Chapter 40

Dionysos draped himself in a regal purple toga, the fabric flowing around him like liquid royalty. In his hand, he held Caledfwlch, the legendary sword that hummed with barely contained power. As he stepped out of the Pantheon, he steeled himself for the confrontation he believed awaited him. Uriel, the Angel of Retribution. The thought of his impending doom made his heart pound, but he walked forward with a mix of defiance and resignation. Fuck it. He was going to fight!

The blinding light outside the Pantheon forced him to squint, and as his vision adjusted, he was taken aback by the sight before him. It was not Uriel standing there, but Gabriel.

"Uh…"

She was a divine beauty, with curly blonde hair cascading around her face and a voluptuous figure that seemed to glow with light. Her ample breasts and perfectly rounded hips drew his eye, an innocent allure accentuating her breathtaking appearance. Twelve magnificent white wings unfurled from her back.

To Dionysos' utter bewilderment, she was eating an ice cream, her demeanor relaxed and almost playful.

Gabriel looked up from her treat as he approached, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and amusement. "Well…" she said, her voice like the sweetest melody. "Who might you be, and why have I felt such a surge of magical energy from our church?"

Gabriel
Archangel
Twelve-winged cutie
Lvl 4 121

Seeing him not answering, she smiled reassuringly. "Normally, it's Uriel who takes care of such things, but he had to rush to France to hunt…I mean, apparently, there was a problem with one of his agents. I apologize if this isn't protocol," she added, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I'm not used to handling matters like these."

Dionysos quickly put Caledfwlch away, realizing that Gabriel wasn't hostile. His posture apparently relaxed, though his heart pounded with adrenaline. With a flourish, he swept into a grandiose bow, his purple toga billowing around him dramatically.

"Ah, fair Gabriel, Archangel of such resplendent beauty and grace, I am but a humble mortal!" He straightened up, his eyes sparkling with mischief and confidence. "It is me, Dio! An adventurer of unparalleled audacity, a traveler of boundless curiosity, and a connoisseur of life's most exquisite pleasures!"

He proclaimed with theatrical flair, gesturing expansively with his hands. "From the highest peaks of Mount Fuji to the deepest caverns of the African underworld, my feet have tread paths both wondrous and perilous. I have danced with vampires in moonlit glades, sipped ambrosia with kings, and reveled in the mysteries of the cosmos. I am a seeker of thrills, a lover of the unexpected, and a champion of pleasure in all its forms!"

Gabriel's eyes widened in surprise at his introduction, her lips parting in amusement as she watched his performance. A clown! She loved them! She took another bite of her ice cream, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. She opened her mouth to respond, her celestial beauty radiant even in her confusion and curiosity. "Well, Dionysos, your quest certainly sounds intriguing. I—"

Suddenly, an ear-splitting explosion rocked the ground, cutting her off. Gabriel's ice cream fell to the ground, as both she and Dionysos whirled towards the source of the disturbance.

A massive figure emerged from the smoke and rubble, towering above them.

Porphyrion
King of Giants
Ugly as hell
Lvl 2 789

Porphyrion strode forward with a menacing presence that seemed to distort the air around him. His sheer size and muscular build made it appear as if he had his own gravitational field, and he stood at least forty feet tall. From the waist up, he was humanoid, clad in gleaming bronze armor. His skin was the color of lima beans, and his green hair, like the leaves of summer, was braided and adorned with a variety of weapons. Daggers, axes, and full-size swords—some bloodied, others bent—decorated his locks, trophies taken from defeated demigods. His eyes were pure white, polished marble that shone with a menacing brilliance. Porphyrion's green dragon legs thudded heavily against the ground with each step, and he wielded a massive spear that glowed with an ominous power. He stopped a few paces away from Gabriel and Dionysos, surveying them with a cruel smile, as the mortals before him fled in terror. Only the Angel and the mortal in a toga stayed still.

Dionysos and Gabriel exchanged a glance. To Porphyrion's surprise Neither of them seemed frightened or confused. Gabriel's calm demeanor and Dionysos's casual stance were in stark contrast to the giant's disoriented fury. Porphyrion's expression shifted from cruel confidence to confusion. He furrowed his brow, the motion causing his enormous facial muscles to twitch. "Why have I awoken? I cannot feel mother yet…" he rumbled, his voice echoing like thunder in the valley.

"You can go back to sleep, Porphyrion," Dionysos said, his voice carrying a blend of mockery and nonchalance. He took a step forward, twirling a rusted sword. "We didn't summon you, and frankly, the world is better off without your tantrums. Or should I say, 'Porph-cry-on' because all you seem to do is whine!"

Gabriel did not laugh. And Dionysus could sense that his esteem had just plummeted with his rotten pun. However, the giant's eyes flared with anger. "Go back to sleep?" he roared, his voice shaking the ground. He could feel the divine power emanating from Gabriel, and it infuriated him. Despite his immense strength, he could sense the angel's superiority. Yet, she needed the help of a hero to kill him. And this human did not even appear to be a formidable warrior. With a furious roar, Porphyrion charged, his massive spear aimed directly at Gabriel. The ground trembled with each step of his dragon legs, the air vibrating with the intensity of his rage.

Gabriel remained still, her eyes calm and unwavering. Dionysos, standing slightly behind her, drew an ancient, weathered sword from its sheath, the blade glinting with a strange light. As the giant neared, Dionysos muttered under his breath, "Showtime."

