King Of Underworld [EN]: Chapter 111

The King of the Underworld is Tired 111

The Hercules of Thebes – (2)

“It seems Hercules has lost his motivation. No matter what I try, I can’t seem to change his mind. I implore you, if you could offer some assistance…”

Herkules lost his motivation? Has he lost his dream of becoming a hero, or is he just neglecting his training?

A lack of motivation that Chiron’s education can’t solve…

I’ve seen many heroes lose their way, wandering aimlessly or becoming arrogant after achieving their goals, but a lack of motivation is a slightly different problem.

In Oedipus’s case, he lost hope due to immense frustration and guilt, but that couldn’t be the case for Hercules.

Could it be that he considers himself a monster, having received Hera’s milk and the power of the River Styx?

Or perhaps he’s become arrogant, thinking he can easily become a hero.

As I pondered this, the Goddess Styx, who had been watching my expression, posed a question.

“Hmm…”

“Hades? What does the parchment say?”

“It says Hercules has lost his motivation. Since he was born with such great power, it’s understandable.”

“Ah…”

The conditions for a mortal to become a hero are simple.

They become heroes by possessing great strength or wit, having divine lineage, or being chosen by fate to complete a great task.

However, not all heroes are created equal.

There is a huge difference in power between a great hero like Cadmus and a hero who barely manages to defeat a few monsters…

What we gods need to nurture is someone who surpasses even Cadmus, someone who transcends the limits of mortals.

No matter how destined Hercules is to become a hero, his potential will be limited if his motivation is broken.

Could something have changed because I threw him into the River Styx?

“…This won’t do. I need to see Hercules.”

“Are you going there yourself?”

“Yes. If his motivation is broken, I just need to give him a goal and provide some motivation. I also plan to tell him about Hera.”

If I don’t tell him that he drank Hera’s milk when he was born, he’ll be caught up in divine punishment anyway…

To appease Hera’s anger even a little, it would be better for Hercules to apologize directly at her temple.

* * *

A while later, I headed to the hero training grounds on the outskirts of the Underworld.

Chiron, who noticed me approaching, quietly came over and bowed his head.

“I am ashamed, Lord Hades. I prided myself on being the best educator…”

“No, you’ve been doing well so far. It’s more my responsibility that the son of Zeus has lost his motivation. It’s because I threw him into the River Styx.”

“The cause is likely due to his own overwhelming power. Even if I try to lecture him, he won’t become a hero through forceful methods, and since he’s invulnerable to any weapon…”

I could tell who Hercules was at a glance.

While all the other heroes were sweating and sparring on the plains…

Only one giant with a muscular body was lying on his back on a high cliff, staring at the sky.

A body of steel, a power that could be felt even when lying still, a demigod’s divinity that could be mistaken for a god.

But despite all this, his eyes lacked motivation.

I approached him.

“Are you Hercules?”

“…Who are you? Did Chiron send another hero from the past to persuade me? Even if you tell me, I have no intention of training anymore…”

He is reacting like this because I suppressed my power and approached him as if I were a human.

It’s a pity that he’s not even looking at me and just staring blankly into the air.

“Do you know how meaningless that emptiness and futility are?”

“What did you say?”

“Does the world seem like soft wool to you? Do the humans on the street feel like weak animals? Or do you think training is pointless because you have a body of steel?”

“Who are you to say such things!”

Herkules jumped up and raised his voice.

He’s finally looking at me.

“I don’t know what great hero you are, but you can’t understand! If I put just a little bit of strength, everything will be crushed and destroyed. What’s the point of training? A lion is a lion from birth. Skills and training are just tricks for the weak!”

“Don’t you want to be a hero?”

“A hero? Of course, I want to be! Isn’t that a great honor? That’s why I haven’t left this place. But what I’m saying is that the training they’re doing is useless to me. No, it used to be useful, but now it’s not necessary. I’ve worked hard enough to become a hero, and now all that’s left is to accomplish the tasks!”

Herkules glanced down at the heroes below the cliff as he spoke.

For someone born with great power, training is trivial. Killing monsters is too easy.

The world is a boring place for a demigod who was born invulnerable and drank Hera’s milk.

But that’s only because…

“Is that all you have?”

“What?”

