The Demon Monarch System

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Apollo's sharp question poked a hole in the weaved facade of this room. Kayn's expression staled, then darkened. He allowed him to present his question, however, he didn't appreciate this youth of his family trampling upon and belittling his aspirations—even if they were the truth. ​​

However, his expression didn't stay this way for long before lightening as Apollo's began releasing his own aura—it didn't make sense!

"How?! That aura it's... At the least, it belongs to a late state Zul Warrior and he has yet to enter that realm! How can this be so?" Sallaya sprang to her feet slamming her hands on the table before her. While Apollo's aura paled in comparison to theirs, it seemed to possess the faint ability to stimulate the atmosphere around him into subservience.

'Could he have a talent rivaling his father now? I thought his internals were destroyed. Could I have been wrong? Wait a moment, now that I recall that incident… Cynthia spared me an odd look the day I punished him. Looking back at it, it seemed to be one mixed with disappointment and disdain. Perhaps, my clouded judgment from the test prohibited me from seeing the truth,' Kayn ruminated over the past events while also sparing Apollo a glance.

"What you desire from your descendants is the potential to bring great accolades to the family's reputation, correct?" Apollo's candid tone broke Kayn's session of contemplation. He was now interested to see what this youth before him sought. After all, all this wouldn't be presented without a purpose.

"If we're using simple terms; it can be comprehended as so. But, let me return a question of my own. In what family do the elders not view their offsprings as means to either catapult or further cement their social and martial standing in this world?" Kayn's aura remained calm, unlike the time he had punished Apollo. His eyes were opened and didn't want to risk the chance of losing a prime candidate toward his goal.

"Now you speak the cold truth. Based on what I've read, I can infer the situation being that way. However, in our case, I'd like to change the dynamic of our relationship. Regrettably, the Apollo you once knew died," Apollo chuckled once again, placing his hand behind his back walking up to Kayn.

His last sentence shocked everyone. What did he mean Apollo died? Was he perhaps revealing his secret to everyone before him?

"What do you mean by these words?" Kayn's asked, intrigued by the true meaning of the words he was unable to decipher.

"What I'm trying to say is, my eyes have been opened; the naive child is no more. This world, as you said, is one in which those who are kind are trampled upon. Hence, I'll have to be ruthless to all. Because of this, what stands before you is but a husk of thine's former self. However, I can be what you seek," Apollo stated, filled with an unconcealed conviction.

"Hoh? While I admit your aura is shocking, those are big words for you to fulfill. If you truly feel as such, then expound on why you think you're capable of breathing life into my aspirations," a playful yet expectant gleam passed through Kayn's eyes as he gazed into Apollo's placid eyes.

A demonic glint flashed in Apollo's eyes as his aura spiked once again. This time, causing a turbulent scene in the conference room. Unbeknownst to him, that back wisp healing his body ceased its former action. In place of that, it fabricated a net temporarily fortifying his still damaged inside in place protecting it from further injury. Due to this, his aura continued to climb before their eyes. Early Zul Warrior... Middle... Late… Peak… until it plateaued.

What he was doing? Rather than firing a Demonic Massacre Wave, he was using his body to facilitate the same feeling. However, this meant his body would have to withstand the continuous bombardment of that tyrannic energy being confined within him. After some time, having reached his limit, he deactivated the technique.

Needless to say, the short burst allowed everyone to catch a true glimpse of Apollo's horror inducing ability.

'Hmm? What is this aberrant feeling inside his aura? I've never come in come in contact with such a thing. Calling it evil would be an understatement. While weak, it seems unnaturally pure. It's almost as if a rabid Spirit Beast of the Dark Element is standing before me,' Rhyne mused as he inspected Apollo. He was beginning to understand why Ashur feared this child's potential so much.

And yet, he still felt this didn't warrant such drastic behavior. All it meant was another talent was added to the rank of the family. Unfornatutely, not everyone saw it this way. There were always a few who wanted their child to be the sole source of praise. In turn, it would make them seem as if their worth was bolstered for have given birth to them.

On the other hand, there always existed people jealous of those of similar talents. Such is the duality of life—there was those who feared falling into the pits of the subservient and those who despised the talents capable of ruling above them in the future.

Closemindedness was the plague of man that would be longlived. As long as one continued to compare themselves instead of seeking to better themselves to the best of their abilities, such events would continue to take place.

Waving his hand, the carcass of the Wyvern appeared except its mutilated corpse leaked a feeling similar to the aura Apollo just showcased just lacking in a domineering quality. Due to this, Kayn came to an instant conclusion.

"I'm guessing you came in contact with a near berserk type Martial Art. This cut is too deep to originate from a low-level cultivator such as your self. My question is, what is the cost of the technique? Has your potential already been devoured? Typically, those techniques sacrifice one's potential for immediate strength. If you were so foolish as to accept those conditions...then you may as well disappear from my sights." Kayn said contemptuously.

Based on what he was witnessing, he assumed Apollo's current internal state was one brought about by sacrificing his potential. Needless to say, this wasn't the case.

"I have never heard of such techniques. My technique came from an unknown teacher as did this set of robes. I don't know his origins, however, his standing in the martial world seemed rather high. Do you believe someone like that would sacrifice their potential?" questioned Apollo.

Kayn rubbed his chin in response, 'He came in contact with a type of expert? Could it have been someone traveling from a Great Family?'

"Hoh? Did you at least mention your origin to then?"

"Not in the way you're hoping," Apollo shook his head causing Kayn to frown whereas Ashur experienced an outburst.

"Unfilial! Everyone knows when you come in contact with such experts you invite them back to the family! What have we raised, a dog?!"

Craning his neck, Apollo's eyes fell upon Ashur's scowling figure whereas his dark chuckle entered everyone's ears, "Idiot, your lack of intelligence never ceases to amaze me. Unless you're talking about that useless kid Axel, I don't recall you raising shit. Moreover, as I said, the dynamic of our relationship will be changing.

"Although I said I can be what you seek, it won't be in the same ways as the others. Unlike them, I won't partake in blind contribution to the family. However, I can say with absolute certainty—my worth will exceed all others," towards the end of his words, Apollo reverted his gaze to Kayn's pensive countenance.

"Preposterous. We should just kill him this instant and rid ourselves of this headache," Ashur scowled, unsettled by this overconfidence present in Apollo. On the contrary, Kayn was perplexed by the situation but beyond that, he found himself even more curious than before.

"You continue to say changing the dynamic, what exactly do you mean?" Kayn ignored Ashur's words and talked directly to Apollo.

"It's quite simple. See me as a hired weapon except my demands aren't limited to a simple exchange of currency. I want lives—specifically these few…"

Hearing the names being called out Kayn, Ashur, Rhyne and the rest of the council of elders were shocked, dismay filling their eyes. He wanted to carry out a massacre! He was simply a menace!