Chapter 433

433 Gathering of the Strong #2

Creak-. Clank-.

The door to the personal office of the High Priestess of the Venus Shrine opened with a metallic sound.

“Grrr-. Huffhuff-.”

Following that was a beast-like breathing sound.

Turning my head, I saw a woman clad in pink-spiked armor approaching me. She had flowing, curly blonde hair, blue eyes, and pale skin. Her face was undeniably beautiful, but the gag in her mouth was rather off-putting.

“Grrr-.”

Because of the gag, unnatural breathing sounds kept emerging from her mouth, making her seem like a wild animal brimming with savagery rather than a human.

Finally, when she stood behind the high priestess, the latter added a few words.

“I’ll lend you our Shrine of Venus in Sodomora’s ultimate power, Psyche. Since you’ve already met before, there’s no need for introductions, is there?”

“…”

I silently nodded.

Psyche.

At the mention of her name, memories of the trouble I once had at this Shrine of Venus immediately came flooding back.

Goddess of Love and Beauty, Venus, and her holy warrior, Psyche.

There’s a reason why this gagged woman is wearing such sharp armor and binding devices on her hands and feet.

For holy warriors are a form of punishment for those who have sinned against the gods.

The high priestess of Venus added an explanation.

“Psyche only has her final task left to complete. Once she accomplishes it, her sins will be forgiven, and she can live a normal life.”

“Final task you say?”

“To go to the end of the Underworld and retrieve the box of eternal sleep. However, this was an almost impossible task for a living person. But now, this opportunity has arisen.”

“Indeed.”

I nodded as I quickly glanced over the Holy Warrior Psyche. That this woman is strong is evident from the fact that she broke Kalidur’s leg.

But whether she can truly be of help remains uncertain.

“Sorry, but may I briefly touch Psyche’s wrist?”

At this, the high priestess chuckled behind her mask.

“You should ask Psyche herself, not me. I’m not her master, and she’s certainly not my pet.”

“Is that so?”

I had to admit I had made a mistake.

So, I turned to the silent Psyche, who stood there blinking and asked, “Could I maybe feel your wrist for a moment?”

“…”

Of course, there was no verbal response. When I glanced at the high priestess’s mask, she merely shrugged.

Since she didn’t refuse, it’s as good as permission.

And so, I slowly extended my hand toward Psyche’s wrist.

“Grrrrr-.”

As my hand got closer, the Holy Warrior Psyche began to growl menacingly, like a Siberian Husky having its treat snatched, narrowing her eyebrows.

I flinched.

At this, the high priestess chuckled, “Don’t worry. Psyche doesn’t bite. She just hits.”

“Still, that doesn’t sound reassuring.”

“Nevertheless, Psyche seems to like you. Normally, her growling wouldn’t end so easily.”

“Is that so?”

I found it hard to comprehend. It felt like dealing with a particularly aggressive Pit Bull who’s not on a leash, wagging its tail while the owner assures me, “Our dog is very nice, it won’t bite.”

Ugh, suddenly, I feel annoyed.

This situation is seriously problematic.

Dogs are wolves.

No matter how small or tame a dog may seem, like a Chihuahua or a Shih Tzu, as descendants of wolves, they inherently possess a predatory nature.

And that nature makes them bare their teeth at relatively harmless-looking children. In reality, many young children are injured by small unleashed dogs.

If I ever gain power, I must propose strict laws imposing heavy fines on dog owners who walk their dogs without leashes.

While pondering this, something gently approached me — Psyche’s wrist.

While I was lost in thought, she had silently extended her wrist towards me.

Could she have accepted me?

Slightly moved, I placed my fingers on her wrist. It felt like connecting with a wild beast.

Ding-.

『Name: Psyche Pureheart Lv. 41

Condition: Sinner of Love 《Inordinate Affection》』

Psyche’s level, according to the floating text, is 41.

I had already thought she wasn’t ordinary after witnessing her break Kalidur’s leg, but indeed, she is a formidable woman, worthy of the title of the shrine’s ultimate power.

Hero-class adventurers are typically found around Level 40, so this woman has met the primary requirements to be considered a Gold Tier adventurer.

Which means she could be a great help for the Expedition to the Underworld.

“However, this might put your life at risk. Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

“…”

Psyche silently nodded without a word.

And thus, I have obtained two excellent forces from the Venus Shrine in Sodomora: Kalidur and Psyche.

But I still felt it wasn’t enough.

“It’s been a while, haven’t I returned here?”

The North Gate of Sodomora, beyond which lies a high cliff.

At the foot of this cliff lies the abyss of Erebore, dark and dangerous, filled with all sorts of terrifying monsters, including Manticores.

But the most dangerous presence in the Abyss isn’t the Manticore, nor the Wyverns or any other poisonous insects—it’s an Undead.

And I’m heading into the abyss right now to meet this Undead.

As always, descending into this darkness makes me tense.

Creeeeak, creeeeak-.

Riding a gondola deeper into the abyss, I spotted a hearth and an old cabin carved into a corner of a ravine between cliffs.

“Is anyone there?”

