Chapter 17: Survival (I)

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Apollo made a beeline through the training area. Since it was earlier than he usually got up, the yard was vacant. Thus, he continued forward and made a detour to Cynthia's home.

When he reached his destination, he knocked on the door. Shortly after, the ring of his aunt's velvety voice sounded, "Who is it?

"Apollo," he answered. 

Not long after, the door opened revealing Cynthia's matured smile. "Apollo, how are you? I'm sorry for yesterday."

"Don't worry about it, Aunty. It's not your fault. I understand that Kayn's word is final. I just wanted to know if Aaron is up?" Apollo responded, brushing the matter aside.

"Yes, he is still here. If you want to see him. He's in his room. If he isn't up, then wake him," Cynthia replied with a smile. But, her expression turned into one of surprise.

With the changes that took place last night, although his appearance didn't alter greatly, for someone like Cynthia, they were apparent. 

'A spitting image, he looks just like him. Why is that? Compared to just yesterday, he looking more and more like his father. The resemblance is uncanny,' Cynthia thought while Apollo entered Aaron's room.

"Aaron, are you awake?"

In response, Aaron moved. He turned over and looked at Apollo. However, his expression was glum as he looked at Apollo. "Yeah, I'm up. Yesterday was my fault, I shouldn't have agreed. Now look what happened, you were the only one punished!"

"Don't worry about that, I think it's better this way. But, before I go, I thought I should come to tell you goodbye," Apollo shook his head.

At first, Aaron was frozen in shock but then he jumped out of bed, "G-goodbye? You're leaving? Where will you go?"

"I don't know, but I can't stay in this family any longer. Don't worry though, I'll just take my own path," Apollo smiled.

On the other hand, Aaron sulked, "I understand. I just want you to know, I'll miss you."

A silence was shared before the two gave each other a brotherly hug, "I'll see you in the future Aaron. Perhaps, by then, I'll be much stronger."

With these last words, he grabbed his belongings as he left the room.

Amid his departure, he waved to Cynthia, "Bye Aunty."

She waved back but she remained perplexed by something. She felt this bye sounded odd. It was only when he was a notable distance away that she noticed the small bag on his shoulder.

At that instant, Aaron ran out of his room.

Aaron flung the door open and screamed at the top of his lungs looking at the departing figure of Apollo.

"I swear to you Apollo, even if you continue to be unable to... then I will become strong and right every wrong! This is unfair and their words and behavior don't justify their actions."

Lifting his hand, Apollo turned and waved with a smile. He would also miss this fellow that was prominent in his memories. However, in his eyes, remained a gaze that meant: "Don't worry, I will be someone who doesn't need protection. I promise you."

Cynthia walked up behind Aaron, placing her hand on his shoulder. As he gazed as his small yet distancing she was overwhelmed with curiosity, "Where is Apollo going?"

"I don't know...but he said he is leaving. Even if he was lacking in talent, why couldn't they just treat him like a normal person?" asked Aaron as he turned to his mother.

However she sighed and shook her head, "It's not that Apollo is lacking in talent. It's because of that event that happened that his body is that way. If not for that, I believe his talent would have been even stronger than Lily's.

"Although there are some infrequent aberrants, the talent of the body is something more so inherited. Lily's father had a Top Tier Spirit-Grade Inner Talent, however, Apollo's father possessed a Middle Tier Heaven-Grade Inner Talent. What I'm trying to say, even though they were the top two talents of their generation-..."

All of a sudden, her words were cut short by a melancholic sigh escaping from her lips. The more she spoke about them, the more she missed her brothers.

"If Uncle was so talented, why did they treat Apollo in such a way?"

"Well, you see sweetie, not everything can be explained simply by what you see. They treat Aaron that way because of the backstory. But, that is wrong, it isn't his fault that the family's rising stars perished. The blame should be placed upon those Terrors. But the family is too scared. As a result, he became the subject of their scorn."

"Tch...cowards. They're just looking for someone else to blame," Aaron scoffed while the look in his eyes changed. The story made him look at the family with a hint of disgust.

"Mom, I promise; I will be stronger than anyone present in the family."

"I believe in you. After all, after my brother's death, we need someone suitable to fill the Patriarch position. The person next in line... well let's just say they aren't situated for the task. I see our downfall in the future."

