King of Underworld

Chapter 61 The Story of Perseus – (3)

After sending Ath ena off with the Kynee, I returned to the throne of the citadel.

Soon, as fate had ordained, Perseus would kill Medusa and become a hero.

“Thanatos, please send an avatar to Medusa’s location in advance.”

“Hmm. Is it already time? Very well…”

The old god with black wings nodded and moved.

It wouldn’t be long before Medusa’s soul, having met her destined death, would arrive in the underworld.

While I sat on the throne, contemplating Medusa, the goddess Styx approached and spoke.

“Hades. Let’s watch how Perseus fares together.”

“I’m busy with my duties…”

“Come on, let’s watch together. Many gods are paying attention to him.”

Perseus was the son of Zeus and was destined to become a hero.

Thus, many gods had generously lent him their weapons and tools.

Not only the gods of Olympus but also many of those residing in the underworld were watching his journey…

“Very well, I shall briefly turn my gaze to the mortal world.”

* * *

Perseus stood before the cave where Medusa resided, taking a deep breath to steady himself.

His fate would soon be decided.

He closed his eyes and recalled his journey up to this point.

The steps that had led him to Medusa…

“Perseus. I am Athena, the goddess of wisdom. This is Hermes, the messenger god.”

“The gods of Olympus have granted me…!”

“The gods have willingly lent you their weapons. First, my shield, Hermes’ sandals, Ares’ sword, and Lord Hades’ helmet…”

“My goodness… Thank you so much!”

The goddess Athena and the god Hermes lent him the gods’ weapons.

Among them was even Pluto’s sacred relic, the invisible helmet.

“The Graeae sisters, who share a single eye, will know Medusa’s location. Though they appear as three old women, they only have one eye and one tooth among them, so use that to your advantage.”

“Three women sharing one eye and one tooth?”

“Indeed. May fortune smile upon your journey, which so many gods are watching.”

“It seems you have the protection of Uncle Hades as well. Go forth with strength!”

With that, Perseus donned the winged sandals and flew to the Graeae sisters.

Just as the goddess Athena had said, the old women were sharing a single eye and a single tooth,

And Perseus, wearing the Kynee, approached them and snatched away their eye.

“Your eye is with me. If you do not tell me Medusa’s location immediately, I will throw it far away!”

“No… No! We didn’t even sense your presence!”

“What the…? Return it at once!”

“You wretch! Ugh… The Gorgon sisters reside on the island to the west…”

“I see. But if all three sisters have snake hair, how will I recognize Medusa?”

“The snakes on Medusa’s head are venomous, and unlike her sisters, their heads are triangular!”

The location of the Gorgon sisters, which he learned from them, was on an island at the westernmost edge.

The island seemed ordinary and small, but as he approached the suspicious cave within, he immediately felt a chilling aura.

Even from outside the cave, the oppressive atmosphere was palpable.

It was clear that the Gorgon sisters lived here.

The closer Perseus got to Medusa, the stronger the ominous feeling would become.

Wearing the Kynee and holding Athena’s shield, Perseus turned his back to the entrance of the cave.

He looked at the landscape behind him through the reflection on the shield as he slowly walked backward.

‘If I see Medusa’s hair, I’ll turn to stone… I must never turn around!’

The sacred Kynee, lent to him by Pluto, erased all traces of his presence, including sound.

Thus, the immortal Stheno, Euryale, and the semi-divine Medusa did not notice a mortal entering their cave.

The divine gifts of Hades’ Kynee, Athena’s shield, and the winged sandals were performing their roles.

Even the sword of Ares in his hand could easily sever Medusa’s head with a single stroke.

But the real issue was…

‘Just being asleep, and this pressure…!’

It was Perseus himself.

Though Athena, Hermes, and Hades had shown favor to this future hero…

The Gorgon sisters, who were sleeping, were still exuding immense pressure.

That pressure was something Perseus, the human challenging a great feat, had to endure.

The further he approached the sleeping sisters, the more the pressure intensified.

While he could withstand it at the cave entrance,

When the time came to navigate around the rocks and stalactites to get close to the sleeping sisters…

Perseus felt an overwhelming sense of intimidation he had not anticipated.

One step.

Sweat trickled down Perseus’ forehead.

Step by step.

With his fifth step,

Sweat from his hand holding Athena’s shield dripped onto the ground.

Gritting his teeth, Perseus tightened his grip on Ares’ sword.

Yet, his body trembled more and more due to the extreme fear.

With his twentieth backward step,

The snakes on the Gorgon sisters’ heads flicked their tongues.

For a moment, it seemed as though his eyes met the snakes’, but… surely, it was just his imagination.

Pluto’s sacred relic would not be detected.

Probably…

Drip. Drop.

Sweat dripped down his body and onto the ground.

The Kynee could not hide even the sweat that fell from him.

