Chapter 58: Insane Youth (II)

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Rather than confronting them who were a few stages higher than him, Apollo had other plans in mind. Utilizing the limit of his agility, he sped through the distance at the directions of Azridan.

[Turn right.]

Shifting directions, Apollo darted to the right before narrowing his eyes. He wasn't sure what he was looking for but Azridan informed him that it would be of much use should he take advantage of it properly.

[Up ahead, beyond that ditch make a left. You'll come before a clearing and you'll find exactly what I wanted you to find.]

"Is it an item?" Apollo questioned while continuing to zoom through the expanse of the forest. Soon enough, he caught glimpses of creatures that seemed to blend in with the encroaching night.

[Of course not, seldom would you find such a thing out here. Do you see them? That is your means of chaos! Utilize them.]

Narrowing his eyes, he examined what seemed to be multiple large and violent deer. Their blackened coats and crimson eyes shined as they looked up, shifting their attention towards him. They varied in size from some fully grown doe and bucks to their fawns.

As soon as Apollo entered, they became defensive of their youths. On the other hand, Apollo gazed at their information and smiled. "It seems they're of the darkness element. I wonder… would the night have beneficial effects on that element?"

Monster Name: Dark Shadow Does

Rank: Early Stage Rank 3 Spirit Beast

Health: 5,600/5,600

[It is indeed possible, abduct one of their young. Enrage them and you know the rest.]

Utilizing the Partial Shade Silhouette which seemed more potent now that it was night, Apollo snatched one of Dark Shadow Does' youths and bolted into the distance. Shrieks of rage sounded behind Apollo as he never once ceased moving.

The shadows of his silhouette turned into a blur while encroaching on the position of the unsuspecting trio. As he looked behind him, he caught sight of the galloping deer beast approaching him quickly but not fast enough to warrant fear.

'So this is what using this technique during the night does? If only I could increase my mastery with this technique, I wouldn't have to worry about lacking agility,' thought Apollo as he looked down at the young beast in his hand.

"Unfortunately for you, you'll have to become a sacrifice," uttered Apollo as he gazed into the young fawns curious eyes before arriving before the trio. Looking at him with weird gazes, they watched as he slit the throat of the young deer. However, they couldn't understand why he would do such a thing. The beast didn't even seem to have a core.

"Enjoy my gift," stated Apollo with an amicable smile whilst throwing the lifeless deer into the midst of the trio. Without a second to waste, Apollo hightailed it out of there leaving a fading shadowy image in his wake. Confounded by his actions, indignance flooded their minds.

"What de' fuck!? Stop playing around youth. Get back 'ere," bellowed Vren before falling silent. Gazing at the incoming tide of beast, he froze in shock.

"W-what did he do?! Get rid of that beast. He's lured a horde of them in this direction," snarled Krone. Unfortunately for them, the way Apollo launched the young fawn, the blood splattered across all of them. Its unique scent was imprinted on them.

On the other hand, Slaid remained appalled by the shadowy wisps encasing Apollo's retreating figure, 'I was correct! He was hiding his speed; he must possess even more secrets.'

Harrowing bleats sounded behind them interrupting their thoughts as they began to rush into the distance. However, the scent of their young's blood and its lifeless carcass plunged them into madness. Hellbent on revenge, they pursued the trio drenched in the scent.

Meanwhile, scaling a tree, Apollo reigned in all signs of his presence even sealing his acupoints so the aura of Natural Essence wouldn't leak. Under him, he witnessed the distance between the two parties shortening.

[They're burning their essences to increase their strengths. Like this, they'll catch up to those three in a short period of time.]

On the other hand, the trio continued cursing Apollo and then at each for their blunder.

"Damn! Why didn't we kill the kid when he had the chance? It turns out he's a conniving rat," snarled Slaid as he pulled ahead of the others albeit the distance not being apparent.

"Fuck! I say we should've killed him. We should have just taken his belongings and be done with it. Boss, I 'dink you were too greedy! He is more vicious than we thought. We should have known this!" exclaimed Vren as he fell behind the other. Agility was far from being his forte.

"Tch… shut up already. I know! The way he killed without flinching and carved that beast… I should've suspected something like this. But damn, you fail to realize one thing! He can utilize Natural Essence and he's kept it hidden from us all this time," screeched Krone as his eyes turned crimson thinking about that hateful youth.

At that moment, numerous shadowy wisps enclosed on them. Splitting apart, they dodged. It was then brought to their attention, the situation was worse than they thought.

"Long-distance skills. Our intentions are futile. We'll stay and fight. Conserve energy and remain wary!" commanded Krone amid withdrawing his sabers.

Engaging in battle, they focused on defending. However, lurking in the shadows above, Apollo smiled, 'You reap what you sow. You wanted to cheat me out of my rewards and covet my items, I'll covet your life!' Unsheathing the Vantablack Knife, Apollo bided in the dark.

Multiple cuts had already appeared on the body of the two and they were showing signs of essence exhaustion. Despite their efforts in killing, the numbers were still large and difficult to deal with.

'Not much longer, thought Apollo as he made a move which baffled Azridan.

[Lad, could it be you're going to try doing that?]

'Yes, I will. Increase Strength by 2.4, Vitality by 1.2 and Agility by .3. After all, you said their deaths can't be light.'

«Strength: 67.6 → 70.0»

«Agility: 65.2 → 65.5»

«Vitality: 48.8 → 50.0»

By increasing his parameters, he felt empowered. But more importantly, he received a message that surprised him and bolstered his desire to kill.

"So, this is the first milestone to achieving that? I wonder what the next milestone will be," muttered Apollo as he glanced at the message.

〈System Alert! Reaching 70.0 Strength and 50.0 Vitality, the effects of the First Annihilation Demonic Massacre Wave have been determined.〉

A small barrier felt as if it had shattered as he clenched his fist. '50 Vitality. This feels insane. It seems as if my body was made for body cultivation.' Apollo mused. At this moment, his health had breached the 2,000s; an amount on par with some beasts.

[As I mentioned before, a demon's physique is ungodly. Just wait until you witness what happens when you attain a small mastery in that cultivation method.]

"Your words just make me desire it more. However, that is beside the point. It's time…" stated Apollo as his gaze chilled. The trio's breaths had grown ragged and uneven as they clung to desperate straits.

Tapping his foot, Apollo spread his arms as his descent began. At this same time, his stamina meter drained at a disturbing rate, however, the exchange was worth it.

Large fluctuations of a deadly aura not seeming to be Natural Essence took place alerting the group of mercenaries. Raising their heads, they remained confounded by shocking events.

"WHHHAAT?!"