A week had passed since Kratos doubled Deimos' training intensity. The boy had adapted well—perhaps too well. He had gone from barely keeping up with Kratos' 50% strength to now exchanging blows on equal footing. His speed, precision, and power had reached a level that demanded acknowledgment.
And then, it happened.
During one of their spars, Deimos swung his axe with his full strength—not the Leviathan Axe, but a simple, well-forged weapon adjusted to his height. The moment it left his grip, it moved so fast that even Kratos, who had been holding back, failed to react in time.
The blade struck Kratos' forearm, drawing blood.
Deimos froze, panic flashing in his eyes. He had injured his father.
Kratos, however, barely flinched. Instead, he stood, his eyes narrowing as he observed Deimos' hesitation.
"Why didn't you capitalize on the chance to attack me?" Kratos demanded.
Deimos swallowed. "I thought I hurt you."
Kratos exhaled, the weight of experience in his voice. "Never hesitate against an enemy. But it is good to see you have control over your strength."
He did not reprimand Deimos further, nor did he praise him. He simply acknowledged the growth, a lesson carried in few words. With that, the spar continued until—
"Dinner is ready!" Faye's voice carried from the cabin.
Kratos relaxed his stance. "I guess you are ready."
Deimos frowned, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Ready for what?" He already had a suspicion, but he wanted to hear it from Kratos himself.
Kratos turned toward the cabin. "Tomorrow, you will hunt with me. It will not be a simple hunt. I will take you to face creatures that roam near our settlement."
A spark of excitement ran through Deimos. "Really? I'm looking forward to it, Father."
[System Update]
As Deimos followed his father inside, he mentally called upon the System.
'System, check my current status.'
[Generating User Status…]
Name: Deimos
Age: 12
Template Integration: 10% (8% → 10%)
[Current Missions]
✅ Continue training with double intensity for a week → +2% Integration (Completed)🔲 Continue training with quadruple intensity for a month → +3% Integration🔲 Spar with Kratos at his full strength for 3 hours daily for a year → +30% Integration
📌 Integration Growth is Slowing: Future increases will require greater challenges or prolonged efforts.
📌 New Reward Acquired: Hercules' Perfected Tactical Madness
Effect: Grants a passive enhancement similar to Kratos' Spartan Rage but superior. It enhances both raw power and tactical brilliance, ensuring that Deimos never loses himself to pure rage.
Current Combat Strength: Comparable to Kratos when he opened the Pandora's Box
Deimos felt his body react immediately to the new ability. His mind became sharper, his instincts more attuned, and his awareness in battle expanded. He clenched his fists, feeling an unfamiliar balance between fury and logic.
"I am getting stronger… but at this rate, it will take far more to keep advancing."
He dismissed the System.
Inside, the smell of roasted meat and warm bread filled the air. Faye stood by the wooden table, setting down plates, her expression unreadable as she glanced at them. Atreus sat at the far end, his eyes flicking between Deimos and Kratos with curiosity. He could tell something had changed but wasn't sure what.
"You both took longer than usual," Faye said, her gaze settling on Kratos. "Training or talking?"
Kratos grunted, sitting down. "Both."
Deimos smirked, taking a seat beside his brother. "Father says I am ready to join the hunt."
Atreus' eyes widened slightly. "You mean—"
"Yes," Kratos interrupted. "Tomorrow, Deimos will hunt with me. We will track prey and face the dangers of the wild together."
Atreus lowered his gaze, gripping his fork tightly. "I see… that's great."
Deimos frowned slightly, sensing something in his younger brother's voice. He knew Atreus wanted the same—wanted to prove himself, to stand beside their father as a warrior. Deimos hadn't forgotten how Atreus had struggled in his journey to earn their father's approval.
Faye placed a gentle hand on Atreus' shoulder, offering him a small smile. "Your time will come, Atreus. You both walk different paths, but you will each find your strength."
Atreus nodded, though his expression remained uncertain.
The meal passed quietly after that, each lost in their thoughts.
Then after that, he talked to Atreus.
"Hey, Are you okay? You are quiet during dinner" He said to Atreus fully knowing the reason.
"It's just not fair that I worked hard too, but you always have his attention, it's like he doesn't even want me here," Atreus said to Deimos who scowled at his words.
"You may not realize this but he was protecting you on his terms, think about it, if you do our current training method which I know you watched, How long do you think can you keep up?" Deimos questioned his brother.
"Honestly, I wouldn't last a minute, but it doesn't excuse that he was ignoring me," Atreus said to Deimos.
"I think that's just his personality, I've seen him ignore his mother while she talks, she noticed how he was not listening but still kept talking, maybe that's just who he is," Deimos said to Atreus, making him a little bit better.
"Yeah, maybe that's just who he is," Atreus said where both of them went and cleaned themselves up to get ready to go to sleep.
In the morning after.
The forest was quiet in the early dawn. A thin mist curled around the trees as Deimos stepped outside, his breath visible in the cold air. Kratos was already waiting at the edge of the woods, his expression unreadable.
In his hands, he held a hunting axe—not the Leviathan Axe, but a sturdy weapon, forged specifically for this purpose. He handed it to Deimos.
The boy took it, feeling the weight in his grip, adjusting his stance instinctively.
"You are prepared?" Kratos asked.
Deimos nodded, excitement and determination mixing in his chest. "Yes, Father."
Without another word, Kratos turned and led the way into the forest.
The hunt began in silence. Deimos' heightened senses took in everything—the rustling leaves, the faint scent of prey, the distant howl of wolves. He could feel the subtle shifts in the magic of the land, an ability that was growing sharper with each passing day.
Suddenly, Kratos stopped, raising a hand. Deimos followed his gaze.
A stag stood between the trees, its antlers rising like the branches above. It was massive, larger than any normal deer. A noble beast.
Kratos turned to him. "Your hunt. Your kill."
Deimos exhaled slowly, lowering his stance. His grip tightened around the axe.
With steady, silent steps, he moved closer. The stag's ears twitched, sensing something—but before it could react, Deimos launched his axe.
The blade spun through the air—a blur of steel.
A perfect hit.
The stag barely had time to let out a cry before collapsing, lifeless.
Deimos straightened, his heart pounding. He had done it.
Kratos approached, inspecting the kill. After a moment, he nodded. "Well done."
Deimos allowed himself a small smile. "That was easier than I expected."
Kratos raised a brow. "Then let us find something that will not be."
Deimos blinked. "What do you mean?"
Kratos turned, gesturing toward the deeper part of the woods. "Come. The true challenge begins now."
A shiver of anticipation ran through Deimos. His first true battle awaited.
And he was ready.
[System Update]
Current Status
Name: Deimos
Age: 12
Template Integration: 10%
Current Strength Level: Equal to Kratos when he opened the Pandora's Box
📌 New Mission Generated!
🔲 First Trial of Strength
Defeat at least three hostile creatures in the wilderness.
Survive without Kratos' intervention.
Reward: +0.5% Template Integration
📌 Optional Bonus Mission:🔲 Defeat an Alpha Creature Alone
Reward: +1% Template Integration
Hidden Bonus: ???]
The wild awaited. Deimos had trained for years for this moment.
And now, it was time to test that into fighting against someone who was trying to kill him, not just friendly sparring like what he does with his father,