Chapter 22: First use
Another morning.
Hades stood near the peak of the hill, in the same spot where he met Rinne every day—this time, using it for training.
He was balanced on his both hands, his entire body inverted. Resting on the soles of his raised feet was a solid boulder, about two hundred kilograms heavy. Its weight alone would crush most men, but Hades kept it steady with sheer will and muscle control.
His bare torso glistened with sweat, every fiber of his arms and core working together as he slowly lowered himself-until his nose nearly brushed the dirt—before pushing back up with a controlled breath.
"Hupp... hupp..." he counted, his voice low and focused. Just a few more reps to reach a hundred. That would finish the quest. That would unlock the next stage.
But then, a faint sound slipped through the forest.
A branch shifted. A breath caught. Too quiet for normal ears—but not for him.
’So... he finally lost his patience,’ Hades thought, a small grin curling on his lips.
He finished the final push-up, muscles rippling, then with a sharp motion, he kicked the boulder into the air and let it crash down to the side.
Getting to his feet, he grabbed a towel and began wiping the sweat from his body—calmly, like he hadn’t just felt a wave of killing intent brush against his soul.
"I really don’t enjoy killing without reason," he said aloud, his voice smooth but cold. "So if you’re just here to observe, keep your presence buried."