The scene returned to Zack and Octavius and they were sparring with each other. Zack had equipped himself with a metallic rod, which he swung several times at Octavius.

"Man, you're right, Octavius! I feel pretty good!" Zack exclaimed as he attacked Octavius. "The Prozac pills helped a lot!"

The energetic Zack had taken the drugs his friend had offered him. How unfortunate that Zack had to resort to something as dangerous as drugs to cure his depression, if only temporarily.

"See, I told you," Octavius replied as he weaved a swing from Zack. "Antidepressants are the best way to go when you're feeling down!"

Hmm, it doesn't seem like Zack has gotten any stronger since he escaped. Octavius thought as he continued dodging. I guess he's only able to detonate explosive and flammable objects--

Zack followed up with a downward swing which Octavius avoided, causing Zack to hit the ground instead. The metal rod released an explosion from its base upon impact with the ground which surprised Octavius. The concussive force of the blast blew Octavius into the training facility walls.

"Ugh, what was that now?" Octavius muttered as he pulled himself to his feet. As he brushed himself off, he was revealed to be uninjured from the impact. "Don't tell me you got something new?"

"Yeah, I found a new technique. It's pretty random but I can make non-explosives blow up if I put my mind to it," Zack explained as he flaunted the metal rod. "I know you wouldn't have died, so I tried it against you."

"Heh, you got that right about me not dying, but that's a good technique you've acquired. You swung at me plenty of times, but you only made the rod explode once," Octavius commended. "Your physical capabilities aren't bad since you received training, but it could be better. You should focus on mastering that technique since it's so random."

"C'mon, I'm feeling motivated since I took the pills!" Zack exclaimed. "Let's keep fighting until I can't anymore!"

"Sure, let me use my blessing too!" Octavius said, his tone matching Zack's energy. Zack had darted at his friend to continue their spar.

Octavius's skin began secreting a weird substance. It seemed to be a chartreuse green, gooey liquid from the pores of his right hand. Zack, who witnessed this, widened his eyes in surprise.

The green substance morphed into an elongated whip and quickly smacked Zack in the side before he could reach Octavius.

"Ugh!" Zack uttered as he was tossed into the walls from the sheer force of the smack. A loud thud was audible when Zack made an impact with the wall.

"Heh, looks like my slime blessing is still better than yours," Octavius bragged. The pitter-patter sounds as the slime dripping from Octavius's hand to the ground were audible.

"Pfft, you've got to train yours longer than I have. Besides, you can't create crazy light shows and fireworks like my blessing," Zack argued as he pulled himself from the wall.

"Heh, you did want to get stronger, right bro?" Octavius questioned. "So, you'll get to train your blessing some more...then we'll find out who's the better one."

"I'll get stronger, huh...?" Zack said as he recalled his reason for returning to this place. To get stronger to avenge his deceased friend, and to be useful to his living friends. "Yeah, I will. Just make sure you have more of those pills ready. I feel like it's wearing off."

"Huh? After you took so much? Well, it is natural that drugs would be less effective to us blessed humans," Octavius reasoned. "You're lucky I have a lot more in my stash, but you'll have to pay me next time, bro."

* * *

Zack vowed internally to avenge his fallen friend, but the woman who caused this was also preparing to enact her vengeance.

Ada was currently met in the White House by John Walker inside the president's room. Ada's trusted men, Charlotte, Nolan, Frank, and Leon were there to ensure her safety.

Since she was the president, Ada wore a black suit with a furred overcoat hanging behind her chair. Her bodyguards also wore black suits and John donned the white super soldier uniform.

"Heh, look how the former super soldier creator has fallen!" Frank mocked. "Haha! I don't remember you having all those scars on your body, 'Sergeant!'"

John gave Frank a dangerous glare with gritted teeth. It was clear Frank had gotten on his nerves with that remark, and Frank knew it as he returned John's gaze with a mocking smile.

"Hey, who told you to talk out of turn, Frank?" Charlotte questioned. "You're in the president, Ms. Ada, presence you know."

"...Sorry."

"It's fine, but let's refrain from mocking each other. We are all a part of the same team, after all!" Ada stated. "We should focus on returning this country to its former glory now."

"Uh huh...when will I get to murder Nathan Hayes?" John bluntly questioned. "That's my main priority."

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Hey! Watch who you're talking to!" Leon snapped. "What do you mean when you'll get to murder Nathan!? You'll murder him when Ms. Ada allows you to!"

"Tsk, I was not talking to you damn pets!" John retorted. "Tsk, why do you guys have to be here anyways!? You're just meant to carry out orders!"

"Watch your damn mouth!" Charlotte exclaimed.

Sigh, my pets are annoying now. Ada pondered with slight annoyance as she watched them argue. "C'mon, guys. Don't you think it's rude to behave this way in front of me, your president and leader?"

Ada's partners immediately became shocked by her words. Even John showed a slight expression of surprise. It's as though they just realized how they acted in front of Ada.

"I'm sorry," Charlotte apologized as she bowed her head. "I let John get the best of me..."

Her allies followed suit by bowing their heads and apologizing.

"Tsk, sorry, I guess," John muttered. I never expected myself to apologize to anyone. I suppose it doesn't feel bad with that woman.

