The Greece Antagonist

"Watching the fun is all well and good; I'm in need of a few chat mates to relieve the boredom, just be careful you don't end up becoming the joke yourselves…"

"Oh, what do you mean?"

Upon hearing Sisyphus's meaningful tease, Luo En couldn't help but become a bit curious.

"Friend, not just anyone is qualified to come to this place, either it's prisoners who have committed serious crimes, like me…"

Sisyphus said with a grin, pointing to his own nose, and then looked at Luo En and Thetis with a playful gaze.

"Or it's rule-breakers who sneak in, because of trespassing, they are transported by 'Erebus' directly to the bottom layer of the Netherworld—Tartarus Hell, like... you?" Discover exclusive content at empire

'Erebus' means 'Darkness,' a dark defense system crafted by the Goddess of the Night, Nyx, for the Netherworld. It is the first place one must pass through after death to enter the Netherworld, located between the world of the living and the land of the dead, in essence, it's three veils of darkness.

That's right.

The dark area that Luo En and Thetis passed through before, via three underwater bronze doors, was precisely the Netherworld's defense system called 'Erebus,' as mentioned by Sisyphus.

Due to their abnormalities, they were thrown directly to the bottom layer of the Netherworld—Tartarus.

This place is a prison with the most stringent defense in the Netherworld; defeated Titans, ancient mythical creatures, and deeply wicked sinners—they are all prisoners here. Few manage to escape successfully.

"How should we get out?"

Luo En and Thetis looked at each other and muttered with headaches.

They had been wandering in the dark wilderness for a while, and even with the protection of the 'Holy Fire,' they still couldn't find the correct direction. If it weren't for accidentally nearing this mountain and being drawn by Sisyphus's rock-pushing, who knows how much longer they would've gone in circles.

"Don't know the way? No problem, I know this place well! Where do you want to go? I'll take you!"

Upon hearing this, Sisyphus nearby quickly turned his eyes and proactively approached, appearing exceedingly amiable and enthusiastic.

Luo En glanced at the handcuffs and shackles clanging on Sisyphus, his gaze contemptuous.

"You're that kind? Let's be blunt, don't you just want us to help break your chains and take you out of here?"

"Haha, it's all on the way, on the way. Aren't you lacking a guide? I just happen to know how to escape from this damned place; we all get what we need without delay."

Sisyphus replied with a chuckle, showing no shame in having his little schemes exposed.

Thetis pulled Luo En, who wanted to continue mocking a few more words, and gently reminded him.

"He's not wrong..."

"Right, right, this beautiful goddess knows what's up. Come on, help me get out of these shackles first. Be careful, don't take too long or you might run into that guard dog that keeps patrolling back and forth."

Sisyphus eagerly extended his hands and feet, his familiar tone and winking gestures as if the two sides had already negotiated to work together.

The living who actively enter the Netherworld are either ignorant fools or formidable characters with ulterior motives.

The fact that they didn't get lost in that original darkness proved that it was very likely the latter.

In situations like these, one should undoubtedly seize the opportunity; Sisyphus didn't want to be stuck in this place pushing a boulder for all eternity.

Of course, best if the other party is a bit foolish and could be used to buy him some time against the Netherworld's pursuers at the crucial moment.

However, the fraudster who was busy plotting in secret failed to notice the quiet exchange of looks between Luo En and Thetis, nor the almost imperceptible mockery in their eyes.

Good, he took the bait...

Knowing this was a habitual fraudster, Luo En and Thetis naturally wouldn't easily trust that this guy was so kind-hearted.

The reason they exposed themselves to Sisyphus after the Sleep God Hypnos left wasn't just for simple pleasantries and watching the show.

On one hand, they truly needed a guide to lead them out of Tartarus.

Locating someone with successful escape experience in such a desolate wasteland had a probability even lower than that of winning the lottery.

Not taking the opportunity to rope him into their group would be a disservice to Sisyphus's active performance.

On the other hand, someone had to carry the blame for stirring up trouble in the Netherworld.

Sisyphus, with all his traits, was the perfect fit.

Moreover, judging by his list of grievances, should they encounter insurmountable Netherworld pursuers along the way, simply shouting "Sisyphus is here" and tossing him out was sure to be more effective than any type of meat shield.

The two played good cop and bad cop and, after successfully tricking Sisyphus, slightly lowered their guard and willingly showed some kindness. They took care of steadying the giant boulder and worked on breaking the chains on him.

Luo En tugged at the chains forged from mountain bronze and scanned over the familiar-looking spells etched upon them, feeling greatly assured.

Thankfully, Sisyphus was just a demigod; there was no need for a top-class divine artifact to serve as a restraining instrument.

If that had been the case, even if he wanted to recruit Sisyphus, he could've done nothing but helplessly admit he couldn't assist.

Once he confirmed that it wasn't difficult to destroy the object, Luo En completely relaxed and, while deciphering the spells on the chains, asked with interest,

"Speaking of which, why do you make a mockery of the gods? With your intelligence, you should know the consequences of such irreverence."

"How can this be called irreverence! I'm the most devout person there is!"

Sisyphus retorted indignantly upon hearing this, his face full of grievance.

"Look, I simply made use of the deception and cunning bestowed upon mankind by the gods. The more successful I am, doesn't it just prove how excellent their creations are?