Chapter 462
The Golden Apple.
It was the catalyst that changed the fate of countless Greek heroes and even divided the gods, igniting war.
Everyone knew the Trojan War—it was that famous.
In the Tower of Trials, aside from the Forbidden Fruit, it was one of the most powerful Sacred Relics.
Not only could it replicate the divine abilities of the gods from Greek and Roman mythology, but it also granted the direct blessings of those deities.
And now…
The one who had chosen Aphrodite, dooming Troy to ashes—
That very person was now staring blankly at the apple rolling toward him.
“This is…”
It couldn’t be real.
A Golden Apple appearing in a place like this was impossible.
This was just a provocation.
A blatant attempt to exploit his most painful memory and shake his resolve.
“You damn bastard…”
Paris clenched his lower lip.
How dare they craft such a cheap imitation just to mock him?
The thought of toying with his prey before finishing them off completely vanished.
[Paris activates Lv31 ‘Critical Arrow’!]
His presence vanished.
At the same time—
Tap.
The sound of someone kicking off the ground echoed.
They were running. Directly at him.
But the closer they got, the easier it would be to land a shot.
‘Die.’
Paris released the arrow.
Swish…!
The target: the ankle.
The arrow melted into the darkness.
Speed, power, and timing—
Everything was perfect.
Without a doubt…
Boom!
But the arrow shattered the ground, not its target.
“He dodged…?”
How?
“If you know where someone’s aiming, dodging becomes the easiest thing in the world.”
After all, who didn’t know about the infamous story of Paris shooting from behind a pillar, striking Achilles’ tendon?
This was why being part of a famous legend was a disadvantage.
One little provocation, and your next move became predictable.
Tap!
Using Phantom Demon Heavenly Step, Jinhyuk instantly closed the distance.
His speed was overwhelming.
But Paris could still fire two more arrows at this range.
“I admit, that was surprising. But it won’t matter. I’ll make you regret playing with a fake apple.”
“Oh, right. I almost forgot to tell you.”
Jinhyuk’s voice came from the darkness.
“That apple?”
A pause.
“It’s not fake.”
It was one of the Sacred Relics taken from Guntafer’s treasury.
In other words—
It was real.
At that moment, an indescribable aura surged from the Golden Apple.
“N-No!”
Paris shouted.
He had to stop it before it fully activated.
But he was too late.
[Sacred Relic ‘Golden Apple’ is activating!]
Whoooosh!
A brilliant light filled the tunnel.
“You fool! That choice… is nothing but hell. It only leads to ruin!”
“We’ll see about that. I’m not like you.”
Jinhyuk disappeared into the light.
⁕⁕⁕
[Dimensional severance detected. External time flow has been halted.]
‘The conditions match perfectly.’
Jinhyuk’s Eye of Gluttony immediately displayed Paris’ information.
—
[Character Information]
Name: Paris (Prince of Troy)
Level: 165
Unique Ability: Golden Apple
Skills:
– ‘Critical Arrow’ Lv31
– ‘Weak Spot Detection’ Lv30
– ‘Rapid Fire’ Lv30
– ‘Advanced Dagger Mastery’ Lv28
– ‘Stealth Movement’ Lv27
Copy Condition:
Paris, the unfortunate prince who lost his nation due to his own choices, was tormented by his decision for the rest of his life. If you successfully pass the trial of the Golden Apple, you can copy one of his unique abilities or skills.
—
Those seeking the authority of the Golden Apple must make a choice.
Who will you give the apple to?
Hera, Athena, or Aphrodite?
Shhh…
Along with the light, three figures emerged.
The three Olympian goddesses.
Technically, they were projections conjured by the Golden Apple’s activation.
‘And yet, their presence is overwhelming…’
Even as projections, the sheer divine aura they emitted was suffocating.
“Hmm…”
“So, someone has summoned the apple again?”
“Oh my. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this relic. And that man… could it be…?”
The three goddesses chattered for a moment before turning their attention to the one who had activated the apple.
Kang Jinhyuk.
Ordinarily, they would have eliminated him on sight.
After all, he was the very reason the war with Ragnarok had dragged on.
But.
This was not an Olympian issue.
The Golden Apple was a matter of pride for these three goddesses.
“Give it to me. In return, I shall grant you all the wealth and honor in this world.”
Hera extended a pale hand.
Thanks to Zeus’ constant infidelity, jealousy and rage burned inside her.
Naturally, choosing anyone else would provoke the greatest backlash.
