Became the Weapon Monopolist of the Gods-Chapter 57: Hydra of Lerna (2)

Iolaus.

The nephew of Heracles, he was the one whom Heracles trusted most.

He was involved in two of the twelve labors: the slaying of the Hydra and the hunt for the Erymanthian Boar, and even drove a chariot to assist Heracles in his travels.

Even after the labors, Iolas continued to accompany Heracles on numerous adventures and battles, becoming a hero renowned for his victories.

And amidst those countless wars, Iolas became famous for one extraordinary ‘experience.’

In his old age, having defeated King Eurystheus of Mycenae, Iolas experienced a miracle of regaining his youth.

He was Heracles’ most loyal companion and the greatest warrior.

This is mentioned in Euripides’ tragedy Heracleidae.

In modern times, this has been interpreted {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} as Iolas having undergone ‘rejuvenation.’

A level of enlightenment where one reshapes their body to return to their prime condition — rejuvenation.

An S-class hunter among the top tiers.

A miracle that only a select few have experienced.

Although his name was obscured by the shadow of Heracles, Iolas was a monster who later reached levels higher than S-class.

He was a man who conquered Troy even before Odysseus.

In some media, he is sometimes depicted as a young boy, but this is merely to highlight Heracles, and in reality, Iolas was a powerful warrior who could rival any hero in myth.

His name was just buried beneath the incredible presence of Heracles.

“That’s why they only give him personal quests.”

It was terrifying just having Heracles around, but every one of his companions was a monster too.

Heracles’ close friend Theseus was no exception, and even his nephew Iolas was a superhuman.

If they were given a group task, even the gods would be pulling their hair out.

“I am Iolas, the nephew of Heracles.”

“I look forward to working with you.”

The sheer presence of Iolas, whom I was now seeing in person, made it clear why he was Heracles’ most trusted and strongest warrior.

His physique, as large as Heracles, and muscles honed through training, looked like a living mountain of stone.

“He’s not quite as big as Heracles, but Iolas, his nephew, is still someone to be wary of.”

Even Vanessa whispered to me quietly about how powerful Iolas was.

After all, he was someone Heracles took with him to hunt the Hydra, so there was no way he could be ordinary.

“Still, it must have been difficult for them together.”

The Hydra, now more powerful after inheriting the remnants of Typhon, had grown stronger with twelve heads.

Although Heracles and Iolas were legendary warriors, even the two of them would find it hard to face such a monster.

That’s probably why Moira, in her capacity as the goddess of fate, put forth a rule stating that only those without the 'String of Fate' could receive assistance.

This rule was likely created with me in mind.

However, there was one thing Moira didn’t know: I wasn’t the only one without the ‘String of Fate.’

“Your Highness, before hunting, we need to gather information on the Hydra and its habitat.”

“Seo-jun, it seems the people of Lerna village know quite a bit about the Hydra.”

Vanessa and Jeanne, both beings not native to this world, were unaware of this fact.

Moira, as much as she focused on fate, couldn’t have known about the two of them being summoned.

Hence, this rule was likely devised.

“Then, let’s start by gathering information.”

“That sounds like a good idea.”

Our group, including Vanessa, Jeanne, and Iolas, Heracles’ nephew, set out to gather information on the Hydra.

The Hydra had caused significant damage around the area, so gathering information on it was relatively easy.

“The Hydra usually prowls the swamp at night and sleeps in caves during the day. So, it would be best to target it during the day.”

We learned of the Hydra’s habits from the village chief of Lerna.

“Heracles, one of the Hydra’s heads is said to be immortal, according to the goddess Athena’s prophecy. We must be cautious.”

The temple priest conveyed the goddess’s advice.

─The Hydra’s heads think and act independently.

─It shares its body, but each head is a distinct creature.

─The heads are intelligent, but they are fierce and dangerous.

Nymphs, the spirits of nature, fluttered around Heracles, chatting about the Hydra. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

Thus, over the course of two days, we gathered various pieces of information about the Hydra.

The conclusion we arrived at was as follows:

“It’s better to strike down the heads one by one.”

Taking them down one by one.

According to the nymphs, the Hydra’s heads were considered to be individual life forms with their own personalities and behaviors.

While they shared a body, each head behaved differently.

That’s why each head had its own name.

We came up with the strategy of targeting the heads individually because their necks were impossibly long, providing a way to exploit them.

‘One head is at least 15 meters long.’

For reference, a fire hose is about 15 meters in length.

Each of the Hydra’s heads was as long as a fire hose.

Each head could even be compared to a dragon.

Of course, that didn’t mean we could perfectly defeat them one by one.

They shared senses and situations with one another.

We came up with a plan that took this into account.

“Your Highness, we need to lure the Hydra out of the swamp.”

“We should target it when it’s in the cave.”

The time for action was set for dawn.

The moment it would enter its cave to rest, after finishing its activities for the night, would be the time when the Hydra would be most vulnerable.

However, the real issue lay in the Hydra’s ‘poison.’

Its poison was so deadly that contact with it meant certain death.

The real challenge was how to cut off its heads without coming into contact with its venom.

“That part, leave to me.”

Heracles seemed to have complete confidence.

After all, in the myth, Heracles didn’t care about the poison at all when he took Iolas along to fight the Hydra, and he wasn’t one to be deterred by such trivial matters.

“I trust you.”

I decided to put my trust in Heracles.

The Hydra’s lair was located deep within the Lerna Swamp.

