Chapter 81: Minute Differences, Addition

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Their anticipatory eyes continued to look in the damaged Apollo and Cynthia's direction. Unable to do away with their curiosity, they awaited the answers. As a result, Cynthia glanced at Apollo. It was up to him to answer. After all, it was he who revealed the ability to cause a shocking turn of events.

"It was battle," Apollo chuckled as he sat down, ignoring their eager gazes. This only further incensed Ashur and Axel. Obviously, if these two stood here it was the effects of battle. What they wanted to know was what took place!

"No shit! We want to know what happened during those explosions. Details! We would like details," Axel waved his arm in annoyance. He couldn't stand the way Apollo always omitted information or evaded details. Also, it seemed he was only amiable to Cynthia and Aaron. Which was to be expected.

"Oh, that's even easier. We killed the Wyvern," an amused expression crept upon Apollo's features as he peered at the apoplectic Ashur. He found this whole incident to be nothing short of hilarious. Did they really think he would be disclosing the events that took place?

"Fuck! Cynthia...tell me. How did you two survive? Did that Wyvern not possess an ability increasing with every passing moment?" Unable to extricate information from Apollo, Ashur switched his aim to Cynthia. Unfortunately, she had already made a promise to Apollo and this was included.

"Naturally. However, we dealt with it and we are now here. What we need to focus on instead is recuperating. We have to return to the estate with haste but our current states don't allow that. So we'll recuperate for the moment," Cynthia sat cross-legged in a lotus position evading the stream of questions as well.

Following her actions, Apollo did the same. Despite bathing in that Wyvern's blood, his body was still an utter mess due to the usage of Nether Severance in addition to continuing to digest the absorbed contents. As it was now, he was operating at not even 10% of his capabilities.

"Tch...but did you at least retrieve all the Natural Blessings or were they damage in that godforsaken battle?" Ashur seethed. His questions weren't being answered and he wished to bash his head into the floor. Of course, he would do no such thing only ending up as a fool.

As a result, he remained disgruntled. 'Just you wait, I'll relay the events to the Grand Elder and he'll squeeze the information out of you all. It goes without saying, Axel's talent isn't for show. I'll use him to sway the Grand Elder!'

"Why would we let such things happen to it?" Cynthia blinked firing odd looks at Ashur with a contemptuous expression. She found his question silly; Natural Blessings were of the utmost importance when located.

Waving her arm, 36 crystalline and cerulean fruits appeared before them. Opening his eyes in turn, Apollo inspected them closely. 'They seem to carry an aura that is dependent on one another but it appears to be set to a certain number. Ah… that's why.'

Connecting to every set of three fruits, was a smoky-grey vine. Inside that vein was a constantly flowing and extremely pure Natural Essence. Shifting his gaze to Cynthia, he awaited the action.

"As Apollo is the main cause of us claiming these items, there's a set strictly for him. This is indisputable. If you have any words, you'll be dealing with me," Cynthia's solemn eyes fell on Ashur and Axel with a combative glint.

"A-.... Bah! Whatever. There are still 35 other Natural Blessings remaining," Ashur ogled as he sat and examined every inch of the fruit. A hint of desire passed through his eyes, 'If I'm not mistaken, these should be at the level that even mature people can benefit from them. Maybe…'

"I believe you have misunderstood something. These Natural Blessings are special. They exist in sets of threes. In other words, there are truthfully only 12 of such items," Cynthia shook her head and handed Apollo the interconnected fruits.

Glancing at them, he examined their specialties. At first, he was shocked then he formulated ideas and different scenarios to maximize the benefits. 'Perhaps I can use this in addition to the Spirit Heart and a collection of Demonic Essence Pellets.'

Name: Smoldering Spirit Accentuation Fruits

Type: Natural Blessing

Grade: Mature Spirit Rank

Information: A spiritual herb continuously refined by nature itself. As a result, it has gained the title 'Natural Blessing.' Existing for at least 500 years, it has accumulated enough pure Fire Essence to award the consumer heightened abilities. Furthermore, the innate properties possess the ability to catapult one to the limit of a certain physique. One would just need to withstand the refinement of the smoldering flames.

Effect: Increases one's affinity with the element of Fire. Furthermore, if all 3 of the fruit are ingested, one can receive up to Top Tier Spirit-Grade.

«Mature Bonus» - Increases the purification to the initial Peak-Tier and level will once again be regulated.

'With the Spirit Heart, perhaps there's a chance I'll immediately enter the Heaven-Grade from my current state. If I could achieve that, it'll accelerate my plans,' Apollo's eyes gleamed with excitement at the thought of making even more rapid advancements.

[Lad, do you recall that first mission I gave you?]

'Of course, the one in which I must reach the 3rd Level of the system,' Apollo's response came immediately.

[A change has occurred. I'm unsure why but… it is outside even my control.]

'Ding!'

〈System Alert! Your mission Journey to Sovereignty has been updated. New objectives have been added. As a result, the rewards will be increased in turn.〉

Quest Name: Journey to Sovereignty Part One

Quest Information: The road to power is tiresome—one filled with both pain and strife. In your past life and this one, you were unable to create your own resounding name, however, that is no longer the case. Step upon your road to Sovereignty and begin your journey to becoming the monarch of the demons.

Objectives:

-Achieve the 3rd Level of the Demon Monarch System. (0/1)

-Reach Zul Warrior Realm. (0/1)

-Formulate the Infernal Ira Stigmata. (0/1)

-Enter the rank of the Lessers. (0/1)

Time Limit: 5 years

Elapsed Time: 4 years, 2 months, 14 days.

Rewards: ????, ????, ????

'Wait, there are two of them. As for opening the stigmata, that was in my plans all along so I don't see any problem with this. In fact, receiving rewards for doing so sounds even better to me. As for entering the Lessers… what does that mean?' glancing at the notification screen before him, Apollo fell into silence as he delegated his curiosity to Azridan.

[Entering the Lessers means you'll be entering the realm of the demons but I wonder why it has added this? This is an inevitable thing. Don't dwell over the matter, it simply relates to the hierarchy of demons. It'll take a lot for you to understand it all so I'd rather you experience it later firsthand.]

'Ah, then allow me to focus on recovery. My body feels… sluggish,' closing his eyes, Apollo began to draw in the Natural Essence. He entered a state oblivious to all around him—his only purpose—to heal.

As they all entered a healing period, the integrity of the cave continued to worsen. Fortunately, not to the extent that warranted their immediate evacuation. There was still time for them to recover to a semblance of their peak state.

Apollo, on the other hand, was elated, 'This Fire Essence, it doesn't carry the proper healing properties but why does the process feel so hastened? It's as if I'm a fish in water.' Soon enough, his perception wrapped around his body finding the source to be his pendant!

'Wait… such large changes? I wasn't expecting this. Nevertheless, this disturbing experience has turned out to be extremely beneficial. I wonder the strength a real Dragon carries. I believe they're called something like True Dragons? That was only a Wyvern and yet it allowed this pendant to go through such a change albeit incomplete.'