“There are many people in the world with your level of power. Even among the monsters you’ll face to complete your tasks.”

He’s just feeling that way because he lacks experience.

Herkules is strong. He’s definitely unmatched among humans with his current power.

But if he goes into the realm of monsters, gods, and titans, the story will be different.

If he is the hero of prophecy, a higher level is required, unlike ordinary mortals.

Enough to tear apart those hateful Gigantes [Giants born of Gaia and Uranus, who battled the Olympian gods]…

“Are you only satisfied with becoming a hero? Aren’t you even thinking of aiming higher?”

“Higher, you say…”

“Shedding your mortal body and becoming a god.”

Herkules looked puzzled for a moment, then chuckled.

“Well, even if they are gods, I don’t know if they’re really that strong. I’ve heard that my father is actually Lord Zeus, but…”

“…Look into my eyes. I’ll show you how small you are.”

Herkules seemed to realize who I was and stared blankly at me.

Indifference, curiosity and doubt, and a faint hope. There’s hope that he’ll change his mind.

My nephew’s power is comparable to a lower-level god right now. He won’t die from this.

For a moment… should I show him the Underworld?

* * *

“…Look into my eyes. I’ll show you how small you are.”

A goal? The one who told me to become a god, was he a god?!

But even the great hero Cadmus killed a demigod, the son of Ares… Even if he is a god…

The moment he met the eyes of the man with black hair and a cold impression,

The world Hercules knew was turned upside down.

Swoosh-

It felt like he was being sucked into the black eyes.

He couldn’t breathe. But even so, he was alive.

His eyes were open, but everything was dark.

The eerie energy around him made his body tremble.

Where is this?

He kept falling. Down below.

Somewhere in the endless abyss (Tartarus) [the deep abyss that is used as a dungeon of torment and suffering for the wicked].

Rising nausea. Overturning vision. Unmoving body.

For the first time in his life, Hercules felt a sense of helplessness that his power would not work.

Ah.

Is this death?

.

. .

. . .

* * *

Thud!

“Heok! Keo… Hoo… Heueuk…”

“Pull yourself together. I just showed you an illusion.”

The moment our eyes met, Hercules collapsed.

The demigod, gasping for breath from the sensation of death. His eyes were shaking violently, and his legs were weak and unable to stand properly.

Still, he didn’t die, as expected of a hero who was born with all sorts of blessings, even though he was sweating profusely.

Of course, I expected it…

Herkules will be the first and last mortal to face my sincere gaze and still be alive.

Should I call him the son of Zeus? I spoke to my nephew, who was gasping for breath while clutching his neck.

“Your father, Zeus, is much stronger than I am. But it’s disappointing that the son of Zeus is only satisfied with being a hero worshiped by mortals. If you haven’t changed your mind, you can turn around and go back to the land of the living. No one will stop you.”

“….Heok.. Who are you. S-sir?”

“I am your father’s brother.”

“What! Then Hade…! Keulleok.. Hoo-ook.”

I gave Hercules, who was kneeling on the ground with both knees and gasping for breath, some time to recover.

After some time had passed… he looked at me and carefully opened his mouth.

“…What must I do to achieve the great feat of becoming a god?”

“Have you become eager to become immortal?”

At that question, Hercules paused for a moment and continued.

“That is… If you are a man in Greece, you would dream of achieving great things and becoming a hero. If it is to become a great hero like King Cadmus, there is nothing more to wish for. Becoming a god is the pinnacle of achievement, and if that path appears right in front of my eyes, I should naturally try to walk it. Even if…”

Unlike before, his eyes were slightly different. I can see a glimpse of a hero who has found a goal and is ready to challenge it.

A grand goal… an ambition to become a god… that is what will make you a great hero.

Herkules, who had just experienced such a thing, met my gaze again.

Even after experiencing the Underworld, even though he is still trembling with fear, even though he knows who I am…

“…Even if I incur the wrath of some high-ranking deity and am killed.”

He is looking at me straight again.

“…Excellent.”

I like it very much. This is the spirit of a great hero.

Is this the owner of the name that is still etched in my mind even after thousands and tens of thousands of years?

I looked at him with a satisfied face.

“Then, from now on, I will tell you about yourself and what you need to do when you return to the land of the living.”