Swallowed by the Secret Book
Before the destruction beam could touch me, the Secret Book swallowed me whole.
"Ugh!"
Suddenly, my entire body was sucked into a chilling darkness. It felt instinctively repulsive, like being dragged deep underwater. All around was pitch black.
[^%@-! [email protected]#$#@$-.]
Strange, alien chants echoed in my ears, and faint bubbles emitting light rose endlessly from an unfathomable abyss below. For some reason, they struck me as human souls.
I had no idea what this inner realm of the Secret Book truly was, but it sure wasn't a place to linger. Not only could I not breathe, but according to the Secret Book, it eroded the mind, bleaching it white until one became an idiot—and fast.
But luckily, I wouldn't be here long.
Guoooaaahk—!
With a bizarre belch, the Secret Book spat me back into the original world. I tumbled head over heels, and honestly, it felt like the damn thing had spat me out extra hard on purpose.
I was about to snap at it when the surrounding scenery left me speechless.
"Holy..."
What the hell was this?
I'd only been inside the Secret Book's maw for a moment, but in that time, the cave's landscape had utterly transformed.
Impressive. So this is a god-level trap.
The destruction beam had punched countless three-meter holes all around. No telling how far they extended—maybe straight through the mountain to the outside.
Without the Secret Book, I'd have been toast.
"Grgh... urgh...!"
Then I heard groans. Glancing over, I was shocked—Angulifer was still alive. One arm and one leg gone, body charred black in places, a pitiful sight, but clinging to life.
"Impressive."
He should've been pulverized, yet he'd endured this much. He'd blocked a good chunk of the beam even in that chaos. A feat beyond my current skills.
This warrior's level was the real deal.
Truly remarkable. Good call luring him into the trap, Peleus.
Tell me about it. A head-on fight, and I wouldn't have collected his bones. Best to backstab powerhouses like this.
Right on. Your rotten personality comes in handy sometimes.
Glad he wasn't some needlessly honorable type.
Is that a compliment? Gotta be... so why do my fists wanna punch something...?
With the trap's help, I'd taken down what seemed a bigger threat than even Thematos—way too easily. The guy was peak in combat, but too straightforward otherwise. By my standards, crafty talkers like Thematos were scarier foes.
"Let's haul him out."
I slung Angulifer over one shoulder and headed where Python and Thematos were battling Ares' warriors.
Explosions boomed amid fierce clashes.
"Kahahaha! I am Python! You don't seriously think that runt's the real Python, do you?!"
"No! I am Python! Python ain't some ugly bald giant!"
"What? Bald?! Damn it, every bastard I meet rags on my head! I can't take this anymore!"
The fiercest fights centered on Python and Thematos. Ares' warriors, despite their numbers, cowered under their ferocious auras.
"Never call that bald giant 'bald.' His battle power triples instantly!"
"Damn! Can't even call a bald guy bald?!"
"Shut up! Lie and call him 'lush locks'!"
In the chaotic uproar, I struggled to butt in.
Peleus, you letting this black warrior live? Not killing him? I could swallow him for safekeeping as a sacrifice.
The Secret Book seemed reluctant to waste him, but I thought differently.
No need to sour things with Ares. We already snagged the lantern. Cave's safe again.
No more enemies, huh? Already at odds with Artemis—adding Ares would be a hassle.
That's part of it, but not all.
I watched the frontline skirmish and shook my head lightly.
Then what?
Feels like Ares and I are gonna tangle more down the line. Remember me mentioning a god backing Mycenae's royal house? Specifically, watching over King Atreus, Agamemnon's father.
No clue which god, but I had guesses.
Yeah. A god who'd eye noble blood and brute strength. Ares?
Not certain, but prime suspect. High chance Ares, god of war, backs Atreus.
Once off this mountain, I'd return to Mycenae. Better not piss off Ares prematurely.
The Secret Book rarely praised me on hearing this.
Always thought your political instincts were sharp.
Yeah?
Makes sense for a scheming rat like you—probably a passive skill.
Kekeke.
Huh, acting nice for once. Next ritual, I'd ask what it hates most in the world.
"Everyone, cease fighting!"
Perfect timing to jump in—I bellowed.
The tangled melee of dozens fell silent instantly. Just my voice, infused with divinity, carried irresistible authority.
"No! Lord Ares!"
"Captain!"
Ares' warriors screamed at the sight of half-dead Angulifer. Never dreamed their invincible leader would end up like this.