In response to my greeting, dull-sounding rattling followed by the appearance of a skeleton in blue light, wrapped in a cloak, greeted me.

It’s been a while, Hassan.

His name is Achilles or Arthur.

A Weaponmaster and d*ath Knight resurrected by Pluto’s curse.

You’ve grown stronger. You almost seem like a different person. Regular swords and arrows wouldn’t pierce your skin, would they?

Achilles seemed to immediately recognize that I had become stronger during our absence.

And just as he detected my strength, my sharpened senses reconfirmed that Achilles was, without a doubt, an incredibly formidable warrior.

Even reduced to just bones, he reveals no weaknesses.

I can easily predict that any attack I attempt would be effortlessly thwarted and that I’d end up being counterattacked.

Just what in the world is this guy?

Some kind of super skeleton?

So, why has someone as busy as you with shrine operations come all the way down to this desolate abyss?

“I have a request. I came to inquire if you’d be willing to leave this place and join an expedition team.”

Expedition team? Are you planning a war?

“War… something along those lines. I’m in the process of organizing a rather large-scale expedition team. I anticipate at least twenty Gold Tier adventurers will join.”

Gold Tier… those wearing gold necklaces, graduates of Kairos Academy – each one capable of being called a hero.

“That’s correct.”

This body, Achilles or his rival Hector, Odysseus or Ajax, Menelaus – a battlefield brimming with valiant warriors. There might even be despicable types like Paris.

I understood the names Achilles was reciting were those of the brave warriors who once fought in the Trojan War.

I had often borrowed books from the library about the Trojan War to learn more about Achilles, the d*ath Knight of the Abyss.

It was quite interesting.

In any case, I nodded.

“There will be quite a few strong individuals causing ruckus, it seems.”

Indeed. Though I lack a heart, my chest feels like it’s pounding. A battlefield, a battlefield. Has the Kingdom of Jereeth chosen war?

Achilles’ reaction was fairly positive.

Being confined to this abyss for so long, hunting Wyverns like Agumon and killing monsters must have been dull for him.

To put it simply, it is akin to a long-time player who has completed all high-level content suddenly getting a massive update with large-scale war events.

Viewed this way, I can understand why Achilles’ expectations were rising. Lack of content is a significant problem in any game or life.

Who is the enemy? Are they the descendants of the East Trojan land? Or perhaps, the ambitious kingdoms of the Western desert? The barbaric Ideopes from the southern islands cannot be underestimated either. Or maybe, the newly discovered Elves from the North?

Yet, Achilles’ guesses were all wrong.

I need to correct this.

“We won’t invade anywhere East, West, South, or North.”

What?

Shiver-

The faint glow of blue light from the skeleton’s eyes, unsettling every time I see it. He asked again.

If we’re not heading East, West, South, or North, then what kind of expedition team are you trying to form exactly?

“But where we are headed is-.”

Clack-.

I pointed downwards with my thumb.

“Underground.”

…

Whether or not he understood my explanation well, a brief silence fell between Achilles and me.

A few seconds passed.

Achilles narrowed his glowing blue eyes and opened his gaunt mouth.

Hassan, I hate to break it to you, but that’s not called an expedition team. That’s called a s*icide squad. No hero, let alone the mighty gods of Hypo, ever attempted to conquer the Underworld.

His words were rather pessimistic.

But backing down right here isn’t an option.

I felt the need to reinforce my position slightly.

“I can’t do it alone, that’s certain. That’s why I need the help of strong individuals. That’s why I’d like to have you on this expedition team.”

At that, Achilles let out a low, ominous laugh.

You don’t understand, Hassan – or should I say, young Pluto – the sheer power and absurdity of the Underworld. I know it well. And I’m telling you, we’ll all d*e. Like dogs. Like insects.

Shiver-

His blue light trembled.

I could detect one emotion in his glowing eyes – one that seemed entirely unsuitable for this man: ‘fear’.

“Are you afraid?”

Afraid? Even this body, Achilles, the radiant protagonist of epic tales, couldn’t withstand the authority of the Underworld. And look at me now; how did I end up like this-.

Achilles closed his mouth as if suppressing further words. I sensed something important in what he didn’t say, but as he didn’t seem eager to divulge, he changed the subject.

You are attempting something so difficult that it makes the quests of countless heroes and gods seem like child’s play.

“…”

I’ve told you before. Living for glory and heroic deeds brings no good. Hassan, give up. You’ve already gained so much. Enjoy a life of comfort and ease.

Achilles’ words struck deep into my heart. If I had been the old commoner Hassan, I might have nodded and withdrawn.

But here, if I were to consent to his words, everything I’ve done so far and the efforts of those who helped me would all be wasted.

Oaths and promises.

My goal to surpass my father.

All that would fall into ruins if discarded.

A purposeless Hassan would be no different than a mannequin.

“…”

As I strained to find a retort, Achilles noticed this and drew a longsword from his waist.

However, a man with set resolve can’t be swayed. That’s something I know well.

Swosh-.

Then prove it. Pluto’s son, Hassan.

The strong presence emanating from the drawn sword was overwhelming.