The God of Underworld - Chapter 192

192: Chapter 36 192: Chapter 36 Overworld.

The sun was setting, the sky glowing orange and purple as Herios and Athena returned from the fields, sweat on their brows but their work complete.

The peaceful mood shattered the moment they saw Herios’ grandmother lying on the ground near the hut, unmoving.

“Grandma!” Herios shouted, running to her side.

Athena’s heart skipped a beat as she rushed after him.

Herios knelt, carefully checking her pulse.

“She’s alive,” he breathed in relief, though his face was pale.

“But she’s burning up.” Athena crouched beside him, already preparing a spell.

“Move,” she said quickly, her voice steady despite the panic in her chest.

“I’ll handle this.” Herios didn’t argue.

He carefully lifted his grandmother and carried her inside, laying her on the bed.

Athena stood at the bedside, her hands glowing with faint green light as she began weaving healing magic.

Although she wasn’t allowed to use divinity, but magic is different matter.

It is created by Hecate to be a completely different form of energy and power system from divinity, which even mortals can use.

“Hold her still.” Herios did as told, watching as Athena’s magic passed over the old woman like a soft breeze.

The flush on her skin began to fade, her breathing steadied, and soon her eyes fluttered open.

“W-what’s all this noise?” the old woman murmured, trying to sit up.

Herios quickly stopped her.

“Stay down, Grandma.

You passed out.” The old woman waved her hand dismissively.

“Bah, I just tripped.

Don’t look at me like that, I’m not leaving this world yet.” “You collapsed,” Herios said, his tone firm but worried.

“You scared me half to death.” Athena frowned, folding her arms.

“He’s right.

You should take this seriously.

Your body is weak.” The old woman chuckled softly.

“You sound like my late husband, girl.

Always worrying over me.

I told him the same thing I’ll tell you-I’ll live for another decade at least.” Herios sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“At this rate, I’ll be bald before you reach that decade.” That made the old woman laugh.

“Then hurry up and marry this girl so I can see my great-grandchildren before I go.” Athena’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn’t deny the words.

“You should rest,” she said gently, changing the subject.

Herios nodded.

“I’ll stay with her tonight.

Make sure she’s okay.” Athena hesitated, then sat on the chair beside the bed.

“I’ll stay too.

Just in case.” His grandmother gave them both a knowing smile but closed her eyes.

“Fine, fine.

But no whispering about babies while I sleep.” Herios groaned.

“Grandma…” Athena chuckled softly despite herself, the tension in her chest finally easing.

Night fell over the hut.

The fields outside were quiet, only the chirping of crickets filling the air.

Inside, the fire burned low, casting a warm glow over the room.

Herios sat by the bed, his elbows resting on his knees.

Athena sat in the chair, her hands folded in her lap, watching the old woman sleep peacefully.

“Her breathing’s steady now,” Athena whispered.

Herios nodded.

“Good.

I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to her.” Athena looked at him for a moment before speaking softly.

“You really care for her deeply.” “She raised me,” Herios said, his voice low.

“When my parents were gone, she was all I had.

She worked herself sick to keep me fed.

I owe her everything.” Athena’s eyes softened.

“She must be proud of you.

I wonder what her expression is if she finds out that she raised the reincarnation of Herios, the King of Heroes.” Herios let out a small laugh.

“I don’t know.

But she’d probably brag about it.” Athena smiled as she leaned back in the chair.

“…Herios, magic won’t help her for long.” Silence lingered between them for a moment, broken only by the sound of the fire crackling.

“Yeah, I know.” Herios said quietly.

Athena tilted her head.

“…If you ask me, I can extend her life.” “No.” He turned to look at her, the faint firelight reflecting in his eyes.

“Grandma…

She wouldn’t like that.” Athena stared at him, and nodded.

For a moment, they just sat in the quiet.

Then Herios smirked slightly, trying to change the subject.

“You know, ever since I turned 15, Grandma’s been trying to set me up with every girl in the village.

Now she’s trying to get me to marry you.” Athena smirked, “Of course.

How could those village girls compare to me?” Herios looked thoughtful, then shrugged.

“True.

You’re better than any girls here in the village.” Athena blinked, caught off guard by the bluntness of his words.

“You say that so casually.” He grinned.

“I’m just being honest.” Athena turned her gaze away, but the tips of her ears turned pink.

“Focus on your grandmother,” she said, trying to hide her expression.

Herios chuckled quietly.

“Yes, ma’am.” They stayed like that for hours, exchanging small words now and then, until the fire burned down to embers.

Herios eventually leaned against his chair, his eyes heavy.

Athena noticed, and without saying a word, pulled a blanket from the corner and draped it over him.

When Herios opened one eye, she was already back in her chair, watching the old woman.

“You didn’t have to do that,” he murmured.

“Go to sleep,” Athena said softly.

Herios smiled at her, and slowly, he fell asleep at the edge of his grandmother’s bed, his hand still clutching hers.

His breathing was soft and even, exhaustion from worry and work finally claiming him.

Athena sat quietly on the other side, her eyes reflecting the dim light.

She stayed awake, alert for any sign of distress from the old woman.

Then, the grandmother’s eyes opened.

Slowly, but with clarity.

“Ah, is Herios asleep?” she whispered.

Athena nodded.

“Yes.

He seems exhausted.

You really worried him, grandma.” A small smile tugged at the old woman’s lips.

“Haha, not to worry, he’s one tough boy.

But thankfully, he’s asleep, I don’t want him awake for this.” Her voice was weak, but steady enough.

Slowly, she began talking-not about her pain, not about fear, but about Herios.

“You know, back then he was such a troublemaker.

Like he really wanted to do anything to enjoy his life, even though he was so young.” she said, her voice carrying a faint laugh.

