Since I didn't have much time, I just went with Artemis to the fighting arena. What I did like about this, though, was that I already got Cleave just for agreeing to help her so winning or losing didn't really matter to me.
[Bonus Acquisition: Due to having three of the required skills, you have unlocked a bonus skill.]
[King of Curses: Hand-to-Hand Combat (Sukuna-style)]
Another passive skill, this one boosting my hand-to-hand combat. As long as I'm barehanded, I get a 30% increase to all physical stats. I'm guessing the 30% comes from the three prerequisite skills I already had, which makes me wonder if I could stack it higher? Something to test later for sure.
"Alright, go forward. We'll be watching from above. Also, be aware that most gods and goddesses will be watching simply because they're bored."
"Whatever."
"Don't mess around!" Rethy suddenly burst out in a fit.
I gave her a weird look. Seriously, how the hell was she a captain? You'd think someone in her position would have better control over their emotions. She looked ready to bite someone—and unfortunately, I was the closest target.
"Rethy." Artemis's voice dropped colder than I'd ever heard.
I turned toward her, curious.
Wasn't expecting that from her. I smiled with mild glee. My eyes caught it—even if only for a second. This goddess was leaking a bundle of negative emotions. Seeing it up close, from a being like her, I could make out different colors—muted waves of red, dark blues, flickers of something else.
That got me thinking—maybe those colors represented individual emotions.
You'd think I'd have noticed something like this earlier. Especially from that Bell kid. Whe—wait... he was probably only feeling one emotion at the time. Fear. Nothing complex. Just raw, primal panic.
'And maybe,' I paused. 'You need a certain strength of spirit to give your emotions enough weight to color them like that.'
My curiosity was piqued.
"Enkidu, I ask that you take this seriously. I'd rather not become someone's trophy lover."
"Then why accept the challenge?"
"Because I want peace. If I didn't, that annoying pest Apollo would keep bothering me and my Familia. I also have reason to believe he was the one behind the attack."
I nodded, not really caring about the details. This was still just a test of my abilities—and a free skill on top. Still, I'll admit... things were starting to feel a lot more interesting.
The arena itself was inside a coliseum that looked like something straight out of ancient Rome. Stone pillars, wide gates, and rows of spectator seating carved into the walls. The stands were packed, mostly with adventurers, though a few civilians had managed to sneak in too. Crazy how fast word got around but I guess that just proves how bored people are when there's nothing else to entertain them.
The heat of the day hadn't faded either. The stone radiated warmth, and the faint scent of dust, sweat, and old blood lingered just beneath the surface. It was oddly comforting.
I stood in the center of the battlefield, dressed in the Jujutsu High uniform. Thankfully, my opponent didn't make me wait.
A girl with long blonde hair and golden eyes approached, a sword strapped to her hip. But what stood out the most wasn't her looks. It was the total absence of negative energy around her.
Not even a trace.
She's probably one of those righteous types. That was my first thought when I noticed her state. Normally, there's at least a flicker of negativity either it being regret, anger, envy, something. I'd learned that just by walking through the city. Everyone had something.
Everyone except her.
"Yo." I kept my hands in my pockets, not really taking her seriously. She was probably strong, sure but if she wasn't going to fight to kill, then this whole thing was already pointless.
I'd already won.
"YOU CHEATING PRICK!"
Looking up at the screaming goddess, I couldn't believe my ears.
Whistle~
"Never would've guessed Artemis could get that emotional." I let out a whistle of amusement.
The voice came from the stands, smooth, theatrical, and soaked in self-satisfaction.
A golden-haired, golden-eyed narcissist himself. He wore a pristine white toga trimmed with gold, a smug grin glued to his face like it was carved there. Even from this distance, the man radiated vanity. If confidence could be bottled, he'd sell it under his own name.
This is Apollo? This prick was actually annoying me.
"What do you mean cheating?" Apollo said, feigning offense with a hand to his chest. "I simply followed the rules—'eyes for people,' wasn't it? And I found the best person. Should I apologize for having taste?"
"Picking someone from another Familia is cheating!" Artemis snapped, her divine presence flaring for a second. It was cold, sharp, and furious.
Apollo laughed with that graceful, annoyingly melodic type of laugh that made you want to punch someone just for having vocal cords.
"No, no. We never agreed on those rules. And besides, I didn't get her for free." His smile widened. "I paid a hefty sum, you know? Investments must be respected."
"Tch." Artemis sat down in a fit, arms crossed, emotions boiling off her in waves. Those negative emotions burst out even more than before. The feeling of them entering my senses brought a relief and glee I hadn't experienced in my entire life on Earth.
I felt like I was in heaven.
"Haha~" Laughter came out of me before I could hold it back. Just this once.
'Just this once, Artemis... I'll do you a favor out of goodwill.'
Today was her lucky day.