Power of Runes Chapter 1 1: Transmigration

The world around Ash faded away after he defeated the ultimate boss creature in the game Apocalypse Online.

"I did it.....I really pulled it off," he whispered, his grin stretching so broadly that his cheeks ached while he fought back a burst of laughter.

Golden words hovered in the air surrounding him, with "Victory" appearing everywhere in radiant splendor.

{You are the first person to complete the game}

{First clear reward will be given}

Ash bounced in place, overflowing with thrill.

The launch of the world's inaugural full-immersion VR game plunged the entire planet into frenzy.

The game's visuals were utterly lifelike, just like the sensations of pain.

Even the developers behind it were stunned by the massive triumph of their invention.

Apocalypse Online turned into a worldwide phenomenon, enjoyed by all sorts— including a 20-year-old jobless orphan such as Ash.

Within the game, players could dive into spells and countless escapades impossible in everyday reality.

Yet the biggest draw was the company's pledge of an astonishing prize for the initial clearer: 10% ownership in the firm.

"Picture all that cash I'll rake in, no more financial headaches for the rest of my days"

However, over the five years following the release, the promise had slipped from most people's minds since toppling the boss proved incredibly tough.

Ash just barely kept himself from leaping out of his VR setup and prancing through his space.

Yet his joy didn't endure long,

{First clear reward: 'WISH'}

{You can wish for anything, it will be granted}

His sly smile wavered, the spark of playfulness in his gaze dimming to a remote, empty look.

"This some kind of prank?" he grumbled,

The ensuing quiet only solidified it, thick and oppressive.

"Damn."

His tone shook with irritation, fingers balling up tightly.

"Those bastards... Do they honestly find this amusing? Stringing something like this along?"

Rage flared in his core, but not the motivating blaze—it was the sort that tore at him from within, powerless and intense.

He ground his teeth, his speech now tinged with resentment.

"Naturally, it's merely entertainment for folks like them. The rich and influential, with every advantage to turn another's existence into their twisted amusement."

Reality's burden settled as his posture sagged.

Yielding to the letdown, he released a deep, weary breath.

"I can't touch them at all," he conceded, his words scarcely audible, "In this reality, wealth and influence rule supreme. And I'm short on both."

Ash understood the harshness of the world—he'd seen it up close, orphaned at 10 after losing his folks.

He had endured bully—

{Speak your wish}

Ash snorted, "Yeah, right. If it's feasible, just send me to another world—every light novel fan's fantasy", sarcasm saturating his voice.

"Maybe I ought to sue for the mental distress from this joke" he grumbled.

The trick had snuffed out his elation, prompting him to exit the game and brag about his pioneering victory on the forums.

His form blurred as he departed the virtual realm.

Back in the prize chamber, right after Ash logged out, a robotic tone announced,

{Analysis of Ash Burn's memories is completed.....searching for suitable world according to wishes.... ????....grants you another chance in life.}

{Your wish is being fulfilled}

**

"Ugh...I need to quit these all-night gaming marathons, my body's aching badly"

Ash stirred awake in his bed, scrubbing at his eyes,

He couldn't figure out why exhaustion gripped him so hard upon rising from res—

His frame went rigid,

Sleep?

When did that happen?

I'd been gaming nonstop, so I ought to be in the VR unit, not sprawled here.

A ominous feeling swelled within him.

Glancing about, he noted his surroundings had totally shifted.

It remained a compact single-room flat, yet the gadgets seemed worlds apart from his norm.

The overhead surface emitted a gentle glow sans any fixtures, one surface cycled hues, projecting updates, forecasts, and drifting celestial patterns that responded to his movements. The cooking unit—or its equivalent—vibrated subtly, preheated and ready.

He dashed to the lavatory, halting abruptly before the reflector.

The reflection showed a stranger's visage—thin, underfed, and notably youthful. Still, refined, graceful lines emerged amid the deprivation.

Silvery-white locks replaced his typical dark ones.

His gaze now held a heavenly azure hue, not the standard ebony.

Above all else, he sensed diminutiveness; his 20-year-old build had vanished, supplanted by a 12-year-old lad gaping back in bewilderment.

**

It required a full week for Ash to accept his transmigration as fact.

For if it were simulated reality or a developer hoax, his true form would have perished from neglect sans sustenance or hydration,

Yet here he thrived, unscathed after seven days.

Delving into his fresh persona, Ash gleaned essential details about his situation.

He resided in housing supplied by the authorities, known as the Human Association.

His guardians perished in a dungeon outbreak, though he endured, being at school then.

In spite of the trials, Ash held onto positivity.

This realm, brimming with sorcery and exploits, outshone his former dull existence.

Initially, Ash relished the prospect of a fresh start amid enchantment, labyrinths, and myriad marvels.

However,

Despair hit when he pondered landing in a realm bereft of any golden finger.

He'd attempted it all, yelling 'System', 'Status', stashing loaves in corners, chanting amid circular trots—every gimmick, yet zilch occurred.

"If disappointment hits me solely for lacking an instant cheat, I'm just a quitter," he proclaimed.

Yet, what stunned him deepest was discovering this vessel's moniker was also...ASH BURN.

Numerous doubts and queries swirled in his thoughts,

Is this transmigration mere chance?

Who devised a game capable of truly bestowing wishes?

Am I the sole transmigrator?

Plenty of inquiries, zero resolutions.

"Had I realized this was legit, I'd have requested differently..." he grumbled sourly, shaking his head.

