The Demon Monarch System

Chapter 345 - A Hole Leading Upward

----

"Hmph, whether you like it or not; your fate is to shatter," Fuhrer stated, gazing at the barrier before him with a menacing air. The aura around Brynhildr spiked, growing chaotic alongside Fuhrer's intentions.

Even those who weren't related to the ordeal experienced the remnants of his killing intent. Despite the barrier's malleable properties, Fuhrer wasn't dishearted. On the contrary, Fuhrer was the type who found difficulty to be fun.

After all, something achieved too easily would never be greatly cherished, and Fuhrer was someone who cherished all of his actions. Whether it be inconsequential or earth-shattering, Fuhrer was a firm believer of every move being made towards an inevitable purpose. 

On the other hand, Apollo remained comfortable, and on stand-by while watching as Fuhrer continued with his shocking actions. Just his first series of simultaneous strikes were enough to garner the crowd's awe. However, this was just a prelude to his upcoming efforts. 

Fuhrer took a step forth, dragging Brynhildr back towards his waist. The movement caused a rift in the space before him, but this Fuhrer neglected this. When channeling the void, all types of effects were bound to happen, this was just part of the inevitable. As long as he controlled the radius of the rift, there were no worries of his allies being swallowed.

Conversely, Apollo was intrigued by the presence of the rift. It gave him the much-needed stimulation, presenting the opportunity to dissect rift creation at its base. Although it was an indicator of strength overpowering the respective's world fabric of space, that wasn't always true.

In some rare cases, notably, when someone possessed an affinity high enough, they would tap into a mystical set of applications that escaped the realm of the mundane. That realm gave birth to the ability to do many shocking things, one of which so happened to be tapping into the Void.

'Fascinating, Fuhrer's Void seems to be different from time to time, perhaps he tapping into different ones? But then, could that mean there is more than one void? If so, are they linked to different worlds? No, maybe even dimensions. Perhaps the voids between worlds aren't one and the same. Sadly, until we come across that matter, I won't chance upon that answer.'

While Apollo was lost in thought, Fuhrer was doing something much different. Razor-sharp threads snaked from Brynhildr, impacting the flexible barrier countless times over. Although it wasn't enough to destroy the barrier, it gave Fuhrer another opportunity.

After each strike, Fuhrer's ability to criticize the barrier deepened. It allowed Fuhrer to gain a comprehensive understanding of the barrier from ceaseless strikes.

'So that's what it is. Whoever designed this barrier is quite an outstanding craftsman. To interweave this number of tiny threads is tedious work. Not to mention, the concentration and reserves required to back this process would be astronomical. You have my respect, but you will also experience my ire,' Fuhrer thought while motionlessly gazing at the barrier.

Compared to the security barriers erected inside the Vermillion Night Academy, the one before Fuhrer was many times more complicated. He was aware of the reasoning behind the lack of shattering; the barrier was porous, mitigating the energy used against it.

Most barriers were formed by melding a large supply of energy together, creating a blanket of energy to protect something. Although this was the most elementary utilization, it was practical and typical posed great result. Well, at least enemies of similar magnitude.

However, what happens when an overwhelming attack punctures its defenses? The whole thing would shatter! But, that wasn't an issue for this particular barrier. Due to the orientation of the threads, they were melded as one but fundamentally independent.

It was similar to a woman, whom of which was with child, and in the extreme late stages. Though the mother and child were one, connected through intricate means, in the case of them separating, each entity was able to survive on its own. Likewise, when Fuhrer cut a few threads earlier, an alarming number of threads were birthed from the still-existing threads.

In other words, the barrier was capable of regeneration! Moreover, it was specified regeneration at that. 

This wasn't possible from melding alone, it required a nifty application of laws eclipsing the natural such as fire, water, and the like. This was bordering on the line of creation itself. Based on this discovery alone, Fuhrer was sure his assumptions were correct. This realm wasn't the work of a human from Astarat.

Nevertheless, since he had promised Apollo something, he would accomplish it without error.

'Do I have permission to reveal my demonic form?' Fuhrer questioned, shooting a fleeting glance in Apollo's direction.

Apollo paused to look around before answering the question; wondering whether or not he wished to eradicate all those in his surroundings. At first, it seemed a little extreme, but a gnawing internal voice kept coaxing him to do so.

Apollo's finger tapped his forearm continuously, pondering the answer. Finally, he came to his conclusion. 'Not yet; it isn't the right time. Only when we are certain can I allow that to happen. I can't handle the recoil of a situation like that.'

'Very well, then I'll spare some means to camouflage my appearance,' Fuhrer responded.

Again, the razor-sharp threads lacerated the barrier, but this time there was void energy infused into Fuhrer's strikes. Before they could regenerate, the affected threads were sent elsewhere, neutralizing the immediate response, though not entirely.

'It's slowed. As long as I work quickly enough, it should create a window large enough for us to take advantage of. It's just a shame that I can't overwhelm this thing with Daemonic Pressure,' Fuhrer thought, sighing mentally. 

Nevertheless, the issue wasn't outside of his ability, it was just tedious to rectify. Going the brute force route seemed to be his best bet without compromising his camouflaging veil. 

Suddenly, Fuhrer took another step forward causing part of the barrier to protrude as if it was being poked by a sharp object. Many of the weaponized tendrils merged together, forming a spiral sharper than any of Fuhrer's prior attempts.

A visible hole was punctured through the barrier, allowing Apollo and the others to see straight through. However, it wasn't large enough to permit their entry. Again, Fuhrer repeated the actions, but half of the tendrils were split from the initial attack, creating a different image.

Two obscure hands formed as piercing gleams flashed through Fuhrer's eyes. That gleam fueled the hands' movement, making them grasp the corners of the punctured hole. 

As Fuhrer tore open more holes, the hands put pressure on the barrier, shattering some of the already fragile thread of energy. Furthermore, the hands were created from the infusion of his Suppression Intent. Thus, the hand suppressed the regeneration before it could even take place.

Rapidly, the barrier weakened, a gaping hole appearing in the middle.

"Excellent," Apollo chuckled. With steady steps, he approached the middle of the staircase. Under normal circumstances, Apollo wouldn't have done this, but Fuhrer was there and he trusted him completely.

In the corner of his eyes, Fuhrer noticed Apollo's movements and gave a nod, "It's fit to enter. You can bring the others as well."

"I intend to," Apollo smirked, tapping his foot against the platform. Slowly, he floated towards Fuhrer, who was currently channeling his First Tenebrous Sword, the Phantom Millennia.

Small fragments of the barrier fell to the ground and dissipated. However, Fuhrer's expression seemed more strained than usual. It appeared sending the energy elsewhere and suppressing its regeneration was more taxing than he let on.

Meanwhile, the others looked in awe as they witnessed a gaping hole in the middle of the staircase.

"M-my god...Did his Spirit do that? It disappeared all of a sudden, then this hole appeared shortly after! I think this guy is responsible for this!" Someone exclaimed. This shout precipitated the screams of others. 

Yet, instead of fear, they appeared to be extremely unexcited. Some of them thought to take advantage of Fuhrer's actions. However, how could Apollo or even Fuhrer allow that to happen? 

---- 

Up above, two platforms higher, Lazaro and Aeon peered down at the hole in the barrier.

"He's coming for us, isn't he?" Aeon questioned, his gaze fixated on the hole.

"Without a doubt, but we're much stronger than before, and we have Spirits. We'll just have to let him know why Glories aren't to be trifled with. Soon enough, we'll become Scions," Lazaro answered, his solemn stare frozen on Apollo.

Feeling the stare, Apollo looked up and smiled meaningfully, sending a shiver down their backs.