Chapter 18: The Ocean Goddesses(400 P.S Chapter)

"Ugh…"

Eros groaned faintly as he slowly regained consciousness. How long he'd been out, he had no idea.

The sky… or rather, the lack of a ceiling greeted him. All he could see was dazzling sunlight.

And something massive. Something overwhelmingly sinful.

The very first thing Eros saw left him utterly stunned.

Had he died?

Was this the paradise blessed by the Almighty himself, the one with seventy-two beautiful maidens serving him day and night?

If not, how else was he supposed to explain this colossal wickedness in front of him?

Perhaps sensing that Eros had finally opened his eyes and was now frozen in place, the figure before him tilted her head in confusion and gave him a little wave.

A slight sway of the water-filled skin hanging at her side made Eros's gaze instinctively follow its bounce. When he still didn't respond, the massive "treasure chest" in front of him stood up.

"Sis, why isn't he reacting?" she asked.

Another voice came from off to the side, belonging to another figure just as striking.

"That's just how mortals are. Don't mind it."

"Really?" the girl asked, poking Eros's cheek and then his chest.

"But this one's built a bit differently. Are you sure he's human? Not some disguised god?"

"Don't be silly, Perseis. Gods don't—"

At that moment, Eros finally came to, shooting upright in a panic.

Only to crash straight into something soft and rebound right back down.

"Yikes?!"

The towering chest-girl yelped and instinctively covered herself. Both women now stared at Eros with a mix of surprise and scrutiny.

Shaking his head to clear the dizziness, Eros tried to calm the storm inside his heart.

There were still system messages to check, but seriously, what could possibly be more important than the two literal goddesses in front of him?

Stay calm. Stay cool.

Remember what happened with Apollo and Zeus?

Ask questions first. Confirm identities. Don't fall for yet another shapeshifted goddess from Nantong.

"Ahem… Excuse me, but… may I ask where I am? And who might you two goddesses be?"

With that, Eros offered his trademark warm and polite smile, refined through long practice.

With the added bonus from his achievement as the "Shepherd of Love and Beauty," that smile now packed lethal charm.

Both goddesses flushed slightly, a strange blush tinting their cheeks as their gazes lingered a bit too long.

"Thank goodness, you're finally awake! I'm Styx, and she's Perseis. What's your name?"

The more mature, graceful dark-haired goddess answered gently.

Perseis, on the other hand, had fiery red hair that looked like it was actively burning.

"As for this place, this is Naxos Island. We're just using it temporarily for a little gathering."

Styx? Perseis?

The names sounded familiar, but Eros couldn't quite place them. Must not be among the top-tier gods, definitely not any of the big-name Olympians.

After a moment's hesitation, Eros decided to tell the truth.

"My name is Eros. I'm just an ordinary human."

"Eros?! I've heard of that name!"

Perseis's eyes widened dramatically, her flaming hair swaying with her excitement.

"They say a mortal by that name caught Zeus's eye! Don't tell me… you're the legendary beautiful man everyone's been whispering about?!"

Thanks, but I really hate that description…

Eros's smile froze. This "Zeus's lover" thing is never going away, is it?

Styx, more perceptive, caught the subtle change in Eros's expression and quickly scolded her companion.

"I told you to stop listening to those weird rumors. He's clearly a rare prophet among mortals, a Firebearer, a man of great wisdom."

"But I was just—"

Perseis tried to argue, but Styx clamped her hand over the girl's mouth.

"That's enough. Quiet."

Then she leaned in and whispered something in Perseis's ear, after which the redhead finally settled down.

Releasing her, Styx turned back to Eros with a soft smile.

"So then, wise Eros the Sage. Were you cast adrift at sea in an attempt to escape the world's destruction?"

They'd found him washed up on the beach. If not for his striking face, they might not have noticed him at all.

"Please… just Eros is fine. 'Sage' feels a bit much."

After those kind words from Styx, Eros felt a whole lot more comfortable.

Now this, this is how things are supposed to go.

In his conversation with Styx, Eros learned that he had been unconscious for several days at sea.

If luck hadn't been on his side, he probably would've drowned alongside Python at the bottom of the ocean.

But perhaps fate had other plans. By drifting here, onto this remote island of goddesses, he had unknowingly avoided annihilation.

"Oh right! Want to join our party?"

Perseis's flaming hair danced as she grabbed his hand enthusiastically.

"I'm super curious about your story!"

Styx looked like she wanted to object, but in the end, said nothing.

Fine. Whatever happens, happens.

Eros, of course, welcomed the invitation and used the break in conversation to finally check on the system updates.

He'd been unconscious for days. As expected, the backlog of notifications was long.

[Title Gained: Slayer of the Serpent]

You defeated Python, the fated nemesis of the God of Light, striking it down atop the waves and penning the first verse of a new human epic.

Effect: Greatly increases renown. Enhanced intimidation toward serpents. Attacks have a chance to trigger critical effects.

Pretty average. Not great. But then again, Python was really just a stepping stone, so Eros didn't mind too much.

[Title Gained: Last of the Silver Age]

You bore witness to the end of the Silver Age and remain its final survivor.

Effect: Slight increase in renown. Your stories gain greater authenticity and persuasive power.

Not immediately useful… but maybe it'll come in handy somehow.

[Relationship Update: Apollo – Friend or Higher]

Firebearer skill unlocked.

You have acquired the [Music] skill from Apollo.

Eros winced.

Let's just say… comrades in arms. Nothing weird. Please.

This system really loved being vague. No numbers, no clarity, just cryptic phrases.

But still… if he'd been out this long, where the heck was Apollo now?

Out at sea, Poseidon wiped her face and swore under her breath.

"Damn it. Has she gone completely nuts? Did I even provoke her? Why's she coming at me like this?"

Now that the divine clash had ended, her followers finally regrouped around her.

"Are you alright, Lady Poseidon?"

"Do I look like I'm not?!"

Poseidon shot a glare at the sea-spirit who'd asked, then smoothed out her appearance.

"Enough chatter. Keep leading the way."

"I can't wait another moment to meet my destined Sea Queen."

Lore Notes: OG Author's Note****

Perseis: Not to be confused with Persephone, Queen of the Underworld. Perseis is one of the ocean goddesses, wife of the sun god Helios. Among her children are Circe (yes, that witch auntie from certain tragic romances) and Pasiphaë, queen of Crete who gave birth to the Minotaur. She's also Medea's grandmother. Quite the family tree.

Styx: Goddess of the sacred River Styx, eldest of the ocean sisters. Her husband is Pallas (yes, the one whose name Athena kinda stole). Her most famous child? Nike, the Goddess of Victory, yes, like the shoe brand.

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