Reincarnated With An SSS-Rank Talent In An Apocalyptic World-Chapter 104: The One

Riding a horse alongside Luthor and nearly a thousand human soldiers, we headed back to Solinthar while he explained the state of not just the empire—but the world.

Valefor was a land once ruled by dragons centuries ago. Their incredible power had kept the peace. But ever since their death, the realm had been locked in endless wars over which race would rise to the top of the food chain.

The realm was now divided among four primary powers:

Orcs – The Bloodfang Hordes

Elves – The Verdant Dominion

Humans – The Ashen Realms

Dwarves – The Ironclad Bastions

Each race once held vast territories, but centuries of war slowly redrew the map.

The cause of the conflict?

Aether.

A cataclysmic event followed shortly after the dragons’ extinction. It destroyed one of the Ancient Dragon Tombs, releasing a massive surge of raw Aether into the land.

All four factions raced to seize the "Dragonheart Crater," believed to be a source of untapped power. For a while, humans had the upper hand—suppressing the others with sheer numbers and potent magic. But their dominance triggered an unholy alliance.

And it wasn’t just the main races.

Smaller factions—goblins, beastkin, fae—served as mercenaries. Together, they pushed humanity back. Now, mankind teetered on the brink of extinction.

The Solinthar Empire, once proud, was known as the Empire of Six Rings—a name derived from the six concentric sections of the capital. At the center stood the emperor’s sanctum. But over generations of bloodshed and defeat, humans had been forced to retreat, ring by ring, until they now lived within the sacred lands once thought reserved only for the emperor.

We were currently in the Second Ring Territory.

According to Luthor, scattered detachments of the Elves and Orcs were amassing for an assault on the final ring. Field Arcanists and their forces had been tasked with hunting down these squads before they could merge with the main army.

But they couldn’t pull too many soldiers from the capital. That forced them into battles where they were grievously outnumbered.

Ding!

[Kïtæ has activated Berserk Mode and is trying to break through the pocket dimension by all means. He will fail.]

The system’s notification brought a small smile to my lips. That made things easier. Berserk Mode’s backlash was harsher on him than on me, due to the difference in vitality. If I lacked high vitality, I’d be a cripple after using it. Right now, Kïtæ would soon be a burden—useless and spent.

"What about you, Great Traveler?" a feminine voice asked softly.

It was the purple-haired girl—Kylie.

"What is your world like?" she asked, eyes bright with curiosity.

"Kylie!" Luthor and the timid warlock, Robert, rebuked her at once.

But I casually waved off their worries.

"My world is completely controlled by humans," I said as I unbuckled the Rai’ki rings from my belt. Their gazes locked onto them, gasps echoing around me.

"The Aether you now fight desperately to claim... we’ve already mastered it. We’ve learned to weaponize it."

"Wooooow..." Kylie leaned in closer, eyes wide with awe—until Robert grabbed her collar and yanked her back.

"I apologize for my student’s rudeness. She’s... the curious type," Luthor said with a bow.

"I know," I replied, buckling the weapons back onto my utility belt. "I know quite a lot of things. Be it warfare, science, combat... you name it."

"But you look younger than me," Kylie said, and Robert tugged at her robe again, clearly trying to keep her quiet.

I chuckled.

Their eyes watched me, confused.

Then I looked around—from face to face, even at the military officers trailing behind, all pretending not to listen in.

"I know a lot," I said slowly, "because this is my hundredth life."

Buzz!

Everyone froze.

Even the outspoken Kylie was stunned into silence.

"Great Traveler," Luthor finally managed to speak. "If I may ask... Wh-what do you mean by hundredth life?"

I raised an eyebrow.

I expected surprise—but not this level of awe.

Still, I answered. It was all part of the plan: to establish dominance. A sense of superiority. Make my words hold weight. Make me irreplaceable.

"For every life I’ve lived, I’ve kept my memories," I said. "I’ve walked with the heavens... and I’ve stared into the abyss. And now—"

I raised a hand toward the sky, blocking the sun with my fingers.

"—I’ve decided to cover the heavens with these hands."

Slowly, I lowered my gaze to meet theirs. A cruel smile formed as a burning red light shone from my eyes.

"I will climb the heavens... and I will take the place of God."

Buzz!

The horses stopped moving.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on me. The moment lingered in stunned silence.

Then, as if by silent command, they dismounted.

One by one, they fell to their knees—heads lowered.

Even Luthor had tears in his eyes. Kylie trembled, holding back sobs.

"I always believed in the prophecy," Luthor said, crying like a child, "but I never thought I’d live to see its fulfillment."

"GREAT ONE! THESE HUMBLE HUMANS WELCOME YOU!"

Ding!

[Greatest Solinthar Empire Achievement Unlocked: The One]

[Humans of this world grew up with a prophecy of unknown origins which states that the heavens have been unfair to humanity. But that will change. One day, a human who has overcome the cycle of life, death, and reincarnation will rise. He will challenge the heavens, liberate mankind, and become the first human god. They believe you are The One.]

[+10,000 EXP | +20 Solinthar Fragments | +20 EP]

I blinked, staring at the system log. Then I looked forward—and saw dozens, hundreds, bowing at my feet.

It was a reverence I had never truly felt. Not even Emma Velen of Velenhorst had submitted to me like this.

My reason for sharing my past had been simple: build reputation, create awe, and manipulate their perception. But these people...

They had a prophecy about me.

I wasn’t just an outsider anymore.

I was destiny.

I was The One.

[Do not let their delusion fool y—]

’SILENCE!’ I snarled.

The system obeyed.

I wouldn’t let it ruin this moment.

I wouldn’t let it steal my destiny.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by f(r)eew𝒆bn(o)vel.com