King of Underworld

Chapter 132 The Sea Monster Charybdis – (3)

Charybdis was rapidly drawing in seawater, so I moved quickly.

The bident appeared in my hand as I willed it.

Since my opponent was the sea deity second only to Poseidon, I would need to use a bit more power.

Causing trouble in another god’s domain isn’t ideal, but with Poseidon’s “permission,” I pressed forward.

■■■■■■!!!!!

A dark aura of death filled the space between the sky and the sea as I struck downward.

I watched as sea creatures and birds like seagulls that came into contact with the black pillar I summoned dropped dead.

ㅡ?! ■■!!!

Startled, Charybdis closed her mouth.

I wasn’t sure if “closing her mouth” was the best description, but there was no better way to express it.

Her gaze was cautious, as she tried to figure out who I was. Golden ichor seeped from her and disappeared into the sea…

First, I needed to evacuate the humans.

Standing on the ship, I looked at Charybdis and spoke.

“I’ll send you to a safe place.”

I could feel those who saw me clasping their hands together in prayer. The faith reverberating behind me.

Some knew who I was, while others didn’t, but the emotions were all the same.

Relief. Reassurance. Joy. Gratitude.

“Your time to come to the Underworld has not yet come.”

I created a protective black barrier around the ship, pushing it toward the shore. Then I rose above the water and looked back at Charybdis.

Unlike before, she was no longer drawing in seawater, and was instead slowly surfacing.

However, only her mouth was visible, as if she were still wary of me. Her voice reached me telepathically… a beautiful sound, almost unbelievable for a massive whirlpool monster.

[Why are you suddenly doing this to me, Lord Hades?]

“Daughter of Poseidon, Charybdis. It’s time to stop tormenting humans.”

[What are you saying… that the Lord of the Underworld came here just for mere mortals?]

“Once they die, those mortals become my subjects, after all.”

Charybdis paused, perhaps considering my words.

That’s exactly what I meant… in any case, I just needed to persuade her.

“You’re the second most powerful deity of the sea after Poseidon. How long will you live like this?”

[……]

“Stop harassing the humans who pass by. Poseidon and Demeter have agreed to supply you with enough food that you won’t need to eat them anymore.”

[Father… agreed to this?]

“Yes. Before coming here, I also spoke with Demeter.”

She had been struck by Zeus’s lightning and cast into the sea for consuming too much nectar and ambrosia.

But it seemed she held no grudge against Poseidon. That was a relief.

If she harbored resentment over Poseidon not protecting her from Zeus’s lightning, things would’ve gotten more complicated.

“Why do you think mortals don’t praise your name or make offerings to you? You are not any lesser than Triton or other sea gods, are you?”

[Are you trying to persuade me?]

“Yes, I know your story. Had you not fallen into the sea, you wouldn’t have ended up like this.”

The world of divine beings is rather complicated.

Being struck down by the king of the gods during a feast held its own meaning.

A direct expulsion from the king of the gods. That’s why a deity of Charybdis’s caliber hasn’t returned to Olympus.

Though she was a high goddess, she had fallen so far as to eat humans instead of nectar and ambrosia.

No mortals offered her any worship. If this continued, it would not be beneficial for her.

Once her image as a monster that devours humans was established, there would be no turning back.

“Genuine faith is born between fear and gratitude. You know this, don’t you? Stop tormenting humans.”

[If I do… will I be able to return to Olympus?]

“As you know, we are currently at war with Gaia, your mother. If we can drive out the Gigantes and earn her approval, Zeus might be persuaded.”

Charybdis wasn’t simply eating humans without thought.

She harbored lingering attachment to Olympus, resentment toward Zeus, and sorrow over her fall from grace.

All those emotions must have mixed within her, turning her into a creature that devours mortals.

Perhaps she was quietly listening to my persuasion because she saw a path to return.

Poseidon was already on her side, and if I supported her, even Zeus would have to reconsider.

* * *

[Understood. I will do as you say, Lord Hades.]

“A wise choice. Poseidon will decree an oracle that mortals sailing near this area should offer sacrifices to you. You will also regularly receive ambrosia and nectar.”

[Father…]

“…?”

