After Morpheus and Artemis had expended nearly a full day's worth of sweat, the two finally entered true sage mode and began to seriously consider how to leave this place.
Morpheus stroked his chin, gazing at the surrounding space. "If we directly break out of here, will it affect the outside?"
Artemis shook her head. "Probably not. Even if it does cause some impact, as long as we suppress the effects, it'll be fine. Space won't stay shattered forever; it'll recover quickly."
Morpheus understood Artemis's meaning: space itself would self-repair. Even if shattered, it would soon close up again.
By analogy, it was like a water surface... even if pierced by immense force, once the foreign object departed, the water would flow together again, restoring the breached spot to normal.
So, after hearing Artemis's words, Morpheus began to gather his magical energy.
The magical energy shifted within his body, treating his flesh as a whole and altering the internal elements.
This internal change, in just a short while, began to manifest externally as well.
Magic wasn't limited to phases; there were many ways to activate it, including using the microcosm to alter the macrocosm.
If one had to compare, it was somewhat similar to the esper abilities in Academy City... using one's personal reality to interfere with actual reality, thereby producing abilities from that personal reality in the real world.
In the next instant, a gash opened on Morpheus's body, appearing on his arm!
At the same time, a fissure appeared in the space before Morpheus... a spatial rift, with a vortex reemerging within. But there was no suction; it simply informed the two present that they could leave from here.
Ignoring his blood dripping, for it evaporated completely before even hitting the ground, burned away utterly.
As a magician, Morpheus was well aware that things like blood could be used to cast spells, so naturally, he wouldn't leave such behind here.
"Let's go!" Morpheus smiled, grabbing Artemis's hand and pulling her along as they stepped out.
Artemis let Morpheus lead her, following obediently behind, and together they exited the area.
With their departure, the oak tree collapsed, the grass on the ground withered entirely, and the silver moon in the sky vanished as well.
This place returned once more to barren desolation!
...
Emerging outside again, Morpheus took a deep breath of the external air and laughed. "As expected, outside is more comfortable."
In response, Artemis viciously pinched Morpheus's waist. A goddess's strength was naturally incomparable to someone like Medea; she even broke through Morpheus's clothing, twisting the flesh!
"Ow!" With a yelp, Morpheus cried out. "That really hurts!"
Artemis pouted. "What did you mean by that just now?"
How could Morpheus not know what was going through her mind? He immediately laughed.
"I just meant the outside is more comfortable in terms of the environment inside without our modifications... it's not as good as outside. But if there's a beauty called the moon goddess accompanying me, then outside truly can't compare."
"You're really not lying; you are indeed a scumbag. That mouth of yours is pretty good at making girls happy."
Artemis said this, but it was clear she was considerably happier now. However, just as Morpheus breathed a sigh of relief, Artemis asked again: "But outside, Medea is waiting. How do you choose?"
"A death question so soon?!" Morpheus was stunned, thinking that those who could open a harem and keep everyone satisfied were truly impressive. No matter how you chose in this kind of question, it was a death sentence.
But as someone who dared to call himself a scumbag, loving every one he saw, his skin was naturally extremely thick... that was an advantage in certain situations.
Thus, Morpheus answered without hesitation: "Why choose? Naturally, I want it all!"
A perfect answer, a shameless answer, but one where no fault could be picked. While Artemis marveled at the thickness of his skin, she couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
At least, her position wouldn't be below anyone else's. This thought emerged, surprisingly making her a bit happy.
Just as the two planned to continue walking forward, a figure appeared not far away. Morpheus and Artemis looked at the person... a youth.
Seeing this youth, Artemis called out: "Hermes, why are you here?"
"Hermes?" Morpheus exclaimed in some surprise. The youth nodded slightly, giving Morpheus a slight bow. "I've seen you, the one who slew the primordial dragon. I am indeed Hermes."
Morpheus quickly returned the courtesy. "I've seen you too, esteemed messenger god."
Hermes didn't feel like a god; he seemed like a very amiable person, full of an adventurer's vibe.
