章 132: In the dungeon of Hades (1)
Libra. She's the dungeon master of the halls of determination, right?
<Yes.>
So how is Libra compared to Hades and Vespasian?
<She is too far gone to even speak using normal words. Every sentence she speaks sounds like a riddle or prophecy. Going through paperwork with her is such a pain!>
Then I'd rather not meet her for now.
<Good idea. For now, let's get you to your meeting with Hades. One crazy dungeon master is going to be enough for you today.>
Indeed...
A few minutes later I find myself standing in the epicenter of the great labyrinth of death. A large, lavishly decorated throne room lies before me. The theme seems to be slightly dark and shady but this is modeled after the underworld so no real surprise there.
Before me, a dais rises thirty meters up forcing me to crane my neck just to look at the one sitting on the throne. Hades, a lanky but tall man with a gaunt face and a pair of fierce eyes.
He's wearing armor made from some black metal with lines of gold and turquoise running along the edges. Various dark red gems are inlaid into the black metal with purple swirls swishing around inside them. And is that a broken trident he is holding? I thought that was Poseidon's weapon of choice.
<Don't say that out loud. The thing he's holding is a two-pronged spear known as a bident. It's the weapon of choice for the Greek god Hades. He hates it when people know what a trident is but fail to recognize a bident.>
Still, somehow Hades looks like more of a war god than a death god. With the armor, the weapon, and all that.
<He usually wears either a tunic or dark robe but as you already heard he's on edge since the paragons and their halls are moving.>
Is he that scared of them? Shouldn't he as a god be able to overpower them easily?
<Gods aren't as powerful as you might think. The gods described in ancient mythology are strong due to both the belief of their people as well as the skills they have accumulated over their journeys to become gods.>
But aren't most gods in mythology born as gods? There's no journey to speak of.
<They are born as minor gods and go on to become superior or even supreme gods. That's a pretty big journey if you ask me.>
So gods aren't the strongest race from birth then?
<You see, here's the problem. Gods are a pseudo race. Any being can become a god but they will retain their essence thus making things complicated. Most humans have stat modifiers based on their class but gods don't. They just continue increasing their levels and skills. The main thing that distinguishes them from others is their divine power. It's like an inexhaustible source of specific mp.>
Didn't you just say that besides their skills their parent strong? Inexhaustible magic power seems pretty strong.
<It does at first glance but divine power seldom lives up to its name. As a minor god, you can only use the equivalent of the magic of your element without evolving the skill. A god would have the equivalent of advanced magic, a superior god would have the equivalent of superior magic, and a supreme god would have the equivalent of ultimate magic. Now, most paragons have an ultimate magic skill or something of similar strength. Hurling basic magic at them is nothing but a waste of time.>
So when a god is fighting small fry he is nearly unbeatable when he uses divine power since he won't run out. However, going up against stronger opponents makes divine power useless.
<Unless you are a superior or supreme god that is. But Hades is still far away from reaching that level since the dungeon point cost of ascending to god is ludicrously high.>
Aha, I think I understand. But Navi...
<Yes?>
How much longer am I supposed to stand here and wait?
<Until Hades starts talking. He seems to still be contemplating how to initiate a conversation.>
I keep my eyes on the regal figure sitting on his throne, his expression perfectly indifferent safe for a fierce look in his eyes. He meets my gaze and holds it for a few seconds before releasing a long, drawn-out sigh.
"Mortal being, as you must have been told a bunch of heretics has decided to rebel against my glorious rule. They have been vanquished by my forces once but now they are coming back like the cockroaches they are. I, in my everlasting greatness, do not wish to lay eyes upon them once again so you will make sure that they are all eradicated before reaching me."
Oh, god. Literally!
Was that dude already delusional when he became a dungeon master or did something happen in the process?
<Usually they already have some... foundations from when they were humans upon which they then build to reach the level of reality detachment you see before you. Although, be aware that this is all an act. He cares very much for outward appearances.>
So he doesn't believe all the crap he just said?
<Only on a superficial level. Below the act he puts on, he knows very well how things are in reality. I personally think he's easier to talk to when I'm just a voice in his head.>
All that aside, how should I respond?
<Say something simple but affirmative. I will do so or something like that.>
"It shall be done to the best of my abilities."
"Good, good. Charon here shall guide you to where you are needed."
Right as Hades says that a vertical two-meter tear in space opens up next to me and purple to blackish fog flows out of the bottom of it hovering a few centimeters above the ground. The fog flows forward like a river and then a wooden boat emerges from the tear in space with an old ferryman atop it.
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