The City of Athens
"Finally arrived. Athens." I took the luggage the warrior handed over. It had been about a month since we left Corinth, and now we stood before the citadel of Athena. Before we entered the security checkpoint, Theseus approached me.
"It was an interesting journey, Sisyphus. If our schedules align, I hope we can travel together again."
"I agree."
"I especially enjoyed it when we found those bounties. With bandits everywhere, there wasn't a moment of boredom."
"The inn was the most interesting part. The idea of killing anyone whose height didn't match the bed length was quite a creative concept."
"The guy who offered to wash my feet and the one hanging from the tree were fun, too. Their way of thinking was so different, it was fascinating. Do you have a talent for attracting bandits, or what?"
"It’s not me, it’s you, Theseus. You have a personality that can't just walk past a freak."
"Hmph, perhaps you're right." Theseus elegantly unfurled his fan. Clea, Cassandra, and I had cooperated with Theseus's party to subdue many bandits along the way.
"They were all high-bounty targets, so the rewards will be delicious once we take them to the guild. I’ll make sure half of it is deposited under your name."
"Understood."
"Oh, don't feel burdened. You can pay me back for the Corinth expenses whenever."
"Expenses? I already paid the fee for the defense mission."
I had needed the help at the time, but the fee for a Beta-rank mission was beyond my imagination. There were four of them, too. Between the city restoration funds and maintenance costs, the gold coins I’d earned from slaying Medusa were all gone. Right now, I had just enough left for lodging.
"I haven't received the payment for the Cyclops battle yet."
"I never heard of a Corinthian mission during the Cyclops battle."
"Ah." Clea, standing beside me, nervously brushed her lips. *This guy?*
"Would the same amount as the defense mission suffice?"
"Half of that is plenty."
"I'll pay you soon."
"Don't worry about it. We aren't in a rush for money, so pay whenever."
Even if he says that, I can't live with debts. Mission fees usually come through the guild, so I’d forgotten. Since there was no guild intermediary this time, I had to pay him directly. Come to think of it, I hadn't paid Perseus either.
"Is there any way to make money in Athens?"
"Tsk tsk, you have a top-tier sense of humor. Why else would we have come all the way to this foreign land?" She gave a sharp, predatory smile, like a wildcat eyeing its prey. "Heroes seeking missions shall go to Athens. Athens is the center of all missions. Unless a hero is cursed with laziness, they won't starve to death here."
"So you're saying there are plenty of missions?"
"It's a region with many magical beasts, and you can receive dispatch missions to the Thessaly mainland, the peninsula, the Aegean Sea, and even Crete. It all depends on how you work."
Olympus is Olympus, but I need to secure travel expenses first.
"See you later, Muscle-man."
We parted ways with Theseus's party and entered Athens. The Hero Registration Card was convenient. When Cassandra and I presented our cards, even Clea, who was with us, was allowed in without much inspection.
"A big city really is a big city. This is incredible." Clea marveled at the city's landscape.
"Is this your first time here?"
"Maybe once when I was very young. This is my first time seeing it properly. How about you, Sisyphus?"
"Yeah. Let's head to the guild first."
"Why the guild?"
"Because you need to register as a hero."
"Ah, right. ...Hehe." Clea’s face was full of excitement. But come to think of it, I’m not a hero. I don't know any techniques, and I can't handle mana. I don't know if I should be taking missions, but I’d already passed the test and had the registration card, so it should be fine.
"It smells delicious. Someone must be baking apple pie. Sisyphus, can't we stop by the market?"
"Your spirit has grown lax. It's all because you lack muscle. It's leg day for you today."
"Eek. I hate leg day. I'd rather go for a run."
"No. I'll do it with you, so get to it."
"Odysseus, help me!"
Once a muscle starts pumping, it’s bound to clamor for more growth. It’s useless if you stop after exercising just a little. Now is the most important time.
"One more set."
"Eeeek."
As I was PT-ing Cassandra, a crowd suddenly swarmed us.
"Greetings. I am Socrates of the Athenian Areopagus Council. Are you, by any chance, Sisyphus from Corinth?"
Hmm. Seeing his face and attire, I got a hunch. Cassandra whispered to me, "Sisyphus, they're intellectuals."
"I know."
I stepped forward and shook hands with the balding middle-aged man. "I am Sisyphus, son of Aeolus, from Corinth. I have heard much of the philosopher Socrates's reputation. It is an honor."
"Hoho, the honor is mine to be recognized by a great hero. Welcome to Athens! Please, tell us if you need anything. There are various benefits for heroes, so I hope you stay for a long time."
"Then, do you know where the guild is?"
"Ah, the guild! Follow me. I shall guide you through Athens."
They’re welcoming us quite warmly. Greece generally has a culture hospitable to visitors. Being treated so kindly upon our first meeting put me at ease. Feeling that things would go well, I headed toward the guild.
"So, the story that you subdued the god Hermes is true?"
"Without a doubt. Look, this hero here is wearing winged sandals!"
"Is she a newcomer who hasn't registered yet? Odysseus! A wonderful name. That's perfect. Please register at our guild."
