Following the kidnapping of Chief Barry, large amounts of military forces began moving around the city. From armored vehicles littering the ground to aircraft in the skies, the military moved to find their leader.

As Jack sprinted across the cities, he witnessed the soldiers.

"Well, the buggers are acting quickly," Jack said. "I would stop to slaughter all of them, but my main priority is that brat and her friends."

Jack, lacking interest in the soldiers, continued his trek to the Enlightenment Program.

Due to the situation's urgency, the military avoided frugality with their forces. That meant the super soldiers, who temporarily aligned with the United Kingdom, began moving.

"So, the Chief got captured. That put a wrench in our plans," The super soldier, Shadowgun, stated.

"Why the hell would they even capture the Chef?" Claw questioned.

"There's no point in finding meaning or reason in the actions of those S-Class criminals," The Queen Deathbringer advised. "We should focus on what we've always been tasked with - eliminating them."

"That's exactly right, Queen," Cryostasis said. He had finally recovered from his injuries back in the super soldier war. "It doesn't matter if the Chief lives or dies. I'll murder Nathan and his friends for killing Pyrostasis."

"Don't get blinded by personal feelings, Cryostasis," The Queen Deathbringer advised. "We have a job to focus on."

"I know you feel the same way, Queen," Pyrostasis said. "Especially after the death of your subordinate, Claw."

The Queen could not refute this comment and instead stood there in silence.

"...Thankfully, there's a tracker on the Chief of Defense's phone, and it's currently at an abandoned house," The Queen said in an attempt to divert the conversation. "It may be a trap, so we should be on guard. Let's avenge all our fallen comrades."

"Yeah!" The super soldier crew uttered in tandem.

I wonder when Rebecca and Sergeant John will finally finish their modifications. The Queen Deathbringer thought. I suppose Rebecca will take a longer time.

* * *

Over to Nathan, he was putting his next step into action. By the next step, he was currently binding the unconscious Barry to a chair with rope with the help of Zack.

Although Nathan and Zack never possessed much experience, they thoroughly restrained Barry. They used four pieces of rope: one that went around the torso and chair together and tied the ends of the rope to the back of the chair in a square knot. They used a second to tie around his neck and the chair.

They tied his hands together with the third and the last to bind his upper and forearms.

"Hmm, you think this is enough?" Zack wondered.

"Most likely," Nathan responded. "We did tie him up good."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

While Nathan conversed with Zack, he noticed something sticking from Barry's pocket. Upon closer inspection, he realized that it was a phone.

"Shit!" Nathan uttered as he quickly took the phone out. "That idiot, Jack!"

Hearing Nathan's panicked voice, Lilith approached him.

"What's wrong, Nathan!?" Lilith questioned.

"Jack didn't bother to search the Chief before kidnapping him!" Nathan explained. "What if the feds are tracking this!"

"Oh? That's certainly not good if that's the case," The NPC stated.

Nathan crushed the device without hesitation and stored the pieces in his inventory.

"Tch, we can't stay here any longer. Our location is compromised," Nathan said. "We have to get outta here."

"Alright, I'll place down the explosives," Zack stated as he pulled a pouch from his pocket.

"A-Are you going to kill him, Nathan?" Lilith questioned. "I mean, I don't mind. I'm fine with whatever you do. I'm just wondering."

Simultaneously, Barry began to rouse to consciousness. With a delirious expression and blurred vision, he didn't realize his predicament yet.

"Don't worry, I'm not planning on killing him," Nathan assured. "Whoever comes to free Barry from a house filled with explosives will be preoccupied. That will put some ease on us."

"I see!" Lilith said. "You're always so smart, Nate!"

Nathan's cheeks flushed red in response.

"L-Let's just get outta here--"

"W-Where am...I?" The now awoken Barry questioned. He was still stunned, although to a lesser extent. His words garnered the attention of everyone.

"Oh, he's awake," The blacksmith said.

"Huh...the S-Class criminals?" Barry wondered as his delirium dissipated. Immediately, he recalled what happened before. He remembered Jack massacring his men and claiming Barry to be his 'ticket' before blacking out. "D-Dammit...where the hell am I!? Where did you bring me!?"

"Sorry, Mr. Chief. It's nothing personal, but you've been kidnapped," Nathan explained. "We need you for assurance."

Upon hearing this, a look of contempt clouded Barry's face.

"I see. There is nothing too low for you criminals, huh?" Barry responded.

"Huh?"

"I'm sure instead of killing me, you kidnapped me to throw off my army. I always thought it, but you guys only want to bring chaos to this country like you did with the US," Barry speculated. "But, if you think it will go your way, you are surely mistaken. My soldiers will eliminate you all, especially that criminal, Jack."

Tsk, you think I wanted to come here to cause havoc!? Nathan thought with furrowed eyebrows. It's all because of Jack and the developer!

Much to everyone's surprise, Zack began to chuckle.

"Man, you talk so much, huh? You're so focused on wanting to eliminate me and my friends that you don't even realize what's in front of you," Zack said.

Upon his words, everyone looked around and noticed the interior of the abandoned building littered with red, glowing miniature balls. Zack made use of the pouch that the developer gifted him.

"W-What--"

"I never met you before, Chief, but I think I hate you," Zack said as he walked up to him. "I don't care if you threaten me or whatever, but my friends are another story."

In Zack's right hand was the pouch of explosives, and in his left was a roll of duct tape.

"I'll make you pay for what you said," Zack continued. He proceeded to take out several bombs and forcibly placed them in Barry's mouth. Despite Barry's best attempts at resisting, even murmuring, it was all futile. Seeing this, the game characters and NPCs (except for the no-named NPC) cringed at the sight.

H-Hey...Does this guy remember he's not supposed to kill him? Nathan wondered.

Before Barry could even hope to spit it out, Zack peeled a reel of duct tape and placed it over his mouth.

"I wish you good luck on your endeavors, Barry," Zack sarcastically said. "Oh, and don't swallow."

The only thing Barry did was stare at Zack with a frightened expression.

"Let's go, Nathan," Zack said as he casually walked out the door.

"...Damn, you can be kinda scary...and insane, too," Nathan remarked.

Nathan followed Zack and materialized an armored vehicle for them to ride in. The team followed suit and went in the car without regard for Barry. Well, one regarded Barry's presence as Lilith glanced at him.

Unfortunately, this had to happen to you. Lilith thought. But I chose Nathan over anyone else. I always will choose him.