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Once he passed through the gates of the Kaiser Family residence, Apollo looked into the distance. Ignoring the populated sidewalks, he was fascinated by the scenery before him for a moment. In truth, outside of the times he was bullied, this was the first real experience he had outside of the family estate. Intaking his surroundings, he began muttering to him.

"Wow, it seems so... expansive. Based on the books that I've read, the continent I'm on is the damaged Western Continent—Zephus. However, it isn't called that anymore. Instead, it is split in two now namely the Endless Death Domain and Zephus Domain which sandwich the Ruination Boundary."

"I should learn more about the breakdown of society. That way, I'll be able to prepare myself in the future. After all, I'll need to possess some knowledge to blend into the selection and enter a War Academy."

As he talked to himself in a low voice, Apollo wandered aimlessly. Taking note of this, he paused. His knowledge of his surroundings was all one-dimensional and from the books no less. He didn't necessarily understand where to go. Hence, his only choice was to seek help.

"Azridan, uh where exactly am I headed?"

[Hmm, based on the information you possess, there should be a large forest nearby concentrated with both Spirit and Mortal Beast. However, it also seems from what I can sense to be explored frequently. Are you prepared to face challenges? We might not return here for a while.]

"Ah, I made my choice already Azridan. I'm ready to face what you deem fit," Apollo replied before following Azridan's directions. Turning east, he began his trek into uncharted areas for him. Although traveling was a new sensation for him, he couldn't say he hated it. The constantly changing scenery was refreshing.

It wasn't long before Apollo reached the forest. The forest had a simple name: The Shadowy Forest. All types of things could be found inside ranging from Spirit Beast to Spiritual Herbs to people. But at night, the towering trees cast shadows among each other giving it an ominous atmosphere.

[Rememeber, until we ascertain the difference in physiques, it is imperative you avoid Rank 1 Spirit Beasts at all costs. Seek Mortal Beasts which are just extremely weak versions of Rank 1 Spirit.]

"Okay," Apollo nodded as he attentively inspected his surroundings. However, contrary to his directions, the area which he entered from was littered with nothing but Rank 1 Spirit Beast.

In light of the immediate danger, he held his breath as long as possible and crept past this area, heading towards another part of the forest outskirts.

[Although it isn't advised to engage in combat training with these monsters until you reach the level of a 5th Rank Mortal, we will be doing things differently.]

"Ok."

[For now, let's hone your hand-to-hand combat. Once you complete this mission you will be rewarded.]

«System Alert! New Mission»

Quest Name: Initial Step to Superiority

Information: Strength means everything; so this is what you need to gain. Reach a suitable standard to travel deeper into the embrace of Azridan's succession.

Task-

-Kill 5,000 Rank 0 Mortal Beast or above monsters. (0/5,000)

-Reach the Rank 5 Mortal Level. (Incomplete)

Time Limit: 3 years

[«Bonus Task»]-

- Complete within 2 years 6 months = 100% Experience reward increase.

- Complete within 2 years = 200% Experience reward increase.

- Complete within 1 year = Experience reward increased to 500%

Reward:

- 50,000 Experience

- ????, ????

"So... I have to kill something. Erm, Azridan this will be my first time. I might have died but I have never killed. What does it feel like?"

[At first, it is a sensation that is wholly unsettling, however, when you are put in the correct situation you will understand. In a moment, it could be your death or theirs. What would you choose then? Being merciful to your enemies is to be heartless to yourself.]

"I understand." Apollo exhaled.

He then made his move, finding a place to sent his belongings down. After doing so, he started to search for monsters. Soon enough, he found a small fox-type monster. However, unlike normal ones, this one wasn't timid.

Upon Apollo's appearance, it pounced.

«System Alert! Battle Mode activated.»

«Your body is deemed to be in the prime condition to enter a battle state.»

Monster Name: Red Fox

Cultivation: Rank 0 Mortal Beast (On par with Rank 3 Mortal Cultivator)

Health: 50/50

Faster than he could react, the fox took notice of him. Almost immediately, Apollo took a shoddy fighting stance as he shifted to the side. The fox dashed past him, missing its pounce.

Be that as it may, it was hard for him to keep track of the foxes' movements. After all, it was an agility-type beast.

'This little red fox is quick. It may take a lot to deal with it,' Apollo thought to himself while watching the fox scurry about.