Rumble! The Burning Nameless One Awakens
GRRRRRUMBLE! The heavens and earth shook and heaved once more. Even seeing it with my own eyes, I could hardly believe it. It was as if a colossal mountain was rising to its feet. The snake that had supposedly died and become a mountain ridge was called the Burning Nameless One, daughter of the earth mother Gaia. It had ruled over Delphi's oracle, only to be slain by the god Apollo's arrow, or so the legends said. If such a being revived, the grudge it would harbor was obvious even without witnessing it.
RUMBLE! BOOM! Even from afar, I could see massive torrents of earth and debris pouring from the ridge. It swallowed everything around it like a landslide. Thick clouds of dust shrouded half the mountain. Something straight out of legend was truly awakening right now.
As an ordinary human, I felt utter powerlessness before this spectacle. There was truly nothing I could do. Then, one thought flashed through my mind: I had to hurry back to the temple. As a temple scribe, I had a duty and code of conduct. In emergencies like this, my role was to evacuate the temple's sacred relics to a safe place.
Snapping out of my daze, I finally got my legs moving and retraced my steps, running back. My breath came up to my throat, but I had no intention of stopping. The ground vibrated as if weeping.
"Huff! Huff! Heave!"
That aside, something was off. My breathing was ragged, sure, but even running nonstop, it wasn't as exhausting as I'd expect. Had I always been this fit?
KABOOM! Then, a shoving shock hit me from behind, sending me tumbling forward.
"Whoa!"
I spat out the dirt that had gotten in my mouth and looked back. An unbelievable sight met my eyes. Piercing through a towering plume of volcanic ash, a pitch-black serpent's head soared upward. Its head alone was the size of a small mountain, spewing volcanic fire from its maw. Lava streamed from its eyes like bloody tears.
My god, the legend was coming true!
"Grooo… ah… uwoooo……!"
A deep, pipe-organ rumble poured from the serpent's mouth. The vibration spread everywhere, engulfing my entire body in an instant. My nape stiffened, and it felt like my throat was suddenly choked shut. Immense malice and rage emanated from the revived colossal serpent's voice. But it was the language of a divine being, so I couldn't understand a word.
Cold sweat poured out; I couldn't even breathe. Terror gripped me—if this kept up, I'd die. But it wasn't just fear. The grass at my feet was withering in real time. Flying insects dropped like they'd been hit with insecticide. Even from afar, the colossal serpent, the Burning Nameless One, extended its insidious aura of death this far. It truly felt like the world's end had begun, just like the legends.
I thought I'd collapse without resistance, but suddenly my chest warmed, and the fear binding me like a noose vanished. Just moments ago, I'd been frozen like a mouse before a cat; now my airway cleared.
"Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!"
Once I could breathe again, I wondered what the heat in my chest was and fumbled there.
"This?"
Heracles' Jewel was glowing. This special item was undoubtedly unleashing some unknown power to protect me. As expected of the great hero's possession—it held mystical strength.
Now's my chance. I had to escape this place fast. Even that massive serpent's evil aura had limits.
But luck wasn't on my side. Maybe because I'd pulled out the jewel? The serpent, muttering an incomprehensible divine tongue toward the sky, locked eyes with me.
"No… this can't be."
I was incredibly far from it—at least ten kilometers. To a monster the size of a mountain range, I was smaller than an insect. No way it'd notice me. My mind denied the reality, but those massive eyes, weeping lava like bloody tears, were clearly fixed on me. The chaos-filled divine gaze felt like a black hole sucking in my soul. If I let my guard down even a little, I'd lose everything. I bit my lip with all my might to endure.
Then, Heracles' Jewel glowed brighter, as if responding.
—Interesting… trinket… you have…
My heart nearly stopped in shock. The sinister, terrifying god was speaking directly into my mind. Though distant, it felt like a face-to-face conversation.
—Why does scum like you… have that wretched one's fragment…?
Its spoken voice was a pipe-organ monstrosity, but in my mind, it was an androgynous tone, neither clearly male nor female. Daughter of Gaia, so technically female, but who cared about a monster's gender?
—Should I… take it…?
The serpent, who'd been monologuing, now glared harder. It had lost interest in the jewel and seemed intrigued by me instead. Bizarre.
Why me? I'm just an ordinary human.
—Hmm… stranger still… I sense… a connection… with you… Impossible… for a pathetic insect like you…
Connection? No thanks. Associating with that monster would end any peaceful nights.
