The Demon Monarch System

----

Splash!

Once Apollo reappeared, the color of the once vibrant pool of blood dulled. Though it seemed like he was overall dissatisfied with the abrupt absorption, Apollo didn't fret over this matter since anything gained from the blood was a plus.

Instead, he thrust his hands up through the wound of the reverse scale and fished around until he pulled out a core larger than one of his hands. As a monster with a trace of a dragon's bloodline, Apollo expected as much.

「Spirit Heart Core

Element: Fire, Darkness, Wind, Metal, and Earth

Rank: IV

Purity: First Cycle (20%)

Experience Source: 849,745 (85%)

Absorption: Increases All Attributes by 29 points. 」

'Only the first cycle, meaning that despite all the shocking effects, it's the lowest possible,' Apollo thought to himself before tossing the core into his pouch. Now wasn't the time to absorb this. The energy inside was far too tyrannic.

Even outclassing the energy of all the cores Apollo absorbed at once.

Suddenly, Cynthia's voice broke Apollo's pensive state.

"You've… recovered quite well," Cynthia murmured before glancing around, 'However, I think we should evacuate this place.'

The integrity of this cave took a nosedive after experiencing the terror of Apollo and the wyvern. Therefore, it was on the brink of collapse.

However, the corpse of the wyvern was too precious to give up, "Are you able to stow this body?"

"Ah, you want it? If so then…" Cynthia removed another spatial pouch from her waist but this embroidery was different. It also gave off a feeling of expertise as if it was crafted from a skilled sage, "This is your father's old pouch. I've never used it but since you want this beast's body I believe the situation fits."

In an instant, the body was sucked inside and she handed it to Apollo who held it in a daze. His aunt seemed to retain most of his father's belongings, he wondered just how well their relationship was, "Do you miss him?"

"Who? Your father? Everyday…" A sorrowful and downcast aura appeared on Cynthia's face that changed quickly, "However, he's left you behind. A talented boy who's destined for great things. I see him in you so I find myself happy at this moment, come."

The moment she held Apollo's hand, a large boulder fell from the ceiling, causing Cynthia's eyes to widen. However, it was unwarranted.

Bang!

Apollo didn't even prepare for it and threw a simple punch, yet the strike blew the boulder to smithereens!

'How serendipitous,' Apollo thought with a faint smile.

Afterward, he vanished from within the cave after a gust of dark winds. It didn't take long for them to arrive outside before laying eyes on the group's curious expressions.

"Instead of recovering, this is what you do? It seems you lack faith in us," Cynthia said. However, her expression betrayed her words. She was elated to find everyone in one piece.

"What the hell were those explosions?!" The question lurking in everyone's curious minds was asked immediately.

Their anticipation in their eyes grew as they looked between Apollo's dishevel state and Cynthia.

As a result, Cynthia glanced at Apollo. It was up to him to answer. After all, it was he who revealed the ability to cause a shocking turn of events.

"It was battle," Apollo shrugged as he sat down, ignoring their eager gazes. This only further incensed Ashur and Axel. Obviously, if these two stood here, it was the effects of battle. What they wanted to know was what took place!

"No shit! We want to know what happened during those explosions. Details! We would like details," Axel waved his arm in annoyance. He couldn't stand the way Apollo always omitted information or evaded details.

"Oh, that's even easier. We killed the Wyvern," Apollo replied with an amused expression while peering at the apoplectic Ashur. He found this whole incident to be nothing short of hilarious. Did they really think he would disclose the events that took place?

"Fuck! Cynthia, tell me. How did you two survive? Did that wyvern not possess an ability that increases with every passing moment?" Ashur switched targets since Apollo wasn't cooperative.

"Naturally. However, we dealt with it and arrived safely. Since you didn't do so before, the importance now is that we heal," Cynthia said in the same tone as Apollo before sitting in a lotus position.

"Tch... but did you at least retrieve all the Natural Blessings or were they damaged in that godforsaken battle?" Ashur seethed. His questions weren't being answered and he wished to bash his head into the floor. Of course, he would do no such thing as he would only end up looking like a fool.

As a result, he remained disgruntled. 'Just you wait, I'll relay the events to the Grand Elder and he'll squeeze the information out of you all. Axel's talent isn't just for show, I'll use him to sway the Grand Elder!'

"Why would we let such things happen to it?" Cynthia blinked, firing odd looks at Ashur with a contemptuous expression. She found his question silly. The Natural Blessings were the whole reason for the battle!

Cynthia waved her arm, causing 36 crystalline and cerulean fruits to appear before them. Connected to every set of three fruits was a smoky-grey vine. Inside that vein was a constantly flowing and extremely pure Natural Essence, leading Apollo to understand the meaning of a Natural Blessing.

"As Apollo is the main cause of us claiming these items, there's a set strictly for him. This is indisputable. If you have any words, you'll be dealing with me," Cynthia's solemn eyes fell on Ashur and Axel with a combative glint.

"A-.... Bah! Whatever. There are still 35 other Natural Blessings remaining," Ashur ogled as he sat and examined every inch of the fruit. A hint of desire passed through his eyes, 'If I'm not mistaken, these should be at the level that even mature people can benefit from them. Maybe…'

"I believe you have misunderstood something. These Natural Blessings are special. They exist in sets of threes. In other words, there are truthfully only 12 of such items," Cynthia shook her head and handed Apollo the set of fruits.

Instinctively, Apollo inspected them.

「Smoldering Spirit Accentuation Fruits

Type: Natural Blessing

Grade: Mature Spirit Rank

Information: A spiritual herb continuously refined by nature itself. The energy inside is extremely pure but also domineering.

Effect: Produces an effect of Absolute Liberation.

«Mature Bonus» - Provides a small increase to each stat. 」

'Yes, with a few more Demonic Pellets, and the Spirit Heart, it should be possible to become a Lesser Demon,' Apollo thought.

[Lad, do you recall that first mission I gave you?]

'Of course, the one in which I must reach the 3rd Level of the system,' Apollo's immediately answered.

[Yes, you have finally finished off the requirements to reveal the last two tasks.]

Ding!

〈System Alert! Your mission «Journey to Sovereignty» has been updated. The previously omitted details have revealed themselves.〉

「Quest Name: Journey to Monarchhood (Part I)

Quest Information: The road to power is tiresome—one filled with both pain and strife. However, pain is needed to mold the strongest vessels. As such, it is time to step upon your road to Monarchhood—beginning the journey of the monarch of the demons.

Objectives:

-Achieve Demon Monarch System's 3rd Level. (0/1)

-Reach Level 100. (0/1)

-Evolve into a Lesser Demon. (0/1)

-Complete the Infernal Ira Stigmata. (0/1)

Time Limit: 5 years

Elapsed Time: 4 years, 2 months, 14 days.

Rewards: ????, ????, ???? 」

...

Apollo didn't have much to say because the two new tasks were goals that aligned with his current agenda. So, all it was doing was rewarding him for something inevitable.

On the other hand, Apollo returned to an inactive state as he hastened the healing process of the pendant.

Similarly, the others focused on healing as well. Except, after a few seconds, Apollo was shocked awake because of a change in the pendant. It seemed to gorge on the surrounding Fire Essence!

'This is new… the pendant usually only distributes vitality. Just why is it absorbing essence now?' Apollo wondered. This question caused him to look into the specifics of the pendant, only to be shocked by what he saw!