Power of Runes Chapter 433: Provocation...Or Invitation?

In an instant, not only the City of Light but the vast, boundless realm of Eden itself appeared to grind to a halt, for wherever anyone happened to be—amid thronged streets, within primordial woods, over desolate plains, or under vast empty heavens without a single presence nearby—the identical window had popped up in front of every soul.

The details displayed in that window plunged all of Eden into a momentary hush, as folks scanned it once, then twice more, just to confirm they hadn't glimpsed something utterly preposterous.

Then, pandemonium burst forth everywhere all at once.

**

"Hold on... hold on, read that again carefully, I think I missed something..."

"I already read it three times, it is not changing, you are just hoping it will make more sense the next time, but it does not..."

"No, I mean the rewards, look at the rewards carefully, are you seriously telling me this is something real...?"

"That is exactly what I am saying, and that is the problem, because if even half of that is real, then this is not just a quest, this is something that can completely change your life in one move..."

Leaning in just a bit, a man dropped his voice unconsciously, eyes glued to the spot where the window had floated.

"Blessing of the Universal System... do you understand what that means? because I certainly don’t.....but it must be something special right...?"

"And the Blessing of the Realm on top of that, it is like the Realm itself is backing you.....I wonder how it will feel like being blessed by the Realm...."

"Forget that, look at this... Heaven-Blessed Sovereign Physique..."

A short silence fell as several exchanged looks, none grasping it completely, yet all unable to dismiss it.

"Actually, I have no idea what this physique even does but special physiques are already rare enough, and anything with a name like that is not going to be normal... don’t u guys also think so...?"

"And you are telling me this is being given for finding one person...?"

At last, someone voiced the shared thought, speaking more deliberately now.

"What kind of person even needs rewards like this to be hunted...?"

"Did you not hear what was said earlier, this is not a normal person, this is someone who is not bound by anything, not fate, not karma, not anything we understand..."

"And you think we can just walk around and find someone like that...?"

"No, I am saying if someone does find him, then that person is not normal either, because even noticing something like that is not something everyone can do..."

Silence gripped them briefly.

"So this is not about effort alone..."

"Yeah... it is luck too..."

"And timing... and knowing what to look for..."

"And risk... don’t forget that..."

Shaking his head faintly, one man grew grave in expression.

"If that person is really like this, then getting close to him might not be safe at all..."

"But does that even matter...?"

A steady yet resolute voice cut in.

"When something like this is in front of you, something that can change everything, are you really going to think about safety first...?"

No quick responses came, though their faces already revealed the truth.

**

Across Eden, identical discussions ignited—whispers or heated debates—some puzzling it out, others scheming next steps, a few frozen in disbelief; everywhere, the atmosphere shifted dramatically, refusing to calm anytime soon.

While this unfolded, Ash observed silently before he couldn't restrain himself, unleashing curses on the High Priest and Angels across seven generations with raw frustration.

"F**king golden winged crows with polished feathers and empty brains, acting all holy while poking their noses where they are not needed, why can’t they let me live in peace, I haven’t even done anything to burn their shiny tails yet, but they are already barking like street dogs that just learned how to fly."

His features contorted unnaturally, as though he'd swallowed something foul whose bitterness lingered, rendering his look both irked and comically twisted.

Off to one side, Eva fought hard against laughter, lips clamped tight, shoulders quivering as she battled for composure, only worsening her struggle the harder she tried.

Ash spotted it right away, plunging his temper even lower.

"What are you laughing at? I dare you to laugh, I will—"

"Pff....hahahaha ahahahha ahhaha a"

She couldn't contain herself any longer and erupted in laughter, her voice light yet unstoppable, prompting Ash to stare at her briefly before he exhaled softly, a blend of annoyance and helplessness surging through him.

Yet scarcely had that notion faded when his mind settled on its own, the frustration ebbing sufficiently for clarity to return to his thoughts, as though the outburst had restored his equilibrium.

Nevertheless, upon closer reflection, Ash harbored no fear of the Angels, since their innate racial edges no longer signified much to him, and his true shortfall wasn't power, but time.

Time to grasp his present condition.

Time to discover ways to boost his capabilities beyond merely grasping the Runes.

Time to grow more powerful.

However, as ever, this world refused to let matters unfold as desired.

And indeed, a vulnerability existed, straightforward but perilous.

He lacked the Universal System.

Though the whole world relied on it for nearly all matters, from routine chores to advancement, Ash existed entirely beyond its reach, a fact that would draw notice if observed closely enough.

Even ordinary folk without powers still held the Universal System, albeit it offered no growth aid until awakening, and since Eden's creation, awakenings had surged dramatically, rendering those without it exceedingly scarce.

By this point, Eva had ceased her laughter, not due to diminished humor, but because Ash's face had regained its composure, serene and inscrutable, signaling deep thought, and she wisely avoided interrupting.

{Cough...Cough!!!}

Ash shot her a glance and queried in a mildly sharp tone, "What?"

{I was pondering if we could hack the Universal System, not completely, but enough to forge a basic identity for you, something straightforward to blend you in better in a world where all are linked to it.}

Ash regarded her silently for several seconds, genuinely weighing the suggestion rather than dismissing it outright, yet ultimately he shook his head gradually.

"It's not feasible at present; your processing capacity is too limited, and I lack insight into the Universal System's architecture. Without knowing its inner workings, proper interference is impossible, and absent that understanding, I wouldn't know where to start."

{But aren't you already considering contact with that amber-flamed woman? I'm at least 70% confident she holds the answers you need, though it hinges on extracting them without ending up emasculated!!}

Ash found himself at a loss for words over Eva's phrasing, his face twisting oddly for an instant as though words hovered on his tongue before he opted to let them go, ultimately brushing her remark aside.

For even sans her reminder, plans to reach out to her had already formed in his thoughts the instant her true nature emerged, though the core issue lay not in meeting her, but in engaging without revealing excess.

As Ash and Eva delved into their exchange, Ash quietly shut off his Clairvoyance skill, having gleaned all possible knowledge, and right on cue...

The High Priest offered a serene bow, as if he hadn't just unleashed a shockwave across Eden, then vanished from all eyes, his aura dissolving so thoroughly it bordered on illusionary, and soon Elizabeth departed the platform after a brief pause.

Though more words burned on her tongue, she recognized the futility of pressing on, with the audience no longer receptive, their minds consumed by the Realm Quest and its implications, far removed from her speech.

Truthfully, a subtle unease stirred in her too, an faint urge sparked by notions of that enigmatic entity.

After all, the prizes dangled so enticingly, sufficient to lure even one of her stature.

Yet prior to full departure, her eyes flicked toward a precise spot in the City of Light's Inner District, narrowing faintly as an idea crystallized.

A short hesitation followed as she revisited that sensation mentally, her features lighting with mild curiosity.

A subtle smile curved her lips; she'd uncovered something far more captivating than the throng below.

And the instant after, her form melted into wisps of amber glow and faded from the arena, abandoning a multitude still reeling amid bewilderment, thrill, and the dizzying prospects abruptly unveiled.

***