Between the mountaintops, the lingering notes echoed.
Not long after Jason and Atalanta arrived at the foot of the mountain, they heard the people below discussing the matter.
"They say a great deity is watching us from the mountaintop. It looks like that is indeed the case."
"Yes, I really want to go see it..."
"Forget it. So far, so many heroes have tried, but not a single one has succeeded... I do not know which great deity is watching us from up there."
"This lyre music is so beautiful... Could the great deity playing it be the God of Light Apollo?"
"I heard that whenever the God of Light Apollo plays, all living beings stop what they are doing to listen... It probably is not him."
"Speaking of lyre music... It is said that there is a hero whose playing received the acknowledgment of all the gods. It is not inferior to the God of Light Apollo at all."
"Are you referring to the white-robed hero Heracles, who held the wedding for the Underworld King Hades and the Underworld Queen Persephone?"
"Come to think of it, I heard that the formation of this town here is also because of Lord Heracles... It is a pity that he did not leave his name on the mountaintop. But if it were him, he could probably push the boulder straight to the top."
As soon as these words were spoken, the topic instantly converged on the white-robed hero.
Thus, many of the things Jason had done were gradually unearthed one by one through people's words.
Clearly, because of the wedding of the Underworld King and Queen, the name of the white-robed Heracles had completely resounded across the entire Greek continent. He had become the most renowned hero of the current era.
Atalanta looked at Jason beside her and said, "How does it feel?"
"What?" Jason looked at Atalanta, his eyes dazed. "What are you talking about, Atalanta? I am Jason. Who is this white-robed Heracles? I do not know him."
The emotionless response made Atalanta feel a bit amused.
At this moment, Jason had shed his conspicuous white robes and changed into black attire adorned with patterns of underworld butterflies.
His hair color had also turned black.
Although Jason did not understand why Goddess Rhea had required him to leave the name Jason on the mountain... Or rather, why it was Goddess Athena who had made such a request.
But with Jason's cautious personality of always preparing for the worst.
When he learned that the white robes, golden hair, green eyes, and pegasus had become the signature identifiers of the white-robed Heracles, he naturally prepared another "travel outfit."
That was the black robes representing his status as Hecate's student, emblazoned with patterns of underworld butterflies.
Now, even if Heracles himself were here, he probably could not identify Jason at a glance.
Atalanta said nothing more. She silently followed by Jason's side and came to the foot of the mountain, before Sisyphus.
This was not the first time Atalanta had accompanied Jason. And she was the existence that Medea envied the most, aside from those few goddesses.
In Jason's stories, her shadow often accompanied him.
Thus, Atalanta had long understood what she should do and how to act when by Jason's side.
Such tacit understanding had accumulated over time.
Atalanta did not resent such a supporting role... To be precise, she had minded it at first.
After all, as the most favored and outstanding child of Artemis, Atalanta naturally had her own pride.
But...
Comparison and disparity were actually quite subtle things.
If the two were not too great, it would ignite a fighting spirit.
But if they were too vast, then nothing would be left.
In some cases, it could even become an obstacle.
"...It is you?"
When Jason arrived before Sisyphus and had not yet had a chance to speak to him.
The Sisyphus who had seemed so wretched back then, who had lost interest in everything and was like a living corpse, now recognized Jason at a glance.
At the same time, he himself had undergone a tremendous change.
Now dressed in decent clothes, having shed the filth from his body, he presented the appearance of a sturdy middle-aged man.
If not for the punishment from the gods, he had been a king of a country, known as one of the most cunning humans.
"You have finally come." Before the slightly stunned Jason could say anything, Sisyphus smiled at him and said, "I have been waiting for you for a long time... You came this time to push the stone to the mountaintop, right?"
"...I clearly disguised myself like this." Jason looked at Sisyphus with some helplessness and curiosity.
"You changed everything about me now. How could I possibly fail to recognize you?"
Hearing this, Jason thought for a moment and nodded lightly.
He considered that if he were Sisyphus, he probably could not fail to recognize him just because of a change of clothes and hair color.
And while Jason was speaking with Sisyphus, many gazes turned toward them from the surroundings.
Moreover, many people recognized Atalanta and began to whisper in surprise.
