The chapter is hype. Hercules is disappointing imo. He charges like a raging bull. No strategy whatsoever. He even lost an arm. Has to sacrifice his lifespan to defeat Jack. Jack seems overwhelming. Why do these Gods fight like human? Can't they control weather, magic summon beasts or something like that? Only their weapons make them way stronger than humans. But I think Volund also play important role. All tools in the arena is Jack's Volund and Jack also very agile, has quick reflex and an amazing tactician.
I also find it bullshit the author portrays Hercules as hero even though he is on God side and his win will cause humanity one step closer to destruction.
But I think from the pattern of the story so far, those who gained advantage at the start of the battle usually lost.
Lu Bu gained an upper hand against Thor but lost in the end.
Adam overwhelmed Zeus at the start but lost at the end.
Kojiro got overwhelmed by Poseidon but he won in the end.
If the same pattern happens again, I think Hercules will win.
Oh, I hope Hercules loses.
There is a really more meaning behind his loss than any other combatant. You see, hercules was chosen by the Greek God, specifically just as a way to tell the human side "YOU FUCKED UP" because you defeated one of our Greek Gods "Poseidon". So, in my personal opinion, it's so much better in terms of writing to have their "Golden boy" Loses, and not just any loss, rather it will be one of the dirtiest wins. Because I'm counting on Jack giving a very dirty finish! To show how monsterous and cruel humanity can be!
That kind of win for human side, is NEEDED for the story in my opinion, which is a win done by a villain against a HERO from Gods. It has so much different feels than Sasaki Kojiro who was the underdog and a good guy facing an arrogant Poseidon.
So, I think that Jack will play on the fact that Hercules Labours has a time limit, and the moment he consumes every ounce of his energy, Hercules will die by his own powers.
Also, I have seen a very interesting comment about the idea that there could be a possibility for Jack's volund play part in Hercules defeat. Reason is, unlike all other Volunds before. Jack is the ONLY one who forced her to be his volund. While other joined voluntarily. So, basically Hercules by defeating Jack, he will KILL someone who had NO INTENTION of partnering with Jack against him. Basically killing an "innocent" life. And I believe Jack had him in checkmate the moment her forced that woman to be his volund from the get go. And from Hercules always saying stuff like "the moment I part with justice, is the moment I get the color of fear" which is the color Jack wants to dye him with.
So, for me, I see one of two endings!
1- EITHER, Jack wins by dirty method as hell, that makes humanity hate that type of win, and also make the Gods angrier and angrier! BUT it's a bitter end for Jack, because he will not get what he wants, which is to see the color of "fear" on Hercules. As Hercules will face death as a brave man
2- OR, Hercules will win, but he will be dyed with the color of "fear" because he will know in the process that he parted away from "justice" the moment he killed a soul that had no "intention" of being used as weapon in this fight! He will realize that for his pride, he was the cause of the death of innocent. Which will result in Hercules winning, but also Jack getting what he desires, which is seeing the color of fear on "Hercules" before he dies!
It's kinda twisted, but I feel it's one of those two ends. But I hope Jack wins, cause he's my favorite so far. So damn charismatic
