So far, whether through cunning or sheer luck, she had managed to survive, but eventually, she would die. After all, she was human. Humans are born to live absurdly short lives and then pass away, as is their natural fate.

Just as sand is swept away by waves only to be replaced by more sand, humans die and are born again, replacing one another.

This woman, struggling to endure, was no exception. Someday, she would succumb to death, like any mortal, and drift away like the ever-flowing waves.

Therefore, there was no need to attach meaning to a fleeting life that would eventually vanish. If his life was an endless spool of thread, she was merely a speck of dust on it.

He would toy with her and then brush her aside. Triton gently caressed the pale woman’s cheek. Beneath her cold skin, he felt a faint warmth.

She will return soon.

With this realization, the corners of his mouth relaxed. He settled comfortably and closed his eyes to rest. Or at least, he tried to.

“……”

When Triton opened his eyes, irritation flickered in them.

Someone had poured liquor into the sea. And not just any liquor, but very strong wine.

As he sighed and rose from his seat, he heard a commotion beneath the window. Moving to the window, he saw the source of the wine and noise making a boisterous entrance.

Sensing his gaze, the person quickly looked up, spotted Triton, and waved.

“I heard something interesting sank to the bottom of the sea, so I came to take a look!”

Dionysus shouted loudly, waving a staff wrapped in grapevines. Triton’s head began to ache as if he were already feeling the hangover. Detecting the intruder, Triton gave a curt order to Sympho and Neo, who had returned to his side, to throw out the drunkard.

“Get him.”

As if waiting for those words, Sympho grinned, baring hundreds of teeth, and charged forward.

***

…Livia never knew there was so much to eat in the underworld.

She gazed at the feast laid out before her in amazement, tinged with a hint of sarcasm. The mysterious roasted meat, glossy black fruits, and wine with a slightly fishy aroma—all looked delicious but were things she ‘shouldn’t’ eat.

“Go ahead, eat. Hurry.”

Yet, someone was urging her to take a fork and dig in. Instead of accepting the fork thrust into her hand, Livia calmly set it down and looked at Zagreus. His face was familiar, like meeting an old friend, but his eyes seemed strangely unfamiliar.

“No, thanks. If I eat the food of the underworld, I’ll be trapped here.”

At her words, the man paused, then gazed at her with eyes dark as night. His expression, when not smiling, appeared intensely cold. As if aware of this, he suddenly smiled. His eyes were chilling, but his smile was innocent.

“Why are you suddenly being so formal? You didn’t talk like that before.”

Triton had once taken her voice for speaking too informally. Judging by his twisted nature, this man’s eyes were equally unpredictable, and who knew what he might do if provoked. So, it was wise to be cautious.

“Speak like you did before. I don’t like this tone. I hate it.”

But he said he didn’t like it.

‘…One complains when I speak informally, another complains when I’m too formal.’

Swallowing a sigh, Livia continued.

“Okay, I’ll speak casually. I’m not eating the food. If I do, I’ll be stuck in the underworld.”

“Yeah, so what?”

His absurd response made her frown, and she retorted sharply.

“I don’t want to be in the underworld.”

“Why? The underworld isn’t such a bad place. I’ll take good care of you.”

Hearing such words from the man who had tried to kill her the first time they met felt rather absurd to Livia. Besides, whether he treated her well or not was of little importance to her.

“Why rush to a place you’ll end up in eventually when you die? I still have things to do up there.”

“Things to do? What are they?”

He slyly speared a piece of meat with a fork and brought it to Livia’s lips. Almost tempted by the delicious aroma, she pushed his hand away irritably and said, “I have things to do. I told you I don’t want to eat. Stop it.”

“What is it? Tell me what it is, and I won’t bother you.”

This time, he pressed something that looked like a grape but was darker and longer to her lips. He seemed determined to keep pestering her unless she told him. With a sigh, Livia pushed his hand away and spoke briefly.

“…Revenge.”

“Revenge?”

“Yes. I’m going to find those who killed my family and make them suffer the same way.”

At her words, a golden flash crossed Zagreus’s eyes. He lowered his gaze for a moment, then smiled as if satisfied, and added,

“If it’s something like that, you must do it. I’ll help you. Who do you want to kill? Just tell me their names and where they live.”

From his words, Livia gleaned a few things about him. He seemed quite pleased at the mention of revenge, and there was an underlying excitement and arrogance.

What kind of god was he? Perhaps he was even more terrifying than she had imagined. His voice, which sounded innocent, carried a chilling scent of blood.

Livia observed him for a moment before shaking her head.

“No, it’s something I need to do myself. Besides, I’ve already joined forces with someone for my revenge.”

“Who?”

Another question. The questions seemed endless. Whether he was simply curious or wanted to know more about her, she wasn’t pleased. The sands in the hourglass were falling faster.

“Can’t you stop asking questions? Why do you keep asking?”

His eyes curved into a smile as he whispered,

“Because I’m interested in you.”

Livia was taken aback by the unexpected answer.

“Ever since I lost you, I’ve been thinking about you constantly.”

A cold hand cupped her cheek. The chill made her flinch instinctively.

“Where should I go to meet you again…”

Despite her wary gaze, Zagreus held her cheeks in both hands.

“What should I do to have you back again?”

“…That’s a strange thing to say. I was never yours, so how could you have lost me?”

“No. You were mine. Everything I hunt is mine by default.”

It was excessive interest, a peculiar obsession. Livia frowned and retorted,

“Your hunt failed. I eventually returned.”

Zagreus smiled silently at her words. The smile on his pale face beneath his dark hair was eerily beautiful. Like the lavish feast laid out before her, she knew that taking even a single bite would trap her.

Moreover, this was the same person who had pierced her shoulder with a large arrow and toyed with her physically. She had no desire to become entangled with him.

“Anyway… I don’t have much time right now. I have to go.”

“Go? Where?”

As Livia stood up, her wrist was caught. She recalled Persephone’s words. Persephone had said that a helper would come, and Zagreus had appeared right after.

If that’s the case…

“Lady Persephone said a helper would come to assist me. And then you showed up… Are you the helper she mentioned?”

He paused for a moment, as if deep in thought, then nodded with a brightened expression.

“She called me here, and when I responded, I found you. So, I suppose I am the one.”

“In that case, you need to help me. Why are you just sitting there? Get up quickly. We don’t have much time.”

Having received the answer she was looking for, Livia urged him to stand, sounding frustrated. His large frame rose as she pulled him up. His eyes, as he nodded at her, even seemed a bit excited.

“What do you need me to help with?”

“Someone took my deceased sibling. They must be somewhere in the underworld, but I don’t know where.”

“Do you know who took them?”

“Yes. It’s the witch I made a contract with. She’s trying to threaten me.”

“A witch?”

“We agreed that if I fulfilled what the witch wanted, she would grant me what I wanted. And… it was the witch who saved me when I almost died.”

As Livia explained, a low sigh escaped from Zagreus’s lips.