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Apoclypse

HungryHaunt
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Chapter 1 - Chapter 1

[You died.]

Way to state the obvious.

I mean it wasn't like I was torn to pieces by my childhood crush turned monster because I was an idiot who couldn't get out of the way of an incoming zombie.

Thinking about Pearl made my nonexistent heart clench.

Perfect Pearl.

Smart. Beautiful. Strong.

She was the literal pearl of everyone's eye.

If it weren't for me, I'm certain she could have survived. That's just how amazing she was.

How could I possibly look her in the eye knowing it was my fault she had turned into a zombie.

What about her parents?

They would be so devastated.

Just thinking about Mr. and Mrs. Jordan made me think about my own family.

Mother. Father. My little sister. Buddy.

I hope they're alright.

Who am I kidding?

I'm sure they'll be fine. Unlike me, they're quite capable. I have nothing to worry about.

Staring into the nothingness, I wondered why I felt so calm.

I mean I did just die and in a pretty horrific and pathetic way too.

Nothing could beat crying and pissing your pants as a zombie bites into your neck as you flayed around not sure what to do.

I chuckled.

God was I pathetic.

Everyone else ran or at least did something to protect themselves against the zombies even if it meant pushing others into the horde of incoming zombies while I just stood there looking like an idiot.

Okay, I seriously need to stop thinking about it. Remember what everyone said. Stop putting yourself down. It helps no one.

It didn't change the fact I was an absolute useless person, but it helped me push those thoughts away to focus on the bigger picture. The bigger picture being what was going on.

Seriously. The system notification about my death was floating in front of me, and I was definitely not where I was originally, but I didn't really feel dead. I didn't really feel anything at this point and wasn't that a scary thought.

Right at this moment, I would be screaming and panicking, yet I was doing none of these things.

I was able to think rationally which definitely wasn't the norm for me.

Is this what it felt like to be dead?

Before I could think any further about my deadness, another prompt from the system popped up in my face.

[Pitiful soul, you truly met an unfortunate end. Dying mere minutes after 'Last One Standing' came up online.]

'Last One Standing'? What kind of name is that? I could instantly tell from the name it was some kind of cringey, generic game. A cringey, generic death game at that.

[Insignificant worm. You dare mock 'Last One Standing'.]

Ah, I must have said it out loud.

This is where I would get on my knees and beg for forgiveness, but all I felt was apathy.

Is that really important right now?

"Who are you? Why are you talking to me?"

I mean I was kind of dead so I don't know why anyone would want to talk to me besides my family and friends.

[You truly are arrogant, or perhaps it's because you don't know your place.]

"Yeah, yeah, please get to the point."

While it was true that there was nothing else for me to do here in this weird after life, I didn't want to listen to this stranger nag at me. If I wanted someone to nag at me I could do it in myself. I did it all the time.

[Be grateful human. You have been blessed with an extraordinary opportunity. You have been granted that chance to live again.]

Say what?

If it weren't for the fact the words were being displayed right in front of me, I wouldn't have believed my ears. Actually, I couldn't even believe my eyes.

"What do you mean?"

[What a slow witted human you are. I said you have been granted a chance to live again.]

"But why?"

[You are questioning this great gift?]

"No, I mean, it's great, but why me? I'm pretty sure there are plenty of other better people who died who would gladly take the offer. It's not like I have anything to offer in exchange for this gift."

I might be slow witted as they said, but I wasn't completely stupid. There's no way anyone would give such an unbelievable gift without something in return.

In fact, they probably will want me to sign some kind of contract or something and demand I do all kinds of dirty jobs for them.

Maybe.

Well, they got the wrong kind of person.

I have no talent whatsoever so jokes on them if they think they could get anything of worth out of me.

That had to be pretty stupid coming to me.

[Are you rejecting the offer?]

"That's not what I said. Why are you avoiding the question?"

If they were trying to be sneaky about it, they were doing a poor job at it.

I mean it was a simple question. Why me? They could have at least tried to come up with some kind of bogus reason for picking me.

It's a good thing I had a clear mind thanks to dying. Otherwise, I might have just accepted with no hesitation.

No, I would have, and I would have thanked them for. saving me while promising to do anything to pay them back for their help.

[You're not as slow witted as I originally thought. Perhaps not all is lost.]

How many times are they going to say I'm slow witted?

[Very well human. I am one of the gods who watch over 'Last One Standing'.]

This definitely sounds one of those webnovels I've read about.

A sudden system prompt and monsters appearing causing the Earth to fall into disarray.

Yeah, that definitely sounds like one of those webnovels. I'm pretty sure it's a trend at this point.

Now the question was if this god was actually on my side or he's just using me for fun or he's actually the one responsible for this apocalypse. It's always one of those three.

Hopefully, they're the former, but I was keeping my fingers crossed just in case.

[As a god, it's my sworn duty to see to the end of this trial and see the worth of humanity.]

So they're saying that they're judging us. How are they judging us exactly? What standards are they using?

I'm pretty sure throwing monsters at people who've never fought once in their life is a pretty poor way to do it.

[We cannot interfere except in one case: when we select a prophet. I have chosen you to be my prophet.]

Prophet? Me?

"I'm 'honored' to be chosen as your prophet, but I'm kind of dead. I can't see how I can be your representative."

[As a prophet, you are given many benefits one of which is resurrection.]

Resurrection? So they're say I can come back alive again?

"But why me? If you want someone to be a prophet, then I would think you would want to choose a living person instead. I mean I didn't exactly do anything impressive before I die."

Unless you consider me dying in such a pathetic way impressive. Then yes, I did die in an impressively embarrassing and horrible way. I'm not sure what other ways could top it.

[That may be so, but not just anyone can be a prophet. You happen to fulfill the qualifications.]

Not going to lie, but that kind of made me feel a little happy even if the bar seems to be very low. It's nice to hear someone consider you special.

Friends and family don't count.

"Say I do it accept, what will happen?"

[You will return to the land of the living.]

Well, I mean that's what was kind of implied when they said I would be resurrected. I'm talking about afterwards. I mean that can't just be it, right?

[Why are you hesitating? Don't you want to see your family again?]

"Of course, I do."

[Are you perhaps feeling a little bit regret towards the girl you loved?]

"What?"

Are they talking about Pearl? What do they mean by loved? Did they know about my crush?

[Not to worry. When you return, you will see her again.]

I'll see her again?

"Wait, does that mean she's alive?"

[I cannot say any further until you agree to be my prophet.]

They said I'll see her again. Is it possible she also became a prophet?

I can't think of any other way for her to come back from being a zombie.

In that case, if Pearl decided it was a good idea, then I don't see why not.

"I accept your offer."

[It is done. Go forth my prophet. Prove that I have chosen wisely.]

Suddenly, I found myself encased in the pillar of light. My consciousness was fading, but I held on for a little longer.

There was still one thing left I hadn't asked.

"Who are you?"

[I am Cronus.]