The days blurred into weeks, then months, in this ancient world that felt both familiar and alien. As a baby, time moved differently—endless naps, feedings, and the frustrating helplessness of a body that couldn't keep up with my mind. But thanks to the Mythos System, I wasn't your average infant. That serpent-slaying stunt had bumped me to Level 3, and with the new quest nagging in my HUD—"Train in Secret: Reach Level 5 before your first birthday"—I had motivation.
Alcmene, my mother, doted on me like I was a fragile treasure. She was a strong woman, with calloused hands from farm work and a voice that could soothe storms. "Heracles, my miracle," she'd say, bouncing me on her knee while spinning tales of heroes and gods. Little did she know, I was absorbing every word, cross-referencing it with my modern knowledge. Amphitryon, my mortal "father" (though we both knew Zeus was the real deal), was a sturdy Theban general—broad-shouldered, with a beard like a lion's mane. He treated me like his own, teaching me basic grips on a wooden sword even before I could walk properly.
"Strong blood in you, boy," he'd grunt during our "playtime," which was really my covert training sessions. I'd toddle around the courtyard, lifting stones that should've been too heavy for a one-year-old, feeling the system's bonuses kick in.
**[Herculean Strength (Level 1) Activated: +10 Strength Boost]**
By night, when the household slept, I'd push myself harder. Push-ups (as best a toddler could), shadowboxing against imaginary foes. The system rewarded consistency:
**[Progress: Daily Training Streak - +1 EXP]**
**[Level Up! Now Level 4. +2 Strength, +1 Agility]**
But it wasn't all grind. This world was alive with myth—birds that whispered secrets (or so the legends said), winds carrying echoes of divine arguments. One evening, as the sun dipped behind the hills, I overheard Alcmene and Amphitryon arguing in hushed tones.
"The gods are restless," Amphitryon said, his voice low. "Zeus claims the boy as his, but Hera... she won't forget those serpents. We must be vigilant."
Alcmene sighed. "He's special, Amphitryon. Stronger than any child. Perhaps Zeus will protect him."
I gurgled from my corner, pretending innocence, but inside, I seethed. Protect me? Zeus was the reason for half the drama. From my memories, he was a serial cheater, zapping rivals and mortals alike. Hera, his wife, was vindictive as hell—literally. If they were antagonists in this story, I needed to level up fast.
The system seemed to agree. As I hit my first birthday (a quiet affair with honey cakes and prayers), the quest completed with a flourish.
**[Quest Completed: Train in Secret]**
**[Rewards: +1 Level (Now Level 5), Skill Unlocked - Mythic Sense (Level 1)]**
**[Description: Detect hidden threats and mythical energies within 50 meters. Passive.]**
Perfect timing. No sooner had the notification faded than a new quest popped up, escalating things.
**[New Quest: Hunt the Shadow Boar - A mythical beast roams the nearby woods, corrupted by Hera's spite. Slay it and absorb its essence. Reward: +3 Levels, Boar Hide Armor Schematic, Greek Pantheon Essence (Minor). Failure: Beast rampages the village.]**
A hunt? As a toddler? This system didn't pull punches. But excitement surged—I'd read about Hercules' labors starting big, and this felt like a prelude. Sneaking out wasn't hard; with Mythic Sense tingling like spider-sense, I waddled into the moonlit forest behind our hut, a makeshift wooden dagger clutched in my chubby fist (courtesy of Amphitryon's "toys").
The woods were eerie, twisted oaks whispering in the breeze. My sense picked up a dark aura ahead—something feral, infused with godly malice. Hoofbeats thundered, and there it was: the Shadow Boar. Twice the size of a normal pig, with tusks like obsidian blades and eyes glowing red. Shadows clung to its bristly hide, making it blend into the night. Hera's touch, no doubt—turning a simple animal into a monster.
It charged, snorting black mist. I dodged—barely—my agility saving me as tusks gouged the earth.
**[Combat Initiated: Agility Check Successful. +5 EXP]**
Time to fight back. Activating Herculean Strength, I felt power flood my tiny frame. I leaped—higher than any kid should—landing on its back. The boar bucked wildly, but I held on, stabbing at its neck.
**[Critical Hit! Weak Point Exploited.]**
Blood sprayed, but the beast wasn't done. It rammed a tree, trying to shake me off. Pain exploded in my side—cracked rib?—but Vitality kept me going.
**[Health: 75/100]**
Gritting my baby teeth, I channeled everything. "Come on, system—give me something!"
As if responding, a new prompt flashed:
**[Essence Absorption Unlocked: Drain minor energy from weakened foes.]**
I pressed my hand to the wound, feeling a pull. Dark essence flowed into me, weakening the boar. It collapsed with a final squeal, dissolving into wisps of shadow.
**[Quest Completed: Hunt the Shadow Boar]**
**[Rewards Dispensed: Level Up x3 (Now Level 8), Boar Hide Armor (Craftable), Greek Pantheon Essence Absorbed - Hera's Spite (Grants +5 Resistance to Curses).]**
Panting, I stood over the vanishing corpse. That was intense—but empowering. With this essence, I felt a sliver of Hera's power in me, twisted to my advantage. But as I turned to sneak back home, Mythic Sense blared like an alarm.
Overhead, storm clouds gathered unnaturally fast. Thunder roared, and a bolt of lightning struck nearby, illuminating a majestic figure in the sky—Zeus, bearded and armored, his eyes crackling with electricity. "My son," his voice boomed, echoing in my head. "You grow strong. But beware—Hera's wrath deepens. Prove yourself, or perish."
Before I could "respond" (with a gurgle?), another presence slithered in—a cold, jealous aura. Hera, watching from afar, her hatred palpable.
The gods were onto me. And if Zeus was "helping," it probably came with strings.
As I toddled back to the hut, nursing my bruises, I wondered: How long before the real labors hit? And what about that Lucifer whisper? Allies in strange places...
But for now, survival was key. The multiverse of myths was calling—and I was just getting started.