The Demon Monarch System

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Apollo fell to his knee before the Infernal Earth Ape's dead body and looked at it silently. For the first time, he had defeated a Rank 2 beast. While it appeared to his limit as of now, it was already a commendable feat, seeing as these other youths struggle to even deal with a Rank 1 beast.

Granted, none of these youths possessed a technique with tyrannical power on par with that wave Apollo unleashed. The principles of that attack were difficult to understand when they tried to compare it against normal Natural Essence fluctuations.

Still, Apollo didn't mind this and instead closed his eyes to take advantage of the External Absorption skill. After experimenting with it, he learned that it not only allowed him to gather experience by draining the area, but it allowed him to hasten his recuperation period if focused.

And, since his stamina has reached abysmal levels, he recuperated instead of continuing in the battle with the remaining lower-ranked apes. However, he guarded the corpse of this particular corpse as no one was permitted to interfere with a core of this quality. As he did so, he examined Lily's fighting style.

In terms of awareness and battle sense, she was along the lines of Aaron, which wasn't that good. However, her reserves seemed to be deeper. But, that was to be expected as the system revealed her cultivation to be higher.

Eventually, the battles came to an end with Aaron immediately rushing towards Apollo after being concerned over his well-being after becoming so weak. "W-what was that technique?! It was kind of awesome, but it also felt dangerous."

"Just something I've come across in this forest. I guess you can say it just harnesses... my anger," Apollo chuckled while glancing to the side at Aaron.

"Your anger? Ah yes… you do have a right to a lot of that," Aaron nodded after recalling all the treatment Apollo was put through. After that, he was bound to harbor intense feelings of resentment.

Apollo didn't give a response to that and simply focused on his recovery. If he wished to, he could deliver his vengeance at any time, but now wasn't the best time. Because, while it would placate some of his fury, it wouldn't be as everlasting as he would like it to be.

For that, his vengeance would require an audience.

On the other hand, he noticed that Aaron recovered quite quickly; even faster than he did despite his level. But, Apollo also noticed that most, if not all of the absorbed essence converged at the pit of his stomach, symbolizing a phenomenon that Apollo learned of from within Irauk's booklet.

'I suppose he has opened quite a dantian. One that links with his meridians fairly well,' Apollo thought before recalling some of the information about this matter.

The benefits of possessing a dantian were evident. Not only did it store essence in greater volume, but it allowed the owner to purify that essence and expel it quickly in the form of an attack.

And, while Apollo didn't operate on the same power structure, he didn't lose out when it came to energy absorption. Especially since the External Absorption seemed to be linked with his level. The higher it became, the large the scope of energy he could absorb.

Whilst recovering, Apollo took the time to critique the new parameters of his technique. After all, honing his mastery of the strike made the consumption lessen and the effectiveness increase.

「Technique Name: Demonic Massacre Wave

Rank: *Lesser

Mastery: 25%

Information: Channels one's vitality to perform a massacre. Sacrifices must be made in exchange for the eradication one seeks. Therefore, the more that is sacrificed, the strong this attack becomes.

Description: Deals damage equal to 1000% of your Strength Attribute + 1% increase per every 10 points of stamina sacrificed.

Consumption: 500 Stamina + "x" amount of stamina sacrificed.

Requirements: Strength: 65.0, Vitality: 45.0 」

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'So that's how so much of its health was consumed. The parameters are incomparable to what they once were. Perhaps this is an effect of the Fiendish Force. A multiplier is unusually high,' Apollo thought.

[Agreed. And it's barely even mastered. You should know, these techniques are by no means mere Lesser Techniques. They will only become stronger as you do.]

"I see. I had a feeling it was so when I noticed the technique record as a whole was deemed to be an Abyssal Practice," Apollo responded.

Afterward, he returned his focus to recovering uninterruptedly. Alas, that was hard to accomplish because sensed movement nearby, causing him to open his eyes again. It was Danyul, approaching him with a curious expression.

As he approached, Apollo's gaze calmly interrogated Danyul until he could take the silence no longer.

Danyul revealed the question plaguing his mind, "Was that move you use earlier some kind of special technique?" At first, he wanted to call it a martial art, but it seemed too odd to truly be called one.

"It was," Apollo casually replied while also stretching out his hand, "I believe this is yours." Releasing the Coldiron Staff from his grasp, it fell into Danyul's open palms.

"Where did you find it? I know the family's collection like the back of my hand and we don't possess an art with that type of tyrannical feeling amongst our collection," Danyul questioned as the Coldiron staff in his possession disappeared.

It was clear he possessed some type of storing device.

"Mm. I just so happened to chance upon it and find that I possessed an affinity for it," Apollo said before rising to his feet. Although he hadn't fully recovered, it was more than sufficient for what he intended to do.

"Wait, that technique. We need to discuss-"

"No more question," Apollo said in a cold tone that cut off Danyul before he could finish. Any question was forced back down his throat as he sensed the bloodlust emanating from Apollo.

On the other hand, Apollo shifted his attention over to the large body of the ape. Seeing as the battle was over, it was time to collect the spoils of battle. Because of Danyul's earlier actions, Apollo looked at the elders' waists and noticed storing pouches on par with his own.

'Mm, now that I think about it, just what was that fellow's identity and why did he round up so many youths? Perhaps this sudden reunion has spurred my curiosities,' Apollo mused as he bent over carcasses.

Needless to say, the first ape he targeted was the Rank 2 Infernal Earth Ape. Its core was too precious to risk allowing it to fall into Ashur's clutches. If that were to happen, then Apollo would certainly have to reveal his entire hand.

Meanwhile, Danyul's gaze remained on the back of Apollo as he remained deep in thought, 'Those earlier strikes felt eerily similar to those of Spirit Beast's innate techniques. Is it possible for a human to achieve even further naturalization than what is noted?'

Of course, this didn't ring true for Apollo. Firstly, he wasn't a pure human anymore. Hence, he couldn't be held to their standards. Secondly, the technique felt similar to a Spirit Beast's innate utilization due to one reason—it was of the Demonic attribute; a notion unfamiliar to this world.

Evident from Apollo's cold response. Danyul understood he wouldn't be receiving any more answers. Hence, he approached Cynthia and stood next to her quietly with a contemplative expression. 'Would that be a possibility?'

Suddenly, Apollo paused his actions with a thoughtful expression.

Apart from noticing their path taking an obscure direction, he noticed that the elders were careful not to participate in any battles. Clearly, there was another motive for their actions.

"Although it might be true that you all care here to advance your cultivations, I feel there is another reason. Care to share?"

"Now tell me, why exactly would we share our operations with you when you're an outcast of the family. Mind your own and continue with your own device," remarked Ashur while hateful gazing upon Apollo.

However, Apollo disregarded his expression. Not only were Ashur's words treated like air, but he also didn't even acknowledge his presence. Turning his head, he instead focused on Cynthia, "Auntie? How about you? Are you able to tell me the true purpose of your journey here?"