The Demon Monarch System

Chapter 233 - Clash Against Astarat's Will

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Now that his Willpower was over 50 as well as his Comprehension, Apollo could faintly sense the minutely active wills apparent on Astarat. Moreover, he could sense one overarching aura in particular. As he looked at it, he frowned. This was because its power seemed to be coagulating towards him, and it was getting faster by the instant. 

If his guess was correct, then the world was able to sense a change in him. Furthermore, it could be possible that the stronger he became, the faster the world itself would notice him. If this was the truth, then he needed to acquire strength much faster than he previously believed.

According to the words of his Instructors, the world itself enacted a sort of restriction on everything outside of human powers. In his case, he was a Demon. He wasn't human, so there was a large chance of him experiencing that same treatment. However, unlike the rest, there was something different with Apollo.

He wasn't like the Spirits who came here willingly to learn about other places and refine their powers through odd means. No, he wasn't a human who was traversing the path of his fate.

  At the same time, Ouroboros lifted his head and hissed, "Master, a nasty animal seems to be looking at us. I want to eat them, let me swallow them whole! They are stupid to move against us with hostility."

In response, Apollo turned towards him with a hint of surprise in his eyes. After absorbing copious amounts of Crystallized Chaos, it seemed that even Ouroboros' behavior started to change. While it wasn't drastic, Apollo could sense a tyrannic will to threaten to swallow being birthed in Ouroboros' mind.

Although it was strong, Apollo placed his hand on Ouroboros' head and advised against making a move, "Our Wills might be growing, but our physical strength is inadequate. This isn't our place to go against. Instead, we'll have another fight this battle for us," Apollo stated.

Shortly after, nearly all of the Pure Demonic Anima in his body began to seethe as he stimulated it. A set of information appeared in his mind that prompted him to perform a demonic chant. Behind his body, a dark portal opened up slowly. Fractures in space appeared around the thread-like opening of the portal.

From inside, one heavily armored foot stepped outside. However, when it did so, Apollo could immediately spot a difference. 'So that's why this is called a Daemonic Avatar at the moment.' On top of the blaring differences, the system presented a set of information as well that further cemented Apollo's beliefs.

?System Alert! As of right now, you possess a Level 4 Authority. If you increase the Demon Monarch System's authority to at least Level 8, you will be able to summon this demon completely. As of right now, only a Daemonic Avatar can be summoned. Besides the innate feeling, the Avatar possesses all forms of combat the original does. However, an Avatar holds an ability the original doesn't.?

'Interesting,' Apollo thought to himself. If he had to put the sensation into words, then it felt as if this Fuhrer was rather incorporeal. Despite the nearly identical feeling, Apollo could immediately tell something was wrong. The issue was the weapon at his side.

At this moment, the system was incapable of conjuring a copy of that weapon. After all, like the weapon on Apollo's hands, the secondary sword Fuhrer wielded was known as Byrnhildr, another Forsaken Weapon. Every weapon of that level possessed an illustrious history that contained mind-boggling secrets.

Once Fuhrer appeared, he silently glanced around. Almost instantly, his face filled with disgust, "So this is why your progress is slow! It's just as I assumed, this is a world meant to simply temper your mindstate. In the past, it was inadequate, but now, it is much more fitting of a true Demon."

When Apollo heard the end of Fuhrer's words, Apollo's ears perked up. The way Fuhrer worded his sentence, it seemed as if he possessed a history with Apollo. Yet, Apollo wasn't aware of this in the slightest.

As he saw the look on his face, Fuhrer nodded towards Apollo, "When you remember your true name, that is when you remember everything. In the meantime, since we are here, we have much to accomplish. First and foremost, I will deal with this insignificant being who is currently invading your privacy," Fuhrer announced before placing his hand on the sword at his waist.

An instant later, a monstrous will appeared from Fuhrer. However, Apollo soon widened his eye. Fuhrer's actions were causing a big commotion! Not only was he ceaselessly devouring the Essence within a 10km radius, but Apollo was also starting to feel faint.

?System Alert! The ambient Natural and Spiritual Essence is being devoured faster than it can be supplied. As a result, there is nothing for your body to draw energy from as you keep the link with Fuhrer active. It advised that you begin to absorb refined Anima sources.?

