The Demon Monarch System

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〈System Alert: A Living Abyss Weapon has bonded with your soul. Due to the origin and requirements of this equipment, it remains in a dormant state. Warning: Forcefully activating this weapon before reaching the minimum power may result in your death!〉

'A Living Abyss Weapon? A warning that using it may kill me? Just what madness am I experiencing? If I'm not currently strong enough, then why was it attracted to me now?' Apollo wondered after regaining his mental clarity.

The questions in Apollo's mind increased. The most prominent one being—what the hell was the origin of this weapon, and how did it end up in the treasury of their small family. Sadly, his questions possessed no answers for the time being.

[Hmm? I've never seen a weapon on this level. It seems archaic, going beyond even my knowledge. However, it also feels familiar. Perhaps it is a weapon belonging to another plane of power altogether. Nevertheless, the fact it has come to you means it holds great significance.]

Although Apollo couldn't sense the weapon, Azridan could. In fact, it was still present on Apollo's hands. It was just trapped between dimensions, or it was better to say it concealed itself there as if hiding from something. Nevertheless, as it was now, Apollo was incapable of using it. Hence, he stopped dwelling on the matter.

Instead, Apollo stowed large amounts of the pills that sparked his interest before leaving. During his exit, he met Kayn, who was awaiting his departure. Eventually, a thought entered Apollo's mind while looking at Kayn.

"Have you seen a pair of unusual gloves inside that treasury before?" Apollo asked Kayn. He was curious as to whether or not these people were aware of this item buried within their treasury.

"Gloves? As far as I know, I don't remember such an item being there. Seldom are knuckles used in this day and age. Since they are much more powerful, gauntlets are the preferred alternative," Kayn answered.

"Oh. Never mind then. Forget I've asked this question," Apollo rubbed his chin as his skepticism intensified. 'Not even he was aware of this thing then… perhaps...I don't know.' Apollo shook his head, unable to muster a viable conclusion, disappearing into the shadows.

Kayn's eyes widened as he watched Apollo disappear. Even his trained senses could not discern the half of his body engulfed by the shadows. 'Hm? Is he of the Dark Element as his father was? Perhaps he also has the rare Spatial Element. If so, it could make the future level of cultivation easier.'

Not too long after, Apollo came to a halt before his previous living area. 'This will do. It's quiet, and that's just what I like.' After walking past his small room and taking a seat before the tiny point, Apollo retrieved the pills as well as the small remainder of Essence Cores in his possession.

Soon enough, four pills appeared in his palm in which he quietly examined their qualities. Out of the four, there were two white pills of different lusters, one dull red and one faint blue. 'The grade isn't as pure as what Irauk supplied me with, but they're the same rank nonetheless. They're all Experience at this point, so I have no complaints.'

Two of them he was previously familiar with; the Essence Gathering Pill and the Foundation Forging Pill. Beyond those, there were two more. Despite not being of the best grade, the sheer volume he possessed them in made up for it.

「Item Name: Essence Boosting Pill

Rank: Rank 1 Pill

Grade: Average

Effect: When ingested, increases Experience by 1,000.」

「Item Name: Essence Purification Pill

Rank: Rank 1 Pill

Grade: Average

Effect: Ingesting this pill rewards 1,200 Experience.」

If these pills were given to anyone else, then they would possess the effect of boosting the amount of Essence within one's Dantian. In contrast, the second pill focused on purifying the quality of the Essence, so the process of condensation would be less challenging.

Needless to say, these two pills were geared towards peak Mortal seeking to strengthen themselves and breakthrough to a Zul Warrior, as well as Zul Warriors who were simply looking to advance through the levels.

'How much was it? A couple hundred thousand, right? That means it'll be a while before I can move at all,' Apollo thought after looking back at the amount of Experience required to grow a single level.

A moment later, Apollo stretched before throwing his head back. A gust of tenebrous winds engulfed his body, making the nearby float in a small ring. While the winds didn't pick up all of the pills, it was enough to support the frenzied manner that Apollo consumed them.

