"Legends of Heroes" was an action-packed, adventure-filled fantasy novel that had quickly skyrocketed in popularity.
The story unfolded in a world similar to ours in terms of technology and state-like organization—a sprawling continent dotted with countless islands scattered across an endless expanse of water. This world was home to an astonishing variety of fantastical creatures, from elves to dragons. These beings lived apart from humans, who largely shunned them.
Among the humans, there were individuals capable of manipulating ether, the energy that permeated everything. These people were known as deviants.
The plot centered on a young deviant who dreamed of becoming the Symbol of Hope and Peace in a world plagued by conflict and despair. The novel followed this hero's journey as he grew in strength and maturity, forged alliances, and faced off against powerful enemies.
It also tackled big themes like the value of friendship, perseverance, honor, and self-improvement—themes that hit home with fans, who saw their own struggles and victories mirrored in the characters.
Legends of Heroes boasted a rich story full of twists, mysteries, and intricate developments. It featured a wide cast of compelling, well-developed characters who evolved throughout the series.
Like any respectable novel of its genre, Legends of Heroes delivered dynamic fight scenes packed with special powers and epic showdowns. Every battle was an adrenaline rush, a spectacle of jaw-dropping action. Its universe brimmed with mythology, urban fantasy, and fantastical creatures. These elements, paired with the author's skillful storytelling, fueled the global love and acclaim for Legends of Heroes.
And now, that universe had become the reality of an ordinary office worker.
After dying in a random attack, he'd been reincarnated into the world of his favorite novel, embodying one of its characters. But instead of waking up as the hero or one of his allies, he found himself in the shoes of one of the series' villains: Nero Vaelheim.
Nero Vaelheim was an iconic figure in the Legends of Heroes universe. Introduced as one of the main antagonists, he was regarded as one of the most dangerous and malevolent characters.
He was known for his dark appearance and even darker personality. Driven by an insatiable ambition, he committed ruthless, cruel acts to achieve his ultimate goal. With one of the underworld's most feared criminal organizations under his command, he roamed the world, sowing chaos in his relentless pursuit of forbidden knowledge and power.
In the story, he'd eventually be stopped by the hero and his crew, who'd end his life in one of the goriest scenes in the book. That was the grim fate awaiting our former office worker.
A soft knock sounded at the door of a chamber, barely audible in the stillness of the hallway.
A boy stepped inside, despite getting no response.
Artificial lighting gleamed off majestic chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, their shimmering crystals casting light across the windowless room. The furniture was solid dark wood—a large built-in wardrobe, ornate tables, cushioned armchairs with carved armrests, and a stunning vanity with a wide mirror.
At the center of the room stood an enormous canopied bed, richly decorated and draped with satin velvet curtains in colors that matched the room's decor.
The young boy spotted a man crouched on the bed, eyes closed, his face calm in a deep meditative pose.
The man had a lean, athletic build. His short, slightly graying white hair framed an angular face, a rogue strand falling over his forehead.
His high, smooth brow and finely arched eyebrows stood out. He was shirtless, wearing only pajama pants.
Not wanting to disturb the man—who was none other than his master—the boy decided to deliver his news quietly: "Master, sorry to bother you, but all the section heads are gathered and awaiting your presence at the meeting."
At that, the man—the master—slowly opened his eyes, his scarlet pupils locking onto the boy. A gentle smile spread across his lips. "Thank you, Klein. Tell them I'm getting ready and will join them soon."
His voice was deep and steady.
Klein nodded and started toward the door, but a nagging worry gnawed at him. Unable to hold it in, he turned back and asked timidly, "Master, may I ask you something?"
The master, now sitting on the bed, gestured for him to go ahead. "Of course."
Klein took a deep breath before speaking. "Master, I hope this doesn't come off wrong, but… you seem different lately. You feel… I don't know, calmer? More open than before."
The master smiled and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Oh? And what was I like before?"
Klein hesitated, but the warmth in his master's eyes encouraged him. "Well, you were kind of… bitter. Your face always looked stern." Realizing he might've overstepped, he quickly bowed. "Sorry, Master, forgive my rudeness!"
The master didn't seem fazed. "Stand up, Klein. I'm not offended. I actually appreciate your honesty."
Surprised by his master's words, Klein straightened up as instructed.
Their eyes met.
"So, you don't like this new side of me?" the master asked. "Would you rather I go back to being bitter and stern?"
Klein shook his head quickly. "No, Master! I'd be lying if I said I didn't like seeing you like this. But… I'm worried some of your men might not take to it. They followed you because of that tough vibe you had."
The master pulled his hand back from the boy's shoulder. "Then I'll deal with them as harshly as before and save my kindness for you. How's that?"
Klein nodded. Deep down, one of his real motives was wanting to be the only one his master showed affection to. Though he acted mature most of the time, he was still just a kid—jealous at the thought of his master caring for anyone else.
He thought he'd hidden it well, but the master saw right through him and gave a knowing, warm smile. "Now, go tell them I'm coming. I'll call for you later to escort me."
The boy left the room.
Alone again, the master stared at the door that had just closed behind the boy.
Klein.
That was the boy's name—or at least the name given by the original occupant of this body.
He was an orphan, a product of the endless wars ravaging the continent.
Nero had taken him in because of a special connection to the boy's parents, seeing potential in him to serve his ambitions.
Though not a main character in the series, Klein stood out among the supporting cast. He had an unstable, sadistic personality and wielded one of the most destructive abilities in the story.
He was fiercely loyal to the original Nero, secretly viewing him as a surrogate father.
But that Nero was gone.
Nero took a deep breath and stood.
In his mind, he wove together every scenario he could recall from the book. His top priority was obvious: dodging the tragic fate awaiting him.
In the novel, the original Nero had been beaten to death by the hero and his companions. While it was one of the most epic fights in the story, to the new Nero, it now felt less like a battle and more like an execution.
Now that he'd been handed this unexpected shot at a new life, there was no way he'd let this body's past mistakes cost him so brutally. Sure, he'd have preferred to be reborn as himself in his old world, to start over there—but fate had other plans.
He'd been given a fresh start, new in every way. And while it sucked he couldn't reset his old life, he wasn't unhappy about it.
He'd been reborn into the universe of his favorite novel. What fan wouldn't be at least a little stoked? Even if the character he'd ended up as wasn't exactly ideal…
Either way, he had plenty of time to map out a game plan to sidestep his predecessor's doom.
This mental playbook was a mix of elements that, pieced together, would form an explosive cocktail—not just to avoid a gruesome death, but maybe even to chase the new Nero's dream. Yeah, this former office worker had a dream.
Not some childish fantasy—though he'd had those too—but a dream that had started in his youth and only ripened once he'd entered the grind of adult life.
A life of adventure, free of regrets. A life where every day was thrilling, no two the same. A life with meaning, one that'd touch countless others. A life the world would remember for centuries!
That was his dream.
He had no intention of just dodging a tragic fate or living quietly on the sidelines until the story played out.
No way! How could he, after hating his monotonous old life so much?
He'd be a player, a force in this world. He'd turn this life into a story worth remembering. And he had a weapon—a damn powerful one—at his fingertips.
As a diehard fan of the novel this world seemed to come from, he knew its plot inside and out. He held the terrifying power of foresight. How could he not use it?
What about the story's original arc? The risk of screwing things up by changing it? Wasn't that the whole thrill of an exciting life?
This world's story—he was going to claim it. Screw the original protagonists; he'd become the real star of this show.