Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 354: Inferno Shatter and Wind Piercer

Chapter 354: Inferno Shatter and Wind Piercer

"It’s done," Vlad said softly.

Mirena slowly sat up, feeling a surge of energy coursing through her body. The runes glowed faintly before settling beneath her skin, invisible but alive with power.

"Thank you, my King," the Royal Guard’s voice was sharp and powerful. Deep gratitude was evident in her eyes as she felt the immense power she now controlled.

Vlad smiled at the Royal Guard and signaled her to leave the runic laboratory. As soon as he was alone, the Depravita of Wrath collapsed to the ground, taking deep breaths as he allowed himself a moment of respite. Vlad did not care about appearances or looking tough, but they were in a war, and it was fundamental that people saw him as an unstoppable force.

The moment the Depravita of Wrath appeared on the battlefield, the sense of certainty in victory would rise in their hearts, allowing them to unleash strength they didn’t even know they had. Morale was key in any battle and could lead to victory against impossible odds or defeat in the face of a weaker enemy.

After twenty minutes, Vlad finally felt his strength return to his body, his energy pool again burning with power, and his mind no longer burdened by stress. He rose from the ground and opened the door before speaking in a sharp voice. "Frank, your turn."

Immediately after Vlad uttered those words, the Royal Guard appeared inside the room and closed the door.

The first time Vlad interacted with Frank, the young man had been full of nervousness, and his physique was average at best. Yet now, his eyes burned with literal demonic flames, his muscles rippled, and his aura was that of a soldier who had faced death countless times. His hair was fiery red, a physical change due to the power of the demon soul inside his heart, much like Mirena’s transformation.

Vlad nodded to the man, a small smile forming as he saw how much Frank had improved. He signaled for him to move to the operation table.

The Royal Guard showed no hesitation before removing his armor, remaining in his underpants as he lay down on the table. His eyes were sharp, fully aware that the procedure would be painful, but his desire for power erased any other thought.

"A.I. Chip, help me with the Inferno Shatter Runic Set," Vlad instructed mentally, and the next second, the robotic voice of the A.I. Chip echoed in response.

[Beep! Task assigned.]

The Inferno Shatter Runic Set was designed to maximize the mage’s control over destructive fire, explosions, and magma, combining raw elemental force with explosive destruction. This would work perfectly to amplify the Gift and demon soul of the Royal Guard.

Vlad began the engraving process, his runic pen moving with precision over Frank’s skin. The first rune he inscribed was the core rune, Magma Heart, placed over Frank’s chest.

This rune infused the mage with the power to manipulate molten magma, allowing him to summon geysers of magma or launch flaming projectiles of molten rock. Each stroke was deliberate, channeling the energy flow into the right pathways.

Frank’s muscles tensed as he felt the burning sensation of the rune being etched into his skin, but he remained still, his determination unwavering.

Next, Vlad proceeded to the Runes of Firestorm, inscribed along Frank’s arms. These runes enhanced the mage’s ability to conjure devastating firestorms, covering vast areas with searing flames and explosive blasts. The intricate patterns swirled like flames, each line amplifying the destructive potential of his elemental powers.

Once that was completed, Vlad etched the Volcanic Eruption Rune on Frank’s back. This rune allowed the Royal Guard’s energy to erupt with immense power before entering a cooldown period.

Finally came the Explosion Rune, which enhanced the explosive component of all his attacks, making even the smallest rock as dangerous as a grenade. The complex symbols required the utmost concentration, but Vlad’s hands moved steadily, guided by the A.I. Chip’s precise calculations.

After the last runic line appeared, Vlad raised the runic pen, a broad smile forming. The Runic Set was flawless, and despite this being the third time he had crafted one—his first being his own Runic Set—his abilities had improved drastically. Although he was still fatigued, it wasn’t to the point where he needed to hide the urge to collapse from exhaustion.

Frank rose from the table once the Runic Set was completed. A wide smile appeared as he gazed at the runes, the fiery power within them shocking him. The young man felt that he could easily take down an entire town if he focused all his energy on a single strike.

"Thank you, my King," the Royal Guard said as he performed a bow toward Vlad before silently leaving the laboratory.

Vlad rested for roughly ten minutes before calling another Royal Guard. "Roman."

Immediately, the archer of the Royal Guard entered the room. His hair was long and green, while his sharp eyes resembled those of a hawk—physical characteristics brought on by his demon soul. Vlad did not waste time and signaled for the Royal Guard to lie on the table before taking up his runic pen.

"A.I. Chip, assist me this time with the Wind Piercer Runic Set."

[Beep! Task assigned.]

The Wind Piercer Set allowed the warrior to blend archery and wind manipulation, creating storms of arrows and moving like the wind itself to dominate the battlefield. If that was added to Roman’s Gift and demon soul, he could shoot from farther distances and with much greater power.

Vlad began the engraving process once more. The first rune was the core rune, Gale Feather Sigil, inscribed over Roman’s chest. This rune granted the ability to harness wind to enhance the speed and accuracy of arrows.

Roman remained still, his eyes focused ahead, fully aware of the importance of maintaining concentration during the procedure.

Next, Vlad etched the Runes of the Tempest Archer along Roman’s arms. These runes allowed the warrior to summon powerful gusts of wind, increasing the force and distance of his arrows while creating a storm of arrows that swirled in the wind. The patterns resembled swirling gusts, intricate and complex.

Then, Vlad inscribed the Cyclone Arrow Rune on Roman’s back. This rune created arrows that generated swirling cyclones upon impact, drawing in enemies and disrupting their movements while dealing continuous damage. The symbols intertwined seamlessly with the previous runes, completing the Runic Set.

Finally, he added the Windshield Rune along Roman’s legs. This rune allowed the warrior to summon walls of wind to block incoming projectiles, using air currents to defend while staying mobile. The lines flowed smoothly, the patterns elegant yet functional.

Once the last line was completed, Vlad stepped back, observing the intricate network of runes now engraved on Roman’s body. Exhaustion weighed on him, but satisfaction filled his heart.

"It’s done," Vlad announced softly.

Roman stood up from the table, feeling the wind swirling subtly around him. He flexed his fingers, sensing the enhanced connection with the air.

"Thank you, my King," Roman said, bowing respectfully.

Vlad nodded. "Rest and allow the runes to synchronize with your energy."

As Roman left the laboratory, Vlad allowed himself to sit down, taking deep breaths, the strain of the day finally catching up to him.