(thought)
Dionysos is exhausted and has decided to stop using this name. Instead, he will call himself Arthur and hide his identity among people.
Arthur woke up after crying and sleeping all night, and thankfully, no one was looking for him. Then he remembered the system he had neglected.
"Oi system, are you there?"
[No need to shout, I can hear your thoughts.]
Arthur wasn't surprised because in many fiction stories he had read, systems worked like this.
(Okay then, what are your functions, system?)
[The system is responsible for the host's growth; you can think of the host and the system as a connected life form.]
[The system gives missions depending on the situation; some are mandatory, and their rewards are accordingly good.]
[The system has an inventory function.]
[The status screen is not available for now; it will only tell you your current power.]
As the system spoke more, the vein on Arthur's forehead became more visible. (I see, keep belittling me, you pitiful system. So, is there a starter pack?)
[Would you like to open the starter pack?]
[Yes] [No]
Arthur clicked "yes".
[Congratulations, you have received: Murim-style adaptable clothing, bronze katana, skill: sixth sense.]
What? Sixth sense? This ability is priceless in battle, but he can't say the same for the clothes. What now, is he supposed to challenge the heavens in that outfit?
Arthur takes the outfit out of the inventory and inspects it a bit — it's quite large, black with golden embroidery, and has a dragon pattern on the back.
He puts it back into the inventory — it's not time to wear it yet. He needs to use the reward he got yesterday. First, he accepts the skill. Arthur feels as if he sees the world from a new perspective — the wind on his skin, the circulation of the oxygen he inhales, and the crimson energy in his blood… What is this? Most likely his divinity. Maybe after using the blood-cleansing pill, he can touch it.
He immediately takes out the pill, sits in lotus position, and after putting it in his mouth, feels like vomiting but swallows it.
Ah, it hurts… Black filth is flowing from his pores. What kind of cultivation shit is this?
Now I try to stay silent — the bones in my body are breaking and healing. The same goes for the muscles, which are important.
Golden-colored blood is flowing from every hole in his body. In every sense — every hole. Thankfully, he chose to stay naked. His inner bloodline becomes purer.
His divinity inside is painted even redder and crackles like lightning a bit, with some pink hues too.
Semele's grandfather is King Cadmus, and her grandmother is the goddess Harmonia.
Harmonia is often described as the daughter of Ares and Aphrodite; some say she is the daughter of Zeus and Electra.
After finishing the process, I stood up. I see that I'm completely covered in dirt, and I look taller.
I immediately get out of the ditch and jump into the first lake I find.
Oh, my body feels better. After washing himself, Arthur comes out of the water and looks at his reflection.
Oh my god, I became more handsome. My height is 150 cm. My hair is white and reaches my nape, and my eyes are blue — but if you look carefully, there's a red ring in them.
Arthur already had a theory, and it seems confirmed. The redness in his eyes is likely from Ares' bloodline — it left a mark. His eyes, already blue, became even more vivid. His beauty? Inherited from being related to Aphrodite. It played a role in the current improvement of his appearance.
As much as I admire myself, it's time to go. I took out my outfit from the inventory and put it on — I can say it suits me well. I attach my katana to the outfit.
As the sun slowly painted the eastern horizon pink, Arthur pushed his wet hair back with his hands. The new outfit fit perfectly on his body; the golden dragon patterns shone softly in the morning light. But despite all this grandeur, he was uneasy.
"For now, Dionysos is dead... I'm Arthur now."
His voice was tired but determined as he whispered to himself.
As Arthur wandered through the forest, he trusted what he knew best — his instincts. The sixth sense helped him a lot, though it was a bit off.
For example, even if Arthur wanted to go somewhere and didn't know the location, he could trust his instincts to find it.
Since he didn't have a good idea now, Arthur followed his instincts to reach the nearest village.
On the way, he didn't forget to talk to the system.
Arthur: "Hey, system... are you there?"
[System]:[No need to shout. Just thinking is enough.]
Arthur: "Good. Let's clarify some things. For example... am I immortal?"
[System]: [Your divine bloodline makes you physically resilient, and your soul will become immortal when you become a chief god.]
Arthur: "…So, even being the son of Zeus isn't a guarantee. Great. Very motivating."
[System]: [The system does not provide emotional support.]
Arthur: "It's not like I'm doing therapy with you."
