Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 358: Rune Knights?

Chapter 358: Rune Knights?

The design was intricate, representing the transformation of mana into elemental force. Vlad’s strokes were deliberate, guided by the A.I. Chip’s precise calculations.

Next, Vlad worked on the Flame Tempest Rune, engraving it along Jormungandr’s tail. This rune would increase the speed at which fire spells were cast and allow for faster accumulation of heat and combustion energy.

The patterns flowed gracefully, embodying a blazing tempest’s swift and relentless nature. Vlad’s movements were fluid, each line perfectly connected, leaving no flaw in its path.

He proceeded to inscribe the Thunderclap Rune behind Jormungandr’s ears, reaching all the way to the back of his head. This rune would enhance the speed and reaction time of lightning spells, making them strike more swiftly and with greater precision.

The symbols were sharp and angular, reflecting the sudden strike of thunder. Vlad maintained unwavering focus, ensuring the rune’s flawless integration.

Then, Vlad etched the Elemental Harmony Rune over Jormungandr’s heart. This rune would perfectly balance the interaction between fire and lightning spells, allowing the small yellow cat to cast both elements in rapid succession without losing potency.

The design intertwined flames and lightning bolts, symbolizing the seamless fusion of the two elements. Vlad took extra care with this rune, knowing its importance in harmonizing Jormungandr’s abilities.

While the small yellow cat had always been able to fire lightning-infused flames, that was merely merging two elemental forces. However, fusing them into a single power was much more complicated and would grant far greater destructive might.

Finally, Vlad inscribed the Blazing Storm Rune along Jormungandr’s sides. This rune would infuse fire and lightning spells with an extra burst of elemental energy, amplifying their effects even further upon impact.

The patterns were bold and dynamic, representing the unleashed fury of a storm. As Vlad completed the last line, a surge of energy pulsed through the room, and the entire Runic Set glowed for a few seconds, a massive amount of energy bursting through the runic lines.

Stepping back, Vlad exhaled deeply, and a broad smile appeared on his face as he saw the runes had been engraved flawlessly.

"It’s done," Vlad said quietly.

Jormungandr opened his eyes, a fiery glow emanating from them. The pain had been immense, but that mattered little. The sensation of enormous power coursing through his flesh and blood was all that mattered. The runes shimmered briefly before fading beneath his fur.

"Thank you, Boss," the small yellow cat communicated through the A.I. Chip. "I can already feel the difference."

Vlad offered a weary but satisfied smile. "You deserve it. Had it not been for your presence in the explosive mountain battlefield, who knows how many would have perished."

The small yellow cat didn’t offer any words of false humility. He had indeed pushed himself beyond his limits during the battle of the explosive mountain, so he simply sat on the table and rested, allowing the energy of the runic set to adapt to his body and wash away the pain from the process.

Meanwhile, Vlad finally allowed himself to rest properly. All the Runic Sets had been a massive success, which was fortunate since he had consumed nearly all the high-end resources at his disposal, so there was no room for mistakes.

Vlad fell into a profound sleep for nearly eight hours before finally opening his eyes, his body feeling full of strength and rejuvenated. Although he could last several days without sleep, that didn’t mean he didn’t need or appreciate it. However, no matter how good the rest was, he couldn’t allow himself to indulge in it, knowing many tasks still awaited him.

He stood up from the ground, a sharp light appearing in his eyes as he spoke to the small yellow cat. "Let’s go."

Jormungandr had been training while Vlad rested. He stared at the young man and adopted an equally solemn gaze as they exited the runic laboratory. The two walked side by side, their footsteps echoing softly in the underground corridors.

The Depravita of Wrath and the Depravita of Gluttony focused on the energy pool as they approached it. The pool glowed with a sharp intensity, and the amount of energy flowing through it to the rest of the city reached immense levels. Despite the massive expenditure, it kept growing more potent due to the enormous amount of Divine Force around the dark halo.

Vlad took a deep breath as he walked toward the energy pool, staring at it for a moment before speaking. "It’s time to discuss my project."

As soon as Vlad said those words, the presence of Overlord flooded the underground level. The air seemed to hum with latent energy as the A.I. Chip Clone manifested its awareness.

"Yes, Prime Master," Overlord responded, its voice echoing softly yet distinctly. "What do you seek my help with? Weapons, armor, new explosive devices?"

The A.I. Chip Clone understood that if Vlad wanted his help and that of Jormungandr, it would be related to some sort of device that would aid them against the Leviathans, likely involving their abilities as Genetic Coders, Alchemy Masters, and Rune Masters.

The small yellow cat also focused on the young man, just as curious about Vlad’s plan as the A.I. Chip Clone.

Vlad showed a small smile; Overlord was not wrong. He had a weapon in mind, but one much more unique than a bomb or a sword. He could see the curiosity in the small yellow cat and the A.I. Chip Clone, but instead of immediately providing an answer, he posed a question.

"You two should already be aware of something called Rune Knights," Vlad began.

Both Jormungandr and the A.I. Chip were indeed familiar with Rune Knights. Rune Knights were warriors reinforced with powerful runes etched into their bodies and armor. These runes amplified their strength, speed, and magical abilities, but the true core of their power was the synergy between their numbers and abilities. By giving the same runic set to fifty warriors, they could unleash a barrage that transformed them into nearly unstoppable combatants.