[Please tell him I’m sorry…]

“I’ll deliver your message.”

Like father, like daughter. Both felt sorry for each other.

Now that she’d been persuaded, she would no longer trouble humans.

We gods could survive without nectar and ambrosia.

After falling to the sea and suffering Zeus’s anger, she would know to exercise some restraint…

Well, I’ve done enough. Poseidon can handle her from here.

Lately, he does seem to have changed somewhat.

[Then, until we meet again…]

As she sank back into the water, I turned away to return to the Underworld, but then I noticed someone cutting through the waves toward me.

They were riding a dolphin, and I sensed divine power.

“Uncle Hades!”

“Triton.”

It was Triton, Poseidon’s eldest son.

“Your father must’ve sent you to check on how my conversation with Charybdis went.”

“Ah… haha. Father does care deeply for his children.”

“Tell him he needn’t worry. Apart from one good smack, I didn’t touch her.”

I continued speaking to Triton, who gave an awkward smile.

“Hercules.”

“Pardon? That mortal hero?”

“Do you think he can become a god?”

Psyche was able to become a minor goddess due to her humble origins.

Medusa, as a demigod who had already died, could be accepted as a deity of the Underworld.

However… if Hercules, the greatest hero, were to become a god, it would disrupt the twelve Olympians.

To ascend, he’d need to achieve something god-worthy. Hercules was so powerful from birth that the threshold for him was high.

Thus, he would need to follow a similar path to Dionysus, who ascended to join the Olympians.

Just like when Dionysus ascended, he would need a godlike mindset, spirit, and a following.

“His strength already rivals that of the gods… but ironically, that very strength seems to hold him back. His mindset as well…”

“I see. He just needs the right catalyst.”

One day, he would understand.

* * *

Meanwhile, the sailors who narrowly escaped being devoured by the sea monster, saved by Hades, were all safely pushed back to shore and reunited with their families.

“Sob… This voyage was truly dangerous. We were almost swallowed whole by that whirlpool monster…”

“No, I’m telling you, a black pillar appeared from the sky to the sea!”

“That was surely a god. A god who saved us from the sea monster.”

The memory of the god who appeared on the deck at their dire moment was firmly etched in their minds.

Even sailors who had only worshiped Poseidon considered worshiping a second god.

“But… which god was he?”

“He had black hair and his attire was… definitely not Lord Poseidon.”

“Then could it have been Lord Triton?!”

“I’ve heard that Lord Triton looks like a mix of a fish and a human, so it wasn’t him either.”

“…That was the ruler of the Underworld.”

Only a few realized he was Pluto.

Among them were middle-aged sailors who had studied theology and experienced captains.

“Black hair and black eyes. No visible wings, and a bident with two prongs. It was Pluto’s sign.”

“Why would Pluto, who belongs in the Underworld, appear in our realm?”

“Maybe he came to deal with the sea monster, like when Apollo killed the serpent Python.”

“Gods can hide their appearances, but he clearly said… that it was not yet our time to come to the Underworld.”

Not yet time to ‘come’ to the Underworld.

Did that mean Pluto, who truly resides in the Underworld, had saved their lives?

“I’ve heard he is a god of mercy and justice… hmm.”

“It all happened so quickly; I couldn’t see him clearly.”

“Well, I’m still not sure. Could it be that Lord Poseidon just changed his appearance?”

“It doesn’t matter which god he was. Shouldn’t we give our thanks? How about holding a ritual for Olympus?”

“Damn it. Right, let’s prepare offerings instead of debating which god he was.”

Of course, it was difficult to believe that Pluto would appear on the sea.

People prayed and offered sacrifices to the unknown god.

Yet, some clearly prayed to the ruler of the Underworld, expressing their gratitude.

From that day forward, oracles were issued from the temples of Poseidon and Demeter…

And humans learned the name of the goddess Charybdis.

“We offer this to Goddess Charybdis, daughter of Lord Poseidon.”

“Please, help us return safely to our families.”

Sailors prepared fine offerings for her, and a tradition arose of dropping food into the sea as an offering to Charybdis when navigating specific areas.

After that, stories of sea monster sightings and suddenly disappearing ships faded away.