Once again, drifting between dream and reality, Kai heard the voice of the simulator calling to him—
"Pure one, tell me… who is the most beautiful goddess?"
"It's…"
The words left Kai's lips instinctively, but before he could answer, the voices and images vanished, replaced instead by the familiar interface of the simulator.
[Humanity's Beloved Simulator has been refreshed. Would you like to initiate a new simulation?]
[Humanity's Beloved Simulator loaded. Please select three random talents—]
[Walking with Gods (Gold): At times, the gods simply feel inclined to intervene…]
[The Philosopher King (Purple): Absolute righteousness, absolute idealism, embodying the ultimate justice and beauty of the world!]
[The Face of the Divine (Purple): Beauty that even the gods cannot resist.]
[Dumas (Purple): Truly a hundred-percent critical hit on weaknesses; can even impregnate inanimate objects.]
[Slash Slash Slash (Blue): You're just too naturally handsome to be hated.]
[Strength of the Giants (Blue): The Rumbling… It's time to start the Rumbling!]
[Mixed Blood (Green): There may be some odd genes in your lineage.]
[Bearer of the Spear (White): Your comprehension of spear techniques is significantly enhanced.]
[Forsaken (Gray): A hellish start awaits… but maybe not just in a vocational school restroom.]
"Whoa, jackpot!" Kai exclaimed, unable to contain himself at the nine options, four of which gleamed in golden and purple—a god-tier start.
Was this some hidden bonus for clearing his last simulation run?
Last time, he'd been forced to enter with only one purple, one blue, and one green trait—and his starting location had been late-Age Britain…
This time, however, the simulator offered him three talents, all gold or purple. Clearly, the difficulty would not be low.
Why only three?
Because, frankly, Kai's eyes had zeroed in on the first three, each packed with game-breaking potential. With that, he selected his three choices without hesitation.
As for "Dumas"?
That one was… peculiar, and Kai had no desire to end up as infamous as Zeus, so after some consideration, he left that trait out.
[Selection complete. Simulation commencing.]
[Drawing scene…]
[Age 1: You are born, abandoned in a dense forest. It's clear you have been forsaken.]
[As a child of the Age of Gods, you are strong and your cries echo through the forest. You don't fear attracting wild beasts because if no one adopts you within ten days, well… you won't last long anyway.]
[Even in the uninhabited forests of ancient Greece, there are tales of children being adopted by wolves—a story that would bring you some comfort.]
[On the ninth day, as you teeter on the brink of death, your faint cries finally attract the attention of a beautiful doe. She has large, pure eyes that radiate a divine beauty, far from any ordinary animal—she seems more like a revered… goddess.]
[The lovely doe lifts you up and, in a hazy state, you feel a sweet liquid flow into your mouth. Miraculously, you survive.]
[Age 2: You've learned to walk and can express yourself clearly. The density of aether in the Age of Gods is astonishing, and the strength you possess as a child amazes you. In fact, you may already surpass the strength of a modern adult.]
[You now realize that the beautiful doe who saved you was no ordinary animal. She is a divine servant of Artemis, goddess of the hunt.]
[Artemis, daughter of the great god Zeus and twin sister of Apollo, god of music and light; one of the twelve Olympians, goddess of the hunt, mistress of beasts, and sovereign of the wilderness.]
[A goddess of immense power and status.]
[Understanding that you are under the protection of a goddess's emissary, you feel a sense of relief. Even without a human guardian, to be watched over by a servant of the divine is a blessed beginning.]
[You start dreaming of a heroic life ahead—surely, you are destined for greatness, right?]
[Age 3: For the first time, you tell your adoptive mother of your desire to return to human society. You assure her that you can provide for yourself and want to explore the world of men. However, the doe, your mother, reacts with anger, admonishing you for your arrogance and locking you inside a great tree to reflect.]
[You realize that in your current state, you have no right to argue. By nightfall, you apologize sincerely, pleading with your mother to release you.]
[Yet… something seems strange about this doe. Beasts—even the divine beasts of the Age of Gods—are still animals. In the primordial Greece where gods and mortals coexist, all animals should bow before Artemis, their mistress.]
[But your adoptive mother, despite her ability to speak and her divine nature, has never once bowed to Artemis, only declaring herself to be her servant. She says no more.]
