Anime is an Outer God's Playground

Chapter 204: CH. 198: Just To Experience A Second Death...



Hiro raced through the grand corridors of the ninth floor, known as the Royale Suites, a place far removed from the gritty depths he'd fought through before. Gold-lined walls, towering pillars, and elegant chandeliers illuminated his path, casting shimmering reflections along the marble floor. His footsteps echoed sharply, each second reminding him that time was slipping through his fingers—he had only 40 minutes to find Albedo, rescue the captured members of Foresight, and defeat Ainz.

As he sprinted, the serene luxury of the Royale Suites clashed with the urgency thrumming through him. Hiro's mind raced, eyes scanning every hallway and alcove for any sign of an enemy ambush or a clue leading to his abducted allies. He clenched his jaw, pushing himself faster, his resolve burning hotter with each second.

Hiro staggered, clutching his abdomen as the darkness clawed deeper, a relentless torment spreading like poison through his veins. Every breath was a battle, each second a countdown to more agony. The shadow's curse was relentless, gnawing away at him from within, sapping his strength even as he willed his legs to keep moving.

He forced himself forward, knowing that with each step, his time slipped away. He had no choice but to push through the pain—Albedo, Foresight, and Arche were depending on him. Every heartbeat, every second mattered, and he couldn't afford to waste a single one.

His eyes widened as he dashed through the grand, eerie corridors of the Royal Suite. Hanging midair before him was a banner, slowly swaying, Sebas's face etched onto its dark fabric in agonizing detail. It was unmistakable—the stern, cold expression captured the man who had taken his allies, now frozen in eerie stillness.

For a heartbeat, Hiro forgot the searing pain in his abdomen, his mind racing with the implications. If Sebas had been sealed away too, then Albedo and the Foresight members might still be nearby, waiting for a rescue. They might even be looking for him. A flicker of hope reignited within him, sparking a surge of adrenaline that momentarily numbed the shadow's curse.

"This isn't over," Hiro muttered, steeling himself as he surged onward, the banner fading behind him.

Hiro moved with relentless precision, flinging open door after door, scanning each chamber in mere seconds. His eyes were sharp and calculating, taking in every detail of each apartment in an instant, allowing him to rule them out with astonishing speed. Lavish rooms filled with ornate furniture, decadent lounges, and grand chandeliers blazed by, barely registering as more than blurred impressions in his mind.

Every space was quickly analyzed and dismissed, his senses honed on only one goal: locating Arche. Hiro's inhuman analysis skills made the search lightning-fast, each room's contents assessed in a heartbeat. And yet, with every empty room, his tension grew—the darkness in his abdomen gnawing at him, urging him forward.

Hiro's relentless pace finally brought him to a section of the Royal Suites that was starkly different—gleaming corridors adorned with cold, sterile light and an unsettling silence. He could sense it immediately: this place held a grim purpose. The walls here were lined with intricate carvings of chains and suffering souls, confirming his suspicions.

Ahead, a set of reinforced iron doors loomed, heavy with an aura of dread. He gritted his teeth against the searing pain in his abdomen, but he pressed forward, forcing the doors open with a burst of strength.

Inside, the torture chamber stretched out like a dark theater of suffering. Cold metal tables and hanging chains reflected the dim light, while strange, twisted instruments lay in organized chaos on racks. And there, bound at the center, was Arche—her head bowed, her breathing shallow, signs of recent torment marking her frail figure.

She was here. He had found her. But with every second ticking, he knew the hardest part was yet to come.

Hiro's voice echoed through the cold, empty chamber as he shouted, "Arche!" The sound bounced off the metal walls, only amplifying his frustration as his words met silence. Deep down, he knew she might not respond, the torment she'd endured likely dragging her past the edge of consciousness.

His fists clenched, knuckles white as fury boiled within him. He could feel the darkness inside him gnawing further, but he didn't care. His vision blurred with rage, fueled by the torment inflicted on his companion. He stepped forward, the weight of each step seeming to shake the chamber, as if his very presence was daring Nazarick to challenge him.

