I WAS The Rank–1 Hero-Chapter 168: Act 1: When the Dead Obey

I stood in front of what seemed like an audience hall.

White polished stone walls, surrounding the long stretched floor to an inhumanly massive throne.

At first, I thought it was another one of the visions of Olympus.

But after catching onto some details, my mind changed.

Unlike Olympus, which has 13 high seats, this place only had one.

And that too, out of the ordinary.

The throne was completely black.

It was a contrast to the overall beauty of this place. But even so, it looked majestic.

Lowering my gaze towards my body, I saw no change. My clothes and even my shoes were the same after that corpse smashed my head.

Phew, my head was still tingling… wait…

Did I just die?

A shiver ran down my spine.

But, I didn't feel any pain.

I looked around me.

So, this is where I go, after I die?

I thought back to my time when I died in my original timeline.

It was my first time seeing this place…

I had died two times in my original timeline, and each time I died, I got instantly regenerated.

But now…

It's taking too much time.

Either way, how did that corpse even kill me?

How pathetic.

Its movements were so lousy, I pity this weak body of mine.

Thinking along the line, I started exploring this place.

Ruby must be fighting them alone…

I need to hurry back.

Tak— Tak— Tak—

The sound of my footsteps tapping against the white floor echoed inside this audience hall.

And the more I moved closer to that throne, the more my Essence resonated with it.

Feeling the changes, I murmured.

"How weird."

I can't sense Elementals in here…

None of it.

But, I can feel the presence of something else entirely emitting out from where that black throne stood.

From afar, I couldn't see anything clearly, but even so, that throne was empty.

Now that I think about it—

I haven't seen anyone here.

Am I alone?

Seriously, do I have to land in this weird place every time I die?

My weapons are not with me, only the clothes I was wearing exist here.

Walking further, I stopped in front of the throne.

It looked as big as the ones I saw in that vision of Olympus.

And just by a single glance, I could deduce that once a god sat on this throne.

But who knows, my guess could be wrong, and this throne might turn out to be nothing but a decor.

Then again, is it possible that this throne belongs to some other god except the 13?

No. No.

Sera clearly told me that only 13 gods existed. So, I don't think there's another god other than them.

"This is so big."

Even though I was raising my head to look up, I still couldn't see the top of the throne.

I looked like a mouse in front of this.

"Sigh, how should I get out?"

Do I have to wait until I regain consciousness?

Thinking along those lines, I turned around and walked away from the throne.

Observing the walls, I noticed there was no source of light on the ceiling.

"How is this place lit up?"

I closed in on one of the walls to my left, tracing my fingers along its smooth surface.

The wall itself was emitting light.

"Wow…" I exclaimed in amusement. "This is insane…"

With every touch of my skin, the wall rippled light.

"...Who made this?"

Enjoying the moment, I ran both my hands along the wall, watching the light ripple.

"I want this in my room," I whispered to myself.

"I'm so glad my house is to your liking."

The hair on my nape stood on end as a calm, unknown voice reached my ears from behind, where the throne was.

Sweat dripped from my forehead as I turned around to face the source of the voice.

Two massive red eyes loomed over me from above, a childish grin curling on his lips.

A young face, framed by long black hair tied in a ponytail, dressed in a black suit, boots, and a long black coat, sat lavishly on the throne, staring down at me.

"Welcome to my home."

I froze.

For a moment, my breath hitched, and my body refused to move.

That man on the throne was inhumanly huge, more than 1200 cm tall.

Despite his appearance, my mind didn't feel any danger.

After all, this wasn't the first time I faced something beyond my understanding.

I exhaled slowly, meeting those massive red eyes without flinching.

I wouldn't be foolish enough to show any disrespect in front of him. So, I lowered my posture and bowed to my knees, I curtsied.

"Greetings, I am Zane Skylark," I lifted my head to take a look at his face.

He was smiling, a calm smile that could melt anyone away.

Keeping my voice low, I continued.

"Would you tell me the honor of telling me your name, O great being?"

What the hell even am I saying?!

Seriously, I'm too confused right now, it feels like I will die any moment if I say anything to his dislike.

To my comment, he just sneered.

"Haahahaa, don't be wary, I mean no harm, Zane Skylark. It has been a few years since we met again."

His warm gaze fell on me, "Or, so I thought."

He went into deep thought, rubbing his chin.

Then, out of nowhere, he spoke.

"You are not him."

"..."

I didn't answer the right way, I knew exactly why he was saying all of this.

It was not I but the original Zane of this world he was referring to.

And by his talks, it looks to me he knew him.

And now, he knows that I'm not him.

"Ah," he raised his eyebrows. "So, it's Karton's doing, I see…"

He even deduced that.

"No worries, he and I go a long way. I can overlook this little multiversal trespassing. Hahaa…"

My eyelids twitched.

For some reason, it felt like this one would be a pain to deal with.

"Hmm, what's this?" His eyes scanned me, it felt as if he was reading my entire history.

"You are not alone here… is that a soul sleeping inside your consciousness?"

His red eyes wavered to my forehead.

What is he talking about?

I have no idea.

Squinting his eyes in a serious manner, he notified.

"Is that an elf inside you?"

"Huh?"

I was not expecting this.

An elf? Wait…

"Sera…?" I subconsciously named her out.

"Oh, so her name's Sera."

After saying so, he leaped right in front of me, his body shrinking to a normal human being as he walked towards me.

I wanted to step back and run away, but doing so would be disrespectful, so I just stood there, waiting for him to complete his words.

"Interesting… which world are you from?" he asked curiously.

Which world? Do worlds have names?

Hesitantly, but with confidence, I answered him honestly.

"I don't… really know."

His eyes twitched for the first time, and a confused grin tugged at his face.

"Sigh, Karton, that guy always does the unpredictable."

"Forgive me," he apologized for nothing.

I tilted my head in confusion.

"Why?"

He replied, still wearing that grin. "For calling you that."

"Calling me what?"

His eyelid twitched. "Maybe you have no idea, but…"

He backed away slightly, and with a straight face, he declared.

"You are not a human."

"..."

Why am I not surprised?

At some point, I knew I wasn't one, but hearing someone else stating this, it felt weird.

Wait… how is calling me a human rude?

Now that's something rude.

Either way, this man seems really friendly, and I think he knew this world's Zane.

Muttering enough strength.

"Who are you?" I finally asked.

"Hahaa, how rude of me." He sneered, then raising a hand to his chest, he spoke confidently.

"I'm someone who ruled this place, I'm someone where everything ends. I'm Death."

He threw his arms in a dramatic manner.

"You can simply call me Agroth."

"..."

Now at this point, I gasped.

"A-Agroth, the god of death, Agroth?!"

He nodded.

But… but, wasn't he not supposed to show his appearance to anyone?

And that outfit—black suit, tie, and that long coat. He looked like a freaking celebrity!

Are all gods like him?

"Now then," he asked, amused. "Why must you seek me?"

"No. No!" I waved my hand, "Back away a little, how are you here? I mean, I don't wanna be rude, but, don't you not like making public appearances?"

And let's not forget the fact that he's standing in front of me in that suit no less.

Seriously, his suit is reducing the image of gods in my mind.

"Did that Karton bastard tell you this?" he calmly asked, but I could see the annoyance in his eyes.

Bastard?

I didn't say that, and I don't want random lightning falling over my head on a random occasion.

I don't shit talk god.

To his question, I nodded my head.

I will blame it on Karton. Because he's the one who sent me here.

Let the gods fight!

Agroth grinned.

"Oh, that bastard. And did he also inform you that you are slowly becoming one of us?"

"...Pardon?"