20 A Frigid Youth (I)
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A slim youth could be seen slamming a wolf twice his size into the ground before stabbing an obsidian knife through its eyes. As he did so, there was an inured look in his eyes as he repeated the action once again.
[Sublime, you have shown immense emotional growth.]
In response, Apollo nodded while removing the knife from his kill. Approximately 8 months passed since he left the Kaiser Family estate. During that time, he spent his days embroiled in dangerous combat surviving through any means necessary.
〈System: You have killed a Mortal Beast (White Fanged Wolf).〉
〈System: 16 [8+8] Experience received.〉
〈System: Experience: 3,040/3,100〉
[Excellent. That might be your fastest kill to date. You've also done an outstanding job at avoiding the detection of other wanderers. It's only a matter of time until you're ready.]
"Thank you," Apollo replied succinctly as he tossed the wolf aside. With the combination of the slaughter experienced in the jungle and the lesson learned before leaving the Kaisers, Apollo's attitude started to grow indifferent and even frigid.
Compared to a few months prior, he was going through a change originating from his core. That shred of darkness seemed to blend with him seamlessly as the never-ending killing provided the required catalyst, turning Apollo callous and numb to the sight of death.
Furthermore, the solitude he experienced in this forest dulled his desire to interact with others. Not to mention, his view of people wasn't all that great, to begin with.
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(Demon Monarch System) Lv.2
Name: Apollo Kaiser
Race: Demi-Demon *Unique
Title: Azridan's Successor
Age: 11
Level: 31
Experience: 3,040/3,100
Health: 124/124
Stamina: 124/124
Strength: 12.8
Agility: 4.6
Intelligence: 12.5
Vitality: 4.8
Stat Points: 0
...
According to Apollo's status, his strength overshadowed his stats by a lot, but there was a reason behind this. After facing off with ample beasts, Apollo came to realize that a Mortal Beast's agility never surpassed 4.0, which made it easier for Apollo to understand which stat to focus on.
[I must say lad, your heart is commendable. Your complaints have ceased over the past couple of months. If I'm being honest, I was surprised.]
"If I continue to complain about the same thing, can that be called growth? By the way, Azridan, I have a request. I want to try fighting a Rank 1 Spirit Beast today. Mortal Beasts aren't cutting it anymore. Even at the peak of their rank, they reward less experience than Rank 1 Spirit Beast meat," Apollo commented.
Back in the family, ingesting his final meal rewarded a grand total of 300 Experience! Yet after killing and even eating a Mortal Beast, Apollo was lucky to obtain even three-quarters of that with the help of the pendant!
[Alright, I think that is a good idea. The continuous battles have honed your senses providing you with the qualities needed to perform that task. Just remember, as always, exercise your usual caution.]
Apollo nodded, showing that he understood his requirements. Then, his obsidian knife slid down into his grip from his sleeve and Apollo dexterously twirled it between his fingers before glancing at the area which a harsher aura—evidently where the Spirit Beasts were located.
His eyes emitted a faint battle intent as they shimmered with a purple hue. Shortly after, Apollo kicked off his back foot and sprinted into the distance in search of a nearby Spirit Beast.
Rather than shifting the foliage out of his path, Apollo cut the stems of the large plants. This was his first time traveling past the outskirts since entering the Shadowy Forest. It was separated into 3 parts: the outskirts, inner ring, and central region. He was unaware of the surroundings of the latter two.
Suddenly, a low crunch echoed into his surroundings as Apollo stepped on a branch. At that moment, Apollo halted his steps as he focused exclusively on his hearing. He heard it. There was a low but exaggerated breathing noise coming towards him along with the rhythmic thudding of powerful feet.
Instinctively, Apollo entered a fighting stance and readied himself for confrontation. A large wolf, much larger than the ones he previously went up against appeared. Its appearance was slightly ferocious, with two extremely large fangs jutting out of its maw.
「Monster Name: Twin Fanged Wolf
Cultivation: Early Stage Rank 0 Spirit Beast
Health: 250/250」
〈System: Enemy in the general range of a Rank 4 to 5 Mortal.〉
As he held the Dark Cutter in a reverse grip, Apollo lifted his other hand openly. At any given moment, he was prepared to react. 'This should be doable. It's not much stronger than I am.'
Apollo was the first to act, kicking off his back foot, which initiated their engagement. Since he was unsure how different a Spirit Beast was from a Mortal Beast, he took the lead so he could verify some conjectures.
However, just as he moved, so did the Twin Fanged Wolf. It swiped its claw, sending a burst of wind billowing toward Apollo. Apollo reacted quickly as he abruptly sidestepped with his left foot, dodging the blow narrowly.
'That wasn't a normal wind,' Apollo thought but didn't idle.
In a fluent movement, he used his right foot to propel himself forward. He landed right next to the wolf and plunged the knife into the rib of the Twin Fanged Wolf. Additionally, Apollo wrenched it causing a large gash that made the wolf howl in pain.
〈System: Critical Attack! 35 Damage dealt.〉
〈System: Critical Attack! 40 Damage dealt.〉
The appearance of numbers became a natural sight to Apollo, thus he ignored them and parried the following swipe of the wolf while shifting his feet. In return, he received 10 damage but it was negligible in his eyes. His eyes remained fixated on the newly formed wound.
Now that it was wounded, the Twin Fanged Wolf defended its side more attentively. However, Apollo remained calm. He rushed forward before sliding under the next swipe of the wolf. Quickly, he lashed out the dagger and sliced the wolf's underbelly.
〈System: Vital Attack! 75 Damage dealt.〉
Typically, one would follow up with another blow, but Apollo didn't. He gripped the floor and flipped to the side. He avoided the two following frantic swipes and bites before jumping and performing an aerial assault on the wolf's back.
Another painful whimper sound. Fortunately for the wolf, Apollo slit its throat ending the battle there and then.
〈System: Fatal Attack! 100 Damage dealt.〉
Just as he withdrew the knife, Apollo swung it towards his side causing blood to splatter across the ground. This allowed the metallic sheen to show its luster once more. Amid the actions, additional prompts popped up.
〈System Alert: You have killed a Rank 0 Spirit Beast (Early Stage Twin Fanged Wolf).〉
〈System: 60 [30+30] Experience gained.〉
〈System: Congratulations, you have reached Level 32.〉
〈System: You have...〉
[Not bad, granted this was a mere early-stage one. Nevertheless, your rapid movement didn't allow it to retaliate properly at all.]
"Mn," Apollo accepted the praise as he bent down. In almost no time at all, he skinned his recently killed prey. His hands moved in a trained and efficient manner as the edible parts were separated in a timely manner.
While he worked, he voiced his thoughts, "So going forward from Rank 1 Spirit Beast, I'll have to watch out for beast of different stages?"
[Yes. Their breakdown is similar to human cultivators. As you saw, in the book, each realm of body cultivation possesses nine levels. 1-3 are the early stages, 4-6 are the middle stages and 7-9 are the late stages.]
"Understood, so what beast would be compared to a Zul Warrior?"
[That would be a beast well into being a Rank 1 Spirit Beast. However, those beasts aren't your worry right now. Instead, hasten your evolution.]
"Understood. Then let's continue a bit deeper," Apollo determined as he vigilantly entered deeper into the shadowy forest. The difference between a Spirit Beast and Mortal Beast's experience was astounding. Now that he had a taste, he wanted more.
[Hmm, since you're close. It's important to give a reward for when you accomplish it.]
Ding!
