King of Underworld

Chapter 156: Gigantomachia – (4)

Atlas has sided with Gaia!

When Atlas, having absorbed the blood and resentment of countless Gigantes, appeared, the gods of Olympus were aghast.

Even in his usual state, carrying the celestial sphere, he was a warrior on par with the Three Major Gods…

“You heard Hades! Prepare for impact, everyone!”

“Why would Lord Atlas do this…?”

“It must be Gaia provoking him, no doubt!”

**Flash— BOOOOOM!!!**

The Plains of Phlesra were obliterated by the recent collision.

Fortunately, the gods who retreated beyond the plains managed to shield themselves from the shockwave with their powers, but it wasn’t over yet.

**Rumble! Crash!**

Gigantes and Olympian gods alike scrambled in confusion to escape.

No matter how immortal a god might be, no one could survive being caught in that devastation.

The revered gods, looked up to by mortals, fled in all directions in an unseemly display.

But could anyone dare step into that space where the fabric of reality was torn, deathly energy collided with lightning, and tsunamis raged?

“Hephaestus, come with me for now. Leave this to them while we chase the fleeing Gigantes…”

“Yes, Mother!”

“Damn it. So many mortals are going to die. Does this mean we’ll have to create humans all over again…?”

“How many Gigantes have escaped?”

Even the older gods who had experienced the Titan War—Hera, Demeter, and Hestia—moved with grim expressions.

Ares, the God of War, clenched his jaw and strode over to Hestia, the Goddess of the Hearth.

“Lady Hestia! How did you defeat Atlas before?”

“He wasn’t this strong before. When Gaia summoned him, carrying the celestial sphere… she must have empowered him.”

“Of course, but he won’t be able to maintain that state for long.”

Athena, the Goddess of War and Wisdom, chimed in.

She, too, looked worn, ichor dripping from wounds all over her body.

Despite the initial shock, the gods quickly began to respond.

Athena sent oracles to the mortal world.

Some gods pursued the fleeing Gigantes.

Hecate, the Goddess of Magic, worked to neutralize the spreading shockwaves.

Everyone did what they could.

“Hey, Dionysus.”

“Huff… What is it, Heracles? Speak quickly—I’m exhausted.”

“Atlas is our new enemy? What are you talking about?”

“It’s exactly as you heard. The Titan punished to carry the celestial sphere, Atlas, has joined Gaia!”

Heracles knew a little about Atlas.

As a newly ascended god, he had learned some of the history of the gods.

He also knew that Atlas, now clashing with the Three Major Gods, was as powerful as his father, Zeus.

But that wasn’t a reason for him to retreat.

“…?”

“Heracles?”

The God of Strength and Struggle hesitated briefly before stepping into the heart of the fierce battle.

What? He was heading toward that horrifying scene of destruction that even the Twelve Olympians avoided?

“Heracles! Where are you going?”

“There’s an enemy, so I must help!”

For Heracles, struggle meant overcoming and surpassing.

—

“Hah! There you are, Hades!”

**Whoosh— BOOM!!!**

Atlas’s fist narrowly missed my ear as it swung past me.

The shockwave from his strike sent hot liquid dripping down my face, and I felt the mountain behind me disintegrate entirely.

Enduring the sheer force of the wind, I swung my bident, but the giant met it with his shoulder and retaliated.

As always, that filthy tough body of his had only grown sturdier.

**Whoosh—**

What a brute, all muscle and no finesse.

Though Atlas had no distinct divine authority or dominion, if he had one, it would surely be **strength**.

Without Heracles, the mantle of the God of Strength wouldn’t feel out of place on him.

“This damn fight should’ve ended ages ago!”

**Clang! Slash!**

Poseidon struck Atlas’s arm with his trident, speaking in a voice laced with frustration.

Not that anyone could blame him. Atlas’s already durable body…

“Well, as long as it’s not our grandfather Uranus’s severed genitals, it doesn’t hurt much.”

“Of course, the Earth Mother would grant such a troublesome blessing.”

“I’ll sever you soon enough. Don’t worry.”

The power Atlas received from Gaia meant that even hits from the bident or trident left only scratches.

His endurance allowed him to withstand Zeus’s lightning strikes, unsurprisingly.

Zeus had abandoned his lightning bolts and was solely wielding the scythe in an attempt to bring Atlas down.

The Titans, like us, were immortal.

But severing limbs or inflicting fatal wounds would prevent them from recovering quickly.

“Phew…”

Sweat trickled beneath my Kynee as I wore it for an extended period.

