Chapter 8: Zeus is your woman awesome?

I overflowed with talent.

It feels a bit awkward to say this myself, but….

Beautiful appearance and a naturally attractive figure.

I shone brightly, possessing talent considered top-tier compared to anyone else.

Even among the stories of S-rank Incarnations, there was no one superior to me.

Perhaps because of that?

As soon as I turned eighteen, I received contract offers from many Constellations.

And among them, the highest-ranking Constellation.

[Master of the Lightning Eagle shows interest!]

Zeus took an interest in me.

His combat power as a mythical-grade being was top-tier.

A reliable backer, and I would become stronger by receiving outstanding abilities.

I could become at least an S-rank, and even an SS-rank Incarnation, one of the few in the world.

The supreme god, contracting with him would never be a loss.

But I refused.

“I’m sorry.”

As strong as he was, he had too many flaws.

If I fell out of Zeus’s favor, I would be subjected to shame as a woman.

After that, I would have to become his plaything just to barely maintain the contract.

And what if I lived my entire life as Zeus’s favorite?

After I eventually died, I would spend eternity in his domain.

Yes.

I would live my whole life bound to him.

[Master of the Lightning Eagle is flustered!]

[Master of the Lightning Eagle begs!]

[Master of the Lightning Eagle courts you!]

I had no intention of doing that.

I don’t think too deeply about virginity or purity.

I just don’t want to live like a caged bird, captured by someone.

“I want to live freely. I… don’t think I’m compatible with you, Master of the Lightning Eagle.”

That’s why I refused.

And that’s where my life began to change.

The rumor that I refused the courtship of the highest Greek god spread like wildfire.

Normally, the reaction would have been, “How amazing is this rookie…,” but this time, it seemed different.

“Wow, that’s so pathetic.”

“I know, right? She should have accepted Zeus-nim’s courtship.”

“Some people can easily become strong just by spreading their legs.”

People openly mocked me.

Zeus is a great god.

He has many Incarnations and holds immense power.

Those under his influence, whether sincerely or following orders, chipped away at my spirit.

“Training is over.”

“….”

“I’ll go in.”

Even the instructors wouldn’t talk to me.

Even if they weren’t affiliated with Greek gods, there was no benefit in antagonizing Zeus.

Time passed endlessly without me being able to talk to anyone.

The moment I was ostracized from society….

I was as good as dead.

I’m lonely.

My heart was gradually breaking.

It had been three long years since I was able to have a proper conversation.

And during this time, sweet offers continued to whisper in my ear.

[Master of the Lightning Eagle courts you.]

The notification that consistently appeared once a month.

A god’s whisper, seemingly offering salvation in this moment of my crumbling heart.

But I ignored the offer and continued to focus on my training.

“I just have to do well.”

Muttering words that were closer to self-hypnosis.

If I consistently become stronger and show my potential, increasing my value?

Wouldn’t a Constellation appear someday to save me from Zeus?

“How foolish.”

It’s as if I’m a kidnapped princess.

A fool waiting for a powerful hero to appear and rescue me.

But I continued to run.

Swinging my sword, sparring alone, exercising, becoming stronger.

I had to keep moving forward without looking back.

Hope…

Dreams…

The future…

Freedom…

They don’t exist behind me.

[Atheist Human greets you.]

“I apologize….”

And the moment I stop… the moment I break down.

The darkness behind me, licking its lips, waiting to devour me.

If I failed, I would have to bear it alone.

I apologized to the weak and nameless Constellation.

I couldn’t say much.

If my stiff tongue loosened due to longing, the small god whose true name I didn’t even know would suffer.

So, after politely refusing, I continued my training.

Then, for several days, there was no contact.

“That’s to be expected….”

They must have stopped contacting me after hearing my situation.

I returned to my solitary room in the training center, a lonely single room assigned to me because no one wanted to be with me.

I washed up as usual and lay down on the bed.

“I have to sleep.”

I picked up a sleeping pill, as usual.

If I fell asleep without it, I would have nightmares.

The curse of nightmares, where Zeus would violate me, and I would suffer after death, would activate.

-Rattle….

“Ah….”

Dozens of sleeping pills fell onto my palm.

A handful of sleeping pills.

If I just closed my eyes and swallowed them….

[Atheist Human begs!]

“…Ah.”

A sudden message.

I immediately berated myself for having such foolish thoughts and put the sleeping pills back in the container.

I endured for three long years; I can’t break down now.

I bowed my head to the Constellation who brought me to my senses.

“Thank…”

[Atheist Human wishes to converse.]