[Yet—]
[Shouldn't a divine servant revere their goddess more deeply?]
[You sense that your mother holds many mysteries.]
[Age 4: Under her guidance, you take up archery. Though you're uncertain how a doe could teach archery, you're surprised by her thorough knowledge of the craft, enough to train you well beyond expectation.]
[How a doe became so proficient with a bow is anyone's guess—does she shoot with her hooves?]
[Relentlessly, she pushes you to train day and night.]
[Age 5: Your mother no longer provides food. Despite being only five, you're sent out to hunt for yourself. But before you leave, your mother finally acknowledges her superior, the goddess Artemis.]
["All beasts are under Artemis's dominion," she tells you. "If you do not revere her, and hunt recklessly, you will incur her wrath."]
[You nod gravely, reminded that goddesses do not take kindly to disrespect.]
[In this world, if there's one rule to live by, it's that one must never offend a deity.]
[Gazing upon a crude statue of Artemis, you solemnly promise to dedicate your first hunt to the goddess of the hunt, thanking her for the grace that allows you to venture into the wilderness.]
[You are sure that the goddess can hear you.]
[Age 6: Each time you hunt, you offer the first catch to Artemis. You've done so every day for a year now.]
[After each sacrifice, the offering vanishes without a trace. You wonder why Artemis would bother herself with the catch of a lone forest boy, given her responsibilities across the many cities of Greece. Surely, this has something to do with your mother, Cynthia, the doe who claims to be her servant.]
[Age 7: You've spent years alone in the forest, with only a doe for company. Besides the animals you hunt, you encounter no other intelligent life. You find this perplexing.]
[This doesn't add up. By probability alone, there should be other intelligent creatures here. If one doe, like Cynthia, can speak, surely others could too.]
[Even in the waning Age of Gods in Britain, there were many wise magical beasts. And this is the height of classical Greece!]
[Not to mention, where are the ever-present nymphs? The spirits of mountains, rivers, and lakes should be everywhere!]
[You voice your concerns to your mother, but the doe brushes them aside.]
[Age 8: Your suspicions grow until, finally, you confront her…]
"Cynthia! You owe me an explanation!"
Suren's eyes were fierce as he gazed at the doe before him, her form radiant as ever. She was every bit as dignified, every bit as pure and beautiful as she had been eight years ago. Every glance left him in awe.
How could there exist such an enchanting, such an elegant creature? She was godly, majestic. A gentle innocence filled her dark eyes.
"My dear Suren, my precious child…"
Cynthia's gaze softened, and she nuzzled him affectionately. "What has made our brave, beautiful boy so upset?"
The same as always.
Despite her age and unknowable wisdom, Cynthia's demeanor was that of a pure-hearted girl, as innocent as a youth of sixteen or seventeen, with an unrestrained streak of whimsy.
Who was raising whom, exactly? Since Suren had started hunting to provide for himself, each day saw him not only honoring Artemis but also caring for his own "spoiled" mother.
Suren's eyes held a trace of resignation. Even the name Cynthia had chosen for him—Suren—was fitting more for a girl, meaning "fair and courageous one." But whatever. He was used to it.
"Cynthia, stop dodging my questions!" Suren glared. "I've asked you before—why are we the only two here who can speak? The only ones with minds of our own? And you just said, 'Oh, Cynthia doesn't know. She's just a little doe…'"
"And when I asked why there were no nymphs—those ever-present spirits of land and water—you claimed the goddess of the hunt had taken them away…"
"I don't believe it. Artemis reveres nature. She's a goddess of the wild, the true essence of the natural world. She'd never remove the nymphs!"
Suren knew better than to speak ill of the gods; if a deity was involved, he praised them lavishly, without question.
It was said that the primary rule for survival in Greece was recognizing that the gods were the true rulers of everything!
Cynthia's eyes sparkled with amusement. She pranced in a little circle around him, a cheerful smile upon her face, utterly transparent in her excitement.
She nudged him playfully. "Even so, I still don't know. Cynthia's only a little doe!"
"Ugh! Not this again!" Suren was exasperated. "I'm eight now; I won't fall for that!"
"Alright, alright…" Cynthia nudged him again with her nose. "My dear boy, your Cynthia wants grilled fish, with a dash of lime juice and a pinch of salt—hold the sugar, please."
