Ch. 152 Hercules

( Yuto Pov )

I had a blank face as I watched Atalanta devour dozens of apple pie that I baked.

" Ho...how?" I stuttered as I looked at the empty pie pans that I used.

" Ugh....I think I went overboard.." Atalanta spoke as she laid her head down on the table as she held her stomach.

" No shit." I said as I started cleaning the mess she made.

" Sigh. " I sighed as I cleaned.

I could've used magic, but for some reason, doing it by hand was a lot better as I just wanted to move my body around and try not to be lazy.

We're inside of a cabin that Aristos made with wood style.

I walked around the cabin, remembering the memories of the adventure I had with Aristos and Caenis.

I had a sad smile as I looked up to the painting that Aristos painted.

It was a painting of me. Aristos wanted to paint, so he chose me. I remember that I kept annoying him by moving around a lot, causing him to mess up the posture.

I chuckled as I looked at the artifacts that we got or stolen from dungeons and tombs.

I looked back to Atalanta, who was still groaning on the table.

" Well, we should rest here for a while." I said as Atalanta just waved her hand.

" Moooorrrreeee...." She groaned.

" No." I pushed away her hand that reached out to me.

" I'm gonna head into the city for more food." I said as I opened the door, leaving Atalanta on the table

As I headed into the city, there were rumors of the Nemean lion being defeated.

" It was a hero named Heracles." A random woman whispered to her friend.

" Really? There's been a lot of heroes rising lately." The other woman replied.

Using my enhanced hearing, I picked up many rumors of heroes like Heracles, Jason, and castor.

" Hey, how much for this basket of apples?" I asked the vendor.

" Hm? Oh! it's 25 copper!" The jolly man said.

" 25? That's a bit cheap, isn't it?" I asked.

" Well, for you, Aristos, it's 75% off." He said as he handed me the basket as I handed him the copper coins.

As I walked away, I hummed a tune. I didn't really care if people mistaken me for Aristos since I sometimes get free stuff or get to save money.

As I walked out of the city and down the trail into the forest where our cabin was, I passed through a runic barrier I set up.

I entered the cabin and saw Atalanta still sitting at the table drinking water.

" Did you head into town?" She asked.

I just stared at her for a few seconds.

* Thud *

I put the basket of apples on the table.

" Got some more apples. There was also a rumor of new heroes....."

* Knock Knock *

We both looked at the door and looked at each other.

Atalanta unsheathed her dagger, and I took out my kunai.

Hiding the kunai behind my back, I opened the door.

" Hello, are you Aristos?" A blond haired man said the man had an arrogant smile that I wanted to punch.

And I saw a large man behind him.

I could feel divinty from him, but not much as a god.

' A demi-god.' I concluded.

" I am Aristos, but my real name is Yuto." I said.

The man's smile grew wider, making me really want to punch it.

" Well, you should be grate..." Before he could finish, I spoke.

" I don't care. "

" What?" He questioned as he started at my face.

" I don't want to deal with anyone that's a dog to a god, especially Aphrodites dogs." I said as I stared into his eyes.

He started shaking, and before I could close the door, the large man grabbed my arm.

I lifted my head and spoke.

" It's best you let go of my arm."

The man didn't say anything but just stared at me.

We both looked at each as the man increased his strength.

" That's a good grip, almost stronger than a god." I said as I moved my arm easily.

The large looked shocked as he saw me overpower his arm.

Before he could react, I pushed him through the forest.

* Boooom!! *

" EEEEEEKKKK!!" The blonde haired man squeaked as he ducked.

I looked down at him.

"I'll deal with you later, Aphrodites' dog." I said as I walked towards the large man's location.

" You know it's been a while. I let loose without using magic."

I unsealed my stats. As I walked forward, I took off my upper robe and mask.

( A/N: I don't know if I'm correct, but Hercules should be stronger than Zeus when it comes to physical prowess. Hercules' strength should be +A, so I'm guessing Zeus should be around Rank A. )

' Transparent view.' I saw through Hercules' body, his muscles, bones, joints, and organs.

