20 Changes (I)

    ''----''

    ''Slamming a rather large wolf

    a teen stabbed an obsidian knife through its eyes. There was a hint of maturity peering into his eyes as he looked emotionlessly at the dead wolf before him. From that initial day

    approximately 8 months had passed since that conversation.''

    ''?System Alert! Peak Rank 0 Mortal Beast killed.?''

    ''?16 (8 + 8) Experience has been received.?''

    ''?Experience: 3

    040/3

    100.?''

    ''[Excellent

    you have almost reached the 4th Rank of the Mortal Realm. Your hand to hand combat has developed well. If you keep progressing like this it won''t be long before you reach the prerequisites. Also

    you''re doing a good job of avoiding the detection of wandering people.]''

    ''"Thank you

    " curtly replied Apollo as he tossed the wolf aside. Within his gaze was a budding indifference. The past experiences of these many months were far from uneventful. Albeit

    still not a match for the beginning level of others

    he made a large advancement.''

    ''----''

    ''(Demon Monarch System) Lvl.2''

    ''Name: Apollo Kaiser''

    ''Race: Demi-Demon (Half-Step)''

    ''Title: Azridan''s Successor''

    ''Age: 11''

    ''Level: 31''

    ''Experience: 3

    040/3

    100.''

    ''Health: 124/124''

    ''Stamina: 124/124''

    ''Body Cultivation Realm: Rank 3 Mortal [26/30]''

    ''Physique: Mortal-Grade (Peak Tier)''

    ''Zuls: 26''

    ''Strength: 12.8''

    ''Agility: 4.6''

    ''Intelligence: 12.5''

    ''Vitality: 4.8''

    ''Stat Points: 0''

    ''Apollo closed his status panel.''

    ''''It seems the conversion ratio has upgraded to .5 Strength

    '' mused Apollo while his eyes shifted into the distance.''

    ''Compared to a few months prior he was going through a change originating in his core. The neverending killing

    day in and day out turned him callous and numb to the sight. Furthermore

    the solitude he experienced in this forest dulled his desire to interact. Not to mention

    his view of people wasn''t all that great

    to begin with.''

    ''Nevertheless

    alongside his demeanor

    another thing changed immensely; his talent had returned to the peak of the Mortal. It was but a short distance away from them the Earth Grade. In Azridan''s eyes

    Apollo''s change was rather quick. Of course

    this was attributed to the fact that he was so diligent in his training.''

    ''[I must say lad

    your heart is commendable. Your complaints have ceased over the past couple of months. I''m surprised by the fact.]''

    ''"Ah. Azridan I have a request. I want to try fighting a Rank 1 Spirit Beast today. It is tiresome continuously fighting Mortal Beast. Even at the peak of their rank

    they reward less experience than Rank 1 Spirit Beast meat

    " stated Apollo as he shook his wrist

    cracking his knuckles.''

    ''[I think that is a good idea. The continuous battles have honed your senses providing you with the qualities needed to perform that task. Just remember

    as always

    exercise your usual caution.]''

    ''Heeding his word

    Apollo extended his arm

    a sizable obsidian knife sliding down into his grip from his sleeve. Situated in his hand

    Apollo dexterously twirled it.''

    ''His eyes emitted a faint battle intent as they shimmered with a purple hue. Kicking off his back foot

    Apollo sprinted into the distance seeking the Spirit Beast that inhabited this environment.''

    ''Rather than shifting the foliage out of his path

    Apollo cut the stems of the large plants. This was the first time traveling past the outskirts since entering the Shadowy Forest. It was separated into 3 parts: the outskirts

    inner ring

    and central region. He was unaware of the surroundings of the latter two.''

    ''Stepping on a branch

    a low crunch echoed into his surroundings. At that moment

    Apollo halted his steps as he focused exclusively on his hearing. He heard it. There was a low but exaggerated breathing noise coming towards him along with the rhythmic thudding of powerful feet.''

    ''Entering a fighting stance

    Apollo readied himself for confrontation. A large wolf

    much larger than the ones he previously went up against appeared. Its appearance was slightly ferocious

    with two extremely large fangs jutting out of its maw.''

