Chapter 562 - Qualification Test (3) (2/2)

“Atlas?” Atlas had taken Kronos’ side even after Zeus’ rebellion. He was the Titan whose punishment was to carry the world eternally on his back. Why was she saying his name now?

“Since you were quite drunk at the time, I suppose you didn’t hear. That’s the name of the warrior you rescued. He was quite timid for his size. Iapetos was harassing him for being dull-witted, and you rescued him when you passed by.” Ananke cocked her head. “I barely managed to send him away because he kept saying he wanted to repay you. I suppose you’ve only just remembered it now. What should I do? Should I summon him?”

“No. It’s fine.” Atlas was different from the Atlas Yeon-woo knew about. He waved his hand, thinking the quest would probably get longer if he involved himself with Atlas too much. At the same time, he thought that Kronos wasn’t as bad as he’d believed.

* * *

A few days later, Uranus gave orders to launch an exploration of the swamp of darkness. In the meantime, Yeon-woo looked into Kronos’ reputation and gathered information about this time period. He learned enough about Kronos and grew more comfortable with the quest. He was ready to really get started.

“Me. Atlas. Protect. Lord Kronos. Definitely.” A guy so massive that he could be one of the giant race approached with booming steps.

“He pleaded desperately to repay you or at least be your servant. I had no choice but to let him join. He says he has the blood of giants in his lineage, so he will be of help to you somehow.” Ananke carefully peered at Yeon-woo while speaking. She was nervous because she didn’t know what his reaction would be.

However, Yeon-woo just glanced at Atlas without saying much and headed into the forest where the expedition party waited. Some of the members had already arrived.

“How timely of our youngest to arrive now.”

There were ten people, each one with a fierce holy power and sharp gaze. Iapetos was among them.

‘The children of Uranus.’ They all wanted to inherit Uranus’ throne. They would later be called the twelve great gods of Kronos’ age and be the ancestors of the Titan race. Yeon-woo had learned that Uranus’ children weren’t his biological children. ‘They’re successors of various societies that Uranus gathered to establish Olympus.’

In other words, they were adopted in order to help unite Olympus. This was why even though they were siblings, they didn’t have any brotherly or sisterly love since they were rivals who were fighting over the throne. Four stood out in particular.

Oceanus, the oldest, smiled gently at the back of the party. Theia, the imperious second daughter, had the same domain as Uranus did: the heavens.

‘Kronos, the youngest, but the one who has the most holy power.’ This was the body that Yeon-woo currently possessed. And the last one…

‘Is she not here yet?’ Yeon-woo looked at the empty seat. He had seen the other Titans in Tartarus, but this last being was someone he’d never seen before. ‘And there’s something I want to confirm too.’

Yeon-woo grew contemplative, but Iapetos spoke up in a scornful voice meant for him to hear. “The younger ones are the worst. They’re acting like this even though they know it’s Father’s orders.”

However, the other siblings also seemed to think of Iapetos as a moron because they didn’t even pretend to pay attention to him. Only Oceanus soothed him. “He must be quite busy. It isn’t too urgent yet, so there’s no need to rush. The more you rush, the more you may mess things up.”

Since he couldn’t talk back to the oldest sibling, Iapetos just pressed his lips together with a displeased look and remained silent. Oceanus looked at Yeon-woo with a smile still on his face. “Kronos. Do you know where that child went?”

‘How am I supposed to know?’ Yeon-woo shrugged, and Oceanus’s eyes narrowed with a laugh.

“Nothing can be done then, I suppose. Let’s just wait here for now.”

At that moment, Yeon-woo sensed someone running over to them. ‘She’s here.’ Yeon-woo turned toward the being who had even more holy power than the other siblings.

“Sorry, I’m late.” As soon as she appeared through the grass panting with an apologetic expression, Yeon-woo closed his eyes tightly. He’d been dreading this as soon as he realized that Kronos looked like his father.

It was Rhea, the youngest daughter of Uranus, the biological mother of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades—and the main reason behind Kronos’ fall. Her face was achingly familiar.

‘Mother.’ It was the face he missed the most. More beautiful and youthful than he remembered, his dead mother stood in front of him.