After being immersed in the River Styx, her skin had become nearly impervious to harm, but self-inflicted wounds were an exception. The blade cut through her skin, leaving a deep red gash that bled profusely.

Livia used her blood-stained blade to stab and kill the bugs. The long, sharp blade skewered the bodies of the insects like a shish kebab.

In her haste, Livia plunged the blade into the ground, carving the name of a sacred god into the earth to create a makeshift altar. She then whispered the goddess’s name with desperation.

“Goddess of wisdom and war, of weaving and maidens, Athena Glaukopis, please grant me your wisdom.”

Athena was known as the protector of heroes facing trials from the gods. Even though Livia’s trial wasn’t as grand as those of heroes, she believed Athena was the only deity who could aid her in this ‘trial.’

And, in fact, there was another crucial reason.

Athena was also known as the goddess who punished Medusa, the woman with snake hair. It was said that Chrysaor was born from the place where Medusa died.

Chrysaor, the true owner of the golden dagger and the father of Echidna.

So perhaps, just maybe, this goddess of wisdom would hear her voice.

Livia knelt by the blade she had driven into the ground, waiting steadfastly for the divine. Bugs that had avoided Mumu’s flames began to gnaw at her skin. Their teeth were so sharp that even her skin, blessed by the River Styx, was wounded.

Yet Livia waited. She waited and waited. Though her heart was anxious, she maintained her composure, showing no outward sign of distress.

At that moment, a bug crawled under her skirt and burrowed into her thigh. Startled, Livia gasped and endured the horrifying sensation, but it became increasingly difficult to bear. Just as the bug crept deeper between her legs, Livia squeezed her eyes shut.

‘I can’t take it anymore. I can’t endure this.’ At that desperate moment, a silver spear flew down and planted itself vertically in front of Livia.

With a clang, a clear and pure breeze swept through. In that gentle wind, all the bugs clinging to Livia’s body were blown away. Surprised, she opened her eyes to see an olive wood spear vibrating with the goddess’s voice.

“Child walking the path of trials, what assistance do you seek?”

A cold voice spoke directly to Livia’s soul. Bowing her head quickly, Livia hurriedly responded.

“Great and wise goddess, please show this humble one a way to overcome this trial.”

The Titan’s bugs were endless. To escape here, she needed to climb the wall. ‘Use the wooden spear I have given you,’ the goddess instructed without hesitation.

Livia bowed her head even lower, offering her gratitude.

However, even after providing an answer, the goddess did not disappear. A brief silence followed, but Livia sensed the goddess’s continued presence. After a moment of contemplation, the goddess spoke again.

“The end of vengeance is ultimately destruction. Wise child, do you intend to walk this path despite knowing this?”

The goddess of wisdom seemed to already know of Livia’s quest for vengeance. Unlike the woodland god, the goddess’s authority overwhelmed Livia. After a moment’s hesitation, Livia answered in a careful voice.

“I have already taken the first step. I can’t turn back, so I wish to see it through to the end.”

“You have a point. The tapestry of fate is woven, and the goddesses have already begun to spin the wheel according to it…. So, child, is there any wisdom you seek from me on this path of vengeance?”

The goddess’s voice was friendly, prompting Livia to think quickly.

Goddess Nemesis had mentioned that even among the gods, none wanted to openly oppose the sea god.

As far as Livia knew, the goddess of wisdom was much older than the sea god, but she doubted Athena would want to challenge Triton for the sake of a mere human with no ties to her.

Thus, there was only one wish Livia could ask of Athena for wisdom.

“Please grant me your wise eyes. The witch Echidna has taken my brother’s soul hostage. What must I do to save him? Also, I’m curious if there’s a way to avoid being bound by a contract with Echidna.”

If Echidna was indeed a descendant of Medusa, Athena couldn’t be favorable toward her. Moreover, everyone knew how proud and dignified Athena was, even those who didn’t worship her.

“Echidna, Echidna… you’re a clever child, to bring up that name to me.”

At the goddess’s words, Livia bowed deeply, indicating she had no intention of causing discomfort. The goddess seemed to ponder for a moment before giving an unexpected answer.

“Die at Triton’s hands and go to the underworld. There, someone awaits you. He will help you find your brother.”

Someone waiting for me in the underworld? Who could that be?

‘Could it be that old man from last time?’

But he was on Echidna’s side, so he wouldn’t help Livia. Then who could it be?

Suddenly, Livia recalled a man who wielded darkness and was as beautiful as the night sky—the very man who had pierced her shoulder with a giant bow. What was his name again?

‘Zagreus.’

As soon as she remembered the name, the wound behind her shoulder grew warm. Who was he? A mere minor god of death? That seemed unlikely, considering how Persephone’s daemons treated him.

“As for the contract with Echidna, I don’t have much information, so it’s hard to give a precise answer. But….”

The goddess’s voice paused briefly, and then letters made of light flashed in the air. It was the word for a jar, ‘hudria.’

“Remember this character. And when a black snake appears, place it inside this character. It will protect you from the snake.”

While Livia etched the character the goddess showed her into her mind, the leather pouch placed on the altar turned to ash and scattered into the air. At the same time, the goddess’s voice also faded away.

“But child, remember this: even if the contract with Echidna is severed, your fate has already begun….”

The voice that tickled her ears like a whispering wind disappeared. Simultaneously, the goddess’s protective power also vanished from Livia.

Rustle, rustle, rustle, rustle, rustle, rustle, rustle, rustle….

The sound of the bugs’ footsteps returned. Livia tightly gripped the olive wood spear the goddess had planted in the ground and looked toward the wall.

It was time to escape.

***

Amidst the mountain of insect corpses, Triton suddenly came to his senses.

‘How much time has passed?’

He brushed off the insect fragments clinging to his trident and looked up at the sky. Beyond the glowing jellyfish undulating like waves, he could faintly feel the sunlight from a great height.

It was the third Apollo since that day.

So it must have been about three days.

He wasn’t used to counting time itself, so it felt strange. Counting the days only amused him more. To think it took three days just to exterminate these bugs.

As Triton surveyed the black trench with cool eyes, Actius, who had been calming the giant sharks prowling around, hurried over to report.

“We’ve completely annihilated the ones trying to escape. This should keep things under control for a while.”

The mention of “for a while” deepened the crease in Triton’s brow. His dimly glowing eyes showed a hint of irritation, but there was nothing more he could do at the moment.

He swung the hand holding the trident, and with a small splash, the weapon vanished in an instant. At that moment, he looked upward.