Chapter 57: Enraged, Reverse Scale

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'If they overstep their boundaries, I'll handle this matter at the most opportune time.'

Dragging the corpse of the Zephyr Wolf towards the Storm Colossus Lynx, he overheard the conversation between the party. Some of which he was surprised by. 'It's that valuable? I wonder what level core that lynx had. It seemed to be of good talent.'

[No lower than exceptional based on its fluctuations. You guys were lucky there were 4 of you. If not, it would have found enough time to muster the Natural Essence sufficient to unleash its innate abilities.]

"Aye' boss. That catty beast over there it was a variant, ye'? So it'll fetch us a pretty penny. How much do you think?" asked Vren as he opened his eyes to fulfill his curiosity.

"It should be worth at least 5,000 pieces of Spirit Shards. That's just a rough guess. After we have it appraised, we'll find out the actual worth. After all, it's a dual element core with both wind and the rarer thunder/lightning element," answered Krone as he glanced at Apollo's movements.

'He's quite used to this. But that's to be expected seeing as he looks as if he's been surviving out here for quite a while,' thought Krone while glancing toward Vren's comical expression.

"W-what?! 5,000 Spirit Shards? Those things are expensive! Only those great families and war academies does use those fer' cultivation! It's a shame we aren't Spirit Cultivators. We can't use it properly and the small Natural Essence mixed in isn't enough," stated Vren with an excited expression which soon turned downcast.

"We can always exchange it for pills and elixirs. Not to mention, there's the even rarer chance of obtaining some Spirit Stones! Those can be used by anyone as they balanced in both Natural and Spiritual Essence. Only… those rarely appear in circulation," countered Krone as he began mulling over the scarce circulation of cultivation resources for straggler cultivators.

In Astarat, there remained two types of currency; credits and the forms of spiritual gems. The latter was more so circulated throughout the high cultivation world whereas the former was more for the ones who favored hard currency. In some places, those bereft of cultivators leaned more towards credits.

"It's a shame that our conditions weren't better. Do you guys sometimes regret our talent falling short of the baseline for the army? Even the grunt division required one to be a Zul Knight, and to reach so before 20," questioned Slaid as he played with a throwing knife, passing it through his finger as his tone became morose.

"Let's not ruminate over that matter and just forget the past," stated Krone before shifting the topic, "Instead, let us have a feast and recover ourselves to venture deeper." Tearing apart the cooked beast meat, everyone ate their filled leaving a decrepit carcass.

〈System Alert! 100g of Variant Rank 3 Spirit Beast Meat has been consumed.〉

〈System Alert! 100g of Variant Rank 3 Spirit Beast Meat has been consumed.〉

«300 (150 + 150) Experience has been received.»

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Needless to say, ingesting the copious amounts of this high-quality meat soon resulted in Apollo's level up along with a quicker healing process. Furthermore, even after the fact, he continued to eat while looking with an intent gaze.

«Congratulations, Level 89 has been achieved; .2 Attributes and 4 Stat Points have been awarded.»

Hearing this message, there was a slight change in his aura the others remained unaware of. A glint passed through his eyes, as he checked his stats for a moment.

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(Demon Monarch System) Lvl.2

Name: Apollo Kaiser

Race: Demi-Demon (Half-Step) [69.93%]

Title: Azridan's Successor

Age: 11

Level: 89

Experience: 36,680/92,900.

Health: 1,952/1,952

Stamina: 1,952/1,952

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

Physique: Earth-Grade (Peak Tier)

Zuls: 270

Strength: 67.6

Agility: 65.2

Intelligence: 33.5

Vitality: 48.8

[«Traits»]-

«Increased Essence Affinity»

«Minor Poison Resistance»

[«Techniques»]-

«Supreme Demon Body: 7 Sinful Stigmata»

«Baleful Steps: Phantasmal Daemos»

«War Path: Nine Infernal Annihilations»

Stat Points: 41

Satisfied with what he saw, he paused before asking a question laced with malicious intent albeit hidden under the guise of seeking power.

"How about we explore more of this path and travel along its edges. Despite those spirit beast being large, my body still needs more food; you four have eaten a large portion of the meal. I'll forfeit my share in cores if we can do so," offered Apollo. However, his intentions were far from amicable. According to Azridan's words, something remained nearby.

"Hmm? You're still going on about that? Little twerp, go cry to your parents or something. You're too naggy. Were you not loved as a child or something? We're not here to babysit you. You need to learn more about this world before asking us to do things," chuckled Slaid before widening his eyes.

"What did you just say?" asked Apollo in a chilled tone as he rose to his feet. It was clear he didn't appreciate Slaid's words from the abrupt change in his aura. Clenching his fists, he glared daggers at Slaid.

[Insolence! Kill him! Dismember his body. Mutilate his existence. How dare he talk to you like this? I swear on my rite as your predecessor, do not give him a light death. Blasphemy your legacy? Mindless swine!]

'I swear upon Apollo's name, I will allow no such thing,' responded Apollo as he swore to the previous owner of this body.

"What?" languidly answered Slaid sporting an amused expression. It was clear he took him lightly. But they underestimated the thoughts which circulated throughout this deranged youth's mind. He seemed enraged as if his reverse scale was touched! Deadly wisps of aura leaked from him. They couldn't understand the change.

'Hmm? This lad...what does he seek to do?' thought Krone as he raised his eyebrow intrigued by the unraveling events.

"I asked you a question, what the fuck did you just say?" asked Apollo again as he approached the slender Slaid. This time he swore something he had never done before as he moved closer a single step at a time.

"Oi, you think you're some big shot? I don't mind putting a kid in his place," stated Slaid as he also rose to his feet. On the other hand, he chuckled in his mind, 'I've been waiting for some riling incident to take place.'

"Good, keep that same mindset," said Apollo with a cynical smile as he dashed into the distance. 'I wasn't intending on making a move so soon but You guys don't intend to give me a share and you speak enraging words. So, I will no longer be polite. I welcome your doom!'

'Whoosh!' He dashed into the distance which shocked the party. They thought this child had grown too big from his britches. If that was the case, they didn't mind knocking him down a few peg, however, it turned out to not be the case. Instead, he seemed to turn into a frightened mouse who scurried away.

"Tch, all bark no bite," uttered Slaid as he sat down continuing his previous actions of recuperating. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to them their reactions would soon be forever regretted. They had stepped on the toes of a lunatic; one who didn't hold any qualms with stirring up discord!