Tower of Heaven

After a moment of silence, those two doors swung open. They were held open by servants who bowed as Atlas passed by them.

The ground, walls, and ceiling were a dim gold color. It was formed into a uniform array of diamond patterns surrounded by dots that were arranged in different orders.

Those glyphs had meaning Atlas couldn’t begin to comprehend, yet he felt as if he could sense the message being conveyed.

The floor was draped in black carpets that hid parts of the design. They were meant to be used as pathways through the room.

The majority of them led to doors and other important sections of the chamber, but the one that Atlas stood on…

It started at the door he entered through, and it ended at the black marble steps leading up to the platform that houses those two thrones.

One was black and jagged like the palace itself, while the other was made of a pure crystalline material.

However, only one was currently occupied.

It seemed to be a trait among Immortals and Divinities that wanted to appear lofty. The men among them always had massive bodies of proportions Atlas couldn’t comprehend.

That man was the same. His torso alone was more than two meters tall. His legs were so massive that Atlas had to look past his knee to even hope to get a glimpse at his face.

Nevertheless, when Atlas entered the room, that being kindly changed his size to be easier for Atlas.

That didn’t mean he wasn’t large. He was still at least three times as large in bulk and at least a foot taller in height.

His long black hair was rough and wild like that of an old warrior. His beard was trimmed nicely and outlined his jaw well, making it known that his hair was messy by choice.

He wore a black fur coat that went down past his knees. It barely hid his muscles, especially since what he wore beneath it was a full set of black and silver armor. Find your next adventure on

He sat with his chin on his fist, his golden eyes observing Atlas intently.

His expression was stoic and without expression, as intimidating as it could possibly be. However, unlike that woman he met before Hel, he didn’t openly flaunt his aura to suppress others.

[You are an uninvited guest.]

His voice came out deep and smooth, taking Atlas by surprise.

"I am. I also didn’t think I would be coming here, however, it is where my quest has led me."

His response was relatively swift. As he spoke, he bowed his head just slightly and introduced himself.

"I am Atlas Vaun. It is a pleasure to be in your presence, Lord Hades."

[Hmm…]

Hades nodded, never breaking his stare.

[It is usually something like that. Warriors tend to enter this realm with various purposes, and all of them tend to have a desire to meet me.]

"It is because you are the Lord of this plane. It is a position that cannot be taken lightly."

[That may be so.]

Hades was definitely hard to read. Atlas was sure of that much. He genuinely couldn’t tell what the God was thinking or why he’d invited him so fast.

[What have you come here for?]

The question came faster than expected, but Atlas was more than happy to answer it. He started this quest so long ago that he was grateful for any time he could save now.

"Two of my comrades were trapped in the Underworld by the schemes of those still living. Through my travels, I learned that they are present somewhere here, however, I do not know where. I have come with a single request. Please search for the two living souls in this realm and tell me where they are."

Hades raised an eyebrow.

[You do not want them returned to you?]

Atlas shook his head immediately.

"I will not ask so much of your esteemed self. I only want their location and a way to reach them. I will do the rest with my own strength."

For the first time, Hades looked mildly impressed.

[A warrior will be a warrior regardless of the generation.]

Was he addressing Atlas or talking to himself?

[I understand what you seek, but I will not give it to you so easily. If you have truly gone through hell to arrive here, you will not be averse to proving yourself one last time, will you?]

"..."

It was a loaded question.

Another trial?

Really?

At this point?

How much time had passed? How much had Atlas already done? At this point, to ask him to complete another trial and prove himself again…

A fire was lit in his eyes.

"I have proved myself enough times."

He couldn’t stand it. If he had to prove himself again, his mind would just shatter into a million pieces.

"I will do a quest if you that is what it takes for you to give me what I want, however, I will not do it to prove myself."

He didn’t say more than that, but his eyes translated his intent.

In his mind, it was like that.

’I’m going to collapse.’

Just the thought of another quest made him want to vomit.

Yet, he had come this far for a reason.

He came this far for the comrades who stood by his side. He couldn’t give up now. Not at this juncture.

If Hades wanted to give him a quest, he’d do the quest. He just couldn’t do it for free, and he couldn’t accept that he was doing it for someone else’s satisfaction.

[I see…]

Atlas didn’t say most of what he wanted to say, but Hades seemed to understand him.

[Very well. You have shown your spirit as a warrior, and I shall respect it. This quest, you must do. However, you will not do it to prove yourself. I will give you a task that I truly need completed, and if you complete it properly, I will be in your debt. Along with that, I will give you what you seek.]

Atlas’ eyes widened at the conditions.

"Such a quest is bound to be difficult."

[You did not want to prove yourself, therefore, you must take a quest meant for someone who has already done so.]

It was a valid reasoning. The thought of having a God be in his debt was definitely tempting as well.

The rewards, the challenges, and the fact that this quest would still bring him back to his comrades worked together to ease his mind.

What felt tortuous moments ago became much more bearable.

"Still, I cannot be gone for long. It has been too long already since they were trapped in this realm. I do not want to make them wait."

Hades shook his head.

[Whether it is a long or short quest depends on your ability to complete it.]

It could be short, and it could be long. It was a gamble Atlas had to take.

He gritted his teeth. The conditions were more favorable than they used to be, but that didn’t mean they were the conditions he was hoping for.

He had to concede to a level. This much, he had already accepted.

"Huu…"

Atlas took a deep breath and calmed himself. He looked back up at the God of Death with a resolute look in his eyes.

"That’s it then."

He had come to a decision.

"I will take your quest."

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