Cyd had always avoided relationships with pretty women, especially heroines and goddesses. He told himself it was for the best.
Running away wasn't wrong. He recognized he couldn't achieve certain things and made rational choices for a simpler life. Perhaps if he had pushed himself harder, he might have accomplished more. But escaping was his way of living more comfortably. He fled from that island because he couldn't handle the two female demons there.
This world was full of battles, chaos, and dangerous creatures. He needed the ability to protect himself. He gained an immortal body and the "self-preservation" skill in martial arts, but he also realized that he had caught the attention of the gods. While others might consider this a blessing, he saw it differently.
As Hephaestus had warned, a blessing from the gods could also be a curse. The gods treated the world like a play, with Cyd as one of the actors. Now that he was in the spotlight, he wondered when the blessing would turn into a curse. This thought made Cyd tremble. He wanted to live safely.
To avoid the gods' curse, Cyd chose the most extreme method. He wished for 13 blessings that allowed his bracer to be fully functional. On that day, he became the freest person in the world, free from disputes and curses.
However, some things couldn't be avoided.
[High Noon Trial]
[Trial under the Gaze of Sun God Apollo]
[Victory and Defeat by Speed]
"I told you, under the sun, I am invincible," Cyd said as he stepped into the trial field, looking at Atalanta who was staring at him. He smiled bitterly. "Are you serious?"
"This is... the last time," Atalanta smiled.
"Hero of Pure White..." someone muttered, and the crowd cheered loudly. They had been anticipating the hero who defeated the demon pig alongside Atalanta.
Iasus stood up, eager to see the result.
"Then let this competition officially..." Iasus began, but an unharmonious voice interrupted him.
"Wait a moment! The challenger should be me!" Hippomenes said, breathing heavily.
"Huh?" Cyd tilted his head.
"I registered in advance," Hippomenes declared, puffing out his chest.
"Probably," Iasus said awkwardly, given that Hippomenes had offered many valuable gifts.
"Then I will let Atalanta choose," Cyd said.
"Wait a moment!" Cyd glanced at Hippomenes's unnatural belt-bag and smiled. "Speed matters, but I'll join in any case."
"I don't want anyone to interfere between us," Atalanta narrowed her eyes.
"He will only eat our dust. He's not important," Cyd shrugged.
"I agree," Atalanta nodded.
"I object! This competition, under the testimony of the gods, should be fair and just! No third parties!" Hippomenes protested loudly.
"Then please get rid of those small things," Cyd pointed to Hippomenes's belt-bag.
"I don't understand what you're saying," Hippomenes stepped back.
"No matter what methods he uses, he can't beat me," Atalanta confidently dismissed Hippomenes.
Hippomenes clenched his fists.
"Fine, let him join. I can't lose anyway," Hippomenes took a deep breath.
No one could resist the Golden Apples from Aphrodite! He had three opportunities to slow Atalanta down with them.
However, Atalanta had no intention of slowing down.
"I'll reach the finish line!" Hippomenes smiled fiercely as he neared the goal line.
Suddenly, his expression solidified. There was white hair in front of him. How did he appear there?
"Too slow," Cyd yawned and punched Hippomenes in the face.
The combined speed of Hippomenes's sprint and Cyd's punch sent Hippomenes spinning through the air, dropping his Golden Apples, which Cyd caught effortlessly.
"What a farce," Cyd said, grabbing Hippomenes's collar and throwing him aside like a shot put.
Iasus watched Hippomenes fall into the audience. He was no longer interested in him. All he cared about now was Cyd.
One step. If Cyd took one step back, victory would be his, but Atalanta would be impossible to pursue.
Atalanta stood still, waiting for Cyd to make his choice.
Cyd looked at the finish line. Walking away now would be in line with his past behavior, but...
Cyd smiled and threw the Golden Apples to the ground. This time, he didn't plan to escape.
Cyd walked slowly to Atalanta.
"As you wished, no one can hinder our agreement."