“You sure have some interesting… friends,” the System God said as he watched his son wipe the blood from the corner of his lips.
Earlier, he knew that, when he used Rune Magic, his Father would also be able to use his own ability.
He did it for one reason and one reason only. He was confident that no matter what his Father did, he would be able to land a killing blow, which would end the battle.
This had already taken into account all the abilities that the System God could use to counter his strike, which could even break a barrier due to his Anti-Barrier Rune, which he had also inscribed in the Arena.
But he never thought that his father would stoop so low as to use Tiona as a shield to prevent his killing blow from hitting its mark.
“My respect for you had already hit rock bottom, so I thought it can’t possibly go lower,” Thirteen said. “But today, you proved me wrong. You actually brought a shovel with you and dug deeper into the negatives.”
“All is fair in love and war,” Deus Ex Machina replied. “But I thought that nothing could surprise me anymore. However, you have also proven me wrong. “To think that you will use this world as a hostage just for your pet. Color me surprised. You have made me see something I never thought I’d see today.”
“You have underestimated me.”
“Right.”
“You have no idea what I’m willing to sacrifice just to make you pay for what you did to me.”
“…”
“Are you now regretting giving me a second chance at life? Are you feeling scared now?”
“… I didn’t regret giving you a second chance at life. But I do regret one thing.”
Thirteen arched an eyebrow. “And that is?”
“I regret not having the power to grant your wish,” Deus Ex Machina replied. “Because if I did, we wouldn’t be trying to kill each other right now.”
Thirteen laughed before covering his eyes with his right hand. Tears streamed down the side of his face as he continued to laugh out loud.
Deus Ex Machina didn’t make any move to attack him and simply watched his son, who had shown him what he was willing to pay for the Cannon Fodders that he had loved.
Back at the Celestial Realm, Thirteen didn’t kill any of his brothers and sisters and simply destroyed their vessels.
He knew that as long as their Soul Core wasn’t destroyed, the System God could always bring them back to life.
He had only done what he did in order for Deus Ex Machina to make an appearance.
Because after suffering for thousands of years, Thirteen had decided to stake his life on the line for those whom he treasured with his entire being.
A few minutes later, Thirteen stopped laughing and removed the hand that was covering his eyes.
His gaze was sharp, and there was no longer any mirth that could be seen anywhere.
“Let’s end this,” Thirteen declared. “You have already overstayed your welcome.”
“Today, I will take your Soul Core back with me to the Celestial Realm and lock you up for eternity,” Deus Ex Machina declared. “That’s the only way to stop your madness.”
Thirteen didn’t reply and simply closed his eyes. The images of his Hosts flashed inside his mind, giving him strength despite the fact that his body was aching all over.
After seeing all the faces of his Hosts, some new people appeared in front of him.
Gerald, Alessia, Mikhail, Shasha, Remi, and Rhia.
His Grandfather Arthur, his Grandma, His Uncle, and Hanz. Cristopher, Colbert, and his Battalion. Rianna, Shana, Erica, Sherry.
Giga, Blacky, Hercules Rocky,, Vassago, Poca, Pica, Pico, O1, O2, T1, The Trolls, and Cranky. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cm
And all the Wanderers who believed in him.
Deus Ex Machina suddenly felt a tingle in his skin, making him frown.
The air around Thirteen seemed to crack, but he could tell that the boy wasn’t using any skill or ability.
Because if Thirteen was using his tricks, he would be able to use them as well.
“In this unfair world filled with madness, only two people could survive for long,” Thirteen said as he stared at his father. “Either a Hero or a Villain.”
Thirteen then pointed his short sword at his father.
“If you cannot be a Hero, then you must become a villain through and through,” Thirteen stated. “But I didn’t choose either of those two paths. I chose to be a Cannon Fodder. Just because you can eliminate darkness, does not mean that you should.”
Thirteen took a step forward, with his sword still pointing at his father, and yet, the place where he stepped shattered as if bearing a great weight that didn’t belong to him.
This was no ability or any form.
These were the hopes and dreams that Thirteen had carried through his career as the System of Cannon Fodders and through his life as Zion Leventis.
“The wishes of my Hosts,” Thirteen declared. “Their dreams and aspirations, I will accomplish them all.”
“As for the Heroes of the world?”
“They’d better stay out of my way.”
Deus Ex Machina suddenly felt something he had never felt before.
His hand, which was holding his staff, was trembling, making his eyes widen in shock. However, since this was the moment of truth, he firmly gripped his weapon and readied himself to unleash his ultimate attack that would end his son’s madness once and for all.
Thirteen, who could tell what the System God was thinking, didn’t even bat an eye, as he continued to walk forward.
With every step, the floor under his feet shattered as he carried the weight of countless worlds in his shoulders.
“My Dear Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be thy name,” Thirteen said calmly before disappearing from where he stood and reappearing behind the System God, his sword still pointing forward.
A moment later, the head of the System God rolled on the floor of the arena, its eyes wide in shock and disbelief. He didn’t know what just happened, and the attack he was planning to unleash remained frozen in time. But before he could fully comprehend what just happened, he saw Thirteen looking down on him with a devilish smile on his face.
“I will screw you ten times over,” Thirteen stated as he stepped on his father’s face. “And beat Fate at her own bitchy game.”
A second later, the System God’s head exploded like a watermelon hit by a sledgehammer.
Thirteen then raised his hand and pointed his middle finger at the heavens.
He stood straight and tall, and remained in that position even after he had lost consciousness.
All around the world of Solterra and Pangea, countless people looked up in the sky.
Soon, tears streamed down the side of their faces. They didn’t know what was happening, or why they were suddenly crying. All they knew was that they were in pain and feeling very sad. It was as if they wanted to hug and thank someone, who was just beyond their reach. On that day, the Cannon Fodders of the two worlds cried as their souls subtly reached out to their Friend, their Helper, their System, and their Strongest Protector. Although they couldn’t see him, they knew with utmost certainty that someone had fought for their sake.
Someone had fought for their rights. And that person was standing tall despite being unconscious, with a faint smile plastered on his tired and weary face.
The One and Metatron stared at Thirteen’s lonely figure in the middle of the arena.
The significance of his win against the System God was known to only the two of them.
But despite all this, the two Gods stared at the young man with hope.
“In a world torn by power and corruption,” The One said softly. “A fallen System will bring out a symphony of change.” Metatron grinned. “Or lead it to its destruction!”
———