The Demon Monarch System

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'Even though I spent time familiarizing myself with this technique, it was something I didn't wish to use so early on,' Apollo thought as the surrounding atmosphere became still. The terrifying aura undulating from Apollo's body in waves even deactivated the Devouring Nebula.

But, Apollo's Cardinal Sphere throbbed painfully, indicating a monstrous consumption of his aura. In his current state, even after activating the effects of the title and accepting his bloodline, Apollo could barely support the overbearing expenditure of the Fourth Annihilation.

In fact, the presence of these two advantages was the only reason Apollo could activate this technique as a Greater Demon. After all, aside from the first three Annihilations, every two subsequent Annihilations required an even higher evolution.

Not to mention, unleashing the final two required at least a Daemonic Demon Body because those techniques existed at the pinnacle of destructive attacks. Even Fuhrer, in his prime, refrained from releasing those attacks too frequently because the expenditure was just that insane.

In the meantime, Tanath trembled after feeling the abominable sensation emanating from Apollo's body. At first, he couldn't understand how a Greater Demon was capable of unleashing such a terrifying presence.

'Could I even reach that level at my peak? What type of opponent is this?' Tanath wondered. Because of his temporary lapse in his bloodlust, the colossal bloody sword in the sky threatened to shatter.

After all, this wasn't an attack that Tanath trained to use. It was sudden, so it required every iota of his focus to keep solid. If his anger wavered for even a second, the whole attack would collapse, which would leave him a sitting duck against the pending Absolute Eradication.

A massive claw appeared above Apollo's head quickly. Compared to his first usage, this claw produced seemed more imposing, with a metallic exterior generated by his Aura of Domination. Once ready, Apollo threw the attack at Tanath.

The aftershock from the collision of two gigantic attacks flung both Apollo and Tanath across the room. However, Apollo came to a skidding halt while watching the feud between his claw and Tanath's sanguine sword.

Just a few moments after the clash, Tanath's sword suffered a few cracks that were reflected in Tanath's expression. Since his Cardinal Sphere was freshly awakened, it was in a fragile state. Thus, this forced Tanath's body to mirror any damage done to his aura.

This was the shortcoming of awakening anything mid-fight that didn't allow them to win instantly. The unfamiliarity with the awakened trait produced some dissonances in combat that was hard to account for.

Still, Tanath wasn't willing to give up easily. He released a deafening roar as he continued to exhaust every morsel of his aura. However, this was one department he failed to best Apollo in.

His aura was something Apollo possessed since he evolved into a Lesser Demon. Hence, he was much more trained in wielding it. Not to mention, the volume of his aura was many times greater. All of these advantages quickly revealed themselves once the clash went on for more than 3 seconds.

Although it seemed like a short amount of time, after reaching this combat level, three seconds was ample enough time to conduct a large number of movements. 

Eventually, Tanath fell to one knee, cracking the ground beneath his feet as Apollo's pressure crushed his body to the ground. Despite his desperate attempts to go against the force, Tanath failed marvelously. 

During this development, Apollo advanced step by step. He even made a mystifying decision and canceled the pressure on the other three Archdemons only to amplify the severity of the attack aimed at Tanath.

As a result, the ground gave way at a much quicker pace.

"Vice-Commander Tanath," Ilguk bellowed before kicking the wall next to him.

However, Apollo had gained a thorough understanding of his strength by now. While it would still be challenging to win against Asteroth, the presence of these four was indeed a saving grace for him.

"You'll become my preparation as well," Apollo thought before waving his hand indifferently. A surge of Ira turned into countless Demonic Massacre Waves that continued to bombard Ilguk's body, forcing his advance to a standstill.,

Soon enough, he was also forced to retaliate against the incoming waves.

"Damn it! What the fuck is wrong with this demon?! Just what is this reserve volume? He's been fighting four of us! How does he still have more Sin Energy to spare?" Ilguk bellowed in frustration as he continued to shatter as many waves as possible.

Unfortunately, the torrent became more than he could handle as time went on. Because, Apollo once again infused the Demonic Massacre Waves with a drop of Purgatory's Blood, molding them into horrifying attacks.

Furthermore, dodging them was out of the equation because Apollo's perception and special effect of his aura allowed him to control the trajectory of these attacks remotely. So, in addition to becoming a walking turret, Apollo also turned his opponent's unique signatures into homing beacons for his attacks.

At this point, Ilguk regretted ever taking up this assignment.

'Damn me! I'm fucking foolish for always following Tanath's lead. Now, I've followed him to his death!' 

Meanwhile, Murulath and Drurkal were in a similar predicament. Apollo saved these three unique Demonic Massacre Waves for this moment. After absorbing their Ira, it gave Apollo enough Ira to accumulate more Purgatory's Blood in secret.

Although the other three were free to move nimbly, dealing with Purgatory's Blood was a monumental task they were incapable of accomplishing after expending a significant portion of their Ira.

Even if they formed a barrier, the wave would simply burn right through it with its absurd properties. 

As that took place, Tanath's retaliation neared its end as the cracks littered the sanguine sword's surface. Blood even seeped from Tanath's eyes and nose as the pressure crushed his body continued to amplify.

Suddenly, Fuhrer appeared before Apollo from within the void. "Kill the other three and keep him alive." 

"Hmm? But he'll be useful to fuel the evolution of the others," Apollo answered. However, Fuhrer shook his head in response. While Apollo's previous actions confirmed that his defeat could fuel the others' progress, Fuhrer felt there were other uses as well.

"How many of your followers possess the Aura of Slaughter?" Fuhrer asked while staring at Tanath being forced into the ground by Apollo's attack. Although he could ease the pressure by countering Apollo's attack with his Dominion, Fuhrer wouldn't intervene if Apollo didn't permit the suggestion.

After all, just one subordinate wasn't enough for Fuhrer to make a move. Outside of Tanath, the others were simply dogshit in Fuhrer's eyes. On top of their Sin Volume lacking for Archdemons, he felt their techniques were lackluster at best.

"None," Apollo answered immediately. He understood what Fuhrer was hinting at because he had also entertained this thought earlier. But, the curiosity of the experience value was also weighing on Apollo's mind, making it difficult to move away from his current choice.

"Precisely, and if you remember, you walk part of the path of savagery as well. So, this particular demon would be better alive than dead. Don't you recall what I mentioned about the Savage King and Ruthless Queen?" Fuhrer commented.

This reminder made Apollo pause and consider the possibility. As he stopped, the pressure bearing down on Tanath lightened, allowing him some breathing room. But, because Apollo hadn't made up his mind just yet, the pressure was still ridiculous. 

"But, what's the use if he's incomparable to them?" Apollo countered while looking towards Fuhrer. Though Fuhrer's comment held some sound logic, Apollo felt he had better things to do than to waste his time on a demon who barely equated to one percent of a King.

"Then cultivate him like you do the others while fostering his aura. As it strengthens, spar with him often and familiarize yourself with the abilities of the savages one," Fuhrer answered with a shrug.

Though he doubted that Tanath could come close to a King, even the slightest preparation was beneficial in this case.

"Ehh… if you say so," Apollo muttered, but he didn't cancel his attack. Instead, he glanced towards the two running from the torment of the Demonic Massacre Waves. A second later, a humongous shadow appeared above them causing them to look up in horror.

"Oh… you've got to be kidding m-..."

Bang!

The claw smashed down on them before Ilguk could even finish his phrase, causing a few notifications related to experience to appear before Apollo's eyes. However, his gaze remained on Tanath.

"Consider your life a gift from your superior," Apollo said before averting his gaze.