Power of Runes Chapter 404: A milestone

A full week had elapsed since Ash returned from the illusion summoned by the Rune of Truth. Throughout those seven days, he anticipated that the Rune of Truth might reach out to him once more, perhaps to challenge him further or simply to comment on the previous events. However, no such communication occurred.

In that period, he meticulously inspected his personal condition. As he evaluated his advancement, he noticed that once his grasp of the Rune of Truth hit 1%, the power of his Eye of Omniscience skill had intensified.

This transformation was not subtle or merely perceptual. It manifested evidently in the figures and the manner in which data streamed into his thoughts.

To his satisfaction, the earlier 0.01% insight he obtained by applying his abilities to the Runes had elevated to 0.1%.

Though the gap involved just one digit, it represented a vast disparity akin to the difference between heaven and earth. This wasn't merely a quantitative adjustment but a profound enhancement in proficiency that substantially shortened the duration needed for mastery.

Primarily, far less effort would be demanded to grasp the Runes. Previously, starting from zero, he would have needed nearly 1687 years to achieve 1%, but now, it would take only about 119 years to reach 1% of the entire Rune.

The contrast was immense, like heaven and earth. Considering the external world's timeline, that equated to roughly one month for 1% comprehension of the full Rune.

Overpowered.

Utterly overpowered.

That single thought dominated his mind. Rather than anxiety, a thrill surged through him. The lingering resentment toward the Rune's will faded away silently, overtaken by exhilaration at this tremendous edge.

Ash reflected with a pleased grin, his prior irritation melting away almost shamefully quickly in the face of these gains.

He reviewed his status panel as well, noting that his external body was developing magnificently. Following the heart's creation, veins—or more precisely, mana veins—started extending from it. They spread slowly, dividing and forming with meticulous accuracy, establishing a system that would eventually channel his strength. The framework remained solid and organized, showing no hints of disruption.

Overall, progress was smooth. Based on the pace of body assembly, he estimated ample time remained in his Soul Space before completion.

Therefore, wasting no moment, Ash briefly conferred with Eric and directed him on a specific task.

Upon hearing those directives, Eric stared at Ash in utter astonishment, as though he'd encountered an inconceivable notion, his gaze expanding and his stance rigid with incredulity.

"You're serious?" Eric inquired deliberately, seeming to wish for a mishearing.

Ash merely affirmed with a nod and restated his guidance composedly, outlining the broad approach and necessary actions. His voice stayed firm, brooking no uncertainty.

After Ash's additional reassurance, a spark of optimism kindled in the Unicorn Prince's core. It was tentative, yet present, gleaming subtly in his expression.

Having provided the overall guidance and resolved all required details, Ash departed without delay.

He pivoted and plunged back into meditation, channeling his focus with fresh resolve.

Before long, 119 years slipped by.

In that span, Ash mastered an additional percent of the Rune of Truth, elevating his overall understanding to 2%. The extended duration within his Soul Space felt productive. Every glyph he decoded embedded itself calmly in his consciousness, as though etching into his essence.

**

[Rune Comprehension]

Rune of Space - 0.000000772% (0/25,920 glyph)

Rune of Truth - 2.008% (520/25,920 glyph)

Rune of Balance - 0.000000386% (0/25,920 glyph)

**

A sum of 520 Runes had been mastered by Ash. Viewed differently, this equated to grasping a single Runic symbol from the True Rune.

This particular Runic symbol revolves entirely around the idea of 'Witness'.

It bestows the power to observe all forms of truths, be they obscured, distorted, or intentionally masked.

Regarding its application, the response hinges on ingenuity. Integrating this symbol with fitting glyphs, Ash could forge an item and engrave it thereon. Such an item might enable users to detect concealed truths and nuances invisible to ordinary sight. Deceptions, hidden motives, camouflaged arrays, or even minor flaws in existence could be revealed, contingent on its design.

This served as a basic illustration, capturing its core function. A symbol's real capabilities rely on its pairings and implementations.

Upon reaching 2% mastery of the Rune of Truth, Ash paused and opted to shift to a different Rune. On this occasion, he selected the Rune of Knowledge.

Where Truth permitted observation, Knowledge would enable comprehension of the observed.

With that, he resumed his study.

