Jason felt that he probably needed to change his approach.
If he kept wandering around alone, it was far too easy to run into gods.
But if there were more people, wouldn't that drastically lower the chances of "winning" that particular lottery?
Besides, he was in completely unfamiliar territory. Even though he had the guiding compass from the goddess and now carried Apollo's sword, venturing into uncharted wilderness still meant running into swamps, wild beasts, magical monsters, and all sorts of other dangers.
Therefore, he needed to find new guides.
With this thought in mind, several days after parting with Apollo, God of Light, Jason stopped in a small town he passed through. Instead of his usual routine of resupplying and leaving immediately, he decided to stay.
Early one morning, he began recruiting skilled hunters.
"I'll give you this money upfront. As long as the hunters you bring are excellent enough, I swear by the name of all the Olympian gods that I will pay double!"
That morning, Jason cleverly enlisted the help of children playing nearby and passers-by to scout companions for him.
After sending them out, he sat down in one spot and waited.
Thanks to the oath by the gods, everyone believed Jason would definitely pay, and he clearly looked like a wealthy noble boy. Very soon, they brought all the famous hunters in town to him.
Jason truly did not lack money. As a former prince, he had brought some with him when he came to study under Hecate, and Meleager had also given him a generous amount when they parted.
Once a good number of hunters had gathered, Jason asked who among them was the most skilled and promised that no one would leave empty-handed. Every hunter who showed up received some payment.
Under this onslaught of gold, after spending some time, by the time the sun reached its zenith, Jason had finally assembled a small team of hunters for himself.
And right at that moment…
"I'm coming too."
A girl who clearly did not match the rugged style of the burly adult hunters suddenly stepped forward.
Seeing the girl approaching, who was no older than himself, Jason froze for a second. Even though he had already met several goddesses, the sight of her still left him quietly stunned.
Though young, she already possessed the makings of a great beauty. Even dressed in rough hunter's clothes, she looked striking. With a little dressing up, she would undoubtedly be a princess adored by thousands.
Unfortunately, she carried a black bow on her back and had sharp, piercing eyes!
It was precisely that wild aura that made Jason involuntarily glance at her a few extra times.
"Atalanta, stop fooling around."
At that moment, one of the middle-aged hunters who had already agreed to travel with Jason frowned and spoke to her. "Go home right now. Do you hear me?"
"Uncle, why won't you let me go?!" Atalanta retorted unhappily, her brows furrowed. "I already know only the very best hunters are being chosen this time, and I am definitely not inferior to anyone here!"
Atalanta's words caused many of the hunters present to frown, yet no one stepped forward to argue, because she was telling the truth.
Even though she was only around ten years old or slightly older, she was already an outstanding hunter!
In the silence that followed, Jason suddenly spoke up.
"I don't agree." He declared outright. "Are you joking? I'm hiring people to protect me, not to go on a picnic!"
Are you kidding me? A woman? And a beautiful one at that? There's no way I'm letting you come along! Wait… Atalanta… Why does that name sound familiar? I feel like I've heard it before, but I can't place it right now.
Having spent the recent days memorizing the names and deeds of various gods, Jason truly could not recall who Atalanta was at that moment.
Yet that did not stop him from instinctively sensing danger!
If even he had some impression of the name, how could this woman not be dangerous?!
Jason's words actually stunned the man Atalanta had called uncle.
The reason he did not want Atalanta to join was precisely because he believed Jason was nobility, and with Atalanta's looks, she would easily cause trouble!
In ordinary circumstances, that would indeed be the case. Although Jason was only twelve, in this era plenty of twelve-year-olds were already sleeping with partners.
Eventually, after the middle-aged hunter persuaded her, Atalanta, whom he had adopted, could only grit her teeth in frustration and leave.
Before going, she shot Jason a fierce glare.
Hmm… For some reason, I feel like this girl is going to bring me trouble.
Watching Atalanta leave unwillingly, Jason had a feeling he had just made another mistaken decision today.
But what was done was done. Jason could only steel himself and proceed. After the incident with Apollo, he genuinely felt he needed guides.
Soon after, Jason and his group left the town.
Although they did not move as quickly as Jason alone, their efficiency was far higher.
Which areas were impassable, which were dangerous, where traps or pitfalls lay; these hunters who made their living in the ancient forests year-round naturally knew everything.
This satisfied Jason greatly. He felt the money was well spent… although an uneasy feeling still gnawed at him.
By the time the afternoon's travel ended and everyone began setting up camp for the night, Jason finally understood the source of his unease.
"Uncle, you can't send me back now!"
Atalanta, who had quietly tailed the group the entire time without being detected thanks to her exceptional skills, stepped out triumphantly.
She also threw another glare at Jason for rejecting her.
The moment Jason saw her, he instantly understood where his unease had come from. Black lines appeared on his forehead.
Of course, at this point he could not send her back. They were already deep in the forest.
Later, while everyone rested and ate, Jason quietly asked the hunters about Atalanta.
He learned that Atalanta was an abandoned child the middle-aged hunter had found in the mountains.
She had survived by drinking a bear mother's milk and was clearly favored by a great god. The bow she carried was proof of that divine favor!
Raised by a bear, blessed by a god, wields a bow, named Atalanta… Ah, now I remember who she is!
One of the famous female heroes of Greece, and in the future a chosen member of the Argo… the huntress personally favored by the moon goddess Artemis!
Good heavens, this is real trouble!
Finally remembering, Jason turned pale as he looked at Atalanta.
No way. I just randomly hire a few people and still run into trouble… If it's not gods, it's great heroes. Isn't my luck a little too cursed?!
This can't go on. I have to escape… Yes, escape!
With unusual decisiveness, after a brief moment of thought, Jason made his decision without changing his expression.
That very night, when everything was quiet and he was supposedly protected inside his tent, Jason silently slipped out.
After confirming none of the sleeping hunters noticed him, he tiptoed away and melted into the darkness, leaving the camp behind.
What Jason did not notice as he departed was that Atalanta was sleeping in a tree not far away.
She was now tilting her head, blinking her emerald eyes in confusion as she watched Jason walk away step by step…