The Demon Monarch System

Chapter 303 - Dwindling Specks Of Time

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"You...want me to overcome Chaos? Didn't you just say that it was an ability of a Daemos? How do you expect me to emulate the abilities of a Daemos when I am still a mere Lesser Demon?" Apollo responded with an odd expression. He couldn't understand just what Fuhrer sought.

However, in response, Fuhrer simply chuckled, "Open your mind young one. I said that sensing the presence of Chaos is nearly impossible for your current strength. But, when it comes to understanding it at a basic level, that is well within your capabilities. You just need to realize one thing."

"Yeah, what might that be?" Apollo answered, his interest now piqued. 

"You merely need to realize the order within the chaos. Or, in simpler terms, make your own order within it. Learn to separate the mercurial from the cause. Once you understand this, Chaos will become your plaything," Fuhrer answered.

While Fuhrer made it sound simple, Apollo grimaced. Due to the extended amount of time he spent with Fuhrer, he came to the realization that anything Fuhrer deemed as simple wasn't as straightforward as he made it sound. After all, he viewed everything from his point of view. Nevertheless, Apollo couldn't complain; all of Fuhrer's decisions were always in Apollo's best interest.

"Very well, I'll try to. But, I doubt I'll succeed," Apollo muttered. While he had confidence in himself, he also knew how to judge things with sound reasoning. To become complacent is to welcome destruction upon one's self.

Surprisingly, Fuhrer shook his head in light of Apollo's words, "I never expected you to master this ability now, I merely seek for you to master yourself. After all, time is running out," Fuhrer replied.

Once he heard these words, Apollo fell into deep thought, 'Master myself? I'm almost certain that he is hinting towards hastening the utilization of my own energies. I recall him saying that the fluidity of my actions needs to become like second nature. Furthermore…' 

Apollo shifted his attention to his Tainted Temple. With the presence of numerous fragments from each of the pieces, he came to realize that his mind was in disorder. As he tried to circulate his mental energies, in addition to the restriction presented by the pool's environment, he also felt sluggish.

'Since coming in contact with all this foreign energy, I have never tied to grasp control of it. This is an error on my part. If I wish to learn the Demonic Enchantment Technique properly, then it'll require me to have a fine grasp over my control,' Apollo inwardly thought.

Thus, the first thing on his agenda was to correct the jumble of information in his mind to the best of his abilities. At the same time, he also started to explore the traits granted by the implanted fragments. As he did so, he became privy to the framework of some abilities he didn't know he possessed.

Additionally, he also discovered the reasoning behind some of his benefits. For example, he came across the reason that Valac increased his Demonic Conduct by 2 levels across the board. Small glimpses of horrendous events played in his mind.

Valac was truly a trerror. His moniker, "The Terrible" was earned and justified. The torture he inflicted upon others that defied him was astonishing. It seemed that deep inside his mind was some repressed twisted thoughts, birthed from the mistreatment he suffered as his peer.

Since he wasn't strong enough to retaliate against them, he took in out on those just as strong, slightly stronger, or slightly weaker than him. When he engaged in these acts, it made him feel triumphant. Meanwhile, as Apollo witnessed these scenes, he didn't possess any thoughts towards it.

When it came to his own actions, he knew that he could perform some dastardly actions in a fit of rage. Hence, he felt a small connection with Valac's behavior. Not to mention, he also lived most of his early days suffering unending torment. The mental scars left behind by that treatment shaped his actions to this very day.

On the other hand, beings such as Jorgun and Zarkath were only meant to bolster his attributes alongside the increase in level. Specifically, Jorgun increased the amount of Strength he gained per level as well as the increase to his defenses. Conversely, Zarkath increased his control over Hellfire.

Since he was extremely skilled in it, Apollo's mind immediately absorbed bits and pieces of the knowledge and mental strength that the system destroyed. While it may seem that it was destroyed on the surface, in truth, it all situated itself in Apollo's mind.

