The Demon Monarch System

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"Haah...haah…" Apollo and Aaron both heaved as they lay on the ground. Although Apollo held back significantly, he was exhausted by how long he battled against Aaron. Even after reaching exhaustion, Aaron chose to continue sparring.

Still, despite his unwillingness to give up, Aaron couldn't help but

"Just how many near-death battles have you gone through to achieve that calmness? Even though I tried my hardest, I couldn't ignore the possibility of dealing fatal damage towards you. And yet, you were able to counter all my strikes easily," Aaron turned towards Apollo, looking at him with reverence.

"A thousand at the very least, and that is a generous estimation. It's not something that will change overnight. But we have time before we leave this place. We'll have to train harder to temper that shortcoming out of you. Kindness isn't a weakness in all cases, but in our society, it's best to avoid being too kind," Apollo answered in a candid tone.

"You're right, but I'm also starving; should we head to the Dining Hall?" Aaron asked as he rose to his feet, looking in the direction of an active building.

However, Apollo shook his head in response, tapping his spatial pouch, "You go ahead. I have some other things I need to do. I'll worry about a meal later."

"Alright. I won't go as far as to beg you to come. I know you don't want to be in the presence of others. We'll continue this later?" Aaron said while nodding in understanding.

Again, Apollo shook his head, "Tomorrow. We'll do this once every day or at least try to. There are still other things I need to address. Just make sure to continue honing yourself since we don't know how difficult the selection will be. So, it'd be best for you to prepare yourself sufficiently."

"Also… you should claim one of those Natural Blessings. Don't let them enter the hands of Axel and company. Otherwise, it'd be a waste," Apollo's tone carried with it a foreboding bloodlust. One that Aaron sensed and felt a faint chill.

"You don't mean…"

"Correct. I will kill them," Apollo stated with undisclosed malice. Once again, a faint yet pure murderous intent pooled from within him. This time, however, Aaron shivered. Although it wasn't directed at him, he was still affected. At this point, even he feared for their lives; however, he wouldn't dissuade Apollo from his decisions. After all, this was their own undoing.

Aaron sighed heavily as he looked at Apollo, "I won't say I agree with you killing them, but I also won't say you shouldn't. While what they did was during their childish years, I must also take into account the trauma they could've caused you…."

He placed one hand on Apollo's shoulder and balled the other into a fist while pressing against Apollo's chest, "I hope your choice resolves the inner turmoil you feel. I can't say I understand your experiences, but it isn't healthy to hold onto all of that hate."

"Mn," Apollo nodded silently before disappearing from the spot. Bidding his farewell also, Aaron entered the Dining Hall.

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Standing before the Main House, Apollo came face to face with Kayn.

"I believe you're here to enter the treasury. Before you do, I must inform you of the limits. First and foremost, you are forbidden from taking more than 20% of the pill reserve. Although we have our deal, we still have to support the other youths."

"As long as the quality suffices, that should be enough," Apollo nodded in response, looking straight into Kayn's eyes.

"Secondly, Ashur has told me you can absorb Essence Cores. Unfortunately, we don't have those in storage. They are usually shipped elsewhere. Also, why didn't you ask to enter the upper levels of the library?"

Apollo looked at Kayn for a moment before shrugging, "It slipped my mind; perhaps I'll have a look later."

Of course, this answer was lighthearted and only used to address Kayn's curiosity. After all, the family's collection of techniques didn't arouse Apollo's interest at all. Hence, the lack of allure made Apollo reject the idea. Not to mention, there were other reasons for his doused interest.

After completing his racial change, his body longer agreed with the techniques of this world. So, learning them was essentially impossible. At most, he would only be able to draw some inspiration from the skills to develop his unique arsenal.

Besides, his Demon Body made it so that the utilization of techniques wasn't the primary source of combat power. Just his attributes alone were enough to resolve most sticky situations.

Granted, there was still the Abysmal Conqueror Record, which held numerous hidden techniques until Apollo fulfilled the prerequisites.

"I see. Last but not least, in the treasury resides a collection of weapons. If you find one that resonates with you, you may keep it and use it in the trial. It may not be much compared to the progeny of the greater families, but it should allow you to claim a better position."

"Very well. I'll take you up on that as well," Apollo nodded before walking past Kayn, pressing on the treasury doors. The dimmed lighting grew bright as the door opened, and torches along the wall ignited a faint white luminance inside the expansive room.

A shocking number of small mounds of pills comprising varying colors appeared before him. Furthermore, there were a variety of weapons. Some of which seemed even stronger than his previous Dark Cutter.

After entering the room, Apollo examined the carved walls and ample decorations, 'It seems these people have spent a decent amount on this place. It makes me wonder, did this family occupy a higher position in the past before that tragedy? Perhaps there were quite a few talents in the past.'

Apollo continued to ponder a few questions as he passed by and inspected a few pills. Most of them didn't meet his expectations. After all, the pills Apollo received from Irauk were leagues above what they had to offer.

Nevertheless, Apollo's opinion changed once he reached the back of the treasury where the higher grade pills resided.

On top of that, he found a peculiar fruit that compelled him to take it. As a result, he claimed the fruit as well as four types of pills. However, Apollo stopped in his tracks as he looked towards a blackish-silver gleam.

'What is that?" he thought to himself as he approached it. Bending down, Apollo shifted a few items revealing what seemed to be a weapon.

[Hmm? This seems nefarious. I like that feeling. It would be best if you claimed it—whatever it is.]

Apollo sifted through the piles of pills, finally coming across the source of his curiosity. 'Are these gloves or knuckles?'

Despite examining the weapon's qualities, Apollo still couldn't tell the weapon type. It resembled claws, but Apollo also noticed the fingers were totally exposed. It was pitch black gloves; however, only half of the fingers would be covered by it. Besides this, there were odd, liquid-like, dark silver veins flowing through the back of the palm area.

Though Apollo didn't know if he'd regret his choice, he ultimately decided to pick up the weapon. However, his eyes widened the moment he touched it. The weapon engulfed his hands, causing searing pain to appear on his palm that instantly shot towards his heart.

It caused him to kneel and almost scream in agony. But, the fleeting pain vanished as quickly as it appeared.

Furthermore, aside from the remnant of pain that gradually dissipated, there was no indication of the weapon. Along with the pain, the item vanished completely!

But, a few moments later, Apollo blanked out while a short summary of cryptic information regarding the item's origins and the reason behind its disappearance. More importantly, a phrase entered Apollo's mind as he continued to space out.

"The Umbra Crusade is inevitable, for he shall bring rise to the Requiem of the Dark Destroyers," Apollo muttered in a state of torpor as if possessed. He didn't understand this collection of words nor what they meant. But as he uttered this a few notifications appeared before him.