I Died and Became a Noble's Heir

Chapter 415: Sealing Floor Two

”The empty throne, maybe,” the god suggested. ”Or whatever cosmic balance exists with it unfilled. Or perhaps Erebus has his own plans for that seat and doesn’t want competition. Or maybe, and this is pure speculation, he knows something about what happens if the throne gets filled that scares even him. Primordial gods don’t scare easily, Jack. If Erebus is willing to cross Draven by trying to kill his chosen, that suggests serious stakes.”

Jack’s hands clenched into fists, red lightning crackling between his fingers. ”So I’m some kind of cosmic game piece that gods are moving around a board I can’t even see.”

”Yes and no,” the god replied. ”You’re definitely caught up in something bigger than yourself. But here’s the thing. You also have agency. Free will. The ability to make choices that prophecy didn’t account for. Those memory orbs Draven’s leaving for you? They’re not just history lessons. They’re giving you knowledge, experience, and power. They’re preparing you to make informed choices when the time comes.”

The god’s tone became almost gentle. ”Draven’s not trying to turn you into Sarin, Jack. He’s trying to make sure that when the cosmos comes calling, and it will, you’re strong enough and knowledgeable enough to tell it to fuck off if you want to. Or to embrace whatever destiny awaits. Either way, it’ll be your choice, made with full understanding of what you’re choosing.”

Jack looked down at his hands, watching red lightning dance between his fingers.

SS-rank talent.

Divine blessings.

Memory orbs that let him live through a mad god’s past.

A Black Token that could compel answers from his would-be assassin. And apparently, a destiny connected to an empty throne that might reshape cosmic order itself.

”This is a lot,” Jack said quietly.

”Yes,” the god agreed. ”But you’re handling it better than most would. Those SS-rank talents aren’t just about combat or magic, Jack. They also affect your ability to process information, to adapt to new circumstances, to grow in ways that would break lesser minds.”

He gestured at the vast space around them, at the impossible architecture of Tartarus Spire visible in the distance.

”Speaking of which, those other five memory orbs you haven’t found yet? They’ll show you what happened after what you’ve already seen. The madness is growing worse. The betrayal itself from Sarin’s perspective. The war that followed. Things I can’t tell you because you need to experience them yourself to truly understand.”

The god’s voice became serious. ”Keep searching the tower, Jack. Keep getting stronger. When you’re ready, the next memories will find you. Or you’ll find them. Either way, they’ll be there when you need them.”

Jack nodded slowly, his mind still reeling from everything he’d learned.

Sarin.

The Thirteenth Throne.

Erebus’s ancient plans.

Draven’s preparation through impossible memories.

It was too much to fully process right now, but he could feel the pieces starting to fit together, the larger picture slowly coming into focus.

”Alright,” Jack said, forcing himself to focus on more immediate concerns. ”Thank you for the answers. I know it wasn’t easy to share all that.”

”Draven’s going to be pissed at me,” the god replied, but he sounded more amused than concerned. ”But you’re right. You deserved to know. You’ve earned it through what you’ve already accomplished.”

Then the god clapped his hands together, and a sonic boom erupted from his palms. ”But that’s enough heavy philosophy and cosmic destiny for one day! Let’s talk about something more fun. Do you wish to seal Floor Two now?”

Jack blinked at the sudden subject change, his mind still processing revelations about mad gods and empty thrones. But he forced himself to focus. ”What does sealing the floor mean again?”

”It means you’re officially conquering it,” the god explained, his theatrical energy returning. ”Sealing the floor benefits me. Once sealed, the floor becomes stable, monsters stop respawning, and the environment becomes less hostile.”

”And the cost?”

”For Floor Two? One hundred thousand death tokens.”

Jack didn’t even hesitate. ”Done.”

”Just like that?” The god sounded amused. ”Not even going to ask for a discount?”

”I have over thirty-seven million tokens,” Jack replied flatly. ”One hundred thousand is nothing at this point.”

”Fair enough!” The god made a gesture, and a system notification appeared:

[Floor 2: Eternal Colosseum - Seal Available]

[Cost: 100,000 Death Tokens]

[YES] or [NO]

Jack selected yes without hesitation.

[Floor 2: SEALED]

Jack frowned at the notifications. ”I didn’t get a reward for clearing the floor.”

