The God of Underworld - Chapter 196
196: Chapter 40 196: Chapter 40 Overworld.
The entire forest shook, and a low, guttural growl reverberated through the trees.
Birds scattered from the canopy, animals fled, and the ground trembled with each step of the monstrous being.
From between the trees emerged an enormous creature, its body formed from jagged boulders, slabs of stone grinding against one another like thunder.
Glowing cracks ran along its body, radiating heat and malice.
It roared, swinging its massive arms with enough force to uproot trees and shatter the earth.
But there was someone in the air, weaving between its attacks.
Herios.
Cloaked in brown, an iron sword gripped in his hand, his movements were swift and precise.
He smiled despite the danger, his eyes sharp as he ducked under a massive stone fist and leapt over the creature’s other arm.
The air split as his blade clashed against stone, sparks flying.
The rock giant bellowed, furious at the insignificant human who dared resist it.
Then, a voice rang out.
“Herios!
Move!” From behind, Athena appeared, her golden hair flowing in the wind, her eyes gleaming with focus.
A glowing magic circle flared to life in her palm, intricate runes spinning in concentric circles.
She thrust her hand forward, releasing a massive surge of divine flame.
The explosion struck the rock monster square in the chest.
A deafening crack resounded as its body fractured and chunks of stone scattered in all directions.
The dust cleared to reveal the creature’s chest glowing with a single weak point-a radiant orb embedded deep within.
Athena shouted, “Now!” Herios landed on a broken tree trunk, crouched, then sprang forward.
His sword shone, golden light running down the edge as he slashed.
The air itself split open, forming a crescent wave that struck the glowing orb.
With a shriek that echoed across the forest, the orb shattered in two, and the massive construct collapsed like a landslide, boulders crashing to the ground.
Silence followed, broken only by the faint ringing of Herios’ sword as he lowered it.
He landed lightly on the dirt.
Athena stepped beside him, lowering her hand as the magic circle dissolved.
Both looked over the ruined remains of their opponent.
“The quest is complete,” Athena said, her voice calm but proud.
Herios smirked, wiping dirt from his cheek.
“Not bad for a warm-up.” Athena raised a brow but allowed a faint hum of agreement.
This level of opponent can barely be considered a warm-up.
One is a reincarnation of a god slayer, the other is a genuine god.
Who in this mortal world can actually be a threat to them?
Together, they turned from the fallen monster and began walking down the forest path.
The sun filtered weakly through the broken canopy, dust still drifting in the air.
As they walked, Herios glanced at her.
“Funny how we ended up doing this.” Athena folded her arms.
“You’re just too kind.
But well, free lodging and food is always good.” The memory resurfaced.
They had arrived at a town expecting food and a place to sleep, only to find half the houses collapsed, walls shattered, and the people struggling to rebuild.
Exhausted villagers told them of the rock beast that had rampaged through days earlier.
The mayor explained that the town’s army had gone to slay it, one hundred men strong.
Only a dozen returned, battered and broken.
Back then, Herios had stepped forward.
“I’ll deal with it,” he had said simply.
“In exchange, give us food and lodging.” The mayor, desperate, had agreed.
And that was all these started.
Back in the present, Athena tilted her head as they reached the edge of the forest.
“You never change, do you?
Always helping.
As expected of the king of heroes, I guess.” Herios shrugged, though there was a faint, wistful look in his eyes.
“It’s easier to fight monsters than watch people suffer.” Their conversation ended as the outline of the town came into view.
Villagers were gathered at the gate, waiting nervously.
When they saw Herios and Athena returning, alive and unscathed, murmurs of hope and relief spread through the crowd.
The two walked into the town, the ruins around them bathed in the glow of the setting sun.
As soon as Herios and Athena entered, the guards recognized them and ran ahead to alert the mayor.
Within moments, the mayor himself appeared, his face pale and drawn from sleepless nights.
When he saw the two of them, his eyes widened.
“You’ve returned,” the mayor said, his voice shaking.
“Is it… done?” Herios nodded once.
“The monster is gone.
It won’t trouble you again.” The mayor’s eyes filled with tears, his shoulders sagging with relief.
He turned and raised his voice so the workers nearby could hear.
“It’s over!
The beast is slain!” A cheer rippled through the crowd.
Men dropped their tools, women clapped their hands, children ran forward to see the heroes.
Relief spread like wildfire through the ruined town, faces lighting up with hope for the first time in days.
Herios scratched his head, embarrassed by the noise.
“I only did what was asked,” he muttered.
Athena smirked.
“Don’t act so modest.
You deserved it.” “Maybe,” he said with a small grin.
The mayor stepped forward again, bowing deeply.
“You have our gratitude.
You and your companion will have food, a place to rest, anything we can provide.
This town will remember your names.” Herios nodded, but his gaze wandered to the workers still struggling to rebuild.
His grip on his sword tightened.
Athena noticed and quietly said, “You’re thinking of staying to help, aren’t you?” “Maybe a little longer,” Herios admitted.
“Until they can stand on their own again.” Athena looked at him for a moment, then smiled faintly.
“Always the same, no matter how many lives you live.” The crowd surrounded them with cheers and gratitude, and for the first time in a long while, the ruined town felt alive again.
The night came quickly, and with it, warmth returned to the broken town.
Torches were lit around the square.
Long tables were set up from whatever scraps of wood they could gather.
Pots of stew boiled, bread was passed around, and jugs of ale were opened.
The air filled with laughter, relief, and the smell of food.
Herios sat with his cloak draped over the chair, his sword leaned against the table.
A steaming bowl of stew sat before him.
Across from him, Athena sat with perfect posture, though her plate was just as full as everyone else’s.
Children ran around them, tugging at Herios’s cloak.
“Is it true you cut the monster in half?” one boy asked, eyes wide.
Herios chuckled.
“Not in half.
Just the orb in its chest.” Another boy piped up, “But I saw light in the sky!
Was that you?” “That was me,” Athena answered smoothly, sipping from her cup.
“Magic, not swordsmanship.” The children oohed and ahhed, making Herios laugh.
“Magic is soo cool!” “I wanna be a magician!” Athena smiled, “Then you can join the Mage Association when you grow up.” Mage Association, an organisation established by Medea, the disciple of Hecate which standardized magic and spread the craft to the world.
Just then, mayor raised his mug high, his voice booming.
“To the heroes who saved us!
To Lord Herios and Lady Minerva!” The crowd roared back, “To Lord Herios and Lady Minerva!” Mugs clinked, and the feast carried on with twice the noise.
Herios scratched his cheek, embarrassed by the attention.
He leaned toward Athena.
“This feels… too much.
I didn’t do it for praise.” Athena gave him a knowing smile.
“It’s not about praise.
It’s about hope.
People need it.
And right now, you’re giving it to them.” A young woman approached the table, placing a garland of wildflowers on Herios’s shoulders.
He blinked, startled, while Athena smirked.
“You wear it well,”she teased.
Herios groaned.
“Don’t you dare start.” Music began, played on flutes and drums.
Some villagers danced, others sang.
The atmosphere grew brighter with every passing minute.
For a while, Herios forgot his grief.
He forgot the weight of his grandmother’s passing and the uncertainty of the road ahead.
He let himself laugh, eat, and drink among the people.
Athena watched him quietly, her lips curved in a soft smile that she didn’t let him notice.