Time flowed onward, decades and ages unfolding in quiet progression, undisturbed save for the gradual expansion of insight in his psyche.

Amid this, Ash persisted in his studies and occasionally paused to contemplate future developments for his Weapon Art and Movement Art.

The epochs in the Soul Space stretched endlessly, yet his intellect remained active. As one facet unraveled glyph by glyph, another methodically strategized.

He possessed a rough outline for progression: employing the Runes as the foundation to craft the Weapon Art and Movement Art.

The lines of diverse glyphs and runes might serve as the motions of weaponry.

Wielding the weapon through the atmosphere like inscribing a rune mid-air, infused with nuanced awareness of their significance and form, he could generate endless variations and yield boundless outcomes.

His ambition loomed grand, but surrender wasn't his way. He believed that such a Weapon Art would prove inimitable, barring Rune comprehension by others.

Which proved impossible, as the Runes belonged solely to Ash. Even mimicry of surface actions would yield hollow mimics without glyph essence.

He applied a similar principle to the Movement Art, though uncertainty lingered on whether to channel internal energy flows as Rune strokes for motion, or execute precise lower-body shifts for effect.

Internal flows would render it more discreet and elegant, while external actions could amplify expression and sync better with weaponry.

Each approach offered strengths and weaknesses.

Nevertheless, Ash merely outlined strategies. Execution awaited mastery of multiple glyphs across Runes, ensuring a robust base for these innovations.

And so he proceeded over 3570 years.

Including the prior 1687 years, Ash invested a total of 5257 years to attain results he deemed sufficient for initiating endeavors like Weapon Art and Movement Art creation.

His Rune Comprehension display now appeared thus:

**

[Rune Comprehension]

Rune of Space - 1.003% (260/25,920 glyph)

Rune of Truth - 2.008% (520/25,920 glyph)

Rune of Balance - 2.008% (520/25,920 glyph)

Rune of Knowledge - 4.012% (1040/25,920 glyph)

Rune of Life - 5.324% (1380/25,920 glyph)

Rune of Death - 5.324% (1380/25,920 glyph)

Rune of Time - 1.003% (260/25,920 glyph)

Rune of Harmony - 6.019% (1560/25,920 glyph)

Rune of Concealment - 1.003% (260/25,920 glyph)

Rune of Stability - 2.008% (520/25,920 glyph)

Rune of Wish - 2.008% (520/25,920 glyph)

**

Across these years, Ash advanced to study each Rune, yielding the listed achievements. He avoided hasty fixation on one, nor limited himself to a single route. Rather, he progressed methodically across them, leaving none entirely neglected.

A full tally would approximate 31%. Meaning, had he concentrated solely on one Rune, he might have attained 30 to 31% in that alone by now.

Yet that would have left the others unexplored.

Indeed, Ash desired full 100% mastery of the Rune of Truth to dramatically boost his learning rate thereafter. Logically, devoting all to Truth appeared optimal, as its completion could passively hasten other pursuits. Still, he abandoned that notion.

Why?

Merely because, upon hitting 1% of the Rune of Knowledge, he encountered its Will. Though insights were limited—brief words before expulsion back to his Soul Space—those utterances bore profound implications Ash couldn't disregard.

Initially, a caution against the Dark Sea emerged. Its meaning eluded him entirely. The phrase evoked dread and importance, but further queries went unanswered by the Rune.

Next, instructions urged comprehending every Rune prior to body completion, however minimally. The priority was explicit: not deep focus on one, but initial contact with all before a deadline.

Finally, revelations surfaced about the Runes' seals and prior non-communication. He gleaned why awakening occurred now. Their earlier quietude stemmed not from void, but from bonds.

Ash must elevate Rune comprehension to liberate the sealed ones fully.

Beyond that, conditions for wielding true Rune power aligned curiously with unsealing requirements.

Which involved 100% comprehension, a resilient body to wield Rune might, and a third stipulation withheld. Per the Rune of Knowledge, he had fulfilled this final one unknowingly.

But inquiries on sealers, Rune origins, the cosmos, and more met silence. No response followed, and Ash soon reappeared in his Soul Space.

Thereafter, Ash pursued other Runes, yet no further Wills emerged to converse.

***