Refusing My God’s Advances

This was the opening I was hoping for, and I put up my hand. Apollo nodded, so I broached the question. "What if instead of offering me a single item, you just give me a good discount this time? I hoped to look around your store and pick up a few things. Now that I know the importance of artifacts, I would really like to pick some up and hopefully make some of my own in the future."

Apollo gave me an appraising look. "While my opinion of you has risen by magnitudes, crafting artifacts is one thing outside your realm. While I know you are quite diverse in your abilities, you must have at least one legendary crafting, art, and enchantment skill. Only then will you be offered the common artifact crafting."

I shrugged at them and stood up. "I already have a legendary crafting skill, so I expect it will take me about two weeks before I come back to ask you more about how to make them. It would be better to watch you learn the best technique even with the skill," I explained but then paused. "What do you think is a good discount for that suit? I want to know to start looking around at your pictures and sculptures."

Apollo's expression, already bright, seemed to illuminate even further at the mention of my crafting skill, his interest evidently piqued by my ambition. He stood up, his new suit catching the light in a way that made him appear as though he was the embodiment of a walking, talking piece of art. It was clear that the god of the sun and the arts was thoroughly impressed, not just by the suit's craftsmanship but by the potential I had shown.

"A discount, you say? Given the masterpiece you've created, a discount seems almost an insult to the value you've provided today," Apollo mused, his gaze wandering around his shop as if reassessing the value of everything in light of our transaction. "However, I am a god of my word, and a deal is a deal."

He paced around the shop, hands clasped behind his back, lost in thought for a moment before stopping and facing me again. "How about this: anything you wish to acquire from my shop today will be at a 50% discount. A steep offer, I know, but consider it a token of my appreciation for your incredible work. This will also include a first look at some of my exclusive artifacts that are not displayed to the public eye."

His offer took me by surprise. I was hoping for at least 20%, but a 50% discount was generous, considering that I now knew what it took to make them. The opportunity to view exclusive artifacts added an even greater value to his proposition, hinting at the possibility of acquiring truly unique items that could bolster not only me, but my girls as well.

"Right on! That sounds great, Apollo," I replied, already excited about the prospect of exploring the hidden treasures of his collection. "And regarding the artifact crafting, I'll definitely take you up on that offer to learn more once I've acquired the necessary skills."

Apollo shook his head and then turned to Hades. "Are you coming with us?"

The god of the underworld shrugged. "My shop is under time lock, so it isn't like I have anything better to do. It has also been a while since I visited your personal residence—a place very few are ever invited to, even among gods."

I knew Hades was probably trying to talk everything up for Apollo, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited. There was a chance that I might even be able to purchase some legendary-rated artifacts, but I was worried about Hamazon's restrictions due to my current membership level.

"Well, let's all be merry and hold hands for a moment," Apollo said and turned back to me. "You should be able to handle this, right?"

"Are we doing the realm jumping thing? The one where I get sucked into a soup can and then shat back out?" I asked, not liking where this was going.

"That's the spirit!" Apollo laughed, then grabbed both Hades and my hand before I could react.

Instantly I was sucked into a point, then spat right back out onto hard marble. Before even trying to blink or breathe, I activated Full Restore and instantly felt like nothing had happened. I opened my eyes and stood up, realizing that both Hades and Apollo were lying on their backs.

"What are you two doing?" I asked, and both their eyes snapped open and locked on me.

"How in the dread of Styx can you stand so steadily?!" Hades demanded, getting up but then doubling over to puke.

On the other hand, Apollo sat up but made no attempt to stand. "I am surprised that you can stand after all that. Even if you can heal the damage the spatial travel caused, you should still feel motion sickness. Your body should be reeling from the disorientation," Apollo marveled, his eyes narrowing in curiosity and a hint of respect.

I shrugged. "I have a cheat skill that restores my body rather than healing it. One of the perks of being me," I joked, though internally, I was pretty proud of my ability to trigger the skill so fast now. "Anyway, where are we?"

Apollo finally managed to stand, albeit a bit shakily, and gestured grandly around us. "Welcome to my personal residence within the Realm of Olympus! Not just a pantheon to many gods, but a place where the sun never sets, and inspiration flows as freely as the wine at Dionysus' banquets."

The scenery was breathtaking. We stood on polished marble, so clean and reflective that it seemed as if we were floating amidst the clouds. The architecture around us was a stunning amalgamation of classical beauty and divine creativity, with columns of gleaming white marble towering into the sky, their tops lost amidst a golden light that seemed to infuse the very air with a sense of warmth and vitality. Gardens filled with flowers that glowed with their own inner light sprawled in every direction, their fragrances blending together to create an intoxicating aroma that was both soothing and exhilarating. It was like every piece of this reality was shaped by a master craftsman.