The Demon Monarch System

----

Quest Name: New Perspective

Quest Information: Your talent is teetering on the edge of advancing into the Earth Grade, as that happens certain changes within you shall take place. In light of this, you'll also need to be rewarded to maximize the advantage

Objectives:

- 0/1 Reach Earth Grade (Low Tier) Talent

Rewards:

- Foundational Upgrade, Increased Essence Affinity, 3 Demonic Essence Pellet.

Time Limit: None

"A Quest, Azridan?" asked Apollo as he looked at the window before him skeptically. It didn't seem to be hard to complete this. After all, it was in line with his intentions.

[Indeed. However, don't view it as one and just simply a reward. But it would seem I am unable to do that unless you complete things. I guess this is some type of restriction.]

'I guess so. Hmm... it kind of sounds like Azridan isn't aware of everything pertaining to this system? Then... I wonder...' mused Apollo as he continued to venture slightly deeper into the territory of the Spirit Beasts.

'I don't need to worry about the Vantablack Knife, however, I do need to stay wary of possible Rank 2 Spirit Beasts. I don't think I possess the current means to combat them,' silently mused Apollo as his eyes surveyed his surroundings.

The trees were growing thick with dew as he entered deeper into the forest. It wasn't long before Apollo noticed a gathering of wolves. They were the same type as earlier. The only difference was that their stages varied.

There were 4 Early Stage Twin Fanged Wolves, and 1 Middle Stage Twin Fanged Wolf. Apollo's expression turned solemn as he tightened the grip on his knife. One wrong move could be the end of him.

Calming his nerves, the events of the past year played in his mind. Although incomparable to Spirit Beast, he had dealt with numerous Mortal Beast teetering on the edge of becoming Spirit Beasts.

Raising the knife near his chin, Apollo waited for the opportune time. The advantage in numbers caused his thoughts to shift to a passive-aggressive approach.

'I'll use counterattack in the situation.'

[Keen insight there, continue with these thoughts. When they overwhelm you in both power and numbers, use your brain to counteract adverse situations.]

Two of the Early Stage Twin Fanged Wolves dashed toward Apollo causing his shift one of his feet back as his eyes dashed back and forth between them. His gaze was focused as he leaned back, twisting his body in return.

The knife entered one of the wolves' eyes while his left foot kicked the other wolf's jaw. Painful yelps and howls were heard. However, Apollo retaliated by stabbing them in the throat causing them to emit sputtering howls.

Blood splattered on his cheek, however, Apollo looked at the other wolves. He made quick work of these wolves by counterattack their vitals.

«System Alert! You have killed 2 Early Stage Rank 1 Spirit Beast.»

«60 (30+ 30) Experience has been received.» x2

«Experience: 120/3,200.»

This was the method of striking he learned when he realized he was capable of causing more damage than the amount of Zuls of force his body could wield. It was similar to game mechanics, attack on vital areas caused criticals and beyond as did extreme damage in a small window.

However, this time all 3 of the remaining wolves pounced on him at once. But thinking quickly, Apollo struck the knife against the ground before grabbing a clump of dirt.

Weaving between two of the wolves, his movements were slightly lacking. His momentary faltering in finesse caused him to be nicked by the other one's claw; he clenched his jaw as he tossed dirt in the eyes of the Middle Stage Twin Fanged Wolf.

'I'm still slow but...I don't think I'll lose.'

Compensating for the temporary wound on his left thigh, Apollo stamped his right foot whipping his arm slashing the jaw of Early Stage Twin Fanged Wolf. All the while, he remained wary of the Middle Stage Spirit Beast.

Compared to the other's, its movements would definitely prove to be difficult to handle. Hence, Apollo stuck close to the Early Stage Twin Fanged Wolves to limit the activity of the leader.

'Hooowwwooo!'

Lifting its head one of the wolves made an abrupt howl. Taking this as an opportunity, Apollo's eyes sharpened as he pounced on it. Holding the Vantablack Knife in a reverse grip, he stabbed and jaggedly dragged the knife through its throat, mutilating it.

Jumping, a swipe landed across that same wolf's eyes. Its partners aimed at Apollo, however, their actions backfired; a pained whimper escaping the further damaged wolf. Stabbing its eyes, Apollo put an end to its misery.

«System Alert! You have killed an Early Stage Rank 1 Spirit Beast.»

«60 (30 + 30) Experience has been received.»

«Experience: 180/3,200.»

Kicking off the wolf's back, Apollo slashed the next Early Stage Twin Fanged Wolf eyes as he landed causing it to lose sight. Its wounds dripped with blood as it also held on by a thread of health. Slashing its throat Apollo ended this one as well.

«System Alert! You have killed an Early Stage Rank 1 Spirit Beast.»

«60 (30 + 30) Experience has been received.»

«Experience: 240/3,200.»

Hiding under its body for a moment, Apollo sucked a mouthful of its blood as he then moved. Sprinting towards the last and largest wolf, his gaze sharpened once again. Retaliating, it dashed at an even quicker pace towards him. Noticing this small difference, Apollo began evaluating.

'It would be slightly more difficult to deal with if I wasn't prepared.'

As the wolf swiped, Apollo slid under it. However, in the middle of this motion, he kipped up spitting the mouthful of blood into the wolf's eyes and nose. The smells of the blood dulled its senses and the viscous texture took away it's sight.

In this debilitated state, Apollo attacked its vitals one after the other. It took many more blows compared to the other as its increased small stage resulted in higher capabilities. Nonetheless, with a painful and reluctant howl, it soon died.

«System Alert! You have killed a Middle Stage Rank 1 Spirit Beast.»

«110 (55 + 55) Experience has been received.»

«Experience: 350/3,200.»

"Hmm, the increase in experience doesn't seem to follow much of a pattern. The original value of Early is 30 while Middle is 55. I wonder about the Late and Peak Stages? Hmm…" pondering his own questions, Apollo began dealing with the corpses of the Spirit.

His luck wasn't good at all. After harvesting the flesh and heart, searching the beasts' innards he didn't find any Essence Core. However, shrugging Apollo didn't mind it. For one, he didn't even know what it looked like nor what it did.

Retiring to his poorly made living area, Apollo prepared a fire as he began roasting the flesh. Unlike Mortal Beast, Spirit Beast's bodies began to autonomously permeate the Essence that gathered in their body to their muscle equally. So unlike before, there was no need for Apollo to focus on ingesting the heart.

"Azridan, I have a question. Were you from this world," asked Apollo as he bit down on a sizable piece of meat.

[No, I am not. However, this world is connected to where I'm from in a sense or that's what I believe.]

"Oh, so how do you know so much about cultivation and such?" once again inquired Apollo with a slightly curious expression. Although he was becoming cold, that childish curiosity still existed.

[Ah, that's a good question. Why do I know so much... perhaps I once walked this world before? Although... I'm not exactly sure if my words are correct. It all seems surreal so to speak. Don't worry, in the future, we will come to understand the connection between my world and here. Perhaps we'll understand more as the system continues to level up.]