King Of Underworld [EN]: Chapter 83

Bellerophon’s Story – (6)

Following Underworld King Hades’s suggestion, Bellerophon was now experiencing the duties of a low-ranking god.

He, who had slain Typhon’s offspring in the mortal realm and audaciously sought a god’s position before the King of the Underworld…

“Hah… hah… Hey! Get those arrows here faster! Why did Lord Hades choose such a clumsy human…?”

“…I’m sorry!”

He felt like he was going insane.

Eros, the winged god of love [Cupid in Roman mythology], was showering the major sinners with arrows at an incredible speed.

The god of love frowned deeply, ceaselessly firing his bow…

The fully stocked quiver was emptying rapidly.

Naturally, Bellerophon, who was tasked with carrying the quiver, was being scolded by Eros.

“If the major sinners get to rest because of you, the supervisors will report you to Lord Hades!”

Paak!

“I’m sorry… Ugh!”

Eros, greatly annoyed, struck Bellerophon’s head with his bow.

However, Bellerophon couldn’t dare to argue with him.

Firstly, the god Eros, who had struck him, wasn’t even looking at him and continued to move his arms, and secondly…

“Still, that human is adapting well, even though he hasn’t been here long.”

“He said he wanted to experience the work of us low-ranking gods. We should speak well of him when reporting to Lord Hades.”

“Hmm. If that guy stays here, how much will our work decrease?”

The low-ranking gods, who were manipulating or supervising something a little further away, were evaluating him positively.

The fact that this wasn’t a trial or a malicious prank shook Bellerophon’s mind.

Being scolded by a high-ranking deity and being busy all day…

This wasn’t an abnormal situation, but the usual work of a low-ranking god?

Weren’t gods supposed to live leisurely lives, occasionally helping humans?

Pyooshung- Pook.

“Kuaaaak!”

“Plea… please…”

The Underworld was much more severe compared to other places, and the gods who tortured the major sinners had an even harder time…

Bellerophon, who was new to the Underworld, hadn’t noticed this.

How much time had passed like that…

“Hey, human. It’s my turn now.”

“Re… Relief?”

A low-ranking god with two small horns on his forehead and a red body approached him and spoke.

Bellerophon, with words of gratitude, collapsed onto the floor.

Even if he was a dead spirit, mental fatigue was unavoidable.

Especially when Eros’s sharp nagging was periodically heard.

“You’ve really worked hard. I’ll make sure to speak well of you to Lord Hades.”

“Yes…? About what…”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to experience our work because you wanted to become a low-ranking god? If you become a god, it would be quite reassuring.”

Bellerophon blankly considered the words of the low-ranking god, who nodded at him with a satisfied face.

No… Even if the gods didn’t just play around, they would definitely have something to enjoy.

“By any chance, I heard that the gods eat nectar and ambrosia [divine food and drink], could I also take a look…?”

“Ah, now that you mention it, Hades told you to experience the work of a low-ranking god, so you should also try the food. Follow me.”

“I can also eat the food of the gods…!”

Vitality returned to Bellerophon’s face.

‘I can eat the food of the gods, truly the Lord of the Underworld is merciful!’

* * *

The low-ranking god led Bellerophon to a distant place.

A huge building like a castle made by humans in the mortal realm, what is this place?

“Excuse me… God, where is this place?”

“This is the 1253rd warehouse of the Underworld. And this is the 3rd largest warehouse for storing nectar and ambrosia…”

Bellerophon was busy looking around in a daze.

A castle covered in black bricks and black stones of unknown material, spirits busily moving and carrying something.

After passing through the strict security of the soul soldiers, there were literally mountains of nectar and ambrosia…

Nevertheless, numerous materials were systematically organized.

‘The other name of the Lord of the Underworld is the God of Wealth, there are over thousands of warehouses of this scale…’

As he was lost in thought, the low-ranking god handed him something.

“Here, this is ambrosia and nectar. Know it as an honor and eat it, human.”

“Heot! Thank you!”

Oomph oomph…

The ambrosia and nectar, which he tasted for the first time in his life, were truly heavenly.

As expected, it was so wonderful that it could be called the food of the gods.

No food on earth could be compared to it, not even any pleasure such as embracing a woman…

“Um. If you’ve finished eating and drinking, get up now.”

“…?”

“What are you staring at? The work of a low-ranking god also includes managing nectar and ambrosia.”

Bellerophon started working again.

“Nectar and ambrosia only make mortals immortal while they are eating it, humans can’t even see it, let alone touch it.”

“Ah… I am truly grateful to Lord Pluto [Hades’s Roman name].”

“Although you ate and drank it… if you have any strange thoughts…”

The low-ranking god’s face twisted grotesquely. Even if he was a low-ranking deity in charge of odd jobs in the Underworld, a god is a god.

