Power of Runes Chapter 402: Expectations

"You son of a b%itch"

Silence.

Total and complete quiet enveloped the area, as though the very atmosphere had turned to ice from those harsh words.

Yet that quiet didn't endure.

{What did you say?}

A baffling force abruptly crushed Ash from every direction before he could utter another word, stifling any remaining rebellion in his voice.

He got forced face-down onto the surface, a crushing weight pinning him there, like the surrounding void had hardened and deemed him unworthy of rising.

{Forget whatever I planned to tell you—I'll reshape you first. As one who bears Runes, you should possess a mentality unlike the rest, a perspective that embraces all and none, looking past selfish desires and petty feelings. But from what everyone observes, you're merely a arrogant, self-centered youth obsessed solely with your own interests.}

{If you believe you're unique, allow me to shatter that illusion. You're worthless. Your worth is zero. You're simply a piece, shifted across this game board by others' schemes, thinking you're forging your own way without noticing the forces pulling your strings.}

{Without the riches and wisdom you obtained from outside influences, what do you truly possess? Even the understanding you hold came from external means, and the abilities you wield are gifts from beyond. What belongs to you alone? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.}

{Did you assume your Transmigration into this realm was mere chance?}

{Did you figure gaining the Unique trait was pure fortune?}

{Did you suppose it was just luck that your former life's supposed partner also arrived in this world?}

{Or do you truly think your Transmigration or Unique trait alone warped your soul into its present state, with no hidden hand guiding it?}

{Random events might occur once or twice, but when they pile up relentlessly, it's no accident—it's a plot.}

{And how did you respond to all this? You did zilch. You embraced denial, never probing further, never truly investing in anything. You acted like a brooding tyrant indifferent to all, unaware you were dancing to the tune of invisible manipulators.}

{That must end now; you have to alter your outlook, or else... we'll compel the change. Shed your cocoon of self-absorption, and view the world through new eyes, those of a Rune bearer, for only then... will you truly become the ^%&@#^% }

{Do you grasp your position at last?}

The tone held a trace of fury, as though vexed by Ash's conduct. It was maddening to witness something evolve from frail to mighty, pouring effort and hope into it, only to face letdown in its ultimate form.

Right then, Ash required a harsh awakening.

At that moment, Ash—who had been absorbing it all without reaction until now—attempted to rise, rejecting total submission to those cutting remarks. Yet despite his efforts, he couldn't lift himself. The force showed no mercy, as if intentionally enforcing his lowly status.

Still, he just managed to lift his gaze from the ground, directing it toward the pale expanse above, where he sensed the voice originated, his stare blazing with fury and reluctance.

"Wh– who are y– you to... to claim I’m— I’m nothing...?

I d– did... everything... everything possible just to make it through...

I d– died... countless times...

I t– tortured myself... solely to acquire the strength I now hold...

I e– endured... that isolation... every bit of it... just to arrive at this point... where I stand...

And y– you...

You lack the authority... to d– dictate... how I choose to live...

And wh– where... where was your so-called mindset... when you merely observed... as I shattered...

Wh– where were you... when I craved guidance... from anyone... as my form ripped apart to keep going...

You w– weren’t there... you weren’t present when my bones seemed to shatter under the strain... when my sight faded... when blood flooded my throat and I compelled myself to rise...

So d– don’t... don’t presume now to declare me mistaken...

If anyone b– believes I’m mistaken... let them endure my existence... let them endure the inferno I faced... let them sense their flesh tear, their thoughts splinter, their spirit toughen bit by bit...

I pr– promise you... the majority wouldn’t last...

And those who might... they w– won’t return as they were... they’ll return hollow... beasts indifferent to all...

Even the tiny... wretched remnant of ethics... of humanness... that lingers in me... they w– wouldn’t retain that...

And despite everything... you still s– say... I possess nothing...?"

Heh... he..hehe...

Go... go fuck yourself...

I don’t give a damn about anything... not one blasted thing...

Pawn...? Me...? Haha... haha...

I’d relish seeing anyone attempt to shift me like a token on their petty game...

If only failure awaits ahead... then I’ll smash the board... I’ll overturn it... break it apart... and slay the supposed foe with my bare hands...

Heha... haha..."

His chuckles broke midway, voice hoarse, chest aflame as every inhale felt like grinding over shattered shards.

"And you demand my respect...? Merely because you’re the Will of a Rune...? Heh!!

Respect must be won... not tossed like crumbs to the desperate...

To hell with your doctrines... your ideals... your vast scheme... I renounce them all...!!!! "

His shout erupted fiercely and jagged, the outburst rattling his ethereal shape.

His see-through form wavered erratically, its borders warping as though battling an invisible force.

"I WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL TO MYSELF... REGARDLESS OF YOUR ACTIONS!!!!!!!!!!"

The declaration sliced the void like a bold challenge to battle.

Then his energy drained away.

His sight dimmed. The realm spun. The blaze within him sputtered once... twice...

And prior to his rebellion's resonance dying out, blackness engulfed him entirely.

He slipped into unconsciousness.

Quiet blanketed the vast white emptiness, extending without limit, devoid of noise or motion.

And amid that quiet, a faint laugh resounded, laced with approval, gentle but distinct in the void.

{Rune of Truth : Tsk! Tsk!! Tsk!!! I admire him increasingly...he's bold and rebellious, merely impulsive and requiring sound direction to temper that self-destructive streak. He even swears in our presence, that unyielding arrogance is both his asset and his weakness.}

{Rune of Knowledge : As I warned!! Though you embody Truth, you harbor doubts yourself. There was no reason to probe him so severely. He's endured plenty already, yet you pressed harder to verify the obvious.}

{Rune of Balance : I'm eager for his form to finish forming, so I can reveal more abilities. Hey Truth, urge him to grasp me deeper.. lacking balance, his progress will only lead to downfall.}

{Rune of Stability : Keep away Balance, you obsess over equilibrium without grasping basics. Better he delves into me instead... stability will let him endure when all else crumbles.}

{Rune of Life : What nonsense are you spouting? He requires me above all, with his life cycle expanding, he needs greater insight into me for enhanced healing.. without my aid, his daring physique won't last to mature.}

{Rune of Death : All of you just perish!! Ultimately, it's me who greets him no matter what.}

{Rune of Harmony : Come now, stop bickering like kids. Trust proves unreliable, frankly... if Ash had only reached 1% comprehension of me, he wouldn't face such brutality.... all would proceed more smoothly.}

{Rune of Space : It's wise he grasped Truth initially, he must confront his buried pains and fully heal them to prevent exploitation... unhealed scars are the simplest vulnerabilities.}

{Rune of Time : Precisely. Time approaches relentlessly. Ready or not, it won't pause for him.}

{Rune of Concealment : Truth, he must prioritize me most, concealing his presence post-formation above all. Insist he does. Once whole, attention will seek him out.}

{Rune of Wish : Could you all quiet down for one moment? I'm unfinished, let me rest damn it!!!!}

The pale void stayed hushed, yet the atmosphere no longer seemed vacant.

It brimmed with invisible entities, each with its distinct intent, its own hopes, all centered on the inert form sprawled across the boundless space.

***