Ch.1Ep.1 King of the Underworld

Flash!

Radios Magnum opened his eyes in a place where the setting sun shone down and reeds swayed gently in the wind.

“Where… am I…”

He clutched his throbbing head while trying to recall his memories.

He had been preparing for the final battle against the otherworlders when he was stabbed in the heart.

And not by just anyone, but by the younger sister he trusted and cherished most among the legion commanders.

He had been betrayed by Serena Tolos, the 1st Legion Commander of the Guardian Spirit.

“Then I must be dead… and this must be the Underworld.”

He had served Hades, the King of the Underworld, for over a decade.

Yet he had never seen his face, let alone heard his voice even once.

Even his final prayer, what he thought would be his last…

The god did not answer.

It seemed the gods truly had abandoned Kadinant.

The feeling was filthy, like being compared to an abandoned hunting dog.

But rather than wallowing in self-pity, Radios decided to meet him directly and demand answers.

At that moment, a woman emanating a familiar energy approached Radios.

She seemed to carry the same scent of the Underworld King as himself.

He remained still until she came closer.

Soon, the woman arrived before Radios, knelt on one knee, and greeted him.

“Elysse, messenger of the Underworld. I am honored to meet you, Heresy Inquisitor Radios Magnum.”

“If you’re a messenger of the Underworld, then the one who sent you is…?”

“The King of the Underworld wishes to see you. He sent me to inform you that he has important matters to discuss.”

Radios let out a scoff as he watched Elysse deliver the message with an expressionless face.

“Important matters? What could someone who didn’t even respond when I prayed so desperately possibly have to say to me?”

He wasn’t angry.

Since he was already dead, getting upset would only hurt himself.

Nevertheless, Radios resented Hades and found him contemptible.

Important matters? What separate conversation could there be with the dead?

Don’t they say as a joke that the dead have nothing to say?

But Elysse, as if she had anticipated Radios’s reaction, nodded and recited the Underworld King’s message.

“The King of the Underworld also instructed me to tell you this.”

“What is it?”

Don’t you want revenge? If you were given another chance… what path would you choose to walk?

“..!”

Revenge, another chance.

Radios could guess what the Underworld King was implying.

“Are you saying… you’ll resurrect me?”

“I am merely a servant delivering the King’s words. Please hear the details from the King of the Underworld himself.”

“…Kuk. So that’s how it’s going to be?”

There are two ways to irritate someone.

One is to never finish what you’re saying.

And the second is…

‘He’s saying if I’m curious, I should come and talk to him.’

Radios was exasperated by the Underworld King’s intentions, but he was undeniably intrigued by his words.

“Fine, lead the way.”

The damned god who did nothing while his comrades were dying.

He needed to see just how thick-skinned this god was.

***

“My King, I have brought Radios Magnum.”

“Enter.”

Elysse escorted Radios Magnum after receiving Hades’ permission, but…

Once Radios realized Hades was right in front of him, he no longer even noticed her.

When Das Pluto, who protected the Underworld King, released killing intent at Radios’s sudden change in attitude,

Hades raised his hand, commanding them to stop.

Eventually, Radios reached Hades’ vicinity, glared at his face, and remained silent.

At this moment, no one could intervene between them.

Hades didn’t speak first either.

He bore the responsibility of not looking after his child.

He was prepared to turn a blind eye even if Radios grabbed him by the collar, but…

WHAM!

“Kuk!”

“My King!!”

“Do not move!”

He had expected either to be grabbed by the collar or punched in the face.

‘But he hit me in the solar plexus…? This bastard really…!’

Fortunately, Hades stopped Das Pluto.

Otherwise, his relationship with Radios might have deteriorated further.

However, Hades asked about Radios’s feelings.

“Does that make you feel better?”

“Do you… think this would be enough? With just one punch…?”

As Radios showed a fiery gaze, Hades bowed his head.

“I’m sorry. What happened to Kadinant… was our fault.”

“…”

Despite the pain in his solar plexus, the Underworld King bowed his head and apologized to Radios.

A god apologizing to a human.

Seeing this paradoxical sight, Radios calmed down a little.

Still, he needed to address what needed to be addressed.

“Why… did you remain silent? You say you’re sorry. If you were sorry, you should have helped! Why did you abandon the humans who followed you! Whyyy!”

“…”

The more he pressed, the more rage dominated his brain.

To the point where he could freely spout blasphemous words.

“Answer me! What was more important than Kadinant? Did Zeus have an affair with Persephone or something?! Huh!”

“…I can only say I’m sorry.”

“Eek..!”

He had touched Hades’ sore spot.

His one and only wife, Persephone.

Despite Radios insulting her, Hades didn’t stop apologizing.

This alone showed his sincerity, but…

What good was that now?

The situation had long since ended.

“…Let me hear it. What were the mighty gods doing while Kadinant was being ravaged by otherworlders?”

“You already know well.”

“There’s no way otherworlders could face gods…!”

“Outer Gods. While you were facing the otherworlders, we were fighting against the Outer Gods.”

“..!”

Why hadn’t he thought of that?

About why the Outer Gods hadn’t directly attacked Kadinant…

He hadn’t given it much thought.

Since the Outer Gods were unpredictable beings,

He had only speculated that they might be using the otherworlders.

In reality, Outer Gods only viewed their apostles as chess pieces.

Toys that could be reused at will.

That’s what the otherworlders were to the Outer Gods.

But as it turned out, gods fought gods,

And humans fought humans?

Seeing Radios’s confused expression,

Hades continued.

