The Guildmaster floated in the air looking down at the wreck he had caused.

What he had done dawned on him and the moment was surreal.

"I have completed this week’s task without getting infected at all," He muttered softly.

He was the winner of the week. He had beaten Jeremy.

~WHOOSHHHH!!!!~

Despite the notification, he couldn’t believe what was happening and quickly surveyed the area just to see if the Hoarder was lurking anywhere nearby.

He was extremely distrustful as he expected to clash with Jeremy in the round.

His absence spoke volumes in itself as he believed that he had something up his sleeves.

He went back to HQ and was confronted by a smattering of applause at the steps.

Lillith and the team leaders were beaming proudly as they looked at him in awe.

Lillith stepped forward and gave him a warm hug.

He was surprised by her familiarity in public but it felt good.

Her presence comforted him as usual and he lingered a bit in her arms.

"You did really well," She whispered to him before she pulled away.

The others couldn’t be that familiar with him and had to shake his hand.

First up was Nye who bowed low before he shook his outstretched hand.

"I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it happen. How did you know what to do to the portals making them all disappear?"

Paul only smiled without giving a response. Yet again, the revelation the gods gave him in their last meeting about the Apocalypse had given them victory.

Left to him, he wouldn’t have known what to do with the portals and all.

After that, the rest of the team leaders all congratulated him in their various ways.

Tia spoke about how impressed she was by the skill he used which was similar to her own style.

He knew what she was talking about.

He had intentionally used it to drag out the fight.

Releasing a huge torrent of energy to wipe out the demons was less satisfying than killing them individually to satiate the blood lust that he felt.

Done with the well wishes, he excused himself from the group and headed back to the office with Lillith in tow.

There was a wry smile on his face as he thought of something.

Because of the absence of their members, there was now a difference among the team leaders.

The dynamic of their relationship had changed from what it used to be.

They were no longer stoic leaders trying to outdo other teams, they were now friends united by their tragedy.

He wasn’t tired of the sole thought on his mind.

The thought of defeating Jeremy was the only thing that kept him going.

*

*

*

Meanwhile, Jeremy watches all this from a distance with a smile, and Sariel asks him why he is doing this. She asks if it’s the right call to make Paul win this round and risk having the Boss fall into his hands, but Rey shrugs it off and says he knows what he is doing.

"What an idiot," I thought to myself looking at Paul from a distance.

From what I could see, the team leaders gathered around him no doubt praising him for his victory.

Sariel and I were far off from where they were but our vision naturally was far better than that of any gifted.

As usual she didn’t seem too happy with what I was doing.

If I didn’t know any better, I would have sworn that she was pouting.

I was sure she had questions for me and I knew it was only a matter of time before she voiced her concerns.

As if on cue, she spoke up, her voice cutting through the silence.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked, her tone a mix of frustration and genuine curiosity.

"Eh, doing what. Be more specific with your questions."

"You know what I’m talking about. Is it the right call to make Paul win this round and risk having the Boss fall into his hands?"

"Of course it is, you’ll see."

Sariel’s frown deepened, her skepticism clear.

"You’ve been saying that. Educate me on the big plan here."

"If Paul lost the round, he would automatically be disqualified and there would be no fun in that."

"Oh but why would you regard all this as a joke?" She said, her tone incredulous.

"What? Angels don’t have a sense of humour. You have to admit that this is and it’s more fun to drag things out until the last minute."

"So why is it so important to you that Paul stays in the game?" she asked, unable to hide her curiosity.

"Apart from him being my natural nemesis, Paul is a wildcard," I explained, my tone more serious. "His goodness makes him pliable for manipulation and makes things interesting."

"As long as I win in the end, these small victories do not count," I said, chuckling softly as I turned my attention back to the scene unfolding before us.

The team leaders continued to fawn over Paul, oblivious to the fact that they were mere pawns in a much larger game.

Paul’s victory was just the beginning, and soon enough, everyone would see the true extent of my plan.

Sariel might not understand it now, but in time, she would.

For now, I was content to let her doubt and question, knowing that in the end, everything would fall into place.

She remained silent for a moment, her eyes fixed on Paul. I could see now that she was definitely pouting, and I couldn’t help but find it amusing.

It was rare to see the usually composed and stern Sariel display such an emotion.

I could see that she was emotionally invested in my cause.

I took it as a good thing that despite her strength, she wanted to be here, at my side.

I knew she had more questions, and sure enough, she spoke up again.

"I hope you’re right," she said finally, though her tone suggested she was still far from convinced.

"I usually am. Just wait and see."