—-

‘This Zephus Domain…it’s as bad as the records describe. I can sense it from here,’ Irauk thought as he looked into the distance from a certain point in the forest. This was the only domain teetering on the edge of the Endless Death Domain. Hence, it was also where danger remained the highest.

​​

‘I won’t be able to use that. They’re sensitive to that type of fluctuation. Luckily, I didn’t come here to scope out the current situation of Zephus. I just need to meet someone; these youths are simply additions I can’t give up based on what I see inside of them,’ Irauk mused whilst glancing behind him.

He limited his speed to what the children could handle. However, he was also subtly testing Apollo, gauging his abilities.

Although he perceived a stellar drive within him, he needed to be certain of Apollo’s value. After all, he came with a purpose.

‘His speed seems to surpass that of a regular Rank 4 Mortal but he has yet to reach the Zul threshold, but he is close nonetheless.’ 

As Irauk examined Apollo, he estimated Apollo’s abilities would be more closely related to speed over strength. Compared to his speed, his force failed to uphold the standard.

Suddenly, Irauk paused, coming to an abrupt stop.

Apollo and the others slowly came to a stop as well, appearing right behind Irauk.

Quietly, Apollo examined his surroundings. This was the deepest he had ever been into the Shadowy Forest. The trees nearby all possessed various signs of battle, scars running alongside their trunks along with splintered wood laid inside craters on the floor.

“Oh? It appeared we just missed a scuffle. Meh, no biggie,” Irauk chortled, glancing to the side.

Although the battle was done, there was an ambient aura lingering in the area. In Irauk’s eyes, he could see the trail and even pinpoint the combatant’s position. 

In fact, there were several separate threads of different auras overlapping one another. Not to mention, there were minute differences in the beast and human signatures.

‘So it was a brawl,’ Irauk surmised,

[Careful. There are Rank 2 Spirits Beast of all stages in this area. I’m even perceiving some nearing the 3rd Rank. It would seem this is the furthest extent of the inner region before reaching the central area I warned you about.]

Forming a smug smile, Irauk turned towards the bunch, “You five; Rhett, Ragnvald, Soccora, Nadida, and Adeon shall separate and take down at least 10 Spirit Beast each. However, you all must bring back cores at least 2 stages higher than your current cultivation. Those of you who fail…well, I’ll be eating your share of the food.” His last words seemed to be aimed at Rhett seeing as his body shivered in terror.

“N-not the food! I will kill everything!” Rhett scowled, disappearing with a gust of wind similar to a frightened cat.

‘F-fast… How can someone so pudgy move so fast?’ Apollo thought incredulously. Even if he pushed himself to his limit, that was a speed he couldn’t currently attain. 

Meanwhile, the others similarly disappeared, except Socorra traveled with Nadida. 

Even though he was the youngest amongst the bunch, Apollo still felt a slight pang of displeasure when he compared himself to the others. Therefore, he felt a blow to his pride when he realized the disparity.

[Those thoughts aren’t completely sound. After all, you possess an advantage no one else in this word possesses—me, or rather the existence of this system.]

“Ah, you’re right. But it is still hard not to compare my strength against others. I can’t hope but think I’d be on par with them if not for my sickness,” Apollo responded.

[No need for what-ifs, you won’t be able to change the past. Instead, focus on the matters before you and accomplish them to the best of your ability. That will become the mold of your future—shaping an irrefutable existence.]

Once the others left, Irauk turned towards the blank-faced Apollo.

“As for you, I have something else I would like you to complete. Have you ever done battle with a Rank 2 Spirit Beast,” Irauk said, interrupting Apollo’s chat with Azridan.

“Uh, no. Also, before you suggest it, I’m not capable of fighting one!” Apollo exclaimed with a wary expression.

Did he just enter the grasp of a madman?

‘Nah, there’s no way he would that right?’ Apollo wondered.

“Oh? Said who? That’s for me to judge, don’t make unsupported claims! I would like to witness you surviving against one. Come along,” Irauk said with an unsettling smile. 

A moment later, he vanished before arriving next to Apollo. Not allowing Apollo to refute him, Irauk hoisted him up and dashed towards an area showing signs of activity. 

Shocked, Apollo widened his eyes as he failed to formulate words. It wasn’t due to his brain short-circuiting, but because of the force of the wind. It was too much for him to speak let alone move. 

‘T-this…where is he taking me?!’

Soon enough, their movement ceased as Irauk gazed meaningfully at a bear-type Spirit Beast. However, it didn’t seem to be fully grown. Even then, it was still much larger than a fully grown human male. Its violent fur and red eyes stared tentatively at the two newcomers. At the same time, the system graced Apollo with information.

Monster Name: Stone Violet Bear (Cub)

Cultivation: Early Stage Rank 2 Spirit Beast

Health: 1,900/1,900

‘What the…all that Health?! What does he expect me to do about that? He’s just trying to kill me… He’s a murderer!’

“We’ve arrived at the beginning of another quadrant of the inner region. This will be your opponent. It isn’t fully grown. Therefore, its defenses should be manageable. Of course, you should still be careful,” Irauk said, tossing Apollo towards the bear. 

Moving away, Irauk shouted towards Apollo from against a tree, “I’m not asking for much! You don’t need to defeat it, just survive for…let’s say 5 minutes. Wait, no. I meant 10!”

Apollo landed with a frown, shifting his attention from Irauk to the bear. Because he landed too close, the bear regarded Apollo as a threat. Without hesitation, the bear pounced toward Apollo.

Despite its large frame, the bear moved quickly. A powerful swipe hurtled towards Apollo.

Apollo’s eyes widened in response, knowing all too well the danger behind that strike.

‘D-damn! Just what is he expecting from me?’ Apollo grumbled while retrieving the Dark Cutter from his waist. The appearance of the knife only triggered the bear’s sense of danger, angering it further.

A light yellow gleam appeared on its violet fur. The light made Apollo grimace. After all, it was familiar to Apollo after having been in contact with a few Rank 1 Spirit Beasts. 

‘Oh? This beast can invoke its natural ability already? How interesting. It’s quite young. Let’s see just how this boy handles it,’ Irauk pondered as he rubbed his chin with interest. 

—-

[Calm down. Analyze the situation and take in your surroundings. Don’t forget our training in perilous situations. Use your mind to counteract adverse situations as we have discussed. Take a deep breath and clear your mind.]

“Phewww…” Inhaling and exhaling, a gleam circulated within Apollo’s eyes as his fears started to dissipate.

In place, a partially callous state appeared. Furthermore, the shape of the bear changed in his eyes. It was as if he was projecting someone else’s figure onto the bear! Someone he loathed.

‘