The Demon Monarch System

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Apollo chuckled once he heard Valac's response. Though it matched his character, it was simply a funny response to listen to. One thing he respected about his demons was that while they were all loyal to him, they each possessed a unique character.

There was Valac, the troublemaker who, despite his childish attitude, was ready to assault anyone that imposed on his house. Furcas, the instigator and wise one who carried out the estimations of their planning. And even Jorgun, the oaf, who assisted in battle without a moment's hesitation. While everyone possessed their faults, Apollo wasn't asking them to be perfect.

His wish was simple. And so, Apollo revealed a faint smirk as he looked around at the current members of his following. 'The Dominus Household will be many times stronger than it once was. I won't allow it to suffer the same fate twice.'

Gradually, Apollo turned his head back towards Typhir. Because he killed the Iraym, a message appeared before Apollo's eyes.

'I didn't expect it to be worth so much experience. Typhir has truly done well,' Apollo thought. The amount of experience received from this one kill was almost double what the pool received when Apollo allowed his demons to clear the path back to Fuhrer's cave.

However, it was also to be expected seeing as the amount of resource a demonic vessel at the Archdemon could carry at that level eclipsed its Lesser version by many times over.

〈System: Your follower has killed an Archdemon Iraym.〉

〈System: The criteria of the defeat has unsealed a new component.〉

〈System: Your followers' eliminations now reward 100% of the Experience value. However, you can choose how the distribution portioned between you and your followers is set.〉

〈System: 5,500,000 Experience rewarded. [Added to the pool by default.]〉

Since Apollo's level was already at the cap of being a Greater Demon, it was impossible to absorb any more. Therefore, the experience received from Typhir's kill went into the pool by default, but Apollo didn't mind this at all.

Because, one of the matters he needed to do was upgrading all of his Lesser Demons into Greater Demons. As of right now, 4 Lesser Demons remained in his possession―Ouroboros, Elaia, Jorgun, and finally, Zarkath.

Out of the four, Zarkath was the one closest to becoming a Greater Demon, because he was originally an Archdemon that Fuhrer nearly killed. If it wasn't for Apollo wanting him, Zarkath wouldn't be alive right now.

After all, out of all of the demons in his arsenal, Zarkath possessed the best defensive techniques. Although Ira is a Sin mostly used for attacking, Zarkath forged a tactic to turn it into a defensive technique that also imparted sustained damage.

While the ability of the ramparts was limited, for now, Apollo felt that he could refine the technique further if he was to learn an aura and be exposed to even purer Ira. 

In total, the experience possessed just slightly over 10 million Experience. After all, absorbing Arleo, Xonnomor, and Gallmath into the household's roster rewarded a small amount of experience. 75 percent of the value went to Apollo, whereas the remaining 25 percent situated itself in the pool.

Thus, as Apollo check the pool, he was content.

〈Current Experience Pool: 10,825,000〉

As revealed by Typhir's earlier upgrade, increasing their evolution meter at the Lesser Demon level required 110,000 Experience. Therefore, as long as the cumulative value of their upgrade was under 100 percent, then he would possess a household comprising only Greater Demon or higher individuals.

"Zarkath, Jorgun, Elaia, and Ouroboros―come forth," Apollo commanded while standing up from the stone he stood on. Although his tone was harsh and his demeanor indifferent, these four didn't show any wariness, only respect.

Especially Ouroboros who appeared before Apollo and slithered around his neck happily, "Massster~ Is it feeding time?" 

"I guess you can see it like that," Apollo chuckled softly. After all, a simplification of the sacrificial evolution was simply Apollo feeding experience into their body. Though it converted into whatever resource was needed at the time, it was still the same principle.

"Yummmy! Borossss iss hungry," Ouroboros hissed while rubbing his cheek against Apollo's cheek. In return, Apollo scratched the single pure amethyst scale on his head. Ouroboros continued to hiss happily while Apollo looked around.

