System's POV

Chapter 751: Hero Versus The System Of Cannon Fodders [Part 2]



The sound of two weapons clashing reverberated in the darkness of the night, with only the moon bearing witness to a duel that seemed to be long overdue.

Roland's body moved on its own, as if possessed, attacking Thirteen with wanton abandon.

His handsome face was now contorted with rage, and he no longer cared that he was fighting against the same person who had taught him many things.

Zion was his rival and his mentor, as well as the greatest bane of his existence.

Everything revolved around him.

Ever since Roland met him, his life had gone through many changes. Most of it was good because he had become stronger than he was in the past.

However, feelings he had never felt before also surfaced.

Jealousy, humiliation, anger, sadness, anxiety, fear, and many other myriad of emotions he never thought possible.

Even now, as he gave his all to smite his foe, the teenage boy's face remained calm. Even though every collision between their weapons sent sparks flying in every direction, Zion's face remained unchanged as if saying he had everything under his control.

This drove Roland even crazier, and his attacks increased with intensity and strength.

Truth be told, despite Thirteen's calm look, the clash between him and the hero wasn't anywhere simple.

Roland's strength had far exceeded the norm, which was normal when a Hero tapped into the rawest emotions in his heart.

Whether that be anger, love, fear, hatred, sadness, or any other emotions that allowed him to channel the power of Fate, his blows were anything but ordinary.

Roland's state contrasted with Thirteen, who was like a still lake, for the latter believed that there was no need for him to show his weakness or his hardship.

Right now, there was only one thing in Thirteen's mind, and that was to make this Hero understand that the world couldn't be seen in white and black.

He wanted to make Roland understand that the world didn't revolve around him.

Yes, the Hero was special. But, so what?

Without Villains, he would have no one to fight.

Without Extras to affirm his existence and gain the recognition that he needed, he would be the same as everyone else-nothing special.

Last but not the least, without cannon fodders, whom he used as stepping stones to become stronger and reach greater heights, he wouldn't even qualify to fight the strongest of villains. He would have perished in their first clash due to his lack of experience.

"I really wonder why you're so naive," Thirteen said as he clashed with Roland for the umpteenth time.

Wielding two short swords, he both attacked and defended against Roland's sword, as well as the flying sword that kept attacking him from his blindspots.

Currently, he and Roland were now wearing their full battle Regalias.

The Hero was now armed to the teeth, wearing the splendid armor forged by the best blacksmiths of the Central Government.

Thirteen, on the other hand, was wearing the red armor he used during the Monster Invasion in Glory City.

Tiona, whom he asked to watch the battle from the side, looked at her Master with worry.

There had been a few instances when she had the urge to attack the Flying Sword that was mercilessly attacking him from an angle that was nearly impossible to defend against, which Roland was purposely doing as he attacked the teenage boy from the front.

"Naive? Yes, I am naive!" Roland roared in anger. "I'm not like you who treats people as tools! I'm not like you who toys with the feelings of others! Do you know how I feel right now? Do you know how Joshua feels right now? You cornered both of us, and you forced us to make this choice!"

For the first time, Thirteen's expression changed as a sneer appeared on his face. "Forced the two of you to make a choice?" Thirteen asked. "Yes, I forced the two of you to make a choice. But, so what? In the end, both of you could have chosen to just lose with grace instead of attacking each other.

"Fool, do you really think that I didn't know that you also thought about eliminating Joshua so that you can get the points that he gained from killing those Wanderers? Do you really think I'm blind?"

Roland's attack faltered for a bit, but he continued to attack after that brief moment of guilt.

"In the end, you chose not to attack Joshua. That was your choice." Thirteen parried Roland's blow and even unleashed a kick that sent the Hero skidding across the sand. "Just like how you made your choice, Joshua made his own. It just so happens that unlike you, he chose to take the initiative to win. That's all that matters."

Thirteen did a backhand blow with his sword, sending the annoying Flying Sword that once again tried to attack him from behind tumbling away.

"Fate is the hand of cards we've been dealt," Thirteen stared at the Hero, whose sword was now shining brightly. "Choice is how we play the hand. But what if I tell you that some people don't have the right to make their own choices? Regardless of the choice they made, the end result would still be the same."

"Shut up!" Roland swung his sword, and a blade of light flashed, momentarily lighting the darkness of the night.

The moment Roland had swung his sword, Thirteen had already jumped to the side, barely evading the attack.

Even so, the force behind it sent sand flying in every direction, making the teenage boy tumble on the sand before righting himself back up.

Thirteen then glanced at his left shoulder and saw a shallow cut that had started to bleed. However, he had no time to worry about such a thing because Roland was once again upon him, his sword creating afterimages that threatened to cut everything in existence. Thirteen felt as if he had been locked in place, unable to dodge the incoming sword strike.

Roland's eyes were now shining brighter than ever, and it was clear that Fate had once again played her hand, with the intention of ending the brat who kept on getting in her way.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om