Reincarnated With An SSS-Rank Talent In An Apocalyptic World-Chapter 118: Heaven’s Games

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Even before we reached the walls, frantic cheers erupted from the city. The massive walls were filled to the brim with people, and from the horse a distance, I could see the Queen, Serena, and Caelum.

In front of the gates were soldiers—beaten and battered but in high spirits. Varic stood ahead of them with a look of ecstasy that made me fear this old man might die from joy.

"Absolute Victory!" Luthor cheered. "Prince Thalorien and his ten-thousand-strong army were defeated by the Great One!"

The old man didn’t even wait for us to arrive before screaming my achievements. It was like a child running to show off his new toy to his mother as soon as he got his hands on it.

His words silenced the crowd. Glances were exchanged. Clearly, they expected me to win—but no one expected this kind of victory. From their expressions, I could tell Prince Thalorien was held in high regard by these people. And it made sense.

Why wouldn’t they respect a man capable of going toe-to-toe with me—and even killing me when my stats were around 18 points? He was stronger than most Limitless I had come across and might even win against Lord Ravus.

Sigh!

But for some reason, I didn’t share their excitement. The victory was secured, but it was safe to say I was pushed to my limit in this fight. If that army had a few Magus or capable fighters who could back up Thalorien, things would have ended very differently.

Ding!

[New Achievement Unlocked: Messiah of Solinthar.]

[By achieving a decisive victory with zero casualties on your side, the people finally recognize you as a being worthy to be called God. The human race in Valefor will unite in your name, children will sing your praises, and the generations to come will pray to you like a deity.]

[+10,000 EXP and 1 Question]

The rewards lightened my mood, but that was all they did. I wasn’t excited or bouncing with pride—just okay.

That didn’t change as I walked through the streets of Solinthar, listening to the people chant "Great One." I just gazed at their faces blankly, wondering if the backlash had something to do with my mood.

This was my victory—yet it felt empty.

---

—Private Bathhouse—

The steaming hot pool warmed my body and soul. My eyes fluttered open as images of my fight with Thalorien flashed across my mind, replaying with so much detail it felt like I was reliving it.

I had underestimated him, and it nearly cost me my life. If he had known that attack couldn’t kill me, he would’ve gone for my head instead. If I’d been decapitated, it would have been over before I had the chance to strike back.

"Reckless," I muttered.

Knock! Knock!

My brows knitted as the door opened without my approval. Serena walked in with a new set of similar clothes like the last time, and once again, her gaze fell on the black pool.

"You don’t seem happy," she said as she walked over to the stone bench.

I watched her place the clothes down, but this time, she didn’t leave. She sat there and gazed at me intently.

She was dressed in a loose red gown that matched the color of her hair. The fabric was semi-translucent—easy to see through. And I was certain she knew that.

So why?

What was her intention?

Now that you’ve confirmed the greatness of the One, you plan to lock him down?

Women...

"It’s nothing serious. I just need time to clear my head." I returned my gaze to the steel doors.

"I’m sorry..." Her voice made me squint. "I’m sorry I didn’t believe in you when you wanted me to."

To that, I only nodded and shut my eyes, knowing engaging in the discussion would only make her talk more. But it seemed I underestimated the tenacity of this lady as she brought up another topic I couldn’t ignore.

"Sir Luthor told me about your plan to seal the valley and how you need my grimoire for that."

My eyes opened again, and my gaze slowly shifted to her. Initially, I thought it was the Queen’s grimoire, but thinking about it now, the Queen is very old and she was next in line—so it made sense it was already in Serena’s possession.

"Will you let me take a look?" I asked directly.

Serena was taken aback by my bluntness. She probably expected us to dance around the topic before diving in.

"I’m sorry, but it is limited to royalty and should not be used by anyone else," she shook her head. "However... you can become a member of my family..."

"I will not marry you, Princess." I cut her off instantly, and she jolted back in shock.

She clearly didn’t expect a direct response like that.

"Your prophecy speaks of a man who will liberate your people and go on to liberate many more humans in different worlds before taking the place of God. Do not let your personal greed ruin my future—and the future of billions of humans scattered across the universe." I scolded harshly, and she turned pale.

"I..." she stuttered as she rose to her feet.

Her eyes darted around anxiously before she speed-walked out of the room without another word.

Sigh!

Letting out a breath of relief, I looked toward the clothes, while a thought reached my mind.

This isn’t my victory. ƒгeewebnovёl_com

I finally realized why the celebration didn’t excite me. Earlier today, I began suspecting everything had been orchestrated by the system. Maybe that’s why I was infuriated—because I knew this wasn’t my win.

"I’m using my free question," I said. "Why did you send me here?"

Silence.

There was no response from the system for a few seconds, after which it finally replied:

[Because the dark entity has found this planet. That is why Gatekeepers have been deployed to this world to resist it.]

"Gatekeepers?" My eyes narrowed. "More than one?"

[You have used up your free question.]

Bastard!

I facepalmed, wondering why I acted so impulsively. I should’ve structured my question better to get the maximum information possible. However, from the little I got—my suspicion had been proven right.

All of this love and fame I was receiving had been orchestrated by the system. If it sent me here, then it means the system needs me to revive humanity and fight back against the dark entity.

In the end, I and the other Gatekeepers were nothing more than pawns in the battle between the heavens and the abyss.