Smoke was rising nearby, and the village was visible. The houses were made of stone, the roads were flat with cobblestones on the sides.
People were running around in a hurry.
When Arthur stepped through the stone gate of the village, all eyes turned to him. With his gold-embroidered outfit, the sword on his back, and his white hair, he looked like he wasn't from this world at all.
One of the villagers — an old, hunched woman barely walking with a cane — was trying to gather the basket she had dropped by the roadside. The others ignored her in their busy rush. Arthur, however, paused. His eyes met hers.
Arthur quietly approached and bent toward the basket. "Allow me to help."
The old woman smiled slightly. "You're kind... I'm not used to that anymore."
Arthur picked up the fallen bundles of herbs and placed the basket on her arm. "Are you okay?"
The woman's eyes sparkled for a moment, but Arthur couldn't make sense of it. "I'm fine, child, just... age is catching up."
She bowed her head, then for a moment looked Arthur straight in the eyes. "Who are you? It's clear you're a stranger to these lands."
Arthur hesitated for a moment, then smiled lightly. "Just a traveler. Arthur."
There was a strange curiosity in the woman's eyes, as if she were weighing my existence: "You see, child, I'm old. Would you help me get home? This old woman would be grateful."
Arthur bowed slightly at her kind words. "Of course. Leave your arm to me."
When he took the old woman's hand, her fingers were cold but steady and calm. Walking with her cane, they headed to a mossy but sturdy stone house slightly away from the other homes on the edge of the village.
Along the way, the woman asked Arthur many things — where he came from, where he was going, whether he had a family… Arthur chose his answers carefully. Though she seemed kind, there was something about this old woman. As if every word she spoke touched his mind…
When they reached the house, she opened the door. Inside, it was small but tidy.
Inside, it was quite old — like it hadn't been cleaned in years.
Arthur had already realized she was a goddess, but which one? When he saw her on the road, he already sensed it; in Greek myths, this was classic.
Since the system hides Arthur's divine energy, no one can detect it — not even a goddess.
She sat down and pointed to the chair for me to sit.
I hesitated — this woman is dangerous. My sixth sense is on high alert because of her. Damn it, who are you? I swear I'll offer minimal help to babies and old people from now on.
[Phhh, scum.]
(What did you say, damn system? Don't make me rip you pixel by pixel.)
[...Host, I'm touched.]
(SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!)
The old woman's form changes — her hair turns golden, her eyes shine bright blue, and she radiates ancient wisdom and sharp intellect like a storm.
She has a strong bone structure, but is elegant, mature, and her beauty is gently striking.
Arthur had already guessed who she was — this is ATHENA, goddess of wisdom and war.
At least Athena doesn't mess up people's lives as badly as the others.
Arthur narrowed his eyes: "Do I have to kneel, goddess Athena?"
Athena looked at him sharply: "No need. I have a task for you. If you accept, I'll reward you."
I stare directly at her — this woman is one of the smartest and most cunning among gods and goddesses: "Unfortunately, I can't. I'm just a little boy."
Before I finish my sentence, my sixth sense screamed — I immediately turned my head to the right and heard a swoosh sound. That bitch Athena threw a knife at me: "Do you want to be a child-killer goddess?"
Athena looks at me like she ate a lemon: "Even if you claim to be a child, from your build and your eyes, I can guess you're a demigod or something similar."
I sigh — this woman had been staring at my body for that reason. I immediately cover my chest with my hands: "Please, goddess, don't… I'm still very young."
If she could kill with her eyes, Athena would've split me into 1000 pieces instantly: "I'm not interested in you. Tomorrow, monsters will attack this village from the forest. Kill them and I'll reward you."
I clasp my hands and place them on the table: "Fine. Consider it done. Just give me what I deserve."
Without saying anything, Athena disappears.
This woman was worshipped in many cities as the goddess of war and wisdom; in Teb, too, she was considered a protector. She probably didn't turn a blind eye to the coming attack, and her eyes lit up when she saw me. For a moment, I feared she'd try to lure me with candy. I was going to accept her quest anyway — the system even gave me a mission for it.
[Mission: Monster Extermination]
[Reward: Athena's Favor, Divine Energy Training Guide]
[Penalty: Athena's Wrath]
[Duration: 2 days]
Tonight I'll stay in the village, and the attack will probably happen before dawn or at dusk. I'll prepare accordingly.