"You goddamned bastard! You dare...hurt...my Lilith...!?" Nathan questioned in his ire. "I'm going to murder you!"

Their skin reddened and cracked as Nathan and Zack suffered from blistering and frostbite. Nathan didn't show the slightest pain in his expression, as he gazed at Cryostasis with hatred and rage.

"Nathan...you need to calm down!" Zack advised.

"Shut up! I'm calm right now!" Nathan responded. His tone and expression contrasted with his words.

This is freaking terrible! Zack thought. He gazed at the pouch of explosives that the developer gifted him. Much to his surprise, the pouch was completely frozen.

He attempted to pick it up, but it shattered into many ice shards.

Damn it! I just got that pouch! Zack thought. It's already destroyed!?

"There goes your damn pouch! You're pretty much useless now!" Cryostasis said. Zack's demeanor became downtrodden in response. "You will die last, Zack Isaac!"

Before Cryostasis could throw out an attack, Nathan materialized several gas canisters and tossed them everywhere. Due to the sheer number of canisters, smoke quickly filled the area.

Tch, tear gas!? Cryostasis thought as he covered his face.

"We're killing that bastard as soon as possible!" Nathan declared to Zack while using the opportunity gained by the smoke to run. "He's pretty injured, so you need to back me up!"

"...You're still keeping a level head?" Zack questioned.

"Tch, don't ask me stupid questions!" Nathan retorted. "I have no clue if Lilith is still okay! I'm steaming mad!"

Please...let Lilith be okay! Nathan thought as he and Zack split up. Simultaneously, Cryostasis quickly charged through the gas. As he marched through, he suddenly found himself engulfed in flames.

Measly tear gas won't stop me!

"AAHHH!!! WHAT THE HELL!?" Cryostasis uttered out of surprise. He quickly jumped out of the range of the fire to minimize the damage taken. Nathan, who had materialized a flamethrower, blasted fire into the smoke-filled area. The canisters that Nathan had used were comprised of flammable gas, as the fire quickly spread throughout and swallowed up the smoke with Cryostasis in it.

"DAMN IT! NATHAN!!!" Cryostasis yelled in pure rage. He sustained visible and extensive burns on his face, arms, and body. Instead of charging through the fire, the super soldier hopped down to the first floor.

After showering the floor with flames, Nathan also returned to the first floor. Upon seeing Cryostasis jumping down, Nathan took out his assault rifle to fire more super-piercing ammo at him.

Despite his injured state, the blessed hunter maneuvered his body in mid-air to avoid several bullets. Cryostasis continued to move around after landing as Nathan kept up the gunfire. Cryostasis quickly swiped a mug on a counter and froze it with chilling air.

While Nathan fired, Cryostasis threw the mug towards him. The mug created a sonic boom from the sheer force of the throw. Nathan reacted in time and shielded his face with his forearm.

"Ugh!" Nathan uttered as she mug shattered on his forearm upon impact. A mug?

Cryostasis followed up by charging and delivering a straight to Nathan's chest. Nathan blocked it with his arm but was knocked back several feet.

Tch! The mug was a feint... Nathan thought as he quickly regained his footing and continued firing at him.

"You say you want to eliminate us criminals, but you attacked an innocent person like Lilith!" Nathan said. "You're such a scummy bastard!"

"Shut your damn mouth!" Cryostasis retorted as he avoided the bullets and drew closer to Nathan. Realizing this, Nathan swapped to dual knives. "You're all piece of shit criminals!"

This manifested an even greater ire in Nathan as Cryostasis engaged him in hand-to-hand combat. Cryostasis threw out several jabs, which Nathan weaved and performed knife slashes.

You did not just call Lilith a piece of shit... Nathan thought. I swear you're not going to survive this...

* * *

Meanwhile, Zack entered the hotel's kitchen room.

"Tch, I need something to use..." Zack said as he frantically looked around. There were only the common kitchen utensils, pots, and appliances. Other than heavy gas cylinders, there was nothing of explosive properties that Zack could use.

