Ambrosia from a Fallen Titan
There was nowhere the gods did not dwell. Some resided in the underworld, others in the seas and rivers, and still more lived among mortals on the earth. But the most renowned abode of the gods was the majestic Olympus, perched atop its mountain peak—a place mortals could never ascend, a realm of eternal bliss.
It was grand everywhere you looked, but one spot stood out for its particularly stunning vista. Long ago, an unnamed Titan who had warred against the Olympian gods fell here. That brave Titan had climbed to the summit of Olympus itself to clash with the gods. Exhausted, he collapsed in this very place, his body petrifying into part of the mountain.
Strangely enough, a lush tree soon sprouted from the Titan's head, as if feeding on his corpse for sustenance.
Crunch.
A pleasing sound rang out, like biting into a crisp apple. A god with radiant golden hair shining like the sun plucked a fruit from the mystical tree and took a hearty bite.
"As sweet as ever. Here, Hermes—you try some too."
He was Apollo, god of the sun and arts. Apollo tossed the fruit to another god standing nearby.
The receiver was Hermes, the gods' swift messenger, famous for delivering messages on the wind with his winged sandals. He eyed the apple-sized fruit in his hand with a mix of curiosity and unease.
"It's uncanny every time I see it. For a tree grown from such an ominous Titan's body to bear ambrosia..."
The fruit Apollo and Hermes were eating was ambrosia, the food that granted immortality to the Olympian gods.
"Hush! Don't speak of that so lightly, Hermes. It's not something that should get out."
"My apologies—careless of me. Haha."
The notion that the gods' immortality stemmed from a wicked, ill-fated Titan who had died long ago was hardly news worth spreading. The Olympians had to remain ever noble and beautiful, after all. Thus, only the gods themselves could come here to harvest ambrosia. The various servants of Olympus had no idea where it came from.
"By the way, Lord Apollo, humans from other worlds have been appearing, and the gods are in quite a stir."
"I've seen them. They seem utterly ordinary at first glance."
Hermes spoke dismissively, but something actually bothered him. A human caught in something as monumental as dimensional travel had been far too composed. He kept that impression to himself, though.
"Still, many gods are paying attention. No one can ignore the prophecies of the end times."
"Prophecies... a headache. True enough—it's been a century since the last dimensional traveler. Given the prophecies, it's bound to draw notice."
"Hermes, are you interested too?"
Apollo's tone was warm, but a faint chill laced it. Hermes wasn't sure if he'd noticed, but he flashed a cheerful grin anyway.
"Hahaha! Me? I'm too busy running errands to have the time."
"I see."
"Why don't you take the lead, Lord Apollo? He doesn't seem any different from past travelers—no special talents in sight—but he'd still be useful under your command."
"Hmm... perhaps."
Apollo feigned nonchalance, but Hermes knew better. If any promising talent showed up in that traveler, Apollo wouldn't sit idle.
"How could I handle it alone? Everyone's showing interest."
"Do you have something in mind?"
"Hmm... What if we hold a banquet? It would showcase Olympus's generosity while letting us gauge his worth."
"Oh! A brilliant idea. As expected of the wise Apollo."
It was blatant flattery, but Apollo seemed pleased.
"You're too kind. Interested gods can send servants or proxies. And we could even bet among ourselves on which god catches his eye."
"Excellent suggestion."
"Then, Hermes—spread word of my intentions to the others?"
"Of course."
Hermes bowed his head and vanished in an instant. As expected, no one matched his speed among the gods.
Crunch.
Satisfied with his decision, Apollo bit into the remaining ambrosia. The darkness of the fruit—born from the dead Titan's corpse—sucked into his body. That pitch-black chaos was the very proof of the gods' immortality.
"Suppose I should head down too."
Tonight, he was set to perform his famed lyre for the Olympian gods at the banquet. With his father Zeus attending, he'd need to be extra careful. Apollo was always busy ensuring he didn't lose the king of gods' favor.
As he descended from the Titan's head toward the Olympian palace, a chilling aura from behind made his body stiffen. It was a truly bone-chilling malice.
I can never get used to this...
He clicked his tongue inwardly but turned with a warm smile.
"Have you come, brother?"
His smile was friendly, but the other ignored him outright.
"Hmph!"
The newcomer was Ares, god of war. Warrior among warriors, rightful crown prince of Olympus.
Apollo could claim princely status too, but his mother's identity was unknown—some nameless goddess. Ares, by contrast, was the son of Zeus himself and his wife Hera. True heir to king and queen, far above a bastard like Apollo.
Yet on Olympus, their standings differed from their bloodlines. The lofty, elegant gods despised Ares, who reeked of blood. Even his own parents, Zeus and Hera, disliked him. The prince of noblest blood was forever clamoring for war against the Titans, prowling the world's edges in endless brawls.