He ceased dwelling on pointless matters, aware alteration was impossible now,

Shoving queries aside, he resorted to the prime means for world intel:

Internet

"Wow, this realm's web velocity....it's way quicker and seamless."

This plane's tech surpassed Earth's by far.

As he browsed the local net, a listing snagged his attention.

[STARLIGHT ACADEMY ENTRANCE EXAM]

The title rang a bell, though he couldn't place it,

Accessing the entry, he perused the contents.

___

Announcement for Aspiring Awakeners

To all Awakeners in the age group of 11 to 12:

If you possess potential to become A rank hunter or higher, you are eligible to apply for Entrance Exam into the Human Continent's most prestigious institution—Starlight Academy.

Starlight Academy is renowned for cultivating the brightest minds and strongest talents, preparing its students to face the challenges of the ever-changing world.

Entrance Examination Details:

-The entrance test will be conducted to evaluate your potential.

-Test details are confidential and will only be disclosed on the day of the examination.

This is your chance to prove yourself and earn your place among the Rising stars. Awaken your full potential at Starlight Academy!!!!

Application Deadline: [ 15 march, Year 5031]

**

His gaze raced over the text repeatedly, his pulse thundering like battle beats,

He verified the current date on his device,

[ 14 February, Year 5031]

He trembled,

Blending terror and eagerness.

Eagerness stemmed from recognition of his location.

He inhabited the tale 'Heavens Favorite-Wrath of Gods.'

The narrative kicked off with the elite Starlight Academy Entrance Exam, and Ash had entered precisely one month prior to the kickoff.

Relief washed over him, chased by intense thrill.

"I finally know where I am."

He balled his hands, heart racing with zeal. At last, a route lay ahead—a means to build might.

"I can rise to power... I can reshape my destiny using foreknowledge."

For the initial instance since landing, optimism kindled within.

But that spark of optimism snuffed out swiftly.

This transcended his personal destiny now—

A wry smirk curled Ash's mouth, his face etched with self-derision,

for he recognized,

"This world is doomed for destruction."

**

The tale "Heavens Favorite-Wrath of Gods", stood as a standard Fantasy yarn.

It featured dungeons, magic, diverse classes, and an array of gifts and skills, culminating in a SYSTEM.

The central hero wielded a system allowing purchases of affinities, gear, arms, elixirs, and even Traits,

As if that weren't sufficient, he entered life with an EX Rank Trait ,

"Fucking Cheat Like Bastard"

Following a figure's path delights until the narrative turns tangible, forcing rivalry with the leads.

Despite his might, the realm fell to ruin from his sheer idiocy

During reads, he lambasted the writer for such an embarrassing arc and gaped upon learning the world's end stemmed from naught but—

Greed for power.

The lead surged too potent, too swiftly, solely to slay the Demon King, the invader plaguing Akumia.

His meteoric ascent, potent enough to fell the demon king, drew eyes from The Angels, haughty entities deeming demon affairs trivial, thus permitting chaos across realms.

Yet, they grew curious about the source of his prowess.

The true origin of his might was the system—a cheat entity transforming a grudge-bearing orphan, bent on revenging his kin and village slaughtered by demons, into an inexorable powerhouse.

The system served as his light in darkness, his compass amid woe.

But...

"The world could have been saved if he hadn't mentioned the runes to them."

Ash tsked in annoyance, grumbling, "Dumbass MC."

Had the lead credited his abilities to innate gifts alone.

Certainly, doubts might arise, but lacking proof, The Angels lacked cause to eye Akumia.

Yet revealing the runes, he unwittingly doomed it all.

With over half the Runes residing here.

They yielded to avarice, igniting war post-Demon King's defeat.

Thus the realm crumbled, compelling the MC to flee to another dimension alongside his harem.

**

Runes

Angels, demons, and myriad entities spanning planets and dimensions recognized Runes as mighty innate artifacts of boundless might, yet none could tap even a fraction of their force.

Not a soul knew Rune locations or origins, for a Rune might manifest as stone, tome, fabric, blade—any form.

No set contour defined a Rune.

Gradually, Rune lore faded.

The yarn itself omitted their genesis.

Even discoveries yielded no activation, fusion methods unknown.

Save for the foolish MC and Demon King; the latter bonded via an ancient site's rite.

That very motive fixed his gaze on Akumia.

To hoard more runes.

And the System aided Ray in Rune fusion,

Still, Ray Dawson, the lead, couldn't wholly wield the Power of the Runes.

He tapped merely passive boons.

Even those passives proved extraordinarily potent.

He turned fugitive across the cosmos, spurning disclosure of Rune Fusion to Angels and kin.

Even Ash lacked full tale grasp, the volume unfinished.

"But now, there's me—the one who knows how to fuse with the Runes."

"I will collect them before the MC"

"That way the cause of destruction can be extinguished"

"First lets see how my 'STATUS' looks"

In this world every Awakened has a 'Status Window', they can check their progress in the Status.

Nothing more, Nothing less.

'Status'

Ash called in his mind,

But nothing happened,

"Wait... shouldn't it appear by now?"

He tried again, this time speaking out loud.

"Status."

Nothing.

A heavy premonition rose in his heart.

Did I not awaken?

But then, a theory formed in his mind.

What if the status wasn't just a command, but something he had to connect with?

Closing his eyes, he focused inward, searching for something—anything—that felt different within him.

There.

A faint pulse of energy, a thread-like presence.

He latched onto it, his mind locking onto the connection.

Then, with clarity, he willed the word:

'Status.'

Ding!!!!

A screen flashed before his eyes, glowing with soft blue light.

**