“When he was five, he tried to catch a snake and bring it home as a pet.

Nearly gave me a heart attack.” Athena’s lips curved into a small smile despite herself.

“That sounds like him.” She thought of Herios’ previous life, how from young age he shouldered the survival of his tribe, until he grew into an adult and shouldered the fate of humanity.

He really has no time to enjoy his life like an ordinary man.

“And when he was ten,” she continued, her eyes glinting with fondness, “he got into a fight with three older boys because they teased a girl from the village.

Came home with dirt all over, but he was smiling because he won.” Athena chuckled softly, picturing little Herios with that same stubborn look he still wore.

But as the grandmother kept talking, Athena noticed something.

Her breaths were slower.

Shallower.

Athena’s chest tightened.

“Your breathing-” The grandmother gently pressed her finger to her lips.

“Shh.

Don’t wake him.

Let him sleep.

If this is my time… I don’t want him to see me go.” Athena swallowed hard.

“But-” “No.” The old woman’s tone was soft, but firm.

“You can heal my pain, but not the years.

It’s alright.

I’m not afraid.” Her voice grew quieter.

“I just wish… I could have seen his children.

Seen him hold them, laugh with them.

He would be a wonderful father.” Athena’s throat ached.

“He will be.

One day.” The grandmother nodded weakly, her eyes shining.

“I believe you.

And you’ll be there with him.

I’m glad.

I can leave knowing he won’t be alone.” Her frail hand reached for Athena’s.

Athena quickly took it, holding it carefully, as though it might break.

“Promise me,” the grandmother whispered, her grip surprisingly firm.

“Promise me you’ll stay with him.

Through everything.

I don’t him to be sad and alone.” Athena’s heart twisted, but she nodded.

“I promise.

I’ll be with him.

Always.

In this life and the next.” The grandmother’s lips curved into the gentlest smile.

“Good girl…” Her eyes drifted half-shut, her chest rising slower and slower.

“I lived a good life,” she murmured.

“Loved my husband.

Raised my children.

Watched my grandson grow strong and kind.

I’m… happy… that’s why, don’t be sad.” She smiled at Athena, and her final breath left her body with a sound that was almost a sigh of relief.

Athena stayed still for a moment, her grip tightening slightly as if to keep the warmth from fading.

Then the silence hit her, heavy and crushing.

She felt wetness on her cheeks before she even realized she was crying.

Silent tears rolled down her face, dripping onto the grandmother’s frail hand.

Athena bowed her head, shoulders trembling.

She had seen countless deaths in her existence, mortal and divine alike, but this felt different.

This woman had trusted her with Herios, with her last words, with her very peace.

Athena brushed the hair from the grandmother’s face and whispered softly, “Rest well.

You did live well.

May Hades guide your soul, and you find happiness in the afterlife.” Just then, Athena flinched when Herios stirred, his hand slipping from his grandmother’s now still fingers.

“You’re awake?” she asked, surprised, quickly wiping her tears.

Herios sat up slowly, his face shadowed, unreadable in the dim light.

“I never slept.” Athena’s breath caught.

“You…” He nodded, his voice breaking.

“I knew.

I could feel it.

She didn’t want me to see it, so I… pretended to fall asleep.” His hand trembled as he reached for his grandmother’s face, brushing a strand of gray hair aside with aching gentleness.

“I didn’t want her to worry.

Not in her last moments.” The words came out shaky, as if each one was cutting him.

Athena couldn’t speak.

She just watched as his shoulders began to shake.

“I don’t want to be selfish,” he said, voice cracking, tears falling freely now.

“I wanted her to stay.

Even though I knew she was tired, I wanted her to stay with me.

But I knew, she has been longing to see grandpa and the others.

The only reason she keeps holding on is because she doesn’t want me to be lonely.” He buried his face in his hands, his body trembling.

“That’s why when you arrive, she felt relieved, and stopped struggling.” Athena moved closer, hesitating for only a moment before wrapping her arms around him.

He clutched her like a drowning man, holding her so tight it almost hurt.

“She’s gone,” he whispered, his voice small, broken.

“She’s really gone.” Athena felt her own tears fall again, her hand running through his hair gently.

“She was proud of you, Herios.

Every word she spoke was filled with love.

She left smiling because of you.” Herios clenched his fists, his tears wetting her shoulder.

“…

you know, in my first life, I grew up without parents.

I was a random child picked up by the leader of our tribe, and was raised to be his successor.” Athena held him tighter.

“That’s why, when I found out I have a family in this life, I was beyond happy.

I get to experience many things I haven’t experienced in my first life.

Getting scolded, getting praised, being forced to study…

There wasn’t a single day where I didn’t thought, ‘Ah, so this is what family is’.” He faced Athena, “I knew.

She must be with Lord Hades right now.

She might’ve already met with grandpa and my parents.

But still, I really wanted her to stay for a bit more.” Herios bit his lip hard, trying to stop himself from sobbing, but it broke through anyway, raw and painful.

Athena held him tighter.

“Cry if you must.

There is no shame in it.” For a long time, the house was filled only with the sound of his grief, deep and unrestrained.

Athena stayed there with him, silently crying too, sharing the weight of his pain.

When the tears finally slowed, Herios wiped his face and looked at his grandmother one last time.

He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

“Thank you,” he whispered, his voice hoarse.

“For everything.” Athena gently rested her hand on his back.

“She can hear you, even now.

Lord Hades will guide her soul.

She is not lost.” Herios closed his eyes, letting those words settle into his heart.

He took a shaky breath and nodded.

“Then… I’ll make her proud.

I’ll live the way she wanted me to.

For her.” Athena smiled faintly through her tears.

“And I will be with you.

Every step of the way.”