"Whoever did this…they'll pay," he muttered under his breath, promising vengeance as he approached Arche, his determination burning brighter than his pain.

It was none other than Neuronist Painkill, grinning with dark delight. But Hiro had no patience for games, his voice tearing through the chamber as he bellowed, "GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!"

Without his katana to focus his hypercharge into a precise strike, he released the raw energy in a furious surge. His hypercharge flared to life, radiating out in a powerful shockwave that instantly obliterated everything in its path. The entire radius of the torture chamber erupted, the sheer force of his unleashed power reducing walls to rubble and, with it, evaporating Neuronist Painkill where she stood.

The dust settled slowly, and Hiro felt the aftershock of his own attack—his body reeling from the strain as he scanned the ravaged room for any sign of Arche.

Finally, after relentless searching, Hiro stumbled upon her—what was left of her. The sight that greeted him was more horrifying than he could have imagined. Neuronist had shown no mercy, and Arche was barely recognizable, her form twisted and broken, a haunting testament to the cruelty she had endured. Guilt surged through Hiro like a tidal wave, crashing over him and leaving him gasping for breath. She had suffered for him, all because they sought information about him.

The realization weighed heavily on his heart: he had pulled her back from the peace of death, dragging her from her eternal rest into this living nightmare they called life. Resurrecting her had been the hardest thing he had ever done, an act steeped in selfishness that clawed at his conscience.

Tears streamed down his face as he knelt beside her, his hands trembling. "I'm sorry, Arche… I'm so sorry," he choked out, his voice breaking. Each word felt like a knife twisting deeper, and he felt the sharpness of regret. He had brought her back to a world filled with pain and suffering, a world where darkness lurked in every shadow.

As he closed his eyes and reached for her soul, he felt a surge of anguish, a longing for forgiveness that he knew he may never receive. He couldn't shake the thought that perhaps it would have been better if she had remained in the peace of her eternal rest, untouched by the horrors of this life. "Please, come back," he whispered, voice trembling, hoping against hope that he could undo the nightmare that had been forced upon them both.

Successfuly. Vital signs flickered back to life as Arche's limbs regenerated, her wounds sealing as if they had never existed. Organs reformed, the process of resurrection unfolding like a miraculous rebirth. Hiro watched in awe as her eyes twitched open, a flicker of life returning to her once-dim gaze.

"Where... am I?" she murmured softly, confusion clouding her features as she searched for understanding. Hiro's heart swelled with a mix of relief and sorrow, but he could barely respond. The pain in his abdomen intensified, the darkness within him a relentless reminder of the countdown he faced.

With urgency thrumming in his veins, he cast a protective barrier around her, a shimmering shield that glowed with his power. "You'll be safe here, Arche. I promise," he whispered, the words laced with an intensity born from desperation. He didn't have time to linger; every second spent here drew him closer to doom.

He turned, forcing himself to leave the sanctuary of her presence, knowing he had to move quickly. His destination loomed in his mind—the heart of Nazarick, Floor 10: the Throne Room. Each step echoed with purpose and dread as he ran through the Royal Suites, the corridor stretching endlessly before him. He could feel the darkness gnawing at his resolve, a cruel reminder of his mortality.

With each stride, he pushed through the waves of pain that surged within him, focusing on the mission ahead. He needed to confront Ainz, to end the cycle of torment that threatened not only him but everyone he cared for. Time was slipping away, and with it, his chances of survival.

The stakes had never been higher, and as the ominous door loomed before him, Hiro took a deep breath, preparing himself for the final confrontation that would determine the fate of them all.

Hiro pushed through the enormous portal, entering a grand corridor that stretched endlessly before him. The soaring ceilings were adorned with exquisite chandeliers that cast a warm glow, illuminating the opulent decorations lining the walls. Golden accents and intricate tapestries surrounded him, but he felt no comfort in the lavish setting. Each step echoed ominously, reminding him of the gravity of his mission. The Throne Room awaited at the end, and with every heartbeat, Hiro knew he was drawing closer to his ultimate confrontation with Ainz.

