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"The temperature is increasing far beyond what I expected? It seems as if the beast in question possesses an extremely high affinity with Fire Essence," muttered Cynthia as she took note of the increasing heat while advancing further. It was reaching a point that caused them—cultivators—to perspire. ?? historical

On the other hand, Apollo continued to draw in this essence. It was akin to a blessing for his current circulation pathways, 'If it's like this, the high levels of Fire Essence should accelerate my progress. It is less tedious than the manual separation of this particular element and absorbing it.'

[It is indeed beneficial to you. After all, this flame is unstable and that's what demons thrive in—the fires of instability. However, do take caution. The fluctuations I'm sensing are growing fainter as if they're being concealed. It might be a sign of the evolving beast reaching the later stages.]

'Ah,' Apollo nodded in understanding as he looked at the backs of the others. Soon enough, they came to a halt. The narrow cave path led into what they were currently confronting—a large clearing albeit a weird one. It was volcanic in nature, with the room many times hotter than outside.

Furthermore, there were streams of liquid flames flowing through the walls and meeting the center of the room forming a sizable pool. That small pool, however, had a small detachment that led deeper into the cave through an even more slender passageway. If one looked closely, they would realize it seemed as if something had attempted to seal it.

"There's a lot of beasts. It appears the evolving beast has made ample precautions to ensure it isn't interrupted," stated Danyul as he tightened his grip on the Coldiron Staff. Compared to before, there was a sea of monsters. The type was consistent but their strengths weren't! These particular ones were all Rank 3.

"What's the plan? Are we to intervene?" Apollo withdrew the Vantablack Knife without hesitation. His eyes fell upon the salamanders, viewing them as prey. After all, that's what they were to him—stepping stones in his path to power.

"If we are to clear this alone it'll take too long. In that scenario, it'll give the beast even more time to complete its evolution. Hence, we'll have to utilize you kids. But... I stress that you need to stay safe," Cynthia's expression became uncharacteristically stern. Her eyes shifted to the indifferent Apollo whose mind seemed to be elsewhere.

"Apollo, you'll spearhead the operation," determined Cynthia, causing shock within Axel. His eyes widened as he felt an irritation welling up inside him. He didn't like this feeling of not being considered when pinned against Apollo. He could understand Lily as she time and time again proved to be stronger than himself. Apollo, on the other hand; Axel felt he only possessed sharper senses. The winner between them wouldn't be easily determined if he went all out!

"Hmm? Me? I don't think I want to do that," Apollo shook his head in disapproval glancing at the expression in Axel's eyes with a small smirk. He truly couldn't care less about leading them or not; he only had one thing in mind—collecting some cores.

"Please, can you do me this favor, hun? You're the one who possesses the strongest sense of survival. If you can ensure their safety, I'll ensure yours later and present you with something," pleaded Cynthia with a gentle smile.

'Later? Could she perhaps mean.. Ah, I see,' thought Apollo.

"Okay, fine but the cores are mine. Do you find this acceptable, Aunty?" questioned Apollo as he motioned to Aaron.

"That goes without saying. The family doesn't really lack them nor do we have forgers capable of refining them. But that makes me question, why does my sweet nephew need so many cores?" asked Cynthia as she waved her malleable sword.

'I shouldn't tell her I can refine them with my body. It's too many ears, I'll keep it a secret for now,' thought Apollo before replying, "For future purposes. I'm bound to come in contact with one capable of doing so, right?"

"Ah, that's true. Very well, you may claim them," Cynthia turned around not paying this matter any more attention as she felt she left it in capable hands. Reacting quickly, she dashed with Ashur and Danyul into the sea of flaming salamanders.

"Aaron, you'll take the vanguard. I'll be closely monitoring your movements, however, I won't get involved unless you're in dire danger. You need near-death experiences if you'd like to bring out your peak strength," stated Apollo as he gazed into Aaron's eyes.

"Okay, I think that sounds good but what about them? What will they be doing?" Aaron curiously pointed to Axel and Lily. They had a slightly weird expression as his words seemed to inherently treat Apollo as the leader. Axel even felt he omitted them entirely.

"Hmm, what are your specialties?" Apollo's cursory glance fell upon the two as he crossed his arms. Truthfully, this was a chore but if he could collect the cores unabated he didn't' mind completing this task.

"Do you mean element and fighting style? If so, mine are Water and Light as well as the sword," spoke Lily as she stared into Apollo's eyes. She sensed no emotions from his dull gaze. In response, she only received a slight nod.

"And you?" Apollo turned his gaze toward the frowning Axel. He loathed the position he was in; he felt as if Apollo was looking down on him. The same twerp they used to bully and bury alive was now disregarding his existence!

"Fire, and I don't have a particular style," replied Axel in a brusque manner. Apollo, however, remained unperturbed by this attitude and simply nodded once again.

"That means you'll be close to useless in this fight," a disdainful chuckle left Apollo's lips causing Axel to seethe and tremble. Useless?!

"What do you mean useless?! I'm a Zul Warrior, what the fuck are you?" the veins in Axel's neck protruded whilst he fumed over this statement. Craning his head, Danyul looked at the situation between the youth and frowned.

'Tch.. the bad blood is surfacing. This is really not the time. Can't they pick a better moment to resolve their differences?'

Holding up his hand, Apollo stopped Axel, 'I suggest you bite your tongue lest my blade dismembers it. As you can see, these beasts are of the Fire Attribute. Unless you possess a more tyrannic flame, you'll be no help in that department. Hence, as I said—your existence is basically useless. If you'd like, you can prove me wrong by confronting three beasts at once," he chuckled.

"W-what..? Why would I confront three Rank 3 beasts at once? That's madness!" Axel's eyes widened in disbelief. All the while, he thought one thing, 'Did this kid lose his mind while out in the wild?'

"Well, because I'm capable of doing so." Apollo smiled while his expression remained nonchalant, shifting his attention he looked over to the other two "Lily, back up Aaron. If you're of the Water Element, I'm guessing you possessing minute healing abilities which will be further accentuated by your Light Attribute, correct?"

"That's right, but I can also use offensive techniques. Some of which are stronger than Aaron," replied Lily as she retrieved a white blade with a pale yellow handle. Faint aurae of cerulean and canary-yellow colors circulated throughout.

"That's good. I'll deal with my own. Remain within 10 meters of me. Outside of that, I will be unable to respond and alleviate any unforeseen circumstances." After relating this information, Apollo's silhouette faded into a dark flicker.

Widening their eyes, they were astonished by his movement and understood why he said 10 meters. He was capable of traversing this distance in an instant! Meanwhile, they were more shocked by this movement technique. What type of ghastly feeling was this? He was even faster than earlier; it appeared he didn't use it at full capacity earlier.

'Hm, it seems my upper limit with the Partial Shade Silhouette has raised. That's good to know,' thought Apollo before launching the Vantablack Knife and disappearing.