Jonathan, who was still wearing his black cloak, felt like he had made the right choice.
When he had seen Nick coming out of the window almost beside him, he had been frozen in fear.
The three of them had thought that Nick was still inside the training area or leaving via the other side to take a detour.
After all, it was impossible to get close to them via the direct route since Stephen could see everything.
Kiara and Jonathan had been sent by Stephen to advance. If Nick were hiding somewhere close to the border, they would be able to get him out of this hiding place, which would allow Stephen to kill him in one shot.
Kiara was walking in a more hidden area, but she would have Stephen's oversight.
Meanwhile, Jonathan would walk on top of the buildings, which would make it easy for him to keep a lookout and to notice Nick if he decided to advance.
And then, Nick had come out of the window beside Jonathan.
Several thoughts had shot through Jonathan's mind at that point.
'Oh, fuck!' had been the first one, quickly followed by, 'I'm going to die!'
Jonathan knew that Stephen hadn't been able to see him since he was watching over Kiara.
When Stephen had asked for volunteers, Jonathan jumped forward, eager to take revenge for Sarah.
In Jonathan's mind, he had imagined himself fighting the enemy with his fists, beating them back.
Then, Stephen would take the shot, and everyone would thank him for keeping the enemy occupied.
Finally, it was his time to shine!
Finally, he would prove to Futuma and Selina that he wasn't just blowing hot air as they claimed he was doing!
He hated how Selina always told him that he would run at the first sign of danger, while Futuma always ignored him whenever he was trying to say something!
But when Nick actually showed up, it became very different from Jonathan's imagination.
When Jonathan had seen Nick's narrowed and focused eyes as he confidently and quietly came out of the window, he felt like he was looking at a Veteran.
Everything inside Jonathan shouted at him that he was going to die.
This was not someone he could fight!
So, Jonathan had surrendered.
The next minute was a blur.
He remembered Nick walking past him and saying something.
Then, a blank.
Finally, Nick had returned, talking to him.
Jonathan wasn't sure if a second or an hour had passed.
At this moment, Jonathan was just trying to come to terms with his survival.
"If you can convince the girl to surrender, she doesn't have to die."
When Jonathan heard that, he felt his heart rate increase again.
Die.
Everyone always talked about death, but when death was this close, the word felt very different.
Jonathan's body shook, and he slowly rose to his feet.
"I still can't see Jonathan!" Kiara shouted from the end of the alley.
Jonathan's heart beat in his ears.
"Tell her that the fat man is dead and that you lost. If she comes peacefully, I promise that she won't die," Nick said.
Jonathan breathed heavily as he heard Nick speak from behind him.
"K-Kiara," Jonathan spoke. "S-Stephen is d-d-dead."
In the alley, Kiara's eyes widened in shock as she looked in the direction where Jonathan's voice came from.
Dunk!
Nick shoved Jonathan forward to tell him to move.
Jonathan kept his arms raised as he walked across the roof.
"I-if you come peacefully, he promises that you won't d-die," Jonathan said.
Kiara didn't know what she should think and looked at where Stephen should be.
She couldn't see him.
At that moment, Kiara's emotions went wild.
Fear, disbelief, rage, frustration.
After a bit, Jonathan appeared at the edge of one of the buildings that Kiara could see.
When she saw Jonathan, her heart almost stopped.
Even from this distance, she could see Jonathan's body shaking like a leaf, and the bit of his face that she could see through the cloak was wet with tears.
Even more, the fear and panic in his voice was overwhelming.
The next moment, Nick stepped forward from behind Jonathan and looked at Kiara with an even look.
"Step to the side and turn away," Nick spoke quietly and coldly.
Jonathan complied, took a couple steps to the side, and looked away from Nick.
Kiara's fight-or-flight instincts kicked in, and she became ready to react.
"If you run, you will die," Nick spoke coldly.
"If you stay, you will survive."
"I already killed the fat guy after he ambushed me with a number advantage."
"Taking care of you will not be difficult," Nick said.
Kiara gritted her teeth.
Shing!
In an instant, one of Nick's spears appeared in his hand.
"Don't do anything stupid," Nick threatened in a dark and deep voice.
Kiara's clenched fists shook.
She was so frustrated!
They were supposed to win!
Even more, they were two while he was only one!
If they fought together, they might be able to take him down!
But when she saw Jonathan, she immediately threw that possibility out of the window.
Jonathan looked far too terrified to fight right now.
'I should have believed Selina!' Kiara thought.
At that moment, Kiara hated Jonathan so much!
"What will it be?" Nick asked.
Kiara gritted her teeth and slowly retrieved one of her guns.
Then, she threw it to the ground beside her.
"You can keep your guns," Nick said with confidence.
"Having them or not having them makes no difference."
Kiara's clenched fist shook even more as she retrieved the gun she had dropped.
Nick lowered his spear.
"Come up," he commanded.
Kiara looked at Nick with humiliation and frustration.
She didn't move.
"I said, come up," Nick said with some aggression in his voice.
Kiara gritted her teeth.
"How?" she asked.
Nick raised an eyebrow.
"How am I supposed to climb such a tall building?"
Nick furrowed his brows in confusion.
What was her problem?
Like, just climb?
Was she scheming something?
