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[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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Chapter 176: Poseidon (1)
“I’m not Apollo.”
[That can't be. This power, I remember it clearly. It’s definitely the power of Apollo, the sun god.]
Squish. Squish.
A disgusting sensation started to touch the light.
It feels like wriggling worms.
“I said I’m not him. And who are you, anyway?”
[Apollo… So you finally found me… I’ve been faithfully carrying out the task assigned to me by Zeus…]
“I said I’m not Apollo.”
[But communication isn't working well… I’m not used to this soul form…]
“Jeez, how many times do I have to say it? Who the hell are you?”
[It's clearly your authority… how long are you going to deny it… I will continue with my mission… to create a Creator for Olympus…]
From this conversation, I’m getting the impression this guy is affiliated with Olympus.
But creating a Creator?
“What are you talking about? That bastard Zeus is already ranked EX.”
[…What did you just say? Apollo. Zeus is EX rank?]
“If I were Apollo, you think I’d be calling Zeus a bastard?”
[Answer the question. Zeus is EX rank?]
“Yeah.”
[Then why am I still like this…?]
Wriggle, wriggle.
Something began to move in the light.
It was shaped like a trident at first, but it started to grow tremendously.
The light was pushed back.
It’s like a giant wall has been erected beyond the sky I was scouting in.
[Why am I still like this!]
Rumble!
Something pressed down on the light.
At the same time, the sky darkened.
[Sunlight is being blocked. The authority of the sun god is rapidly weakening.]
[Sunlight is completely blocked. The authority of the sun god has been nullified.]
“What the… is that…?”
Darkness descended above my head.
The sky now looks like a night without a single speck of light.
If it weren’t for the transformation of the trident, I’d have thought the same.
But I just felt it through the sun god’s authority a moment ago.
That’s the trident, transforming.
That tiny thing just transformed into darkness large enough to cover a whole world.
Fwoosh!
Something shot out of the darkness.
A glowing blue trident.
It flew toward my soul body at a terrifying speed.
“Soul Barrier.”
Clang!
The moment I activate Soul Barrier, the trident bounces off and embeds itself into the ground of Asura’s Path.
Looking at the Soul Barrier, it didn’t crack much.
Good.
The attack wasn't that strong.
Thunk.
Darkness settles on the embedded trident, forming the shape of a person.
The figure made from darkness pulls the trident out of the ground.
“So you really aren’t Apollo. Apollo, who values beauty, would never have a face like that.”
The darkness-man stares at me and seems convinced.
This bastard’s picking a fight the moment he shows up.
“How many times do I have to say I’m not him?”
“Then who are you?”
“Why don’t you start?”
“I am Poseidon…”
Poseidon?
That name’s familiar.
The god of the sea.
Zeus’s brother, right?
If it’s really him, he must be a pretty powerful deity…
I drew my soul sword and assumed a defensive stance.
I have no idea why he’s here in the Heavenly Sky of Asura’s Path, but either way, he’s an enemy deity.
I need to prepare for battle.
“And…”
“Why don't you introduce me as well, Poseidon?”
The shadowy human speaks with a different voice.
Clearly a different presence.
“And you are…?”
“I am a being from a fabricated myth.”
The shadow-man's left half begins to morph.
His right side remains human, but the left becomes limp and begins unraveling into thread-like strands.
Those strands float gently in the air.
“A false god created by human myth… but now, fiction shall become reality…”
I’ve heard someone talk like this before…
“Do you happen to know someone named K'aai?”
“Hm?”
“You sound just like him. Dreamland, maybe? Are you from there?”
“Oh… how curious. You’re quite the perceptive god…”
The threads cluster together and morph into the shape of an octopus.
Half-octopus, half-human.
Totally unbalanced, but maybe because it’s made of darkness, it’s not as grotesque as it sounds.
“Cthulhu. Shut your mouth and stay still. I have questions for him.”
“Uhuuhu… very well…”
Cthulhu?
I’ve heard that name before.
I think the name of K'aai’s fabricated myth was the Cthulhu Mythos.
If Poseidon and Cthulhu are fused together, this is going to be a pain.
“Is what you said true?”
“What?”
“That Zeus really became the Creator? Then why am I still like this? Why am I still fused with this monster?!”
“Monster? That’s hurtful…”
“Cthulhu, shut up for a second!”
An overwhelming aura burst from Poseidon’s dark soul form.
I can feel deep resentment buried in the intense energy.
I better choose my words carefully.
I glanced sideways to gauge his condition.
It looks similar to when Artemis was devoured by K'aai.
The difference is, Poseidon and Cthulhu coexist with similar powers.
K'aai sealed Artemis, but these two are fused.
Poseidon was furious, wondering why Zeus left him like this.
Now that I think about it, Artemis also gave me a quest to free her because Zeus, even as the Creator, didn’t lift a finger to help.
“I met Artemis. She was sealed by K'aai.”
“Artemis… yes… she went through something similar to me…”
“Even after becoming a Creator, Zeus didn’t bother to help her. That’s why she gave me a quest to free her.”
“She gave you…? But you seem like a normal deity…”
“K'aai gave me a quest to help him take control of Artemis.”
“Oh…? So who did you choose?”
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[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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“I chose both. I’m the Soul God, after all.”
Poseidon was visibly startled by my answer.
