Damn It, the Gods Are Watching Already
Damn it. Who would've thought the gods would suddenly turn their eyes on us like this.
Well, from their perspective, it was probably inevitable. The banquet's cancellation had delayed their digging into me, and that must've irked the hot-tempered Olympians. But right on cue, this fight breaks out—perfect timing for them to swarm in and size up the new contender from another dimension.
The gods are curious not just about you, but about Atalante too. How formidable can this huntress be, the one circling Artemis?
Indeed. If that's the case, today marks your debut—you and Atalante.
The pressure mounted even heavier. First impressions mattered, after all. Lose this fight, and we'd be branded as nobodies. No major divine patronage afterward, that's for sure. Even in defeat, I had to show something extraordinary.
Well, not that I didn't have a way. At a glance, combat was unavoidable. Atalante looked dead set on not backing down.
"You insist on stealing it, then?"
"You should back off quietly yourself. No need for blood."
From her demeanor, she seemed oblivious to the sudden divine spotlight. Makes sense—if that was normal, it'd be weirder that I could track the gods' movements in real time.
Just sweet-talk her nicely and hand over the sword. Victory's impossible anyway. Better to talk your way out than get crushed and humiliated in front of the gods.
The Secret Book approved of how I'd escalated things but saw no path to victory. Hence the advice: resolve it smoothly, score points.
But now that we'd started, I couldn't end it half-heartedly.
No.
My firm refusal drew a tsk from the Secret Book.
I can't fathom what makes you so cocky. Lack of power is unavoidable. Play it smart, preserve yourself—some gods might respect that. Athena might even sponsor you. She favors clever foxes like Odysseus.
No, Athena's not enough.
You're impossible. Athena's one of Olympus's chief councilors!
The Secret Book sounded exasperated, but I held firm.
The only thing that matters is victory. It's the most important, most valuable prize.
In the end, the Secret Book gave up persuading me and fell silent.
"You want to settle this like warriors, do you?" Atalante pressed. I hardened my resolve. My answer to her was singular.
"Raaargh!"
Instead of words, I seized a massive stone ornament nearby with both hands. The warriors had dragged it here for cover earlier—eight grown men straining to move it. Yet I lifted it single-handedly.
"Wha—?"
Atalante's eyes went wide at the sheer power. She wasn't alone.
The God of War Ares greatly admires and praises you with a whoop!
Dust rained from my shoulders. Every muscle in my body strained taut, ready to burst.
"H-Hey! What are you—"
Atalante couldn't finish. I hurled the massive stone decoration at her with all my might.
Whoosh!
BOOM!
The deafening crash shattered it to pieces. I'd aimed true but hadn't expected a hit. The instant it flew, I snatched a warrior's shield from the floor.
Thud!
It was a hair's breadth. A chilling crunch as Atalante's staff pierced the shield—reinforced leather over wood, light but sturdy. For her to spear it like that... cold sweat beaded on my skin at her skill.
But I couldn't falter.
"Raaargh!"
I slammed the impaled shield sideways, aiming to topple her. Decent instinct for someone ignorant of martial arts—or so I thought. It was futile against a true master.
Unlike expected, as I pressed the shield aside, she released the staff.
Ah, that trick.
Thwack!
A kick straight to my gut.
"Guh!"
A short groan, and I flew back, tumbling. My abdomen felt shredded. Breath wouldn't come; drool spilled from my mouth.
Damn—in on the inhale.
"Urghhh..."
Back at the temple, retired warriors shared drinks and tales. Abdominal hits hurt different on inhale versus exhale—the former sent you to Andromeda if unlucky. Fighters shorten breaths in bare-hand fights to brace for it.
"Damn it..."
I knew it in theory, but practice? No. Rookie mistake from a martial arts noob—and the gods didn't miss it.
The Goddess of the Hunt Artemis mocks you.
The God of War Ares shakes his head.
The Messenger God Hermes pities you.
They saw my pitiful martial prowess and were disappointed. Artemis's reaction grated especially.
"That all you got? All that bluster for nothing. Strong, sure, but..."
