The Demon Monarch System

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The moment Apollo moved, the scenery changed into one boasting an obscenely negative atmosphere. In fact, it was so prominent that Apollo dropped to his knees upon appearing here. Moreover, there seemed to be an unbearable pressure bearing down on his mind.

While similar to what he experienced inside the Lesser Cultivation Rooms, it was also fundamentally different. Not only was it taking much longer to acclimate to this place, but Apollo also wasn't actually here with his physical body. This greatly contributed to his current afflictions.

"W-what is this place…" Apollo muttered while looking in the distance. For miles to come spanning across the vast dismal horizon, colossal mountains spew magma that emitted a dreadful aura greeted Apollo's view. Although he was quite familiar with heat due to Hellfire, this place was advanced along that spectrum.

One thing he lacked was information on the world of inhabitants to the Demon. In addition to that, he also lacked knowledge pertaining to how he ended up here. In his attempts to channel the energy within the Crystallized Chaos, his body performed an action of his own.

Before he could get a clear grasp of the situation at hand, a low yet prolonged rumbling sounded. The longer it lasted, the more pronounced it became. Whatever the source was, it was enclosing fast.

Thus, Apollo tried to rise to his feet. With the unfamiliar atmosphere, he only succeeded after much effort. Fortunately, there was a large column of obsidian stone nearby to take shelter behind. 

By the time he situated himself behind it, the source of the prolonged rumbles appeared. It was a creature Apollo was entirely unfamiliar with. Even when compared to the demonic form he took, this thing looked unsettling.

A creature appearing to be a cross between a boar and reptilian monster appeared. However, it was encased in ghastly flames that emitted a shrill flame. Almost as if it was searching for his presence, it stopped and looked around.

Unlike his typical reaction, Apollo controlled his breathing. Something told him to do so. Even though the creature before him didn't seem particularly strong, there was a looming sense of danger as he looked at it.

'Is this some type of demonic creature? But the problem is why does it feel so dangerous. And, why do I feel so powerless,' Apollo mused to himself. For some odd reason, the connection between both his Stigmata and Infernal Nucleus was non-existent at the moment.

Furthermore, no matter how he tried to stimulate his Tainted Temple, it seemed to be occupied with other matters. In other words, as of right now, Apollo possessed zero combat ability. Not to mention, he was only in this world spiritually.

Be that as it may, it didn't mean he was clear of dangers. On the contrary, it meant he was in a far more precarious situation. After all, the soul was both elusive and vital. If it wasn't, it would be the most complicated aspect to advance upon.

Nevertheless, despite his current situation, Apollo wanted to explore this word further. As it was now, it felt complete and as it was focused solely on a particular Sin that was ever-present in the atmosphere.

'Could this be the world of Ira? Azridan did say the Demonic Word comprises 9 worlds. Beyond that, each world is composed of a Sin's primal source. If this is the world of Ira, shouldn't there be a ruler here? Compared to me now, and this thing before me, I wonder just how strong they are,' Apollo internalized.

Since the creature failed to locate Apollo's position due to the extremely weak fluctuations from his soul, it departed the area. Albeit slowly, the creature still showed high signs of intelligence by inspecting its route of retreat.

Similarly, at a safe distance, Apollo tailed the creature. It had to have a place to call home. In this foreign world, where he was unaware of how long his stay was, Apollo moved cautiously.

'Thankfully, this isn't the first time I've felt so powerless. Had not it been for my initial training from Azridan, I wouldn't possess the knowledge to deal with this situation. 

All of a sudden, the creature paused. However, it wasn't due to Apollo. It narrowed its eyes as it looked into the distance. Hidden behind a thick smoke, the silhouette of an impish figure appeared. 

Typically, demons wouldn't be so apprehensive of a foe. However, this impish was one nefarious for its whimsical deeds and abhorrent behavior. Not only did it prey on their weakness, but once the Imp realized it possessed the upper hand, it toyed with its victim. 

