Reincarnated With An SSS-Rank Talent In An Apocalyptic World

The warm liquid ran down my throat, quenching my thirst—but I didn't taste it.

Slowly, I lowered my cup and placed it gently on the table, unsatisfied, but I didn't show it.

Thankfully, Vee doesn't share the excessive negative traits—like the stabbing pain in my chest and the bland taste of meals.

It would break her.

"How is it?" she asked with expectant eyes.

A smile broke out and I nudged my teacup in her direction.

"Perfect. Can I have another?" I lied with a sweet smile.

Vee's face lit up and she quickly refilled my cup. I reached for it, but stopped midway as I felt the atmosphere change.

Her smile had vanished, and her eyes told me she had something to say but didn't want to ruin the mood.

"Does this have something to do with the current war situation?" I asked, and she nodded slowly.

"The situation in Mour'arath has worsened. Another dark horde is making its way up as we speak… The people have been fighting nonstop for the past few years. Their strength and morale have diminished greatly," Vee said while lowering her face.

Buzz.

My eyes narrowed.

The Holy Reclaim capital, Vir'kan, is built atop a chain of mountains so tall, the clouds form beneath them. Citadel bridges connect not only mountaintop districts but also neighboring cities within the empire.

Mour'arath was one of those cities.

It sits nestled at the edge of a fractured cliff, dangling above a cursed canyon. It's the only city in the empire that shares a border with the conquered wastelands of the Dark Realm—so naturally, it suffers the most from invasion attempts.

These dark entities simply climb up the canyon and lay siege every day. And there seems to be no end to their numbers.

This is troublesome. Not only can they easily lay siege to surrounding cities… they could reach the capital.

"This…" I muttered as my eyes narrowed.

We couldn't move soldiers from the other cities because hundreds of thousands of dark entities are camping outside their walls. Occasionally, they'd attack—just to deter us from relocating our troops—while ruthlessly hammering Mour'arath into submission.

My hands are tied.

"The warrior you talked about…" Vee's voice snapped me out of my reverie. "You didn't return with him?"

"Unfortunately, it won't be that easy." I shook my head with a bitter smile.

Bam!

Vee abruptly jumped to her feet, fuming with rage.

"Who the hell does he think he is, rejecting your gracious offer even after you went to meet him yourself?" she snapped. "Doesn't he know many people across the universe seek the audience of the Almighty but never even get a response?!"

Her furious eyes snapped in my direction, and I flinched.

For a moment, it felt like her anger was directed at me.

"Don't worry, my love. I'll give that fool a good beating and drag him over!" she said, brimming with enough fighting spirit to solo a thousand-man army.

But before she could move, I casually gestured for her to stop.

"To you, I am the Almighty. To the people who know him on this Earth, he is called the World's Strongest.

To each other, we are just Gatekeepers—men capable of replicating each other's achievements."

I paused, taking another sip of tea to quench my thirst before continuing.

"I'm just another Gatekeeper to them. Not the Almighty you know," I added.

But my words only infuriated her more.

Her frown deepened, but she didn't argue. She sat down on the mat again, muttering to herself.

"What do you plan to do now?" she asked quietly.

"I'll go to Mour'arath and deal with this matter myself. Our soldiers need motivation and backup. I'll serve as both," I decided on the spot.

"No!" Vee yelled, terror written all over her face as she shook her head rigorously.

"If… if he finds out you're in that city… he'll come. He'll come himself," she said in a shaky tone.

My eyes narrowed at her words.

I knew exactly who she meant.

The Dark Keeper… the one leading the horde.

"If he comes, then he dies."

Bam!

The teacup in my hand shattered under my tightened grip, tea splattering across the table.

Vee jerked back in surprise.

"I am the Almighty, Lee Bai. That name will never know defeat," I said in a cold tone.

She nodded repeatedly.

I usually don't speak to Vee in such a tone, but she can be overprotective—and stubborn.

The only way to handle this trait is aggression.

I don't like it, but sometimes… it's necessary.

"Send word to Mour'arath. Tell them their Emperor will be standing on the front lines with them!" I declared boldly.

Vee sprang to her feet and quickly ran out without wasting a second, leaving me alone in the cherry blossom garden.

Sigh.

Exhaling loudly, I pulled her teacup over to my side and emptied its contents in one gulp.

She was right.

Showing myself may trigger a large-scale assault just to reach me. The danger these people face will increase tenfold—

But so will their chance of victory.

"Sometimes, the king must put himself in a dangerous position to force the enemy into making bold and reckless moves.

There are opportunities in disaster," I reminded myself.

If Adam had agreed to my proposal, I would have brought him here to help fight this evil… even made him my co-Emperor.

But I noticed he gained considerable strength from the last expedition.

Which means he has a territory of his own—one that's likely in chaos and needs his full attention.

That's why I let him go.

I didn't press him for an answer.

Loyalty and respect are earned, not demanded.

When the time comes, he'll seek me out.

And when he does… I will make him submit to my rule.

Gatekeeper or not, everyone will submit to this God.

"Watch me, god," I declared. "I will fight your wars. I will win your battles. And I will take your place."

Just wait and see!