—Now I see… for a worm… you're… exceptionally… special.
I couldn't agree. Special? Never in Korea or this mythic world. Total everyman. That thing's eyes must be busted.
—Kekekeke… Shockingly, the serpent laughed.
—Bold one… even Olympus's gods hunt this body… and you say my… eyes are… crossed…?
I flinched. It could read minds. Of course—a god. Peering into a nobody like me was like looking into clear water.
"A connection? No thanks," I asked boldly despite the fear. Die or pass out, what choice did I have?
But the serpent stayed silent a moment before concluding.
—I see… our connection… isn't for this time…
"What?"
—What do you mean? No answer again.
—I covet that jewel… but for the task… you must do now… I won't take it…
The serpent cast a greedy glance before issuing an eviction order.
—Go… we meet again… in another time…
The one-sided talk ended. Relieved that the terrifying being had lost interest, I turned and bolted like my life depended on it—which it did.
Then a heaven-splitting scream echoed behind. Glancing back revealed hellish horror. The great city of Delphi was an inferno. The serpent spewed lava, engulfing the city in flames that belched thick smoke skyward. As it inhaled, thousands of white lights—human souls—were sucked into its maw. I knew it instantly. Chilling, paralyzing—the sight was too much; I turned away and sprinted with all I had. Wails of unjustly slain souls echoed endlessly behind. The world was pure hell.
I rushed back to the village. Thanks to Heracles' Jewel, I'd run like a marathoner without tiring. The village escaped the serpent's evil aura, but chaos reigned for other reasons.
"No way!"
The village was ablaze. Corpses of slaughtered villagers littered everywhere. What the hell? Who raids a backwater like this?
I hurried home, then screamed at the man collapsed next door.
"No!"
The farmer I'd greeted that morning.
"You bastard! Why're you stabbed and down?!"
I couldn't hide my agitation approaching the weakly fallen man. His gut was soaked black with blood. Even without medical knowledge, he looked hopeless.
"Wha… who… Peleus, you?"
"You okay! Hey! You okay, damn it?!"
"Heh heh, meet any… fine widows… yet?"
"Jokes now?! Shit, look at this blood!"
Tears welled up. Ten years as neighbors. Seeing him stabbed like this, my arms shook.
"What happened?!"
"Strange… guys attacked. Black clothes… over a hundred… Peleus… run while you can…"
"Fuck that! We go together!"
Everything blurred with tears. The farmer just grinned.
"I'm done for… but you… when'd you get… so buff…?"
"Buff?"
"Check a bronze mirror… at the temple. Forget widows… you could snag a fine lady…?"
With that, the neighbor keeled over dead.
"Uwaaaah!"
I sobbed, head buried in his chest. My face a mess of tears and snot. Just another ordinary day—why this?
But rage snapped me out fast. A fireball blazed in my heart.
"Whoever you are, you bastards won't get away!"
Back home, I grabbed a hefty staff. Tough, springy ash wood—for chasing thieves or beasts. It could cave in a skull.
Looking at my gripping arm—unbelievably muscled.
"What? Why's my arm like this?"
Not just arms. Shocked, I tore off my top.
Rip! The sturdy cloth shredded easily, revealing bursting muscles. A warrior's build, no doubt. Probably Heracles' Jewel at work.
"Perfect. Crunch!"
Power at a time like this—gods' blessing. Thinking of the village-wreckers ground my teeth. Whoever they were, I'd teach these temple scribes' wrath.
BAM! I kicked the door to splinters and charged out.
Outside with my staff, chaos everywhere.
"Help!"
"Aaaah! Honey!"
Screams nonstop. Fury had driven me out, but the sight calmed me oddly. I wanted to slaughter them, but cool-headedness mattered now. Stronger thanks to the jewel, but I wasn't a warrior—just a lifelong paper-pusher. Rashness meant a quick sword death.
Temple first. Fight with others there. I took alleys, avoiding main roads.
"Kyaaak!"
A scream ahead. Damn, they're everywhere! Rushing over: a black-clad armored man stabbing an old woman to death. The bread seller from the street—I knew her face.
My vision spun. These fuckers trashed the village.
"You bastard!"
I charged staff-first. He spotted me. Black helmet, only eye slits visible. But those eyes showed his sneer—cruel, vicious. Sure, buff now, but my face was plain, pale from temple work. He underestimated me.
Those chilling eyes—serial killer's for sure.
But no backing down.
"Fine! Let's do this!"