“I’m….”

[Atheist Human wishes to converse.]

“But…”

[Atheist Human says he understands everything.]

The Constellation cut me off before I could speak and answered in advance.

Right now, I’m hated by Zeus, so most gods can’t approach me.

But the Constellation who’s diligently sending me messages says he understands everything.

“…Sending a message like this means you know everything.”

[Atheist Human says that is correct.]

Let’s trust him.

Thinking that, I threw away the sleeping pills and left the room.

The main building used by the Incarnation candidates.

I arrived there and entered a large, auditorium-sized room in the center.

There was a shamaness in the center.

A shamaness who enables communication with Constellations.

Although it was my first time using this, the shamaness greeted me with a smile.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

“…Is… that so?”

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a conversation with someone.

After barely managing to answer with my stiff tongue, the shamaness guided me.

“This way….”

I sat down in the center of a hexagon-shaped star drawn on the floor.

I didn’t recognize the symbol.

“This is my first time drawing it, so it’s a bit rough.”

“…Is it Atheist Human-nim’s symbol?”

“Yes.”

The shamaness, showing me her palm, said with a benevolent smile:

“Sweet dreams.”

A ritual to meet my Constellation face-to-face, not through simple chat messages.

They said offerings were required for this level of communication…?

A question arose, but before I could finish the thought, I opened my eyes to find myself standing in a pure white room.

A pure white space that couldn’t realistically exist.

“This feels strange….”

My body felt light, as if I was dreaming.

At that moment, messages started popping up around me.

[Hunter of the Moon is expectant!]

[Master of the Golden Apple shows interest!]

[Goddess of Love gazes with interest.]

[Mother of the Hearth cheers you on!]

Mostly positive reactions from Greek goddesses.

On the other hand….

[War’s Maw growls.]

[Nemean Heart gazes with worry.]

[Herald of the Clouds is flustered.]

[Trident Forged of Waves shouts.]

Constellations expressing anger that made me flinch.

Even just glancing at the names, I could guess who the big shots were.

[King of the Monkeys cackles.]

[Fiery Mischief watches with great anticipation.]

The rumors must have spread, because even Constellations outside the Greek pantheon came to watch.

With over a hundred Constellations watching, a man finally appeared.

“Hello!”

Black eyes and messy hair.

Tall, about 196cm, with a bodybuilder-like physique.

But his proportions were good, so he didn’t look fat.

A gentle and innocent-looking handsome man, contrasting with his rugged physique.

He greeted me casually.

“H… hello….”

“It’s a weird name, but I’m Atheist Human.”

A bright voice.

A handsome man with an innocent face, smiling cheerfully.

It felt like my anxiety would naturally melt away.

But I couldn’t allow that.

Because the moment I felt even a little bit of peace….

[Master of the Lightning Eagle is enraged!]

The nightmares would return.

This was the first time I saw him express his anger so directly.

My body trembled as I saw the god’s message filled with genuine rage directed at me.

“I…”

“Hey, don’t worry.”

As my body started to tremble, a large, warm hand grasped my shoulder.

The hand that steadied my crumbling body.

Zeus’s threatening messages filled the air, but the man in front of me smiled and said:

“How about it? Want to become my Incarnation?”

This was a clear provocation.

A challenge in front of so many gods.

It was no different from a declaration of war against Zeus.

“But…”

“Don’t worry! I’m…”

The man trailed off for a moment.

Then, looking up at the white sky, he raised his middle finger.

“Way~ stronger than that horny old man.”

At that moment, messages exploded.

Constellations clapping, impressed by the situation.

Constellations expressing anger at his arrogance.

Constellations amused by his provocative actions, treating it like a declaration of war.

And among them, Zeus’s message stood out….

[Master of the Lightning Eagle glares.]

What can I do now?

I quietly grasped the hand of the man right in front of me.

No, the hand of my brave Constellation.

“I look forward to working with you… Please help me.”

I spoke with genuine emotion for the first time in a long while.

My efforts to become stronger and prove myself to escape Zeus seemed meaningless…

A desperate voice, like a woman longing to be held by a strong man.

But my Constellation embraced me.

“Anytime.”

My heart pounded.

The warmth of human contact, conversation, and empathy.

A conversation after a long time… and with a man who came to save me.

It was sweet.

“Oh, and…”

The man looked up at the sky again.

Holding me in one arm, he raised his middle finger with the other hand and said to the object of my fear and resentment in the sky:

“Zeus, your girl is awesome.”

He had made a clear declaration of war.