Chapter 103: Nearing the Zephus Capital

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'Hm, after further thought, there's too many eyes around. I'll explore this idea when I come into alone time.' Apollo determined, weighing the situation at hand. He didn't want to have to explain himself once again. He cleaned up the scene, as the others focused on healing.

After recuperation, this scene recurred more than once. As it took place, the initial apprehension they possessed against the Demonic Beasts were tempered out of them. Now, Aaron and the other youths were capable of remaining calm in the face of battle.

Additionally, Apollo stopped joining in. Instead, he stood back spectating the events. To his surprise, seldom did the beasts get past the nine youths. While far from impeccable, their teamwork was also showing improvement. If they continued advancing in the same way, it wasn't far fetched for them to cultivate tacit understanding.

"Kayn, how long before we reach the capital? It seems the Demonic Beasts we are coming in contact with are becoming thinner in numbers. Is it safe to assume we are close to the city?" Apollo inquired, turning towards the pleasantly surprised Kayn.

"Indeed. It shouldn't be long before we enter the city. However… this is also where the journey becomes most treacherous for them. At most, those previous beasts were equal to Peak Stage 2 Spirit Beasts or Early Stage 3 Spirit Beasts. To cross over into the territory of the capital, they'll face far stronger adversaries," Kayn replied.

As he looked afar, he could already discern the towering buildings of the capital's grandiose appeal. Far before it, however, he could also perceive several incoming dreadful aurae. Based on what he discerned, he was unsure whether or not they'd truly be able to handle it.

'If they're incapable of handling that monster, I'll intervene at the moment of peril. That way, at least their fear should be stimulated. Not to mention, I need to understand the extent of his power,' Kayn's eyes fell on Apollo's figure amid his ruminating.

It was a sight to see him engage in battle, yet not break a sweat whereas the other struggled to prevail over their respective beasts. That alone spoke volumes of his strength. So much so, Kayn looked forward to him entering the Zul Warrior Realm with extremely high expectations.

A short while later, the group once again came in contact with a horde of Demonic Beasts. Of course, this bunch was not to be compared to the rest. Their auras were potent and their physiques exponentially bigger.

Some of them were so large the paws and hoove left indents in the ground with each powerful step. This sight incited Apollo's battle intent. Their vagrant aurae excited Apollo, the sense of danger urged him to act with greater enthusiasm.

"Hoh? You all better get ready. I also suggest you enter a formation. Divide your people with offensive, defensive, and healing specialties. As for how you place yourselves, that is up to you," Apollo warned as he looked at the enclosing dust cloud.

"Wait...why do you say that? Is something even worse coming? Oh come on! We just got a break. What else can there be?" groaned a youth as he retrieved his bow. A faint green aura encased his body.

"Stop your whining. If that's how far your resolve goes, you'll be in for a rude awakening when we reach the academy trials. I told you before. Everything is up to you. Unless you carry some supreme talent, you can't afford to be lazy. What we lack in talent, must be made up in perseverance," Apollo retorted, gazing imposingly at the youth.

That look prompted fear to coarse through his being as he straightened up, gulped and nodded. From Apollo's aura alone, he was stricken with trepidation, piercing straight into the deepest recesses of his being. After all, they had seen how he killed Axel and the others in cold blood. By no means did they want to suffer that same fate.

Thus, as soon as he said something, they reacted as if he was a family elder! It was a mindboggling sight. A youth controlling others his age effortlessly. If there was one emotion that could control someone without fail—it was fear. With fear alone, it would incite others to action.

If their life was on the line, they would be compelled to fulfill the tasks granted to them. The current situation was proof enough for that claim. With the fear instilled in them, they followed Apollo's actions to a tee.

"O-okay! What do you need us to do?" the youth answered timidly.

"Haha! Look at you. You have Hunter shaking in his boots," Aaron guffawed slapping his knee. Immediately after, his expression turned serious, drawing his weapon. The beast were close and their rush was frantic!

In fact, the fastest one was on par with Apollo. Looking at the enclosing figure, Apollo narrowed his eyes. 'I'll deal with that one. It'll provide the best thrill.'

