The Myth Itself in My Grasp
Truly, the myth itself was right there in my hands. Just a sliver of the supreme god Zeus's power manifesting in the treasured sword unleashed such earth-shattering might.
"Incredible... truly incredible."
I wasn't the only one stunned.
War God Ares greatly praises you!
Sun and Arts God Apollo is utterly astonished!
Hunt Goddess Artemis gapes in shock!
The gods, apparently not expecting me to wield the sword, reacted with intense fervor.
"Atalante! Retreat now, and I'll spare your life!"
With the power dynamic shifted, half-polite speech naturally gave way to commands. No more feigned respect just to avoid another hit—this was the end of that.
"Are you... a son of god Zeus?"
At Atalante's sharp question, the gods reacted in unison. They all shot suspicious glances at Zeus, and our dignified supreme god responded accordingly.
Supreme God Zeus flusters and begins making excuses.
Zeus had suddenly acquired a son out of nowhere. Normally, he'd deny it outright, but with his shady past of sowing seeds far and wide, he had countless unknown offspring. He couldn't even keep track of his own descendants, so cold sweat was inevitable in this situation.
For now, ignoring Atalante's question worked in my favor. I launched my attack immediately.
"You don't need to know! If you won't retreat, I'll strike you down!"
Crackle! A single swing of the sword unleashed a massive bolt of lightning that engulfed Atalante.
Boom! The explosive roar of Zeus's power rang out. The flash was so blinding it stole my vision.
When my sight cleared, Atalante stood there scorched by the intense heat, barely holding on. Her finely crafted hunter's garb was torn in places, over half her beautiful hair singed away. Smoke rose from wounds across her body.
She was still in decent shape, though. A silvery power reminiscent of moonlight enveloped her—likely the might of Artemis, goddess of the moon.
"Still under the goddess's favor, eh? But how much longer can you hold out?"
She'd endure a couple more hits, sure. But sustained lightning would surely fell her. Besides, Atalante was still a green novice far from becoming a great hero—much weaker than the rumors I'd heard in my past life.
"Hah... hah, hah."
Already struggling, her shoulders heaved as she panted heavily.
"Kuhahaha! That's it for you, Atalante!"
Utterly triumphant, I summoned the sword's power again. Then the Secret Book mocked me.
-Shut up! Power is justice! That makes me justice!
This time, I'd force Atalante to submit. But then, an unexpected twist.
The ever-irritating goddess Artemis stepped in.
Hunt Goddess Artemis protests to supreme god Zeus that this is cheating!
Zeus insists the treasured sword is permitted power on earth.
Artemis threatens to tell goddess Hera about the new son's appearance.
What the hell? Threatening her own father? Artemis was more unhinged than I'd thought, leaving me momentarily dumbfounded.
Still, fatherly pride—Zeus wouldn't cave, right?
Zeus sweats coldly in panic. 'Daughter, please, anything but that...'
Artemis keeps pressing. 'Make the wise choice, Father.'
"Whoa..."
Watching the words pop up live on the Secret Book, I couldn't hide my absurdity.
Goddess Artemis was dead set on meddling in the fight. As I trembled with rage, Zeus finally caved.
Zeus permits it, but only once.
Artemis eagerly rushes in, thrilled to punish the insolent human.
Zeus! You spineless fool! How much dirt did you have on you to fold to your own daughter like that?
Outrage and disbelief made my limbs shake.
Artemis uses her power to aid her servant. She sends the divine beast, Calydon's Boar!
What? That damn goddess was really going all out.
Calydon's Boar, one of Artemis's divine beasts, was a monstrous swine larger than an elephant. Its power could topple kingdoms—that's why it was named after the kingdom of Calydon, which it ravaged.
Groooar!
The summoning was swift. Moonlight spread through the large chamber, and from within emerged something massive. Overwhelming bulk.
"Grrr..."
One breath felt like a gale. Its tusks rivaled elephant ivory in length, its body covered in red fur. Its eyes blazed white with the divinity bestowed by its mistress.
A beast straight out of divine mystery—Calydon's Boar.
"Ah, this is too much..."
Strangely, Atalante seemed more shocked than I was.
"Why is this beast here?"
Didn't Artemis summon it specially? Far from welcoming it, Atalante was on high alert. Seeing that, I realized I'd overlooked something.
But no time for calm thought.
"Squeeeeal!"
Calydon's Boar charged with a horrific screech. The spacious sword chamber was now crammed by its size—no room to dodge anywhere. A few steps closer, and it'd chomp me flat.
Hunt Goddess Artemis looks at you and draws her thumb across her throat.
