The Demon Monarch System

Chapter 302 - The Cusp's Embrace

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"Hmm? Is that…" Silently, Fuhrer approached an inconspicious corner of the room, intent on revealing a mystery that baffled him. As he did so, he could tell his assumptions were correct. This place was indeed an anomaly. In addition to being unexplained, it also seemed to be artificially created. 

However, artificial in this sense didn't relate to being fake. The energy pouring into this subterranean cavern was very much authentic. Moreover, it was not only extremely pure but potent as well. It was artificial because it appeared that someone had implanted this pool here of their own accord. As for their identity, there was no sign of it.

'To conceal their identity to this degree where even I can't discern their origin, that takes great skill. At the very least, it would have to be a Noblesse extremely skilled in concealment. However, there is also the slim chance that this is the work of a fellow Daemos but...could they have survived?' Fuhrer thought while placing his hand on a seemingly normal stone.

To an untrained eye, it would appear to be an ordinary rock, however, when Fuhrer's eyes shimmered with a glimmering black light, he gleaned information that more than scratched the surface, 'This crack is substantial, but isn't the issue. The problem is the place residing on the other side of it. Why does it present this feeling?' 

"Stand back," Fuhrer warned when he noticed the other moving towards his position. Almost instantly, they all paused. If Fuhrer warned them, then it meant something was amiss and it would take a large amount of effort to ensure their safety.

"What is it?" Apollo questioned while keeping a safe distance. Be that as it may, his curiosity still couldn't be contained. He leaned to the side to try and glean even the slightest hint.

"I hope I'm mistaken, but it would seem that someone has attached this place to an unguarded area in the nebula," Fuhrer uttered. A few moments later, swirling black energy covered his hand as he punctured the rock. At the same time, his original aura leaked from his body.

While the others didn't understand the gravity of the situation, Fuhrer did. After all, he was the one who kept the defense of the Nihilistic Rings intact. If someone was intent on undoing a portion of the barrier, then this was a grave predicament.

'Who would be so foolish as to utilize Chaos to disrupt the barrier? Are they trying to welcome calamity? Impudent beings! Should I ever learn of your identity, I will personally dismember you and whoever else is related to this matter! How dare you put my race in harm's way,' Fuhrer internalized, animalistic wrath entering his eyes. 

Afterward, Fuhrer started to slowly clench his hand. In response to his actions, the seam from which the chaotic energy flowed began to seal itself. The tears in the fabric of space overlapped one another and started to reinforce themselves.

Finally, after exhausting a notable portion of his Daemos Soul, Fuhrer sealed it, "While danger may have been avoided, it pains me to reveal that I don't know how long this crack has been active," Fuhrer announced.

Furcas' eyes narrowed when he heard this, "A crack? As in a crack in the Nihilistic Rings' barriers? The ones erected to protect our race as a whole?"

"Correct," Fuhrer admitted.

"Fucking idiots! What fool would tamper with that barrier? Are they welcoming death? Do they not know of the behemoth we once went up against? Have the annals of our history vanished? If so, we are raising utterly inane youngins," Furcas spat while also spitting on the ground in the process.

On the other hand, as Apollo listened to their words, he recalled a certain scene that appeared in his mind, 'That grand being who stood in the center of numerous worlds and vanished was undoubtedly the First Monarch. Unfortunately, after that, the information goes dark.'

"Ahem, Fuhrer, I suggest we don't dwell on the possibilities. Our best bet is to augment our strength. Tell me, what is the quickest way to help you grow stronger?" Apollo questioned to appease the heated atmosphere. 

While the hostility wasn't directed at each other, it appeared that energy in this place wasn't normal. As they became riled up, so did the energy. Hence, Apollo assumed it was ideal to remain calm lest some unknown events take place. 

"For you to grow stronger," Fuhrer replied instantly. Apollo frowned in return. Once again, everything seemed to run full circle and fall upon his currently unsteady shoulders.

"Me? Why does it rely upon me?" Apollo answered. At the same time, he also glanced at the pool draining at a visible rate. 'It seems Ouroboros is enjoying himself.'

Before he answered, Fuhrer snapped to obtain Apollo's wandering attention, "The answer is quite simple yet overwhelming. The only way for me to regain my strength is to reclaim the energy I've invested within the barrier. The route of advancement for a Daemos is different as opposed to a normal Demon."

