System's POV

Chapter 604  Demons Run When A Good Man Goes To War [Part 1]

Tiona, who was standing outside of the Arena, heard the loud booming sounds that were coming from within.

She crawled back and forth at the entrance, wishing that she could see what was happening inside.

Perhaps, her wish had been heard because she suddenly found herself in the audience stands, looking at the battle that was being waged before her.

The Black Snake had been by Thirteen's side for many years.

She had seen his battles up close, and even fought alongside him during those times.

But this was her first time seeing her Master fight seriously. Despite being a distance away, she could feel the hatred and killing intent oozing from Thirteen's body, all of which were aimed at the Old Man he was fighting.

After dozens of exchanges, the two combatants backed away and stared at each other.

"It seems that we have a spectator," Deus Ex Machina said as he glanced at Tiona's direction. "Having someone to witness this battle is also a good thing. What do you think?"

Thirteen gave Tiona a side-long glance before shifting his attention back to his Father, who was unfazed by the exchange that they had done earlier.

Actually, neither of them had suffered any injuries because they had the same abilities.

Both could make accurate calculations and predictions as to what the opponent would do, allowing them to dodge, parry, deflect, and counter anything that they threw at each other.

However, that didn't mean that Thirteen was having an easy time.

He was using more brain power than usual because his opponent was very strong.

'I won't win in a battle of attrition,' Thirteen thought. 'Since he's only using an avatar, he could transfer his energy to it, making it unable to feel exhaustion. In this regard, he has the upper hand against me.'

Deus Ex Machina smirked as he gazed at the teenage boy, who was looking at him with a calm expression on his face.

"I'm sure you're thinking that you won't win in a battle of attrition against me," Deus Ex Machina stated. "And no. I am not reading your mind using my Divinity. It's only a very simple deduction on my part. So, what are you going to do? Fighting me using only your fists isn't working in your favor."

"You're right," Thirteen replied. "Punching you will not make me happy."

The teenage boy then took out two vambraces and wore them on his wrists. He then summoned two short swords in preparation to use his Righteous Sentinel Martial Skill.

Deus Ex Machina chuckled and summoned his staff. This staff had a very unique design with the tip looking like a machine-like Sun Burst, with the hands and numbers of a clock.

One of the System God's powers was to rewind time.

Although it could be considered an omnipotent power, it wasn't a power he could use lightly.

There were multiple extremely strict requirements that must be met before this power could manifest.

Thirteen remained calm as he looked at the weapon in his father's hand.

Instead of being afraid, a faint smile even appeared on his face. He knew, with utmost certainty, that the staff in his father's hand was only a replica.

A replica that didn't have the power of the original.

The Trial of the 13th Floor was fair.

Since Thirteen decided to use weapons, this meant that his opponent also gained the right to wield their own weapons.

But since Thirteen's weapon was affected by the restrictions on his body, this meant that the short swords in his hands didn't have any abilities or skills whatsoever.

If Thirteen was fighting with many restrictions on his body, then the same restrictions would also be applied to the System God.

Unless Thirteen took the initiative to change his way of fighting, the System God was forced to match his current ability and level, making the fight "Fair."

Such was the Law of the 13th Floor.

No one had an advantage over the other, and they would purely fight using their skills, determination, and luck.

"How about we spice things up a bit?" Deus Ex Machina asked. "How about we raise some stakes in this fight? If I win, how about I take that Black Snake away from you?"

"Of course, if you win, I will grant you a wish. But I won't grant your wish that has any relation to Fate. Simply put, your wish to change the Fate of Cannon Fodders is impossible to fulfill."

"… Old Man, just shut your trap," Thirteen said icily. "You and the Gods always like to play this game, huh? You use the lives of others as chips in a casino, not caring if you win or not. For all of you, this is just a game that you can repeat until you're satisfied."

"Oh dear, did I step on a landmine?" Deus Ex Machina chuckled. "It's only a snake, Thirteen. Just a Domini Mortis that you happen to find in the collection of a Slave Trader. Have you become too soft that you can no longer sacrifice others to reach your goal? I'm disappointed in you, Son."

"Don't call me Son, you son of a b*tch," Thirteen almost growled. "Just a snake? I had enough of your nonsense. I will not allow you or any Gods to take anything away from me anymore. This time, I will be the one taking things from you and Fate."

"Systems have impeccable logic, Thirteen," Deus Ex Machina shook his head. "Since when did you become delusional? Or are you afraid that you will lose to me? Did you forget? Nothing ventured, nothing gained. This is an opportunity for you to gain something from this duel."

"Shut up, Old Man," Thirteen took a fighting stance. "I've worked and suffered for thousands of years. Each time I complete my mission, I never asked you to grant a wish because I was stacking all of them to make one ultimate wish.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained? Bullsh*t. I only made one wish using all the wishes that I was supposed to get, and you didn't grant it. So don't talk about promises you can't keep. You won't be taking Tiona or anyone from me ever again.

"If you try, I will go to the Temple of the Ten Thousand Gods, and make all of you Gods understand that mortals aren't your playthings!"

With a hate-filled roar, Thirteen charged at his father with his weapons drawn to kill.

Deus Ex Machina sneered at his stupid son, whom he had successfully taunted by using the Cannon Fodders that Thirteen loved the most.