Solitary Inferno
As I declared I'd take down Angulifer and Ares' warriors single-handedly, the Secret Book reminded me of one key fact.
"I get the enthusiasm, but no need to push yourself. You've got a powerful ally on hand."
The one the Secret Book meant was the cannibal giant Thematos. Right now, he was tucked away inside the Secret Book's inner world, ready to be pulled out anytime I needed him.
"But why doesn't Thematos get affected by that inner world of yours? I can barely last in there."
The inside of the Secret Book was a mysterious realm of unknown nature, brimming with chaos. No human could endure it for long. Even when I'd gone in to trick Angulifer, I'd had to bail out fast.
"Comparing a descendant of the Titans to you pathetic humans is unfair. Titans are divinities made manifest from the power of chaos itself—chaos incarnate, you might say. So their progeny can handle the inner world just fine."
In other words, he had an innate affinity for chaos. Made it easy to shove him in and out at will—perfect for me.
"Got it. I'll call Thematos if things get dicey. But not today."
"Fine by me. I'm curious to see how much you've grown."
Heading to the cave mouth, I was greeted by sharp sunlight I hadn't seen in ages. Felt downright alien, even though it was the same old sun. The mountain air was crisp and pure. With my funeral mask on, I stepped out feeling pretty damn good.
And there they were—dozens of men camped out, waiting. Ares' warriors. Among them stood out a massive black guy who let out a bellow the second he spotted me.
"You bastard! Funeral Mask!"
"Angulifer, you remember me, huh?"
"How could I forget? Master of lies! You Odysseus wannabe!"
Odysseus? Harsh words.
"Why blame me for your attitude? I was right there at the promised spot, waiting for your rematch."
"Unbelievable! You knew better than anyone we couldn't get there without the lantern!"
Angulifer's rant drew a barrage of jeers from Ares' warriors. But I didn't even blink.
"Sorry for overestimating you lot—thought you could make it."
"What?"
"That's why you're here now, right? If you're pissed, settle it here."
"Well said, you scum!"
Angulifer stormed forward, snatched a massive spear from nearby, and hurled it straight at me.
Whoosh!
The spear flew at insane speed, but I'd seen it coming. I raised my right arm. Most of it was coated in the crimson-black divinity of the Burning Nameless One, like it was on fire.
Claaang!
The incoming spear slammed into my forearm in slow motion. The sharp tip crumpled, the thick shaft bent into a curve, then snapped in half, splintering everywhere. To my eyes, it all played out like super slow-mo footage.
Thud!
The spearhead hit the ground with a short crunch. My hyper-focus faded, time snapping back to normal. Thanks to the divinity, I could perceive the impossible in crises like this.
Sizzle.
The mangled spearhead glowed cherry-red in the dirt, smoking. I picked it up, inspecting it with amusement.
"You bastard!"
Guess that poked Angulifer's nerve. The black warrior exploded forward, slamming a huge fist into my chest.
I flew back like I'd been cannonballed, the world blurring then going dark.
Rumble! Boom!
Looks like I cratered into the slope, rocks and debris burying me. Impressive raw power. But I'd taken that hit on purpose—to test my defenses.
Back when I'd used Zeus's divinity to tank Artemis's power, the Cursed Hero had been intrigued. He'd advised honing it further.
"Interesting... technique. Shows... tremendous durability. It'll be a solid foundation going forward."
With his "guidance," I'd refined it through endless beatdowns. Had to amp my durability with Zeus's divinity on the fly or die. Painful, but efficient learning.
-Peleus. Any damage?
The Secret Book's question. I channeled the Burning Nameless One's divinity to reply.
-None.
-Impressive. That punch would've staggered even Thematos. Zero damage? Your defense is monstrous now.
I'd even tanked an arrow laced with Artemis's divinity early on. Now? I had no clue my limits.
-Alright, let's go.
I rose, unleashing the Burning Nameless One's power across my body.
Boom!
A massive explosion hurled the rocks burying me everywhere.
"Ruined."
My spare rags were shredded—sackcloth now. Waste of my meager wardrobe. But as a black fist rushed my face, I raised a hand and blocked it.
Kaboom!
The blast whipped my hair wildly; ancient trees toppled from the shockwave.
"Ha!"
