1 The beginning

I died huh....

Truck-kun got me good I must say, or maybe it was Car-chan.....not that it matters anymore.

What matters is that all around me is just darkness.

How much time passed like that?

Seconds....minutes.....hours....days?

Suddenly I found myself in a dark cave....it was still dark but at least I could discern stuff around me....I also could finally see my body. It was indeed my body before death, or at least that's how it looked.

Before me was a tunnel and at the end of it some sort of light.

"Well I guess that's my next destination huh."

It didn't take long before I found myself in another cave, a bigger one for sure, and in the middle of it was a small pond. The whole cave was dimly lit by some weird stones placed all around the cave. It looked otherworldly, the only proper word I could somehow associate with this picture.

On the other side of the pond I could see a girl with her feet in the water. A white gown, long dark hair, and a cold face, honestly a very tranquil sight, but taking my circumstances into consideration it raises many questions.

"Come closer" I suddenly heard in my head, her lips moved so I assume its not telepathy but the voice seemed to pierce my very being. A beautiful cold and detached voice, filled with serenity....and power.

I focused myself on the present and cleared my head of all the unnecessary thoughts. All I have to understand is that someone strong is before me, not human for sure, and most likely this being can kill me without any effort if it so desired.

Slowly I approached it.

When the distance between us was about a couple steps it talked again.

"Welcome to my humble domain...my small home...my sanctuary mister Max Oxwel." I was a little bit surprised at my name being mentioned, but I assume it was to be expected, I wonder how much it knows about me.

"A lot...I could say...everything..."

Crap.

I slowly got on one knee. Right hand over my heart and did the most courteous bow I could think of.

"Oh?...interesting...do you have an idea who is before you?" Her voice sounded a little more intrigued.

"A being of great importance no doubt, someone who under normal circumstances I couldn't meet for sure."

"Death...pleased to meet you..." She said that with a small smile on her lips, sending shivers all over my spine.

Nice...a meeting with death...great...freaking amazing.

"Rise...and relax a bit...it's not like I'm gonna kill you...if anything you're already dead and by the looks of it you already know that."

"Yeah...I figured...may I please know the reason for our meeting this fine....day?" Ok...its fine, just keep talking...don't let your thoughts wander....stay colected...it can read your mind so just focus on the important stuff and don't panic.

"Oh? You're pretty collected for someone who found out that he died...then it should be easy." It took its eyes off me and stared at the pond.

"You see I want you to do something for me, but before that answer me." She said these words and turned back to me, her blue eyes glistening with power.

"Do you want to live?"

I am pretty sure it knows the answer too, of course I do... dying at the age of 20 without truly being able to live...would someone even answer no?

"Yes."

"Then it's simple, let's make a deal, your life for my wish."

A wish? what could such a being even desire?

"Which is?"

"I'll tell you when it's time, for now the first step is becoming my messenger, my apostle. You see I want to send you on a planet...that planet is facing a crisis right now...I want you to go there and become stronger...strong enough to fulfill my wish."

So it's similar to the classic anime trope? Go to another world and save it from a demon lord or something?

"Yes but also no." Shit, mindreading...right.

"You've thought correctly, on that planet there are multiple races, and the demons are threatening the humans. As a response to this, humanity summoned 5 heroes to battle the demons and their king." So indeed the classic trope huh.

"Your role there thought...is gonna be different, as I said before...you'll have to become stronger."

"And what must I do in order to do so?"

"Reap souls." While saying that, for the first time during our conversation I saw a full smile...it was a magnificent smile from the bottom of its heart.

"I beg your pardon?" I answered confused.

"Listen carefully, when someone dies their soul will search for the nearest door into the underworld. Usually my reapers are responsible for those, guiding the souls through them. You, as my apostle will have a special privilege, you will be able to open new doors and also close them as you wish. The more souls pass through your door, the more power you'll receive, easy right?"

Huh, it did sound too easy to be true indeed, there must be a catch for sure.

"Like that you'll become stronger and stronger, and when the time is right, I will tell you my wish, which you'll have to fulfill. So how does that sound?"

"So...if I understood it correctly, I'll have to fulfill your wish when you'll ask it off me, and in exchange you'll allow me to live in that world?"

The wish part is making me suspicious, but overall it should be a good deal for me, life in a magical world, by the looks of it, also with some special powers given by The Death itself, that sounds pretty good. I mean what's the alternative? going into the underworld? reincarnation? oblivion? torture? If I could continue being me for a little bit longer and live then why should I risk the unknown future that could be way worse? At least I have some prospects here.

"Just to clarify...one wish...for my life with 'apostle' powers in that world?"

"Indeed." The same small smile...the same expression.

"I'll be honest, I fell like there is more to it than I'm being told, but overall I don't think I need to know more to make a decision."

"Oh? Is that so?"

"On the conditions stated above, I will accept your deal." I said that and offered my hand for a handshake.

Death looked me in the eyes and stood up. While talking I was pretty nervous, I mean who wouldn't be, but the atmosphere wasn't as oppressive. When she stood up though, I truly felt like Death is before me. A blue aura around her, the corners of her eyes glistening with the same color, she slowly moved her hand forward.

By the time we touched hands I was barely standing. It felt like the cave behind her disappeared and what was left was a sea of darkness.

"Then the deal is sealed...from this moment...you are my first and only...apostle."

With a lot of effort I managed to get on one knee, just like at the beginning of our conversation and uttered the next words.

"Yes, mistress."