* Swoosh *

I ducked under Hercules punch and countered with an upper cut.

* Thwack *

Hercules head shot up, followed by his body.

" Our strength is the same, but your techniques are flawed. "

I followed up with kick to his stomach, pushing him back.

Hercules held his stomach as he gained his footing.

" Chuckle, I can see it, the madness in your eyes." I said as I looked at Hercules.

Hercules eyes widen.

I approached him as I kept speaking.

" Trying so hard to control it, I wonder which God cursed you with it. But in this fight, it might be the only thing that'll help you survive."

" Survive?" Hercules questioned.

" You honestly think I'll let the two of you live." I spoke as I activated fear.

A dark atmosphere engulfed Hercules as he stood there sweating, but he forced himself to keep standing.

" You said you're a hero, correct? "

Hercules nodded.

I smiled as I got into my stance.

" Prove it."

Hercules may be stronger than Poseidon or maybe even Zeus, but he doesn't have much experience like those two.

* Boom! *

Hercules rushed toward me as I tilted my head as his large fist passed my head.

My right fist connected with his stomach.

" Gurkk!" Hercules exclaimed.

Before he could try to counter, I followed up with an elbow strike upward with my right arm.

" Gah!" Hercules' head flew up once more.

Grabbing his right arm, I kicked his ribs with my left leg, then his his knee.

Hercules could barely keep ip with my fast reaction on counters as he tried to swing his arm towards me, only for me to dodge by a stepping back.

Stepping forward, I kneed his chin as he tried to get up.

Hercules tried to swing his arm at me once more, only for me to dodge and kick his ribs once more.

" Sigh." I sighed as I made distance from him.

Hercules stood up as he held his ribs but recovered.

Hercules and I moved at a fast pace.

Dodging his punch and countering with a punch to the ribs again, he grabbed my arm and threw me towards a tree.

With great agility, I landed on a branch and used it as a foothold to jump back towards Hercules.

Hercules tried to catch me, but I used my arms to use his arms to turn my body. As I turned my body in the air, I did a downward kick to Hercules.

landing on my foot, I grabbed Hercules' arm and twisted it and kicked his knee, and kneed his face once more.

Stepping back to dodge another swing.

And punched his face with a right hook and an upper cut.

Hercules brought his hands together and swung it downward toward the ground.

* BOOOMMM! *

The ground exploded as I dodged the rubble and jabbed at Hercules face.

Landing three punches in a row as Hercules grabbed my arm that was about to hit him.

I threw a punch with my other arm only for Hercules to catch it.

I looked at him and noticed the madness in his eyes.

I smiled.

" Looks like it finally consumed you." I said before I was thrown into the forest.

* Boom! *

* Thud Thud Thud * Slide*

Sliding across the ground as I caught myself.

I saw the trees that fell as I was thrown through them.

* Thud Thud thud!! *

I heard stomping as I got ready for the fight.

* Boom! *

Hercules jumped through the forest as he came rushing towards me as he crushed the trees to the ground.

He jumped up and headed towards my location. I jumped out of the way.

* BOOM! *

Hercules crushed the ground as I rushed at him.

Hercules noticed me rushing at me as he swung his arm.

Fucking under his swing I jabbed his face and ribs.

Using my foot to trip him kn his back, I climbed into his body as I kept punching his face.

Hercules tried to fight back only for my to counter or block them.

For the next few minutes, I kept beating Hercules' face and upper body as his blood sprayed everywhere on my hands face and on the ground.

" Ah." I stopped as I noticed I went a little too far.

As I got up, I noticed Hercules bloodied face, and he was barely breathing.

" Sigh, shit." I brought a hand up to my face as I shook my head.

I stretched my hands towards Hercules.

" Heal."

A white flame and green aura surrounded Hercules as he healed at a fast rate.

But he was still unconscious.

I just scratched my head.

" Guess Atalanta will be asking questions." I said before grabbing Hercules' arm and dragging him towards the cabin.