"Are you… ordering dinner?" Suren couldn't believe it. "I'm only eight!"
But there was no escaping it—he'd have to fulfill his "mother's" request.
He still didn't know why, but once he'd turned five, Cynthia had insisted he stop calling her "Mother" and instead use her name.
Greek customs were strange, indeed.
After a moment of consideration, Suren grabbed a fishing rod, poked at the ground for some worms, and headed off to catch a few fish.
As he disappeared into the distance, "Cynthia" let out a breath of relief, murmuring happily to herself, "Heh heh… another crisis averted…"
"My dear child, only I can gaze upon you… This beauty, captivating even to the gods, is mine alone!"
"But he's growing older… and harder to deceive."
A trace of worry flickered in Cynthia's eyes. But beneath it lay no obsession, no madness—only a pure, gentle spirit that would never harm a loved one, unless driven by desperate need.
[Age 9: Finally, you encounter a second intelligent being—a man dressed as a bard. He watches you intently, his gaze filled with admiration, concern, and curiosity. But before you can approach him, he disappears without a trace. You search everywhere, but find no sign of him.]
[When you return from your daily offering to the goddess of the hunt, you find Cynthia waiting, her face filled with worry and confusion. The innocent, girlish disposition she usually wears can't mask her anxieties, her heart laid bare in her gaze.]
[She looks at you and asks, "Do you still yearn to return to human society?"]
[You answer, "Yes, I long for it… but I cannot leave you. This place is my home too."]
[Seeing this, your resolve to investigate the mysterious stranger fades, and you put the matter to rest.]
[Age 10: At your urging, Cynthia finally begins teaching you the core wisdom of Greek society—the knowledge known only to the bloodlines of the priests, passed down for generations.]
[This sacred knowledge is… how to commune with the gods.]
[This is the art of conversing with deities, a craft that reveals little secrets about each god. You learn, for instance, that Zeus is drawn to beauty, Hera to loyalty in love, Athena to bravery, and Hestia to homeliness and warmth.]
[If you are ugly, don't stand before Zeus. If you are faithless, avoid Hera. If you are timid, you will earn no favor from Athena. And if you shun family, you will never gain Hestia's blessing.]
[You are astonished at how much Cynthia knows about the gods. It's as though she were lifting the veil on divine mysteries herself, as if she were some kind of god in disguise. You take her teachings to heart, committing every divine preference and nuance to memory.]
[Is it possible, you wonder, that Cynthia herself might be a goddess?]
[Age 11: After a year, you've mastered knowledge of six major Olympian gods—Zeus, Athena, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, and Hestia. Cynthia seems quite impartial; she ranks the gods by their power rather than by her own allegiance, introducing her own goddess, Artemis, only after these six.]
[Then, with unusual excitement, Cynthia tells you, "Now that those unpleasant ones are out of the way, I can finally explain why Artemis is truly the most beautiful of all goddesses!"]
[You stay silent. Though you know little of Greek mythology, even you are aware that Aphrodite, not Artemis, is widely considered the most beautiful, rivaled only by Athena and Hera.]
[Some have dismissed Aphrodite as a vain flirt, but the reverence she commands implies there's far more to her than appearances. You decide not to argue, however. What hasn't happened yet is not worth debating. There's no sense in angering Artemis by offending her devout "servant" in a forest full of beasts.]
[Age 12: A year passes as you memorize everything Cynthia has taught you about Artemis. You can answer any question about the goddess flawlessly. After persistent protests, Cynthia finally agrees to teach you about other gods.]
[You were prepared for some bias, but you hadn't expected it to be so blatant. It took only one year to cover Zeus, Hestia, and the rest, yet an entire year was spent on Artemis alone.]
[Still, thanks to Cynthia's efforts, you now understand Artemis better than any other deity.]
[Age 13: In less than a year, you finish learning about Apollo, Ares, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Hermes, and Hades. Half of that year, though, was dedicated solely to Apollo.]
[Although Hades is Zeus's older brother, he is not among the twelve Olympian gods. Instead, he rules the underworld as one of the three kings of heaven, sea, and underworld, so Cynthia made sure to give him special attention.]