What could ya do? The ancient Titan smiths' craft was fearsome enough to make Hephaestus jealous.
"His life is now in my grasp! And the lantern that revealed the cave's traps—mine too."
I shook Hephaestus' lantern in my right hand. Ares' men erupted in fury.
"You bastard! We'll make you pay!"
"A hundredfold, a thousandfold!"
"Must've used some coward's trick!"
Oof. Last guy had good instincts.
But I didn't flinch, shouting back.
"Shut it! You've already lost. Lantern gone, captain down! Think you can block our trio without Angulifer?!"
Silence. Python and Thematos alone were monsters; add me, and it'd terrify anyone.
"Plus, no lantern means you can't pursue if we retreat! You've lost every card!"
My tone was sharp from drawing blades, but facts were facts. They'd forfeited their two aces.
Peleus, they might go down fighting. Don't expect them to back off easy.
Obviously. But handling zealots like them is easier than you'd think.
Scrap their pride too much, they'd fight to the death—tiring for us too. Solution? Give 'em a reason to retreat.
"We won't yield!"
"We'll fulfill Ares' mission!"
Ares' men ramped up, refusing retreat.
"Of course. I know you won't bend easily."
To propose terms, stroke their egos first. I kept praising subtly.
"You faced three ancient legends without flinching. I salute your courage."
Thematos' face soured instantly—he sniffed my sales pitch.
"But wise warriors know when to withdraw with a broken blade. It doesn't tarnish today's valor."
"Fight to the end!"
I nodded understandingly at their roar, raising a hand. Silence again.
"I get it. I know Ares' warriors' mettle intimately. But will you let this fine warrior die here?"
I pointed to fallen Angulifer, proposing.
"Retreat now, and I'll return him intact. Angulifer's an honorable, great warrior—not one to perish vainly here. Will you abandon your wounded comrade to hopeless battle, driven by bloodlust? How will you breach the gods' dreaded traps without the lantern?"
They fell silent at my pointed logic—not from lack of retorts, but realizing retreat was wise.
Good. Swaying like reeds.
Thinking it sealed, I tossed them a lifeline.
"Today's defeat doesn't mean Ares' task fails utterly. Returning Angulifer and offering honorable retreat means we'll clash again someday."
Instant reaction.
"Clash again?"
Not total failure? Tempting hook. Persuasion's about giving what they crave.
"Indeed. I swear it. I won't destroy or sell this lantern. I'll keep it safe until we battle gloriously again. Regroup, return. Win then, and it's yours."
Rechallenge opportunity. With such fair terms, they murmured, battle fervor evaporating. Anyone could see retreating and retrying was smart.
"Brave warriors, meet here again. If you come seeking me, I'll bring the lantern and honor the pact."
They huddled briefly; a leader stepped forward.
"Will you stake your honor on this vow? Funeral Mask?"
Funeral Mask?
What the—?
You're wearing a funeral mask right now, Peleus.
Oh, right. This one's from the Cursed Hero—a spare he gifted recently. Wearing it to hide my face.
"Of course. Let's meet here again today."
"...Agreed."
Ares' warriors accepted retreat. Grim-faced, they carried Angulifer and other wounded from the cave.
"Funeral Mask! Be ready when we return!"
With vengeful resolve, of course.
I saluted militarily, one hand raised. Their gritted teeth softened at my courtesy; some returned the gesture.
Probably thought it manly.
Once gone, Python rushed over, hopping mad.
"You idiot! What if they come back to fight?! Those muscleheads swarming again—even I'd struggle!"
Her panic baffled me; I tilted my head.
"Fight again? No reason for that."
"You just promised to clash here! They'll return tenfold to avenge today's humiliation! We can't handle that!"
"Nah, won't happen."
"Huh? Explain clearly."
To baffled Python, I pointed at the cave.
"The traps auto-repair, right?"
"Yes. Great Titans' spell. Takes time, but they reset."
"And the ones Ares' men broke coming down?"
"Yes. Damn pigs wrecked a third. Real boars."
They'd pushed to the one-third mark. Our rematch spot was there.
"Then, Python, how do they reach here post-repair? No lantern."
Her face blanked. I patted her cute head, explaining.
"I said we'd meet here. If they arrive, Peleus will honor it honorably, life be damned. A true man must, right? But if they can't keep the promise? Their fault, not mine."
Her gaping mouth gaped wider. She finally yelled.
"That's a scam!"
Innocently aggrieved, I replied.
"Scam? I haven't lied once!"