To approach it without being detected by the Hydra, we had to rely on Vanessa’s help.

By connecting with her, we could share her ability to mask our presence.

Even if we didn’t physically touch Vanessa, anyone connected to her could benefit from her ability.

Jeanne, learning this fact, questioned Vanessa.

“Why did you ask us to hold hands before?”

“Because it’s easier that way. If I’m at the center, I can help Seo-jun avoid tripping in the dark.”

Vanessa calmly responded, and Jeanne puffed her cheeks, unable to say anything more.

Since Vanessa herself explained that this was necessary for sharing the ability, Jeanne couldn’t argue further.

Thus, we headed towards the Lerna Swamp at the break of dawn.

The swamp, shrouded in darkness, was filled with a strange stillness.

Sss—sss—

From the center of the swamp, a massive something stirred.

A black, enormous body with twelve pairs of glowing red eyes in the dark.

A breath laced with venom, flicking out from a flickering tongue...

It was the Hydra, the offspring of Typhon.

Sssssssss—

The Hydra’s heads moved individually, wandering the swamp.

They were not mere extensions of one body.

Each head had its own will and acted as an independent being.

The head in the center was cautious.

It rose higher than the other heads, scanning the surroundings while taking in the air.

On the left, one head seemed agitated, constantly showing its teeth and looking around. It was suspicious and impatient.

Another head appeared uninterested, lazily dipping its body and licking water from the muddy puddles.

Some heads hunted, some kept watch, and some ate.

We held our breath and silently watched the Hydra’s movements.

How long had passed?

As the first light of dawn flickered across the sky, the Hydra turned and headed towards the cave.

Once the Hydra had completely disappeared into the cave, Heracles stood up.

“Let’s begin.”

He stepped forward with determination.

His direction was not towards the cave, but towards the long necks extending from the cave.

The twelve heads of the Hydra each had different temperaments, and their ways of sleeping varied.

Some slept inside the cave, while others stretched their necks outside.

We targeted the heads that extended outside the cave.

“Iolas, you handle the swamp heads.”

“Understood.”

Iolas, following Heracles’ orders, moved toward the swamp.

“We’ll take care of the other heads.”

“Got it.”

We entered the bushes.

Far ahead, I saw a Hydra’s head sticking out from the bushes, attempting to sleep.

“Vanessa.”

“Yes?”

Vanessa walked towards it.

I summoned Napoleon’s Rifle, hiding in the bushes, and fired a shot at the head.

Bang!

“Kyahhh!”

The Hydra, startled by the bullet hitting its head, let out a shrill cry as it woke up.

Its red eyes blazed with rage as it scanned its surroundings.

The target of its gaze was Vanessa.

Whooosh!

The Hydra’s head charged at Vanessa.

And—

Thud! Thud!

Vanessa turned and fled.

“Kyahhh!”

The enraged Hydra’s head started chasing Vanessa at breakneck speed.

Crunch! Crash!

The trees, rocks, and bushes in its path were smashed and melted away.

But it was no match for Vanessa, who moved like a ghost, dodging and weaving through the swamp.

Boom! Crunch!

The Hydra’s head couldn’t catch Vanessa, and only innocent scenery was destroyed.

“Kyahhh!”

The head, losing all reason, kept chasing Vanessa, its long neck twisting and turning.

Then, at one moment, the Hydra’s eyes widened.

—Kyahhh!

From the opposite direction, another Hydra’s head was charging at it with fierce speed.

In front of it was Iolas, luring it in.

Boom, boom!

Heracles, carrying the knocked-out Hydra head, ran with a force that shook the ground.

The Hydra, realizing the situation, tried to stop its neck, but it was too late.

The three heads, coming from three different directions, tangled together in an instant.

Vanessa, having finished her task, returned to me.

I first checked her condition. If she had touched the Hydra’s poison, I would have to ask Jeanne for purification.

“Vanessa, are you alright? Did you get poisoned?”

“No, I didn’t touch it.”

Fortunately, Vanessa had avoided the poison.

Even after being chased by the Hydra, she had come out without a scratch.

“Good work.”

“Will you give me a reward?”

“I’ll think of something appropriate.”

I awkwardly laughed and looked away from her teasing question.

“Keek, keek!”

The Hydra’s heads were tangled, fighting amongst themselves.

The more they fought, the more they tangled.

But even so, we still couldn’t hunt the Hydra.

The venom they emitted was terrible.

Wherever their breath touched, the plants and leaves melted, and the puddles evaporated.

Cutting the tangled necks without touching that poison seemed impossible.

Of course, cutting the necks wasn’t my task — it was Heracles’.

‘How does he cut them?’

I had always wondered.

The myth didn’t detail how Heracles avoided the poison when cutting the Hydra’s heads.

It only mentioned that he knocked them out with a club.

What trick did he use?

As I looked on curiously, Heracles gripped the weapon on his back.

It was an enormous, heavy-looking scythe.

Heracles casually held it with one hand, as if it were a twig.

Whooooosh.

A blue aura wrapped around the scythe.

Heracles’ vision intensified.

And then...

It began to grow.

“Crazy.”

The scythe, growing without end, stretched beyond the swamp and into the sky.

The scythe had grown large enough to sever the Hydra’s necks.

With that massive, absurdly large weapon, Heracles swung it down.

Swoooooosh—

The tangled heads were severed.

The reason Heracles could cut the Hydra’s heads without getting poisoned was simple.

He swung an insanely massive weapon outside the range of the poison.