    ''Monster Name: Twin Fanged Wolf''

    ''Cultivation: Early Stage Rank 1 Spirit Beast (Equal to Rank 5 Mortal Cultivator)''

    ''Health: 250/250''

    ''Chance of Defeat: 22%''

    ''''A 22% chance of me defeating it. It is calculating based on our cultivation difference. However

    I have come to realize that these calculations are erred.''''

    ''Holding the Vantablack Knife in a reverse grip

    Apollo lifted his other hand openly. He was ready.''

    ''Apollo kicked off his back foot initiating engagement; the momentum was in his hands. Reacting

    the Twin Fanged Wolf swiped its claw sending a burst of wind billowing toward Apollo. Reacting quickly

    he abruptly sidestepped with his left foot dodging.''

    ''In a fluent moment

    he dashed forward with the collaboration of his right foot. Plunging the knife into the rib of the Twin Fanged Wolf

    Apollo wrenched it causing a large gash resulting in the pained howl of the beast.''

    ''?Critical! 35 damage dealt.?''

    ''?Critical! 40 damage dealt.?''

    ''Ignoring the messages

    Apollo parried the following swipe of the wolf shifting his feet. He received 10 damage but it was negligible in his eyes. His eyes remained fixated on the newly formed wound.''

    ''Now that it was wounded

    the Twin Fanged Wolf defended its side more attentively. However

    Apollo remained calm. Rushing

    he slid under the next swipe of the wolf as he sliced its underbelly.''

    ''?Vital Attack! 75 damage dealt.?''

    ''Gripping the floor

    Apollo jumped performing a flip stabbing the knife into the wolf''s back. Another painful whimper sound. Unfortunately for it

    Apollo slit its throat ending the battle there and then.''

    ''?Fatal Damage! 100 damage dealt.?''

    ''Thrusting the knife

    the blood covering its metallic sheen splattered across the ground. Amid the actions

    additional prompts popped up.''

    ''?System Alert! You have killed an Early Stage Rank 1 Spirit Beast.?''

    ''?60 (30 + 30) Experience has been received.?''

    ''?Experience: 0/3

    200.?''

    ''?Congratulations

    you have reached Level 32. You have been rewarded .1 attributes and 2 Stat points.?''

    ''[Excellent movements young lad

    you move like a demon in the night. It seems you were indeed made to travel the path of a Demon.]''

    ''"Mn

    " silently nodded Apollo as he bent down fileting his recently killed prey. His hands moved in a trained and efficient manner as the edible parts were separated in a timely manner.''

    ''While he worked

    he voiced his thoughts

    "So going forward from Rank 1 Spirit Beast

    they are divided into Early

    Middle

    and Late stages? At the same time

    the experience will increase with each rank?"''

    ''[Yes

    it''s the same for human cultivators. As you saw

    in the book

    each realm of body cultivation possesses 9 levels. 1-3 are the early stages

    4-6 are the middle stages and 7-9 are the late stages. However

    there is also the Peak Stage which is the absolute limit of level 9.]''

    ''"Then

    that is to say

    a Late-Stage Rank 1 Spirit Beast is equivalent to a Zul Warrior?"''

    ''[Not necessarily. While it can happen if the beast forms their Essence Core at that moment

    it is more so Peak Rankers and the Rank 2 who are equivalent. Of course

    there are rare cases where a Spirit Beast forms their core immediately upon reaching Rank 1. However

    those beasts are extremely talented and usually carry bloodlines.]''

    ''"Bloodlines is it? I see

    I guess even beasts have a hierarchy."''

    ''[Yes

    but that is a matter you will learn in the future. It is too deep of a concept for this moment. On the other hand

    you are making great progress

    all that''s left for you is to complete the quest.]''

    ''"Yes

    I will continue deeper slowly." decided Apollo as he vigilantly entered deeper into the shadowy forest. The difference between a Spirit Beast and Mortal Beast''s experience was astounding

    he needed more.''

    ''[Hmm

    since you''re close. It''s important to give a reward for when you accomplish it.]''

    ''''Ding!''''