King Polydectes' awful request rang out through the royal hallway. The monster, Medusa, lived far away, across dangerous regions and treacherous seas. Just to get there was a heroic task, much less facing the dreaded monster on arrival! Medusa was hideously ugly, with ferocious serpents instead of hair. Anyone who looked at her died instantly, their flesh turned to stone. King Plydectes wasn't asking a favor of Perseus, he was condemning him to death!
Perseus was too proud to back down from the evil man, and accepted the challenge. Only later did he realize, with disbelief, how incredible a task it was. Now Perseus was bound to the agreement! How do you kill a monster you can't even look at?