Hades exited the Underworld through the Tian Kui Star, returning to the surface world. As he stepped out from the open gate of the Underworld, he was greeted by an Underworld Warrior clad in the Tian Kui Star armor, kneeling respectfully on one knee.
"Tian Kui Star · Mephistopheles, at your service, Lord Hades!" A boy with terrifying light in his eyes, looking as if he was no longer a living being, addressed him.
This boy was no longer truly alive but had been perfectly transformed into a puppet by the Underworld Armor. Over time, his experiences, life, essence—all would be consumed by the armor to enhance its power and increase the Dark Star's essence, ultimately benefitting Hades.
Hades glanced at him coldly and walked away without a word. The Tian Kui Star Warrior did not follow but remained to complete his assigned task.
After leaving, Hades gazed into the distance at a human settlement. In the Golden Age, humans did not build cities but lived together in tribes.
During this era, humans were born with the Seventh Sense of the microcosm and, upon reaching adulthood, would attain the Eighth Sense. Because of this, humans of the Golden Age were immortal and undying. They didn't need to seek food, as everything around them was imbued with divine power. The fruits, the water—all contained divine essence. Even in death, they would not produce souls but merge directly into the Mythic World.
Such were the humans of the Golden Age. They were not created by Cronus but naturally emerged with the development of the Mythic World.
According to the original tales, when Zeus rose to become the God-King, he feared these Golden Age humans would threaten him. So, he unleashed a cataclysmic flood to wipe them out, then worked with Prometheus to create the humans of the Silver Age.
However, even the Silver Age humans possessed terrifying talents. Due to the influence of the gods, many demigods and heroes emerged during this era.
The most crucial element was Prometheus bringing fire to humans. This fire was not just for illumination or cooking but possessed the power to slay gods—the God-Slaying Fire, akin to the power of Pegasus's God-Slaying Force that ultimately killed Hades.
This posed a significant threat to Zeus and the gods, leading them to create Pandora and introduce Pandora's Box.
Eventually, the humans of the Silver Age were also destroyed, giving way to the humans of the Bronze Age—the weakest humans, who were completely subjugated by the gods.
Even in the Bronze Age, some humans displayed exceptional talents, mastering powerful microcosms. They could exponentially amplify their microcosm's power by hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of times.
A microcosm at the Seventh Sense, combined with the creation of God-Slaying Karma, could kill a Third-tier God. A microcosm at the Eighth Sense, with the same creation, could kill a Second-tier God.
Some could even ignite their Eighth Sense microcosm to the extreme, awakening divine-powered God Cloths, which could rival First-tier Gods, True Gods, Major Gods, and even higher beings.
In short, humans were extraordinarily special, to the point that the gods saw them as the true protagonists of the world. This was indeed true.
Yet, paradoxically, the humans of the Golden Age were the weakest because everything was handed to them on a silver platter. They posed no threat, unlike the heroes of the Silver Age or the explosive potential of the Bronze Age. Zeus's actions in wiping them out were profoundly shortsighted.
As Hades walked through the human village, children with Seventh Sense microcosms played and laughed, while adults with Eighth Sense microcosms went about their lives. Some even comprehended the will of the gods.
Such scenes were ubiquitous in the Golden Age and were not noteworthy. This abundance of divine potential explained why there were so many Titan Gods in this era—it was the world's most perfect time.
Most mythologies follow a pattern of growth, peak, and decline. The same could be said here, with the Golden Age representing the peak, followed by gradual weakening.
As Hades was about to leave the village, night fell, and a Dark Star began to resonate.
"Hmm…"
Hades paused, turning his gaze back to the village now shrouded in darkness. He contemplated something, even showing a hint of hesitation.
Without much deliberation, Hades turned back and reentered the village. As night fell, humans of the Golden Age engaged in primitive activities without moral constraints. Everywhere one looked, there was a lack of decorum—people simply walked away when done, often without any clothing to begin with.
Amidst this, a boy with short white hair moved like a fleeting shadow. He appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen years old and possessed a Seventh Sense microcosm. He swiftly navigated the dark night.
"There…"
"There…"
"Darkness!"
The white-haired boy soon arrived at a place completely devoid of light, filled with endless darkness. This darkness had started to form a unique divine power.
To him, this darkness was a treasure. He crouched down and carefully absorbed all the darkness, his face showing intense pleasure and excitement, as if he were intoxicated.
After lying on the ground for over two hours, the boy finally got up. His body had become increasingly frail. The darkness, now imbued with special divine power and laws, was not something an ordinary human could consume.
In fact, humans shouldn't be able to absorb it at all. Although it was unclear why this boy could, he obviously couldn't handle the vast amount of darkness he consumed. It had begun to corrode him, gradually consuming him.
If he continued, death was inevitable. Yet, oblivious to his predicament, he wandered on, seeking more darkness.
Hades watched the boy intently. This was someone chosen by the Dark Stars, destined to become the perfect Underworld Warrior!
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