"Hiro."

The voice resonated through the vast expanse of the Throne Room, drawing Hiro's gaze toward Ainz Ooal Gown, who sat majestically upon his Throne, radiating an imposing presence. The skeletal Overlord leaned forward slightly, a hint of admiration glinting in his empty eye sockets.

"Congratulations on making it this far," Ainz proclaimed, his voice smooth yet chilling. "No one in history has ever managed such a feat. You've faced and defended against nearly every challenge thrown your way. Truly remarkable." He paused, his bony fingers steepled as he considered Hiro's journey.

As he gestured to an ornate tea set adorned with intricate designs, Ainz's smile was bone-deep and unsettling. "I would be delighted to invite you to share a cup of tea with me, to celebrate your extraordinary achievements. It would be a fitting tribute to your resilience, don't you think?"

Hiro's resolve hardened as he shook his head firmly, urgency bleeding into his tone. "I appreciate the offer, Ainz, but I can't. Time is limited, and I have to act quickly."

Ainz's expression flickered, disappointment etched into his skeletal features. "Ah, what a shame. Such a momentous occasion deserves to be savored. You've earned it, after all. But I understand the weight of your mission." He leaned back, his fingers intertwining thoughtfully. "Just remember, the path you tread is perilous. Choices have consequences."

Hiro nodded, determination steeling his resolve. "I'll make it count."

"I'm not here to celebrate, Ainz," Hiro replied, his fists clenched, determination radiating from him. "I'm here to defeat you."

Ainz leaned back in his Throne, amusement dancing in his empty eye sockets. "Defeat me? Interesting. But tell me, what does that mean to you? Do you plan to overpower me like you did with my Floor Guardians? Is that your strategy?"

Hiro's gaze remained unwavering, his voice resolute. "I'll do whatever it takes. You might have orchestrated everything from the shadows, but I'm not afraid of you."

Ainz's grin widened, revealing the full extent of his skeletal visage. "Such confidence! It's admirable, yet misguided. You think overcoming my guardians was a mere test? This is the real challenge. Do you truly understand the depths of power I wield?"

Hiro stepped forward, fire igniting in his eyes. "I've come too far to back down now. You may think you're invincible, but I refuse to accept that I can't win."

Ainz's laughter echoed through the room, both mocking and sinister. "Very well, Hiro. Show me the depths of your resolve. But be warned—defeating me is not merely a matter of strength. It will cost you dearly."

Ainz rose from his Throne, and with a wave of his hand, the magnificent seat faded into nothingness, leaving behind an eerie emptiness in the grand hall. His mage robes dissolved into the ether, replaced by a simple yet ominous cloak that draped over his skeletal frame. To the untrained eye, it appeared unassuming, but Hiro recognized it for what it truly was: a magical artifact that amplified the wearer's power tenfold.

The atmosphere shifted, thickening with hostility as Ainz's presence loomed larger, an oppressive force weighing down on Hiro. He could feel the palpable energy radiating from Ainz, a warning of the power he was about to unleash.

With his katana nowhere in sight, Hiro's heart raced. He was forced to confront the daunting reality of facing Ainz with nothing but his fists. But he refused to back down. Drawing a deep breath, he tightened his fists, channeling his hypercharge into his muscles, the energy coursing through him like wildfire.

"I won't let your magic intimidate me," Hiro declared, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at the edges of his mind. "I'll fight you with everything I have, even if it's just my bare hands."

Ainz chuckled darkly, the sound echoing ominously through the chamber. "Fists against magic, how quaint. But you're welcome to try. Let's see if you can withstand the true might of a supreme being."

Hiro felt the air around them crackle with tension, the impending clash seeming almost inevitable. He readied himself, muscles coiling like a spring, prepared to unleash his strength against the formidable foe before him.

This is it.

X―x―X—x—X―x―X

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