I created my own system

Chapter 396: A being from Malice

Apollo's POV

Truth to be told, I never knew the champions of the gods would be involved—especially since they had always remained detached, isolated. Even during the War of Faith, they didn't dare interfere.

And yet now?

"I don't understand them…"

The words slipped out as my thoughts flowed like water.

Champions should bear the will of their patron god—a symbol of faith and authority. But where were they when those sacred temples were burned by Nirvana's followers?

I couldn't help but feel confused. It shouldn't be this way.

Why do champions exist?

What do they even mean?

Their purpose should have been protecting the temples, yet that duty fell onto the shoulders of the Templar Knights instead. The twelve temples were broken and only seven remain standing, while the descendants were left with only single remaining members.

"These people are basically useless."

I muttered it without restraint, my face contorting in displeasure. My chest felt heavy as my heart beat faster than before.

Sensing the shift in my mood, one of my friends approached.

"Apollo, can you look at this?"

I immediately eased up and moved toward the screen.

"What is it, McKenzie? What's wrong?"

As I surveyed the map, McKenzie pointed at something that made me frown again.

"Champions… are there really this many?"

Another variable.

It seemed there was more than one champion per god.

Why they have so many, yet be so useless at the same time?

The more I saw, the more my bloodlust grew.

"Apollo?"

McKenzie called out, pulling my thoughts back.

"Sorry," I replied.

He simply shook his head, probably aware of my buried resentment toward the gods' vassals.

"There are at least thirteen champions within the surrounding territory of Olympia—your father's domain. You should go help them, Apollo."

His tone carried more concern for me than fear of what awaited the city. He sound hesitant as he ask me about Olympia.

I couldn't help but smile. His concern genuinely touched me.

"It's okay. I don't really mind."

My eyes drifted toward the artificial demon warrior.

"We should wait until our very own champion is ready. For now, I'll interfere a bit"

A controller appeared in my hand. Using the system's power, a fragment of myself manifested in Olympia.

There, I witnessed my sister Athena's counterattack.

"Alright, I should help them a bit."

I moved the console, and immediately enemy spells shattered, their morale crumbling beneath my invincible presence.

Everything was fine—until my eyes caught a familiar figure.

"Midgar?"

I recognized him instantly—the strongest knight of the region.

"The Guardian of the South is leading the charge…"

Things became interesting when I realized he was fighting three vassals alone.

"Interesting."

I narrowed my eyes, focusing on him more than the others.

Using the Authority of Mystics, I subtly guided his decisions—nudging even his thoughts. Of course, he would never notice.

The battle continued.

"Wait… those three—"

As I observed the clash, realization struck.

"The one with the dagger induces sleep and nightmares—perfect for assassination. The spear wielder manipulates sound waves… to a degree capable of killing without struggle."

I continued watching, fascinated by how effectively a spear could amplify sound.

Then roots and vines erupted from the ground.

"Where did that come from?"

I frowned until the silhouette of the third attacker came into view—slower than the others, but carrying overwhelming pressure.

The clash intensified.

Three authorities pressed down on Midgar.

His expression—unyielding.

Oh?

That face made me smile.

"Don't stop. Keep going."

I whispered through Mystics.

Lightning screamed in response.

Despite the pressure, the enemies refused to back down.

"They're resilient. That's fun to see."

I waved my hand, engraving an enchantment into Midgar's sword.

The more the champions struggled, the greater my satisfaction grew.

With a flick of my finger, lightning roared again.

Blood sprayed across the battered battlefield—three dead, one barely alive.

The battle ended but the data it gave me was excellent.

"I've interfered enough. Sir Midgar should be able to handle the rest."

I disconnected from the avatar shifting my gaze away from the monitor.

"Hmmm… that was good."

I set the controller down and shifted my gaze to another feed.

"That went better than anticipated."

Midgar truly proved why he was the finest knight among the Lionheart vassals.

"Now then… shall we begin?"

My eyes narrowed toward the capital, currently under extreme assault.

"They should be attacking now."

A panel appeared—showing the Aileenian command center.

"Wow… they're all crammed into that room."

An evil smirk crept onto my lips—filled with malice and murderous intent.

Cold energy flooded the chamber, unnoticed by the others.

My gaze locked onto my demon knight.

"It's your time to shine."

With the intel gathered and spy cams active, everything was in place.

|Grrrrr|

A low rumble echoed from the knight.

I liked that sound.

"It seems you're as hungry as I am. Good."

I stood and approached my creation. Each step sent subtle tremors through the mana around us.

"Impressive… I like how you react."

I placed my hand on its metallic surface.

An unfamiliar connection formed.

This wasn't how it felt when I programmed it.

The command hierarchy had changed.

The knight could now make decisions independently, though still obedient, but no longer entirely reliant on me.

"Amazing."

I'd felt it when Blair granted his blessing, but seeing it firsthand made "amazing" feel insufficient.

"You're ready."

Light shards sparked through the chamber, condensing into a spell that caught the class's attention.

"Is that a teleportation spell?" Aaron asked.

I nodded.

With a wave of my hand, the warrior vanished.

On the other side of the continent, space folded inward—light collapsing into a single point above Olympia's war-torn sky.

"…Good," I whispered.

The battlefield below was drenched in blood.

Midgar stood at its center—armor cracked, breath heavy, lightning barely crackling along his blade. Around him lay three fallen champions.

Yet the enemy had not broken.

Ten vassals remained.

"I can work with that."

The deaths forced them to retreat—only to reorganize.

"They've noticed the Lionheart's resilience… but it's too late."

Ten champions still lived.

Worse—they were preparing to withdraw.

That's unacceptable.

The sky screamed.

A vertical rupture split the clouds—violet-black energy pouring downward like a festering wound.

The air distorted violently, corrupted mana crashing into the ground.

The surrounding mana shrieked in resistance.

Then—

It descended.

The demonic knight emerged—massive, absolute.

Black metal wings unfurled like inferno.

Tainted lights encircled the city, forming living runes etched with destruction.

The ground shattered upon impact.

A shockwave flattened ruins and hurled enemy formations aside.

Soldiers felt their instincts scream to flee—

But instead—

They screamed.

The champions froze.

An enigma had arrived—carrying death itself.

Midgar staggered back.

"…What—?" He muttered in disbelief.

I watched through the live feed.

Good.

He should feel this.

The knight slowly turned its helm.

Where its gaze passed, mana fled in terror.

Spells collapsed mid-cast into sparks.

I reached into Midgar's mind.

"That's enough," I told him gently. "You've done well."

His body obeyed before his thoughts could—retreating instinctively.

The demonic knight stepped forward.

One step.

The earth cracked.

The remaining champions reacted.

"Attack it!"

Divinely empowered blades struck.

They did nothing.

The knight raised one arm.

Reality folded obeying its will.

A voice devoid of emotion spoke.

|KNEEL|