Dealing with Death

(Sorry for the delay, I went on a vacation for a couple of weeks even when I said I would return around summer. It was relaxing and I'm feeling good. Anyway, thanks and enjoy the chapter.)

(Also changed Kyle's Army rank to Second Lieutenant Officer)

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...

[Lady-Death's Incarnation Apparatus]: (L.I.A.)

- Become a Cosmic Entity that exists beyond the universe, the personification of "Death".

[-(Hidden Death Domain)-] : Hiding most information. Casting domain. Preventing Death. - Extraordinary Unranked Ability Card

{Cosmic Master}: Entitled to Cosmic Energy. - Unique Purple Ability Card.

{Book of Minerva}: Grants forbidden knowledge. - Unranked Ability Card.

[Link-Future Sight]: Allows the future to be seen under certain conditions. - Unique Purple Ability Card.

[Skill Vending]: Pass skills to another entity through souls. Cannot be returned. - Purple Ability Card. (1HR)

. . . (Hidden)

- Please Note: Special Extraction Process Needed for [-(Hidden Death Domain)-], {Book of Minerva}, [Future Sight], {Cosmic Master}.

Most card information is being blocked due to Unnatural circumstances. Currently, Extraction is impossible due to Undisclosed Skill [-(Hidden Death Domain)-].

- Please Note: Certain Cards Cause Permanent Changes to the Soul and cannot be extracted under normal circumstances.

Kyle was surprised that he could not fully read her skills, and when he looked up he heard the goddess speak with her royal voice. "Ara Ara!"

Kyle was shocked to hear this from someone but decided to ignore it.

"You are finally here!" The black-haired woman showed a very jubilant smile on her face. She was hugging herself and giggling when looking at Kyle. She put her index finger on her lips and closed her eyes.

Kyle was starting to feel creeped out. He was getting weird vibes that this might not be such a good situation to be in and was considering using teleport soon. Kyle doubted he could get away, so decided to stay and listen to this woman.

After a minute of the woman's scene, everything started to calm down, then she started to speak in a more friendly tone.

"My name is Lady Death, I am sure you are feeling confused, but I have no bad intentions. I want to help you and that is all." the woman sighed, she started to notice Kyle's distant attitude and wanted to be more welcoming.

"I am listening, but what can you do for me, if you are Lady Death then that means there is nothing I can give in return since I am dead."

Kyle already had an idea by just looking at her cards about what kind of entity she was. He was extremely terrified that such a legendary existence would appear in front of him when he died.

After a few more minutes passed, the woman began to speak

"Let's make a deal."

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On the opposite side of the story with Steve.

As the car came to a stop, a group of men started to step out. They were wearing common military uniforms except for one. This one was wearing an American-themed spandex suit.

"Sir Brandt! We have returned victorious!

The young man's firm words echoed in his ears. He showed the old man that a superhero can still appear in his life.

"Amazing!"

Chief Brandt took the lead in applauding, followed by the soldiers in the training base.

The thunderous applause did not subside in the base until half an hour passed. Then Steve looked around and asked everyone.

"Wait. Where is Kyle?"

...

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Kyle's attention was sharply focused on the extraction times, the only thing he could rely on now. Suddenly, a card drawing message came into his mind.

- [Skill Vending] is the only visible Ability Card available that can be extracted. (1HR)

(Current Drawing Status) : Extractable within 2 meters.

- 'Do you wish to extract [Skill Vending]?'

For now, he will just continue going with the flow.

...

"When you said a deal, what did you mean by that?" Kyle looked at the woman near him hesitantly. He didn't dislike her, since she was most likely the one keeping him conscious after death.

Inviting him to sit, two wooden chairs manifested next to them. To not be rude, Kyle sat in the one closest to him.

After they both sat down, Lady Death continued by saying, "If you want to come back to life, then I can make that possible."

Kyle smiled and said in response, "Really? I doubt that I have anything that can be worth resurrection. I'm just a U.S. soldier, what can I possibly have to offer."

"I doubt you mean what you say." Lady Death smiled and stood up from her seat.

"Then let me tell you something. I have been watching for quite some time and noticed many abnormalities" she started approaching Kyle slowly while saying this

Kyle: "..."

"I noticed how you were stronger than any human around you while fighting in the base you were fighting that Eternal. Before fighting it, you were getting stronger by a small percentage. The special armor you wore also protected you from dying twice, and you also made weapons on the ground disappear mysteriously from reality whenever you looked at them.

Kyle was silent for a while not knowing what to say. Before he began to say something, Lady Death continued speaking while moving behind where Kyle was sitting, "But do you know how I know you are very special? It's because I noticed this all right after the Space Stone disappeared from this universe from the hospital room you were staying at."

Then bending down behind where Kyle was sitting, she whispered in his ears, "You can keep doing what you have always done, I just want to know more about you. I would love it if you could just do one thing for me."

Kyle started to sweat more than an Olympic runner that reached their finish line. Even he knew he was screwed. Kyle's Card Ability was his greatest secret, so he knew his back was against a wall.

"Okay... I understand. What do I have to do for you." Kyle sighed and resigned to his fate. He would have no choice but to follow whatever she said if he wanted to live.

Hearing this, Lady Death walked back to her seat and sat down with a smile, and said, "You have to become strong, strong enough that when I call for your help, you will answer it. All I ask is for your help once and then I will consider your debt paid. Also, don't expect me to break the rules again like I did today."

Kyle looked at her for a moment thinking to himself, 'That's all?'. He knew that he should take the deal no matter what the favor is. Remembering that there are creatures similar to Lady Death's level, he can sort of understand why she would need help, even if it is from him.

"Very well, I swear on my name, Kyle Kell, that I will become strong enough to answer your call," Kyle answered her, and the next second after he blinked, he noticed a blinding white light empowering his vision.

The intense light flashed until everything became still.