Reincarnated With An SSS-Rank Talent In An Apocalyptic World

A strong, cold wind poured into the dark room, causing my hair to whip violently to the left. I was seated on my king-sized bed in a cross-legged position, with Rai'ki laid out nicely by my sides.

I had no shirt on and I let my hair fall.

With my eyes shut, I zoned out of the chaos surrounding me and completely focused on my breathing to calm my body and mind. It was stupid of me to think I wouldn't be found out after invading the territory of a Gatekeeper and spamming the door skill numerous times.

In my defense, I expected Lee Bai would leave as soon as he lost Louisiana—but it seemed I was terribly wrong.

Now it's time I fix the mistake or die trying.

Clank!

The room door swung open and my eyes slowly opened.

As expected, Lee Bai walked in with a glass of milk in hand and a confident smile, like he owned the place.

My eyes narrowed slightly at the sight, but he didn't seem to care. Casually, I walked over to the other end of the room where my sodas and glass table were located and sat down.

"Nice home," he said while glancing around with an infested smile. "But I guess you wouldn't know, since you probably haven't gotten the chance to survey your property."

His voice didn't sound masculine or feminine. It was somewhere in between—unnaturally pleasant.

"Lee Bai…" My eyebrows knitted, but my hands didn't go for Rai'ki yet.

I watched him gently sip the milk like he was drinking expensive tea. His gaze was fixated on my figure with a disturbing level of interest.

"I see," he finally said a few seconds later and gently dropped the glass cup on the table. "You're a warrior, not a leader."

My left eyebrow raised in confusion. While I wanted to get this over with as soon as possible, my curiosity led me to ask the question.

"What do you mean?"

Lee Bai chuckled and leaned forward before responding.

"For Gatekeepers, there are two paths we can walk. One is the path of a leader, the other is the path of a warrior," he explained, but I tilted my head slightly as a sign of confusion.

Sigh.

Letting out an exhausted breath, he leaned back before speaking.

"When was the last time you opened the Empire Upgrade List?" he asked.

Buzz!

My eyes narrowed at the question as I was reminded of the first and only time I opened the list—which was when I still had Nightfall Dominion territory under my control. I glanced at it once and never bothered opening it again, even after gaining this new territory.

"Warriors like you focus most of your experience points into leveling up and upgrading themselves. While leaders focus their experience points on upgrading their territories and armies. They avoid stepping into the light of fighting on the front lines like you do," Lee Bai explained.

Slowly, my eyes widened in realization as I began piecing a few things together.

If what this man says is true, doesn't that make him a leader-type Gatekeeper?

Does that mean he's weak in person?

If that's the case, doesn't that mean I can win?

My eyes steeled with resolve, but I wasn't in a hurry to make a move.

"Is that what you came here to tell me?" I asked, and Lee Bai began laughing.

He crossed his legs and leaned back, with his arms folded around his chest.

"Did you really think I was coming to kill you?" he chuckled.

My hands balled into a fist but I said nothing, just nodding.

Sigh.

Lee Bai sighed loudly and shook his head.

"Unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of losing another Gatekeeper on our side. We are already overwhelmed." He laughed, and my frown deepened.

His words made no sense. What did he mean by that?

"Speak clearly," I demanded.

"Aren't you the one who used the Omen Pulse, killing both your allies and my soldiers?" he raised an eyebrow.

Buzz!

Not only does he know I did it—he also knows the name of the skill!

Slowly, I nodded at his words, still waiting for a better explanation.

"Gatekeepers like you, who are forced to use dark talents, are not rare," he said. "The only difference is most of them give in to the Abyss's offer of freedom and become Dark Keepers."

Upon hearing the name Dark Keepers, I felt a shiver run down my spine. I don't know why, but the name made me feel oddly uncomfortable.

"Don't worry, it's okay to be afraid—because they are that terrifying," Lee Bai chuckled. "They come with the darkness and seek out Gatekeepers. At this rate, we may all get wiped out soon."

This wave of information made me frown deeply.

This was too much to process in a meeting that was supposed to be a bloodbath.

First, there are Dark Keepers.

Now, they're chasing after Gatekeepers?

"Why the hell are they chasing after us when there's a whole universe to conquer?" I asked, but immediately realized how stupid that question was.

Of course they would chase after us.

What Gatekeeper would allow their realm to be invaded by a dark entity?

We are currently the strongest beings in the universe and the only ones capable of pushing back the darkness.

It's only natural we are their first target.

"God…" I exhaled loudly, feeling worn out in body, mind, and soul.

Things have never been simple since I got reincarnated into this world. I've been jumping from one complication to the next. At this point, it's extremely frustrating.

"All Gatekeepers are vile souls who bear a grudge against the heavens, so it's easier for the Abyss to pull them over to their side," Lee Bai spoke up after watching me crash out. "The few of us smart enough to understand that a world conquered by the dark entity is not a world worth living in… are forced to take the side of the heavens and fight against the dark entity."

Pa!

He clasped both hands and leaned forward.

"In essence, we end up doing the bidding of the heavens we are desperately trying to escape. We find ourselves back at square one!"

He laughed, but I could sense the sorrow beneath his laughter.

It was painful to listen to.