Hence, why the lizard looked at the Imp. Surprisingly, while the creature looked at the imp, its body trembled. From over 7 meters long, it shrunk to a 2-meter tall bipedal being. Despite its similarities to humans in its new form, it wasn't quite proper to call it human.

 "Taranaki, why have you traveled this far?" The creature in its human-like form asked. Two small horns grew from its forehead as burnt orange scales covered his cheeks and neck.

"Seizin, don't fret. I come because I sense a foreign presence. One that seems both infantile and tasty. Tell me, you don't intend to hog this gift to yourself, do you?" The impish figure smirked mischievously awaiting the response.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but just as quickly as it appeared it as quickly as the presence faded. I don't know if they've left but I will tell you this, I can't sense their Ira," Seizin answered with a displeased expression.

"No, you're wrong. You're simply looking in the wrong places. Additionally, if I'm being frank, your race is one that is terrible at location and sensing. Luckily, I don't have the issue," Taranaki the Imp chuckled.

With a snap of his fingers, a ripple of black energy was sent forth. But, there was also a weakness to it. It traveled both linearly and in a straight line. To put it differently, as long as one remained against the surface, they could potentially avoid detection.

Unfortunately, this wasn't something Apollo was capable of at the moment. Thus, he was bombarded by the wave of strange power. However, as it touched him, not much happened. In fact, the Imp found it to be extremely odd.

Even though his energy came in contact with something, he was unable to detect where exactly the point of origin was located. Soon enough, Apollo learned why the energy was unable to affect him. Naturally, the system played a large role in this, but the true saving grace was the item itself he used.

〈System Alert! The system has finally designated the location your mind has formed a «Fractured Soul Link» with. As of right now, your soul has entered the 3rd Nihilistic Ring of the Demon World—Ashiraem. Generating additional information on your current condition.〉

〈System Alert! Due to the current intensity of your soul, 90% of it is being utilized to root your soul in its place until a return link can be established. If not, there is a substantial chance of your soul suffering from «Chaotic Temporal Dissonance». As a result, your soul is experiencing a large debuff from this environment.〉

〈System Alert! Due to the «Crystallized Chaos» used to establish this mental link, your soul is encased in the residue of chaotic order. At random intervals, your presence will be unable to be detected as well as unable to be hidden. Do well to understand the pattern within the chaos. Time Remaining: 5 minutes. For now, survive.〉

Meanwhile, as Apollo received this information, the Imp's expression became one laden with fury. His plaything was unable to be found. All his efforts were proving to be for naught as he repeated the action continuously.

"Damn, foolish foreign thing! You weak demon, come out, come out, wherever you are~" Taranaki uttered in a sing-songy tone. Since he couldn't use advanced matters, he resorted to the tactics used before one came in across his power—he dashed forward.

But, since these beings were one of adequate power, their movements gave Apollo a large sign before happening. As the Imp approached, Apollo cautiously inched by the outside. 

Based on what the soul said, he could infer that dying here would present some kind of damage. While the system didn't mention it in a straightforward manner, the system wouldn't warn him to survive for no apparent reason.

'Surviving isn't as easy as the system makes it sound. I still don't know how damage in this place works, and quite frankly, I would not like to. At least, not until I know I can regain the semblance of strength needed to protect myself,' Apollo thought.

Be that as it may, despite trying his best, a black eye filled with mischievous intent looked directly at him. Or, that was what appeared to happen. As the Imp looked at his current position, he tilted his head.

For a second, it could've sworn it saw something his. Yet, shortly after, the presence disappeared.

"What in the demonic world is going on. This soul feels as if it has yet to reach the Lesser standard and yet I can't find it? Are you telling me I'm incapable of finding something weaker than an infant Lesser Demon?!" The Imp seethed, pounding the ground.

Regrettably, the moment he did so, Apollo's appearance reappeared in the route of an approaching boulder. It was then Apollo was hit with a thought of great importance.

'If I'm in soul form, can the world itself hurt me? Does the world possess a soul to do so?' Apollo internalized while staring at the large incoming obsidian rock.