Ch.2Ep.2 King of the Underworld

The Three Divine Artifacts of Olympus.

Zeus’s Astrape, Poseidon’s Triaina, and Hades’s Kynee.

Long ago, during the great war known as the Titanomachy.

Zeus freed the three Cyclops brothers who were imprisoned in Tartarus.

In gratitude, they offered their life’s masterpieces to the three gods destined to sustain Olympus.

Among them, Zeus’s Astrape is known as the greatest weapon.

But for Radios, the apostle of the Underworld King.

No weapon was as attractive or as easy to wield as the Kynee.

While rumors say Kynee’s ability ends with invisibility.

Radios knew better.

Beyond invisibility, it possessed the “Sword of Judgment.”

A fraudulent ability that could open part of the Underworld and summon an immortal army.

“If you don’t give me that, I won’t reincarnate. Your choice.”

“W-why are you suddenly acting like this… This fragment alone should be enough…”

“It’s sufficient, but not perfect. So hand it over now.”

Hades appeared to be rambling in the face of Radios’s one-sided demands.

“Without the Kynee… in the battle against the Outer Gods—”

“You said they can’t invade right now. And this is your final retreat? Don’t make me laugh. You still have Erebos, don’t take me for a fool.”

“..!”

Below the Underworld lies Tartarus, and below Tartarus lies Erebos.

Even though Radios was the Inquisitor in charge of combat.

Having served gods, he was thoroughly versed in mythology.

That’s why Radios was certain that Erebos would never fall to the Outer Gods.

Why?

‘Erebos absolutely refuses to accept those who don’t belong to Olympus.’

Erebos not only refers to a space, but is also like the origin of Olympus.

No matter how extraordinarily powerful the Outer Gods are, invading Erebos?

Impossible.

Well, they might enter, but still.

Whether they could properly use their power there was another question.

“At this point, it would be strange not to hand it over.”

“T-the power of the fragment is perfect! Your revenge would be easy—”

“Hades. Do you see humans as mere toys?”

Radios’s eyes blazed like lightning.

What? The power of the fragment is perfect?

“You didn’t help when I was dying, but now that you’re at a disadvantage, you come looking for me.”

And they proposed reincarnation for their own victory.

“Let’s be honest… if you hadn’t weakened from lack of faith, you wouldn’t have had any reason to resurrect me, right?”

“…”

“This is just my guess, but I’m almost certain… The reason you chose a human like me. Is it because I’m the only one who can handle the power of that fragment?”

As Radios continued, grinding his teeth.

Hades sighed helplessly and answered.

“That’s right… No one but you can handle that fragment. Human souls are fragile.”

“So I’m your last hope?”

“Correct.”

“Then hand over the Kynee. You seem to want to negotiate with me right now… but what if I reincarnate and switch to the Outer Gods’ side?”

“..!”

Hades was greatly flustered, as if he hadn’t considered this possibility.

Radios regained his composure seeing his reaction.

“Of course, that won’t happen… but I won’t reincarnate if you don’t give me the Kynee. Force me? I’ll just join the Outer Gods.”

“D-don’t you want revenge—”

“Come to think of it, I hate you almost as much as the woman who stabbed me. Ignoring my wishes, all our wishes… and now you come begging to me. It makes me want to kill you.”

Seeing the growling Radios.

Hades could sense the deep emotional rift between them.

He wasn’t sure where the problem began.

But Hades had no choice but to accept his words.

His hand was reaching for the Kynee.

“Even if you reincarnate… you won’t be able to fully use Kynee’s abilities.”

“Then that’s stage one passed.”

“S-stage?”

“The next stage is a sincere apology. Kneel before me and repent for ignoring Kadinant’s suffering.”

“..!”

At Radios’s demand that a god kneel before him.

Hades felt something snap in his mind for a moment.

But seeing those cold eyes, he couldn’t even express his anger.

Sin is not objective.

Emotions always factor into judging the depth of sin.

And the nature of those emotions determines how deep the sin is.

In that sense, Hades knew that the weight of his sin.

The sin of ignoring Kadinant, was something.

Radios would understand better than himself.

While kneeling before a human as a god was a matter of pride.

There is no pride in a sinner asking forgiveness from their victim.

Hades was in a position to beg Radios for forgiveness.

Just as he was about to bend one knee.

“How dare a human humiliate a god!”

“…Zeus.”

Emitting yellow lightning, the supreme god of Olympus.

Zeus appeared.

Radios was considerably surprised by his appearance.

But having already gone off the cliff, Radios didn’t hit the brakes.

“You kneel too.”

“W-what?!”

“You’re a sinner too. Some supreme god you are, abandoning the world you’re supposed to protect, you bastard.”

