The world wasn't privy to this information, but the extreme suffering and loss Ada vindictively delivered to them had more than taken its toll on the criminals for the most part. The US president’s persecution had degraded them to the point of losing their ability to function as they did. They were reaching their breaking point.
The ones most affected by Ada’s ambitions could only wish to drown their suffering through external means…self-destroying means.
The catatonic and broken Nathan who helplessly slept had only one person who supported and cared for him in his time of vulnerability. You guessed it, as that person was none other than Lilith Ashley, who sat by his bedside.
Unable to sustain himself, Nathan had no choice but to be strapped to an intravenous drip via clear, transparent tubes. That was his only choice of receiving nutrients and fluids in his vegetative state.
The gleaming rays of the early morning sun pierced through the bedroom windows and illuminated it, making it easier to see Lilith’s groggy, depressed, baggy eyed expression. She clearly hasn't gotten enough sleep, and likely has balled her eyes out several times due to Nathan’s condition.
“Sigh…it’s morning…now,” Lilith muttered as she slowly tilted her gaze to the sunlight, squinting her eyes in the process. “I only took…short naps…through the night.”
Lilith returned her gaze to Nathan, and the luminance enabled her to see his rather peaceful, sleeping face.
“...It’s nearly been…a week…since you ended up…like this. I forgot…how to enjoy myself…in this house,” Lilith continued. “We used to…do everything…together. We’d happily wake up…to make some breakfast…and start the day. But nothing’s…the same now.”
While reminiscing on things which once were, Lilith only succeeded in starting her day off more depressed with gritted teeth and visible tears.
I-It’s difficult…being alone again. Lilith pondered as tears slowly streamed down her face. When will…you wake up, Nathan?
KNOCK, KNOCK!
The sudden knocking on the door of their home garnered Lilith’s attention to the apparent guest she had at her doorstep. Her first thought was towards keeping up appearances as Lilith quickly wiped away her tears.
H-He must be here now…A bit earlier…but that may be good. Lilith pondered as she headed towards the door with alacrity. I can at least take my mind off things for a while…
“Hello, NPC–oh…it’s you,” As audible creaking accommodated the opening door, Lilith had expressed greetings under the assumption it was the NPC on the other side. Her expectation was shattered as confusion clouded her demeanor upon witnessing the developer. “W-What are you doing here?”
“Good morning, Lilith! I see you’ve just woken up, considering your bed hair!” The developer greeted. “You weren’t expecting to see me, right?”
“...Why are you here?” Lilith questioned as her expression hardened into a cold demeanor.
“Heh, I know you thought it was the NPC. You’ve spent most of your days training with him since Nathan fell into his mental breakdown induced coma,” The developer remarked. “Those baggy eyes makes it quite obvious you haven’t gotten the required amount of sleep for a human, and it’s not the first time I’ve noticed them. I’m wondering if my game character is pushing herself a bit much…and may need a break.”
The developer’s ‘concern’ was simply met with a few seconds of Lilith coldly staring at him, before breaking the silence with a sigh.
“...Please, I don’t need your pointless and artificial care. The trauma…and the suffering you made us endure…was to instill in us the desire to get stronger. You drilled that both verbally and through painful experiences,” Lilith bluntly remarked. “You don’t care about our wellbeing…it’s all a game to you, but I more than understand now. I don’t need sleep. I want to push myself to the limits to become stronger…and I want to make the ones who threatened our peace…pay dearly.”
As Lilith expressed her shift in mentality, her words brought a delighted smirk on the face of the mastermind.
“Heh…hehe, you finally get it, Lilith. Becoming the strongest is what’ll get you solace in the end,” The developer responded with a stupid grin on his face. “The NPC will be here in a few, don’t worry.”
“...If you’re done talking, I’m going to get ready, then,” Lilith stated as she strolled towards another room. “And I’d appreciate it if you come here less…I don’t find pleasure in seeing you.”
“Aww, so mean! You’re starting to sound like Nathan…you’re so hostile towards lil’ old me!” The developer sarcastically remarked in a rather childish tone. “Sigh…you’ve clearly changed for the better, but training alone won’t be enough…you’ll need–”
“It doesn’t matter what missions you may have to ‘test’ me…I’ll be ready,” Lilith interjected. Her resolute answer only proved to brighten the grin the developer already had. Just wait for me, Nathan…I’ll get stronger for the both of us. So please…focus on returning to me.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
See, Ryzen…I knew I’d be right. The developer pondered. Working with Ada may have been the right decision.
- * * *
The Bluebloods was the largest active criminal organization in America. Taking advantage of the gruesome massacre of the pesky super soldiers, the organization grew in resources and power. It was now home to rather formidable criminals…but its only flaw was the mental state of certain capable men.
The bustling sounds of rumbling trucks and vehicles traversing, along with the blue overall wearing soldiers becoming active, resonated within the complex. Amid the operations, Blueblood Chief Rose Thatcher was preoccupied with an endeavor of her own – visiting Zack Isaac.
BAM, BAM!
The impatient, gritted teeth Rose pounded away at the door of Zack’s room. Her demanding behavior wasn’t removed from reason, given what Rose observed these past few days.