"This... isn't over... ngh!"
Gritting through trembling legs, I stood. My knees buckled below. One kick to the gut, and this damage? The gap between us was vast.
Still, no thought of losing.
"Never planned to beat you with martial arts anyway."
"Then what? Divine aid?"
"Exactly."
She hadn't expected my blunt affirmation—Atalante looked flustered.
"What? Whose favor do you have?"
"The great Zeus will aid me."
Zeus's name made her jolt back a step in shock.
The watching Secret Book freaked out too.
You madman! Don't invoke Zeus lightly—he'll smite you with lightning!
I know, I know.
And you do it anyway!
Objective data confirmed it instantly.
Zeus, just starting to observe via Hermes's report, is baffled.
Hermes had reported the situation earlier. Now his eyes were on us? Invoking his name right as he tuned in would confuse him. No lightning yet, but my next moves could enrage him. He wouldn't tolerate some mortal peddling his name.
"Watch your tongue. Olympus's king isn't bandied about lightly."
Atalante didn't buy it, edging back warily—bracing for Zeus's bolt, no doubt.
I stepped toward Zeus's Sword.
"You'll see his blessing if you watch."
"Stop. That's for Zeus's bloodline only. To you, it's just a sharp blade."
She warned sternly, hand drifting to her sword. Staff play so far—but draw steel, and mercy ends. True life-or-death duel.
The God of War Ares highly rates your courage.
The God of the Sun and Arts Apollo sighs at your recklessness.
Olympus's rival princes reacted oppositely: Ares praised the warrior's stand; Apollo pitied the suicidal fool.
"Last warning. Draw that sword, and I won't hold back."
Her eyes turned icy—she meant to kill. The Secret Book rushed to intervene.
You idiot! Even if it fails, save your life first. Death ends everything!
Who said anything about dying?
Truth was, I knew this sword well. Read about the Atreus line's blade in forbidden texts. Zeus's divine relic, unused till now—no wielder with enough divine power had emerged. Even his bloodline lacked one who could manifest godlike strength to wield it.
Zeus must've watched his descendants with disappointment. Until Agamemnon, future great hero, succeeded.
I mentioned this briefly; the Secret Book was incredulous.
What, so you're claiming Zeus's lineage now?
No, not that philanderer's spawn. But I've got something far better than blood.
Then it clicked for the Secret Book.
Ah! You bastard—planning this from the start!
Just had it in mind. Who'd guess I'd fight Atalante? Merely wondered if I could wield Zeus's sword. Because I've got Heracles's Jewel.
Per the Secret Book, this gem wasn't mere strength-booster— it was a fragment of Zeus's divinity.
Owning that fragment means I wield Zeus's power stronger than his descendants. Naturally, I can unlock the sword's potential too.
With that, I gripped the sword's hilt. It felt far heavier than its weight suggested.
Zap!
A light spark stung my palm—prickly, yet oddly pleasant. I drew the blade.
Scraaaape.
The sharp edge scraped its stand with a sinister rasp. Atalante scowled. Force it without bloodline, and you'd burn to ash. She'd given up persuading me, her face grim at the impending spectacle.
The Goddess of the Hunt Artemis snorts at your folly.
Damn goddess. She figured an ignorant mortal would self-destruct.
Fine. Watch this. Realize how premature that mockery was. You'll feel shame for your haste.
Crackle! Sparks flew wildly from the sword, as if eager to roast its wielder.
But sensing Heracles's Jewel react within my bosom, I smirked triumphantly. Plan proceeding perfectly. Confidence surging, I advanced, raising the blade.
"Behold! The might of Supreme God Zeus!"
With my shout, the sword's power erupted.
Rumble!
BOOM!
Thunderous roar shook the room like earthly lightning. Blast wave hurled everything—ornaments, fallen warriors, princes—to the corners. Atalante skidded back, barely standing.
Terrifying force.
Crackle-crackle!
Zap!
The sword in my hand boiled with white-hot electricity. Entranced by its devouring allure, I chuckled lowly.
"Yes... this is a god's power."