'Whoosh!'

Apollo sprinted forward without activating his stepping technique. He shortened the distance with ease as he clenched his fist. Sidestepping and swaying, he weaved through the beasts. Surprisingly, when he started his pursuit, the fastest beast halted in its steps.

It looked at Apollo cautiously. As he grew closer, the beast seemed to retain a shred of clarity in its mind. Furthermore, it looked similar to an overgrown cheetah. In other words, it was a predator, so it knew when it was being treated like prey—it was a type of defense mechanism.

"Sit tight little kitty. I'll play with you," Apollo chuckled accelerating instantaneously. Within the next moment, he appeared before the Demonic Fanged Cheetah and threw an explosive punch landing on its jaw.

Coupled with the booming noise, the beast flew into the distance, Apollo followed right behind it. Glancing at his knuckles,Apollo raised an eyebrow, from that one hit, his knuckles were bruised. 'It seems this beast is rather tough but it isn't anything I can't handle.'

A crude aura enveloped Apollo's hand causing the cheetah to growl menacingly. It felt a threatening sensation from the aura. If it made any wrong move, it could suffer potentially fatal damage. In light of this, it turned tail and ran.

"You're not the only one who can give chase," Apollo chuckled, immediately executing the Partial Shade Silhouette. With it activated, he moved at a speed that left the Demonic Beast startled. He was faster than it and not by a small margin!

Left with no other choice, it ceased its futile attempts at escaping. Instead, it beared its overgrown fangs as well as protracted its claws. For a moment, Apollo closed his eyes, focusing his intent on his hands.

'How was it done again, Azridan?'

[Try to give shape to the essence and weaponize it. It'll be like a real weapon except it'll require you to partition your conscience to maintain it. In short, if you use this technique, your reaction will slow. Especially so because you have yet to strengthen your spirit.]

'It's best to try it now. This foe doesn't carry any overwhelmingly dangerous characteristics. If so, I wouldn't attempt to experiment while undergoing battle,' Apollo replied. An obscure and menacing claw appeared around his hand. Its shape was crude but it exuded a dangerous and sharp feeling nonetheless.

At this sight, Kayn narrowed his eyes, 'What is that? It isn't a weapon but it appears like one. Is it a pure essence creation? But that should be impossible, that should only appear when one becomes a Lord. This is intriguing…what exactly is he doing? And who is that expert he came in contact with?'

Apollo drew back his arm before thrusting forward. The beast widened its eyes and dodged to the side instinctively. A long scar appeared on the ground encased in a blackened aura where it once stood.

'Ah, so you're faster than that move can fire, huh? Very well, allow me to leveling the playing field,' Apollo thought, flaring his aura. He disappeared and when he reappeared, he was right next to the beast thrusting the crude claw into the beast's hind leg.

A painful howl echoed through the atmosphere but Apollo paid it no mind. Once again, he slashed his arm, firing a destructive slash. This time, the beast was incapable of dodging properly, suffering massive damage—its entire hind leg severed from its body.

"Damn...Apollo really enjoys bullying these monsters," Aaron muttered after witnessing Apollo's actions. Lily nodded in agreement also observing the spectacle taking place.

"Yeah… but look. That beast's aura, if I'm not mistaken, I think it would take all of us to take it down. Yet, he's singlehandedly dealing with it. I think it's safe to say that while he has a lower cultivation he already far outclasses us," Lily muttered, pointing at Apollo's hand thrust through the throat of the beast.

Swiping his hand to the side, he once again stored the body of the Demonic Beast inside the spatial pouch once belonging to his father. It didn't take long, but now that he heard they were close to the capital, he slew the beasts without remorse, even sometimes finishing the others battles.

Some time later, he appeared before Kayn. "There are no more beast, let's rush directly to the city. I would like to start breaking through as soon as possible. I have more than reached the requirements. In fact, I have far exceeded them."

"Hoh? Open your eyes and look closely, we are already in the capital. It is just so expansive that we have yet to reach the gates." Kayn chuckled, lifting his finger in a certain direction.