As twenty intellectuals surrounded the Sisyphus party and walked through the streets, it was inevitable that the citizens' attention would be focused on us.
"Why are the nobles swarming around like that?"
"Maybe some foreign king came to visit."
Socrates marveled as he listened to the stories of the great hero, Sisyphus. Rumor had it that Corinth was a very advanced polis.
"Ho, so you mean Sisyphus understands equations?"
"Odysseus here taught me."
"Odysseus also knows mathematics... That is impressive."
It is common for a king or lord of a polis to be a hero. After all, extraordinary beings of divine lineage are bound to lead the masses. However, it was evident from their short conversation that they possessed considerable intellect and dignity as intellectuals as well. It is rare to find those of such a high caliber. They were even young.
'The longer the Sisyphus party is active, the more it benefits Athens.' Everyone on the council agreed. They decided that even if they had to pour out all possible support, they had to make them plant their roots in Athens.
"I've come to register as a hero."
"I will call the examiner. Please wait a moment."
While Odysseus was undergoing the grade assessment, the council urgently called the branch manager to share their opinions.
'This is our chance. How can we make Sisyphus feel favorable toward Athens?'
'Shall we shower them with advance payments?'
'No. I spoke with him and realized. If he were a hero with a lot of greed like others, it might work, but an intellectual like him would rather suspect and refuse money given without cause.'
Socrates had accurately grasped Sisyphus's personality from their short conversation.
'What about the market? There are many goods...'
'That’s good. You, leave immediately. Tell the guild-affiliated shops to give the Sisyphus party a discount on goods, and we will settle the difference later.'
'What about missions? What if we pay several times the reward?'
'That is a good idea.'
After the meeting, Socrates said to Sisyphus, "Sisyphus, did you see the market prices earlier?"
"I did."
"Once Odysseus's registration is complete, be sure to take a look. There are many useful armaments."
"I don't need armaments."
"It's not just armaments; there are many artifacts as well. They protect you from magical beasts that use mental-interference dark magic, which heroes find most troublesome."
"Hmm. That might be useful."
"Indeed. There are many artifacts you'd be hard-pressed to find outside of Athens. Oh, if it's a shop affiliated with *Eranoi*, you can show your hero registration card and receive a discount. Be sure to go to an affiliated shop. No, wait, I shall give you a map."
Socrates handed a piece of parchment to Sisyphus. "Are you looking for missions as well?"
"I'm looking for anything that pays."
"That is perfect. Look at this bulletin board. You can choose whatever you like."
Sisyphus scanned the contents. Then, he tilted his head. *'Why are there only such honey-pot missions?'* All of them had incredibly high rewards compared to the content.
"Take your time choosing."
As Sisyphus turned his body, the staff cleared the entire bulletin board so other heroes wouldn't see it.
"Come to think of it, did Theseus's party stop by? They said they would leave the bounty rewards for me."
"Have you already completed a mission? A bounty, you say—truly impressive! Guild master, please settle this here."
The branch manager ordered a staff member. Soon, *thud*, a sack of money was placed in front of Sisyphus. Sisyphus checked the contents and expressed doubt.
"Isn't this a bit much? Theseus's party should have already taken half."
"Ah, this is correct. You are lucky. It just so happens to be the double-bounty payment period."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Bandits are running rampant, you see. You even subdued Scinis and Procrustes. Notorious bandits. That is truly impressive."
"Hmm."
Since they were giving it to him, Sisyphus packed the sack of gold coins into his bag. Good. Now, that’s the finish. Socrates decided to deliver the final blow.
"Ah, do you have a place to stay? As it happens, the guild supports inn lodging for heroes of Beta-rank or higher."
Once a residence is decided, it’s hard to leave. He thought that by making them unpack their bags, he could make them settle down. But Sisyphus's answer was blunt.
"That won't apply. I am Delta-rank."
"What."
Oh no. Socrates slapped his forehead. Since he was a great hero who had subdued a god, he naturally assumed he would be Alpha or Sigma. How could a hero who had subdued the terrifying beast Medusa and a thief god be the lowest-rank Delta?
"May I take a look at your registration card for a moment?"
"Here it is."
"...Ah! This is no problem. You can stay as long as you like."
His brow furrowed. Sisyphus gave Socrates a suspicious look.
"Come now, just take a look at the inn once. I’m sure you’ll like it."
"Hmm."
"Sisyphus, I finished the assessment. They said I'm Gamma-rank." Clea showed her hero registration card with a haughty attitude.
"Congratulations."
"Hehe, thanks. It’s just the beginning now. What were you talking about?"
Clea, having heard the story, said, "Since we can use it, shall we take a look?"
"Sure, let's do that."
'That's it!' Socrates cheered inwardly. It was the moment the first button of the great hero recruitment operation was properly fastened.
"If you need anything else, just say the word, Sisyphus. I look forward to discussing knowledge again."
"It was an honor."
Socrates shook hands with Sisyphus. He was a man with a grip like a beast.
"I will ask one more thing." As Socrates was returning to the council, satisfied, Sisyphus called him back.
"What is it?"
Sisyphus had torn off a piece of parchment from the bulletin board and brought it with him. "This mission, the payment seems high—is it available immediately?"