Chapter 19: This Is What You Call Natural Charm

After quickly reviewing the system notifications, Eros's gaze finally landed on the last message.

[Fragment of the Primordial Love God: Eros]

During your final battle with the serpent Python, you were driven by your inner emotions and desire, awakening an unexpected power.

The source of that power seems to be tied to this particular achievement.

[Fragment of the Primordial Love God: Eros]

A fragment of the yet-unborn god of primal love and desire, existing within the void. It is drawn to intense emotions and yearning.

Effect: Discover through experience.

Even the system didn't provide many details, but having felt that power firsthand, Eros already had a good grasp of what it could do.

Sure, he may have blurted out "cosmos" and "magnetic field rotation" in the heat of battle that day, but those weren't just empty words.

This was the power of the primordial god of love and desire, a force that could transform the emotions and desires of sentient beings into tangible strength.

In its nature, it was eerily similar to the concept of cosmos and spirit energy, idealist powers born of will.

The power it manifested had even conformed to his own ideals, subtly blending the concepts of "cosmic resonance" and "magnetic force" into a comprehensive bodily enhancement, from mind to body, a holistic strengthening.

However, it had its limits. If used in conflict with his true feelings, its effectiveness would plummet by seventy percent.

But conversely, if he were fueled by strong enough emotion or desire… even Eros couldn't predict what he might become capable of.

This really is top-tier SSR-level power.

Still, what kind of emotional state had triggered it back then?

It must've been sheer desperation, pure survival instinct. Right? Right?!

He wasn't some Greek Superman, though… well, maybe he did want to get to know a few more goddesses.

"Alright, we're here."

Perseis's voice pulled Eros back from his swirling thoughts.

She lifted the vine curtain in front of them, revealing a hidden wonderland beyond the dense forest.

Trickling streams flowed gracefully down carved stone steps, and countless nymphs clad in sheer gauze and crowned with flower wreaths danced lightly through the grove.

Goddesses of all kinds mingled, laughing and swaying their golden goblets of mead.

The moment Eros stepped in, he was stunned.

So this is a goddess's banquet?

This is the essence of ancient Greece?

Those translucent Grecian veils barely concealed anything, and this was a lively party filled with wine and flirtation.

Everywhere he looked, goddesses were cuddling, caressing, kissing one another in plain view.

He hadn't paid much attention before, but now he realized it. Ancient Greek culture really was bold, unrestrained… and amazing.

These were real goddesses, not some shapeshifting impostors from Nantong.

Eros's sense of fulfillment was overflowing. He wanted nothing more than to dive straight in.

At this point, he didn't even know who he was anymore, or what he was supposed to be doing.

He only knew one thing:

He was about to conquer this whole battlefield.

"Big sis, you're finally back! And… who's this?"

A goddess approached, but her gaze quickly locked onto Eros.

After all, they usually only mingled with fellow Oceanid sisters. None of them had ever encountered someone like Eros, someone with such a distinctly masculine presence.

It was like opposite poles of a magnet, instant attraction.

As the eldest and most mature of the Oceanids, Styx gave a helpless smile.

This was exactly why she'd wanted to stop Perseis earlier.

Long ago, due to the non-birth of a certain primordial deity, Gaia had used herself as a template to create the first generation of gods.

Thus, though Uranus bore the title of "Sky Father," she was, in truth, a goddess in form, laying the foundation for a divine hierarchy ruled almost entirely by women.

Even with the Fates, led by Ananke, maintaining balance between male and female lifeforms, the gods still had to assume paternal roles...

But it hadn't changed the cultural reality. The goddesses maintained their supremacy, echoing Gaia's matriarchal origin.

And this truth, Eros still had no clue about.

He didn't know that, in this Greek mythos, certain cosmic accidents had led to the overwhelming prosperity of matrilineal clans.

All he knew was—

"These goddesses are insane!"

But if they wanted to include him in their playtime… then, hey, no complaints.

Watching beautiful girls kiss was one of his favorite things.

Faced with the goddesses' burning curiosity and fervent stares, Eros screamed internally:

Let the storm come! I can handle it!

"Hey! He's our guest, remember? Big sis and I found him first!"

Perseis grabbed Eros's arm and looked defensively at the other goddesses closing in.

"Ahem… aren't you and big sis already married?" one goddess coughed lightly, clearly teasing. "Why guard him so fiercely? Let us welcome our new guest too!"

Even among goddesses, marriage still existed, and both Perseis and Styx were already married, even had children.

Everyone knew that Hera, the current Queen of the Gods, placed great emphasis on marital loyalty these days.

So if you're already married, why hoard such prime-quality resources for yourself?

Why not share the joy with your sisters?

Let them owe you one, and hey, worst case, you get a few bites in return next time.

"Hey hey! He's human! And male at that!" Perseis panicked, hoping to stop her sisters' growing interest.

"But he's so good-looking! Who says men can't be beautiful?"

"Exactly! So what if he's human? Can't we get to know him?"

No matter how hard Perseis tried, she couldn't stop her sisters' enthusiasm.

They pulled Eros away from her and led him straight to the center of the banquet.

Even Styx hadn't expected things to spiral like this.

Surrounded by a crowd of flirtatious goddesses, Eros was bombarded from every direction.

"What's your name?"

"Where are you from?"

"Do you have a partner?"

He felt like a rare commodity tossed into a speed-dating arena.

These Oceanids were way more passionate than he'd imagined, fulfilling every fantasy he'd ever had about ancient Greece.

Where was that one from earlier? He wanted to lean on her again… she was surprisingly soft.

In all his time in this world, these few minutes were the happiest he'd ever been.

This sea? He chose the right one.

All that life-or-death struggle with Python, it was worth it.

Is this the reward of the brave?

Struggling free from the ring of goddesses, Eros stood up.

"Ladies, please, a little calm!"

"I understand you all have questions and curiosities," he said, voice steady. "But let's not rush. Let me answer them… one at a time."

Apollo, my good bro… allow me to borrow your skill just this once.

Raising his hand, Eros gently took a lyre from the hands of a nearby nymph. After adjusting it quickly, he began to play.

And then, he sang.

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Hey everyone! I'll be dropping an extra 1 chapter once we hit 800 power stones! If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to spend some power stones. I'd really appreciate the support. Thanks a bunch!

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