"Well, here we meet again."
Ryou smiled as he greeted them.
"It's you!? That mortal!"
Dionysus exclaimed, his face a mix of surprise and anger, while Demeter hid behind him in fear.
At that moment, a figure entered Dionysus's line of sight.
When he saw who it was, his heart sank.
Scathach looked at him with a calm expression as if she were looking at a flower or a plant.
But Dionysus dared not underestimate her in the slightest.
He saw this mysterious woman use a magic spear to slaughter over two hundred gods.
She was a demon god in a beautiful disguise!
He keenly noticed the fear in Dionysus's eyes, giving him more confidence in his plan.
"I don't like your tone, so I've decided to invite you both to play a little game. This game is called 'Kill or Be Killed.'"
Ryou coldly uttered the name filled with bloodlust.
"What if we refuse?"
Demeter cautiously asked from behind Dionysus.
"You won't."
He glanced at Scathach beside him.
The meaning was clear: if they didn't want to play, they'd be killed.
As for defeating the opponent and escaping, after seeing the figure of that demon who slaughtered gods like mowing grass, Dionysus didn't even dare to think about it.
After hesitating slightly, Dionysus said:
"We, we'll participate. How do we play this game?"
"Me too," Demeter added.
"The game is simple: you kill each other, and whoever kills the other, I will let go."
Ryou's smile was extremely malicious.
"Of course, you can also choose to resist or commit suicide."
He kindly added.
"We won't let you control us!"
Demeter emerged from behind Dionysus and shouted.
"Really? But he doesn't seem to think so."
"Huh?"
Demeter instinctively turned her head, only to find Dionysus staring at her with a terrifying expression.
"What's wrong with you?"
Demeter felt that his expression was more frightening than ever.
"Sorry, I was distracted."
Dionysus suddenly seemed to come back to his senses, his expression returning to normal.
"Wouldn't you consider it? If one of you sacrifices yourself, the other could be saved. Aren't you lovers? Sacrificing for each other should be expected, right? As for the one who survives, I promise to let them leave."
Ryou taunted.
"Shut up! Don't think you can tarnish my love with Demeter!"
Dionysus declared righteously.
Then he turned to Demeter with a deep expression of affection.
"It looks like we can only meet in the underworld."
Demeter, with tear-filled eyes, grabbed Dionysus's hand.
"Yes! I'm willing to go with you; let us reunite in the underworld."
Just as they embraced, Dionysus's expression became extremely twisted.
Thud!
Blood splattered!
Demeter suddenly felt a sharp pain in her chest and instinctively pushed Dionysus away.
The orange-haired goddess was horrified to find a black dagger embedded in her chest!
"Since you're willing to die with me, it doesn't matter if I live, right?"
Dionysus's face twisted to the point that Demeter barely recognized him.
"You!"
Demeter pulled out the dagger, her blood-stained finger pointing at him.
Demeter couldn't believe it. The person who had professed his love for her just moments ago had now stabbed her to save his own life.
Demeter wanted to rush at him and grab him by the collar to question him, but she collapsed helplessly to the ground, her face filled with resentment, despair, and unwillingness as she lost her life.
Clap, clap, clap!
"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"
Ryou applauded.
A strong sense of delight surged through him.
No wonder Father Kotomine turned into a hedonist with just a few words from Gilgamesh.
Indeed, killing someone personally is not as interesting as forcing two lovers to kill each other.
Oops, almost became a hedonist myself.
Ryou quickly composed himself.
"Can I leave now?"
Dionysus asked with a menacing look.
Killing Demeter seemed to transform the god of wine from a charming playboy into a venomous snake.
"Of course, as long as you have a match with me. Win, and I'll let you go."
"You're not keeping your promise?"
Dionysus's face darkened.
"If you say so, then yes. Besides, I see no reason to be honorable to a scoundrel who killed his lover."
Ryou scoffed.
"You forced me to do it!"
Dionysus clenched his fists in anger.
"We're in a life-and-death war, and your Olympian gods are my enemies. Isn't it right for me to do this?"
Ryou waved his hand as if he didn't want to continue the conversation.
Seeing that a fight was inevitable, Dionysus let out a cold laugh, drew a rapier, and lunged at him.
With a flick of his wrist, the tip of the sword turned into dozens of silvery stars, aiming for all of Ryou's vital points.
Dionysus hated Ryou, attacking with deadly precision.
Ryou didn't dodge. Instead, he swung a fist at Dionysus's face.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Dozens of bloody holes appeared on Ryou's body, with blood gushing out.
Bang!
His punch landed on Dionysus's right cheek, sending him spinning in the air.
As luck would have it, Ryou's punch triggered the explosive effect of Elemental Fury, blasting Dionysus away.
When Dionysus stood up again, his handsome face was gone.
Half of his face was charred black, with some areas exposing white bones, making it look like he had two faces.
Ryou was surprised to find that his wounds showed no signs of healing as if a force was preventing it.
Is this divine power?
He carefully felt the mysterious and peculiar energy in his wounds and concluded.
His biggest reliance was the powerful healing ability granted by his Mystic Code and EX-level Noble Phantasm. If this advantage was taken away, the battle would be difficult, and he might even lose or die!
He started to understand Scathach's purpose in arranging this battle.
He had been too successful lately, forgetting that his current power was far from enough to control his fate.
A deadly crisis, is it?
Isn't this perfect? Always relying on wisdom and schemes to calculate others made him almost forget that he was a warrior.
Weapons that aren't wielded often will become dull!
Ryou ignored his wounds, raised his fists, and charged forward!
After a brief exchange, Dionysus instinctively glanced at Scathach, only to find that the demonic figure showed no signs of intervening.