“Soul God? Impossible… Are you saying another soul-type class has appeared after Hercules?”
“How did you manage that?”
This guy really doesn’t keep up with the news.
On the other hand, Cthulhu asked me seriously how I pulled it off.
When I told them how I did it, both of them quietly listened.
“So that’s how it’s done.”
“That method… only possible because you're a Soul God… hmm…”
Are they deep in thought?
The black figure remained motionless.
While watching their behavior, I quietly sent a message to Asura.
[Asura. Poseidon has entered my realm in Asura’s Path.]
[Poseidon? You mean the Poseidon from Olympus? Ha. Did you summon him right after learning the skill? You sure jumped into action.]
This guy thinks I summoned Poseidon after fighting him.
[That’s not it. He was already in Asura’s sky. I just spotted him using light.]
[What do you mean by that? Why would Poseidon be in the sky of Asura’s Path?]
[That’s what I’d like to know. I was just decorating the realm when I stumbled into this landmine… Please come quickly. We might end up fighting him.]
[Hmm. Understood. I’ll bring the elites. Be ready to declare your territory.]
Whooooosh.
Just as I finished my communication with Asura, a gust of wind swept in.
The salty scent of the wind—it felt like being at the seaside.
Shrrrkkk.
As the wind blew, the black human figure suddenly transformed.
No, rather than transforming, it was more like the darkness peeled away to reveal his true form.
A man with long blue hair.
He was naked, but most of his body was hidden behind his long beard.
A handsome god, fitting for one of Olympus.
But his left eye bulged compared to the right, and his skin looked grotesque, with veins bulging like crawling worms.
Some parts of his skin were cracked, others shiny and slick—altogether, quite repulsive.
Maybe because he fused with Cthulhu?
Kinda gross.
“Soul God. You said… you saved Artemis?”
“That’s right.”
“Then… do it for me too.”
Poseidon slapped his chest.
“It’s been countless years since I sacrificed myself for the Great Cataclysm. I’ve been with this monster for far too long. I want to be free. Just like you helped Artemis, help me too.”
Poseidon radiated the majesty of a god.
Basically, he was ordering me to help him.
I responded simply with a question.
“What’s the price?”
“…What?”
“I helped Artemis because she agreed to become my Apostle. And anyway, I’m enemies with Olympus. Why would I help an enemy?”
Why does he keep acting like he’s giving a royal command?
Give and take should be clear.
“Artemis… became your Apostle?”
“Yeah. And she was just sealed. You’re fused. That sounds way harder to fix. So I’ll at least need something equal to that—like, say, an Apostle.”
Rumble…
Poseidon’s face flushed red with anger at my words.
The land of Asura began to moisten, turning into a mushy swamp.
He truly is the god of the sea, huh?
“You dare suggest I, Poseidon, become your Apostle?! Insolent!”
“If you don’t want to be an Apostle, offer something of equal value. Start with a quest. The system needs to mediate for a proper contract.”
“You… dare to place conditions on me, Poseidon! I am the son of Cronus, the god of the sea!”
Yeah, yeah, I know that.
But still, you gotta pay up.
Why do you keep flexing your background?
Trying to get something done for free?
That’s classic boomer behavior.
[Soul God… be careful.]
A voice came to me—Cthulhu’s.
[Poseidon is trying to contact Olympus while arguing with you… He’s regaining his mind after hearing Zeus has reached EX-rank, despite my mental interference.]
So my words snapped him out of it?
[I’m blocking the communication, but I can’t hold it for long. If he succeeds, you’ll be in serious trouble… Poseidon and I are their “Path.” They’ll never give up on us.]
Their Path?
I pretended not to hear and played along with Poseidon's rant.
“Yes, yes. Great son of Cronus. Mighty Poseidon. But even mighty ones need to offer compensation, right?”
“…Soul God. I swear upon my name that I will repay you.”
“Then let’s make a contract. Through the system.”
“Grrr… You… Are you a merchant? Can’t you trust a god? Can’t you trust Poseidon? Just separate me first. Then I’ll pay you.”
He was throwing a tantrum now, demanding to be freed first.
If Cthulhu hadn’t warned me, I’d just have thought this was another stubborn old man.
But with what he said, it was clear Poseidon was stalling for time.
[Soul God. Poseidon keeps trying to reach Olympus… Arguing further is a waste of time. Attack him. If you strike first, I’ll synchronize from inside and consume him…]
Cthulhu secretly suggested.
Can I trust this guy?
I hesitated briefly, and then he sent another message.
[After hearing K'aai’s story, I’ve been in contact with him too. Didn't I give you a physical tentacle? Soul God… you’re already Olympus’ enemy. Poseidon is Zeus’s brother. He’s still trying to contact Olympus… You must strike now.]
And just then, Asura messaged me as well.
[Kim Jiho. We’ve arrived. So it is Poseidon… Hah. Why was he in the sky?]
Maybe because it’s Asura’s domain?
They arrived right after I messaged them.
While exchanging words with Poseidon, I made my decision.
Poseidon wasn’t going to agree to a system-mediated contract like Artemis did.
A deal was impossible.
Then… he’s an enemy.
Simple as that.
[Once I declare the territory, join me immediately.]
[Understood. Let’s catch this big fish that came to us on its own.]
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[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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