The Demon Monarch System

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Cynthia surviving the onslaught of such terrifying magma without the protection of her Essence Aegis was utterly impossible. There was no leaving it up to chance in this situation. After absorbing the essence of the wyvern, the temperature of this magma was absurd, nearly twice the typical level.

Therefore, Cynthia simply closed her eyes in fright and resigned herself to her own fate. If she was to perish in this place, then so be it. As long as Apollo was safe, then she was fine with this outcome.

However, despite closing her eyes for quite some time, the expected pain never appeared. At first, she thought that perhaps she had already died and that it was so quick that it was painless, but opening one of her eyes revealed a different reality.

Apollo stood before her, sheltering her from the damage with a slightly pained expression as the magma bombarded his back. Though the Resistance trait and the fact he was a Demi-Demon gave him a high tolerance towards flames, the magma was still difficult to deal with.

Cynthia stared at him with eyes filled with concern, "What are you doing?!"

"Protecting you. Aaron would never forgive me if I allowed you to die here," Apollo answered. Although he had become detached, the least he could do was honor Aaron's kindness.

It was one thing to seek vengeance, but it was another to turn your back on those who treated you well. Hence, why Apollo protected Cynthia in this situation.

"Still. What about that beast? What good will it do if we both can't continue?!" Cynthia retorted. Though she appreciated Apollo saving her, it meant nothing if it was all in vain. They still needed someone to kill this beast!

"Don't worry. This beast's remaining strength doesn't surpass 20% of its former power. Although it is on a rampage now, that might not necessarily be the case later," Apollo said as the magma storm finally ended.

He stood up and moved, only to experience a world of searing pain on his back. As he turned towards the wyvern, Cynthia's eyes widened in horror, "O-oh my god! Your back!"

Most of his skin had blistered and was falling off, yet Apollo didn't even complain about it. If it was Cynthia who experienced this pain, she felt there was no way she would be able to withstand it, much less without a word.

"Argh," Apollo groaned in frustration while swinging his arm around. "Why... Why couldn't you just die? You just had to keep 15% of your health," Apollo said in an infuriated tone as he walked towards the wyvern while disregarding Cynthia's presence.

A boundless bloodlust burst from Apollo's body as his eyes adopted a savage gleam. Even the wyvern's pupils constricted as it felt the aura of pure carnage dripping from Apollo's body.

[This… Do you intend to use that strike?]

'I do,' Apollo admitted with a nod.

[That… I advise against it! You should be a Lesser Demon at the very least before even entertaining that idea.]

'I'll have to politely refuse that advice,' Apollo answered while continuing to walk towards the wyvern with severe steps.

[But you're so close! It's only a matter of time until that beast's death. It's constantly losing vitality!]

'It… needs to die sooner. Besides, aren't I close to attaining that state? Surely I can handle the consequences,' Apollo answered as the aura of bloodlust underwent a shocking change. While it was still unbelievably savage, it was becoming horrifyingly sharp.

Apollo's fingernails then pierced his palms, causing fresh blood to drip in a trail as he closed the distance between him and the wyvern.

As a precaution, the wyvern unleashed the black fire beam from earlier. However, the moment it came in contact with the space one meter before Apollo's body, it was cut in half, sending it off-path in both directions.

Meanwhile, the sanguine and nefarious aura apparent around Apollo seemed to even rob his surroundings of their vitality as it became dull and lifeless. However, it wasn't just his surroundings, even Apollo paled.

〈System Alert: Your current state is incapable of unleashing this strike.〉

〈System Alert: Correction made! «Fiendish Force» & «Sacrificial Vigor» have melded to produce the required effect.〉

〈System Alert: «Sacrificial Vigor» is draining your health at an alarming rate to facilitate your desires.〉

[Oh goodness…]

Although Azridan was against it, they had reached a point of no return. There was no way for Apollo to perform the opposite function.

From the initial state of a nearly full health bar, Apollo's health plummeted all the way to 20 percent! Any further and he was entering dangerous territory.

As this happened, both Apollo and the Demonic Earthflame Wyvern's auras continued to climb. It seemed to be a contest!

Cynthia was dismayed by this development, 'Has this boy already acquired power on par with a Zul Commander? Or...is he once again performing some kind of technique?'

Skrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

The Wyvern didn't withhold any of its abilities. Every last of 5 affinities were used to create an orb of pure devastation. The ground started to collapse as the wyvern's endless screeches turned into more fuel for the orb.

Still, Apollo didn't flinch as a trace of crimson blood trailed down his lips—what he was performing was tearing him apart inside.

Yet his sights remained locked on two things; the weakness the Demonic Earthflame Wyvern was neglecting in its fury as it conjured its own immense attack as well as the Natural Blessings behind it.

"In my path of power, if I so desire it—I will claim everything I see! For I am who severs all obstacles; Second Annihilation!" Apollo's aura vanished, returning to a calm, eerie silence.

All of it was channeled into Apollo's left arm as it disfigured and underwent a partial demonizing! Metallic bone spurs jutted from his elbows as his hand enlarged. A second later, a crimson line fell. It seemed harmless, yet the wyvern screeched in terror, even releasing its attack.

Immediately after unleashing that strike, Apollo staggered, nearly falling over "Second Annihilation: Nether Severance!"

The area was undergoing a scene of utter destruction as the orb was severed in two before decaying! The attack then went on to split the entire back of the cave in half before losing all of its momentum.

While catching Apollo, Cynthia merely looked at the scene in horror. 'Just what is the nature of this attack? What… has my nephew come across?' But, although she was shocked, she wouldn't mention what she witnessed to anyone else. After all, a kid under 15 slaying a Rank 3 Bloodline Beast was unprecedented!

"A-Aunty, you must claim those Natural Blessings. And-..." Apollo's voice was akin to a raspy whisper, however, he soon stopped talking.

Thump!

Thump Thump!

Thump Thump Thump!

His heartbeat grew erratic as he looked at the severed carcass of the wyvern spewing blood endlessly. The desire to approach that place welled up inside him until Cynthia noticed his expression.

"Do you wish to go there?"

"Yes…" Apollo raised his finger, pointing towards the wyvern's body with a slight nod. Offering him stability, Cynthia brought him before the towering body of the Wyvern. He placed his hand on its body, but there was no reaction. 'This isn't what's calling out to me.'

'Blood... blood… absorb the blood…'

A phantom-like voice whispered into Apollo's ear, coercing him to dive inside the pool of viscous blood.

Splash!

Apollo jumped in and immediately felt at ease for a moment before turning into a ravenous beast. Half was absorbed by him, whereas the pendant absorbed the rest. Although his experience didn't increase, other changes occurred! Furthermore, there was an indescribable familiarity coursing through him.

[Hoh? That pendant is quite the artifact. Just what are its origins?]

〈System Alert: The vitality of the blood is healing you.〉

〈System Alert: Extracting the demonic properties from the blood.〉

〈System Alert: The item ??? has reached the condition to undergo its first evolution!〉

〈System Alert: Extraction has caused evolutionary progress to increase.〉