An eerie aura swirled around Bellerophon, and a terrible hallucination washed over him.

The reason he didn’t collapse on the spot was because he was a hero who hadn’t backed down in front of the Chimera [a fire-breathing hybrid creature of Greek myth].

As Bellerophon’s face turned pale, the low-ranking god shrugged as if nothing had happened.

“Well, you seem like a pretty diligent human, so I don’t think I need to worry about that?”

“O… Of course!”

From then on, Bellerophon took out ambrosia from numerous boxes and carried and stacked them according to instructions.

Next, he carefully managed the nectar in bottles so that they would not break and classified them as directed…

He counted the number of foods in the warehouse and wrote them on parchment.

Of course, this was possible because the low-ranking god next to him skillfully helped him.

‘But isn’t this trivial sorting something that warehouse managers, scribes, or workers do?’

‘Why does a god have to do this too?’

After focusing on the work for a long time, he was finally able to rest.

And he poured out the questions he had been wondering about. “Why does a god have to do the work that servants do?”

“Good job. As expected of a hero, you have quite the strength.”

“But why are you doing this kind of work?”

“How can we entrust such important work to mortals? I wouldn’t even consider letting them manage the food of the gods, let alone ordinary treasures or gold and silver.”

The low-ranking god expressed even more doubt at Bellerophon’s question.

“But how can the great gods continue to do such chores…”

“From the beginning, do you think the dead can do this kind of work for a long time? Only immortal gods can endure it.”

Gods are eternal not only in body but also in spirit.

If an ordinary human lived for thousands of years, they would probably go crazy.

However, gods with immortal power and divine power can maintain their spirituality.

The old gods, who have lived for thousands or tens of thousands of years, do not always show only solemn appearances.

Sometimes they are more innocent than children, and sometimes they are as old-fashioned as old men…

Sometimes they show behavior that is more faithful to emotions than reason, and more faithful to desires than duty.

But that is the action of divine power to maintain the constancy of the spirit.

The proof of God may not be powerful strength, or an eternally immortal body… but an unyielding spirit.

“But don’t be too scared. If you become a god, your body or mind won’t be ruined by doing a little work.”

‘Is this… a little?’

Bellerophon began to seriously consider becoming a god.

* * *

About 30 days had passed since Bellerophon left the audience chamber.

I had actually forgotten about him, but a messenger came and told me about Bellerophon’s news.

“Lord Hades, that hero who killed the Chimera last time wants to see Lord Hades again.”

“Bring him in for now.”

He, who staggered towards me, had hollow eyes and a blank face.

Spirits who are already dead do not experience fatigue unlike when they were alive. But that appearance…

The hero, kneeling in front of the throne, opened his mouth with a weak voice.

“I have realized that the position of God is too much for me. Lord of the Underworld…”

“So, you’re giving up?”

“Yes… Please give me something else… or entrust me with…”

I waved my hand and picked out one of the parchments piled on one side.

The report detailing the circumstances of his surveillance naturally flew over.

“Everyone has good reviews of you. ‘He is a talent worthy of becoming a low-ranking god…’ they say.”

“Yes?! How could I…?!”

“With this level of evaluation… Zeus [King of the Gods] would also think he is a capable human.”

Only good reviews were written on the parchment.

‘He is more diligent than a mortal, he shows perseverance because he is a hero, please continue to dispatch him…’ they wrote.

“Bu.. But! I thought the work that the gods do…!”

“You thought it was nothing special?”

“That’s not it! That is…”

Bellerophon, who turned blue, tried to make excuses… but wasn’t it just that he didn’t like it because there was too much work?

Still, it’s true that I intended this and made him experience the work of God.

There are many mortals who think like Bellerophon.

I nodded appropriately and looked at him.

“…Okay. I understand. Then…”

“Even if I don’t become a god, I want to be of some help to the Underworld! Please give me another job!”

“…? Don’t you want to receive the reward for killing the Chimera?”

“No! Please forgive my rudeness!”

The hero trembled, burying his head on the ground.

Ah… He must have thought that he had dared to make blasphemous remarks in front of me.

Even if I show that I don’t care, he won’t be relieved.

The Greek gods are originally capricious.

“I will forgive the rudeness. Then… how about sharing your experience with future generations?”

“I will do whatever you tell me to do!”

“You can quit at any time, and you don’t have to feel too burdened. The heroes from Thebes [an ancient city in Greece]…”

It just so happens that Chiron [a centaur known for his wisdom and teaching] said he needed a training instructor.

A hero who killed the Chimera would be more than qualified.

Still, I feel sorry for only giving work to a hero who needs to rest…

If he wants, other conveniences… should I mediate a reconciliation with his brother whom Bellerophon accidentally killed?