Chapter 7 – Corruption

“I had a wonderful time today, Hades. If it’s alright, let’s go on another date tomorrow.”

“Yes, I’ll think of something to make you happy tomorrow as well.”

“Good night, then.”

Persephone let go of his hand, reluctantly, as if urging him to go and rest.

The door closed and Hades returned to his room, but his steps were slow. Still, thinking of spending more good times with her tomorrow, he didn’t feel too sad about leaving.

“Lord Hades, I have an urgent report.”

As he passed the study, heading for his room, a servant hurried up to him.

“There’s strange activity detected near Tartarus—”

“Enough. I’m not in a position to receive reports today. Come see me after tomorrow’s meal.”

“…As you command, I’ll visit after tomorrow’s meal.”

The servant looked troubled, wanting to say more, but Hades’s firm expression left no room for further words, so he withdrew.

‘Really, there’s never a quiet day in the Underworld.’

The work of ruling the Underworld was neither boring nor exhausting, but today it felt especially bothersome.

How long would he have to rule this vast place alone? Now that he wanted to be with Kore, he thought he should start delegating some duties to others.

Locking his room door, peace finally returned.

He wanted to savor the lingering sensation of their kiss, but the report about Tartarus had soured his mood.

‘I need to wash it all away and fill myself again with happy memories of her.’

He began to remove his cumbersome clothes, walking toward the bath. As if prepared in advance, a calm fragrance filled the bathroom.

Splash—

He stepped slowly into the water, and his whole body relaxed. Leaning his head against the edge of the tub and stretching his legs, he felt the tension in his body slowly melt away.

Feeling the gentle warmth of the water, he began to recall the memories of the day.

The sensation of her kissing his cheek, her pouting when she was disappointed, her innocent longing during her first experience…

Truly… How could she be so lovable?

“Hades……”

Just thinking of Persephone’s voice sent heat rushing to his body. He moved one hand, casually, to grasp his aroused member.

He felt the pulse of his desire, but not yet. Hades soothed his heated body, thinking of her again.

“Isn’t there anything you want to do for me?”

“I want more, Hades……”

Hades sat alone in the dark bedchamber. Beyond the curtains, a faint blue flame flickered along the walls, and the quiet stillness pressed in on the bathroom. But inside him, it was the opposite. Emotions poured out like a broken dam, all centered on one name—Kore.

Her breath, her gaze, her voice.

Fragments of memory revived one by one, falling onto his skin. Even the lingering sensation at his fingertips made his whole body burn.

Her whispered words dug deep into his mind. Those words were a sweet curse. Not just memories—they quietly broke him down, even now.

Her smiling lips, the soft line of her neck, the instant she carefully spoke his name. All of it burned inside him like fire. The moment he closed his eyes, she appeared, and he slowly unraveled within his own senses.

“Hades, are you going to enjoy this alone?”

“Kore, do you want to join me too?”

“Yes. I want to be swept up in ecstasy, just like you.”

The longing that rose inside him burned away the thin shell of reason. Desire, hot as flames, surged up from beneath his heart, and that heat swept through his body, tightening deep within. His longing for her, his craving for her, wrapped around him as if to break everything down.

“Come here……”

Through the mist, Persephone approached with a seductive gesture. He reached out and led her into the bath.

“Hades, I want to touch you too.”

“Wrap your hand around it slowly. It’s still sensitive, unused to another’s touch.”

Her hand wrapped around his member, and he placed his own over hers. Gently, he guided her movements up and down, leading her.

Looking down, he saw her full br*asts. Sensing his gaze, Persephone looked up at him with a steady stare.

“Do you want me to touch you too?”

“Yes. I want you to make me feel good as well.”

“Forgive me tonight, but hold back. Instead, I’ll—”

Before he could finish, she slowly let her robe fall away. n*ked, Persephone was… indescribably perfect.

“Is this okay?”

Holding him in her hand, she climbed onto his lap, spreading her legs wide so that the place where she longed for him was revealed. His body swelled once again, trembling with need, slick with traces of arousal as if begging to be inside her.

Holding him in her hand, she climbed onto his lap, spreading her legs wide so that the place where she longed for him was revealed. His body swelled once again, trembling with need, slick with traces of arousal as if begging to be inside her.

“Ah!”

Rubbing quickly, he pressed his thumb to the tip, sending a sharp sensation through his body. Yet it wasn’t enough. Staring at her body as she moved with him, he increased the pace.

“Ahh, mm. Ko—Kore!”

With rough moans, his desire erupted. It had built up for so long, the release didn’t end quickly.

