Chapter 413: A Little Surprise

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"Stand down, Typhir. Any more and it'll encroach on a new set of plans," Apollo said from afar, causing Typhir to instantly lower his blade. Although Apollo's back was turned towards his followers, he sensed their general actions as he finished up the remainder of absorbing Arleo's Ira.'

For a moment, Apollo also entertained draining some of his Superbia as well, but after sensing the purity of it, Apollo decided against doing so. Sure, it would have given a slight boost seeing as it was from an Archdemon, but Apollo also learned from the system that absorbing purity near his own would only result in a near negligible gain.

Besides, when the process neared the end of his actions, it revealed more in-depth information about his actions.

〈System: The current «Endless Devouring» faces limits.〉

「Endless Devouring - *Unique Ability

Rank: *Greater

Information: The unique ability of the highest granted by the engraving of the fable stigmata of gluttony—the Voracious Gula Stigmata. At its purest, nothing can escape the endless devouring of Gula.

Effect: Allows you to devour Sin Energy related to your affinities to use at your discretion. (Sin Purity determines the limit.)」

〈System: Using «Endless Devouring» on your own kind is restricted to absorbing up 25% of their vital Sin.〉

Apollo glanced at the last message before looking away. While 25% of their vital seemed insignificant, it wasn't. Because, even Arleo, whose evolution as an Archdemon was meager, possessed a Sin Reserve at least 6 times deeper than Apollo.

Although Apollo was unsure just how vast his own was, to possess 6 times greater volume already told Apollo of the disparity between an Archdemon and a Greater Demon. The difference came from using the entire body as a body. 

Hence, Apollo felt an even greater respect for Fuhrer when he recalled how easily he could restrain one if he intended to do so.

Suddenly, Apollo's attention was stimulated by a message he overlooked.

〈System: Sin bearing a unique marker can't be absorbed repeatedly. [Cooldown between repeated «Endless Devouring» on the same target: 1 year.]〉

'A year? Just as I thought, the system truly doesn't want me to drain my kind dry. With that being said, it says nothing about the Primal Sources themselves, so perhaps those can become exclusively mine,' Apollo thought before once again dismissing the notification.

Seeing as he didn't intend to bleed anyone dry, he didn't see that as much of a restriction. Besides, there was an immediate workaround and Apollo noticed it. 'I don't have to target one when I can target all.'

Finally, Apollo extracted the entire 25% of Arleo's Ira and gazed at its tantalizing appearance. Sadly, he didn't marvel for much longer before opening his mouth and greedily devouring the essence with a delighted smile.

"Tastier than he was annoying. It works out, I suppose," Apollo said before dropping Arleo's body. 

〈System: Ira's Purity has risen greatly.〉

〈System: Unique Archdemon essence has been absorbed. [+5.00% to Evolution Meter.]〉

〈System: +5% to Strength Attribute & +50% Demonic Anima Reserves.〉

After reading these messages, Apollo understood even further why the system didn't wish for him to devour the same target endlessly. Some of the benefits acquired couldn't be absorbed a second time.

For example, the fact the system labeled the essence as unique meant that it had been registered. Trying to absorb the same essence again wouldn't reward any benefit whatsoever. However, the enticing gains of this absorption led Apollo to view Xonnomor and Gallmath as nothing more than a juicy source.

He appeared before them in an instant with an intrigued expression, "Did I hear you say you surrender?" Apollo asked while tilting Gallmath's chin up towards him. As he did so, he could see the hatred embedded within Gallmath's gaze.

But, he was astute, so he didn't voice his displeasure, especially since both Typhir and Fuhrer stood by Apollo's side with their hands on their weapons. 

"I have. It is an inevitable outcome. And, seeing as how you all didn't kill Xonnomor, I'm guessing you feel we have a use," Gallmath replied. However, there was also fear in his eyes as he noticed a grave change in Arleo.

'Did… did he forcefully revert Arleo to a Greater Demon? If that's true, then that earlier Sin was in fact Gula,' Gallmath inwardly thought. 