Dionysus's confidence soared instantly.
The natural arrogance of a god, combined with the resentment of being forced to kill Demeter, made his killing intent surge.
Seeing Ryou rushing at him, he was furious.
"Insignificant mortal!"
His expression twisted and paired with his disfigured face, he looked like a demon crawling out of hell.
Boom!
A rainbow-glowing gauntlet collided head-on with the silver rapier, producing a loud bang and sparks flying.
Immediately, Ryou was pushed back by a tremendous force.
Even when suppressed by the barrier, a god is still a god, and the basic attributes of a divine body are unmatched by mortals.
"What! Do you think you can challenge me with just this level? Challenge me, a god! Don't get too arrogant, human!"
Having overwhelmed him, Dionysus became even more arrogant.
He didn't care anymore. Even with that demonic figure nearby, he was determined to kill this human.
Facing Dionysus's verbal assault, Ryou unusually did not retort.
This guy is the strongest enemy he has faced so far.
Under his relentless onslaught, Ryou didn't even have the space to exchange words.
"Die! Die! Vile human!"
Silver divine power surged from Dionysus, sending Ryou flying.
Then, like rain, his sword strikes blossomed into countless silvery stars in the sky, beautiful yet deadly.
Thud, thud, thud!
Ryou fell to the ground, sliding several meters on one knee, his chest riddled with a dozen new bloody holes, with blood gushing out.
Ryou's face turned extremely grim.
His opponent was strong; that much was certain, even though his main divine role in winemaking was not suited for combat.
What surprised him was that the Gear Second of the Reversal War God, a passive trigger state, was ineffective!
This was the second time Ryou had endured the god of wine's attacks.
Yet, the reflection effect of the Reversal War God Gear Second Gear didn't activate.
It seemed the mystique level of divine power even exceeded that of the Reversal War God.
Previously, he had relied on his powerful Noble Phantasm and attributes to crush others. Being overwhelmed in return was a first for him.
The only good news was that Ryou's injuries were healing, albeit very slowly.
This indicated that the recovery effect of the Reversal War God was significantly weakened but not entirely suppressed or nullified by divine power.
"Looks like I'll have to use the third state—the Berserk Revenge state!"
Ryou's eyes grew intensely focused.
The more powerful the force, the greater the cost of using it.
It's not that he didn't want to use state three, but using it would impose a heavy burden on his body and even his soul.
Exceeding his limit could even damage his soul!
Physical injuries can heal, but soul damage is troublesome. Even Sacthach and the healing specialist Medea Lily couldn't do anything about it.
The reason, as Scathach bluntly told him, was that his body was too weak, with too low basic attributes to withstand such power.
So, until he fully matured, Ryou avoided using the third state of the Reversal War God whenever possible.
But now, against this enemy, not using the third state means defeat.
Then use it!
He felt the long-dormant warrior's blood in him start to boil.
He glanced at Scathach, seemingly understanding the purpose of this battle.
Do you want me to break through my limits?
Indeed, you are the most severe and ruthless teacher!
Also, the best teacher!
Ryou's silence made Dionysus even more arrogant.
"Vile human! Why don't you speak? Do you want to kneel and beg for mercy?"
Dionysus held his head with one hand and laughed wildly.
Killing Demeter with his own hands had completely ruined this once-gentlemanly god.
"You are just human. Humans are the weakest intelligent species! You can't perform magic like elves! Nor are you as robust as orcs and dwarves! All you can do is grovel on the ground, begging for the grace of us gods! You're like maggots in the mud, impossible to crush! And now you even rebel against your master! Too arrogant, vile human!"
At this moment, a dark red aura suddenly emanated from Ryou's body, accompanied by a thick, bloody scent. Anyone could vaguely hear the sound of iron clashing.
"Berserk Revenge State, activate!"
Ryou said coldly.
"Vile human! No matter how you struggle, it's meaningless! There's not even a one in a million, not even a one in a billion chance!"
Dionysus suddenly pulled a clay jar out of thin air.
"Be proud, vile human. This is my Wine of the God of Madness. Once I drink it, my combat power will double! To thank you, I will go all out to kill you!"
As Dionysus spoke, he opened the jar, and the rich aroma of wine wafted over.
Just smelling it made one feel deeply intoxicated, while the blood in their body circulated several times faster than usual.
If the scent alone had such a terrifying effect, what would happen if one drank it!?
Dionysus himself revealed the answer.
He abruptly tilted his head back, and a crystalline 'thread' flowed from the clay jar into Dionysus's mouth.
Just as Dionysus took a small sip, Ryou's figure flashed before him, and he kicked him hard in the face.
Dionysus spun several times in midair before crashing heavily to the ground.
Ryou confiscated the clay jar containing the divine wine and tossed it into his storage space.
"Fool, where did you get the confidence that I would let you finish your ultimate move?"
Ryou's voice was full of insults.
"Human!"
Dionysus suddenly stood up, a distinct footprint appeared on his intact left cheek, making him look like a clown with the burn on his right cheek.
That kick hadn't done much physical harm to him, but mentally...
"I'll kill you!"
Even just a small sip, the divine wine had significantly strengthened him.
Dionysus's exposed skin, including his head and face, began to turn bright red as if he were drunk.
Yet his expression was one of excitement, full of madness and pure killing intent.
"Kill! I'll kill you! You're just a vile human! You harm my noble divine body and humiliate me! I swear by the name of Dionysus, I will pin your soul to the Wall of Lamentation! Prepare to die, human!!"
PS: It was said that Dionysus was Enyo, but there is barely any information about this, so it's best to disregard it.