Life Of A Nobody - as a Villain

"How far is the legacy temple you mentioned? Are we still on the right track? Or did we get lost?"

"I still think we should first go and rescue those miners. With their shallow strength and large numbers, any monster roaming around could smell them and hunt them."

"Since that temple's been hidden for so many years, there's no chance anyone else could get there before us."

Leon questioned as he bypassed another horde of monsters under Apollo's guidance, yet found no clue whatsoever for what he was looking for.

If it wasn't for Apollo's adamant advices from time to time which set him on this path, he would've liked it more to turn around and go back to rescue.

[Keep heading south. Though it's weak, I can now sense the aura of divinity here.] Apollo answered, sounding a little annoyed after being constantly questioned. But remembering the larger goals, he still bit the bullet and softened his tone.

[I know how you feel, but with your current strength even if you find those people, you wouldn't be able to safely take them out through this vast territory.]

[This dungeon is crawling with dangers you're not ready for. And if you try, you'd only get yourself—and them—killed altogether.]

Leon's jaw tightened, but he didn't argue. Maybe he would've refused a couple weeks back, but after falling down a couple of ranks and seeing too many geniuses at the academy, deep down, he knew Apollo was right.

He was weak.

But still, the thought of abandoning those people didn't sit well with him.

[Trust me,] Apollo continued, his voice softening. [It won't be too late to save them once you have that legacy. But for now, just follow my lead and keep going forward.]

"You still haven't told me whose temple it is? Or what kind of legacy we're talking about?" Leon asked, imagining about the various myths and stories he heard of fallen and trickster gods spreading their mysterious 'legacies' around the world, to try and mess with mortals.

[You don't have to worry about that. I knew that God personally. And though he died in the war soon after coming to this world, his legacy is the most suitable one for you right now.] Apollo replied while reminiscing about the battle where gods fell everywhere and their golden blood rained down the world, scorching the space and shattering the earth.

[I've been searching for his ruins for a while now, but wasn't able to find them. It's only after entering this dungeon, could I sense that familiar aura again and remembered him.] Apollo said, speaking half truth and half lies in his lecture. [Trust me, his legacy is the most suitable for you right now.]

"Wait, you said he died? Didn't the world system erase the existence of gods who failed in that war?" Leon asked in surprise, remembering the stories passed down through generations.

[It did. But some gods are special and have unique methods. Even if your world system has prime authority over this planet, and what happens in it, Gods aren't pushovers. There's too much you mortals don't know about us, so don't try to think over it.]

Leon thought about these words for a few seconds and then nodded his head in understanding.

Even though it went against the lessons passed down in Arcadia, he still felt lord Apollo was right. After all, if the world system was really all that powerful, it wouldn't just restrict gods, but completely set them out.

"So what, I just have to enter that temple, pay my respects and grab his legacy? It can't be that simple, right?" Leon asked.

[Of course it can't. To get his powers you'll have to convince him. Or whatever will or trial he left behind in this case.] Apollo answered, and after seeing his silence, he added further. [Don't worry, even if you fail, I have ways to get that legacy for you. You just have to try…]

"No." Leon interrupted his God, "I will succeed. On my own." He said with a newfound confidence and determination as he clenched in fists.

[It's good that you have this confidence. With this power, you can grow rapidly without worrying about attracting the attention from other gods or my enemies, you will surely become the savior of this …] Apollo was speaking when he sensed something and stopped midway, making Leon confused. Read exclusive chapters at My Virtual Library Empire

But his confusion lasted merely moments when the land in front of him started shifting. A heavy tremor set off on the ground, pushing him back a couple of steps and launching a storm of dust and debris that blocked his sight.

Leon covered his eyes and tried to navigate through but felt trapped as the mana in the air became too violent for him to channel any skills or light any spells.

It took him some time to calm down and get his bearings straight, when before he could do anything, a silver glint passed in front of his eyes.

Something collided against the armor he wore, and though it protected him from any injuries, the residual force sent him sliding backward. Making him lose his balance and fell down into what felt like a hole at the edge of the cliff.

His back and bones collided against stones, setting off a wave of pain that cleared his confusion. He immediately used his aura to protect his vitals and extended his hands to try and grab onto something.

The gravity was pulling him under and his gut was screaming that if he fell directly, he'll get hurt badly, if not killed immediately.

Luckily before the inevitable could happen, his hands landed on something, and he tried to grab onto it immediately.

His fingers felt a heat burn his smooth skin under friction, but he refused to let go, until he pulled his sword and plunged it deep using his other hand.

Only then did his slippery fall stop.

The small sparks born out of collision against metal and stone, were enough for him to pour his mana in and turn into a fireball.

He watched as the ball of amber fell down along with the gusts of wind. Lighting up the surroundings for him to see before being swallowed in the darkness.

Leon saw he was now in a cave like area, with pillars of magic ores sharply launching their tips towards the sky.

He tried to call Apollo, but felt that the connection between them seemed to be blocked by something. It was an odd feeling that didn't make much sense as he had never experienced it before.

But putting it aside, summoning every ounce of his strength, he pulled himself up, until he could stand firmly on his etched sword.

He managed to channel some mana and formed a few balls of fire which started lighting up his surroundings. Taking a leap of faith he jumped from the sword, onto clear ground, which replaced the previous abyss like darkness.

"Tha_ that was close." Leon said while breathing heavily from his mouth. Not able to believe he was this close to getting buried alive.

"Was that a space shift?" He asked himself while downing a health recovery potion to be ready for facing the unknown, which gave him an unsettling feeling.

The dust cleared and the debris settled soon after, and the gusts of wind which pulled everything inwards calmed down too _ as if the space in front of him had settled now, with no further changes allowed.

Leon heard some murmurs behind him and then came the sound of rushing steps and angry roars of the monsters.

He was just about to turn and slash at the danger, securing a safe distance for himself, when something bumped into him.

Or rather someone.

He backed a step immediately and looked down at his feet warily, only to spot a small boy of around 8-10 years old, covered in mud and dust, with blood and tears blurring his facial features.

The boy too looked up, but the shock on his face and fear in his heart immediately disappeared, replaced by awe and wonder, when he saw Leon's face in front of him.

The hero's features looked no different than a god's to the kid, with a halo of fire floating behind his figure, giving a shining glow to his handsome face.

And though the clothes Leon wore were dusty and dirty, it only added a certain charm of approachable modesty to his otherwise noble appearance.

"Sa_ save me, brother." The kid said before something hit the back of his head and he fell right in front of Leon's feet.

Leon immediately looked up and pointed his sword high, as he noticed a group of goblin-like monsters rushing towards him from all sides.

…

Apollo, who witnessed the whole scene from his domain and was scouting the surroundings trying to sense the mysterious power which blocked his senses some time ago, all the while thinking how to convince his foolish avatar to abandon these burdens and look for the legacy, _stared at the unconscious kid for two seconds, and then the frown on his face disappeared immediately, replaced by a sunny smile which then turned into a proud smirk.

"Whoever you are, you just delivered the bearer of your bad news to my door. Should I say thank you, _ or good luck. Ahahah ahahha ahhaha"

…

…

A/N - Did Rio unknowingly do something he'll come to regret? Is this a game of fate, or a ploy of someone else sitting beside the chess board and moving the pieces?