"Damn it! I'm so useless without anything to explode. Why am I always like this!" Zack uttered in a downtrodden tone. "First I got manipulated by Ada and failed to kill her and now I can't help my friends."

As Zack walked through the kitchen, something caught his eye - a standard metallic food tray. Immediately, Zack recalled his fight against a super soldier when he was attempting to retrieve the trailer filled with explosives. In his desperate attempt to kill him, Zack remembered swinging a metallic rod at the super soldier's head, which exploded upon impact.

Keeping that recollection in mind, Zack stared intently at the metal tray before picking it up.

"...Just because I no longer have the pouch doesn't mean I shouldn't help," Zack stated, "With this, I can somewhat redeem myself of my stupidity against Ada."

* * *

Cryostasis and Nathan continued their close-quarters combat. While Nathan slashed with his knives, he immediately switched one of them for a longsword. Cryostasis, who didn't expect the range, was sliced across the chest with the sword.

His stupid inventory is so annoying! Cryostasis thought. It's saving him while fighting close range!

Cryostasis suddenly grabbed his arm and began freezing his sleeve, much to Nathan's shock. Before Nathan could do anything, the super soldier made a hammer out of ice in his free arm and struck Nathan across the side of his head.

"UGH!" Nathan uttered as he was sent to the ground. His head was partially bleeding from the strike.

"Ugh, enough of this damn battle," Cryostasis said as he made the finger-gun gesture. "It's over for you--"

BANG!

Zack quickly rushed up and smacked the metal tray across the back of Cryostasis's head. While this caused Cryostasis to drop to one knee, the tray didn't create an explosion, which shocked Zack.

"Damn it! You scum!" Cryostasis angrily yelled as he peered at Zack with rage.

Shit! It didn't explode! Zack thought.

You idiot! Nathan thought as he quickly got up. He knew Cryostasis would retaliate, especially after that weak attack Zack did.

DAMN IT! EXPLODE! With an annoyed expression, Zack thought as he performed another hit on Cryostasis's head.

BOOM!

Zack's second hit was successful, as the tray emitted an explosion from its base. The blast was so strong that it tossed the three men away and blew apart the furniture and fixtures on the floor. Due to the extensive damage the room sustained throughout the fight, the lights went out, and the interior returned to its dimly lit state before Nathan and company arrived.

After a few moments, Cryostasis pulled himself out of some rubble. He was even more injured after the explosion, with his face mostly burnt and excessively bleeding.

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

Zack Isaac made that tray explode! I thought he could only detonate explosive and flammable objects! Cryostasis pondered. That attack...messed me up.

Nathan, who had been knocked through the walls, also walked up. While injured, he was not as severe as Cryostasis.

Their gazes met each other and without exchanging any words, they approached each other. The sleeve of Nathan's armor that Cryostasis froze began cracking and falling apart. Nathan completely ignored this, and materialized metallic fingerless gloves on his hands, expecting a close-quarters fight.

Cryostasis started by performing a roundhouse kick with his right leg, which Nathan caught by wrapping his left arm around. Nathan countered by elbowing the held leg several times.

"Urgh!" Cryostasis groaned before forcing Nathan to release him with a straight punch. Although Nathan released his leg, he also weaved the strike. Cryostasis followed up with a powerful right hook, which Nathan blocked again with his forearm.

Ugh, he's still so strong! Nathan thought as he used the opportunity to counter. He delivered two haymaker punches to Cryostasis's face, which caused blood to fly out his mouth.

W-What? I may be injured, but is this guy overpowering me in combat? Cryostasis thought. In a fit of rage, Cryostasis grabbed Nathan's collar. No! No way this bastard's beating me!

He delivered a powerful headbutt to Nathan's forehead, before grabbing the back of his head and forcing it into a knee strike. This was strong enough to toss Nathan across the room and through the walls.

