Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1183: God of Death

The Envoy of Death led Kahn to the remnants of the old Abyss Empire’s capital, where they found the Abyssal Altar of Darkness.

Seoseung Saja then enacted the ancient chant to activate it, and finally, the ginormous existence called the Eye of Eternal Death, awoke from its slumber.

The aura was a hundred times even deadlier and far more oppressive than the whole region surrounding them. Compared to the pressure from the cyclones and rumbling sky they saw before, Kahn now felt like he was submerging inside the deepest level of the sea.

He couldn’t move or even breathe as if his body would shatter if he tried.

Finally, Seojeung Saja cited the forgotten ancient chant...

”Oppa, Saranghae!”

Rumble!

The Eye finally reverted its deadly aura, and Kahn regained control over his body.

”Those who see it will not even have a place in Hell after they die.

This may look like an eye... but it is actually one of the eyes of of God of Darkness, acting as the true gateway to the Eternal Abyss.

This one resides in Vantrea while the other one resides in the realm of gods. ” iterated the statue in a cold tone.

”So that’s why he has no eyeballs but just glowing red eye sockets. The real eyes are somewhere else.” said Kahn with a realization.

”Now follow my command.” said Jeoseung Saja.

In the next few minutes, Kahn undressed himself and even left behind all his weapons and the Tablet of Arcana.

He stepped into the centre of the altar, right below the ginormous eye.

Crack!

Crack!

Four long pillars arose from the floor, and before Kahn could ask any questions.

Stab!

Stab!

Multiple chains made of netherworld energy, the highest form of darkness, impaled his body without any resistance.

”What’s happening?!” asked Kahn as he felt severe pain. If anyone else were here instead of him, they would’ve instantly fainted on the spot.

”To meet the God of Death... you must die.” replied the Envoy of Death in a grim voice.

Next, the pitch-black sword that Jeoseung Saja carried with him turned bigger, now as long as a regular sword.

Stab!

The sword stabbed into Kahn’s back and passed right through his heart/core.

BOOM!!

Kahn’s body exploded instantly; not even his bones remained, while the 50-kilometer radius was simply obliterated into nothingness.

Everything other than the Eye of Eternal Death was simply vaporized, including the Tablet of Arcana.

And soon, the reality itself started changing as if a new world was being created right then.

Swoosh!

Finally, Kahn’s blue cosmic aether form was revealed; this wasn’t his body but his true soul.

Yet, before Kahn could grasp the situation, he felt a force pulling him inside the Eye of Eternal Death.

BLIP!

Kahn couldn’t resist for even a second and entered the black vertical slit in the eye.

After a time unknown to him, for which he had no idea how long... Kahn opened his eyes.

And the first thing he saw...

It was a 50-kilometer-tall giant dragon, chained in front of him.

ROARRR!!!

The largest dragon he had seen in his life was chained, while massive swords and spears, each 15 kilometers long, were impaling it again and again.

It was writhing in pain, but Kahn could tell that it was there for some reason.

Kahn’s soul then floated and saw a few other beings, including a Godbeast Baihu from a bygone era, that was chopped from head to toe, then thrown into a violet acid pit. Then it was remade back to its peak healthy form, only to repeat the cycle again and again.

This was their punishment. And this place was definitely not hell.

”So we meet again after such a short time.” a harrowing a grim voice echoed in the realm.

Kahn turned his head around and quickly saw a limitless being sitting on a throne that spanned for thousands of kilometers, but appeared so far yet felt as if it was just a few hundred meters away from him.

As for the being sitting on the throne, with bone-like fleshly hands, dark red set of glowing eyes under the black hood, and chains worn around the obsidian armor it wore...

It was the God of Darkness.

******************

After 6 years since his arrival... Kahn finally met the God of Darkness again.

The God, in return, looked at Kahn.

BOOM!!

Kahn died a few more thousand deaths.

”Why? Why is it you and not him?!” asked God of Death wrathfully.

Minutes after Kahn regained control over his soul...

”Nice to see you too. But I’d appreciate it if you could stop killing me every time we meet.” replied Kahn.

Sigh!

”If you have any problems with the Martial Emperor, you can take it up with him.” replied Kahn.

He already anticipated this type of ’warm’ greeting.

