Chapter 50: Overbearing Demonic Techniques

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Tapping his foot, Apollo rose. It was the first time in months his body had moved from the lotus sitting position. It was odd for a child his age to be able to sit still for such an extended period of time without movement. As such, when he stood his joints crackled with explosive power.

Shifting his gaze, he glanced at the screen of his stats before him. Afterward, his attention fell on methods to activate the techniques in question.

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(Demon Monarch System) Lvl.2

Name: Apollo Kaiser

Race: Demi-Demon (Half-Step) [60.66%]

Title: Azridan's Successor

Age: 11

Level: 88

Experience: 7,980/87,900.

Health: 1,312/1,312 → 1,944/1,944

Stamina: 1,312/1,312 → 1,944/1,944

Body Cultivation Realm: Rank 6 Mortal [270/400]

Physique: Earth-Grade (Peak Tier)

Zuls: 190 → 270

Strength: 47.4 → 67.4

Agility: 40.3 → 62.3

Intelligence: 32.7 → 33.3

Vitality: 32.8 → 48.6

[«Traits»]-

«Increased Essence Affinity»

«Minor Poison Resistance»

Stat Points: 60

'I haven't used my Stat Points due to the multiple streams of experience sources. I'll use them at a later time when they're needed. It also seems the improvement of my Vitality isn't as large as the other two. Of course, that's within my estimations. After all, the core centric to that stat was scarce. But this new trait I awakened…

«Minor Poison Resistance» - «Basic Trait»

Information: After coming into contact with a plethora of toxic Essence Cores, your physique has developed a resistance to poisons. Nurturing this trait will require one to cultivate with more Essence Cores high in toxicity or deal with the infliction of poisonous damage.

Level: 1/4

Effect: Immune to all poisons under Rank 3. Decreases damage from higher level poisons. The higher the grade of the poison, the less it is resisted but the more it contributes to the experience of this skill.

Focusing his attention elsewhere, Apollo looked at the Phantasmal Daemos. Stretching out his limbs, he loosened himself up. Based on the profundity he comprehended from this skill, he'd need to utilize ghost-like footwork. That couldn't be done with stiff muscles.

[I'll allow you to explore these techniques yourself. Only after you've grasped it will I offer my insight. Your resolve must continue to drive. Not to mention, you're talented. You should be able to execute these techniques with the minimum requirement.

"Allow me to try it out first before I comment on that," stated Apollo as he exhaled creating a white jetstream. The first action needed was to stimulate your physique—which he did.

Trying to perform the technique the first time resulted in a failure. He failed to grasp the essence of the name Partial Shade Silhouette. Repeating the actions again, this time he utilized too much of his stamina and felt a searing pain shooting through his legs.

Continuing to attempt this, he made multiple errors. Countless hours passed throughout the spectacle yet Apollo remained focused. During this time, he solved his many questions through short bouts of pondering. 'Shade… I can attribute this to the darkness, I suppose. Then a silhouette, I think of a light figure in the distance. As for Partial… could that do with the flow? Perhaps the error lies in my execution.'

Trying once again, this time Apollo tweaked the way he used the trace amounts of Natural Essence in his meridians which burnt stamina. This time, the feeling while executing the technique felt better but not quite right.

'Again. I'm on the right path, but my control is faulty,' thought Apollo as he tapped his foot lightly which propelled him forth faster than before. At the same time, he felt tendrils of darkness escaping his feet. At that moment, he was struck with inspiration!

'Another issue lies within the element of this Natural Essence. But I think I understand now, the essence of this technique is to move lightly throughout the darkness,' mused Apollo as he came upon a revelation. While moving, his body seemed to phase in and out of existence albeit partially and only half of his body at once. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to keep this up for even a second as his stamina was utterly exhausted.

[Not bad. You've seemed to grasp a basic understanding of this technique. The secret to this technique is to understand that one must meld with the darkness but not completely. Upon death, only part of your silhouette should be apparent. Of course, this technique becomes stronger during the night.]

"So I was correct, the reasoning behind the technique is to emulate darkness. Only, I must become more adept with it. Only then will I be able to feel powerful," murmured Apollo before resting and recuperating.

His depleted stamina soon recovered under the aid of the Resplendent Jadeite Pendant. However, something he overlooked was that trace amounts of essence were always flowing into the pendant. It did so autonomously and outside of the scope of Apollo's perception.

[Now try walking the War Path. Keep in mind, however, the first strike gets stronger the further it is away from you. Hence, why it favors long weapons. For now, you'll have to make do with the knife you have.]

Unlike the previous technique, this one was fairly simple. All that was required of his was to ignite as much essence as he desired in the meridians of his arms and slash his target. Naturally, the style of this attack warranted a few worrisome aftereffects.

'BOOOOOOM!'

Slashing the Vantblack Knife, a large scar appeared on the blocked entrance of this dark cave. The indent was deep and the mark was sharp carrying with it an extremely dreadful feeling. If one got close, they would hear the searing noise of the rock.

While unsure of the amount of damage that would inflict, he knew it was in direct proportion to the stamina consumed. However, he didn't expect to be to this extent! The terror of an Earth Rank Martial Art was mind-numbing! Regrettably, he couldn't remain in awe for long as the aftereffects mentioned immediately took place.

Even after the one use, his stamina continued to dwindle as the meridian in his arms swelled. His virgin meridians had yet to experience such a tyrannic influx of essence. In response, they entered their current tender state.

〈System Alert! 90% of your stamina has been drained from one move! Your body is currently recuperating. In order to use the skill continuously, raise your parameters.〉

〈System Alert! Mastery in the «Monarch's War Path Record» has increased slightly.〉

[Excellent, you now possessed the means to catch your enemies by surprising and the basic makings of a demon. Well, keep in mind I use basic loosely. Those techniques at their peak are by no means low in the world of the demons.]

"Yes they're both equally damaging," responded Apollo as he sat to once again recuperate from the damage.

[Well, of course, you're still wea- I mean, you're still in training.]

"I know that but I agree," contemptuously chuckled Apollo while forming a self-deprecating smile. Nevertheless, he didn't mull over the matter for too long as he understood these techniques already opened up a myriad of paths to him.

[You've been cooped up in here long enough. Let's get you some fresh air as well as replenish the exhausted Essence Cores. If you want to keep up this cultivation speed you need resources.]

"I think you forgot about the pills I have in possession," retorted Apollo before continuing, "But I have long run out of Demonic Essence Pellets and it's now stagnant."

〈«Race: Demi-Demon (Half-Step) [69.93%]»〉

[I'm sorry to say but those won't suffice. You'll understand what I mean after you hit Level 90. No, you'll understand what I mean if you inspect your chat. Now, place your hand upon the wall.]