“Whew—”

As the long climax ended, he opened his eyes and looked down, but Persephone was nowhere to be seen.

“D＊mn.”

Her memory, fading into the mist, didn’t leave his mind. The warmth left on his hand, the whispers echoing in his ears, all still vivid. If he thought of her again, it felt as if he could touch her; if he called for her, he could feel her breath. But if he fell into these illusions, he might never leave the bathroom tonight.

After catching his breath for a long while, he finally rose, pushing away his thoughts.

Wet hair fell down his neck, and the lingering heat stung his skin. Having barely calmed the flames of desire, he quietly put on his robe and slowly turned to leave.

As he opened the bathroom door, Hades muttered to himself without realizing.

“Kore… You keep growing inside me.”

And then, he stepped into the room, still scented with traces of her.

***

“I’m sorry, Hades. I don’t think I can eat the Underworld food again today.”

Her lips trembled. She was truly sorry, but the strange scent and taste in her mouth still felt unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

“It’s fine. I’m just worried about your health.”

Hades smiled gently, not disappointed at all. His eyes were filled with concern and kindness, and the warmth stung her heart.

“I’ll try it next time.”

“Don’t rush, just take your time. Down here, you’re always the top priority.”

“Thank you, Hades.”

She said so, but her heart was heavy. Today, he’d had a mushroom stew prepared for her, and the maids had carefully set the table, but the food stopped at her fingertips. The nausea rose as soon as she picked it up, and she couldn’t take even one bite.

Soon, the maids quietly but quickly cleared away the stew and brought familiar food from the surface instead. Hades always anticipated that she might not be able to eat the Underworld food and had surface food ready. His thoughtfulness and care felt almost overwhelming.

‘If I want to stop worrying him, I need to eat this food without feeling sick.’

She carefully picked up a piece of surface food with her fork and put it in her mouth. The familiar taste comforted her.

At that moment, she felt Hades’s gaze. When their eyes met, he smiled softly, as if to say it was alright. That smile warmed her heart again.

Knock knock—

A gentle knock broke the quiet atmosphere of the meal. She straightened her back reflexively, and Hades composed himself and spoke.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and a faint, misty ghost slowly appeared.

“Lord Hades, I’ve come with the report I couldn’t deliver yesterday.”

At those words, Hades let out a heavy sigh. His eyebrows furrowed—something troublesome must have happened.

“Miss Kore, it seems today’s date will be difficult. There’s an urgent matter in the Underworld …”

He bowed his head apologetically. His eyes, full of regret, looked at her, and she slowly shook her head.

“It’s alright, Hades. Go ahead and take care of it.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to leave you alone in this castle.”

“I’ll be here, waiting for you. Please be careful.”

Before she finished speaking, a subtle tremor appeared in his eyes. Soon, his face flushed gently, and hesitating as if to hide his embarrassment, Hades slowly approached.

And very gently, very quietly,

Smooch—

A kiss landed on her cheek. The spot where his breath touched remained warm, her pulse racing.

“I’ll be back, Kore.”

He left the dining room with his servant.

She stared blankly at the door he disappeared through. Her whole body felt frozen, unable to move or speak. As if she was utterly captivated by his love.

***

“Oh Zeus, father of all things and King of the Gods. Please, have mercy on us and grant us your compassion.”

“Grant us your compassion.”

“Please, soothe the wrath of Demeter, Goddess of the Earth.”

“Soothe her wrath.”

Zeus, as if he did not wish to hear, was moving farther and farther away from the place where the sounds of the surface could reach. It wasn’t that he was ignorant of the hardships of mortals, but this was not a problem he himself could solve.

“I went to Demeter and tried all sorts of persuasion, but she wouldn’t budge. She spoke with a determined expression, saying that unless Persephone was found and brought before her, no crops would ever grow on this land again.”

It wasn’t that he couldn’t bring Persephone, but…

‘That stubborn Hades—would he really hand her over so easily?’

Most only knew Hades by rumor, and had no idea just how difficult his personality truly was.

Once he became fixated on something, he never let it go. That’s why he insisted on ruling the Underworld alone, making sure that no one could interfere in anything that happened below.

Judging by the fact that he had kidnapped Persephone, it was clear he would not easily send her back to the surface. But if she didn’t return, the surface would become barren and eventually, all lands would be destroyed.

“We must prevent destruction at all costs.”

Zeus murmured quietly. The lingering echo of thunder flashed in his eyes. As the King of Lightning lightly flicked his fingers, a swirl of sound filled the air, and a single beam of light appeared.

Whiik!

Riding the wind, a gray cloak fluttered as Hermes landed before Zeus.