From what he sensed, Zarkath was the one closest to the next level, so Apollo started with him first. "You'll all be moving to the next level as we move forward with our plans. Zarkath, you're first."

"I appreciate your blessing, my Lord," Zarkath said as he kneeled before Apollo respectfully.

Immediately, the same string of messages from Typhir's change appeared.

〈System: The chosen follower possesses the potential to evolve. [Current Evolution: 92%].〉

〈System: Sacrificing 111,000 Experience is needed to raise the follower's evolution 1%.〉

〈System: Do you wish to precipitate your follower's evolution? [Y/N]?〉

Of course, Apollo accepted this, causing 880,000 Experience to vanish from the pool in an instant. 

Thick veins appeared around Zarkath's body as the original transparent color of the experience change into crimson and black streams, signifying Zarkath's need for more Anima and an increased Ira purity.

Once that was achieved, Zarkath's body swelled while his hands and feet turning into hardened claws, reminiscent of magma, as did the two horns on his head. Instead of the typical two sets of horns received at this stage, Zarkath kept two horns except they grew until they were over twice the size it once was.

On the other hand, all of his hair burned away, replaced by naked yet rough skin, filled with dark marking. Additionally, his eyes turned a deep orange color as he lifted his head towards Apollo with a respectful expression.

"I will cherish the blessing bestowed upon me by my Lord," Zarkath said as he soon lowered his head. Apollo didn't respond for the time being cause he looked at the string of messages that appeared before him.

〈System: The physique of follower Zarkath has been remade and purified.〉

〈System: Zarkath has advanced into Greater Demon.〉

〈System: Follower Zarkath has awakened a new title and bloodline due to their traits.〉

Compared to when he fought him as an Archdemon, Zarkath's current aura was many times purer. One reason being the appearance of a bloodline, but the other was because he awakened a true awakened Demonic Aura to match his bloodline.

Moreover, Apollo took this time to truly explore the blessing of his upgraded authority. 

「Name: Zarkath [Follower]

Race: Greater Demon (00.00%)

Title: The Magma Overlord

Bloodline: Perfected Ifrit (Aura of Incineration)

Demonic Anima Reserves: 75,000 units

Sin Volume: 7,500 units

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Strength: 2,050.0

Agility: 2,000.0

Intelligence: 1,950.0

Vitality: 2,100.0

Perception: 1,500.0

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Ira: Primary [Hellfire]  」

Apollo's expression instantly changed as he read through Zarkath's current information. He awakened the same aura that this Iraym who just perished possessed. Though it was weaker because of its lacking degree, Apollo wasn't pressed about that matter.

It was simply a matter of experience, and/or the right conditions for Zarkath to advance upon it.

Since Apollo possessed the ability to peer into their current conditions, Apollo moved on to his next target―Jorgun. He recalled that Fuhrer once revealed that he possessed a special ability, so perhaps his next level meant morphing that into a suitable bloodline.

Similar to Zarkath, Jorgun kneeled in the same place, except his movement were much more clumsy, causing Apollo to chuckle eventually. "Perhaps we'll be able to correct this matter as you approach the next level."

Identical to his earlier actions, Apollo held his hand above Jorgun's head. Unlike Zarkath, who only needed a small push, Jorgun's evolution needed a much greater push. After all, up until now, his meter was only 70 percent complete.

Thus, nearly one-third of the experience was exhausted because of his change. 

Fortunately, it was worth it because Jorgun's change was just as momentous as Zarkath's. However, because he was already a giant, there was no change in his height. Only his muscles were refined, turning him into an amalgam of pure brute force.

Perhaps even Typhir paled in comparison to the amount of strength Jorgun now possessed.

The same string of messages repeated themselves, but as Apollo looked at Jorgun's new information, he could only shake his head despondently. 'Perhaps me thinking this change would resolve his issue was too far-fetched.'

The nature of Jorgun's stats revealed that there was little change in the department Apollo wished for.