You trash of a goddess! If I survive this, you're done for—god or not, I'll have revenge on Artemis.
Raising my sword to ward off Calydon's Boar, I replied.
Earlier, the Secret Book had explained Heracles' jewel to me—including a way to unleash its full power at once. Downside: the jewel would discharge, leaving it powerless for a while.
I'd max out the jewel's power and end the boar in one strike. No room for multiple stabs—the space was tight, my skills lacking. All or nothing in a single blow.
Too tense to reply, I swallowed dryly. The divine beast's deep, profound eyes glared at me.
A powder keg. One twitch, and the tense balance would shatter.
Provoke first? Or hold still till the end?
As I pondered deeply, I spotted Atalante slyly reaching for her waist—toward a dagger.
Suddenly, I recalled she was a master dagger thrower. Was she aiming at me?
No time to wait. I stepped forward first.
As if waiting, Calydon's Boar lunged.
"Squeeeeal!"
It was like a mountain collapsing before my eyes. The massive jaws gaped right in front.
I ducked to evade and thrust—but realized too late how reckless the plan was. The boar was shockingly agile. In that split second, I knew I couldn't dodge the snout.
Regrettably, this sloppy scheme born of inexperience was doomed to fail. My left upper body would be ripped clean off.
Twitch!
But a miracle. The boar shuddered briefly and hesitated.
Whatever the reason, heavenly luck. I plunged under it in a flash.
It snapped too late—futile.
"Haat!"
With all my might, I stabbed the sword into the boar's chest.
"Squeeeeal!"
The eerie blade sank in, and the boar wailed like a slaughterhouse pig. Startled, it reared its forelegs, dragging me airborne.
But I gripped the sword for the finishing blow.
"Raaagh!"
With a shout, I poured every ounce of Heracles' jewel's power into the sword.
The blade erupted in lightning beyond compare.
Krzzzzzt! Pop!
A fatally devastating strike—especially embedded deep. Humans or pigs, most of the body is water. Electricity turns it to steam instantly.
Like a water heater boiling away—easy to grasp. And steam expands over 1,600 times the original volume.
What happens to the body? Simple.
Boom!
With a deafening blast, Calydon's Boar exploded like a balloon. Chunks of pork splattered everywhere.
Splat! Thud!
In one strike, the massive boar's upper body vanished. Even I, who knew it was coming, gaped at the gruesome sight.
Thump.
Just the lower half remained, collapsing obediently. Exposed bones and guts bubbled, smoking.
I was drenched head to toe in boar blood. Not just me—the whole room was slathered in gore.
"Hah..."
Looking up, one of the boar's huge eyeballs clung to the ceiling. Utterly grotesque.
"......"
After the massive blast, silence reigned. Gods and humans alike were speechless.
Ahead, Atalante slumped, half-dazed and gore-covered beyond recognition.
Then I spotted a dagger embedded in the boar's hind leg. Her throw had caused that twitch in the crisis.
"Ah... I see."
Finally, the missing piece clicked. Why my enemy Atalante had aided against her own goddess's beast.
I'd need to talk to her alone. But first, the most curious entity's reaction appeared.
Hunt Goddess Artemis screams in rage! She trembles with humiliation.
Losing her divine beast to a human—inevitable. Especially with her face shattered before the other gods.
War God Ares openly bursts into laughter.
Messenger God Hermes snickers secretly. Thinking it delicious, he gives you high marks.
Their reactions were entertaining, but Artemis took the cake.
Hunt Goddess Artemis grabs Zeus and begs for another chance.
Supreme God Zeus coldly refuses. Disappointment and disgust cross his face.
I felt fantastic. The gods had no idea I was peeping via the Secret Book. In front of humans, they'd posture endlessly for face—but look at them squirm.
I couldn't hold back the laughter.
"Kuhahahaha! Kuhahahahaha!"
Open mockery. I laughed freely at goddess Artemis somewhere out there, hiding no malice. My sides ached.
"Kuhuhu... heheheh..."
After shaking like a madman for a while, I stood and approached the boar's remaining lower half. Roughly tore off some half-cooked flesh with both hands.
Hot as a fresh pot, palms blistered—but ignored. I swallowed the greasy, gamey meat and bellowed.
"You who sent this boar! From now on, our paths will be paved in blood alone!"
Rude to a god? Nah—I wasn't supposed to know Artemis did it. And she couldn't call me out without losing face utterly.
So I laughed my ass off.
"Keekeke! Uhahahaha—!"
Tonight, one thing was certain: Olympus's gods wouldn't forget this Peleus.
A damn impressive debut.
"A night brimming with my enemy's grudge—most honorable indeed."