The large influx of pills was converted into pure experience in mere moments. At the same time, Apollo absorbed trace amounts of ambient Essence to increase the efficiency of his actions.

…

Almost a day passed before Apollo finished absorbing all of the Essence Cores; however, it was simply too many pills to absorb within a single sitting. After all, 20% of the pill reserves were equal to at least two years of resources for a Zul Knight. Although he could just focus on strengthening without leaning his quarters, he had made a promise to Aaron.

Therefore, Apollo rose to his feet before walking towards Aaron's place leisurely. Surprisingly, the door opened as he raised his hand, revealing an impatient and unusually animated Aaron. Even Apollo was taken by surprise, gradually lowering his hand.

'Was he waiting for me, or did he just sense my presence?' Apollo wondered while looking directly at Aaron.

"Oh! Apollo, finally! I was just coming to see you. Let's go. We have a day of sparring and cultivation to undergo," Aaron exclaimed. Apollo was unable to get a response out before being dragged by Aaron towards the training ground.

'Well, I guess that's my answer. He didn't sense my presence; I think he did that repeatedly,'; Apollo thought before following Aaron.

Once again, they were embroiled in battle. However, there were minor differences. He didn't want to give Aaron's progress the chance to show any signs of regression. Thus, the best way was for him to increase the combat's intensity at a steady rate. Oftentimes, Apollo would even surprise Aaron with a strike that posed an imminent threat just to test his reaction.

As a result, this became his daily routine—a perpetual cycle of intensifying spars and endless consumption of resources—including the flesh of the Wyvern's corpse. With all this included, Apollo made great strides in his absorption. So much so, in just two weeks, his vitality had returned to a level sufficient enough for him to ingest the Natural Blessings.

Once he was ready, Apollo withdrew the Smoldering Spirit Accentuation Fruits from his small pouch. Now that his vitality was more than powerful enough to support his decision, Apollo ingested the fruits without hesitation.

An instant later, a wave of pain assaulted Apollo's body. However, the sensation didn't hold a candle to what he had experienced from those knuckles nor did it come close to his encounters in the forest.

Be that as it may, it did show more benefits than the rest because Apollo's body turned a deep crimson color while emitting gaseous smog over the span of a few days. Just as described, Natural Blessings were highly beneficial to the body as well as energy within.

During that time, Aaron had visited him multiple times, saw his state, and chose not to disturb him since it seemed like he was going through a crucial advancement.

Apollo's eyes opened the moment the thick smog dissipated with a lively glint circulating within. If one looked closely, they'd realize that there was an obscure yet unsettling vibe emanating from them.

〈System Alert! Absolute Liberation has been achieved. The energy within has been used to further the assimilation of your demonic traits and strengthen your Juvenile Demon Body.〉

〈System Alert! Level has been increased to 99. [Evolution Meter: 92.04%].〉

'Aside from the pellets, this is the first time that my body has automatically diverted energy to increasing the meter. Perhaps it's related to the blood of that Wyvern I absorbed.'

Immediately, Apollo checked for any changes to his current stats.

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(Demon Monarch System) Lvl.2

Name: Apollo Kaiser

Race: Demi-Demon (Half-Step) [92.04%]

Title: Azridan's Successor

Age: 14

Level: 99

Experience: 0/2,000,000

Health: 6,100/6,100

Stamina: 6,100/6,100

Strength: 130.0

Agility: 118.4

Intelligence: 95.0

Vitality: 122.0

[«Traits»]-

«External Absorption»

«Juvenile Demon Body»

«Tenacious Shadows»

[«Techniques»]-

«Supreme Demon Body - Seven Ungodly Stigmata»

«Baleful Steps: Phantasmal Daemos»

«Nine Infernal Annihilations»

Stat Points: 3.6

…

'Just one more stat remains,' Apollo thought to himself. Before returning to his general schedule.

Finally, a month later, the awaited announcement was made to the Kaiser Family.