”How? He has already achieved true death. But the Transcendent Rune of Reminiscence has alleviated the aftereffects.

You and I still remember him. I’m certain that the records of the Elder Dragon Saalazaar also still exist.

Those little impetuous, ungrateful runts... they pulled one over me.” said the god of darkness with an exasperated tone.

”Can you blame him? I was skeptical at first why he allowed me to stay in charge instead of taking over from me that day...

But now I understand,” responded Kahn.

”He said that he never changed from the old Elric until it was too late. And I know my old thought process in the first life.

By that time... I would simply be tired of everything. Whether it was leading billions of lives to war or even saving the whole multiverse.

I would want to rest and be done with every kind of responsibility. And I’m pretty sure that’s why he chose to die instead of going through all of these shenanigans about the war with the Demon God.

Honestly, I can’t blame him.” said Kahn, almost lamenting on the life he never lived.

”So what now? What use do you have to offer if you’re no longer him but a completely new person?

Can you use the knowledge of the future like he could have, and make sure that the Demon God dies for certain?

What about other Heroes and Heroines? We both know that some of them will be your enemies, and some will even betray you.

Although Raum and Termeszet have informed me that their chosen heroes have forged ties with you with their blessings, the situation isn’t very open or fully established.” iterated God of Darkness with an incredulous countenance.

”Rome wasn’t built in a day. Besides, the Great War will have us meet one another in the future.

We can deepen our ties later. But that’s not what I’m most concerned about.” said Kahn, replying casually.

”What I wish to know of the most at this moment is why... why did you not tell me about the Abyss Empire?” asked Kahn with an expectant gaze.

”Iron doesn’t turn into Steel without smelting inside a furnace.

If I had told you about their survival, which even the original you found out much later and by chance... would you have turned into the man you’re now?

Would you be capable of leading and making hard decisions naturally if you had relied on others?

Because I absolutely don’t need someone like your predecessors with a sense of righteousness or have a dilemma about good and evil.

I need a chosen hero who knows the reality of the world and knows that some sacrifices must be made for the bigger cause.” responded God of Death to Kahn’s complaint.

”Even the original you was no different. There were times during the Great War when he was needed to perform some important tasks first.

But instead, he went around saving millions of lives. People so insignificant that even I, the ruler of death, would’ve found their deaths repulsive and negligible after they died.

He may have saved billions of lives with his decisions. But the result also let other heroes and heroines gain more power and control.

If not for his lofty ideals and sense of justice, he could’ve killed the Demon God before the Hero of Time even fought him and returned to the past.

I bet he didn’t tell you about his own incompetence, did he?” taunted the god.

Kahn was surprised by this revelation.

Although the Martial Emperor told him a lot, there were still many things and events throughout the Great War that he didn’t mention.

Even though it was understandable, given how the Timeline was going to reset itself and he couldn’t reveal more than he should... but it was a possibility that he may have had a few fuckups of his own.

”The Hero of Sentience is doing the exact same thing he did in the original timeline. And when you face him in this timeline... make sure you finish what the original one couldn’t.” said God of Darkness in a reprimanding tone.

”I guess you can’t tell what he did and what will happen due to the effect on the timeline, just like the original me could not, right?” asked Kahn skeptically.

”You have grown a few brain cells, it seems. And I want to remind you of something...” responded the god of death.

BOOMM!!

This time, Kahn underwent a few more million deaths in the most excruciating way possible. Even his soul started almost dispersing into nothingness.

”I do not like your tone... BOY!”

Kahn felt his soul almost shattering into nothingness.

”The last time I tolerated it was because the original you returned to the exact moment before the summoning in the world boundary.

So I had no choice but to play that little game where you insulted and disrespected me with your words and demeanor.

And a loser like you fell for our tricks and chose the exact divine abilities we wanted.

However... the real you who had earned my recognition is gone.

So I do not assume that I would tolerate your casual tone... especially not from this ’Lesser version’ of you.” said the god in a contemptuous tone.

”The previous one at least knew how to show sincerity and respect when it was due. But now, you seem to have forgotten your place,” he cited in a terrifying voice that shook Kahn.

”Embody this truth in your heart and remember this one fact very clearly.” said the God of Darkness with fury in his voice.

The next moment, his thunderous divine decree echoed...

”YOU! SERVE! ME!”