”Correct!” the god replied cheerfully. ”Because you didn’t actually clear it. You just fought one entity. The Champion and then Valdoren got himself killed by divine intervention before you could properly complete the floor’s challenge. So no completion reward.”

”That’s bullshit,” Jack muttered.

”Maybe! But I’ll make you a deal.” The god’s tone became sly. ”Seal Floors Three through Ten, and I’ll give you a reward for the entire set. Something outstanding. Way better than what you’d get for individual floor completions.”

Jack’s eyes narrowed. ”How good?”

”Can’t tell you! That would ruin the surprise. But trust me, it’ll be worth it.”

”And what about Valdoren?” Jack asked, still annoyed. ”Why was he so weak? A Disaster-class entity should have been...”

”Valdoren was a lich,” the god interrupted. ”Undead. A necromancer and summoner of tremendous skill. But direct combat?” He made a dismissive gesture. ”Pathetic. His strength was in commanding armies, not personal fighting ability. You could have beaten him even without your current power boost. He just happened to be in charge of the Colosseum, which is why he was classified as the Floor Boss.”

That made sense, Jack supposed. Still frustrating, but logical.

Jack turned to face his companions, his red eyes settling on Rhys. The elf prince was still pale, still shaking slightly from being in divine presence, but managing to stay upright.

”Rhys,” Jack said firmly. ”This is where your training will take place.”

Rhys blinked. ”What?”

”You’re going to Floor Three with Loryn,” Jack explained. ”You’ll conquer Floors Three through Nine. They’re randomized, so the challenges will be different each time, making them perfect for training. And you have one hundred days to complete them all.”

The color drained from Rhys’s face even further. ”One hundred days to clear seven floors? Jack, I can’t... I’m not strong enough...”

”You will be,” Jack interrupted. ”I’m going to help you prepare. Loryn will be with you the entire time.” He pulled a pouch from his storage and tossed it to the God of Death. ”Two hundred and fifty thousand death tokens. Let him shop in your store.”

The god caught the pouch with one hand, his burning eyes bright with interest. ”Oh, now we’re talking! The store has some very nice items. Your elf friend here will be well-equipped.”

”Jack,” Rhys protested weakly. ”I appreciate the confidence, but seven floors in a hundred days...”

”It’s challenging but achievable,” Jack finished. ”Especially with Loryn guiding you and proper equipment. This is necessary, Rhys. You need to become stronger. Strong enough to take the throne.”

Before Rhys could respond, Pho’s hand settled on the elf prince’s shoulder.

Everyone turned to stare at the Deathfrost Demon.

”I’ll go with him,” Pho said, his cold voice carrying absolute certainty.

Jack’s eyes widened. ”What?”

”The brat needs proper training,” Pho continued, his blank white eyes fixed on Rhys. ”I’ll train him to fight.” His grip on Rhys’s shoulder tightened slightly. ”By the time we’re done, he won’t just survive those seven floors. He’ll dominate them.”

Jack’s brows furrowed. Pho volunteering to train someone? Pho, who barely tolerated most beings’ existence? Something about this felt off, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on what.

”Are you sure?” Jack asked carefully.

”Yes.” No hesitation in Pho’s response.

Jack studied the demon for a long moment, then slowly nodded. ”Alright. Thank you, Pho.”

He turned to Loryn. ”Check in on them every so often. And make sure Rhys actually learns something instead of just being terrified the entire time.”

”Of course, young master,” Loryn replied with a bow.

Jack took one last look at Rhys, who seemed caught between terror and determination, then made his decision.

”Loryn,” Jack said. ”Let’s go.”

He raised one hand, and red lightning began gathering around his fingers. Space twisted, reality bending as he opened a portal.

The portal stabilized, showing glimpses of a bioluminescent landscape and glowing grass beyond.

Jack stepped toward it, then paused and looked back at the God of Death.

”We’ll talk more later,” he said. ”About all of it.”

”Looking forward to it, lightning boy,” the god replied. ”Try not to get yourself killed before then.”

Jack stepped through the portal, Loryn following close behind.

The last thing he saw before the portal closed was Pho standing beside Rhys and Sylph, all three of them dwarfed by the massive armored form of the God of Death, in a space between worlds where impossible things became possible.