The Demon Monarch System

----

"Ahem… while a learning session is nice. I believe we need to get back to the matter at hand! Let's snatch the Natural Blessings and evacuate this area," Ashur scowled with a discontent expression. Why was she mentioning that item to him? The matters of the family's actions were none of Apollo's business.

"Evacuate? And let the beast finish evolving and run rampant? Are you insane or just that selfish?" Cynthia's tone carried disgust as she looked upon Ashur with a disdainful expression.

"It's not worth it to go out of our way to slay this beast. Instead, it's more reasonable to snatch these items and return to the estate. Don't you agree, Danyul?!" Ashur's only way out was to involve Danyul. Unfortunately…

"No, I disagree. The flesh of this beast alone will be extremely beneficial to the youth back home. Besides, there's no way we can allow a beast to run rampant. Numerous lives will be lost. I'm with Cynthia on this—we slay the beast."

In response, Ashur's expression darkened as he cursed them in his mind. 'Fucking do-gooders. Why do we need to look out for all the youths when not all of them are promising? It should go without saying—condense our resources and focus on the promising candidates.'

Then, the situation changed once again.

"Unfortunately… even if we wanted to do that. It's no longer an option," Cynthia said in a solemn tone as the volcanic cocoon trembled. The crumbling exterior revealed an enormous eyelid that soon opened.

A reptilian eye giving off a horrible feeling examined all that laid before it. The dense savagery buried within accentuated the dreadful red color of this eye. Steadily, larger chunks fell, ultimately displaying just how large its physique was.

"Something's wrong.I've felt a Rank 3 Spirit Beast once and they… They don't feel like this," Cynthia stammered as her throat shuddered. That eye staring at them—it gave her a feeling comparable to those inconceivable Terrors!

"GROOAAAAAHHH!!!"

A prolonged ear-piercing shriek sounded causing the layout to quake. A shockwave shattered the remains of the encasing cocoon, revealing the rest of its terrifying features stuck inside the cocoon.

Its massive wings unfurled, blanketing Apollo and the rest in the shadow cast by its absurd wingspan.

Countless blackened scales shimmered with a metallic luster as its claws slammed into the ground tearing open a few fissures with ease. Just the fact alone made Cynthia and Danyul feel a sense of dread.

After all, from what they sensed, it was a beast at least on par with a Zul Commander. Fortunately, as it has just completed its transformation, the beast wasn't as overwhelming as it should be.

Its wings appeared to be incomplete as there were numerous holes being filled, and overall they appeared decrepit and prematures. Not too long after they unfurled, they retracted back to a folded state.

Still, its ominous gaze, which locked onto Apollo and the others, was enough to send chills down their spines.

"This...t-... is this a dragon!? It's at least 15 meters tall. How do we confront something like that?" Aaron paled at this beast before them. Its roar shattered his confidence as did his mother's solemn expression.

"It's not a dragon. If it were, we'd already be dead. This should be a wyvern, but even then… They are known to be extremely destructive. How is one here?" Cynthia frowned as her grip around her sword tightened.

'Hm? Her tone makes it seem like we've walked into a hopeless situation. However…'

"Aunty, this situation isn't hopeless. At least, I don't think so," Apollo while watching the Wyvern. Until now, it had yet to make a move except staring at this bunch.

While this was Apollo's view, he was unaware that the aura of this beast had a large effect on Cynthia. The situation stimulated a deep-rooted hatred for a similar ominous feeling—it jogged the memories of her perishing brothers!

"I don't think you understand the implications that come along with a Rank 3 Spirit Beast! They undergo a fundamental change. Those below the Zul Knight Realm are unable to even scratch them," Ashur scoffed with a disgruntled expression. He even showed signs of wanting to bail on this situation.

Even the allure of a Natural Blessing wasn't to force him to stay.

"We should have brought father along…" Axel frowned as he stared at the wyvern cautiously. Despite the lack of movement, the aura around its body was frantic.

Suddenly, it made a move but it was awkward. Attempting to move caused it to slam against the wall, highlighting just how much it lacked control of its body right now.

"Why do you all lack confidence? Isn't cultivation the path of defying all odds? I guess gaining extra strength has caused you all to lose your heart, becoming complacent," Apollo said as he brushed past everyone.

"If you don't want to confront it, I'll simply take my share and leave." A thick shadow encased Apollo, as he barely took two steps forward. In truth, he noticed the defect of this beast's body. Undoubtedly, the best time to strike was now.

Alas, not everyone shared the same thought.

"Don't be so irrational! How can I allow you to put yourself in harm's way? I won't be losing my family again. Stand down… NOW!" Cynthia screamed in a frantic matter, which caused her aura to surge.

Her volatile state caused a reaction to occur. Within seconds, her aura broke through to a new level!

Meanwhile, Apollo felt her emotion and conceded, retracting the embrace of the Partial Shade Silhouette, "As you wish Aunty."

But, while he retreated, the wyvern's expression changed. Because of Cynthia's surge of strength, it now viewed her as a threat.

Screeeeeeeee!

The wyvern's terrifying screech reverberated throughout the enclosed space, causing it to tremble.

A moment later, a swarm of Rank 2 Flame Salamanders appeared from behind its body.

At the same time, its deadly glare fell upon the group as an orb of absurd flames gathered within its mouth. Compared to any beast he had faced  before, Apollo was appalled by the rate it gathered essence..

"DODGE!" Cynthia roared before grabbing Aaron and jumping to the side. While midair, her feet were wreathed in a watery stream that soon formed slender boots seemingly made of Water Essence but retained a metallic sheen.

"Is that her Aqua Maiden Technique? It seems she has trained it to the Aquatic Valkyrie Boots. When is the last time we've seen her in action? It's been years," Danyul muttered to himself as he brandished the Coldiron Staff.

A layer of water essence coated it as well before it began freezing over. It was a special technique known as Frozen Lance. It turned his staff into a lance with a blade composed of frozen essence.

Of course, it required a continued influx of Natural Essence to maintain the technique. Hence, it was a rather draining technique. However, this flaw was made up for in lethality.

Whoosh!

As the two strongest, Danyul and Cynthia pounced towards the wyvern. Meanwhile, Ashur frowned as he revealed two chakrams. A black yet frail aura seeped from his hands as the weapon rotated at a steadily accelerating pace.

It was his specialty—the Dark Element. Sadly, compared to the other two it was rather weak. Needless to say, his affinity wasn't very strong.

Nevertheless, he joined the battle utilizing his Twin Dark Wheels.

Apollo and the other youths, on the other hand, focused on the incoming Rank 2 Flame Salamanders. Since the elders were leading the assault, this matter was left up to them. And, letting the salamanders interfere would be a grave mistake.

Besides Apollo, the others required their full attention to keep a Rank 2 Flame Salamander at bay.

In one hand, Apollo held the Dark Cutter, but he used his free hand to capitalize on his Fiendish Force. He grabbed a Salamander by the tail before swinging around. All of the nearby beasts were thrown into the distance, away from the wyvern.

Then Apollo blitzed forward after throwing the one in his hand as well. "If you three want to be most effective, then team up." Apollo suggested.

Although Axel hated to admit it, Apollo was right.