“If you choose me, I shall grant you the wisdom to navigate even the most troubling situations and the glory of victory in war.”
Athena, the Goddess of Victory.
If he chose her, battles would undoubtedly become easier.
At least, within this sewer, her blessing would make victory a certainty.
However…
Aphrodite’s jealousy would be lethal for Alice and Teresa.
The thought of a berserk vampire progenitor and a corrupted saintess made Jinhyuk’s head ache already.
“Glory, power, honor… Those things are meaningless in the long run. If you give me the apple, I will ensure that you spend your life with the one you truly love.
“You know, Paris chose me too, after all.”
Aphrodite whispered confidently.
Men had always thrown away everything for love.
From ancient times to now, there was never a shortage of fools willing to fly into the fire like moths.
The three goddesses simultaneously pressured Jinhyuk for a decision.
‘Now, let’s see…’
Time was frozen for about 10 minutes.
He had to decide within that window.
A choice where gaining one meant losing the other two.
“Have you decided? Of course, I assume the answer is obvious.”
“I trust you’ll make a wise choice.”
“Fufu. Hurry and give me the apple. This victory will taste even sweeter.”
Each goddess extended a hand.
But then—
Thud!
The Golden Apple slipped from Jinhyuk’s fingers.
Roll…
It rolled precisely to the center of the three goddesses.
Equally distant from each of them—perfectly ambiguous.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Hera’s eyebrows furrowed sharply.
Ahem! Ahem!
Jinhyuk cleared his throat first.
“Aigoo! I got too lost in thought and my hand slipped. I mean, isn’t this the toughest choice? I have to pick one of the most beautiful beings in existence while inevitably earning the resentment of the other two.”
“So, are you saying you refuse to choose?”
“Not at all. It’s just… I don’t know enough about Olympian deities. You speak of honor, victory, and love, but I only trust what I see and experience myself.”
“You’re implying we need to prove ourselves first?”
“Haha. Even if I say it vaguely, you understand me perfectly.”
Olympus was already hostile toward him.
If he outright chose one goddess, the other two would become sworn enemies.
Even Jinhyuk wasn’t reckless enough to pour oil on an already burning fire.
This was the best possible approach.
“You dare doubt our power?”
“And now you even try to manipulate us?”
“My, my… You’re bolder than I expected. Are you fearless or just insulting our intelligence?”
A chilling killing intent surged from the goddesses.
They weren’t so foolish as to fall for simple tricks.
At least… not under normal circumstances.
“Then I suppose I must give up the Golden Apple. A shame, but I’ll choose no one.”
Jinhyuk sighed in mock disappointment.
Of course, he left a final spark before moving on.
“Oh, but… one of you already has an apple, so it doesn’t really matter, does it?”
At those words—
“…!?”
“…!”
“…”
All three goddesses’ eyes shook violently.
Of course.
The opportunity to regain the Golden Apple might never come again.
If things went south, Aphrodite would remain the only goddess to hold it.
And the worst part?
Jinhyuk was more influential than Paris.
At the time, Paris was still a prince with some standing.
But did his status extend beyond his myth?
Compared to a mere hero from one legend, Jinhyuk was a player recognized by gods across the Tower of Trials.
If put on a scale—who held more weight?
‘This could elevate me above all other goddesses…’
‘A title that spans across multiple mythologies.’
‘This bastard… To think he’d put me in this position. Still, if it keeps the others from bragging—especially that idiot archangel—it’s not too bad.’
Though they said nothing, their thoughts aligned.
This was an opportunity they couldn’t afford to miss.
More importantly—
Even if they granted their blessings, it was just a one-time thing.
If they could endure a bit of Zeus’ nagging, they could finally reclaim the Golden Apple.
Their hesitation didn’t last long.
“Name your price.”
“First, I’d like to take a deep breath of fresh air. Away from this stinking sewer.”
“Very well. Consider it done.”
Hera, speaking for the goddesses, agreed.
At the same time—
Ding!
—
[You have successfully copied the Unique Ability ‘Golden Apple.’]
[Golden Apple]
Acquisition Difficulty: Unmeasurable
Effect: Grants access to the support and blessings of Olympian deities.
(Note: The abilities and level of blessing depend on the user’s relationship with each deity.)
[The copied ability has been stored in ‘Memory of the World.’]
—
A golden system window appeared before Jinhyuk.
But did the goddesses realize something?
If he could copy abilities—
Then the Golden Apple was no longer a one-time-use item.