[Yet Cynthia believes you'll rarely cross paths with Hades. The Lord of the Underworld is notoriously reclusive, and he seldom leaves his domain unless someone stirs up trouble in the underworld.]
[Age 14: Over the year, you cover most of the remaining Olympians. Cynthia mentions the ancient gods of Greece—the Titans and the primal deities who came before.]
[Many of these original deities have faded into obscurity, though Gaia, the Earth Mother, remains relatively active. Zeus treats this ancient grandmother with outward respect, even if his Olympians firmly hold the reins of divine power.]
[The Titans fare no better; Olympus has started to encroach on their domains and powers.]
[For instance, Cynthia one day excitedly announces that Artemis will henceforth be known as "the goddess of the moon and the hunt." You recall, however, that the original moon goddess was called Selene…]
[Like Artemis's claim over the moon, Apollo's dominion over light and music reflects the Olympians' relentless absorption of the Titans' spheres.]
[But you don't mind. After all, you have declared your faith in Artemis, so it's in your best interests if your patron goddess grows stronger.]
[Age 15: At long last, you decide you are ready to leave this forest, the only home you have known for fifteen years…]
"After this birthday, I'll go. Cynthia's been planning the celebration for so long…"
Suren mused quietly. He yearned for the wider world, yet he couldn't bear to dampen Cynthia's excitement for his birthday.
Looking down, he resumed his preparations. Beside him lay a carefully assembled bow and a set of leather armor. His clothes, all made from animal hides, were surprisingly comfortable—a unique quality of divine-era materials.
The craftsmanship was astonishing. Suren couldn't help but wonder how Cynthia's hooves had managed such delicate handiwork.
He'd once suggested learning how to make his own clothes, but Cynthia had reacted with outright fury, berating him for such foolishness. "A man, weaving like a woman? You're no coward. Never think of that again, or you'll be off to Lion's Head Mountain to hunt until you've brought back a hundred thousand pounds of meat!"
Suren suspected Cynthia might be a lesser goddess of some sort, perhaps a remnant from the Titan age, when gods were as numerous as the stars.
Was it truly normal for a goddess to dote on a mortal like this?
In ancient Greece, it seemed that only women and goddesses concerned themselves with weaving and such skills. Even Athena, a mighty goddess, held dominion over weaving and handicrafts.
Men, by contrast, were expected to engage in pursuits of strength and valor—archery, blacksmithing, wrestling, and hunting…
Suren had almost made a remark on Cynthia's traditionalism, but he caught himself. In this divine age of Greece, where Zeus's power embodied patriarchal authority, to question male dominance would be to question the king of gods himself. Not a wise move.
In time, Suren grew accustomed to Cynthia's care. If this era was going to spoil men, then so be it.
Still, he couldn't fully embrace the traditional Greek mindset. Greek men often viewed women merely as vessels for producing offspring. A "true Greek" believed that love should be found with other men, unsullied by worldly concerns.
It was no surprise, then, that most Greek heroes kept a male companion by their side.
For Suren, though, the exchange of gifts with Cynthia was far more gratifying than the notion of a male companion. He would occasionally surprise her with little trinkets in return.
Her reaction to these tokens never ceased to amaze him—each time, Cynthia would light up with such joy that he couldn't help but be taken aback.
To think that a goddess—if Cynthia indeed was one—could be so thrilled over a simple gift. This was an age where women were starved for warmth.
Yet despite Cynthia's joy, something always felt amiss. Suren wasn't blind. Cynthia's affections were… different. He'd learned to recognize the depth in her gaze, the way it lingered a moment too long.
But this forest, and Cynthia's embrace, were not his final destination. It was a place he cherished, a stepping stone in his journey—but not his end.
More and more, Suren's heart yearned to leave. He longed to see the bustling world of human society, to experience the glories of ancient Greece, this age of gods and myths.
Perhaps, even…
"No, it's settled."
Suren sighed. "I'll decide how to say goodbye first."
---
In another part of the forest, a tall, handsome man in a pure white toga sat upon a tree branch, fingers lightly plucking at the strings of a lyre. Each delicate touch summoned forth a cascade of beautiful notes, filling the air with melody.
Before him stretched a clear, pristine pool. If Suren were here, he'd recognize it instantly as the place where he gathered water each day.
