The Demon Monarch System

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"Ahem, wait a moment. It had momentarily slipped my mind, but we have other matters to address. Before you all disperse, allow me to distribute Natural Blessings amongst you all," Kayn's voice stopped everyone in their tracks.

With the mention of the Natural Blessings, the earlier dreary atmosphere vanished. Rather than dwell on the death of others, the idea of them becoming stronger overshadowed that trauma. As a result, light returned to the eyes of the youths who had just observed that harrowing scene.

Meanwhile, Apollo stood in what seemed to be a daze to others. However, that wasn't the case. Instead, he was looking at the stream of notifications appearing before him. The Demonic Conduct was the most crucial notification for now.

〈System Alert: Demonic Conduct has reached Stage Two. Due to the Demonic Conduct, Experience has been granted. 〉

〈System Alert: Demonic Conduct Multiplier increased to 2x. [Rewards for Stage Two delivered.]〉

〈System Alert: Fragment of Sin and 10 Demonic Essence Pellets has been received.〉

〈System Alert: 360,000 Experience has been received.〉

'Hmm, if I'm not mistaken, the initial reward was 10,000 Experience. Meaning, the Experience rewarded from killing those 5 was at least 90,000 Experience. Was there a reason the value has skyrocketed so much?' Apollo pondered to himself while numerous eyes fell on him.

'Perhaps the after-effects of the deeds he has just committed are finally setting in.' Danyul mused, observing Apollo's blank state. Unbeknownst to him, Apollo was simply digesting the information that continued to appear.

Aside from the rewards from the Savage Path, there were also the individual results from the Ruthless Path. Whereas the multiplier applied to both paths simultaneously, the items were separate.

'I guess that was enough to count as torture as well.' After all, the anguish he subjected Brendel to and the despair he afflicted upon the other four was by no means small.

〈System Alert: 3 Inferior Crystallized Chaos, 15 Demonic Essence Pellets, and a Soulbound Demonic Companion Summoning Rune have been received.〉

〈System Alert: 120,000 Experience has been received.〉

Apollo's eyes flashed with uncertainty. 'Soulbound Demonic Companion Summoning Rune? Another unfamiliar name.'

This was a term he had yet to hear about. Furthermore, all matters to do with the soul were a gray area for him. He wasn't aware of much information related to this entity. But from the name of this item, it seemed to be along the lines of some unique opportunity.

[Hmm? A Summoning Rune and one that is linked to your soul? I didn't expect you to receive an opportunity like this so early on. But, if that's how it is, then I believe it's nigh time that I talk about it.]

"So you're familiar with this then?" Apollo asked.

[Correct. In short, that rune is essentially a gateway to traveling to a particular area in our homeland. However, this area is only inhabited by demons that take on the form of beasts, so it's difficult for them to survive independently. Hence, they await the partnership of intellectual demons.]

"Some sort of separate realm?"

[Not necessarily. It's essentially an archaic area that is rarely visited but still within the same dimension as our homeworld; it is just difficult to reach because it requires the mind to go through an extensive rune circle.]

[However, I say this loosely. The partner you receive is not up to you. Instead, it's up to the companion on the other side. If they resonate with you, there's a chance of you forming a Demonic Subservience Pact. If that is to happen, you'll gain the ability to cultivate your companion.]

"Hm? If it's not my decision, then it's left up to luck?" Apollo rubbed his chin, unsure if he was pleased by this. The fact he couldn't choose a companion of his own accord was not to his liking. However, his discontent was aptly pleased.

[No. Also, don't go frowning thinking the matter is entirely out of your hands. This is not based on luck at all. On the contrary, it's based on your innate abilities. There are two scenarios that can happen.]

[One occurrence is a resonation with a companion complementing your strengths. Typically, this one may seem more practical, but it's not. Only if you reach the peak of your abilities does this type truly show its worth. However, that takes time, and the benefits aren't immediately shown. The second route is the one you should hope takes place.]

[Conversely, the second possibility is your soul resonating with a companion that contrasts your strengths. In other words, it'll make up for your weaknesses. Although it'll be an impromptu fix, it's the more desirable route simply because you'll be presented with more options for survival in the future. Of course, you must also take into account potential.]

'I see. So what should I hope I get in the future?'

[Honestly speaking, I have no idea because your future is uncertain and unlike any others. Not to mention, that unique training method covers the seven sins, each of which presents a notable weakness. But, the technique alone was forged to supplement those weaknesses. So, your choices are essentially unfathomable.]

[But...if I had to choose, I'd say you'd need a companion capable of evolving alongside you, not something that can be abandoned. Furthermore, try to make your desires clear when you form the connection. Some demonic beings can sense intentions. I'll teach you a few workarounds when your Soul matures to the point of becoming solid.]

'Capable of growth alongside me… sounds interesting,' Apollo thought to himself. If his partner were capable of growing alongside him, then the chances of abandoning that companion would be extremely slim.

Eventually, Apollo closed the notifications after looking through all of them to ensure that he didn't miss any crucial alerts. Once he verified that he didn't, Apollo's expression changed and didn't seem so blank in the eyes of others anymore. It was once again filled with a cold gleam accompanied by an indifferent glint.

While looking around, he noticed Kayn was distributing the aforementioned Natural Blessings. Aside from Aaron, there were seven other lucky youths who were fortunate enough to receive a portion.

In truth, had Apollo not killed those five earlier, there would've been a set reserved for them. Thus, there was both fear and gratitude in the eyes of a new group of five children.

They were thankful for the opportunity to reach a higher level, which loosely translated to a better future. However, they also remained fearful of the one paving the way for this chance. It was a type of fear that bordered on the lines of veneration.

Nevertheless, Apollo didn't acknowledge this expression. Instead, he was much more focused on his current state.

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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: 480,000/2,000,000

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

…

For the first time, Apollo smiled. As he suspected, as long as he funneled a few points into Vitality, he had fulfilled the necessary criteria. 'I'm sure it'll be difficult to absorb the abundance of energy residing within that core, but I should be done by the time it's time to leave.'

In the blink of an eye, a shadowy film coated Apollo as he soon disappeared within the darkness; a scene that caused many other youths who hadn't formerly witnessed the movement to become paralyzed with awe.

'Who knew a shadow could be so… cool,' thought a girl as she stared at the dispersing shadows in the distance. She remained captivated by the scene even after the matter had passed.

A few moments later, Apollo arrived before the small pond followed by sitting in solitude. He retrieved the Spirit Heart Core from his pouch. Even though he had reached the requirements, gazing at the core still offered a sense of alarm.

'Despite knowing that I'm much different than before, I still can't shake the slight apprehension that formed from our fight. However, I will conquer it,' Apollo thought before placing the core on the ground between him and the pool.