The Demon Monarch System

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〈System Alert: Your actions have awakened the prerequisite linked to your unique conditon. Prove your worth by fulfilling your chosen conduct of the demons.〉

Rather than continuing to inflict horrifying pain upon Slaid, Apollo glanced at the notification before him. Based on the information in the notice, this seemed linked to the reasoning behind his so-called unique state.

'A conduct of the demons?' Apollo muttered with a quizzical expression. This was the first time he heard of such a thing, so his knowledge on the subject was extremely lacking.

However, another piece of information soon followed.

〈System: Refer to your system warden for more information.〉

[Ah, so we've finally come across this matter. That means it's only a matter of time until you gain the complete right to become a true demon. You've come across your unique limit, Demonic Conduct. You just need to fulfill.]

"By conducting myself as a demon would?" Apollo responded immediately. After all, his curiosity had still yet to be appeased.

[Precisely. Accomplish that task and you'll have no worries.]

"I see. If that's the case, does it present any benefits?" Apollo asked as he knelt down looking Slaid in his trembling eyes. In Slaid's perspective, what remained before him didn't look human. He was talking to himself and the look in his eyes sought death! His skin crawled as fear overwhelmed his wavering reason.

"I-...Ha…." Slaid tried to utter a plea but was unable to. His shattered jaw prohibited him from doing so. Tears pooled in his eyes and his mind was swarmed by the terrifying thought of suffering a terrible death.

A youth was causing him so much dread that he was losing control of his bodily functions! At this point, all he sought was death, but unlike the others, he couldn't end his life even if he wanted to.

The earlier Demonic Massacre Wave not just his half of his leg, but his hands were caught in the aftermath as well. But, with the wounds seared close, it wouldn't warrant a quick death.

[That goes without saying. Check the interface, it should detail the benefits of such a thing.]

[«Demonic Conduct»] - Something vital to you becoming a true demon; one must become one at their core. In other words, they must possess the bearing of a demon: ruthless, and adamant in their path while also dauntless to peril. Killing enemies with malicious intent towards you will garner rewards imperative to your growth.

〈System: Your Behavior of the Sinners has been determined. [Chosen Sin Behavior: Wrath].〉

[«Demonic Conduct»]

[Ruthless Path] - Granting your enemies the embrace of the Netherworld.

Stage One: (COMPLETED!) [Reward: 5 Demonic Essence Pellet]

Stage Two: (In progress: ⅖) [Reward: 10 Demonic Essence Pellet, 1 Fragment of Sin.]

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[Savage Demonic Path] - Savor the despair of your victims.

Stage One: (In progress!) [Reward: 10,000 Experience, 1 Inferior Crystallized Chaos, and 5 Demonic Essence Pellets.]

Stage Two: Unachieved.

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"My behavior of the sinners? I'm guessing this just refers to a demon. If that's the case, accomplishing this task should cause whatever restriction currently inhibiting me to vanish, right?" Apollo muttered in a questioning tone.

[Indeed. Now we understand just why you react so strongly to that emotion. It's because your affinity with Ira is quite shocking. Now, all that's left is for you to prove your worth as a demon by accomplishing these deeds.]

[However, I'm not too sure about the latter part. Whether it vanishes is something outside of my knowledge.]

"No worries, I don't need all the answers because they're bound to appear in due time," Apollo responded. It didn't seem worth it to question something that was uncertain to even Azridan.

[True, sometimes I question if you're truly a youth. That sort of outlook isn't something that matches your age. Perhaps there are other things we need to solve as well. Or at the very least, things that will become clear to you.]

Apollo merely nodded before giving Slaid a maniacal smirk. Cold sweat seeped down his back as he struggled with muffled groans. Still, Apollo didn't reconcile with his fear at all, instead, he enjoyed it.

He even used painfully slow movements to incite even more fear. All of a sudden, he picked up the Dark Cutter and use it to sharpen his nails until it was capable of slicing his own skin.

"With your elements, as well as that last technique you used...you should be used to being cut right?" Apollo chuckled with a chilling tone.

"Amhpp... Mmmph!" Slaid's throat shuddered while his tongue flailed. Yet, indiscernible words were formed. Meanwhile, one thought flooded his mind, 'Stop! Please stop! End it…!'

"Let's see how many cuts it takes for you to stop clinging to this unsightly life of yours," Apollo said. Then, he enacted his dark thoughts as he sliced off small layers of skin before light prodding the layer underneath with his knife.

Despite Slaid trashing about, Apollo continued his actions by thrusting the tip of his knife right below Slaid's nails, causing his trembling body to constrict. Muffled yet painful whimpers echoed in the forest, but Apollo clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"That tongue of yours, it's annoying. Let's get rid of it." Unlike before, Apollo's actions were slow. Treating it as if it was a cow's tongue, sliced it off in horizontal chunks.

Then Apollo grabbed his jaw and pulled.

Tears pooled in Slaid's eye further as he felt that vice-grip on two sections of his head. Pained groans escaped his throat as Apollo's emotionless eyes stared at him. Although Apollo's arm merely hung on by damaged bone, he still used it to pull.

"You all… it's your fault. Bear the consequences."

Crrrrccccckkkk!

An unnerving cracking noise was heard from Slaid's jaw, but the process was gradual and soon enough, Slaid's lower jaw gave out, allowing Apollo to pull it directly from his skull!

His remaining good arm buried Slaid's head in the dirt as he did so.

Slaid's eyes rolled back. Not the missing jaw, hundreds of cuts on his body, and even the severed limbed. All of this pushed him to the edge of death. And, Apollo added the last feather plunging him into the embark of death.

The remains of Slaid's throat sat in his palm after ripping it out. Although he enacted his revenge, he didn't feel joy; he felt empty.

[Wow...I may have witnessed a scene that would give even me nightmares. Ruthless! What an abominable rage! I adore it! Perhaps this is why you're the prime candidate. The system must have judged your repressed hatred! I look forward to your future!]

〈System Alert: Rewards from the Ruthless and Savage Path obtained.〉

〈System: «Demonic Conduct» has cleared Stage One.〉

〈System: A multiplier of 1.2x for human-based kills has been granted.〉

A moment later, a small dimensional portal opened, distributing his rewards while his experience meter raised by 30,000.

〈System: 10 Demonic Essence Pellets, 1 Inferior Crystallized Chaos, and 1 Fragment of Sin rewarded.〉

Meanwhile, Apollo noticed their spatial pouches but merely chucked them inside his own without much care.

[Hmm? I sense movement in the distance. However, is your state suitable to battle in-]

"Yes. My irritation still isn't quelled. I need to vent more. We can move after that," Apollo answered. As of now, his voice was cold. In fact, it gave an odd feeling of being something else entirely. Of course, Azridan didn't question this because he understood Apollo's rage.

[Then proceed. Keep in mind the condition of that arm. It'll take even more effort to heal it this time. Perhaps this will be a good lesson on how to protect damaged areas.]

After his response, a large number of Dark Shadow Does came into view except they were almost incapable of fighting at this point.

'My attack traveled that far?' Apollo wondered with a slight bit of awe until he took a look at his stamina bar, 'Less than 300 left… that's under a quarter. It'll have to suffice.'