One step away from Medusa.

Perseus, now almost upon Medusa, tried to shake off the numbness in his legs.

His body, honed through swordsmanship, was instinctively warning him.

To flee with all his might from the powerful monster before him!

The sweat droplets on the ground were betraying his position.

If even one of the three sisters were to wake up, his location could be exposed.

Sss. Hiss.

Perseus slowly raised his sword to aim at Medusa’s neck, but his arm froze.

The hissing of the snakes that made up the monster’s hair sounded louder than ever.

Maybe it was still not too late… Perhaps it would be wiser to flee?

Could he really sever her neck with Ares’ sword, even with his own strength?

“Move forward with confidence. My blessing, that of Hades, is with you.”

Yes… I, Perseus, am destined to become a hero!

It is too soon to head into the embrace of Pluto!

Perseus bit his lip hard enough to draw blood and forced his arm to move.

Something hot surged from within his chest as he resisted the pressure constricting his body.

Slash— Shraaak—

“Huh..? Kyaaah! Medusa!”

“What is this! Who dares…!”

Perhaps it was something that could be called courage.

* * *

At that moment, the gods watching Perseus from the underworld were impressed.

“…It’s over.”

“Despite the immense pressure, he overcame it in the end.”

“Heh. Not bad at all.”

With the sword that Perseus swung, gritting his teeth, Medusa’s neck was severed.

Ares’ sword, a masterpiece forged by Hephaestus, could easily cut through even the skin of a demigod.

“Thanatos. Please bring Medusa’s soul.”

Now, it was time to deal with the aftermath.

Though Perseus’ fate did not end here, the tale of heroism ends with this.

Now it was time to meet the one wronged by Poseidon and Athena.

After waiting for a moment in the courtroom with the three judges of the underworld, Minos and his brothers,

Thanatos soon brought a woman before me.

Upon death, the horrific form she had taken due to Athena’s curse returned to her original appearance,

Her beautiful features, which had captivated Poseidon, lit up the underworld.

However, she hung her head as if her radiant appearance were a curse.

Thud.

“Are you Medusa, the priestess of Athena in life?”

As soon as I finished speaking, Medusa, who had collapsed onto the floor, suddenly lifted her head.

Her eyes blazed with endless hatred.

“I am no longer that person. Do not call me that.”

“…I apologize. Daughter of Phorcys and Ceto.”

I had long pondered the matter of Medusa.

While the death of the monster was a certain future in the birth of a hero, the background that led to the monster’s creation was…

“You suffered an unfortunate fate at the hands of Poseidon and were caught up in Athena’s wrath.”

“Grrrr…”

As soon as the names of the two gods were mentioned, she seemed to be consumed by intense hatred,

Her teeth grinding as a faint, simmering voice escaped her.

“Are you here to mock me, Lord of the Underworld?”

“No, I am here to apologize.”

Confusion and doubt flickered in Medusa’s eyes as she visibly struggled to suppress her anger.

“If there is anyone who deserves such treatment, it is one whose life was manipulated by the gods, turning them into a monster and ultimately making them a sacrifice for the birth of a hero.”

“……”

“I am the one who granted the weapons to the hero who killed you. Though I have no right to apologize on behalf of Poseidon or Athena… As the ruler of the underworld, the final destination for mortals, I offer you my deepest regrets.”

I conveyed my apology in a calm tone, gazing into Medusa’s eyes.

Though I was truly sorry, bowing my head was not an option. After all, I am the king of the underworld.

“…It seems the rumors that the Lord of the Underworld is a god of mercy are true.”

After a moment, Medusa’s gaze softened slightly.

If my apology could bring her even a little comfort, then it is fortunate to hold the title of one of the Three Great Gods at times like this.

“Now, let me speak of the recompense that will be given to you. Choose one from among them.”

“Recompense…?”

“First, I could speak to Zeus and have you turned into a constellation.”

Becoming a constellation in the heavens is a great honor and signifies being memorialized.

Heroes, animals, and gods who made their mark are etched into the sky based on Zeus’s personal judgment.

If she chose the first option…

It would greatly restore her honor, which had been tarnished by dying at the hands of Perseus as a monster.

Medusa, who had briefly relaxed her expression at my apology, now looked utterly bewildered.

“…A monster like me, turned into a star in the heavens?”

“Zeus might refuse at first, thinking it would glorify the feat of his son who killed you, but in the end, he would have no choice but to accept.”

If Poseidon had any remorse, he might reluctantly stand by Medusa’s side, the one he violated…

And Zeus would not easily dismiss my appeal either.

Athena, who turned Medusa into a monster? If she has any sense, she would accept as well.

If she opposed… Well, I might have to give her a little lesson.

I continued speaking, standing before the bewildered Medusa.

“Yes, and the second option is…”