Although he had a bloody nose and bruised forehead, Nathan didn't seem fazed. He quickly recovered himself and immediately materialized his assault rifle in preparation to shoot him. Nathan's eyes widened as he noticed Cryostasis making the finger-gun gesture and also preparing to shoot him.

Who cares if I get shot by him? Those bullets can't kill me in one shot! Cryostasis thought as chilly was emanating from his fingers. I'll freeze and kill him before he can kill me!

WHIP!

Suddenly, Lilith rushed in and sliced Cryostasis's arm clean off, saving Nathan. Both Nathan and Cryostasis looked in shock as excessive blood drained from the stomp of his arm. Blood was not the only liquid that drained as liquid nitrogen spilled out of the tubes Lilith cut through. Lilith, on the other hand, kept focused.

M-My arm! Cryostasis thought as he gazed at his arm's stump. She's not dead! How did that woman survive getting punched through several buildings!?

* * *

After Lilith was knocked away by Cryostasis, she was lying in the rubble.

"U-ugh, my side...hurts," Lilith muttered. "Why...did things...turn this way..."

W...Why am I so weak? I keep asking Nathan to let me help him...but I've been...nothing but a liability. Lilith thought. I did all that training with the NPC! I thought I would be accustomed to fighting, but is this all I can do?

As she lay there, she recalled various memories with Nathan. She recalled many times when Nathan would help her, whether at school or in battles. Even the mundane things where they'd eat together, Lilith recalled all the compliments Nathan would give her when she made food.

Nathan has always given it his all to support me...

As much as she wanted to forget it, Lilith recalled all the suffering Nathan went through in his life. Most notably, the unfair execution of Nathan's parents. She remembered the last words his parents had left with her.

Please support Nathan, always... The words of Nathan's father replayed in her mind. With renewed determination, Lilith stood up.

Nathan has never failed to support me despite all the pain he'd go through. Lilith thought as she picked her katana up. That's why...I will do the same. No pain will stop me from protecting the one I love!

* * *

"DAMN IT! WHY CAN'T YOU ALL STAY DOWN!" Cryostasis yelled. Lilith ignored him and delivered a flurry of slashes on his body, which inflicted several deep cuts on him. He attempted to kick her, but Lilith blocked with her sword and was knocked several meters back.

BOOM!

Zack had rushed up and smacked the super soldier in the head with the tray, emitting yet another explosion. Cryostasis, who was becoming critically injured, fell on all fours. Blood flowed from his mouth and nose due to the damage.

Freaking hell...

Zack followed up by smacking him in the face again and knocked Cryostasis straight out of the hotel with another explosion.

The soldiers, who had noticed Nathan before this fight, noticed Cryostasis being flung out.

"W-What!? Isn't that the super soldier!?" A soldier questioned.

As Cryostasis struggled to stand up, Nathan materialized and tossed several cluster grenades at him. He could only watch in shock as they approached his face. The cluster grenades released many mini bombs which all exploded in a blinding light, silhouetting the surprised Cryostasis's body.

The super soldier was once again tossed through a building from the blasts. Not only was he now missing an eye (along with the severed arm), his body was critically damaged. Nathan and company didn't give him time to breathe as they rushed to finish him.

"I'll finish this!" Nathan stated as he materialized a sword. Cryostasis made a desperate but calculated move as he realized that he'd die - he unleashed a long ice wall at the trio with his good arm.

Nathan grabbed Lilith and pulled her out of the way, meaning they and Zack were split apart from the wave, which Cryostasis wanted. Mustering the last of his strength, Cryostasis charged at Zack.

If I'm going to die here, I'll at least kill the man that killed my partner! Cryostasis decided. Seeing this, Zack prepared to smack him with the tray, which was blackened due to the explosions. Chilly air emanated from his arm as he closed in on Zack. "Die--"

Out of nowhere, Olivia interrupted and hopped on the back of Cryostasis, much to his shock. In her hand was a syringe with a plum-purple-colored liquid, which she immediately stuck in his neck.