Just as Porphyrion was about to strike, Gabriel moved with blinding speed. She sidestepped his thrust effortlessly, her wings flaring out with a divine light that temporarily blinded the giant. In the same fluid motion, she brought her hands together, summoning beams of pure, radiant light.

Dionysos, trying to look useful, lunged forward with his sword. "Take that!" he shouted, swinging wildly. The blade missed Porphyrion by a wide margin, striking a nearby tree instead. The tree, of course, exploded in a shower of splinters, but it did nothing to the giant.

Porphyrion barely noticed Dionysos's flailing. Gabriel, meanwhile, unleashed a barrage of light beams, each one striking Porphyrion with precision and overwhelming power. The beams pierced through his armor, searing his flesh and causing the giant to stagger and scream in agony.

Dionysos, still attempting to contribute, picked up a rock and hurled it at Porphyrion. The rock hit Gabriel on the back of her head, bouncing harmlessly off her. She glanced back at Dionysos with an arched eyebrow. "Really?"

"Sorry! My bad!" Dionysos stammered, trying to hide behind a bush that promptly burst into flames from Gabriel's radiant energy. He threw another rock - Ah! It touched the giant ! Now, he could said he had participated in vanquishing him!

Gabriel didn't give Porphyrion a moment to recover. Hovering above the now-vulnerable giant, she gathered her divine energy for a final, devastating attack. She extended her arms, and a brilliant, concentrated beam of light erupted from her palms, engulfing Porphyrion completely. The giant let out one last, despairing roar before the light consumed him, leaving nothing but a smoldering crater where he had stood.

[You dealt 1 damage to Porphyrion, contributing 0.0001% to his defeat]

[Level up!]

Thyrsopolis

Rachel and Issei halted in front of a cozy little witch house, its charm immediately apparent. A quaint sign reading "Adrastia's Counter" swung gently in the breeze, confirming they had found the right place. Rachel, had been on a quest to find the elusive witch Adrastia, who promised to help her grow stronger upon completing the tutorial. Now, it seemed, she had found the right place. With determination etched on her face, Red pushed the door open and stepped inside, Issei close on her heels.

As they crossed the threshold, the shop revealed itself to be a veritable trove of magical wonders. The air was thick with the fragrant blend of incense and old parchment. Shelves lined the walls, filled to bursting with ancient tomes and scrolls, each bearing arcane symbols and radiating a subtle, mysterious energy. In one corner, glass cabinets showcased a dazzling array of enchanted items. Amulets of protection, rings of invisibility, and pendants imbued with strength sparkled under the soft, ambient lighting. Among the more traditional magical wares, a discreet section displayed an assortment of enchanted dildos.

The center of the shop was dominated by a large, intricately carved wooden counter. Behind it, shelves were filled with bottles and vials of every shape and size, containing potions and elixirs in a dazzling spectrum of colors. Some potions bubbled and fizzed, while others glowed with an inner light, hinting at the powerful magic contained within.

Red's eyes moved to the figure behind the counter, and she paused, momentarily struck by the sight. Adrastia, the witch she had been seeking, stood there in all her glory. She was an alluring, mature woman with a seductive aura. Her tan skin glowed with a natural radiance, and her deep, dark eyes held an ancient wisdom. Adrastia's long, raven-black hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, contrasting beautifully with her flowing robes. The robes themselves were a deep, emerald green, embroidered with golden threads that accentuated her curvaceous figure, revealing just enough to tantalize without being overt.

Next to her was a man dressed in flamboyant, colorful attire. He wore a bright red tunic with intricate gold patterns, blue breeches, and a feathered hat that seemed almost too extravagant for the small shop. His face was adorned with a well-groomed mustache, and his eyes sparkled with mischief and charm. He gestured animatedly as he spoke with Adrastia, his movements fluid and expressive.

Both of them turned as the door closed behind Red and Issei. Adrastia raised a perfectly arched eyebrow, her gaze appraising the newcomers. "So," she said, her voice smooth and confident, "the girl has come for her training?"

Adrastia Zabini
Sorceress of Dionysos
Ambitious Vixen
Lv 172

Rachel took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Mistress Zabini, I've come to ask you to train me. I need to become stronger."

Adrastia's eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Red, her expression unreadable. She sensed the powerful aura of the girl, soul-bound to [Zarathustra's Notebook]. A student with such potential was a rare find. Though she tried to maintain her composure, a flicker of excitement danced in her eyes. "Very well," she said, her voice smooth. "I will train you."

Issei, who had been standing quietly, looked worried. "What am I supposed to do if Red leaves me?"

Before Adrastia could respond, the flamboyant man beside her clapped his hands together dramatically. "Ah, if Adrastia is going to train someone, then I shall train someone too!" He pointed flamboyantly at Issei. "And that someone will be you, my boy!"

Issei's eyes widened in surprise. "Me?"

"Yes! You'll be under the tutelage of the Marquis de Sade!"

Suddenly, the heavy wooden doors at the end of the hall creaked open. A man in imposing, heavy armor stepped into the room. His face, partially obscured by a helmet, revealed piercing eyes that seemed to assess everyone in the room.

"No," the armored man declared in a deep, authoritative voice, "the boy will go with me."

The flamboyant Marquis de Sade spun around dramatically, his expression shifting from surprise to mild annoyance.

"And who, pray tell, are you to make such a declaration?"

The warrior scowled, and unsheathed his blade.