I created my own system

Apollo's offer stems from the knowledge that the church is currently in the process of recruiting new believers. Their usual targets are those in need of something, it might be power or wealth as long as the desires are strong they will use it to control their target.

"If I can use her as a spy then I could gain even more information about their lair and perhaps even their connection towards Nero"

He thought so however his suspicious action caused the woman to be cautious.

"Why do I even need to hear you out"

Her words weren't exactly as the one Apollo thought of but it wasn't enough to make the mage give up. After all, it was rare to see someone as capable as her at the same time manageable to offer a transaction. Apollo thought she would accept seeing how desperate she was fighting a while ago.

"I want to offer you a dangerous job but the paycheck is enough for your entire lifetime"

He first offers to use money while keenly observing her facial expression.

"Hmmm... it seems money wasn't what she needed" he could conclude seeing how his words made it seem like he was insulting her using his wealth.

"I have no wish to be a slave of someone, and I never here because I need money"

"I can tell because my spell didn't kill you"

"You!"

Apollo's remark made the already vigilant lady even more cautious of him.

[You are really bad at this]

"Can't be helped I am better at physically tormenting others than hitting transactions"

A sigh can be heard inside Apollo's consciousness reflecting Jeremiah's frustration.

"It seems you are developing emotions"

[And whose fault do you think it is? Every time a certain someone loses himself his unchecked emotions would go everywhere and end up attaching to me]Nôv(el)B\\jnn

His words were a bit sarcastic while Apollo could imagine a nagging boy who looked exactly like him.

While this random exchange transpired only a couple of seconds went by in real time.

"I apologize if my words are a bit rude but I am genuinely interested in hiring you, I can offer you anything as long as you are willing to take the job"

Apollo tried to sound convincing but his offer sounded even more suspicious. Jeremiah decided to watch not wanting to help his Creator.

"Why do you wish to hire me?"

"You are strong and the fact you didn't die from my spell speaks that your character is not rotten"

"And why do I have to accept this? Surely there are plenty of people who can help you"

"That is true but seeing how you moved a while ago and your character, you are the perfect person"

"You aren't fooling anyone with that kind of words"

"Man you are too hard to convince...alright how about an oath?"

He suggested giving his final trump card.

"I don't need such a thing" she refuses again while retreating vigilantly. The woman was determined to decline and sensing the person who offered her a deal did not emit any ill intentions or force things, she knew it was alright to leave things as it is.

"You sure? I can give you anything, from wealth to medicine"

He said while watching her retreat away from him.

However, the woman was adamant not to get involved with him.

[If I were her I would do the same]

"You would?"

[Of course, who would trust a man who massacred an under city]

"I didn't kill everyone I left some alive"

[Yes but if it was you would you randomly accept some offer from a man who didn't bat an eye in killing hundreds of people]

Apollo went silent but at the same time felt like the woman's talent was wasted.

"I should have approached her differently," he said as he walked away.

The previous festive atmosphere was turned into a deadly silence that can leave anyone deaf. The streets and even the most hidden parts of the city are filled with dead bodies.

However, Apollo didn't care for he had seen the brutal reality of this city. Rape, murder and even human trafficking were repeatedly being conducted here. It amassed wealth but at the expense of the lives of the common folk. Even when cheers soar high every day it couldn't mask the screams of pain from the injustice of those who were forced to work there.

Apollo didn't blindly kill, he had a reason for it, he also hoped that the people held captive inside the basement of the marquis's manor would be free.

"That woman and the other survivors are heading there right?"

[Yes, it seems your previous hypothesis that someone close to her being hostage is true]

"It's a waste we can't strike a deal with her"

[Indeed but you can just find another candidate, Someone who has a massive desire for power or even wealth]

"I need a desperate person, one that can leave anything for the benefit he or she could gain"

Apollo calmly left the arena quite disappointed that he couldn't see anyone from the church. He thought since this place held a considerable amount of competent people they would start recruiting here but it seems he was wrong.

"Well I did get a massive amount of essence I should just wait until the subjugation started"

He said to Jeremiah while heading towards a certain shabby area of the city.

"This is the place right?"

[Yes Creator]

A grin began to appear on his lips as he kicked the door of an almost collapsed cabin.

"I can't sense anything here"

[It's because an artifact is in effect, I was about to locate this place since one of the items we took from the dungeon is reacting to this place]

"Is that so you should have told me then"

Apollo then wrecked the area using his magic until he found a hidden path under the floor of the cabin. Gladly Apollo went inside while destroying every trap that he purposely triggered. After a few turns and destruction, he finally found the place which Jeremiah is referring to.

"Wow"

He couldn't help but exclaim as he gazed at a core that was being protected by a powerful defensive artifact.

Apollo didn't seem fazed and took out the sword of light in his inventory.

"Now then let's test this stick"

He grips the obsidian color handle and smoothly clicks the button. A buzzing sound was heard along with a heat that turned into a fierce blade.

Holding it Apollo's eyes were filled with lines that seemed to tell him to follow it.

"To think this weapon has this kind of skill, interesting"

A single swing followed a line that quickly cracked not only the barrier but also the artifact that produced it.

"Opps that was the wrong line" Apollo said feeling like he wasted a good defensive artifact. Nevertheless, if his blade could break it easily it might mean it was taken from a low-ranking dungeon.

Alas, he was able to reach the core whose size is as big as a child's head. A magical beast core that represents the element of wind with its green color. On its very center, a shadow could be seen representing the beast who once owned it.

"Hmm.... I can't identify this beast, what the hell is this?"

[The archive can't identify it either so it might be an extinct species that is not recorded or this beast came from outside the continent]

Apollo felt even more curious so he ordered

"Absorb this core"

[Affirmative]

A blinding light exploded from the core taking Apollo off guard.

"What the!" he exclaims while his eyes are shielded by a thin barrier Jeremiah provided.

After the light seized Apollo felt conflicted as he saw the result of the absorption.

"Well that was unexpected" he said so though it seemed he ain't able to test it yet sensing someone was waiting for him above.

"I wonder if this will benefit," he said so as he made a gesture to suck all the remaining treasures inside the underground vault.

"What brings you here, miss?"

Apollo immediately said as soon as he arrived in front of his guest. That guest was the same woman he offered a job though this time something changed in her.

"You said you will give anything right!"

Apollo was suddenly taken aback as soon as she spoke like that so all he could do was nod.

"I will do it just....just save my sister!"

"Sister?" Apollo looked around her only to see a small child strapped by a ragged cloth on her back.

"Show me you can save her and I will do anything!"

She added, though her words made Apollo smirked as he saw her desperation.

"This kind of eye will definitely lead me to them"

He told himself while extending his right hand."I will gladly offer my services as long as the young lady accepts my offer"

His voice was coercive while his simple gesture was enough to make the woman believe him.