As the days went by, everyone made the necessary preparations for the inevitable day of reckoning. The students participated in rigorous training with Kreuger in the Enlightenment Program, and Amber received training from Meu.
At the same time, Nathan and the game characters were preparing to attack the military. Both sides were making the necessary preparations and planning, and neither side was aware of this.
Nathan, who was annoyed that they were forced to turn England into a warzone (just as they did with America), wanted to finish this mission asap. This was the plan, but Jack's absence created an obvious hiccup.
* * *
While everyone indulged in their usual hobbies, Nathan sat with Lilith. With the occasional tongue clicks, finger tapping, and sighs (which concerned Lilith), Nathan expressed impatience and annoyance.
"Damn it, it's been a day and he hasn't returned," Nathan said with annoyance. "Why is he taking so long!?"
"He's still looking for Amber," The developer responded. "He's super determined."
"Can he not move immensely fast!?" Nathan questioned. "How long could it take for him to search military bases?"
"That's a good question," The developer responded. "Maybe you should call him--"
"Y-Yes! Please call Jack!" Olivia suddenly requested which garnered their attention. Realizing her sudden outburst, Olivia quickly turned away her head. "S-Sorry."
"Sigh, let's phone him, I guess," Nathan agreed before materializing his phone. "I want to go back home as soon as possible."
* * *
Amid several mountains in England, white streaks were visible on the rock formations. The cause of this was Jack, who quickly ran up and across the hills.
Suddenly, he stopped in front of an opening in a mountain. Judging by the darkened entrance, it was likely some cave.
"Damn, is that bugger here!?" Jack questioned as he peered into the cave's entrance. "Hey, brat! Come out if you're in here!"
His hopes of Amber residing in this cave were quickly squashed as he heard an aggressive snarl on the inside. A look of annoyance covered Jack's face as he knew what was inside. What emerged from the cave was a large, grizzly bear.
"Tsk, freaking hell," Jack uttered as he and the bear locked eyes on each other. "Why the hell can't I find you...?"
In anger, the behemoth of a bear charged on all fours to slaughter Jack. Jack simply watched with a plain face as the bear rushed him.
* * *
RING RING!
Jack heard his phone ringing in his coat, so he casually answered. In front of him lay the bloodied, dismembered, and beheaded corpse of the grizzly bear.
"Hello?" Jack said.
"Tsk, Jack. Where even are you!?" Nathan questioned him from the other side of the phone. "Can't you see we're waiting for you to return!?"
"I'm in the mountains searching for Amber," Jack responded.
"Sigh, just hurry and come back--wait, what do you mean you're at the mountains?" Nathan asked.
"Jack's in the mountains?" Zack questioned and Olivia seemed surprised.
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"You're looking for Amber Hoss, right? So why are you in the mountains!? She's a damn soldier!" Nathan questioned. "Soldiers are in military camps! Not mountains!"
"That bugger, Ryzen, told me that she was in the mountains training with someone, mate," Jack explained. "I thought he was lying, but he convinced me with some good points."
"Tsk, if she's in the mountains, why haven't you found her yet?" Nathan questioned. "He's just throwing you off!"
"Nah, there's no way that goody-two-shoes brat would stay in the military to put her friends in danger," Jack countered. "She's definitely in the mountains. Which one is the real question."
Man, can't this psycho use his head? Nathan thought. So damn impulsive!
"Look, we need you to come back so we can finish the bastard developer's game," Nathan advised. "There's no way I'm fighting a country's entire military without you. At least for now, just forget about that one person and enjoy murdering a military worth of--"
"Sorry, mate. There's nothing you can say to make me come back," Jack interjected. "I'll find her in the mountains, kill her, and then return to finish the developer's mission."
"Damn it, why are you so obsessed!?"
"You'll never understand, Nathan. To think the first person who ever survived me was a goody two shoes, selfless brat. Ending that brat's life is the only thing I want right now."
"...I'm hanging up," Nathan stated before holding to his word. He then proceeded to facepalm. What a damn psychopathic...bastard.
"I'm guessing the conversation didn't go well?" The developer assumed.
"Tch...What do you think?" Nathan questioned. With just Charles as our heavy hitter, it'll be super hard to complete the mission. Maybe I really should let Jack do everything on his own.
The developer kept his gaze on Nathan.
From what I've heard in your conversation, Nathan, you rely too much on Jack. The developer thought. That's not right, Nathan. That's not what I want from someone like you.
* * *
Chief of Defense Barry Alexander and United States President Ada Foster met in the lounge of a military grounds.
"I'm glad we got to meet again, but you didn't need to come, Ms. Ada," Barry stated. "You have given us so much help with the information on the S-Class criminals. I would be happy if you enjoyed the hotel's accommodation."
"It's fine. I want to be involved in this. As my country has experienced the dangers of the criminals, I want to do all I can to ensure they are dealt with," Ada said. "I've always put my people's needs before mine, so I promised myself I wouldn't be a lazy president. I'll do everything to protect both our countries."
What an amazing resolve. Barry thought as he smiled. Her personality matches her outward appearance.
"Alright, I understand. I'll explain our current situation," Barry said. "We have used the information you have gathered for us and have come up with a plan we believe is a surefire one."
"Oh? I like the sound of that!"
"Yes, but we have two problems. First is that Jack was last seen yesterday and has continued to murder indiscriminately," Barry explained. "Witnesses have stated that Jack was asking for the location of Amber Hoss."
"Ah, that woman whose family Jack slaughtered," Ada said. Suddenly, a sorrow-filled expression clouded her face. "I'm so sorry that she was thrust into this life...because of him. If only we had killed him...back in America, Amber wouldn't have experienced this."
"Please, don't blame yourself, Ms. Ada. The only one to blame is that monster," Barry said, attempting to comfort her.
"Yes, you're right..." Ada agreed.
"By his admission, Jack hates the fact Amber survived an attack perpetrated by him more than anything," Barry continued. "Of course, that impulsive monster wants to kill her."
"That is true, but can't we surround him with our most suitable forces and kill him?" Ada questioned. "Him constantly showing himself in public would make it easy to find him, wouldn't it?"
"In theory, that would be the case, but that leads me to my second point - the whereabouts of the rest of the S-Class criminals have yet to be revealed to us," Barry admitted. "Even if we were to kill Jack, I doubt the rest of them will want to reveal themselves...at least without making plans of their own."
Ah, I forgot they want to eliminate them all, not just Jack. Ada pondered. Like that's going to happen. No one's taking Nathan away from me.
"Hmm, that's a good point. I suggest evacuating the civilians," Ada suggested. "That would lower the likelihood of Jack killing anyone and make it easier for you to find the other criminals...since they wouldn't be able to blend among crowds or anything."
"It seems as though we are on the same page. I also thought of evacuating the citizens and placing them in safety areas like bunkers," Barry said. "This will be done across several cities, as we've seen the level of destruction these criminals caused...in your country."
"Sigh, I just want this chapter to close," Ada said. "I want peace to return among our lands."
"Don't worry, Ms. Ada...it will. It will return because of your help," Barry assured. "We will locate and eliminate them all. They'll pay for the destruction they've caused and for the lives they've taken."
"Yes, they will!" Ada agreed with a bright smile. Reparations are in order. Isn't that right, Nathan?