"Good. Apology accepted, everyone!" Ada stated with a delighted and friendly smile.

Making herself more comfortable, Ada put her legs on the desk and leaned back in her chair.

"The first step to restoring this country is to murder Nathan, of course. He and his gang are a big threat...but I have personal reasons for killing him, as you know," Ada explained. "But the issue with Nathan is that he's rather intelligent and strategic. When dealing with people like those, John, you have to invest time into formulating a perfect plan."

"Yes, I know, so why don't we kidnap Lilith then?"

"It's not that easy. Lilith and Nathan are always together, so it will be hard for us to send armed forces to capture her," Ada countered. "Lilith is a good pawn, but I have looked for other things that could be useful."

Ada handed John a file that was on her desk.

"As the president, I've become privy to information no matter how secretive they may be, so I've researched the life of Nathan Hayes," Ada explained.

As Harold looked in the file, it contained a document which caused his eyes to widen in disbelief. Ada's bodyguards also huddled close to see what the file contained.

"Wait...this is..."

"I've seen how close Lilith was to Nathan, but I've come to know the woman who ruined his life," Ada remarked. "I'm sure you know her well, Harold. You were the one who bribed her, after all."

"...Serena Collins."

* * *

On another side of the country, a small cottage house occupied land. The entrance of the home opened to allow a young woman to depart.

"Have a good day at work, Serena," A middle-aged woman, sipping coffee, said as they watched the woman depart.

"Thank you, Mom," Serena responded before shutting the door behind her. "Sigh, time for another day of work."

Serena was a rather pretty and average-height woman. Her brown braided hair complemented her sand-brown skin color. Judging by the blue nurse's overalls, Serena seemed to be working in the medical industry. She was doing rather well for herself.

As Serena strolled, her thoughts strayed to a memory. She recollected the time she spent with Nathan and Lilith at Washington University.

Tsk, why are those memories coming back? I thought I forgot about those... Serena pondered as she expressed discomfort, judging by the gritted teeth. Those times were good, but it's all over now. I ruined Nathan's life...but I just wanted to keep my mother safe.

Sigh, I wonder if I'm the reason Nathan became a criminal. Serena thought. Maybe in some other world, I could have gotten together with him.

Serena, who was occupied with her thoughts, was unaware of an individual standing in her way. By the time she realized it, she stumbled into his chest.

"Ugh, s-sorry--"

"Serena Collins?" The man who she bumped into was none other than John Walker, who called out to her. "Do you remember me!?"

Her expression seemed rather confused at first, but as she gazed at him, her eyebrows furrowed with fear. She didn't quite recognize him at first with all those scars, but the voice and features clicked to her.

"Ah...AAHHHH!!!" Serena screamed before immediately running the other way. John didn't bother to give chase though, as he watched her run with a smirk.

"So you do remember me," John muttered. "That's good."

N-No! No, no, no, no, no! I thought everything was over now! Serena internally panicked as she frantically ran. She looked back several times in hopes that John wasn't chasing her. Why do I have to run into that guy again!? I did what he wanted! Please, leave me alone--

Her gaze was focused on John, meaning she wasn't looking at what was ahead. Just as she bumped into John, so did Serena as she bumped into a woman's chest.

It was Ada Foster, who immediately wrapped her arms around Serena in a hug.

"W-What! Let me go!" Serena begged as she began struggling. I-I can't break free from her grasp!

"Don't worry, Serena. It'll all be okay," Ada said with a comforting tone. "You won't be harmed, I promise."

John simultaneously approached the two and witnessed Ada having Serena in her grasp.

"Y-You won't harm me?" Serena questioned as she struggled less. W-Wait, she is the president, isn't she? "T-Then why are you doing this?"

While Serena was unaware, John pulled a white cloth from his pocket along with a small bottle. The label of the bottle was 'Chloroform.'

"You are an intelligent woman, and I have taken a liking to you. I want you by my side, Serena," Ada said as she whispered in Serena's ear. "Please, forget everything that you held dear and follow me. I need your help in the future."

"Y-You need my help, President?" Serena questioned. "O-Okay. I-I'll come with you."

"Good girl," Ada commended. "You are a nurse, no? It must be torturous having to deal with the human casualties the S-Class criminals caused. You should get some rest in the meantime."

"Wha--"

John suddenly put the cloth over Serena's mouth, much to her shock."

"Mmpf! Mmpft!" Serena's muffled cries were audible as the cloth covered her mouth. The cries became less and less audible until Serena lost consciousness. Her unconscious body didn't fall to the ground as Ada continued to hold her.

"You were right. It was pretty easy to convince this woman. I don't know what you did, but I suppose you're good with your words," John remarked. "Well, Serena Collins is easy to take advantage of. I got her to accuse Nathan of rape after simply threatening her, after all."

"Fufu, let's hurry up and return now," Ada suggested. "I want to get to work quickly."

"Sure."

My blessing makes it a piece of cake, especially against normal humans like Serena. It's a given that everyone in this world would yield to me. Ada pondered. But it's funny. That idiot, John Walker, has no idea he has been my pawn...ever since I met him.