Because Atalanta was an existence who had left a name on the mountaintop worthy of ranking among the top!
Sisyphus also recognized Atalanta. He said to her, "You came again. Do you want to challenge it... Since you left, aside from a few people, it has been half a month since anyone came here to attempt the challenge."
"Half a month?"
Sensing Jason's confusion, Sisyphus explained, "Since the agreement you made with that great deity was formed, I no longer need to push the boulder to the mountaintop every day... At first, there were indeed many challengers.
But as time passed, they became fewer and fewer..."
Hearing this, Jason blinked first. Then he turned his head to look at the passersby watching from the surroundings. Jason gradually understood and nodded lightly.
"I see... Wanting to become a hero whose legend endures for ages, wanting to obtain the glory of a hero, is a motivation. But at the same time, it is also a pressure."
Jason looked at the puzzled Atalanta and Sisyphus who were watching him and explained, "If I am not mistaken, so far, several heroes have already come here and pushed the boulder to heights that ordinary people cannot match.
And now is different from before. Too many people have gathered here. Thus, the one who reaches the top will receive the attention and expectations of all who come.
Therefore, unless one has a certain confidence in their own strength, they will not come to humiliate themselves."
Jason simply sorted out the situation. At the same time, he understood why Rhea had called him here, saying it was time to end the former "game."
And Atalanta recalled how, when she had pushed the boulder back then, she was watched by everyone. Even many had placed bets below. She could not help but nod lightly.
"Then do you still want to continue?" Atalanta looked at Jason. She knew how much this person disliked showing his face.
"...There is no retreating now."
Jason sighed lightly and looked up toward the mountaintop.
There, the exquisite music was still playing.
The Goddess of Wisdom Athena was on the mountaintop, waiting for him.
"...You have it hard too."
As Atalanta's words of emotion fell, her hands were instantly grabbed by Jason.
"It is hard, it is hard. Atalanta, you actually, you finally understand me!"
Jason looked at Atalanta with eyes full of affection, on the verge of tears.
"Let go!"
Black lines appeared on Atalanta's forehead. She shook off Jason and said, "No matter what, this is still your good fortune. After all, being watched by the great ones is something that everyone except you yearns for from the bottom of their hearts!"
"Does that include you?"
Of course!... If it were before, Atalanta would definitely answer like that.
But as her interactions with Jason deepened and she learned more and more...
"I am the most loyal follower of Lady Artemis. I only need to receive Lady Artemis's love."
Seeing Atalanta's righteous answer, Jason could not help but roll his eyes. He said, "I am still Teacher Hecate's beloved disciple. I only want to receive Teacher Hecate's love too!"
The instant he said it, Jason regretted it and wanted to slap himself.
At this moment, Athena was on the mountaintop. Knowing the situation and still daring to say this, he really was not afraid of death!
But fortunately, the lyre music coming down from the mountaintop remained unchanged.
Jason, who had quietly breathed a sigh of relief, no longer hesitated. He came to Sisyphus's side.
"I never thought the result would still be me doing it myself. I originally wanted to have Senior Brother Heracles come... Um, Heracles... Is this karma?"
When Jason came to Sisyphus's side, and under the push of the two, the boulder began to slowly move toward the mountaintop. It had not been long before this matter spread throughout the small town holding this event.
Soon, everyone put down what they were doing and gathered here.
Just as Jason had said, every act of pushing the boulder now clearly drew the attention of the townspeople.
After all, they had gathered here because of this.
Half a month without anyone attempting it, and now finally someone had the courage to do so. For them now... It was probably like a festival.
"Who is that guy?"
"I do not know, do not recognize him. But he looks pretty handsome..."
Facts proved that no matter the place, looks mattered.
"Tch, so what if he is handsome? With those skinny arms and legs, I bet he will come down in less than half a day!"
"That might not be the case... Have you not noticed the female hunter standing by the side, who came with him?
Do you not think she looks familiar... That female hunter is the one who almost pushed the boulder to the highest point!"
Below, it grew increasingly lively. The heated discussions were loud, but this did not affect Jason in the slightest.
And under his pulling, the boulder rolled bit by bit toward the mountaintop...