Apocalypse Forecast

Hercules.

The legend of Greece, son of the great god Zeus, and the founder of twelve unparalleled feats.

Hero.

A demigod with divine blood flowing in his veins.

Even... the mighty Hercules!

At the moment the light emerged, Huai Shi was already stunned, countless titles flashing through his mind.

Unable to help but shiver...

Not with excitement, but with fear.

Awe.

Because an insurmountable high peak stood right before him, issuing a challenge, intending to kill him here.

Such a resolute will, unshakable, that even across such a vast distance, he could still feel that imposing battle intent, high morale, and an iron will that would not retreat or show mercy.

Why?

The moment such a thought arose, it was immediately answered.

Because he was an enemy of Publius.

And the other side had received orders, coming here to kill him.

Being a Crowned was nothing more than an insignificant appetizer, not even as effective as that previous arrow—a mere warning, like a horn sounded at the beginning of a battle.

Then who exactly was ’he’?

There wasn’t doubt about Hercules’s identity, but it was absolute disbelief that the legendary hero would stand before him.

The gods were dead, including Hercules himself.

Then, what stood before him must be a creation made by Publius through some technology, whether it was an animated recorded phenomenon or an intelligent Miracle Imprint, or perhaps both—a present entity of such essence.

Through the extraction of divine nature, a legend of old was recreated.

Merely based on this achievement and application of divine nature and Source Substance, Publius deserved the reputation of a Great Grandmaster of Source Studies.

Knowing that this was not Hercules himself, Huai Shi could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. But at best, this decreased the certainty of death to a ten percent chance of survival.

An exhausted self, against a Hercules in perfect condition?

Huai Shi dared not even imagine winning, with just his toes.

Then, to try to sway the opponent with words? To buy time? To call for Tong Ji’s rescue?

All seemed unlikely.

There was no room for language and negotiation, Publius would not leave that kind of loophole, and perhaps even Hercules knew he was a recreated record.

Delay was impossible; the opponent would not give him a chance.

And as Tong Ji had not appeared by now, it seemed she could not get away.

In other words, now facing Hercules, there was only himself... along with a dog and half a skeleton.

Thinking this made Huai Shi feel more despair.

Therefore, the only hope of victory, perhaps, could only be the flesh and blood of the Eternal Beast from within his Ruins!

Huai Shi instinctively clenched his right hand, looking for an opportunity to get closer, opening his mouth as if to speak, to attract the opponent’s attention and create an opportunity.

But the moment Huai Shi stepped forward, Hercules’ sharp gaze fell upon his right hand.

Extremely alert.

"Apologies, warrior."

He slightly pulled on the bowstring, "If you have something to say, please stand where you are."

As such, he easily saw through Huai Shi’s intentions.

Hercules said, "The ’Tefon’s Blood’ in your hand is too dangerous—"

Huai Shi smiled indifferently, but did not step forward, merely looking at his right hand, "Is the mighty Hercules afraid of such a thing?"

"The flesh and blood of the Progenitor of All Demons is nothing a ’fourth generation’ like me can touch."

Hercules replied calmly, "Probably on Olympus, only Dionysus would be crazy enough to touch such a thing.

Moreover, I am not complete, and I still have flaws."

Thus, openly admitting that he was not in his prime state, consistent with Huai Shi’s guess.

The Hercules before Huai Shi now likely was at the most extreme, just after completing the twelve unparalleled feats, not yet having sublimated into the divine nature to become the mighty hero.

Otherwise, if Publius could have simply recreated a mighty Hercules, why would he stay hidden in the core?

Faced with this terrifying enemy forged by Greek divine nature and supported by Helios himself, an idea suddenly dawned in Huai Shi’s mind—

The principle of Alchemy: there must be loss for gain!

To create a true god, they thereby created this Hell upon Helios.

And what must be created to forge Hercules?

No, what was Publius trying to create by bringing about Hercules?

"Apollo?"

Huai Shi realized: "Is Publius close to completing Apollo already!"

Helios is the Sun Chariot, holding the mystery and depth of the Greek pantheon, inherently possessing the resonance of Olympus, and recreating the god of light, Apollo, closely related to Helios would indeed be the optimal choice.

The origin of Hercules is likely derived from this!

——He is a fragment extracted and separated from Apollo’s purest divine nature!

Hercules smiled faintly, saying nothing in response.

"Honorable warrior, I am the son of the god Zeus, the inheritor of Olympus’ blood, the one Hera bestowed with glory!" The demigod hero drew the bowstring, aimed solemnly at the enemy before him, and asked:

"Tell me, your name!"

Huai Shi sighed, clutching the Resentment Water in his hand, intending not to answer.

In that instant, thunder erupted!

The remaining Source Substance, under the transformation of the Resentment Water, was once again divided into yin and yang. Then, as the circulating fresh blood closed, yin and yang merged, blazing light surfaced, and violent thunder burst forth from his hand!