System's POV

Was betraying his friend worth it?

The questions of the people who were trying to contact his Communicator boiled down to that.

"It wasn't worth it," Joshua said bitterly before draining the can of beer in a single drink.

After that, he crumpled the can and threw it angrily toward the city, as if this was his form of defiance against those who were currently judging him for what he did.

This time, Thirteen reacted to his action and looked at the Sage in a disapproving manner.

"You shouldn't litter, you know?" Thirteen stated. "What if you hit some poor soul with that beer can that you threw? They might suffer injuries, you know?"

"I don't give a flying f*ck!" Joshua replied before laughing. "I don't give a f*ck about whatever everyone says about me anymore!"

The bitterness, despair, and hopelessness were evident in his voice.

And yet, Thirteen merely shrugged before once again glancing at the city.

"You're the smartest in your party, but when it comes down to it, you're the dumbest of them all," Thirteen stated. "Didn't you ever wonder why things turned out like that? Are you not even going to say that I am the one responsible for your downfall?"

Joshua's face slackened a bit because the thought of Thirteen being the mastermind behind everything that happened didn't even cross his mind.

He was wallowing so much in despair and grief that he had no strength left to think if there was some kind of conspiracy in the special event on the deserted island.

"You planned everything?" Joshua asked hoarsely.

"Yep," Thirteen replied. "Everything went according to my plan."

A conflicted expression flashed across Joshua's face.

But instead of being angry, he just sat back down and opened another can of beer before gulping its contents.

"You're not angry?" Thirteen arched an eyebrow as he shifted his attention to the young man who had resumed drinking.

"Even if you planned everything, so what?" Joshua replied. "The one who made the choice to betray Roland was me. I was in complete control of my senses back then, and I made the most logical choice.

"Also, I do believe that what I thought back then was something that Roland had thought as well. However, since he is righteous and the awesome Hero of the masses, he chose what he thought was the most logical choice and accepted that he had no more chance to win.

"Just like he made the most logical choice, I also made the most logical choice. The only difference is that I'm not a righteous person. I did what I did, and I won't blame anyone for it. This is merely the consequence of the choice I made."

"As expected of the Sage of the Hero Party," Thirteen clapped his hands. "A true man. At least, you're not a hypocrite."

Joshua snorted but no longer made any reply.

"So, what are your plans?" Thirteen asked.

"What else?" Joshua asked back. "Go on a mountain or something and become a hermit."

"You'd make a bad hermit."

"I agree."

Joshua then finished the beer in his hand and crumpled the can just like always. He then tossed it aside and took another can.

However, this time, he handed it to Thirteen.

"Want a drink?" Joshua inquired.

"I'm underage," Thirteen replied.

"Your loss," Joshua commented before opening the can and taking a sip.

A minute of silence passed over them before Thirteen spoke once more.

"All it takes is one mistake for someone to fall from grace," Thirteen said as if talking to no one in particular. "But the opposite is also true.

"All it takes is one great deed to make others have a change of opinion of you. Regardless of what you did in the past, as long as what you do next exceeds everyone's expectations, they will have no choice but to change their mind about you."

Joshua didn't say anything because he knew that Zion's words were true.

A few more minutes passed before the silence was broken.

"So, any suggestions on how to do that great deed?" Joshua asked.

"There is only one thing I can suggest," Thirteen replied, staring at the young man with a faint smile on his face. "Say, would you like to join a Secret Organization that will one day rule this world?"

Joshua looked surprised for a bit. However, after that surprise faded, a devilish smile appeared on his face.

"I'm in," Joshua replied.

"I still haven't told you the contract details."

"It doesn't matter. Only a fool won't accept such an enticing offer."

Joshua believed that since Zion could scheme to make him and Roland become at odds with each other, no one was safe from the latter's clutches.

As such, if the teenage boy wanted Joshua to become a Messiah, even if he was covered in filth, he would still be treated as a Messiah by all.

Seeing how sincere and determined the Sage was, the teenage boy smirked as he handed Joshua the same contract he had given Clark, Vincent, and Char.

After reading the contents of the contract, Joshua stared straight at Zion.

A moment later, devilish laughter broke out from their lips, which echoed in the quiet night.

Although it would take some time, Joshua had finally taken that step to embrace a new path that he had forged for himself.

Regardless of where this road would lead him, whether to greatness or ruin, he would not hesitate to step on this road that he had chosen.

"Rejoice, young man," Thirteen stated. "You made the right choice."

A portal then appeared behind Thirteen, and he beckoned for Joshua to enter it.

The Sage of the Hero Party didn't even bat an eye and stepped into the portal without hesitation.

Thirteen followed behind the young man and made the portal disappear behind them.
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