System's POV

After returning from the Order of the Apocalypse, Thirteen gazed at the lively camp of the Wanderers.

The countless campfires illuminated the valley as they ate, chatted, and made their last-minute preparation for their journey when morning came.

Thirteen had not only become their leader but also their emotional support.

Since the majority of them were first-timers, most of them hoped that they would be able to survive and return back home.

Erica and the other Apostles did their best to assure everyone that as long as they worked together, they would be able to overcome the challenges that they were about to face.

Since one of the members of the Hero Party and the Supreme Commander of the Alliance were with them, it wasn't that hard for the newcomers to be encouraged.

While the teenage boy was observing the Wanderers from a distance, a familiar voice spoke behind him.

"A gold coin for your thoughts?"

Thirteen didn't even need to turn around to guess who it was because there was only one person who wasn't afraid to strike up a conversation with him among the Wanderers.

"Only a gold coin?" Thirteen asked as he continued to gaze in the distance. "I'm not that cheap."

"Don't act cool when it's only the two of us," Erica replied as she stood beside the teenage boy, who had disappeared after dinner. "Where did you go earlier?"

"I took a stroll to clear my thoughts," Thirteen answered.

Erica paused for a bit as she gazed at the campfires in the distance.

"This reminds me of my Third Wandering," Erica said softly. "Back then, there were around a hundred Wanderers with me, and we needed to reach a bridge that would take us to safety.

"This bridge was fifty miles away, and on our way there, we needed to play a game of hide and seek with the savage nomads who treated us as prey in their sport.

"Those who got caught died, and the number of people who managed to survive was less than twenty. After crossing the bridge, the mission was cleared, and I was sent back to Pangea.

'I know that missions in Solterra are difficult, and sometimes borderline inhumane. However, those who survive will ultimately become stronger as they gain experience.

"Zion, how many do you think will survive this time?"

Thirteen didn't answer right away as if he was seriously trying to ponder the answer to Erica's question.

A few minutes later, he finally opened his lips and answered her question as honestly as he could.

"I don't know," Thirteen answered. "Even I might not survive this time around."

Erica, who heard his answer, frowned.

It was fine if he had said that he didn't know how many would survive.

But Zion saying that he might not survive this mission was not. She found his answer hard to believe.

Erica wasn't aware that similar to the Wanderers who were currently in the Keebo Valley, she, too, had thought of the teenage boy beside her as her emotional support.

If her emotional support suddenly collapsed, then it would greatly affect her state of mind.

"Are you not confident?" Erica asked. "Even after you managed to get the Shard of Origin from the Goblin Emperor and save us?"

"It may sound absurd to you, but don't be naive," Thirteen replied. "Even I have the right to bleed."

Erica sighed before hugging the teenage boy from behind.

"Don't worry. If you faint again, I'll make sure to bathe you every day."

"Remind me to sue you once we return to Pangea."

"I dare you to sue me. Let's see if you can win."

Thirteen and Erica spent a few minutes of silence like that. He didn't push her away nor pry her hands off his body because there was no need to do so.

Erica, on the other hand, continued to hug the teenage boy because she felt safe being around him.

Rianna had once said that Zion was like a lucky charm.

"Regardless of how difficult the situation is, as long as he is with you, things will get solved in the end."

Those were the exact words Rianna had told her, and after seeing the teenage boy in action, Erica was now one of her believers.

Finally, after nearly half an hour, Thirteen lightly tapped Erica's arm.

"Go to sleep," Thirteen said. "We still have a long journey tomorrow."

"Mmm." Erica pulled back. "Good night, Zion. Sleep well."

"You too," Thirteen replied. "Good night."

Fifteen minutes later…

"…"

Thirteen looked at the sleeping Sorceress, who had decided to sleep in the wagon where he and Sherry stayed together.

"Why is she here?" Thirteen asked Sherry, who was also about to sleep.

"She said you gave her permission to sleep here," Sherry replied in confusion. "Did you not give her permission to sleep here?"

The teenage boy shook his head, but since Erica was already fast asleep, there was no point in waking her up.

"It's fine," Thirteen said. "This wagon is big enough to let twelve people sleep. Good night, Sherry."

"Good night." Sherry nodded and laid down on the sleeping bag Thirteen had given her.

Thirteen then closed the rear of the wagon to make sure that no one would disturb them during the night.

Only after he was done did he take out his own sleeping bag and lay down to sleep.

"Goodnight, Tiona."

Tiona flicked her tongue on Thirteen's cheek before coiling up on his chest to rest.

Tomorrow, Sharroc would guide them toward the Stronghold of Wenpolis, which was located near the Lizardmen Tribes.

The Lizardmen once thought that taking over the Stronghold was a good idea.

But they soon abandoned this thought because the One-Way Portal would occasionally release a wave of energy that made the Lizardmen feel sick.

Since then, they abandoned the stronghold and never bothered with it again.

Truth be told, Sharroc and Drazzat were very shocked when Thirteen said that all the humans would be entering the portal.

They thought that they were insane, but since the teenage boy didn't look like he was joking, the only thing they could do was escort them to the stronghold to see with their eyes whether they would truly enter the portal or not.