The Demon Monarch System

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"Ahem, wait a moment. It had momentarily slipped my mind but we have other matters to attend to. Before you all disperse, allow me to distribute Natural Blessings amongst you all," Kayn's voice stopped everyone in their tracks. By now, everyone was aware of what the name Natural Blessing entailed. There was a chance of them instantly jumping the ranks of inner talent! ​​

With the mention of this, 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. First and foremost, the first few had something to do with the demonic conduct Azridan spoke of.

〈System Alert! Your actions have increased your Demonic Conduct meter in the Path of Massacre. Stage Two has been reached. Experience from your kills has been allowed. Malicious humans serve as your source of power. Furthermore, Stage Multiplier increase to 1.8x.〉

〈System Alert! In accordance with reaching Stage Two, the assorted rewards have been awarded.〉

〈System Alert! You have received 1 Fragment of Sin and 10 Demonic Essence Pellets.〉

〈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 whilst 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 Massacre Path, he had also advanced on the Path of Torture. After all, the anguish he subjected Brendel to and the despair he afflicted upon the other four was by no means small.

〈System Alert! The Demonic Conduct meter in the Tortuous Path has reached Stage Two. As a result, the Stage Multiplier has reached 2.0x.〉

〈System Alert! You have been rewarded 3 Inferior Crystallized Chaos, 15 Demonic Essence Pellets and a Soulbound Demonic Companion Summoning Inscription.〉

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

'Soulbound Demonic Companion Summoning Inscription? Another unfamiliar name.' Apollo's eyes flashed with uncertainty. This was a term he had yet to hear about. Furthermore, all matters to do with the soul was a grey area for him. He wasn't privy to much information about it. But from the name of this item, it seemed to be along the lines of some special opportunity.

[Hmm? So you have already come in contact with it. Then perhaps it is time I tell you about it. What you hold now is something entirely different from the means you will come to possess later. Think of that archaic scroll as a way for you to choose a companion for yourself. A partner so to speak.]

[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 own companion.]

'Hm? 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 wasn't able to 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 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 strengths does this type truly show it's worth. However, again, that takes time and the benefits aren't immediately shown. The second route is the one you should hope takes place.]

[It's a resonation 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. I'm incapable of establishing the best route for you because of the cultivation method I gave you. It covers the seven sins, each of which present their own weakness. However, that method was created for a reason, because all are listed, if you are to surpass my prior level then you wouldn't need to worry about weakness. At that point, you'd become 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, when you form the connection try to make your desires clear. Some demonic beings are able to sense intentions. I'll teach you a few workarounds when your spirit matures.]

'Capable of growth alongside me...Interesting.' Apollo lifted his head, looking at the others. Kayn was distributing the aforementioned Natural Blessings. Aside from Aaron, 7 other youths who received the fruits were rather lucky to have been graced with them.

In truth, had Apollo not killed those 5 earlier, there were Natural Blessings reserved for each one of them. As a result, the ones who received had two emotions present in their eyes—fear and gratitude.

They were thankful for the opportunity to reach a higher level seemingly able to grasp 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.

Noticing these emotions in their eyes and the fruits in their hands, Apollo was reminded of something. 'I should have reached the requirements of using that Spirit Heart. His eyes shifted, changing the interface to the ones of his personal 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: 480,000/2,000,000.

Health: 6,100/6,100

Stamina: 6,100/6,100

Body Cultivation Realm: Rank 9 Mortal [1,560/1,600+]

Physique: Spirit-Grade (Top Tier)

Zuls: 1,560

Strength: 130.0

Agility: 118.4

Intelligence: 95.0

Vitality: 122.0

[«Traits»]-

«Increased Essence Affinity»

«Minor Poison Resistance»

«Tenacious Shadows»

«Sacrificial Vigor»

«Fiendish Force»

«Demonic Gait»

[«Techniques»]-

«Supreme Demon Body: 7 Sinful Stigmata»

«Baleful Steps: Phantasmal Daemos»

«War Path: Nine Infernal Annihilations»

Stat Points: 36

For the first time, Apollo smiled. As he suspected, he had reached the state allowing him to move forward with his plans, 'Since the matters here are done, it's time I seclude myself. If I'm not mistaken, I must attain the Zul Warrior Realm before academy trials begin. That's the baseline for entry.'

Sparing the rest a single fleeting glance, Apollo disappeared within the umbra of his shadow. 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 enthralling,' 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.

Arriving before the small pond once again, Apollo sat 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.

'Hm, it seems I'm apprehensive of this core due to the fight that took place with it. However, I will conquer it.'

Unlike before, he didn't ingest this core. For one, it was too large to do so. Instead, he held it before the pit of his stomach and closed his eyes. It was a slow process this way, but threads of varying color seeped from the core into his pores circulating throughout.

Moreover, if one were to take a look inside, they would notice different sections of his meridians discoloring and adopting the color of the threads he was refining.