Power of Runes Chapter 428: Three Major Factions

Nightfall immersed the City of Light in profound obscurity, as a mesmerizing vista of stars adorned the vast night sky, flickering sporadically, sufficient to soothe even the most bewildered spirit while the night's tranquil hush softly enveloped all.

-Thud!!

Ash set the coffee mug down on the counter of his shop, 'Stiches & Riches'.

He lounged back in the chair, his body reclined against the backrest with a slight tilt, legs extended and propped up on the counter ahead.

One hand twirled a pen leisurely between his fingers in a rhythmic spin, while the other, after placing the mug, drifted tenderly toward the little girl dozing on his chest, landing softly on her head with a gentle pat.

Snow's plump cheeks squished against Ash's chest rendered her utterly cute even in slumber, her face utterly relaxed as though no force in existence could rouse her.

His eyes stared up at the ceiling overhead, though truly his sight pierced beyond it, beholding the stars unobstructed, as if no roof separated him from them.

Much had unfolded, more than anyone could digest swiftly.

Yet the occurrences following his departure from Akumia surpassed all his wildest expectations, each recollection bearing an unreal heaviness even upon reflection.

No one could have foreseen how his presence sparked a butterfly effect, altering the destinies of all life to such an extent that a fresh realm emerged, like a fantastical reverie come alive.

Regardless of its incredulity, Ash recognized its reality, for he had observed it all via Snow's memories.

Prior to the Abyssal Gates' arrival, Snow overlooked most shifts, as they lay outside her perception then. Yet once Akumia's world barrier faltered, an alert stirred her to the anomaly, letting her behold the ensuing chaos.

The arrival of Heavenly and Abyssal Gates alike, Eternal Supremes, Transcendents, Angels, Devils, their fleeting confrontation, and Abyssal beasts—all fell under Snow's distant gaze, thanks to a unique skill she unlocked amid her rising power.

It was Clairvoyance.

The very power he now wielded too.

Leading him to suspect this gift stemmed from Snow’s Primordial Serpent bloodline, inherited by him amid his bodily forging.

Though this skill let her perceive much, deeds by Eternals evaded her sight at her present level, rendering their actions hazy and incomprehensible.

Still, various Runes' passive traits kept her hidden during her surveillance, yet details escaped her from that range, creating voids in her full grasp.

Merely those shouts loud enough for all to hear reached her ears; whispers stayed elusive.

Perhaps the Eternal Supremes detected her watchfulness but dismissed a mere Divine Serpent's observation of planetary events as trivial.

Indeed, Ash figured they failed to pierce Snow's uniqueness, veiled by the Rune of Concealment masking her bloodline and ties, viewing her as an ordinary Divine Serpent.

Alternatively, they might have overlooked her entirely—a prospect he couldn't verify or refute.

Moreover, a colossal energy surge induced Snow's hibernation. It proved a boon, for the First Light of Creation triggered her metamorphosis into an unprecedented form, demanding vast energy she couldn't amass alone.

There, Realm Formation intervened. Countless worlds' merger unleashed tremendous energy ambiently, unusable by mortals yet instinctively absorbed by Snow to fuel her change ceaselessly, her form drawing in all essentials.

Thus she lingered in slumber, her body methodically collecting what it required to finalize the ongoing evolution.

These three dominated vast sway across Eden, the Transcendent Circle holding a marginal edge over the rest, sufficient to sway the scales discreetly.

Ash's thoughts whirled, piecing connections together one by one.

In the VR game 'Apocalypse Online', the Church of Light and Church of Darkness stood as primary powers. The narrative truly hinged on them, sidelining all else.

From Snow's insights, Ash swiftly linked the Church of Light to Heavens, Church of Darkness to Abyss, and Transcendent Circle to Transcendents—the links too evident to overlook.

Myriad queries swirled in his mind, spawning more, yet answers eluded him entirely. This once, even guesses evaded him due to scant data.

For ages, Ash yearned to forge his own group. Previously, lacking resources and might, he couldn't build a steadfast info-gathering entity loyal solely to him worldwide.

That era had passed; now differed vastly.

Once content with planetary coverage, he now envisioned spanning the whole Realm, crafting an intel web touching Eden's every nook, granting instant awareness of all events.

Souls evade most creatures' sight, nearly imperceptible even cosmically. True, exceptions like necromancers, kin, or titanic powers could detect them.

Yet such rarities remained few.

Untethered by physical barriers, souls could form an indestructible, unjammable intel lattice, evading most constraints.

Alas, ideals seldom align with reality.

One couldn't arbitrarily enlist souls; suitable recruits in key spots demanded meticulous selection amid myriad variables, lest the web crumble unborn.

And Eden's immensity meant network growth would demand ages....

His mind churned while his fingers idly flicked the 'pen'—actually Eclipse's shrunken form—spinning flawlessly without falter.

His free hand alternated between sipping coffee or softly stroking Snow’s head, motions autopilot as his focus drifted afar.

{Ughhh....It’s so boring, not many folks are buying clothes from us. I could count our customers since opening on one hand.}

Ash's lips quirked at Eva’s mental whine. He diverted a sliver of awareness to respond, keeping most immersed in reverie, unswayed.

"To be a successful businessman, one needs to keep patience."

{Tsk, patience is what folks preach when clueless on next steps.}

Ash went mute at her retort, inwardly conceding, for he'd scantily tended the shop, letting it idle.

{Thinking 'Maybe I shouldn’t have opened the shop yet'?}

Yet manly pride balked at yielding, so he sidestepped.

"Of course not, who do you think I am? Once I master the ’Unbreakable’ enchantment and etch it into the clothes, money will pour in like a flood."

{And how long till then..?}

Ash shut his eyes at the query, his twirl decelerating briefly before halting.

"It will take some time. More pressing matters demand my focus now over mere enchantments."

A subdued, resigned sigh escaped as he reopened his eyes, thoughts calming marginally.

But not the ceiling—rather, rainbow-hued eyes brimming skepticism met his.

Eva’s hologram hovered overhead, peering down intently, invasively near.

Ash stayed composed, unflinching, inquiring evenly, "What are you doing?"

{Checking if you’re fibbing. Hmph!!}

With that, she shimmered into motes, rematerializing atop the counter, legs folded casually, though her face bore lingering pique.

{So, spill—what’s monopolizing your thoughts? Didn’t you craft me to assist? Why hide from me? I’m no omniscient; share or let me tap your mind for input.}

Ash cocked his head, eyeing her profoundly, weighing her plea earnestly, before murmuring.

"No."

****