"Good. Then, tell me. Do you feel I should claim my spoils of war?" Apollo asked with a mischievous chuckle before squatting in front of Gallmath. His transformation gradually reverted to his pure Iraym Form as he analyzed Gallmath's behavior.

Gallmath shuddered for a moment while looking into Apollo's eyes, but he also understood that Apollo was simply toying with him. Now, his only question was should he humor him or not. Needless to say, he made a wise choice.

"Perhaps. As beings of conquering, shouldn't we always claim our spoils of war?" Gallmath answered. 

In return, Apollo smiled while holding out both of his hands, "Good, but about that. My spoils aren't just limited to you all. I want... everything," Apollo said with a rapacious look in his eyes before creating two bizarre forces yet again.

Compared to the Ira that came out of Arleo, the Ira escaping from Gallmath was approximately 3 times denser, whereas Xonnomor was even more shocking—more than 4 times greater, but not quite 5 times as much.

And, because Apollo gained experience in the extraction process, it was more than seamless than the prior one. There was more pain, however, it was quicker in comparison.

Within 4 minutes, another stream of notifications filled Apollo's view as he devoured their vital Sin simultaneously, except this time, there was an additional reward.

〈System: +15 Levels. All Attributes +15% [Current Level: 175]〉

〈System: Ira's Purity has risen to Late and is locked as a result.〉

〈System: 2 Unique Archdemon Essence absorbed. [+17.00% to Evolution Meter.]〉

〈System: +22.5% Strength Attribute, +17% Agility, +125% Demonic Anima Reserves.〉

'The absorption of the Endless Devouring outclasses the system by a large margin. But, it also seems that I have caused my Ira progress to become locked. I guess my physique as a Greater Demon doesn't permit going beyond this level,' Apollo sighed before shaking his head.

"Young Lord, have you… just made their Ira your own?" Fuhrer questioned with an odd expression. Truth be told, he didn't expect Apollo to understand Gula to this extent. Even more so when it came to this unique ability.

Granted, Fuhrer was unaware that Apollo was simply following the progression path the system left for him.

"Yes," Apollo nodded before observing these two. Unlike Arleo, these two were still genuine Archdemons. Their evolution was too far along to revert from just having a quarter of their vital Sin absorbed.

Regardless, despite retaining their evolutionary state, all their progress was lost! Both Gallmath and Xonnomor exuded auras only on par with Arleo's earlier strength. Although it was painful to experience, Gallmath felt it was better than death.

As long as he was alive, then there was a chance to regain his strength. However, he also recalled something Apollo just said, "Did you say you want it all? As in… you want to take this stronghold from us?"

"Precisely," Apollo nodded with a nonchalant attitude.

But, from Gallmath's expression, there seemed to be something on his mind. Because of this, Apollo narrowed his eyes, "If there's someone concerning reveal it."

"Well, how should I say this? This stronghold isn't… ours. We don't have the right to bestow it upon you," Gallmath said before tapping his fingers on Xonnomor's forehead, causing his eyes to jerk with a deep gasp.

Pain wracked his body, but since he was already missing an arm and was used to excruciating pain, he didn't fret over the feeling. Instead, he frowned when he sifted through the information from Gallmath.

"This stronghold belongs to the Royal Faction. And, if you take it from us, an envoy or a few will appear in a matter of days. It's happened before," Xonnomor revealed.

Meanwhile, Valac had a change in expression when he heard this, "Wait a minute. Why does this sound familiar? I recall an identical situation happening in Suprenis!"

"Did you say Suprenis? Excuse me, but are you talking about the stronghold previously manned by Tirasha?" Xonnomor questioned with a worried tone.

"Tirasha? What of her?" Apollo's expression became one of surprise as he heard a demon from Ashiraem uttered the name of someone from a completely different Ring. "And, don't you mean currently? I reestablished her reign."

"W-what?! You have news pertaining to my younger sister?!" Xonnomor exclaimed with a widened expression.

Conversely, Apollo smirked when he heard some surprising news.

'Sister?' Now, this was something worthwhile.