he was going off to train by himself," Amber answered. "He is hellbent on killing that demon after all. When he heard it would be near impossible to kill that demon without destroying him, Kreuger got angry and left to train."

"I see. That's understandable, but wouldn't it be better if Kreuger trains with us?" Ariel questioned. "I'm sure we'd give him more of a challenge than him training alone."

"I'm sure he'll come around soon and train with us," Amber assumed. "But he's just angry now. He's angry at his limitations. I understand that perfectly."

Upon hearing that, the group looked at Amber with slight concern and confusion.

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"Um, Amber? Ever since Jack's name came up in that meeting, you've been acting differently," Sariel stated. "Is there something...wrong?"

"Hmm, ah, no. Nothing's wrong!" Amber assured as she suddenly sprung up. Shoot...I nearly let my inner feelings seep out. I don't need to put unnecessary burdens on my friends. "Since we had a small break, why don't we continue our spar!?"

They did not answer Amber but simply gazed at her with suspicion in their eyes.

Amber, what's truly on your mind...? Ariel mused.

* * *

In another part of London, Ada rested in a hotel room. With her were her 'bodyguards,' Charlotte, Nolan, and Leon.

The large room seemed to meet Ada's luxurious taste with its cold air conditioning, queen-sized bedroom layout, an in-room fireplace, a balcony for an excellent view, and other enhancing deco.

Knock, Knock!

"Come in!" Ada responded as she lay on her couch and scrolled the channels on the large wall-mounted flat-screen television.

Upon entering, they realized the individual was a worker providing room service, judging by the room service trolley she had.

"Good afternoon, Ms. President," The worker greeted with a bright smile. "Here is your room service!"

Upon lifting the cover over several of the meals on the tray, the worker revealed the food to Ada.

On the trolley were fillet mignon, shrimp and cheese tacos, cheesecake slices, burgers, fries, and fruit drinks. There was enough food to feed not only Ada but the rest of her buddies.

"Ooh, thank you! You can leave it here," Ada stated.

"You're welcome. Enjoy your food, and if you need anything, just call!" The worker advised before leaving.

"Hmm, it's not as good as back home, but the treatment here is pretty nice," Ada stated as she grabbed a cheesecake slice on a plate and began eating with a fork.

"Tsk, should I go and kill them all for not giving you the treatment you deserve?" Charlotte inquired.

"No, no. It's fine," Ada said. "No need to resort to violence on them."

"...Alright,"

"So, do you think that those English men will kill those bastards?" Leon questioned.

"Heh, I doubt they'll accomplish such a task of wiping them all out," Ada responded. "But it doesn't matter. If they achieve killing Jack at least...it will be a great outcome."

"How so?" Nolan asked.

"Jack's death means Nathan will be stripped of a major ally. With that, I'll get Nathan in a corner," Ada explained. "I would love nothing more than to drive him into a corner and personally make him suffer. The developer also would be inconvenienced, I'm sure, so that would be a good plus."

"...Who is that developer anyway?" Charlotte asked.

"You know, Charlotte, I couldn't tell you," Ada admitted. "But I guess he's a nerdy little freak."

* * *

Nightfall descended on the land, which signaled a shift in the schedules of workers. Those who had regular shifts at work now took off for home and were replaced by citizens with night shifts and late-night work.

In the dead of night, when it was most somber and quiet, a convenience store worker decided to take out the trash - likely because there weren't any customers.

"Sigh...why did I even choose the night shift..." The worker grumbled as he made his way to the dumpster. "It's so boring and creepy now..."

Right before he reached the dumpster, the worker noticed an envelope on the ground. To prevent it from blowing away by the wind, the envelope had a rock on it.

"Huh?"

Curious by the strange envelope, the worker picked it up and opened it. It contained a letter with writing on it.

Surprise!

To whoever that finds this letter, there's a surprise waiting inside the dumpster!

- JtR

The handwriting didn't seem bad, but it wasn't anything amazing. What provoked the worker's confusion, however, was the contents itself.

"Huh? A surprise?" The worker wondered. "What the hell does that mean...?"

With his curiosity aroused, the worker opened the dumpster.

His confusion instantly morphed into horror as the worker laid his eyes upon the dismembered corpses of several individuals. Judging by the combat suits they wore, it was obvious that they were soldiers.

"AAAHHHH!! BLOODY HELL!!!" The worker yelled before falling to the ground in shock.

"HAHAHAHA!!! THAT'S AN AMUSING REACTION!" Jack's voice was audible as he stood behind him. "I guess you loved my surprise, huh!?"

Jack's notoriety was well known, as the worker simply laid eyes upon him before immediately trying to run.

It was too late though; Jack had already deemed the poor worker as his prey. In a sudden flash, Jack appeared in front of the worker, and simultaneously, the worker's right hand and head were sliced from his body.

Blood spewed from his neck as the worker's body fell to the ground.

"Hahaha! 'Bloody hell!' You guys have such a funny reaction compared to when I kill Americans!" Jack mocked as he wiped a tear from his eye due to his excessive laughter.

"Hey, Jack. I'd hate to disturb you when you're having fun, but I hope you remember the mission," The developer said as he also appeared out of nowhere before Jack.

"Hehe, yeah. I guess I should stop screwing around with these appetizers and get to the main course," Jack agreed. "I'm ready for all the kills I'll experience, so the mission starts tomorrow, mate."

"Nice!" The developer responded with a thumbs-up gesture.

* * *

Jack had kept to his word as Chief Barry Alexander received a troublesome message first thing in the morning.

As usual, he tended to paperwork when a soldier burst into his office.

"What the..." Barry uttered with shock. "Did you forget how to knock?"

"I'm sorry, but it's urgent...no...it's code red, sir!" The soldier explained.

"What!?"

"Yes! A criminal is rampaging in the streets!" The soldier continued. "There seems to be a massacre!"

"A-A massacre!?" Barry repeated what the soldier said with pure disbelief in his eyes.

* * *

Of course, the cause was none other than Jack, who strangely was wearing a black mask this time. He was surrounded by the corpses of many civilians and soldiers.

"Hmm...I wonder how long it'll take the buggers to come and try to stop me."