Power of Runes Chapter 405: Rune Ranking

Besides those aspects, Ash needed to remember two additional issues, neither of which was minor.

This meant that once his understanding of a specific Rune hit 10%, that Rune could connect with Ash whenever it wanted. No special activation or set limit like the initial 1% would be necessary anymore.

In some ways, this proved incredibly useful for Ash, since getting straight advice from Runes held great worth, though it all hinged on whether the Runes chose to assist him.

He also discovered another key detail: upon hitting particular levels of understanding, specific challenges had to be faced.

Typically, each Rune came with three such challenges, triggered at 33.33%, 66.66%, and 99.99%.

These percentages weren't chosen at random; they served as set markers for major shifts in quality, beyond mere increases in quantity.

However, the Rune of Truth skipped waiting for 33.33% and launched its trial right at 1%, which was obviously unusual. Yet this irregularity also implied that Ash could skip the trial at 33.33% for the Rune of Truth, as the initial hurdle had been cleared through an unexpected method.

Ash had no clue why the Rune acted that way. Based on his knowledge, if a Rune really intended to challenge its host, it could start a trial at any moment. It all came down to the Rune's own intent.

Nevertheless, the purpose behind such trials remained clear: there were two main reasons for them.

One aimed to check if the successor deserved to carry the Rune. The other sought to harden their determination and outlook into something that could hold everything or nothing at all.

These weren't just strength checks; they acted as molding experiences.

Therefore, considering the 25 Runes, Ash faced the prospect of 75 trials to shape a mind and spirit capable of embracing all or nothing.

Regarding the true nature of this all and nothing, Ash held his own theories, but nothing was confirmed. He had no choice but to press on and uncover its essence through his own path.

Yet claiming that these insights summed up everything he gained over those endless years would be untrue.

After delving into the Runes, Ash grasped one more crucial element.

And that was...

The hierarchy among the Runes.

Truth be told, no one revealed the hierarchy to him. No Rune clarified it.

Ash pieced it together himself by examining the details at hand and spotting trends during his studies. It could be wrong, but he felt 80% confident, given how stark the variations in depth and intricacy stood out between certain Runes.

Ash categorized and ordered the Runes into three levels.

Tier 1 : Harmony, Truth, Knowledge, Wish.

Tier 2 : Life, Death, Space, Time.

Tier 3 : Stability, Balance, Concealment.

With Tier 1 at the top and Tier 3 at the bottom.

This order stemmed from the volume of ideas and insights each Rune held. Despite every Rune featuring 72 Runic symbols and each symbol containing 360 glyphs, equality in substance or profundity wasn't guaranteed.

Not all Runic symbols or glyphs matched; the knowledge and data they held varied by Rune. Certain glyphs appeared straightforward at first glance, whereas others felt multi-layered, with one idea concealing another.

For instance, the knowledge in a single glyph from the Rune of Stability differed vastly from one in the Rune of Truth.

The Truth glyph bore wider-reaching ideas and stronger links between notions, whereas the Stability glyph seemed narrower in reach. This gap even affected the time needed for understanding them.

Ash figured that greater knowledge within a Rune equaled greater power. That reasoning fueled his classification.

Still, his confidence sat at only 80%, since deeper layers in the Tier 3 Runes might unfold and show more as his comprehension advanced.

What appeared smaller at early stages might evolve into something more substantial.

"So much time has passed....lets see what Eric is doing....."

Ash whispered to himself while emerging from the Soul Tree's shadows, his pace deliberate and measured, like someone easing back into motion after ages of quiet reflection.

Right then, a change caught his attention.

"Hmm? Is this.....mana...?"

Ash's face shifted noticeably as he sensed energy seeping into his Soul Space, grazing his awareness like a soft stream gliding over calm waters.

Only now did he fully survey his surroundings and note the subtle alterations in his Soul Space. The ebony waters beneath his feet seemed more profound and inky, ready to devour any light. The overhead sky gleamed with pure azure, boundless and impeccable.

Yet the overall mood carried a deeper gloom, as if under some immense shadow, while light persisted enough to reveal all details clearly, like a truce between shadow and glow.

Above all, the Soul Tree loomed even grander now. It had already surpassed the World Tree in scale before, but this version felt like two World Trees merged, its trunk bulkier, branches extending farther, its aura overwhelming the whole area.

It towered immensely.

"The Soul Tree size has shadowed the light coming from the azure sky, but still its own light has illuminated the whole space....."

A subtle radiance emanated from its bark and limbs, gentle yet constant, washing over the Soul Space and shimmering softly on the murky waters underneath.

In truth, the entire vista was captivating, straight out of a dreamlike tale, the kind whispered in myths but now vivid and real before his eyes.

And crucially, he detected an energy saturating the area. It wasn't mana...Ash puzzled over it initially, since the feel differed. It struck him as far too pristine and potent compared to mana, thicker and purer, like mana served as a watered-down version of this force.

Over those 3000+ years, Ash never ventured from the Runes' domain, so he remained unaware of the shifts he'd undergone or how profoundly his being had evolved in seclusion.

Though intrigued, he held off on viewing the status window for the moment.

The idea of Snow waiting alone out there for years stirred a twinge of worry in him, despite knowing time passed differently for her and that she remained secure.

Even so, he resolved to assess the situation here before delving into other matters.

So, after absorbing the views around, Ash headed to the library first. Upon witnessing its condition...Ash stood dumbfounded....

"What the hell? Did a storm came here or what....?"

Books lay strewn everywhere, some splayed open as though hastily browsed. Others got tossed about recklessly, edges a bit creased, while stacks teetered in haphazard heaps threatening to topple. Sheets of paper and elaborate diagrams crammed with intricate designs and odd motifs littered the space, hinting at prolonged, frantic study or scheming without respite.

Indeed, Ash sensed he wasn't in a library anymore, but like stepping into a mad inventor's workshop, where chaos reigned in the chase for some epic breakthrough.

He scanned the area meticulously, peering into every nook, yet Eric was nowhere to be seen. The place didn't seem deserted; it buzzed with recent activity, heightening the bewilderment of the mess.

So, he shifted to his Soul Vault via teleportation.

And once more, he froze in shock at the diminished contents within the Soul Space. Racks once brimming with valuables and supplies now appeared sparsely stocked, and various items he distinctly recalled placing there had vanished.

A slight pang hit Ash's heart at the view, like losing something dear, but he steeled himself inwardly and curbed any rash response.

A logical explanation must exist for this.

He proceeded then to the expansive chamber at the distant end in sight.

There, Eric's presence registered strongly to him.

***

A/N: Status window in the next Chapter. Coming soon.