"I see," Apollo nodded in understanding before continuing, "And it all rests upon my shoulders because I must accomplish monumental tasks." After saying this, Apollo took a deep breath and assessed what he needed to do.

Beyond advancing continually to become a Daemos, he also needed to find the location of the Lost Council and take command of a dormant army. Lastly, he needed to accept the complete mantle of the Monarch hidden with the sealed Ring. In other words, his last objective was to announce his existence to the world. 

"Nevertheless, it is time for you to enter that pool as well. Now that the potential danger has been alleviated, it is time for you to focus on yourself," Fuhrer urged before snapping his finger, "And you, foolish boy, come here."

"W-what?! Me? Are you calling me stupid?!" Valac snarled with a comical expression. Yet and still, he approached Fuhrer. The moment he stood before him, Fuhrer extended his hand and placed it atop Valac's head.

"Hmm, not too bad. You've unlocked the Second Transformation, but the third seal hasn't even been touched. If you focus on this instead of causing havoc, you would grow stronger at a much faster rate. Nevertheless, train your Azure Destruction Flames," Fuhrer commanded.

Although he wanted to rebut, Fuhrer gave him a certain look. And from that look, Valac understood Fuhrer didn't mind teaching him a lesson or two. Thus, he kept his mouth shut for once and reverted to his middle-aged man form. 

Meanwhile, before Apollo started his training, he first paid attention to the bar in the corner of his eye that was near completion. 'First, let's find out what we will get for contracting Valac,' Apollo thought.

For a few moments, Apollo stood motionless, merely watching the contents of the bar creep past. Finally, after several minutes, the chime of completion rang in his ear.

As he looked at the information before him, Apollo's expression brightened. The rewards made the adversity all the more worth it. In fact, Apollo felt it even outclassed it by a small margin.

?System Alert: Congratulations, you have received +5 Levels, +2 Levels to Demonic Conduct and your current state has increased significantly.?

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(Demon Monarch System) Lvl.4

Name: Apollo Kaiser

Race: Lesser Demon [99.99%]

Title: Azridan's Successor

Age: 15

Level: 130

Experience: 0.00%

Health: 100%

Demonic Anima Reserves: 10,500 units.

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(Impermanent)

Body Cultivation Realm: ~Rank 4 Zul Knight

Spirit Cultivation Realm: ~Rank 2 Spirit Warrior

Meridians: Saint-Grade (Middle Tier)

Zuls: 27,000

Oz: 1,050

Strength: 900.0

Agility: 835.0

Intelligence: 800.0

Vitality: 700.0

Comprehension: 100.0

Willpower: 80.0

[«Traits»]- 5

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[«Techniques»]- 7

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[«Elemental Affinities»] 

Level 9: Darkness, Fire

Level 7: Metal, Wind, and Lightning

Level 5: Earth

Level 3: Space 

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[«Demonic Servants»]

[Daemonic Avatar] 

Erus Fuhrer (Demon Knight) - The Tenebrous Master 

»Greater Demon« [5,000] 

[Demonic Acolyte] 

Typhir Estrada (Demon Knight) »

Lesser Demon« [0]

[Demonic Follower]

Furcas (Demon Knight) - Wiseman of Corruption

»Greater Demon« [0]

Valac (Demon Knight - The Terrible

»Greater Demon« [0]

[Demonic Servant] 

Zarkath (???)

»Weakened Greater Demon« [0]

Jorgun the Anomaly (???) 

»Weakened Greater Demon« [0]

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[«Interdimensional Inventory»][«Inheritance»] [«Lucky Draw»]

Stat Points: 0 

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Apollo was stuck as he ogled the information before his eyes. All that separated him from evolution was a meager 0.01%. To put it differently, he had arrived at the cusp of evolution. The only limiting factor for him now was his Demonic Conduct which also experienced a large increase.

'It's only a matter of time,' Apollo thought. Due to the notifications, Apollo was reinvigorated. The whole matter related to the fate of the Nihilistic Rings was pushed to the back of his mind. For now, the only thing that mattered was taking advantage of the distortion in time brought about by this area.

After taking a stationary position inside the pool, Apollo closed his eyes. But, soon after he started to frown, "Fuhrer...isn't it sort of impossible to train here? The chaos is interfering with my circulation. I can't even influence it to move! It keeps stopping."

Fuhrer grinned while Apollo complained, "Why else would I instruct you all to train here? Immerse yourself in the difficulty!"