His armor was splattered with gore even now. His magnificent golden hair, which would otherwise draw admiration, was matted grotesquely with sticky blood.
"Brother, where have you been this time? Father worries."
"To the world's end. The Titans will return—I've found decisive proof this time."
Apollo wore a pitying expression.
"The Titans are long gone. Even this Olympus stands atop a dead one's corpse, doesn't it? Brother, it's time you came home and took up your heir's training."
Ares scoffed at Apollo's words.
"Spare me the false concern! I know you've been cozying up to Father in my absence."
"A misunderstanding, brother."
Despite Ares's rudeness, Apollo's refined features showed no anger—just that same pitying look. It was like he always wore a mask, and Ares lost interest in dealing with him.
"Lowborn wretch. Out of my way."
Ares prioritized hunting Titan remnants to prepare for the coming end. With solid gains this time, he hurried to report to Zeus. Father would frown as always, but Ares never gave up. He strode off like a raging lion.
"So stubborn, brother."
Apollo's lips curled as he watched Ares's retreating back.
"Claiming Titans linger denies Father's great deeds. How can you not see how hated that makes you?"
Zeus had crushed the Titans to usher in the Olympian age. For his own son to keep dredging up "proof" they weren't truly gone and agitate for war? Hardly welcome.
Zeus hadn't come to loathe Ares overnight.
"Not that it matters to me."
Thanks to Ares's obsession with sword and spear, Apollo enjoyed Zeus's favor more than anyone. He didn't see that brute—who knew nothing beyond battle—as real competition.
"Athena..."
Athena, goddess of wisdom. The famed beauty was Apollo's true rival. She'd surely interfere at the banquet. Apollo swept back his lovely curls, pondering how to handle his sister.
I started walking toward Mycenae with the Secret Book. Curses spilled from my mouth unbidden.
"Ah, fuck."
Two hours in, already.
"Should've grabbed a donkey for the regression if I knew it'd be like this."
"Quit your bitching."
"Shut up, you useless book. What can you even do besides float around uselessly? The mighty Secret Book—less useful than a goddamn donkey!"
"Y-you bastard! Dare compare this noble body to a donkey? Worse than one, even?!"
Now I remembered. Ten years prior, I'd forgotten how far it was from the dimensional arrival point to Mycenae. A hell of a hike back then too. Half-panicked in this alien world.
Picture it: dumped in an unknown realm, no people for hours, just endless walking. No friendly guides like in those isekai stories. No info, just abandoned on the roadside.
I'd nearly died of fright, honestly. No fear now, but my legs screamed.
"Aigoo, I'm dying. Can't go farther."
"Move it, you sluggish piglet!"
"What? Piglet? Says the floating void—got a death wish?"
We bickered on for hours until, at last, a group appeared ahead. Easily over a hundred strong.
"Peleus, those the ones?"
"Yeah."
Nobles in fine garb with attendants. Plenty of armed warriors too. They looked like a chance encounter, but I knew they were waiting for me.
-Talk in my head from now on. Muttering to thin air makes me look insane.
Then, about twenty armored cavalry kicked up dust charging our way. At the front rode a noble with tall plumes on his helmet and ornate decorations.
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
The mere sight of that cavalry charge could terrify anyone. Only those who've faced a horse-mounted swarm know the dread.
-How'd you handle this last time?
-Pissed my smallclothes and bolted.
But not this time. I knew they were just trying to intimidate. I stood casually as the riders approached.
They reined in, slowing to a halt before me. The lead noble's eyes gleamed with surprise. Gutsy guy, he must've thought.
"Traveler! Who are you? State your status!"
He barked to cow me. Last time, I'd fled right into their encirclement, sobbing and begging for mercy. Try going from normal Korean life to being hunted by spear-wielding cavalry. You'd beg too.
-What now? The Secret Book's voice held worry—the situation felt off.
-Just watch. This is my second run. No backing down to some petty noble.
I ignored him and bellowed back defiantly.
"You scum! Do you even know who I am, spouting such nonsense?!"
The noble's shock was plain—he hadn't expected defiance amid drawn blades. He'd tested me, but they were supposed to treat me well, per the gods' orders. I pressed the advantage, and his tone flipped instantly.
"Wh-who might you be, noble one?"
Perfect—still in my Korean clothes, which looked exotic here. Cheap brand, but the dyes and embroidery would seem extraordinary by local standards.
Time to go big.
"Step aside, you lowborn cur! I am of royal blood! Have someone of proper station come greet me!"
"Gasp!"
He gawked, eyes bulging at the claim of royal lineage. The Secret Book panicked more.
-Dude! You actually royalty?!
I chuckled inwardly.
-Total bullshit, you thick-skulled tome.