Faced with a human who didn’t flinch even before the supreme god of Olympus.

Zeus was furious.

“You really…!”

Already in a foul mood from retreating.

And now adding fuel to the fire?

“Stop it, Zeus! I will not tolerate any more deviation!”

As Zeus, unable to contain his rising anger, was about to strike with lightning.

Fortunately, Hades raised his energy to stop him.

He was the eldest of the Zeus brothers and king of the Underworld.

At least within the Underworld, he was stronger than Zeus.

Zeus knew this, which is why he couldn’t act recklessly.

He knew well how terrifying Hades could be when truly angry.

“You kneel too, Zeus.”

“Brother!”

“Now!”

“…Kuk!”

Thud!

Zeus knelt, grinding his teeth.

He couldn’t ignore the words of his elder brother Hades.

“We are truly… sorry… We have done you wrong. We know that no words can excuse what we’ve done. But… we need you.”

“And?”

“Please, save our Olympus… and Kadinant, Radios Magnum… I beg you.”

As Hades bowed his head while kneeling.

Zeus also lowered his face, his face red with shame.

Seeing Hades’s sincere apology, Radios felt.

His anger subsiding, if only a little.

What god in the world would kneel before a mere human.

And bow their head in humble apology.

But that was that.

“Stage two passed. Then stage three is… of course, the Astrape?”

“You son of a—!”

“Zeus! I said stop!”

“Brother! Are you thinking of giving away the Astrape too? Why not call Poseidon brother and give away the Triaina as well?! Huh?!”

Hades also opposed giving away the Astrape.

Too powerful a weapon could become poison.

But as Zeus acted like he would tear Radios apart right then.

Hades had no choice but to stop him.

Meanwhile, Radios, who had created this situation, didn’t really think he could get the Astrape.

‘Zeus was always a god with a nasty temper.’

So what he came up with was.

“I want to test the fragment’s power by copying the Astrape. That’s what I meant.”

Honestly, being able to copy the Astrape directly?

Forget about copying other skills.

The Astrape is the Astrape.

“You really…”

Realizing he had been played by mere words, Hades sighed deeply.

Zeus was still glaring at Radios.

“You can only copy it anyway! Go ahead and try!”

Whoosh.

Zeus, secretly curious about the fragment’s power.

Willingly handed over the Astrape.

Since the gate of reincarnation wouldn’t open without Hades’s permission.

There was no problem in lending it briefly.

“Well then, let’s see…”

Do I know how to operate the fragment?

No. But I’ll try infusing it with magical power.

[Divine Fragment: Activating Copy!]

[Divine Fragment recognizes its owner!]

[Owner: Radios Magnum]

[Divine Fragment: As a special benefit for first use of Copy, you can use a copy without penalty.]

[However, if the target’s order is high, the copy will be canceled after 10 minutes.]

Flash!

Along with these mysterious messages, without consuming any magical power.

Zeus’s Astrape was perfectly copied.

Zeus and Hades gaped at this impossible sight.

After comparing the original and the replica, Radios smiled with satisfaction and handed back the Astrape.

“With this, I’ll reincarnate. With two divine artifacts from the chief gods, future tasks won’t be difficult.”

“…Then I’ll open the gate of reincarnation.”

Hades, who had been dazed by the fragment’s power.

Snapped back to reality at Radios’s words and opened the reincarnation gate.

He checked on Zeus just in case.

He was still in shock after seeing the Astrape so easily copied.

‘Well… this power must be part of the creator of the Outer Gods.’

Perhaps they would have to fight someone with that power.

The whereabouts of the Blind Idiot God remained unknown.

If he appeared, the concept of “war” might need to be reconsidered.

“I ask you one last time… save the world.”

“Don’t worry. And Zeus?”

“…What.”

“I’ll make good use of the Astrape, okay? And thanks for the Kynee, Hades.”

Zeus and Hades dazedly waved goodbye at the unexpected thanks.

After Radios successfully reincarnated, Hades said.

“Zeus. You need to fix that hot temper of yours.”

“But brother… that guy— Huh?”

Crack. Crack. Crackle.

Zeus, in the middle of talking with Hades.

Saw cracks forming in his Astrape.

For a moment, his brain froze.

CRASH!

“…What the fuck?”

As the Astrape completely shattered before his eyes.

He felt unbearable rage rising.

“That… BASTARD!! BRING HIM BACK RIGHT NOW!!”

BOOM! RUMBLE!

As the god of lightning expressed his genuine anger, lightning struck throughout the Underworld.

Hades, watching his violent brother, rubbed his temple and muttered.

Radios Magnum.

This guy is really…

“Not an Inquisitor, but a Character Inquisitor…”