Chapter 299: A True Appearance

----

When Apollo froze, he noticed that Valac's body was barely emitting any aura whatsoever. Thus, he thought he had killed the demon while remaining completely unaware of this matter. Fortunately, that wasn't the case. He could still see Valac's torso moving as he breathed.

However, what he came across next shocked him. Not only did Valac's second awakening disperse on its own, but Valac's body also looked completely different. Within his shock, Apollo muttered, "A child?"

It appeared that even after countless years, Valac's true form hadn't aged in the slightest. Naturally, there was a cause behind it. It was a secret that Valac never disclosed to anyone, but there were a few who were already privy to it.

Suddenly, Fuhrer's voice resounded, "Ah, so he truly reveals himself. Since this form has appeared, we'll rule this as your win. In this state, that boy has no power. Any further action and you will truly send him into the Netherworld."

A moment later, Fuhrer appeared between the two warring demons and continued to speak, "In this state, you should be able to take advantage of his powerlessness. However, I will warn you, he isn't like the rest. Even though contracts can bind him, there is something irregular about his mind that allows him to act out as he wishes."

After a pause, Fuhrer then revealed another piece of information, "Only when the Monarch intervened was he able to be controlled. What I'm trying to say is, you should think very hard as to whether or not you wish to establish a contract with him. Once you form a contract with him, I suggest you prepare yourself for a headache." 

Silently, Apollo examined the demon boy Valac up and down. No matter how much he looked at him, he didn't believe this small boy possessed the ability to go against the power of his system. According to Fuhrer, this boy wasn't a Daemos, thus he shouldn't have the qualifications to form an equal contract.

As a result, this piqued Apollo's interest, 'Could it be that there are different types of variables out there that will pose different difficulties for the system? Does that also mean that isn't omnipotent? Could there be other beings who surpass the scope of the system?' As these questions circulated Apollo's mind, he turned towards Fuhrer.

"Even though you say this, I feel a weird attachment to him. Perhaps he isn't as far gone as you all believe. Maybe he just needs someone just up his alley. I have decided, I will form a contract with him. If these matters you mention arise in the future, I will just handle them accordingly. After all, I'm sure the differences between our abilities have been established; I will just dominate him," Apollo said as imperious pressure emanated from his body.

When he saw this, Fuhrer nodded with a faint smirk, 'I'm sure of it, his Intent is budding further. As long as he can obtain more Nebula Shards and reactivate his presence, there will be no further worries,' Fuhrer thought to himself.

"Do as you must," Fuhrer then responded before taking a step back. When Apollo made up his mind, it wasn't his place to try to change it unless the choice would bring about his demise. At that point, Fuhrer was bound to intervene without hesitation.

Subsequently, as Apollo gazed upon the motionless Valac, the notification appeared within his eye. 

〈System Alert! Do you wish to turn the piece, Valac the Terrible, into your Demonic Follower? W A R N I N G: This specific follower possesses the ability to go against your orders if it surrounds a matter of great interest or desire. [Y/N]?〉

Before answering, Apollo narrowed his eyes. His main focus was the warning, 'Great interest? That's pretty vague. Is it one-sided? Does it only pertain to Valac or are my interests part of the equation as well? Not to mention, this would be my first follower who isn't absolutely loyal. A foreign experience could be quite exciting,' Apollo pondered silently.

He also revisited another important matter, 'I also can't forget that my authority with the system is quite low still. There are still a lot of features that may be unexplored as well as some things that are liable to change.' 

After given the matter ample thought, Apollo decided to move forward in his actions. Any further questions would just raise more doubt. Truthfully, he would rather experience it than constantly think about it. That way, he would possess firsthand knowledge. Not to mention, the unknown attributed to his excitement.

'Yes,' Apollo answered mentally. Similar to the others, a link between them was formed. However, in comparison to the others, the link formed with Valac seemed to have a weakness within. Even without thinking about it, Apollo knew this was the birth of the prior warning.

Fortunately, it wasn't anywhere near the point of compromising the link completely or damaging Apollo. It just felt like it required more reinforcement to be completed. As he gazed at it, Apollo was hit with an idea.

Since he had recovered a trace of it, Apollo used the last morsel of his Domination Intent. He touched the weakness in the link but then all of a sudden, Valac's eyes widened as he awoke in a fit of bloody screams, "Owwwwww! AHHHHH!! Aghhhh!!"

As they looked at him, both Furcas and Fuhrer scoffed and shook their head derisively. They remembered vividly that this little demon boy was quite the overexaggerating character. In the past, there was even a time when he started to scream before anyone even touched him.

His response was that he was practicing his reaction so that when it did happen, it would be utterly perfect. Even though that was his response, whenever someone attempted to retaliate against him, he would utter ear-piercing shrieks.

"Shut the fuck up!" Apollo roared, kicking him away. Unlike the rest, he knew that Valac was doing something ridiculous. The earlier shrieks didn't just sound in Apollo's mind, but they also reverberated in his mind. It appeared Valac was skilled in manipulating the link he was under.

"Tch, that's what you get. Who said you can fucking contract me? This is against my will. Therefore, any chance I get, I will wreak havoc upon you!" Valac sneered in return, baring his fangs.

All Fuhrer could do in response was sigh, "See, I told you he was a handful; now look what you've gotten yourself into! If you wish to terrorize him, ahem...I mean train him, I suggest you continue to hone your Intent. While his mind is irregular, there is nothing in the Nihilistic Rings that can go against Domination."

At first, Apollo was going to respond, but then he noticed something amiss with Fuhrer's earlier words, "Inside? Does that mean there are powers outside of the Nihilistic Rings that are even stronger than the pinnacle of us Demons?"

'Err...just why is he so perceptive? This is information I don't wish to reveal right now,' Fuhrer internalized with a frown. But, since he was asked a question, he answered nonetheless, "It could be seen that way. Just remember that there is always an equal. Don't become complacent...ever."

In response, Apollo nodded. He also took a look at the notification that appeared after acquiring Valac.

〈System Alert! Congratulations on acquiring the piece, Valac the Terrible. Due to you absorbing the trickiest piece, a bonus reward has been given. You have been rewarded 3,000 Demonic Achievement Points and a Refinement Shards.〉

〈System Alert! The absorption process has begun. When done, the other portion will be rewarded.〉

On the other hand, while he was absorbed in the notification, he also realized that Ouroboros has reappeared from the gem in his forehead in its tiny form.

"Master, we won, we won! But...I have a favor to ask!" Ouroboros pleased.

Since this victory was thanks to Ouroboros, Apollo didn't mind indulging him, "What is it? Do you want extra crystals?"

Surprisingly, Ouroboros shook his head. Compared to what he was sensing, the crystals didn't present any appeal, "No, that isn't what I want. Master...can we go over there? Ouroboros pointed his tail in a direction that led away from this castle.

Typically, moving further from the core of a Ring meant fewer opportunities, yet Ouroboros wanted to do just that. Meanwhile, as he shifted his gaze to that direction, Apollo couldn't sense a single thing.

Thus, he was at a loss until Fuhrer chimed in, "Well, seeing as your time here is negligible at this point, you might as well see what the young serpent wishes to unveil."