The Demon Monarch System

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Apollo's sharp question poked a hole in the weaved facade of this room. Kayn's expression staled, then darkened. He allowed him to present his question, however; he didn't appreciate this youth of his family trampling upon and belittling his aspirations—even if they were the truth.

Kayn's aura even leaked from his body gradually, producing a heavy atmosphere. But, once Apollo sensed this matter, he acted as well, releasing an appallingly dark aura. It simply didn't make sense!

"How?! That aura it's... It at least belongs to a Zul Knight! How can this be so? He's too young!" Sallaya sprang to her feet, slamming her hands on the table before her. It was frightening because she knew of Kayn's aspirations. If the strength Apollo showed was too enticing, Kayn could possibly bend to his whim.

The only issue was… they didn't understand what Apollo sought.

Meanwhile, Kayn withdrew his aura as he examined Apollo's aura thoroughly.

'This aura is simply monstrous… He's already escaped the bounds of his peers in this family. He should be on par with those children from the Great Families. Could I have truly been blind back then?' Kayn thought, ruminating over his past decisions.

"What you desire from your descendants is the potential to bring great accolades to the family's reputation, correct?" Apollo's candid tone broke Kayn's deep contemplation. His direct words were of some interest to Kayn. After all, all this wouldn't be presented without a purpose.

"If we're using simple terms... then we can look at it that way. But, let me ask a question of my own. In what family do the elders not view their offsprings as means to either catapult or further cement their social and martial standing in this world?" Kayn asked.

His aura remained calm, unlike the time he had punished Apollo. Not only were his eyes opened by Apollo's strength, but there was something amiss about it. He just couldn't put his finger on it.

"Now you speak the bitter truth. Based on what I've read, I'm aware of this situation. The dynamic of each family favors the useful while ignoring the inconsequential. But, their close-mindedness inhibits them from fathoming that inconsequential person gaining their own power," Apollo said with a faint smirk while placing his hand behind his back walking up to Kayn.

"Besides, the Apollo you once knew has already perished."

His last sentence shocked everyone. What did he mean Apollo died? Was he perhaps revealing his secret to everyone before him?

"What do you mean by these words?" Kayn asked, intrigued by the meaning of the words he could not decipher.

"Exactly what those words sound like. The naïve and tortured child who is no more. But, I'd like to thank you for these experiences that drove me to seek power. Thus, what lies before you is a husk of my former self, something you all can't afford. After all, the world is ruthless and requires one to be," Apollo expressed in a nonchalant tone.

"Hoh? While I admit your aura is shocking, those are big words for you to fulfill. If you genuinely believe that is the truth, then how about you explain why you think you're beyond us?" Kayn replied in a whimsical tone.

A playful yet expectant gleam passed through Kayn's eyes as he gazed into Apollo's placid eyes.

Meanwhile, a demonic glint flashed in Apollo's eyes as his aura spiked once again. This time, causing a turbulent scene in the conference room. Unbeknownst to him, that back wisp healing his body ceased its former action. Because he was unleashing a power signature beyond the current state of his Demon Body, the wisp created a net to fortify his damaged internals temporarily.

Conversely, Apollo increased his aura without an end in sight. It continued to multiply indefinitely, soon reaching a height that frightened most in the room, except for Kayn and Rhyne. Astonishment replaced their fright.

Rather than unleashing a Demonic Massacre Wave, he used its strength amplification property to produce an aura beyond him. However, containing an aura that was supposed to be released meant Apollo's body had to withstand the continuous bombardment from the annihilation's tyrannic energy.

Eventually, after giving a magnificent display, Apollo deactivated the technique.

Needless to say, the momentary burst allowed everyone to receive a true glimpse of Apollo's horrendous ability.

'Hmm? What is this aberrant feeling inside his aura? I've never come in contact with such a thing. Calling it evil would be an understatement. While weak, it seems unnaturally pure. It's almost as if a savage Spirit Beast of the Dark Element is standing before me,' Rhyne mused as he inspected Apollo. He was beginning to understand why Ashur feared this child's potential so much.

And yet, he still felt this didn't warrant such drastic behavior. All it meant was another talent was added to the rank of the family. Unfortunately, not everyone saw it this way. There were always a few who wanted their child to be the sole source of praise.

In their eyes, their worth grew to a new height since they were the parents of said child. Without their presence, the child of praise wouldn't have been born.

On the other hand, there always existed people jealous of those of similar talents. Such is the duality of life—there were those who feared falling into the pits of utter subservience and those who despised the talents capable of ruling above them in the future.

Closemindedness was the everlasting plague of man. As long as one continued to compare themselves instead of seeking to better themselves to the best of their abilities, such events would continue to take place.

Ultimately, Apollo waved his hand, causing the carcass of the wyvern to appear except its mutilated corpse leaked a feeling similar to the aura Apollo produced, except there were some minute differences. It was an overwhelmingly sharp and domineering aura weaved into the seamless cut.

"I'm guessing you came in contact with a type of berserk technique. This cut is too deep to come from someone of your standard. It's almost as if a Zul Commander unleashed this strike. Is that where your power comes from? Have you… sacrificed your potential's longevity for immediate strength? If you were so foolish, then you may as well disappear from my sights," Kayn said contemptuously.

Based on what he witnessed, he assumed Apollo's current internal state was one brought about by sacrificing his potential. Needless to say, this wasn't the case.

Of course, Apollo found this change of attitude hilarious, 'All because the carcass is present now. But, I see right through you.'

"I have no use for those types of techniques. There is no need to jeopardize my future for meager gains. Besides, an expert presented this opportunity and even these robes. Do you think they need to exhaust their potential?" Apollo countered.

Kayn rubbed his chin in response. 'Wait a minute, those robes... They're familiar. Could it have been someone traveling from a Great Family?'

"Hoh? Did you at least mention your origin to them?"

"Nope. Because I have none." Apollo shook his head, causing Kayn to frown whereas Ashur experienced an outburst.

"Unfilial! Everyone knows when you come in contact with such experts, you invite them back to the family! What have we raised, a dog?!"

Apollo turned towards him silently and flicked his finger. A small demonic arc hurtled past Ashur, burrowing a hole in the wall. Meanwhile, a trickle of blood seeped from his ear as he stared at Apollo in horror.

"Your lack of intelligence is astonishing. Do you really think I'd own a family like this? Also, speak again and your death will come even quicker," Apollo retorted.

Afterward, he turned his gaze towards Kayn with an indifferent expression.

"As I was exiled, just your word won't repair any ties we once had. Nor will I partake in blind contribution to this eyesore. However, I can say with absolute certainty—my worth will exceed all others."

"P-Preposterous! We should just kill him this instant and rid ourselves of this headache," Ashur scowled, unsettled by this overconfidence present in Apollo. On the contrary, the situation perplexed Kayn, but beyond that, he found himself even more curious than before.

However, before he could say anything, Apollo's right hand filled with that same savage aura. Cold sweat seeped down Ashur's back as he watched.

"Hold. What do you mean by your words?" Kayn questioned while raising his hand.

"It's quite simple. I'll become a hired weapon; nothing more, nothing less. As for payment, I want lives—specifically these few…"

With the number he revealed, he wanted to carry out a massacre! He was simply a menace!