Deep in an era where money and power was everything, an age where demons, beast and monsters were a reality, mid countries with great military power oppressed smaller countries to increase their territories, some countries fight back by paying mercenaries.

These small countries usually don't have enough resources to pay strong mercenaries, and they don't usually get help at all, Hera is one of the few mercenaries who come to the aid of small countries, People are ranked by how strong they are through their overall stats for example:

Amateur: [30-99]

Low: [100-200]

Mid-Low: [200-250]

High-Low: [250-300]

Low-Mid: [300-350]

Mid: [350-380]

High-Mid: [380-400]

Low-High: [400-600]

Mid-High: [600-800]

High: [800-1000]

There are only 50 warriors with the rating of mid-high, they are the strongest people in the world, most of them are independent and some are affiliated with high countries, there has only been 4 humans in history with "high" rating, Hera had a low rating, only people with rating 90 and above can be mercenaries.

Hera, a 23yr old with a tough childhood and no memories of his real parents, lived on Mt. Dikte with his foster mother, who was considered a witch by the people. They were isolated and faced contempt from others. But Hera found solace with his uncle Gaius, who taught him how to fish at the coast.

Gaius is a friend to Hera's foster mother he lives below the mountains, Hera returns home before sunset to set his trap and raise their fence, so wolves won't penetrate, this was his daily routine, he already learned to accept life just the way it is. It was the "Oja-Gaia" a day which the people below the mountains hold an annual festival where mages of that town showcase their abilities, it was Hera's 16th birthday (given to him by his foster mother), Hera couldn't go to the festival because he will only cause a fuss, Gaius saw how eager Hera wanted to attend the festival, Gaius suggested staying on top of the hill to get the best view of the festival, Hera was overjoyed and hugged Gaius. As the festival began, the sight of candles and colorful lights amazed Hera. "What's the reason behind the festival", Hera asked.

"You know, there was a mighty woman named Gaia, who was revered by the people below the mountains. This festival is named after her, and it's held to honor her and celebrate the magic and abilities of the mages in the town. It's a way for everyone to come together and appreciate the beauty of our world."

Hera listened intently, captivated by the tale and the enchanting atmosphere of the festival. It was a special moment for him, feeling connected to the community and experiencing something new and magical.

"What happened to her, in the end" Hera asked.

"End of the story, today I got a present for you, since it's your birthday" Gaius said. He handed Hera a monocle, it brought immense joy to Hera. It was the first present he had received since birth, and it made the festival even more special.

After the show, Hera returned home late at night, only to find their hut destroyed. Something seemed off about the situation. "Just wolves wouldn't have caused this much damage," he muttered to himself. He rushed in to quickly check for his mother only to see her corpse laying on the floor, it became obvious she wasn't attacked by wolves. Devastated by her death, Hera was filled with a mix of grief and anger. Determined to find answers about his past and seek justice for his mother, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery. Hera made the decision to become a mercenary.

It's been a solid 7 years since Hera started his journey as a mercenary, and he's still on the hunt for answers about his past, but it seems like those answers have remained elusive. Being a mercenary has become his way of making a living. Three months ago, out of the blue, Hera received an offer from a big country. It was pretty unusual for a powerful nation to seek help from a low-rated mercenary like him. But the offer was just too good to turn down. He wouldn't be involved in any country-to-country conflict or peace negotiations. Instead, he was enlisted by a country called Panhell to clear out a dungeon and retrieve a super valuable artifact called the Kasanagi-no-Tsurugi. Plus, any other artifacts he found along the way were his to keep. Researching the dungeon wasn't really his main concern. He was just stoked about taking on his first big job.

The next day, Hera was all set to tackle the dungeon. He gathered his equipment, which consisted of a worn-out armor, a rusty blade, and even his trusty monocle. Being a bit tight on funds, he couldn't afford brand-new gear. With everything prepared, Hera ventured into the dungeon, which was incredibly dark and disorienting. He lit his torch and bravely delved deeper into the depths. Inside, he encountered other mercenaries, but the scene was grim. The sight of countless fallen comrades and the heavy stench of blood filled the air.

One injured mercenary warned Hera, "Go back if you know what's good for you."

Confused, Hera asked, "What do you mean?"

The injured mercenary replied, "This dungeon is way above our level. We've been deceived."

"What really happened here?"

The mercenary explained, "There's a Tier 13 monster lurking deep within this dungeon."

"That's impossible!", said Hera, "They told me only Tier 1-3 monsters were here."

The injured mercenary sighed. "Didn't you hear me? We've been tricked. We're nothing but sacrifices for that beast."

The situation seemed dire for Hera. He would need to come up with a plan if he wanted to survive and overcome this unexpected challenge.

"Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! That's the monster! Get out of here while you still can!" warned the injured mercenary.

But Hera, determined to save the mercenary, replied, "I won't leave you behind. We'll face this together!"

