Chapter 78: Claiming Dominance

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A few moments before the blur…

'Almost…' Apollo's expression grew increasingly solemn with each passing moment. It was now a race between the rate his experience was filling and the rate at which the Demonic Earthflame Wyvern was capable of unleashing its onslaught.

«Experience: 455,500/500,000»

«Experience +500»

«Experience +500»

Before even one second could elapse, 3 messages appeared before Apollo's eyes. Yet even then, he felt this was far too slow for the current situation. He had asked for a few minutes in light of him being unable to estimate the rate he could refine this experience.

Nevertheless, it proved his worries were unwarranted as he could process over 1,000 Experience per second in light of his current physique. Which by the way, continued to increase. As a result, the experience quantity inched higher and higher.

Be that as it may, the orb formulating inside the Wyvern's mouth continued to accumulate at a rate that caused Apollo despair. His nails prematurely dug into his palms as he looked at Cynthia's back. Mostly due to the following actions

[Lad, not to disturb your current mindset but that beast is sacrificing entirely too much of its reserves. If I'm not mistaken, it's intent on destroying everything. Allow me to help you in this situation Bear with me.]

〈System Alert! The absorption rate of Natural Essence has been increased by 300%. In exchange, you'll lose Health every second you continue to absorb resources like this.〉

"A-arrrghhh…" the pain of the current absorption increased exponentially causing Apollo to groan in pain. Stifling it quickly, he returned the entirety of his focus back to the situation at hand. In his peripheral, his health bar decreased by .1% every second. But it wasn't a simple process.

With each couple of milliseconds, the drain compounded. .1% turned to .2%. Nonetheless, it was a worthwhile exchange. In a mere instant, Apollo's gain increased to 4,200 Experience. But while that happened, his eyes fluttered threatening to lose grasp of his consciousness.

Of course, this was something Apollo couldn't let happen. Hence, he bit his tongue returning a shred of clarity to his mind. That small threshold was the only remaining barrier between him and possibly turning this situation around.

"Kheuk…" Apollo vomited blackened blood as the next ring of Essence Cores crumbled to dust. A single ring remained rotating around him. Luckily, with the way things were transpiring, it seemed as if he would come out triumphant in this race.

'Crccccck!' 'Crrrrck!!' 'Ziinggggggggg!'

A sonorous cry emitted from his pores as the Essence Cores crumbled one by one. Shortly after, they all cracked and became dust as a shockwave burst from Apollo's body. It happened! He completed the deed.

Regrettably, there was no time to revel in the fact. At the same time this took place, the Wyvern fired its own attack. Without a moment to lose, Apollo performed quick actions and kicked off his foot. Multiple notifications appeared before his eyes as he allocated his stat points. Many of which caused his mind to wander.

'Interesting…'

〈System Alert! Your Strength Attribute has breached the 100.0 point threshold! The "Fiendish Force" Passive has been unlocked. 〉

〈System Alert! Your Vitality Attribute has breached the 100.0 point threshold! The "Sacricifical Vigor" Passive has been unlocked.〉

〈System Alert! Your Inner Physique has elevated to the Middle Tier. Zul Conversion has increased to .1 Str = 1.15 Zuls.〉

«Congratulations, you have reached Level 95. You have received .7 Attributes and 8 Stat Points.»

«Congratulations, you have achieved the Rank 9 Mortal.»

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(Demon Monarch System) Lvl.2

Name: Apollo Kaiser

Race: Demi-Demon (Half-Step) [84.56%]

Title: Azridan's Successor

Age: 14

Level: 95

Experience: 100/600,000.

