The Demon Monarch System

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A burst of Ira surged from Apollo's body when he activated the Infernal Ira Stigmata's third phase. An overwhelming sensation of strength coursed through his limbs as he laid eyes on the intangible arc emerging from the innumerable surrounding voids.

Apollo's expression sharpened as he clenched his hand, causing several shattering noises to occur. In the next moment, a heightened golden glow appeared from Apollo's spine as his movements hastened alongside the assistance of the Umbra Phantom Mantle. 

The number of cracking noises continued to increase as minute cuts appeared on Apollo's body. However, compared to the number of slashes aimed at his body, the amount of damage received was inconsequential. 

Besides, unlike the two previous versions, the third phase of the Infernal Ira Stigmata was much different. Whereas the first two increased his strength by a controlled amount, the third phase's increase wasn't bound to a cemented limit. Depending on how much Ira Apollo sacrificed, he could continue to increase his power.

Granted, it needed to stay within the limits of his vitality, which is why the system warned him to unlock his mature Demon Body first. The vitality of a Mature Demon Body outclassed his current level by many times.

Fortunately, the issues were only relevant if Apollo pushed his limits.

Meanwhile, Fuhrer gazed at Apollo, who was endlessly dodging the shocking amount of attacks aimed at him. Conversely, Apollo used his Dominator's Clutch to block any of the strikes he failed to avoid.

Fuhrer watched Apollo in awe instead of continuing his attack because of how fast his movements became over time. 'Oh? The lad is getting serious. Activating two of his stigmata at a higher level and pushing his aura to its current peak? No wonder he is shattering these slashes.'

Based on Fuhrer's current estimations, Apollo's ability rivaled at least primary stage Noblesse. Even Typhir's extremely berserk state paled in comparison to the sight Apollo displayed. 

However, that was to be expected.

After all, Apollo's repertoire of techniques and abilities put him on a level above the rest. Now that he had exhausted over 50 percent of his Ira Volume, Apollo glanced towards Gram with a conflicted expression.

'Do I need to use you? You're probably the only thing in my possession capable of overpowering Fuhrer's suppression. Although my aura is purer, it's not dense enough to shatter his suppression,' Apollo thought to himself.

The current situation wouldn't trouble Apollo if his aura were at the fifth degree or higher, allowing him to form a Dominion of his own.

By default, his aura's higher caliber permitted the destruction of anything below him. However, to do so, his aura needed to be at least on par with the aura's degree of utilization. If not, he was left in his current situation.

Suddenly, Fuhrer dragged his hand against Brynhildr's blade with a faint smirk. "Young Lord. Would you like to witness the ability of a true armament?" 

This question immediately raised Apollo's awareness. If Gram's Infernal Marks could increase his damage by 125%, what would Brynhildr be capable of? Unlike Gram, Brynhildr possessed a genuine soul! That meant it had unique abilities capable of assisting Fuhrer.

Although Fuhrer asked Apollo this question, he didn't wait for a response. An abrupt gust of dark winds occurred as a terrifying cyclone appeared around Fuhrer's body. It was faint at first, but Apollo recognized an outline of a sort of dreadful entity.

Eventually, the outline became evident, which allowed Apollo to understand what he saw. It was a gigantic phantom with deep green eyes surrounded by deathly winds. The ghost looked like a demon, but Fuhrer's traits produced an enigmatic creation.

When Apollo looked at the ground beneath Fuhrer's feet, he noticed an increasing amount of marks appearing on the floor. However, the astonishing number of scars branching off from the initial cut is what caught Apollo's eye.

After learning of this matter, Apollo created some room by breaking the remaining attacks all at once. It exhausted a substantial portion of his strength, but it was worth it.

"Don't run, young Lord. After all, there is nowhere to run. Brynhildr's scope is wider than you know," Fuhrer chuckled. A moment later, he raised a single finger and pointed towards Apollo.

"Howl, Brynhildr," Fuhrer commanded.

Scrrrrreeeeee!