The ground trembled as the monster approached, its terrifying presence sending shivers down Hera's spine. Fear and pressure consumed his mind, making him question his abilities. He knew the monster's voice alone could kill a low-level mercenary, and it was getting closer.

Carrying the injured mercenary on his back, Hera sprinted towards the exit, desperately trying to outrun the approaching beast. However, no matter how fast he ran, the monster closed in with relentless speed. It was then that Hera had to face the truth—he was outmatched.

Realizing the severity of the situation, Hera gently placed the mercenary on the ground. As the monster emerged into the light, its presence alone left him numb with fear. Hera's monocle, which had the ability to view the stats of other beings, revealed the overwhelming power of the monster. It was clear that it was way beyond his league.

Regret filled his thoughts as he muttered to himself, "If only I had done more research on this dungeon. If only I had taken my life more seriously."

Feeling like he was being swallowed by the beast, Hera accepted his impending fate. But deep down, he yearned for a second chance, knowing that this might be the end for him.

Hera died.

As I opened my eyes, a sense of wonder and confusion washed over me. Was this the afterlife? I found myself standing in the center of an amphitheater, surrounded by celestial beings and a breathtaking backdrop of stars. It felt like I had been transported to another realm, far beyond the reaches of space.

I couldn't help but notice that I was naked, but strangely enough, I still had my sword and monocle. It was as if they were an extension of my being, a part of my identity. Looking around, I realized that I wasn't alone. There were over a hundred men and women standing in a line, just like me.

Suddenly, the host of the game a celestial being with a mask commanded silence, capturing the attention of everyone present. They explained that we were all here because we had died, and now we were being given a second chance at life through a game. Completing this game would grant us multiple rewards - the choice to become a celestial with eternal youth and fortune, or to continue as mortals with immense wealth. And if that wasn't enough, we would also receive three wishes upon completing the game.

But here's where things took an unexpected turn. The celestial being revealed that, right here and right now, we had the option to kill any celestial and reclaim our lives. It was a tempting offer, a chance to return to the world we once knew. The weight of the decision hung heavy in the air, as each of us pondered our fate.

In that moment, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe, uncertainty, and a yearning for a second chance. The possibilities were endless, and the stakes were high. What would I choose? What would any of us choose?.

Hera's mind was still spinning with confusion as he tried to make sense of the situation. Suddenly, a voice broke the silence, "is this the underworld? And if it ain't, then why the hell are we here?"

The celestial being, with an air of authority, responded coldly, "No, this ain't the underworld. You're here because y'all wished for a second chance at life before you died. Now listen up, I'll give you the lowdown on the game. You'll be sent back to your world to complete a series of tasks called labors. Finish those labors, and you've completed the game."

Hera couldn't help but blurt out, "How many labors do we have to do?"

"Your task is to complete 26 labors," the celestial replied. "Focus your essence on your wrist, and you'll see more details about your stats and notifications."

Excitement filled the air as everyone rushed to check their stats. They could see their power level and overall rating, but the section displaying the list of their labors was blank. It was clear that the game hadn't officially started yet.

Curiosity and anticipation filled the room as the mortals eagerly awaited the beginning of their epic journey. They wondered what challenges and adventures awaited them in their quest to complete the 26 labors.

"the game is starting soon but first you'll have to reduce your numbers", the host said.

The celestial's words sent shockwaves through the crowd, instantly changing the mood and atmosphere. Whispers filled the air as everyone questioned the meaning behind the celestial's statement. Weapons lay scattered on the floor, tempting but daunting.

"Does he mean we have to fight each other?" the murmurs grew louder. The mortals hesitated, unsure if they should take the first step.

Hera, lost in his own thoughts, spoke quietly to himself. "There are over 500 of us here. This can't be the way to reduce our numbers. It must be a test, a way for these celestials to determine who among us is truly promising, screw these celestials they see us as nothing but playthings."

As the tension mounted, the celestial broke the silence. "Since no one is making a move, I'll take the first step," he declared.

Suddenly, six majestic lions were released into the amphitheater. These were no ordinary lions; their towering height rivaled that of humans. In a moment of instinct, the remaining mortals armed themselves and clashed with the formidable beasts.

Minutes passed, filled with fierce battle cries and clashes of metal. When the dust settled, the amphitheater was stained with victory. The mortals had managed to vanquish the lions, but only 84 of them remained standing, triumphant yet exhausted.

The celestial spoke, "You survivors are ready to start the game! But first, after displaying your skills, a few celestials might be interested in you. Hit your status bar and decide who to choose. After selecting a celestial, they will grant you their power, money, and support in return for your service."

Hera, as one of the survivors, eagerly checked his notifications. Countless offers awaited him, but none seemed to fulfill his desires. If these celestials were indeed gods, then he wants the power of Zeus.