Darkness, chaos, and confusion.
“Who am I?”
“Yes…
That’s right—I am Hades!”
Though formless, Hades’s eyes widened as he instantly recognized his own identity.
He had originally been a reincarnated soul from the Blue Star, but now he had been plunged into Greek mythology and become Hades, King of the Underworld.
There was no need to mention his past life; now, he was truly a god in every sense.
Unfortunately, although he was Hades, he had only just been born.
Shortly after his birth, he was sealed within his own Microcosm by his “benevolent” father—the King of the Titans, the second-generation God-King who ruled the entire universe—Cronus.
As a god, Hades naturally possessed the most sacred and powerful force in the universe: the Divinity.
With his divine level of consciousness, he quickly realized that he was currently in the era of Greek mythology as depicted in the anime Saint Seiya.
(Divine tiers in the Saint Seiya universe: Super God > Chief God > Second-Class God > Third-Class God > Non-Elite)
“So this is Cronus’s power?
Truly terrifying!”
Sensing Cronus’s boundless universe, Hades’s expression darkened.
Although he possessed Chief God-level Divinity and a Cosmos vast enough to encompass the entire universe, compared to Cronus—who wielded absolute cosmic authority—he was still far inferior!
At least for now, he was merely Hades, not yet the King of the Underworld of the Olympian pantheon!
The natural laws of the Underworld were still under Cronus’s control!
Moreover, during the era when the Titan gods led by Cronus ruled the universe, the four great realms were only the Sky, the Earth, the Sea, and the Underworld.
The four realms—Heaven, Earth, Sea, and the Underworld—were actually established later by the Olympian brothers.
In this age, the universe had only the God-Kings.
If Hades wanted to become the legendary King of the Underworld, that was still far off!
Not to mention that Cronus still had him sealed within his Microcosm.
Even if he escaped, he would first need to create the Underworld before he could truly become the “King of the Underworld”!
As Hades pondered how to break Cronus’s seal and regain his freedom, his mind grew foggy and drowsy.
“Damn it—Cronus definitely did more than just seal me!”
Hades gritted his teeth.
In his perception, his Divinity and the divine Cosmos belonging to his godhood were gradually being absorbed, drained, and assimilated by Cronus’s Microcosm!
Although he wouldn’t die if this continued, his divine essence and potential for growth would steadily diminish.
Over time, Hades’s Divinity and potential might even be downgraded—from Chief God level to a Second-Class God!
For a god, this was even more painful than death itself!
In the Saint Seiya universe, Divinity represents a god’s ability to master the origins of the world.
Higher Divinity meant greater control over cosmic origins, and thus greater power.
Simply put, a god’s growth potential and ultimate achievements were entirely dependent on their Divinity.
If Cronus had merely sealed him, that would have been one thing—if Hades escaped, out of respect for their blood ties, he might even spare him in the final divine war.
But Cronus had gone as far as stripping his Divinity—effectively crippling Hades.
Without a doubt—once Hades succeeded, even if it meant earning the reputation of a “father-slayer,” he would make Cronus pay.
Now Hades also partially understood why, in Greek mythology, siblings like himself—children of Cronus and Rhea—were far inferior to Zeus, the sixth son.
Not to mention that being sealed inside Cronus’s Microcosm for so long, constantly losing Divinity and potential, meant that even if Hades and Poseidon wanted to compete with Zeus, it was impossible.
Furthermore, before his reincarnation, Hades had been a fan of the Saint Seiya series.
Not just the anime, but the Hades manga as well.
He knew well that Zeus was not as simple as he appeared.
Although never officially stated, rumors suggested that Zeus was closely connected to the legendary Super God—the origin and first cause of Greek mythology, the ruler of infinite time and space—Chronos.
With such a background and status, even as the youngest of the six siblings, Zeus was more than capable of overshadowing them all.
“Is that Hestia?”
Hades cast a glance into the depths of the pitch-black universe.
In his perception, he could sense another presence—one brimming with Divinity—also being drained and devoured by Cronus’s boundless Microcosm.
Hades knew that she was most likely the eldest of the six siblings, and the future Olympian goddess of the hearth and family—Hestia.
As for Poseidon, Demeter, and Hera—Hades had yet to sense them.
Perhaps they were somewhere beyond his perception, or perhaps they hadn’t even been born yet, and therefore hadn’t been sealed by Cronus.
(Since the exact birth order of Hades and his five siblings is not fully established in myth, I’ve set the order myself.)
(From oldest to youngest: Hestia > Hades > Demeter > Poseidon > Hera > Zeus)
And Hades’s thoughts were understandable.
The reason was simple: he felt as though he had just been born.
Therefore, despite possessing a Cosmos and Divinity at the divine level, he couldn’t resist Cronus’s exploitation.
After all, no matter how powerful the software, without sufficient hardware, it could never deliver peak performance!
And he was still in this newborn state.
Aside from the eldest—Hestia—it was entirely possible the others had not yet been born!
[Ding!
Host has awakened.
Binding of the Hades System successful!]
“Here it is, finally here!
As expected of a reincarnator—cheat abilities are mandatory.
The Hades System?
Fits my identity perfectly!”
Hades was stunned.
Though still newborn, his bright eyes gleamed in the pitch-black void of the universe!
“System, do you have a beginner’s gift pack?”
[Ding!
Beginner’s gift pack has been issued.
Would you like to open it?]
“Open!”
[Congratulations, Host!
You have received a copy of the Primordial Underworld Codex (Primordial Greek Edition).
You may merge this with the existing Greek mythological Underworld laws to create a more perfect Underworld and become an even more powerful King of the Underworld!]
The system’s voice echoed through Hades’s mind.
Countless laws and cosmic principles poured into his soul, greatly amplifying his Divinity!
Although he remained at the Chief God level, compared to the original Hades, he was undoubtedly stronger, not weaker!
[Ding!
Detected that the Host’s current environment contains the foundational laws of the Underworld.
Beginning absorption!]
[Ding!
Detected that the Host’s Divinity is being drained and devoured.
Initiating reverse absorption!]
“…”