Chapter 140: Hades, Don't Scare the Kids!

It was hard to believe. Truly, hard to believe.

Standing beside Mortarian, Hades, with his iconic black scythe reflecting the dim moonlight of Barbarus, stared incredulously at the two bloodstained boys.

Mortarian had already bandaged and applied healing gel to the children, turning them into something resembling mummies. Yet the bloodstains on their wrappings clearly portrayed the near-death trials they had endured.

Antai, the more robust of the two, had raggedly made his ascent, with a clear trail of blood marking his path towards the peak. But it was the other boy, Bast, whose ascent had genuinely astonished both Hades and Mortarian.

Bast hadn't taken the designated path. Instead, he had chosen to climb the sheer cliff face! Since it seemed unlikely anyone would attempt such a route – a route with no guards or healers – he managed to find a path with less toxic gas.

"What a fierce spirit," Hades remarked, even the battle-hardened god was taken aback by Bast's bruised and battered arms and legs.

"I noticed some noise from the cliff side," Mortarian mentioned, holding the two boys, readying to descend. "When I approached, I saw him clinging desperately to the sheer rock, staring right at me."

"Incredible," Mortarian added, "Why didn't he take the main path?"

Hades voiced his confusion.

Mortarian shrugged, "The cliff faces the wind, so the toxic gas flows and doesn't accumulate as much."

"So, it's less toxic there."

"But only comparatively so," Mortarian emphasized. Hades could only gaze at Bast, whose arms were practically ground to a pulp. "That's why I recognized his resilience."

In the makeshift mess hall, at a table meant for four, Antai was wolfing down a bread roll, with a bowl of rice porridge in front of him. Beside him, Bast struggled with a spoon, trying to gulp down the odd-tasting porridge. Despite its unusual taste, it was a delicacy to the two freshly awakened boys.

Across the table, two other boys watched them with curiosity.

"Man, the final selection round ended days ago. Why are you guys just arriving?" One of them winked mischievously, "Are you... related to some bureaucrat or something?"

His friend elbowed him sharply, "Don't spout nonsense!"

"Eyo," the friendly boy said, apologizing for his friend's comments, "Sorry, he's a bit brainless."

"Hey! How could you—"

Eyo pinched him again, shutting him up. Antai, finally swallowing his food, looked at Eyo seriously, "I'm Antai."

"Eyo," the boy across said with a stern face, extending his hand. After a moment's hesitation, Antai took it.

"And I'm Lerna!" The second boy eagerly introduced himself, extending his hand with a bright smile.

All eyes turned to Bast. Feeling the attention, the pale boy blushed and bowed his head, focusing on the table leg.

"Bast," came his soft reply.

Antai blinked, realizing his companion might not be good at socializing. Eyo, sensing the tension, released Bast's hand and held back Lerna.

"Antai, Bast, we could share some intel," Eyo suggested, "The Death Guard's selection isn't as straightforward as advertised."

"The initial round of selection wasn't as straightforward as we believed," Eyo began, but Antai interrupted in shock, "Wait! Isn't reaching the summit the only way to pass the selection?"

"No, I asked others. You only had to reach..." Eyo's eyes widened, "You didn't actually make it to the summit, did you?"

"Of course! Isn't that the goal?" Antai responded.

"Holy crap!" Lerna yelled, drawing attention in the mess hall, "Dude, you really made it to the peak!"

Antai was puzzled by their reaction, "Didn't you guys?"

"No! You're the first person I've met who's reached the summit," Lerna continued, even louder.

"Look, everyone! We have someone here who actually made it to the top!"

"Hey!" Eyo tried to hush Lerna, but it was too late.

"Keep it down, whelp." A rough voice silenced the room.

With half-eaten porridge in one hand, Hades stood, his other hand poised in mid-air, directing his gaze at the boisterous boy. Lerna looked back to find a grizzled veteran, muscles bulging more than any giant's, dressed in simple combat gear. Scars crisscrossed his exposed skin, with one prominent scar running straight across his face. Part of his left brain had been replaced with a shimmering metal, and his left eye, glowing red, stared coldly at Lerna.

Lerna shuddered, feeling like his soul had almost fled his body. "I'm... sorry," he whispered, shrinking into his seat while Eyo sat stiffly beside him.

Hades glanced at Antai and Bast, the two most heavily injured who had just awakened that day. He pondered their situation. They had already climbed to the summit, so maybe they deserved a chance. But it depended on how they would seize it.

"How are you feeling, Antai, Bast?" Hades asked, a hint of amusement in his eyes. Antai tried to meet his gaze, while Bast wished he could bury his head under the table.

"I'm... I'm fine, sir!" Antai managed to say, despite the overwhelming pressure from Hades.

Hades looked at Bast, who nodded so vigorously it seemed his head might fall off. Why was a boy who climbed a cliff so socially awkward? Hades wondered, maintaining his authoritative demeanor.

"That's good to hear," Hades continued, his voice deep but clear, "As the only two participants to reach the summit, you did well. If you feel unwell, speak to the alchemists. You need to be fully recovered before the next round."

"Yes, sir!" Antai responded with vigor, while Bast nodded fervently.

Hades' brow furrowed slightly, wondering why neither boy exhibited the humility or confidence he had expected. But he didn't realize that his intimidating presence was the reason.

Still, he was Hades, not one to treat people based on whims and fancies. He was willing to give these boys a chance.

"Make sure to eat well," Hades advised, giving them a meaningful glance before leaving the mess hall.

As soon as Hades left, Lerna collapsed on the table, panting, "God... I thought he'd strangle me right there."

"Be careful with what you say," Eyo warned, but he too was drenched in sweat from the encounter.

The oppressive aura of that man was simply too strong.

Antai stared at the spot where Hades had left, deep in thought. Could he become someone like that? And what did Hades mean by 'eat well'?