Health: 5,175/5,175

Stamina:3,175/5,175

Body Cultivation Realm: Rank 9 Mortal [1,282/1,600+]

Physique: Spirit-Grade (Middle Tier)

Zuls: 1,282

Strength: 111.5 (+ 2.0) (+ 11.5)

Agility: 99.9 (+ 2.0) (+2.9)

Intelligence: 76.5 (+ 2.0)

Vitality: 103.5 (+ 2.0) (+4.2) (+ 7.3)

[«Traits»]-

«Increased Essence Affinity»

«Minor Poison Resistance»

«Tenacious Shadows»

«Sacrificial Vigor»

«Fiendish Force»

[«Techniques»]-

«Supreme Demon Body: 7 Sinful Stigmata»

«Baleful Steps: Phantasmal Daemos»

«War Path: Nine Infernal Annihilations»

Stat Points: 0

'Fwooosh!'

Turning into a dark blur, even Apollo was surprised by what he was accomplishing! Within a fleeting moment, he appeared behind before the first small orb. Holding the Vantablack Knife at a slant, he deflected the attack before Cynthia before shifting to his net target.

Redirecting the one aimed at Aaron, he spared him a quick glance before tapping his chest and pushing him out of the battle's perimeter. Despite his cultivation being weaker, his stats truthfully overshadowed his current level. The conversion ratio didn't do his capabilities justice. Hence, he felt this wasn't a battle for these three.

Transversing to Lily in the next moment, he swatted this orb as well. Unfortunately, a disheartening event happened as the weapon in his hand shattered! The broken part melted from the intense heat emanating from the Wyvern's attacks.

Glancing over to Danyul, he eyed the weapon in his hand. Appearing before him, Apollo looked Danyul in his eyes before slowing his speed. This gave the others time to perceive him.

"H-how are you so fast?" Danyul's mind plagued with curiosity. He failed to understand how Apollo was capable of this. In response, he lifted his hand to Danyul, stopping his words in their tracks.

"No time. Hand me your staff. I need it. My weapon is no more," before Danyul could answer, Apollo placed his hand on the staff and ripped it from Danyul's grasp; disappearing from sight.

Pausing for a moment, he pondered whether he wanted to do so. Finally, he made his decision, 'This is not the time for them to suffer their fate. Not to mention, I'd rather be the one to personally looking into their despairing eyes.'

'Fwoosh!'

Spinning the staff coated in a thin colorless aura, Apollo deflected the last two orbs.

'Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!'

'BOOOOM!'

The orbs slammed into the wall destroying the area due to Apollo's actions. Roaring indignantly, the Demonic Earthflame Wyvern thrashed about. Its actions of destruction had been averted and by this minuscule existence no less! It couldn't cope with this fact; its desires had been thwarted!

"Apollo...what the...what are these techniques he uses? Not even his father utilized things like this," muttered Cynthia as she remained in awe looking at Apollo's imposing back.

Meanwhile, his eyes met the Wyvern. A deathly silence took place before Apollo broke it, "Aunty… me and you. We'll confront this thing. Danyul and Ashur evacuate those 3."

"WHAT?! Are you insane? How can two people deal with that?" Ashur looked at him with undisclosed contempt. He seemed like he wanted to get Cynthia killed along with himself.

Cynthia, however, looked at Apollo who turned back briefly. There was a solemn yet confident look in his eyes as if the situation was in his control. To him, it was indeed so. Azridan had shown him something he would be able to take advantage of.

Under normal circumstances, it would have been better concealed but due to the short period from its evolution and now, it wasn't—its weakness. Sadly, he wouldn't be able to perform the task in mind unless he had a partner. To be frank, only Cynthia met his standards.

"Do as Apollo says. Evacuate the others and recover immediately! This situation isn't one in which we can remain idle," Cynthia's forceful words complimented her expression as she glared at Ashur forcing his words back down his throat.

"Mom, Apollo. If any happens to you I swear I'll travel to the underworld and give you a scolding," roared Aaron. Afterward, he was hoisted away by Danyul as the others.

"What is it you have in mind?"

"We'll kill it. But I'll have to rely on you after," Apollo gave Cynthia a meaningful look as he arrived next to in preparation for the upcoming hellish battle.