Chapter 112: In Light of the Upcoming Absence

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'The system will be inactive? Does that mean I'll be unable to track my progress?' Apollo thought to himself as he looked at the message flashing before his eyes. This was the first time he had experienced the system ceasing function. Despite there being a minute left, each passing second felt akin to an eternity.

[What uncanny timing. It seems you'll be without both I and the system for quite some time. Nevertheless, don't find this disheartening. Think of it as a time for you to explore yourself. Although you have become a Lesser Demon, you're unfamiliar with what comes along with it. As a result, it is time for your next mission.

〈System Alert: Next Main Mission «Journey to Sovereignty Part Two» has been generated.〉

Quest Name: Journey to Sovereignty Part Two

Quest Information: Although your road to power is still arduous, your advancement has marked the progress on your path. However, in order to truly obtain the mantle that awaits you, you must accomplish tasks otherwise impossible for typical demons. Through pure grit and unbreakable tenacity, you are to shatter the barrier and take control of your first demon while also performing what only a few can accomplish.

Objectives:

-Achieve the 4th Level of the Demon Monarch System. (0/1)

-Open the Tainted Temple and achieve the Spirit Apprentice Realm equivalent. (0/1)

-Advance further upon Demonic Conduct achieving at least Stage 5. (0/1)

-Fulfill the qualifications to become a Greater Demon. (0/1)

-Subdue your first Demonic Spirit. (0/1)

Rewards:

-Information on the method to awaken the Second Sin.

-Fulfillment of the second prerequisite to becoming a chosen contender. (0/1)

-???

-???

Time Limit: 3.5 years (Equal to the time left on your Suppression Imprint.)

'Information about the Second Sin? Why does it seem as if the path is undetermined? Moreover, it also appears that demons are not supposed to dabble with more than one Sin?' Apollo thought to himself with inspecting the mission information.

[That's correct. The order you acquire sins is always undetermined as you are the crucial factor in deciding the next step. Based on your actions, emotions, and beliefs, you manifest the sign of your next Sin. In truth, only certain demons are able to break the shackle and tap into another Sin, but that doesn't mean they always do so. After all, the 7 Lords I told you about all took a single Sin to the pinnacle and remained that way. Even those who wielded dual Sins were unable to contest them when serious.]

'Interesting. What happens if you reach or surpass their attainments in those Sins?' Apollo questioned, desire building in his eyes. It would be a lie to say he wasn't excited to learn of such supreme existences. If even Azridan held them to such a high degree, their strength must be commendable.

[Then you'll obtain the true state of the Demon Monarch. At that time… it wouldn't be far fetched to say one would reach invincibility. I'm sure I told you before, the method I gave you allows one to harness the Sins properly but allow me to delve deeper into its secrets.]

[First and foremost, while all demons possess a stigmata, they are not all the same. Oftentimes, the stigmata is their body themselves with it acting as the vessel of Sin. Additionally, they all possess either a Tainted Temple or Infernal Nucleus to hold Demonic Anima and complement that "vessel". Meanwhile, the technique I have given you allows you, in a sense, to wear Sin.]

'Hm? If I only wear Sin, isn't that weaker than the Demons who draw it into their body and meld with it?' Apollo asked, curious about the differences. From the way it sounded, it seemed as if the stigmata retained the power and not himself.

[That's incorrect. Although you "wear" yours, the stigmata are you, they are linked to your vital functions just as the others, if not to a greater extent. Furthermore, you must keep in mind a typical demon can only have one or the other whereas you can shatter this limitation. The creation of multiple stigmata instilled with Pure Sin allows your body to undergo painful yet extremely advantageous changes. But, you must remember, never allow your stigmata to run amok.]

'Why is that?' Apollo's ears perked up. Needless to say, dire information was about to be imparted to him.

[That is because, after a certain point, these certain stigmata assimilate with their primal source. This is another reason I didn't want you to meet Ira but...it is already done. There is nothing we can do, you Ira Stigmata is already in an obscure state. You'll have to evolve quicker than your prior transformation.]

'Does that mean these stigmata are irregular? From your words, it seems as if stigmata aren't supposed to do that,' Apollo responded.

[Not really, if I'm to be frank with you, this method is one that came directly from the inheritance of the Great One. All of the other demons possessed the derived version. These, in your possession, are the ones of First Creation. In other words, there is no other demon below my rivals with stigmata on par with these.]

"I see," Apollo nodded before glancing down at Ouroboros in his palm. The coiled serpent was emanating an aura slightly familiar to him or rather, he was started at something identical to the aura.

'Why is its aura identical to Fragments of Sin?' Apollo murmured, examining Ouroboros closely. No matter how he looked at him, Apollo couldn't discern where the aura was leaking from. It just seemed as if it was something natural to Ouroboros.

[Don't mind him. His body is just undergoing its innate process. This is part of what I warned you about. Make sure to cultivate him well. When certain issues arise, you'll find yourself possessing more means at your disposal that you were otherwise privy to.]

[That's enough about that. Time is running out, there is but a few seconds left before your menus deactivate. Use all your stat points and bring your body to the highest state. Although I have more time left, I can feel my consciousness slipping.]

Immediately after, Apollo brought up his stat page, dumping all his stat points into the skills. After doing so, he took a moment. Based on the exceedingly large changes that took place in his stats, he remained appalled for quite some time.

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(Demon Monarch System) Lvl.3

Name: Apollo Kaiser

Race: Lesser Demon [0.01%]

Title: Azridan's Successor

Age: 14

Level: 100 [Locked]

Experience: [Locked]

Health: 7,770/7,770

Stamina: 7,770/7,770

Body Cultivation Realm: Rank 1 Zul Warrior

Physique: Heaven-Grade (Low Tier)

Zuls: 2,340

Strength: 195.0

Agility: 180.0

Intelligence: 125.0

Vitality: 111.0

[«Traits»]-

«Increased Essence Affinity»

«Major 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

'Although I used all my stat points, my stats seem beyond what they should be. Furthermore, why do they all seem regulated.' Apollo inquired, pensive about his current state.

[Actually, you're weaker than you're supposed to be. With such a pure Infernal Ira Stigmata, you should be at least twice as strong as this. But unfortunately, I had to seal you as that power was more destructive than constructive for you currently. However, once you acquire the physique needed, you'll break the seal on your own and return to your proper state.

[However, I must warn you. Exercise pristine control of yourself for the time being. Although that seal is there, if your emotions go haywire, you'll temporarily give it the boost needed to override the sealing. If so, you'll suffer unforeseen damage at that point. Even asking you to achieve the Greater Demon state of being is a conservative approach.

[As you are now, you fail to understand just how pure that stigmata you possess is. Although it isn't complete, it is...well it is overwhelming. Of course, just me telling you about it isn't enough. Rather, it is better for you to learn.]

〈System Alert! System Upgrade now commencing. All features are now deactivated. Until further notice, your exact state will be unavailable.〉

Apollo didn't pay the message much mind this time around. Due to the earlier notice, it was something he already came to expect. On the other hand, he was much more interested in what Azridan was saying. If he meant it was better for him to learn, then that meant he saw it fit for him to train the stigmata.

[Let's familiarize you with your body and the way to train it.]