Atlas, empowered by Gaia, couldn’t maintain his state forever.

This drawn-out battle would eventually end in our favor.

But the problem was that we were being held up here.

Once again, power was gathering beneath the earth.

Though the Plains of Phlesra had long since collapsed, Gaia continued to amass energy.

I could feel the surviving Gigantes scattering in all directions.

While the gods hurried to pursue them, if the Gigantes reached the mortal realm, more than half of humanity might perish.

Styx, my betrothed…

Lethe…

Persephone…

Were they all safe?

Amid the intense battle, I hadn’t had a chance to check on them.

“Haha… Finally, the time to pass off the celestial sphere approaches.”

“Ha!”

Still, I couldn’t ignore Atlas and shift my focus elsewhere.

If only two of the Three Major Gods remained here, the Titan might break free and slaughter the other gods or mortals.

Ultimately, we had to subdue or defeat him here.

Easier said than done.

Should I disrupt the balance of the world and drag the Underworld into this place, forcing everything below?

No matter how many lives would be lost…

Poseidon seemed to be grappling with similar thoughts. His expression was grim.

If he triggered another Great Flood and drowned all the land, not even Atlas could endure it.

Hmm? I sensed someone approaching.

Didn’t I tell everyone to retreat to avoid being caught in the attack?

Only a handful of gods could break through the godly aura and the shockwaves erupting everywhere.

Perhaps Hecate or the Three Fates. Or maybe…

“Take this!!!”

…it was Heracles, gritting his teeth and swinging his iron club.

**CRAAANG!**

Heracles struck Atlas hard from behind, causing the Titan’s head to snap to the side.

It seemed Atlas had taken the hit, assuming it wasn’t an attack from a Major God.

But Heracles was the God of Strength.

Among the Olympians, save for the Three Major Gods, he had no rivals.

His iron club, forged by Hephaestus, was a masterpiece.

His dominion was strength.

And the **strength** wielded by the God of Strength at full power…

“Huh?!”

…managed to momentarily twist Atlas’s head.

Though it didn’t harm the Titan’s body, Heracles’s attack created an opening.

**Slash—**

“Argh!!!”

Zeus seized the opportunity and swung his scythe, severing one of Atlas’s legs.

—

I rushed forward, stabbing his eye, while Poseidon’s trident delivered a crushing blow to his stomach.

Golden ichor spewed like a fountain as the Titan collapsed, paying the price for his misjudgment.

“Grrgh!”

“Well done, Heracles!”

“Your son is probably still flying toward that mountain and can’t hear you.”

“Phew…”

I caught my breath as I looked down at the writhing and screaming Atlas.

Was it finally over?

This wretched war…

If we eliminated the remnants of the fleeing Gigantes and hurled Atlas into Tartarus…

The long-fought Great War would finally end.

Now that the battle was settled, it was time to disperse the energy gathering in the earth.

**Thud.**

I plunged my bident deep into the ground, focusing the power of the Underworld.

I would erode and suppress the solidified energy deep below.

**Ssss—**

“Lord Zeus has severed Atlas’s leg!”

“Have we won?”

“This isn’t over yet! Chase the fleeing Gigantes first!”

“Where is Apollo? We need him now!”

From afar, I heard the voices of gods recognizing the end of the battle, rushing toward us.

Their cheers for Olympus echoed joyfully.

Ah, Lady Styx… Lady Lethe…

Everyone was safe.

Though tired and wounded, no one had suffered critical injuries.

Truly, what a relief…

But then.

A voice emerged from the earth.

Simultaneously, the ground naturally gathered, rising into an enormous form.

**Rumble…**

It was a colossal giant made of earth.

Its oppressive aura reminded me of meeting Nyx, the Primordial Goddess of Night.

Zeus scowled, muttering something under his breath.

Poseidon and the others wore similar expressions, some shaking their heads in disbelief.

So it had come to this.

Despite considering the possibility, I hadn’t wanted to admit it…

After defeating Typhon, the Gigantes, and Atlas, this still wasn’t enough?

Did the Primordial Deities have any right to meddle in a war among gods?

If this is how it must be…

There was no choice but to seek the protection of Nyx, whom I had persuaded beforehand.

**Rustle—**

As I looked to the heavens, darkness suddenly descended upon the earth.

It was as if night itself had come to this realm.

Even with divine sight, all I could see was darkness.

The earthen giant, faced with the black, star-filled figure, stopped moving.

In this world turned into a celestial scene, two Primordial Deities stared at one another.

After a chilling silence, night spoke first.

“Gaia, isn’t this enough?”