In other words, Apollo was a demonic sponge! 'The route of the Monarch...the power of all of my subordinates becomes my strength! To obtain strength faster, I need to hunt faster, I need to level up. I must...create destruction,' Apollo announced in his mind, his eyes gleaming with a deathly light.

The moment he made this decree, the gem on his forehead seem to shimmer. Subsequently, his Domination Intent leaked from his body and seeped into the pool below. Slowly, all of the energies within his Tainted Temple seemed to start the process of melding with the walls of his Tainted Temple.

During the time that this took place, Fuhrer beckoned for Typhir, "Boy, come here. I have a task for you."

"Coming!" Typhir exclaimed, rushing before Fuhrer with haste. After he arrived, he remained alert, "What task do you have?"

"Spar with me. I think it's time I start the process of imparting the Tenebrous Sword to you. It will become your inheritance and you shall become my physical successor," Fuhrer stated before grasping the sword at his waist.

Upon hearing this information, Typhir grinned. Even though he tried to, he couldn't contain his excitement, "With pleasure! How will we begin?"

"The same way I was taught. I will etch the memory of the techniques into your body. To put it differently, you will suffer ungodly amounts of pain, but in the end game, it will be worth it. Do you understand? If you wish to avoid this, speak up now. Once we start, I will now cease the process until you become my incarnation," Fuhrer voiced.

"I have no intentions of shying away from what we must go through. In fact, I welcome the struggle. Not only will it hone my strength, but it'll also reinforce the character my mother has instilled in me," Typhir responded. He then brandished his stance, his energy causing his hairs to sway in the wind.

"Perfect. Let us begin," Fuhrer said. Without delay, he activated the First Baleful Step. Different from Apollo's Partial Shade Silhouette, Fuhrer was able to manipulate the portion shrouded in shadows.

"If you wish to learn my sword, this technique is a prerequisite. You must become the embodiment of darkness before you can become tenebrous," Fuhrer said. A moment later, his presence became undetectable and his movements silent.

Be that as it may, the whispers of a specter entered Typhir's ears, "Don't look, feel. Use the 6th sense to save your life. Your lord has already awakened it, it is time you do so as well. A slow mind begets a slow body, hasten yourself."

'Splich!' 

A small cut appeared on Typhir's thigh but there were no changes in his expression. He merely looked at the nick before looking straight forward while focusing on the sword in his hands. 

'Feel...feel...feel…" Typhir uttered continuously in his mind. Despite his focus, the number of smalls cuts on his body continued to increase. Moreover, the rate at which he accrued them was increasing exponentially. Unbeknownst to Ttyphir, while Fuhrer was encased in the darkness, he was using the first strike of his Tenebrous Sword.

Fortunately, Typhir wasn't a simple-minded individual, 'I remember this situation. This is the strike he used to kill his foes in an instant. However, since he only seeks to train me, he has scaled down the lethality. Yet, it is still too fast for me to sense. Not to mention, this environment doesn't help at all.'

Amid his active thoughts, Typhir finally made a move. He thrust his sword forward but it met air. This didn't discourage him as he merely switched the trajectory of his strike and struck once again.

On the other hand, every time Typhir struck, Fuhrer smiled. Albeit faint, there was a shadowy ember at Typhir's feet everytime he moved. Furthermore, after every few tens of strikes, the coverage of the embers increased.

While it wasn't as quick as Apollo who possessed the assistance of the system, Typhir was still picking up on the First Baleful Step nonetheless.

As this matter took place, Apollo's eyes slammed open. 'I succeeded! I digested the fragment of Furcas!' Compared to before, after refining the fragment from Furcas, Apollo could feel it. His mind was at least 30% clearer and faster than before. 

If he had to place his finger on it, Apollo was almost certain that this matter was linked to Furcas' foresight. 'Each of my demons will end up transforming me into my strongest self.'

Several moments later, Apollo glanced downwards only to realize his Intent had created a small barrier around him. Unfortunately, not long after, he could feel his body trembling and it wasn't due to his own actions.