Surrounding the man were clusters of chattering nymphs, who filled the glade with life and sound. It was a stark contrast to the eerie, tranquil silence Suren experienced whenever he visited.
Suddenly, a majestic doe emerged from the undergrowth, gliding gracefully toward the man. At once, the nymphs gasped in unison, whispering, "The mistress is here!" They scattered like leaves in the wind.
"Artemis, my dear sister. I thought this whim of yours would fade in a few years…" the man with the lyre remarked calmly, not even glancing up as he played. "But here you are, carrying on for fifteen years. Tell me—do you truly understand what you're doing, Artemis?"
"Enough, Apollo! I don't need you to lecture me!" The doe's form shimmered and shifted, transforming into a young woman in a huntress's garb—her short skirt belted at the waist, hunting boots laced tight. Artemis's beauty radiated purity and youthful spirit, though her expression had a hint of defiance.
Rebuked by her younger brother, she pouted, a crestfallen look crossing her face. But even as her cheeks flushed, she refused to admit fault. "I'm not being foolish, and I know exactly what I'm doing!"
"Do you?" Apollo's calm demeanor cracked, his voice rising. "Artemis, you made a vow during your coming-of-age ceremony. You swore, by the lightning of Zeus himself, to remain eternally pure."
"If you break that oath, Zeus's thunder will burn you to ashes!"
Apollo's concern for his sister ran deep. No matter how many years had passed, Artemis's impulsive nature remained unchanged. In truth, she might have been his elder in age, but in temperament, she was still like a little sister.
In Greece, oaths could not be broken. Even gods were bound by them. Artemis's vow to maintain her virginity, made under the authority of Zeus's thunderbolt, could not be taken lightly.
Apollo knew full well the consequences of breaking an oath sworn upon Zeus's power. His father's lightning could destroy any deity—even his beloved sister.
"Suren is different!" Artemis clenched her fists, adamantly refusing to back down. "At worst, I'll remain… I'll stay pure…"
"And what about Suren?" Apollo interrupted coldly. "Will you let him live alone, with no descendants, no legacy?"
"Could you bring yourself to find him a wife?"
In Greece, even though some believed true love was shared only between men, every hero sought a wife. Procreation was more vital than romance.
In this classical, divine age of Greece, what proved one's manhood more than anything else?
Fertility and the number of one's offspring.
Apollo continued, his tone steely. "Athena has already noticed your unusual behavior. Soon, Zeus will as well. I'm giving you one year, Artemis. If you don't end this, then I'll step in."
"What would you do to him, Apollo?" Artemis's face flushed with anger, her beautiful features contorted as she pointed at him. "If you lay a hand on Suren, I… I…"
"You'll do what, Artemis?" Apollo's tone softened, but his words cut deep. "You won't do anything. I am your only brother."
Indeed, even if Apollo did strike Suren down, Artemis would never harm him. He was her only kin who truly cared, the last of her family.
Perhaps she would grieve, hide away to avoid him, but she would never bring any real harm to Apollo.
"…" Artemis lowered her head, a sorrowful look overtaking her face. "I understand, Apollo."
"Think carefully, Artemis…" Apollo's expression softened, though his eyes remained firm. "If you were to die because of Suren, what do you think Zeus would do to him?"
"You're free to love him, Artemis. You're free to love anyone you choose. But you can't be with anyone. This path… it's one you chose yourself."
Apollo left her, slipping away unnoticed, leaving Artemis alone to contemplate his words.
They struck deeper than any weapon, piercing her heart with an acute, unbearable pain.
Once, Artemis had never given thought to matters of love and desire. As the free, untamed goddess of the hunt, she had scorned Aphrodite's infatuations, convinced that men were nothing but distractions from the thrill of the chase.
Yet, as with any being possessed of consciousness, her heart yearned for love—a yearning beyond her control.
"No… this isn't right… I'll find a way," Artemis murmured to herself, raising her eyes to the endless sky and the omnipresent gaze of her father.
Zeus, the Father of the Gods, had always watched over her and had always known what she was doing.
But Zeus would not intervene in her choices. Though he doted on her dearly, he would not stand in her way.
"Artemis, my beloved daughter…"
---
T/N: New name for Kai! Suren! something about heroic and strong idunno
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
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