"W-What!? Get off of me!" Cryostasis uttered as he immediately grabbed and tossed Olivia away. Seeing this, Zack released the tray and outstretched his hands to catch her.

"Hehe, it's...too late," Olivia muttered. "I a-already...injected my poison...in you."

"W-Wha--" Cryostasis uttered but was interrupted by suddenly vomiting his blood. Not only did blood escape from his mouth, but the super soldier was also bleeding through the eyes and nose heavily.

"That...specific poison...causes extremely...fast-acting hemorrhaging. Spontaneous bleeding...is taking place...in your blood vessels...organs...and tissues," Olivia explained. "The pain...must be...excruciating."

Cryostasis looked at Olivia with pure shock before more blood violently sprayed from his orifices. It didn't take long for him to fall to the ground from the blood loss. He writhed around in agony and coughed up an excessive amount of blood. His last few moments before finally dying were the memories of his partner, Pyrostasis.

In the end, he failed to avenge his comrade. The power of several weaker individuals overcame the powerful Cryostasis, who disregarded his purpose of killing these blessed criminals just to avenge his ally.

"Zack, are you--Oh," Nathan, who hopped over the ice wall with Lilith, questioned, before stopping short as he noticed Olivia.

"Hehe, you guys...forgot...about me," Olivia stated. "You're...welcome..."

Nathan shifted his gaze to Cryostasis's bloody corpse. In response, he went behind Lilith and placed his hand around her eyes.

"H-Huh?" Lilith questioned. Nathan then wrapped his other arm around her stomach to hug her from behind.

"I'm so glad you're okay, Lilith," Nathan expressed. "I'm sorry for getting you hurt."

"Hey, don't beat yourself up!" Lilith responded as she moved Nathan's hand from her eyes. She then turned around to face Nathan. "I've gotten stronger. We'll both protect each other!"

"...You don't have--"

The soldiers began firing at the group, completely cutting their conversation off. Due to their superhuman reaction, the party members hastily rushed to take cover from the bullets, which hit the large ice wall.

"Tch, those must be the ones that called the super soldier," Zack assumed. The team was hiding at the side of a building. "They must be crazy if they're shooting at us when we beat a much stronger enemy!"

"...Cryostasis doesn't compare to the ones Jack and Charles fought. His main threat was his liquid nitrogen and he was a bit stronger and faster than most," Nathan responded. "But what concerns me is that he knew our blessings. Does the military know about Jack's murder blessing?"

Hearing that, Olivia and Zack became nervous.

"There's no way, right? I mean, the United States only knew about his speed blessing," Zack responded. "How would the UK know?"

"But your volatile manipulation blessing was also largely unknown, right?" Nathan questioned. "It's best to assume the worst."

"...Then, don't we need to help Jack?" Olivia questioned. "H-He might...be in danger."

Augh...dammit, there Olivia goes again with that. Nathan thought as he rolled his eyes. Maybe I shouldn't have said that.

"Sigh...even if they know, there's no way that--"

BOOOM!!!

An ear-splitting bang was audible as the party members and the military units noticed a giant mushroom cloud in the distance. In a synchronous action, the two groups had dropped their jaws in surprise.

What the!? Did a nuke go off or something? Nathan questioned. What the hell is happening in the UK!?

* * *

Nathan and his friends were not the only ones who noticed this explosion, as Amber witnessed this firsthand as she walked.

"W-What's...what's happening now!?" Amber questioned with visible panic. Amber's anxiety quickly morphed into confusion as she gazed at the mushroom cloud. "W-Wait...are those...jester faces?"

* * *

While standing off with the Queen Deathbringer and her subordinates, Charles shifted his gaze at the mushroom cloud.

"Wow! Something's interesting must be happening over there!" Charles excitedly stated. "I wonder who could have caused that!? Are they strong--"

"Quit staring at unnecessary things," The Queen Deathbringer stated. Her gaze never shifted off of Charles. "You will be eliminated, so no need to watch the scenery."