An eerie noise occurred as a cluster of the dark winds surrounding Fuhrer rushed towards Apollo. Fuhrer didn't even wield Brynhildr. As an Armament, it possessed the ability to control its attack if Fuhrer permitted it. Since its soul originated from Fuhrer, it required his consent to act. Only when in grave danger could it override this stipulation.

Without a choice, Apollo held his hand towards Gram, extracting from the ground once again. The immediate sensation of having his Ira devoured appeared, but Apollo paid it no mind.

At the same time, the imperfect triple mirage appeared around Apollo's body as he swayed to the right, dodging most of the first cluster of dark winds. However, he was forced to unleash a monstrous Demonic Massacre Wave when he noticed how many more were incoming.

In response, Fuhrer released a burst of hearty laughter. "Excellent! Now defend against more! Overwhelm, Brynhildr!"

In the next instant, the winds howled as Brynhildr vibrated in Fuhrer's hand. The previous tens of branches multiplied into hundreds as they honed in on Apollo's positions.

From Apollo's point of view, the incoming attack looked like an impossible wave of darkness. It was akin to being swallowed by the void. 'I understand why Brynhildr is a weapon made uniquely for Fuhrer. All of its attacks emulate the void without entering it. Perhaps Brynhildr may be the source of the Phantasmal Daemos Technique.'

As the wave of overwhelming attacks hurtled towards Apollo, Fuhrer looked at him with a peculiar expression, 'Resolve it, young Lord. This attack isn't beyond you. Claw your way out of all situations.'

While the attack didn't leave a way out for Apollo, there was something that he needed to understand. It was the essence of being a demon of his standard.

Gradually, Apollo's expression darkened. Time seemed to slow even further while his heartbeat grew vibrant in his ear. The Ira within him churned, turning into a source for unbridled yet controlled rage, similar to how Saehtyn controlled the Sin.

Though similar, they weren't identical. After all, Apollo's rage was funneled into something entirely different. A ruthless aura billowed from his body in droves as Fuhrer released a delighted grin.

If this were a typical situation involving an enemy, Fuhrer wouldn't be as excited. However, since Apollo was someone closely related to him, this development delighted Fuhrer.

The more Ira assimilated with Apollo, the more a familiar feeling rose from within. Soon enough, he understood why this sensation was so familiar. 'I remember…'

He had felt this once before, during the time he first went against Fuhrer. It was only for a moment, but Fuhrer released a feeling that went beyond the Demonic Massacre Wave's savagery.

Apollo's abrupt understanding produced a notification from the system that he couldn't ignore.

〈System Alert: The Fourth Annihilation has been unlocked. The properties from Ira has been extracted.〉

〈System Alert: Your desire has unlocked the brutality of the leader.〉

At this very moment, all Apollo wanted was for this attack before him to vanish. And, to do so required a truly ruthless move.

This strike didn't require any Ira. Instead, it sapped all of Apollo's remaining Aura of Domination to empower the ruthless desire of Apollo.

Apollo summoned a claw at least six times bigger than before above his head as he looked at Fuhrer with an indifferent gaze. It was as if the person before him was neither a friend nor foe, but merely something that needed to be destroyed.

Just before Fuhrer's attack touched Apollo's body, the enormous claw mimicked Apollo's actions. He closed his hand, causing the claw to shatter.

"Absolute Eradication," Apollo muttered as a torrential purplish-black blasted expanded in a ring shape. Upon noticing this, Fuhrer conjured a dense barrier behind himself to ensure the safety of the others.

After all, this technique was the most ruthless of all the Annihilations. It didn't differentiate friend from foe. Everything within its path was a target. 

The blast overpowered Fuhrer's dark winds in a moment. However, Fuhrer didn't allow it to spiral out of control.

Towards the end, Fuhrer smiled as he slashed Brynhildr downward. Fuhrer's blade produced a clean dissection of Apollo's attack once he sheathed his weapon. From a spar, this battle turned into one that allowed Apollo to grow.

"You've done it.. You should be more prepared for your battle against Asteroth."