MTL - Shadow Rogue - Chapter 25 : Entering the mine

They hunted my kind for extinction but I came back as their nightmaresnon human mcDarian once the strongest Dragon Knight in the Empire, died protecting the last dragon from extinction. Betrayed by his comrades and burned alive by holy fire, he vowed vengeance with his last breath.But the gods answered—with a curse and a gift.Darian reincarnates hundreds of years later... as the last dragon egg hidden in a cave deep beneath the earth.Now, inside a fragile shell, he remembers everything. The betrayal. The genocide. The lies told by the human kingdoms. And as his body slowly grows, so does the power of ancient draconic magic—and the System embedded into his very soul.> [Draconic Evolution System Activated]Choose Your ElementUnlock Ancient MemoriesDevour Magic Sources to Accelerate GrowthHatch When Power is ReadyHe must hide from dragon hunters, manipulate desperate adventurers, and absorb mana from the dying world to hatch once more—stronger, darker, and more terrifying than ever.And when he emerges?> The world that burned him will feel true fire.

Every year, the Trial World summons chosen humans to face its brutal tests—deadly monsters, unpredictable trials, and the ever-approaching calamity that threatens to wipe out entire worlds. Only by defeating the Demon God can a minor world ascend and escape destruction.Leon Kael, born into a renowned family, awakens a Divine Talent on the day of his summoning—an ability that makes him stronger with every attack he delivers. Power isn't gifted freely in the Trial World. It's earned, carved out in blood, sweat, and unrelenting battle.Armed with this mysterious talent and the drive to protect everything he holds dear, Leon steps into the world of trials where every strike brings him closer to overwhelming strength. The path ahead is paved with bloodshed, glory, and the roar of defiance.If the gods must be attacked to survive—then let them bleed.

Born and raised as a nameless shadow guard for his kingdom’s crown prince, his life’s purpose was to be used and discarded at the whims of his liege.

And his meaningless life ended when the gaze of a princess lingered on him for too long. The crown prince had him beheaded without a second thought, as if throwing out trash.

Transmigrating into the body of a baby girl, the nameless shadow finally had a name, a family, and a place to call her own. Throwing away his past, the shadow guard was now called ‘Emilia’, and walked on a new path to seek fulfillment.

It was not meant to be, however, as the girl whom she had loved with all her heart and soul ended up mercilessly plunging a dagger through Emilia's love-struck heart at the highest point in her life.

The crowd clamored at the ‘deserved death of the villainess’, and at that moment, the shadow could only wonder… why?

Why am I always the one to dedicate myself fully to someone, only to be thrown away like trash in the end?

And thus, as her soul floated away while cursing in resentment, ‘Emilia’ vowed to herself that in her next life she shall never be the one to fully dedicate herself.

Whatever she likes shall be held in her palm, and shall never escape.

The moment the vow was made, a self-proclaimed villainess system proposed to partner with her, to explore and conquer the worlds through their anchors—the heroes and heroines.

And by cultivating this energy, she shall one day go back. Back to the world she was born as ‘Emilia’ in, and face the so-called heroine once more.

The second time they meet, Emilia won’t be the one drowning in regret!

...

Author's Note: The heroines are not just trophies she’s collecting, only to be forgotten once she collects them. Each of them will remain relevant throughout the story. And it won’t become a mess, promise!

I possessed the weakest character in my favorite game’s Hell Mode. I want to survive, but the way the main character is being controlled is atrocious.

It can’t be helped.

I have to stop the bad ending myself.