CHAPTER 32: RUNELORD

There are two types of runes.

The first type was made up of ordinary runes, whose power to complete their work was imbued by their creator and did not need an external source to function.

The second were the so-called sacrificial runes, which worked by a mechanism that sucked in the energy of a sacrifice, which could be anything from mana cores to living people, then redirected this energy to fulfill the role defined by its creator.

Above these runes, there was a deity: Runelord, the god of runes, a being whose power was far beyond anything the Eternal Isles had ever seen in its existence.

But although he called himself the "God of the runes", the runes were not created by him, nor did they even depend on him.

He was more like a parasite, an ancient specialist who learned to channel and use a part of all the power imbued in the runes around the universe and, abusing this stolen power, ascended to divinity.

His usual form was that of a humanoid ram, who roamed freely through space and cultivated his power on the surface of stars.

A habit he was doing right now.

His body was the size of a moon, his skin red and full of black hair, his eyes golden and on his head, two large horns rose for hundreds of kilometers.

"This feeling... is it?" The Runelord opened his eyes and the star’s energy became chaotic as he gazed at the horizon, his eternal, serene voice wreaking havoc throughout that solar system.

"So powerful... what power is this?" Runelord’s body shuddered in pleasure as he felt an ancient ancestral power permeate his body.

That power was as dark as the abyss and its aura was corrupt to the point of darkening even the star where he cultivated, but Runelord didn’t seem to care as he absorbed that energy without stopping.

"That’s it... more! A little more and I’ll be able to make my breakthrough, hahahaha!" Runelord roared and the space around him shuddered, almost collapsing as he laughed with the ecstasy of that power.

But suddenly, his laughter stopped, his eyes fluttered and the constant flow of energy entering his body stopped.

"A bigger ant able to sneak under Miquella’s creation and even steal from the power channeled by them, I could even congratulate you on that..."

An ancient voice rang out across the void of space and the star’s already dim light went out completely, leaving only a deep darkness.

And from that darkness, two crimson eyes opened, illuminating everything once again.

"But unfortunately... you dared to take part of my power, a crime I cannot forgive." The voice sounded once more, the power contained within it bringing deep terror to Runelord.

"W-what are you?" Runelord asked, his voice once divine and serene, now flawed and weak, like a final sigh before the overwhelming aura of those two crimson eyes.

He never got his answer.

As soon as his voice fell, his body shattered, his miserable screams spreading throughout the cosmos until all that was left was a faint sphere of light, the divinity he had formed.

"Fly little one, find an heir worthy of you." The voice sounded one last time before returning to its slumber.

The small sphere of light shuddered tenuously before moving at a speed many times faster than light towards the infinite cosmos that surrounded it.

***

Unaware of what was happening on a battlefield far beyond his capabilities and comprehension, Ethan finally opened his eyes, just in time to feel John rushing past him with Durgan and Clark.

’System... what happened?’

[A rune of sacrifice, those men betrayed you and wounded you badly, I managed to protect your soul, but I had to make some changes to Seraphar’s plans to heal your body].

"Changes?" Ethan asked and the next second, his eyes widened as he realized the changes in his body.

His power had increased by a large margin and his vision seemed as clear as day, even in the darkness of night.

[First of all, know that I only intervened because this situation involves greater power and there won’t be a second time, so don’t blindly trust what I’ve done today.

My job is to help you, but I’m not allowed to go beyond presenting you with the system and information within your level of authority.

I broke the rules set by Seraphar and evolved your lineage to the second level as well as increasing your cultivation to the foundation stage, that was the only way to keep you alive].

"I see... Thank you very much for that..." Ethan thanked the system honestly and stood up.

That situation turned out to be a blessing in disguise and he was about to take a look at his winnings, but was stopped by the system’s notifications.

[Mission: ’A gentleman’s request’ has been completed.

You have received: 10,000 points from the corruption store].

[System: A new mission is available for you!

{Sweet revenge.

Description: The companions you trusted so much have betrayed your trust and used you as a mere sacrifice for the activation of a rune, show them the true terror of a black dragon.

Difficulty: E

Reward: 2,000 points from the corruption shop}]

These notifications snapped Ethan out of his daze and reminded him of his situation.

He was on a dangerous mission and had just been betrayed by people he trusted, even if not completely.

"Looks like getting a look at my new power will have to wait... some sons of bitches will have to feel the cold of my blade before I get any peace."

Feeling his blood boil, Ethan picked up his sword from the ground, his eyes took on a crimson hue and an intense aura surrounded his body.

His power was many times greater than before and although he was still at the initial level of the foundation stage, he clearly felt that he could already fight enemies at the peak of the foundation stage and even beat those at intermediate levels.

With a mixture of hatred and determination in his gaze, Ethan set off, the ground beneath his feet sinking as he hurtled forward at frightening speed.