Chapter 20: Changes (I)

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Slamming a rather large wolf, a teen stabbed an obsidian knife through its eyes. There was a hint of maturity peering into his eyes as he looked emotionlessly at the dead wolf before him. From that initial day, approximately 8 months had passed since that conversation.

«System Alert! Peak Rank 0 Mortal Beast killed.»

«16 (8 + 8) Experience has been received.»

«Experience: 3,040/3,100.»

[Excellent, you have almost reached the 4th Rank of the Mortal Realm. Your hand to hand combat has developed well. If you keep progressing like this it won't be long before you reach the prerequisites. Also, you're doing a good job of avoiding the detection of wandering people.]

"Thank you," curtly replied Apollo as he tossed the wolf aside. Within his gaze was a budding indifference. The past experiences of these many months were far from uneventful. Albeit, still not a match for the beginning level of others, he made a large advancement.

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(Demon Monarch System) Lvl.2

Name: Apollo Kaiser

Race: Demi-Demon (Half-Step)

Title: Azridan's Successor

Age: 11

Level: 31

Experience: 3,040/3,100.

Health: 124/124

Stamina: 124/124

Body Cultivation Realm: Rank 3 Mortal [26/30]

Physique: Mortal-Grade (Peak Tier)

Zuls: 26

Strength: 12.8

Agility: 4.6

Intelligence: 12.5

Vitality: 4.8

Stat Points: 0

Apollo closed his status panel.

'It seems the conversion ratio has upgraded to .5 Strength,' mused Apollo while his eyes shifted into the distance.

Compared to a few months prior he was going through a change originating in his core. The neverending killing, day in and day out turned him callous and numb to the sight. Furthermore, the solitude he experienced in this forest dulled his desire to interact. Not to mention, his view of people wasn't all that great, to begin with.

Nevertheless, alongside his demeanor, another thing changed immensely; his talent had returned to the peak of the Mortal. It was but a short distance away from them the Earth Grade. In Azridan's eyes, Apollo's change was rather quick. Of course, this was attributed to the fact that he was so diligent in his training.

[I must say lad, your heart is commendable. Your complaints have ceased over the past couple of months. I'm surprised by the fact.]

"Ah. Azridan I have a request. I want to try fighting a Rank 1 Spirit Beast today. It is tiresome continuously fighting Mortal Beast. Even at the peak of their rank, they reward less experience than Rank 1 Spirit Beast meat," stated Apollo as he shook his wrist, cracking his knuckles.

[I think that is a good idea. The continuous battles have honed your senses providing you with the qualities needed to perform that task. Just remember, as always, exercise your usual caution.]

Heeding his word, Apollo extended his arm, a sizable obsidian knife sliding down into his grip from his sleeve. Situated in his hand, Apollo dexterously twirled it.

His eyes emitted a faint battle intent as they shimmered with a purple hue. Kicking off his back foot, Apollo sprinted into the distance seeking the Spirit Beast that inhabited this environment.

Rather than shifting the foliage out of his path, Apollo cut the stems of the large plants. This was the first time traveling past the outskirts since entering the Shadowy Forest. It was separated into 3 parts: the outskirts, inner ring, and central region. He was unaware of the surroundings of the latter two.

Stepping on a branch, a low crunch echoed into his surroundings. At that moment, Apollo halted his steps as he focused exclusively on his hearing. He heard it. There was a low but exaggerated breathing noise coming towards him along with the rhythmic thudding of powerful feet.

Entering a fighting stance, Apollo readied himself for confrontation. A large wolf, much larger than the ones he previously went up against appeared. Its appearance was slightly ferocious, with two extremely large fangs jutting out of its maw.

Monster Name: Twin Fanged Wolf

Cultivation: Early Stage Rank 1 Spirit Beast (Equal to Rank 5 Mortal Cultivator)

Health: 250/250

Chance of Defeat: 22%

'A 22% chance of me defeating it. It is calculating based on our cultivation difference. However, I have come to realize that these calculations are erred.'

Holding the Vantablack Knife in a reverse grip, Apollo lifted his other hand openly. He was ready.

Apollo kicked off his back foot initiating engagement; the momentum was in his hands. Reacting, the Twin Fanged Wolf swiped its claw sending a burst of wind billowing toward Apollo. Reacting quickly, he abruptly sidestepped with his left foot dodging.

In a fluent moment, he dashed forward with the collaboration of his right foot. Plunging the knife into the rib of the Twin Fanged Wolf, Apollo wrenched it causing a large gash resulting in the pained howl of the beast.

«Critical! 35 damage dealt.»

«Critical! 40 damage dealt.»

Ignoring the messages, Apollo parried the following swipe of the wolf shifting his feet. He received 10 damage but it was negligible in his eyes. His eyes remained fixated on the newly formed wound.

Now that it was wounded, the Twin Fanged Wolf defended its side more attentively. However, Apollo remained calm. Rushing, he slid under the next swipe of the wolf as he sliced its underbelly.

«Vital Attack! 75 damage dealt.»

Gripping the floor, Apollo jumped performing a flip stabbing the knife into the wolf's back. Another painful whimper sound. Unfortunately for it, Apollo slit its throat ending the battle there and then.

«Fatal Damage! 100 damage dealt.»

Thrusting the knife, the blood covering its metallic sheen splattered across the ground. Amid the actions, additional prompts popped up.

«System Alert! You have killed an Early Stage Rank 1 Spirit Beast.»

«60 (30 + 30) Experience has been received.»

«Experience: 0/3,200.»

«Congratulations, you have reached Level 32. You have been rewarded .1 attributes and 2 Stat points.»

[Excellent movements young lad, you move like a demon in the night. It seems you were indeed made to travel the path of a Demon.]

"Mn," silently nodded Apollo as he bent down fileting his recently killed prey. His hands moved in a trained and efficient manner as the edible parts were separated in a timely manner.

While he worked, he voiced his thoughts, "So going forward from Rank 1 Spirit Beast, they are divided into Early, Middle, and Late stages? At the same time, the experience will increase with each rank?"

[Yes, it's the same for human cultivators. As you saw, in the book, each realm of body cultivation possesses 9 levels. 1-3 are the early stages, 4-6 are the middle stages and 7-9 are the late stages. However, there is also the Peak Stage which is the absolute limit of level 9.]

"Then, that is to say, a Late-Stage Rank 1 Spirit Beast is equivalent to a Zul Warrior?"

[Not necessarily. While it can happen if the beast forms their Essence Core at that moment, it is more so Peak Rankers and the Rank 2 who are equivalent. Of course, there are rare cases where a Spirit Beast forms their core immediately upon reaching Rank 1. However, those beasts are extremely talented and usually carry bloodlines.]

"Bloodlines is it? I see, I guess even beasts have a hierarchy."

[Yes, but that is a matter you will learn in the future. It is too deep of a concept for this moment. On the other hand, you are making great progress, all that's left for you is to complete the quest.]

"Yes, I will continue deeper slowly." decided Apollo as he vigilantly entered deeper into the shadowy forest. The difference between a Spirit Beast and Mortal Beast's experience was astounding, he needed more.

[Hmm, since you're close. It's important to give a reward for when you accomplish it.]

'Ding!'