On a beautiful resort island, dismembered limbs littered the ground. The scene cast a desolate shadow over the paradise.
Thirteen stood there, suitcase in hand, waiting for his pickup helicopter.
"Is this what you wanted, Judas?" A young voice sounded behind him.
Thirteen turned. A handsome youth stood there, bathed in sunlight.
"I don't understand what you're talking about," Thirteen said.
"You can't fool me, Judas. I know everything," the youth said. Other Heroes would've been shocked. This man was one of humanity's ten strongest guardians. The Son of God. One of only ten SS Ranks alive.
"I'm just here on vacation. And don't call me Judas. I'm Thirteen," Thirteen replied.
"Why did the Sea Clan know their princess was auctioned here? Others don't know. But I do. You leaked it. That's your specialty, isn't it?"
"Believe what you want," Thirteen said. "You wouldn't accept it was coincidence anyway."
"Deity has already arranged everything," the Son of God said. "Is this what you wanted? Nearly three thousand died on Paradise Island. All for one abandoned girl."
"A garbage dump running slave trades underground? And live experiments deeper down?" Thirteen sneered. "Destroying it to save a pure girl's future? I call that a fair trade."
"Do you know why we never moved against this place before?" the Son of God asked.
"Not interested."
"It gave us vital intel on dark forces," the Son of God explained.
"So you let evil keep breeding here?" Thirteen said.
"Deity ordained their sacrifice. Only then can we march toward a better future."
"Your Deity didn't arrange me."
"Judas!"
"I said: don't call me that. I'm Thirteen. And I don't believe in your Deity." Thirteen's warm expression turned icy. "I've never considered myself a sinner."
"You've always been a sinner, Judas. From your birth, it was destined."
"What an unjust Deity," Thirteen said. "Didn't your Deity plan for you to rebuild civilization after Judgment Day? But 'Zero' resolved it directly. So Deity miscalculates too! Your mission ended before it began. Return to your Deity's embrace early."
"Judas! As long as I live, my mission isn't over! I'll watch you, Judas! You're weak, but I won't let another Paradise Island happen." The Son of God vanished in a flash of light.
Watching him leave, Thirteen's cold face melted into a warm smile.
...
Xiao Tower's rooftop buzzed with a celebration. Dozens partied there.
"Why isn't Thirteen back yet?" Xiao Zhan asked.
"I just called," Lin Jie said. "His third helicopter crashed again. He's stranded on a small island with the third pilot, waiting for rescue."
"Then we won't wait." Xiao Zhan took a remote from Shadow's hand. Shadow stood beside him in a maid outfit.
"Brothers, let's party!" Xiao Zhan shouted, pressing the remote. Energetic music blasted through the hall.
...
"Brother Yatan, you're here?" Black Gold and White Gold approached Yatan. They noticed a man beside him.
"That guy! Isn't he Weapon from Evolution Corporation?" White Gold exclaimed.
"We fought for hours in the Peach Grove," Yatan said. "We respected each other's skills. He submitted to me. He's family now."
"Oh? So our team just got stronger!" Black Gold cheered.
His words left them stunned.
"Recruiting all these muscleheads—aren't you worried about rumors?" Lin Jie asked Winter Xueer, who sipped wine. He popped open a soda.
"What should I fear? The Gay Bros Alliance is H City's most famous gay alliance," Winter Xueer smiled.
"Huh?" Lin Jie froze, then fell into thought.
"What's wrong?" Winter Xueer asked.
"I ate roast duck with them days ago," Lin Jie said. "Drank too much. Did we do anything weird? Damn! I can't remember!" He rubbed his head and chugged soda.
"That missing Evolution Corporation guy still isn't found?" Winter Xueer said.
"Don't worry," White Gold said. "My brothers have leads. He'll be caught by tomorrow morning."
...
On H City's outskirts, Mr. Gan trembled, surrounded by muscular men with golden shields and spears.
"Accept justice's sanction," one said.
"Wait! I surrender! I'm non-combatant! I demand humane treatment and a lawyer! What are you—? No! Sector C is terrifying!!" Mr. Gan's wails echoed across the fields.
"Embrace our re-education! Maybe we'll let you join my alliance."
...
At the party, Glasses Bro got bumped. His glasses fell, cracking deeper. They were already damaged from past fights.
"Sage Glasses! Are you okay?" Glasses Bro cried sadly.
*'O future King of Glasses! My mission is nearly complete.'*
"No! Hold on! I'll fix you!" Glasses Bro pleaded.
*'I've been broken since your last battle.'*
"Don't say that."
*'Listen, future King. I'm fading, but your path continues. Before I go, tell the lady glasses on shelf 20, third row, third spot in the eyeglasses store...'*
Before it finished, Lin Jie ran past and stepped on the glasses. They fell silent.
"Sorry! Soda emergency! You have spares, right?" Lin Jie yelled, sprinting to the restroom.
"Ahh! Sage Glasses!" Glasses Bro's sobs clashed with the party's cheer.
"Crying over glasses at your age? Shameful," Winter Leaf said, handing him a tray. "Try this roast duck. It's good."
"You wouldn't understand my bond with them," Glasses Bro said, taking it. He glanced at his bandaged hand.
"Right—you can't hold a fork. Open up..." Winter Leaf speared duck meat toward his mouth.
"Ara ara, seems I saw something I shouldn't have," Winter Xueer appeared behind her. Startled, Winter Leaf flung the fork onto Glasses Bro's face.
"W-we're nothing!! I just pitied him! Like feeding a stray dog! Yeah, just a stray dog!" Winter Leaf stammered.
"Huh? I haven't said anything yet," Winter Xueer smiled sweetly.
"You bastard!"
"Sister Lin, what are they doing?" a little girl asked, pointing at them.
"You'll understand when you're older," Lin Wan said, wiping cream from the girl's mouth.
