Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 353: Stormforge

Chapter 353: Stormforge

Once they stood before the rune laboratory, Vlad glanced at Jormungandr and signaled the small yellow cat to follow him inside while the rest waited outside. Inside the laboratory, Vlad and the Depravita of Gluttony gathered a myriad of materials as they began their refinements.

Vlad already had the designs for each of the Runic Sets he would give to the group engraved in his mind, so he was prepared to finish with the materials before starting to call the others in.

Ouroboros and the Royal Guards waited silently outside, channeling their energy and using every moment to improve their powers. Everyone understood the power of runes and how precious they were, but that power came with responsibilities—especially now as they faced a threat that could wipe out the entire world.

From time to time, the Depravita and the Royal Guards would glance at the runic laboratory as bursts of energy suddenly flared for a few seconds before being replaced by total quietness. This continued for roughly ten hours before the gates finally opened, revealing Jormungandr. The small cat glanced at the Royal Guards, and after a few seconds, his eyes focused on Mirena.

"Go inside," he instructed.

"Yes!" Mirena nodded immediately and entered the laboratory. The small yellow cat closed the door, remaining outside alongside the rest. Runes required direct contact with the skin, and especially for women, this was not something they felt comfortable exposing in public. Everyone understood and waited silently, continuing with their training.

Vlad glanced at Mirena and nodded softly. Her appearance had significantly changed over the past few months, her hair turning dark and her skin paler, most likely due to the presence of the demon soul constantly enhancing her body.

However, those aesthetic aspects matter little to Vlad, and what he cared about was the women’s vitality, soul force, and energy pool that showed enough strength to handle a Rank 3 Runic Set. It was quite impressive that she had reached such a level, demonstrating how much effort she had put into her training and the massive number of aliens she must have killed to obtain so much Origin Force.

"Lie on the table," Vlad commanded. The Royal Guard did not hesitate, removing her armor and remaining in her undergarments as she lay on the runic table. Calling Mirena a striking beauty would not be a mistake; her body was well-developed and toned from years of training. However, Vlad saw only a parchment on which to inscribe his runes—his mind focused solely on his work, allowing no room for distraction.

’A.I. Chip, focus all your abilities on assisting me,’ Vlad instructed mentally. Even though he was a Rank 3 Runemaster, he was at the lower end of that level, and creating a Runic Set was extremely complicated. The Depravita of Wrath needed to be careful, as there were no materials for a second attempt, and any weakness in the Royal Guard could lead to severe problems in the midst of war.

[Beep! Task assigned.] The robotic voice of the A.I. Chip echoed inside Vlad’s mind, and in the following second, red lines appeared above Mirena’s body, showing how the full Runic Set should look.

The name of the Runic Set was Stormforge, allowing the mage to master the destructive power of lightning in combination with the deadly control of metal, bending it to their will and electrifying it for devastating effects.

Instead of adding new abilities, Vlad sought to use a Runic Set that would perfectly blend with the Royal Guard’s Gift and demon soul, enhancing what was already powerful, making her attacks carry a wisp of Guardian Tier battle power.

The first rune, the Arcsteel Sigil, was inscribed on Mirena’s chest. It allowed the manipulation of metal and electromagnetic force fields. Vlad’s runic pen moved flawlessly over the young woman’s skin, every movement precise and controlled, showcasing craftsmanship that most would need centuries to master—but that the A.I. Chip had ingrained in his mind to the point it became muscle memory.

Mirena’s eyes twitched as the pen felt like it was carving into her skin, but she did not dare to flinch, using all her willpower to remain steady. The pain was evident by the look on her face, but her gaze remained fixed, her breathing measured.

After three hours, Vlad finally lifted the runic pen, beads of sweat coursing down his forehead due to the immense strain. Yet a wide smile appeared on his face as he examined the rune—it was flawless.

"Excellent," he murmured, taking a few minutes to rest, allowing his mind a short respite. Closing his eyes, he took deep breaths to steady himself. After regaining his focus, a determined glint returned to his eyes.

He continued engraving the following three runes, each one critical to the Runic Set’s overall power.

After the Arcsteel Sigil, Vlad began inscribing the Rune of the Thunderborn along Mirena’s arms. This rune would channel raw electrical energy from the environment and fuse it into metal objects. Through it, she could create electrified projectiles, generate magnetic fields, or summon lightning bolts that leaped between metallic objects.

Vlad’s hands moved with steady precision, guided by the A.I. Chip’s calculated pathways. The complexity required absolute concentration, but he pressed on every line and curve, enhancing the energy flow.

Next, Vlad worked on the Ironstorm Rune, etching it across her back. This rune granted the ability to control a storm of metal shards, creating a whirlwind of electrified metal that tore through enemies, combining offensive and defensive power. The patterns swirled like a tempest, each stroke demanding meticulous attention to ensure seamless energy flow.

Finally, he proceeded to the Magnetic Pulse Rune, inscribed along her eyes. This rune generated powerful magnetic pulses that disrupted enemies wielding metal weapons and armor, causing them to malfunction or even fly out of their grasp. It could also be used to generate a repulsion force that sent enemies flying away. The symbols intertwined with the natural lines of her face, completing the Runic Set.

Once the last runic line was completed, Vlad nearly fell to the ground. The toll on his body, energy pool, and mind was immense, but he remained steady, satisfaction clear on his face as he saw the complete runic set engraved on the young woman’s body.