Layton

I narrowed my eyes at the statue of Aphrodite. I knew for a fact that I would be fighting her, there was no other option that suited me, the only question was how I would fight her. I didn’t exactly have any weapons but Kent and Minya seemed to do just fine.

But then again this was Kent and Minya we were talking about. I shouldn’t compare myself to them for fear of realizing my own weakness.

As I watched as Minya joined Kent and started to talk animatedly with him I made up my mind. I would take some rocks in with me but ultimately use my hands.

I picked up some rocks that would be easy to throw but still have enough weight to do damage. I found a few that were suspiciously perfect for throwing.

… No matter, I would win even if they were expecting this method of attack!

At least I hope so.

I took a breath and entered the arena glancing around at all of the statues staring menacingly at me. “Aphrodite! I challenge you to a fight!” I called out in as brave a voice as I could manage.

Aphrodite's eyes glowed pink and she stood up, jumping lightly and landing some dozen feet in front of me. “Ah, a disciple of beauty. How do you think you will fare against the god of your chosen discipline I wonder?” She giggled girlishly and gave me a bright smile that all but blinded me.

Hefting one of my rocks with a grunt, I snapped it forward as fast as I could manage, sending it hurtling straight for her face.

Aphrodite seemed surprised as it crashed into her face, only to be followed by three more. With a flick of her wrist a whip appeared in her hand and she dexterously hit two of the three out of the air in quick fashion.

She was not quick enough to stop the last one though.

It crashed into her arm and she let out a squeal of pain and anger. Her face hardened and she glared at me, somehow still looking beautiful despite her nose being broken and her arm hanging slightly crooked.

I was all out of rocks.

All of them that were still fully intact were over by her,but now there was no way to get them back without her attacking me. I looked around to find anything that I could use. My eyes landed on the hatch in the middle of the room.

A plan started to form in my head. I wasn’t sure if I would work but I could definitely give it a try.

I dug in my feet and took off, heading directly at Aphrodite.

She looked smug about something as she lashed out at me with her whip. I ducked low to the sand and rolled to the side- directly on top of the hatch.

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With a feral grin on my face I wrenched it wide open, only to be hit with a slew of messages.

Challenger Layton has opened [Vault of the Dead]!

Hades has escaped from [Vault of the Dead]!

Hades is thankful towards Challenger Layton!

Hades has temporarily gifted Challenger Layton with a [Simple Bow]!

Hades is content to watch this match play out.

Hades can be challenged after this battle is complete.

I froze. That wasn’t what I was expecting from opening it… I had just expected to use the hatch as a shield, not free Hades from his prison!

Granted it hadn’t come without its benefits, and a bow appeared in front of me.

I grabbed it and looked around for arrows, hoping that I would find at least one.

[Simple Bow] does not require ammo to shoot arrows.

Oh. That was nice. I pulled back the drawstring and aimed at Aphrodite. Her face had grown VERY pale and she was staring in shock at the other gods. There were now 13 seats, with Hades sitting on a floating throne directly above Zeus.

I released the arrow directly at Aphrodite’s head, hoping to hit her while she was still in a state of shock.

She reacted quickly, but not quick enough. As the arrow soared towards her she tried to hit it with her whip but missed and the arrow cleaved off her ear. I had been hoping for more but she had dodged while lashing out at the arrow, a smart move on her part.

I continued to pepper her with arrows over the next couple of minutes, most of them being hit out of the air or dodged, with one occasionally dealing a glancing wound on her side or leg. She was trying to protect her head and arms more than any other body part so I couldn’t get even a minor hit off on those areas.

Deciding to take more of an active role in this fight, I fired off three arrows one after another, each powered with a Wailing Arrow. It cost me a lot of power but was by far the most powerful attack I could make on her at this time.

Aphrodite’s eyes locked onto the arrow in the lead and her face grew red with rage, kinda reminded me of a tomato. It was unfair how she managed to look pretty no matter the conditions.

As her whip collided with the first arrow and sent it flying, the other two came in and smashed into her arms, one in each.

The power of the taunts was so great that they continued to work even as the arrows were lodged in her shoulders. As she grabbed them and ripped them out, I sent a couple more arrows at her, this time targeting her head.

Aphrodite quickly realized her mistake and glanced up- only to be speared in the neck by an arrow.

She crumpled to the ground and coughed out blood, but I didn’t give up, continuing to hit her with arrow after arrow, each one hitting a lethal spot on her body.

Aphrodite let out a scream of rage and pain before fading into motes of light. I let out a breath of relief and smiled softly to myself. I had done it!

I continued to smile as the spectral man called out-

Congratulations! You have successfully beaten the god Aphrodite! No one else will be able to fight him during the tutorial and you will be gifted an item from Aphrodite personally very soon. The item's power will depend on how impressed Aphrodite was with your fight.

Waiting for a response…

Waiting for a response…

Waiting for a response…

Waiting for a response…

Response given!

A jar of nail polish fell from the sky and I caught it on instinct.

What the heck was this?