“The Outer Gods are strong. Olympus fought against them even after releasing the prisoners of Tartarus. Until recently, we were evenly matched… but starting from the day you died, we began to lose ground.”

“The day I died…?”

“The day all the temples in Kadinant fell to the otherworlders. That’s when we started to be overwhelmed.”

You might think it’s an exaggeration to make such a big deal about temples falling, but…

Radios knew the fundamental cause.

And that was…

“Faith… was severed.”

For gods, faith is as essential as one of the three basic human needs.

When the otherworlders conquered Kadinant, Olympus lost its faith.

Naturally, the path to defeat was opened.

“Yes. The temples of Kadinant that sustained Olympus were taken over by the Outer Gods… and Heracles was the first to fall in battle.”

After that, they were pushed back by the Outer Gods until Olympus’s main palace fell.

Currently, the Underworld was their last stronghold.

“Fortunately, the Outer Gods extremely detest the air of the Underworld, so they haven’t invaded first… but we don’t know when they might attack.”

“…”

Now he understood the whole story.

But that doesn’t mean he could look kindly upon the Underworld King who had ignored Kadinant and was now saying…

He couldn’t focus on it because of other matters.

How could he view him favorably when he was saying such things?

Hades, seemingly aware of his position, waited for Radios to speak first.

“Fine… maybe you couldn’t pay attention… fixing the barn after losing the cow is still fixing it, right?”

“…”

“Then let me ask this. You’re giving me a chance? How? Even if I come back to life, I’ll just die a dog’s death again.”

Let’s assume the god who rules over the Underworld and death has a way to bring him back to life.

But what would he do after coming back?

The Guardian Spirit was scattered, and there were traitors among them.

It would be futile to act alone, no matter how much he struggled.

However, Hades answered confidently, as if he had anticipated this question.

“I want to bestow a gift upon you. The power to stop the apostles of the Outer Gods. Furthermore, the power to eradicate the Outer Gods themselves.”

“If you had such a thing, why didn’t you use it earlier?”

“Because the energy of the Outer Gods is incompatible with us.”

“..?”

Radios tilted his head at Hades’ words, but…

Soon, he was shocked to see the radiant fragment that Hades produced.

“This energy is definitely…!”

“Yes. The Blind Idiot God, the creator of the Outer Gods. This is one of the four fragments containing his power.”

His hands trembled just by looking at it.

That small fragment contained an unimaginable amount of power.

Hades, seemingly uncomfortable with the energy flowing from the fragment, furrowed one eyebrow and continued.

“Many gods died to obtain this one fragment. And we concluded that only humans can handle the power of the fragment.”

“But there are humans in Olympus too–“

“How many humans do you think would survive in a battle against Outer Gods?”

“You have a talent for beating around the bush to say they’re all dead.”

Radios pretended to be nonchalant and bluffed, but…

Hades knew his heart was already trembling.

“The power contained in this fragment is ‘Replication’. It has the power to replicate others’ abilities.”

“..!”

“As perceptive as you are, I’m sure you already understand what I mean?”

Of course he did.

Replicating skills or unique abilities means…

It’s like stealing the years someone spent to master that skill or unique ability.

For instance, stealing a skill that someone created by dedicating their entire life?

It’s like saving at least 70 years of effort.

In other words, it’s completely overpowered.

Of course, such a good ability had its limitations.

“But there’s a slight penalty. When replicating, you can only replicate skills that have a higher order than your previous skill.”

“…So if I replicate Meteor, I can’t replicate Fireball next?”

It means after replicating a skill with the power to destroy the world, you can’t copy basic magic like Wind Missile.

It was a risk that didn’t really need to be worried about.

“That’s right. And I’ve made sure your appearance won’t remind anyone of Radios Magnum, so you shouldn’t have any inconvenience in your actions.”

Perfect conditions.

There were no constraints, and the fragment containing the power of the Blind Idiot God was provided free of charge.

All for the purpose of reclaiming Kadinant.

“But… if I come back to life, what about my original abilities?”

“Resurrecting a being with strong powers is quite burdensome… so I’ve sealed your power in 5 stages.”

“5 stages?”

According to his explanation,

Once you acquire a certain amount of power, the seals will gradually break, allowing you to regain your strength.

This was actually good.

Even for Radios, who stood at the pinnacle of Kadinant,

There was never a time when he didn’t struggle to become stronger without regrets.

Because he sacrificed one thing for another.

But what if he could build his strength from the beginning?

It would be killing two birds with one stone, as he could address his shortcomings.

“Alright. I’ll be reborn.”

“You’ve made a wise–“

“Did you think I’d say that?”

Hades’ eyes widened as he looked at Radios, who suddenly pulled a fast one.

“Do, do you want something more?”

“Of course I do.”

If he’s going to be reborn anyway, wouldn’t it be nice to take along many good items?

In the current situation, he’s clearly the one with the upper hand.

Hades is at a disadvantage, so shouldn’t he take advantage of that?

“Give me that.”

“That…?”

“The thing you’re wearing on your head.”

“..!”

Hades realized what was on his head and gaped.

Just as he was about to say that this one thing was off-limits,

Radios crossed his arms and gave a cunning smile.

“Won’t you give it to me? Then I won’t be reborn.”

“..!”

One of Radios’s principles:

If you gain the upper hand in a negotiation, extract as much as possible from the disadvantaged party.

And the helmet he wanted was, as everyone knows,

The divine object symbolizing Hades, also known as one of the three divine objects of Olympus.

Kynee.