Chapter Seventeen: Hecate
I was beyond surprise to see that what I was being chased by were three cute dogs who just wanted to meet their master. But where is the huge monster from the myths, why does Hades begin to feel like such a softie.
The dog in middle was a black hound with smooth fur. And huge red eyes, around it's neck was a collar and a name: Cerius.
The dog on the left was a Chihuahua with fluffy brown fur on top and white under. It had small black eyes and the name: Berry.
The dog on the right was a poodle with white coat of fur and glowing fur, peach coloured skin and green eyes. The name on it was Russell.
What the fuck...!
Cerius, Berry, Russle?
Ce-Be-Rus!
Wow, my life has all been a lie.
But these dogs did not seem all that scary. They were more cuddly, I guess they missed their master. Having dog spit on my face was yuck!
"Alright, alright." I shunned the dogs. "Quit it you mutts I'm not a popsicle."
DING DONG!
"Damnit!" I grabbed the wore a dark shirt and trousers with pockets big enough to slip the black book into. I looked at myself in the mirror one last time. I had to admit, I looked really good as a god but this long hair would take some getting used to.
The dogs just wouldn't shut up as they followed me to the door. "Huff!" I drew in a long breath as I turned the door and prepared for whoever it was. I just prayed it would not be Hermes, I just can't get rid of that guy.
I pulled open the door and was clearly shocked to see a tall dark woman with short black hair, she wore a dark suit and trousers with white shirt underneath. Her eyes were light blue in contrast to mine and her lips painted black. You could say she was a very good imitation of me. The surrounding outside was so dark I could not see a damn thing.
She looked awfully casual like some officer worker. On seeing me she frowned and said. "I see you have woken up my liege. Would you like to get back to business?" Her tone was definitely not so friendly and what was up with that glare, I had a feeling she hated me.
And what's this about getting back to business? And who is she.
I could feel my eyes buzzing and soon strange text appeared over her head saying.
ALL CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN MET, YOU HAVE UNLOCKED THE SKILL "EYE OF REVELATION".
THE DEAD SEE ALL, KNOW ALL. AND YOU ARE THEIR MASTER.
I froze there and said nothing, clearly doubting my own eyes. Was this magic or the power of the book? Is it some sort of effect left behind by the my reincarnation?
I didn't know how but I could see who she was right above her head. The black strange text flashing a blue light.
It read:
HECATE: GODDESS OF SORCERY AND GHOSTS
LIKABILITY TO HADES- 350
ROLE TO HADES- ASSISTANT, MANAGER TO THE UNDERWORLD ESTATE
CONFLICT- THE "EX" RUMOR (UNSETTLED)
"HECATE!!?" I screamed after finally remembering who Hecate was.
The Greek goddess Hecate was the goddess of sorcery and ghosts. She was also depicted as the goddess of magic, dogs, and night. She was never depicted as a wholly evil or good character in Greek mythology, but her actions were always led by loyalty and compassion. So is she the ex Hermes was yapping about?
Shit! She's looking at me all weird, say something damnit. This is a lot to process.
"What are you doing here?" I know it wasn't not the best line and it was a bit too forced making me sound grumpier than usual.
Hecate's face dissolved into a look of regret and worry. "It seems you are still deeply offended by the rumor of a few hundred years ago when I asked you out for coffee to relive you from the stress of running your kingdom, you said yes and people took photos and then mistook us for lo--. Well I apologize."
She bowed her head slightly and from the sound of it, I felt she did this apology thing quite an awful lot for her to be this good at it.
So it was merely a misunderstanding huh? All she wanted to do get this old stooge to lay off a bit and a little rumor came from it, now he's still offended by that.
It reminded me of something similar. I was always too cooped up in my work, I had this secretary who always tried to get me to take a break, I shunned her a lot. I thought she was a bother to me. One day, she quit and after that the office felt empty.
I won't make the same mistakes twice, I will clear any resolve and regret I had in my old world.
"Please, come in Hecate." I smiled and pullsd the door wide open to welcome her in. "Let's have a chat."
Hecate raised her eyebrows a little too high I thought she was possessed. "Let me get this straight, you want me the assistant you have ignored for over five hundred years to come into your house so you can what? Kill me!? You do know you are the friggin god of death, right?"
Curse my reputation. I huffed out and said. "Fine, we'll talk here."
Hecate walked past me and into the house all of a sudden. "Yeah, yeah. I'll hear your apology you big doofus. You can't outright kill me anyway, it's not like you can manage the underworld on your own."
What? Did she just insult me?
Then those wierd words appeared again.
YOU HAVE SETTLED A DISPUTE WITH A MAIN CHARACTER, HECATES LIKEABILITY OF YOU HAS INCREASED BY 50
"Likeability?" I mumbled.
THE HIGHER THE LIKEABILITY YOU HAVE WITH A MAIN CHARACTER THE MORE LIKELY THEY ARE TO EXPOSE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION RELATED TO THE STORY!
As I slowly shut the door I could not help but think I had just stepped out of my comfort zone.