Athena's plan was simple.
This man was extremely powerful, far beyond what the gods could handle. But… killing him did not necessarily require the gods themselves to act.
In fact, many times it had already been proven that humans possessed wisdom and strength surpassing that of the gods. So, she gathered a group of demigod children and mythic heroes, commanding them to guard Mount Olympus and kill the one who threatened the gods!
And thus, on the steps of Mount Olympus, Duanmu Huai found his path blocked by the heroes.
"Perseus, Atalanta, Bellerophon, Odysseus, Heracles… well now, a lineup of famous heroes, huh."
Looking at the warriors surrounding him, Duanmu Huai chuckled. Then he set his warhammer aside and sat down on a boulder.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Seeing Duanmu Huai set aside his weapon, Perseus frowned and questioned him. As famed heroes, they had their pride—killing an unarmed man who showed no intent to fight was not an honorable act.
"Nothing much. Before we start fighting, I'd like to talk."
Duanmu Huai clapped his hands lightly and looked at the heroes.
"All of you are renowned figures. Fine, I won't waste your time. Do you know why I've come to Mount Olympus?"
"...…?"
"To kill the gods."
Duanmu Huai said it plainly, then chuckled as he stared at the heroes before him.
"We absolutely won't let you do that!"
Heracles stepped forward, clenching his fists, speaking in a deep voice. But Duanmu Huai merely glanced at him.
"Why?"
"Because…"
The heroes froze at his question. Then Odysseus spoke up.
"Because the gods govern everything in this world. Without them, everything would fall apart!"
"Oh? Is that so?"
Duanmu Huai spread his hands.
"Then let me ask you—I've already killed Ares, Hades, and Poseidon. Tell me, has this world changed? Has the sea overflowed and drowned the land? Have the dead risen to wander among the living? Have nations plunged into endless war until none remain?"
"Th-that…"
The heroes had no answer. Indeed, Duanmu Huai had killed three major gods, yet the world remained perfectly intact. But before they could think of a reply, Duanmu Huai continued.
"And let's be honest—are these Olympus bastards being alive really a good thing for the world?"
"...What are you talking about?"
"Let's start with you—Perseus."
Duanmu Huai pointed at him.
"You know your own origins clearly. Zeus, that old pervert, assaulted your mother just because he lusted after her beauty. That act made her pregnant and ultimately led to you two being hunted. And your wife Andromeda—her mother boasted that she was more beautiful than the sea nymphs, and Poseidon became 'offended' and demanded she be sacrificed to a sea monster. Do you seriously think beings like that are worth protecting?"
"...…"
Perseus' expression shifted unpredictably. He tightened his grip on his sling, lowered his head, and said nothing.
"And you? Atalanta?"
Duanmu Huai turned to the next hero.
"Why are you here, standing against me?"
"Because the gods have promised that if I kill you, they will lift my curse and let me become human again!"
"Heh."
Duanmu Huai let out a small laugh.
"How amusing. You know exactly what happened. Your husband Hippomenes prayed to Aphrodite, who tricked you into losing the race. And because Hippomenes failed to thank her afterward, she lured the two of you to a temple and made you commit sacrilege—provoking the gods' anger and causing your curse. Throughout all this, you were the victim, yet now the gods act like it was your fault, and they are your saviors offering forgiveness. Do you really find that reasonable? Kill me, then continue being their obedient dog, letting them toy with you however they please?"
"I…"
Atalanta clenched her bow so tightly her knuckles whitened. She said nothing.
Duanmu Huai turned to another warrior.
"And you, Odysseus? Why are you here?"
"…The gods threatened me. They said if I refused to join, they would curse and destroy my homeland."
"Hah. Olympus bastards and their usual tricks."
Hearing Odysseus' grim reply, Duanmu Huai sneered, then stood up and looked over all of them.
"Look—this is what the gods you serve really are. They curse, spread plagues, or destroy nations whenever they please. Entire families torn apart, thousands displaced—just because the gods felt like it. Is that what you want to protect? Have you forgotten the healing fruit of Asclepius? When plagues ravaged the land and infants died, the so-called cure existed only because the gods were entertaining themselves with a meaningless competition—comparing whose chosen champion was strongest. They spread curses just to amuse themselves while mortals suffered and died. All of that… just for a childish bet?"
He spread his arms.
"So tell me—do you truly want to protect gods like that? To wait for the day they get bored again and toy with mortals on a whim? Without these bastards, wouldn't the world be better? No more gods destroying nations for fun, no more innocent people ruined because a god got annoyed. Gods are fickle, arrogant, and believe mortals exist solely to amuse them—with no fear of retaliation."
Duanmu Huai clenched his fist.
"This is their arrogance. They think mortals exist for their pleasure. But I'm here to tell these bastards that every sin they committed will one day be repaid! They think they can do whatever they want. Too bad for them—karma comes for everyone. And one day, just like the mortals they tormented, they too will tremble on their knees, begging for mercy!"
Duanmu Huai rose to his feet, grabbed his warhammer, and pointed it at the heroes.
"I'm not afraid to tell you—I've come here to drown Olympus in blood, to kill every last bastard! To use their blood to honor the mortals they murdered! Now choose—stand with humanity and fight the gods, or stand with those bastards and defend this disgusting tyranny?!"
"...…"
Silence fell. The heroes exchanged uncertain glances, unable to speak.
No one knew how much time passed before Perseus finally broke the silence.
"I—I'm suddenly not feeling too well. I need to… relieve myself!"
With that, he vanished in a flash.
And once someone broke ranks, the others followed.
"I'll be watching you. If you fail, my arrows will pierce your skull."
Atalanta left behind a cold warning, then leapt away into the mountains.
"Ahh..."
Heracles sighed heavily and stepped aside without a word—but his choice was clear.
Soon, the other heroes dispersed as well. Some made excuses, others simply fled. Within moments, the group of hundreds that had blocked Duanmu Huai had vanished entirely.
"Know your place."
Seeing the empty road ahead, Duanmu Huai snorted and continued upward.
He had always been confident he could persuade these heroes. The reason was simple: in Greek mythology, heroes were defined by their rebellious spirits. Even facing gods, they did not bow. Odysseus, after the Trojan War, endured Poseidon's curse but still fought his way home.
A hero respecting the gods too much? Impossible.
And demigods like Perseus—if Duanmu Huai believed he had zero resentment toward that old bastard Zeus, he'd never believe it.
But resentment alone did nothing. Zeus was king of the gods—not someone easy to deal with.
However, if someone appeared who could kill the gods—someone who already had—then everything changed.
Why would they choose to die for Olympus?
Not to mention their status on Olympus was awkward to begin with. If the main gods all died, the demigods would be freed from their control and gain more power and influence.
Resentment, rebellion, and ambition—these were constants of Greek epics.
And so it remained now.
Smirking, Duanmu Huai held his warhammer over his shoulder and marched on.
Meanwhile, atop Mount Olympus, Zeus was pale and trembling with rage—if gods could get heart attacks, he looked close to one.
Even Athena and the other gods wore grim expressions. They had learned of Duanmu Huai's motive, but it was something they could hardly believe.
That man… actually came here for the sake of mortals to challenge the gods?!
This was… this was…
"There's no choice. We must act personally."
Athena lowered her voice. The other gods nodded grimly. Each of them knew their own sins—every major Olympian had done unspeakable things, sometimes as intimidation, sometimes to show power, sometimes simply for fun.
To them, mortals were playthings.
And now someone dared raise the banner of mortals and march up Olympus?!
He must be eliminated.
Otherwise, all of Olympus would be destroyed.
(End of chapter)