And Morpheus was once again surprised by the appearance of this Greek god.
Though in Nasuverse's Greek mythology, Hermes does appear, Morpheus hadn't seen this god before... especially during the battle with the Gigantes, where Hades had appeared, using invisibility to assassinate one giant after another. He'd assumed there was no Hermes.
Because according to myth... or rather, the original texts... the Gigantes didn't involve Hades; it was Hermes wearing Hades's helm of invisibility for the assassinations.
Moreover, the Twelve Olympians didn't include Hades but did include Hermes. Yet here, clearly, the Twelve Olympians lacked Hermes and included Hades instead.
So Morpheus had figured there probably wasn't a god named Hermes.
Unexpectedly, there was such a god, and he was the messenger too.
"I wonder what he'd think if he knew that in other worlds, he's one of the Twelve Olympians, with a very prestigious status in many places," Morpheus thought, silently waiting for Hermes to state his reason for coming.
Then, the messenger explained why he had come to this place.
"The father of the gods hopes Morpheus will head to Olympus; he wishes to see you."
Artemis whispered to Morpheus: "Looks like your slaying of Typhon has already reached Zeus. Guess whether he's going to scold you or reward you?"
As Artemis spoke, she hugged Morpheus's arm, letting the softness of her chest rub against it.
Hermes smiled and said to Artemis: "Congratulations on finding your happiness, moon goddess."
Then, he turned and led the way ahead.
As the messenger, Hermes's speed was extremely fast. Under his guidance, Morpheus and Artemis soon arrived at Mount Olympus, and in the divine hall, Morpheus met the father of the gods, Zeus, whom he'd seen once before.
"Morpheus, your choice was far too reckless."
Zeus said this, his demeanor showing a trace of reproach. Even without any issues arising, from his understanding of Typhon, Zeus could imagine how terrible a disaster would occur if that monster were released.
"I'm truly sorry." Though he could explain, expressing his confidence in battling Typhon and the backups he'd prepared, Morpheus was too lazy to explain. He simply offered a mild apology.
Sometimes, not explaining was the fastest way to end things.
It was like trying to explain something to your parents to prove they were overthinking or wrong... they'd launch a series of attacks on your explanation.
And this flaw existed to varying degrees in many elders.
Seeing Morpheus admit fault so quickly, Zeus was stunned. He'd expected this powerful man to defend himself, but there was no defense; the admission was so straightforward and direct.
This left all the words Zeus had prepared to lecture him stuck in his throat, unable to say a thing.
Thus, Zeus cleared his throat lightly. "However, your actions did indeed eliminate Typhon, completely removing this unstable factor. From now on, there are no true threats to the gods on this land.
"So, for someone who made such a contribution, what reward do you desire?"
At this point, Zeus glanced at Artemis, noticing some changes in the moon goddess, and said: "Perhaps you could become a god of Greece... how about that?"
For a human to become a god, they must endure many trials and accomplish numerous heroic deeds.
Clearly, the feat of slaying Typhon was sufficient.
Artemis looked at Morpheus. Though happy about Zeus's words, she knew Morpheus wouldn't stay in this world; he had to go to others.
So, this position, Morpheus would probably refuse.
"I'm sorry, but regarding becoming a god, I have no such plans for now. I am a magician, walking the path of pursuing mysteries and truth. Until the necessary moment arrives, I won't break through my human body and step into a higher realm."
Morpheus couldn't be sure what influence choosing to become a Greek god would have on his future cultivation, or if it would cause irreversible issues in climbing the Kabbalah, so he could only refuse at this moment.
Moreover, until he was truly prepared, Morpheus was indeed unwilling to abandon his human identity and step into a higher level.
"Is that so? Then I truly can't think of a gift befitting your merits." Zeus's words were so blunt, while Morpheus simply continued smiling.
"With the moon goddess's companionship, I'm already very happy and satisfied, so no need for further gifts."
"Hahahaha!" Zeus burst into laughter, while Artemis beside him blushed, her face full of happiness and joy.
***
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