Once the prompt appeared, the information surrounding Fuhrer updated as well. At a glance, the consumption rate was determined. Apparently, there wasn't a singular consumption rate. It was based on the actions that Fuhrer committed. For example, if he was idle, the consumption fell to a bare minimum.

[Daemonic Avatar] 

Erus Fuhrer (Demon Knight) - The Tenebrous Master.

State: [Greater Demon] 

Summoning Requirements: 

[Gateway] - 5,000 units of Pure Demonic Anima.

Consumption: 

[Idle]: 100 units of Pure Demonic Anima and 50 units of Oz.

[Active]: 500 units of Pure Demonic Anima and 150 units of Oz.

???: ???

On the other hand, the commotion Fuhrer was causing was soon garnered the attention of multiple people. In fact, the ones to sense it immediately were the higher-ups who possessed Spirits of their own. During every summoning, Astarat's will intervened to determine how much of a restriction needed to be placed on a Spirit.

But, there were also certain instances where overbearing Spirits resisted and attacked the will itself. This led to a clash of wills. However, some spirits who weren't very skilled in the ways of will usually lost out against an entire. Even though they originated from an upper world, what they went against was a world, not an individual.

Not to mention, Astarat was an anomaly. Unlike other lower worlds, it possessed numerous protectors and even an Empyrean Guardian, the Empyrean Dragon. 

"I will be back," Fuhrer stated before disappearing from the room. Subsequently, Apollo sat down and began devouring Anima Crystal after Anima Crystal. Until now, he wasn't entirely sure what Oz was. But now he knew that it was the measurement of the energy residing within the Temple.

Since he had no skills or techniques that required the usage of this resource, he left it alone. But, as long as Fuhrer was active, his mind felt like it was waning. This was especially true now that Fuhrer was venturing to who knows where. Nevertheless, this was something he needed to learn about regardless.

If he was to summon ample Demons, then he needed to know the ins and outs of all the requirements.

Meanwhile, as Apollo kept the link intact, Fuhrer arrived high above in the sky standing before what seemed to be nothing. However, with an imposing stance, he bellowed, "Show yourself."

At first, there was a lack of response. But then, there was a small ripple that many wouldn't be able to perceive. The silhouette of a woman appeared with verdant green hair and vibrant eyes. Furthermore, her mature shape was enough to enrapture anyone who saw her caramel skin.

"Are you the foreign being that has appeared on me?" the woman asked.

In response, Fuhrer grunted, "Don't act as if you're an actual person. I have conquered many worlds, I know what the will of the world is. You merely take on the most pleasing form so that all those you meet will submit. Unfortunately, you have come in contact with an ancient one. Either refrain from restricting my liege or I will kill you," Fuhrer threatened with a domineering attitude.

Of course, the woman didn't take kindly to his attitude nor did she believe him. After all, there were great implications that came with destroying a world's will. Additionally, she was adamant in her standing, "It doesn't matter how you threaten me. You will accept my restriction. Whether it be through force or your own accords, if you wish to stay in my, Astaraya's world, then you will submit."

"Hoh? Then make me. I'd like to witness the grandeur of the one who makes such grand claims," Fuhrer chided while unsheathing his aura. At the same time, his aura grew terrible.

"Y-you… you're a Demon!" Astaraya screeched while looking at his aura. 

"Correct, all Wills should be privy to every species due to the Verse Link. Now tell me, do I need to strike you down or will you oblige?" Fuhrer asked while taking a single step forward. But, that step caused Astarat's surface to shake.

"You jest! If you kill a world's will, then it'll be subject to destruction shortly after!" Astaraya exclaimed.

"Hoh? I'm more than aware. But, we both know there are temporary fixes, if strong enough. In my case, I'll simply sacrifice a portion of my Will to uphold the matters you began. My patience is running thin, make your decision," Fuhrer stated.

Soon, the atmosphere grew stale and quiet. If he didn't receive his answer soon, it was evident that Fuhrer would strike from his posture. Not only was his aura pushed to its peak, but it also seemed like he was prepared to attack with a strike he had yet to show Apollo.