Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 576: The Mark of Cain (III)

Chapter 576: The Mark of Cain (III)

For the following two and a half months, Vlad’s routine was relentless and disciplined. He, along with Jormungandr, Ouroboros, and Fafnir, would march into the Howling Chasm, hunting Voroe Sages in brutal combat. After each successful battle, they would haul the corpses back to the Logistic Military Center, exchanging them for military credits, which Vlad would then invest into acquiring rare materials for the Mark of Cain Runic Set. Every forty-eight hours, he also engraved a Darkness-Devouring Runic Formation onto one of the many warriors under Marshal Maximo’s care, providing crucial healing to those affected by the chaotic energy of the Darkness.

This pattern repeated without fail. No distractions. No deviations. Just an endless cycle of battle, refinement, and growth, each step bringing Vlad closer to mastering his Runic abilities. His cultivation surged, his body grew tougher, and his skills as a Runic Master deepened to an unprecedented level.

Now, seated in his private quarters, Vlad’s sharp eyes scanned the hundreds of highly valuable runic materials laid out before him. He took a deep breath and began the refinement process. Hours passed in meticulous preparation, each material broken down and purified until, at last, five vials of liquid essence remained.

With absolute focus, clearing all thoughts from his mind, Vlad began.

His legendary runic pen glowed faintly as it carved the Laceration Rune into his forearms. Every line was drawn with impeccable precision, displaying mastery that had been honed through months of rigorous practice. This wasn’t just a matter of skill—Vlad now possessed a profound understanding of the very essence of Runic Energy, allowing him to inscribe with unparalleled clarity.

After one and a half hours, the Laceration Rune was complete. A small, satisfied smile crept onto Vlad’s face. He could already feel its power pulsing through his veins, but he did not allow himself to linger in admiration. Closing his eyes, he revolved his energy, washing away the mental strain and fatigue caused by the engraving process.

An hour later, Vlad opened his eyes and prepared the second vial, inserting it into his legendary runic pen.

Next came the Life Devour Rune, which was inscribed across his chest, its center positioned directly above his heart. The runic lines extended seamlessly across his torso, linking to his lungs, kidneys, liver, and stomach, ensuring a continuous flow of vitality throughout his vital organs. This rune would allow him to absorb life force from his enemies, sustaining him in prolonged battles.

Sweat trickled down Vlad’s forehead, his muscles trembled under the intense mental and physical strain, but he refused to falter. His breathing was ragged, but his hands never shook and his movements remained flawless every step of the way. Every stroke had to be perfect—failure was not an option.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Life Devour Rune was completed.

A wave of exhilaration surged through Vlad as the runes activated, channeling energy through his body. He clenched his fists, feeling the runic inscriptions harmonizing with his own essence. Once more, he closed his eyes to recover, resting for nearly one and a half hours before pressing on.

The third vial was prepared, and Vlad began the process of engraving the Enhanced Strength Runes. These runes, placed along his arms, served as a bridge between the Laceration Rune and Life Devour Rune, ensuring that his power, speed, and endurance worked in perfect synergy.

The complexity of this step was immense. Unlike the previous runes, which functioned independently, this required balancing three sets of inscriptions simultaneously. A single mistake could disrupt the delicate flow of power, rendering the entire engraving useless.

Pushing his focus to the absolute limit, Vlad raised his legendary runic pen and began.

Each movement was precise, measured, and deliberate. The tension in his body escalated to unbearable levels, yet he did not allow himself to falter. Hours passed, his breathing grew heavier, his vision blurred from exhaustion—but he pressed on.

Then, as he completed the final stroke, a brilliant flash of light erupted from his body. The Enhanced Strength Runes had fused seamlessly with the Laceration Rune and Life Devour Rune, completing yet another step toward true mastery.

Vlad exhaled sharply, feeling the raw power surging through his limbs. "Even in its incomplete form, this is already as strong as the Inferno Comet Runic Set," he mused, awe flickering in his eyes.

But there was no time for celebration—he calmed his mind, recovered his strength, and moved on to the fourth vial.

The Endurance Runes were next, inscribed along his thighs and calves, enhancing stamina, movement efficiency, and physical resilience. Though not as difficult as the previous engravings, these runes required perfect alignment with those on his chest.

A smirk crossed Vlad’s lips as he felt the Runic Set’s power gradually building, but his expression soon turned solemn. The final rune would be the greatest challenge of all.

The Mark.

The core of the Mark of Cain Runic Set. Unlike the other runes, which enhanced specific attributes, The Mark unified them all. Every rune fed into it, and in return, The Mark distributed its power throughout the entire body.

The inscription began in his hands, but its influence extended far beyond. The runic lines spread up his forearms, coursing through his chest, and extending all the way down to his legs.

Vlad picked up the final vial. Just glancing at it made him grimace—the wealth he had spent procuring the materials for this single inscription was astronomical, greater than the cost of an entire Sage Tier armor set.

With his mind sharpened to its peak, and the A.I. Chip aiding his focus, Vlad began. The legendary runic pen moved in perfect harmony with his energy, etching impossibly thin, intricate lines that were invisible to anyone below the Guardian Tier.

As the lines intertwined, a fearsome symbol emerged—one that could strike fear into even the hearts of Sages. The power of the Mark would enhance the entire Runic Set and would also spread through every weapon in Vlad’s hand, enhancing their destructive power.