Blink! Blink!
Ash batted his lashes repeatedly, staring with a lazy, deadpan expression at the talking lump of metal.
Tabernacle of Decree? He echoed.
He dragged his eyes from the metal over to the figures surrounding him, then down to his schlong that was hanging limp between his legs—the embarrassment overtaking the sense of mystery that surrounded him.
More than that…. His brow twitched. Why the hell am I naked?!
[Host, this is the Tabernacle of Decree] the metal said again, drawing back Ash's attention.
"Tabernacle of Decree?" Ash repeated with a questioning gaze.
[Yes, it is where every soul is judged.]
Ah! I was beginning to wonder but I've been brought here for judgement after dying?
Ash's lips moved to talk but the metal was quicker.
[But you don't have to worry as your judgement is done.]
Ash raised a questioning brow. I don't recall any of that though.
He was focused on the conversation with the floating metal, confused and wanting to ask for more clarity when a thunderous voice pierced his head.
Mortal!
The voice was loud and overbearing but it somehow came with a chilling sense of dread that caused Ash to shiver.
He tore his eyes from the metal, lifting his gaze toward the second row platform where the voice came from.
Ash's body sank with a brooding chill when he met eyes with the woman, staring down at him with glowing green eyes that seemed to wrap him in a suffocating shroud.
Her face under the cloak was pale but stern with impenetrable authority.
You dare let your focus wander off in our presence,she continued, her brows creasing to show her displeasure.
Ahn? I let my focus wander off? Wasn't it this talking lump of metal that talked to me first?
"Listen, I don't know if those sharp eyes of yours can see well or they're only meant for glaring, but this piece of metal talked to me first, and it's only fair I talk back," Ash fired back with an equal sense of displeasure.
They're the ones who have me in a humiliating state, yet they feel insulted.
The woman's face burned ablaze with rage, condensing the air around them. Even the gazes of all the others shifted into a more menacing look that filled the tower with malicious aura.
Ash's body shivered, a cold sweat sliding down his face as his lips creased with tension.
Am I cooked?
Without a word, the woman stretched forth her hand, which confused Ash, wondering what she was about to do. Until—
SLAM!
Ash's face met the floor with a resounding crash that exploded his entire skull with an excruciating pain.
The impact cracked his features, causing blood to flow.
What the— His eyes trembled widely within their sockets, his breaths heavy and loud as they brushed back over his face since he remained face first on the floor.
The woman who caused this, levitated from her seat, floating down toward Ash with elegant grace, her black cloak flowing softly behind her.
When she reached him, she stepped down. And the moment her foot touched the ground, black smoke gathered around, moving forward as she did.
Feeling her presence, Ash attempted to finally lift his head to have a look but he wasn't given a chance as the woman's hand came down and grabbed his hair from behind.
She pulled it back with force, tugging Ash's face up to meet hers.
You're the first,she said coldly, her emerald eyes gleaming and piercing into Ash's brown ones. The first to talk back at me.
The first to ignorantly run your mouth in this place where mortals aren't supposed to bat an eye.
Ash stared with eyes wide open at her, blood trailing down his face, silent with no readable expression whatsoever.
Even if he didn't understand whatever was going on, he wasn't foolish enough to not know where he stood. He knew right there that the woman had the upper hand, as did all others present there.
Even if his chest was brooding with indignation, he wasn't one to act out where his win wasn't guaranteed.
In that place, he was helpless and that was obvious.
The woman stared silently at him for a moment, as if waiting for him to speak again, but Ash simply stared back. No words, no reaction.
Those eyes…The woman's brows wrinkled, irritation written clearly over her features.
Tch!She clicked her tongue, knocking Ash's head down forcefully as she freed him.
As you might well already know,she started, her voice filled with irritation like she was forcing herself to talk. You died, and your soul was transported here for judgement. Your decree reads as follows, so pay attention.
Ash Crowner, you will be transmigrated to a new world, into the body of a young King, Koul Abner Ysmay.
Transmigrated? I get to live as someone else now?
Ash's head tilted up, his face stern as he asked. "What about the one responsible for my death? What judgement has been bestowed on him?"
The woman's eyes squinted, indicating yet again, another disrespect from Ash.
They aren't to be questioned. But nevertheless, she answered.
For the wrongs you committed before dying, has any judgment been brought upon you?she questioned.
Without waiting for a response, she continued.
For it's only in death, does our decree hold. The authorities in your world will see to the injustice that has befallen you. But whether or not they do depends on your luck, not us.
So that fucker gets to continue living his life while I can't even find peace in death? His face tightened with anger, body heating up.
If I'm ever given a chance to go back to my world, I will haunt him down... her too.
Another floating lump of metal floated over to them and remained beside Ash.
This will be your system. It'll be the anchor between you and us. It'll pass to you our instructions and it'll accompany you throughout your new journey.
Now,she turned to Ash, standing in front of him. With a stretch of her hand, she placed her index finger on his forehead, pushed gently and said, sleep.
Ash fell backward, but his back didn't meet the floor. Instead, it felt like falling into an endless abyss.
Until…
Flutter!
His eyes fluttered open to the new environment.
[Welcome to your Kingdom, Koul Abner Ysmay]