I couldn't help a dry laugh. Just blocking caused this? Staring at Angulifer—eyes bloodshot, arm thick as a cedar—I grinned.
"Sorry, can't let you hit me twice."
Pity the mask hid my friendly smile. Left hand pinning his fist, I casually straightened my crooked funeral mask with my right.
"What the hell are you?! How'd you block that so easily?!"
Shock laced Angulifer's voice.
"Weird?"
I tilted my head. He exploded.
"That fist levels city walls in one hit!"
Fitting for Ares' man. Who punches down a wall? No wonder they say he slays giants. But the world's unfair. Freaks like me—blessed by Olympus's top god and a mythic monster—pop up.
"Then hit me again."
Generous offer, but he couldn't. His trapped hand wouldn't budge.
Tremble.
His face twisted in humiliation as he strained futilely. A deep scar crossed his face, oozing blood.
"Urgh! Grr!"
I asked coolly as he struggled.
"Am I overestimating you again?"
No answer. Instead, his left fist swung at my jaw.
Bam!
Gale-force wind from one punch. My neck snapped back; behind me, the ground was gouged like a backhoe attack. Stationary punch, that power? Beyond reason.
But show's over. I'd gauged my new strength plenty.
"Time to wrap this up."
"Who says?!"
Angulifer raged, but the strong decide endings. I released his hand and kicked him flying.
Whoosh!
Skilled as he was, the power gap sent him skidding over ten meters.
Finishing move time. He seemed all-in too.
"Rush him together!"
His warriors charged, weapons drawn—ready to butcher me like meat.
No mercy then.
Roar!
Crimson-black flames swirled around me like a gale. Ares' men approaching screamed, hesitating at the heat.
"Argh! Damn it!"
"My clothes are burning!"
A few elites like Angulifer pushed through the blaze.
"Raaah!"
Their momentum and power parted my flames, carving space. Still, I half-lidded my eyes, calmly directing my divinity.
For the Divine Manifestation stage.
Mastering divinity, I'd quickly devised techniques. That cave walk was brainstorming time.
-You can really manifest divinity into skills just from ideas?
The watching Secret Book sounded incredulous.
-Crude versions, but basics? Yeah.
-Impossible! That's straight-up cheating!
Handling divinity was genius territory. Applications like skills? Years of grueling effort.
Devising on the fly? Insane.
-Told you, simple stuff.
-That's what makes it nuts! Without a master, even basics take a lifetime!
Seemed doable to me. Not rocket science.
-Don't believe me? Watch.
The Secret Book went silent.
Then Angulifer's elites shoved through my flames, inches away.
-Peleus!
The Secret Book yelled. I murmured calmly.
-Got it.
Even in the frenzy, everything felt serene. Divinity stirred as planned.
Divine Manifestation.
Come forth, master of the Flame Graveyard.
⟨ Flame Graveyard Invocation ⟩
The Flame Graveyard was the underworld realm for worshippers of the Burning Nameless One. Its "master" was another name for her—this was a rite to call her power.
No mentor meant borrowing prayer forms for Divine Manifestation. Temple scribe days helped.
She slept, so this was all my stored power. Direct access later? Beyond this stage.
"No chance! I'll erase you!"
Angulifer lunged with Ares' might, demonic face.
My half-lidded eyes snapped open.
Kabooooom!
A mountain-shaking blast—as if all my divinity ignited.
Rumble! Boom!
The whole peak quaked. Unreal explosion around me; the massif shuddered like an earthquake. Everything nearby vanished.
Boom!
Blast plume rocketed skyward. Black smoke mushroomed high. Oxygen incinerated; lungs would've burned just breathing. Heat lingered.
Roar!
Sea of fire everywhere. Forest ablaze, flames rippling like waves. All consumed.
"Insane power..."
Embers swirled into a firestorm, devouring the slope. One mountainside became hellfire.
I'd aimed to minimize casualties, but they came for my head—no room for hesitation. First try, poor control too.
Ground littered with charred bones.
Crackle.
Tiny flame on one. I blew it out.
"Whew!"
A droplet trailed my cheek. Pity for the dead? Still soft-hearted. Future battles demanded steel nerves.
Wiping it bitterly, I realized.
"Wait, not tears—sweat."
The bone slipped from my hand.
Crunch!
I ground it underfoot, strolling leisurely through the burning slope.