“Hey, Zack! Are you blacked out again!?” Rose yelled as she continued to bang on the door. “Open the damn door!”
“AHH!!! I’m up, damn!” Rose’s repeated banging was quickly rewarded with the loud and startled response of Zack, his tone rousing confusion from her.
Tch, what the hell was that? Was the banging that loud?
Zack never failed to stretch Rose’s patience thin as she waited with the occasional foot tapping. Finally, Zack revealed himself, but not before several grunts and mumbling.
“Hehe, good morning, Rose!” With an anxious smile and profuse sweating oddly dripping down his face, Zack greeted.
The annoyed Rose didn’t respond, but instead stood before him with folded arms.
“...You bastard. You’re acting like you’re hiding something,” Rose remarked. “You’ve been doing drugs overnight again, haven’t you?”
“Ha-Hahaha! It’s all good Rose! It’s been a great way for me to stay uptight and energetic, and not bring down the mood with my old depressed self!” Zack responded with an unusually high rate of speed in his speech. “Didn’t you say you like it when I’m not so pitiable?”
“...You’re so oddly energetic,” Rose remarked. “You haven’t been taking anything other than those pills, right?”
“O-Of course not! The Prozac pills more than helped, why would I need anything stronger and potentially more dangerous? I’m a responsible adult after all!” Zack responded as he continued to sweat. “We sell drugs, not take them as you say!”
Zack’s mannerisms and anxiety raised an eyebrow from Rose as she once again stared at him.
“...Sigh, come on. You normally start the day by training with Octavius, right?” Rose questioned as she grabbed Zack’s arm. “I’m going to spar with you guys too. Let’s go.”
“O-Oh, alright!” Zack replied. It’s a good thing I took the time to hide the rest of the cocaine…it would have been a hassle if she found out. I can’t afford to lose it now.
- * * *
Lilith’s requested brawl with the NPC played out the exact way on the occasions both her and Nathan sparred – Utilizing all she knew in the art of sword play, Lilith gave it her all to strike her opponent. Her actions were futile as despite the NPC’s relaxed posture, he possessed an immaculate combat skill and an unbreakable defense against Lilith.
“You’ve been pushing yourself like never before, Lilith,” As his opponent performed a combination of sword slashes, the NPC remarked as he guarded them with a wooden sword. “You’ve barely had time for yourself with how much sparring you're requesting.”
“...I need to strengthen myself while polishing my skill,” Lilith responded. “I’ve learned the hard way that there is no resting as the developer’s character. Besides, if I stay in the house…with Nathan’s helpless state…and my own memories…I won’t be able to bear it.”
“...I truly feel conflicted about your sudden shift in mentality.”
“Hmm?”
“I’m pleased you’re taking your own growth so earnestly…but you suffering this much is far removed from what I wanted,” The NPC expressed, rousing surprise on Lilith’s face. “I wasn’t originally like this, as the developer’s orders were only my concern…but I suppose all the spars have made me understand and grown fond of you two.”
“...I thought you NPCs may have been the same, but there’s humanity in you all,” Lilith replied as she ceased her relentless attacks. “You specifically have offered your help to train us…and even warned us about our complacency. I’m thankful for everything…but it’s not enough.”
“I understand.”
“I made many mistakes…and because I was too weak, Nathan can’t even function without being strapped to an I.V. drip,” Lilith muttered. “As much as I’m thankful for your warning and concern, it’s no longer helpful…because I failed to listen. I was engrossed in spending a peaceful life with Nathan…and now that peace is gone since I wasn’t able to protect him. All I can do now is get stronger to ensure that peace remains permanently.”
“...Sigh, you’ve been sparring for a while,” The NPC remarked as he suddenly started walking away, raising an eyebrow from Lilith. “Even a bit of resting is a necessary activity to become stronger.”
“W-What? Why all of a sudden?”
“Just accept the break, Lilith,” The NPC advised. “I’ll return later.”
Despite the visible frustration Lilith possessed, she had no choice but to watch as the NPC departed and disappeared like the wind. Stricken with resignation, Lilith trudged back into her home, before sluggishly throwing herself on the living room couch.
“Urgh…I never wanted to relax, but the exhaustion hit me the moment I flung myself on the couch,” Lilith muttered as she reached for the television remote on the coffee table situated in front of her. “Maybe…a little rest…won’t hurt. The developer…won’t kill me…for that, right?”
With the press of a button, the previous silence that perpetuated in the home was washed away by the bustling noise of the television.
“Good morning, I am Ashley, bringing you the 11 am news. Though the world can finally move on from the rampaging chaos the S-Class criminals left in their wake, their destruction still left a heavy mark in the world,” Ashley remarked. “Numerous cities and countless families without water, electricity or homes…and the trauma us Americans went through is nothing less than lifelong.”
She’s speaking about us…utterly vilifying all of us too. Lilith pondered as she listened. And acting as though we haven’t suffered just as much, Nathan.
“Although it’s impossible to return what was lost, especially the many loved ones that were lost, our president aims to bring about a bright future,” Ashley continued. “To fully rebuild that which was destroyed and bring comfort to everyone. More information from President Ada Foster herself via a news conference.”
Ada is saying something in the media? I don’t want to listen any further then… Lilith thought. I don’t want to even hear her damn voice…