Power of Runes Chapter 438: Keeper of Endless Dreams
Previously on Power of Runes...
A/N: My apologies for the extended absence. Examinations were underway, and after minimal effort during the entire semester, I felt compelled to at least try before facing the harsh realities. However, the exams have finally concluded, and chapter uploads will resume starting today.
Only one chapter will be published today, but commencing tomorrow, I will consistently release two chapters daily once more. That brief respite proved beneficial for clearing my mind... though this oppressive heat is making a valiant effort to scorch my very soul. An truly remarkable climate. An experience rated 10/10.
Remember to stay hydrated, everyone, unless you too wish to meet a similar fate as a roasted fowl beneath the relentless summer sun.
In any case, please enjoy the chapter. ✨
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According to Snow's account, obtaining the Sacred Trident of the Mermaid race proved less arduous than anticipated. The true challenge lay in locating their dwelling within the immense ocean, a realm where every direction appeared identical, and the very concept of distance distorted the deeper one ventured.
Furthermore, the ocean depths teemed with formidable sea monsters and an abundance of shattered dungeons, transforming the ocean into an exceptionally perilous domain. Danger was not a sporadic occurrence but a constant companion, shadowing her every move without respite.
To navigate these treacherous waters more swiftly and with greater assurance while undertaking this mission, an enhancement of her rank was imperative. Initially, the task presented significant difficulty, demanding constant confrontation with one threat after another. Yet, the more she faced these dangers, the more adept she became at growing stronger, as if each monstrous encounter forged her resilience.
Her inherent bloodline abilities, augmented by the passive enhancements from her runes, propelled her growth far beyond conventional limits. This allowed for rapid adaptation and an accelerated increase in strength with every battle endured, her power escalating without any discernible slowdown.
In fact, her rate of progression remarkably outpaced even Ash's, evidenced by her ascent from the lowest echelons to the Overlord rank within a mere span of a few years—a rank equivalent to humanity's Mythical Rank.
The singular reason behind her meteoric rise in rank was, unequivocally, her overwhelmingly potent abilities.
════════ " STATUS " ════════
[Name] – Snow
[True Name] – Keeper of Endless Dream
[Title] – Dream Harvester, Second Dreamer
[Race] – Eternal Dream Serpent
[Biological Age] – 5 Years
[Soul Age] – 5 Years
[Rank] – Overlord (SS)
[Bloodline] – Bloodline of the First Dreamer.
[Lifespan] – 1,00,000 years
[Potential] - ∞ (Infinite)
[Gender] - Female
[Affinity] - Life • Death • Space • Time • Dream • Void • Water • Aether • Poison.
══════ " BLOODLINE ABILITIES " ══════
Absolute Magic Immunity (Attacks of Same rank and lower) • Spatial Step • Soul Scent • Toxin Adaptation • Soul Bound • Clairvoyance • Night Vision • Telepathy • Telekinesis.
Illusionary Dream • Dream Manipulation • Dream Seed • Dream Devour • Dream Walking • Dream Collapse • Dream Veil • Dream Sovereignty • Dream Rebirth • Nightmare Ascension • Dream Vault.
Flight • Hibernation • Size Manipulation • Shapeshifting
══════ " RUNE BOUND ABILIIES " ══════
Blind Authority • Immortal • Void Born • True Equilibrium • Mirror Growth • Unified Self • Crown of Thought • Immutable Vitality • Truth Sense • Arcane Foresight • Singularity Lock
══════ " MASTER "══════
-The Forsaken One (Ash Burn)
═════════════════
Upon first witnessing Snow's Status Window subsequent to her recent Evolution, Ash found himself utterly speechless, as her displayed abilities far surpassed any prior expectation.
The transformation from Primordial Serpent to Eternal Dream Serpent presented Ash with a considerable challenge in articulating his reaction, given the profound disparity between the two states, a difference beyond simple verbal description.
In the past, even her Status Window had failed to fully represent Snow's true capabilities, implying that many facets of her being had remained concealed from him. These hidden aspects were only now beginning to reveal themselves.
The progression from Divine Serpent to Primordial Serpent, and subsequently to Eternal Dream Serpent, represented an extraordinary evolutionary journey—a path that defied conventional progressions, excluding Ash's own, naturally.
From all indications, Snow was consistently fated to possess a connection with dreams. Ash distinctly recalled an affinity slot that had been entirely obscured by question marks, an anomaly that had perplexed him at the time. It was now readily apparent that this enigmatic affinity was linked to the Dream element.
Although this affinity had not been active previously, its eventual awakening appeared to have induced a significant alteration in Snow's abilities, transitioning them into a state considerably more intricate and perilous than before.
Despite these revelations, Ash still lacked a comprehensive understanding of the precise changes Snow had undergone following her latest evolution. After all, even prior to this event, he had not possessed the capacity to access such detailed information regarding her abilities as he did now.
Snow herself had limited understanding of her own capabilities, as she admitted to acting purely on instinct. Her strategy involved planting Dream Seeds into weaker adversaries encountered, subsequently employing Dream Devour to harvest their dreams, thereby gradually augmenting her strength with each successful endeavor. This method was consistently applied while she was in pursuit of the mermaid kingdom, ensuring no monster or beast capable of fueling her progression was overlooked. Naturally, her powers were not without constraints; these abilities were effective only against targets at a comparable level. Any attempt to utilize them on a significantly stronger opponent would result in immediate detection and likely her demise. How was Ash privy to this information? It was due to Snow's unfortunate history of dying on multiple occasions. However, each instance of her demise was circumvented by the Rune of Death, which enabled her escape from the clutches of mortality. This fact weighed heavily on Ash, instilling a profound sense of guilt. ** [True Name - Keeper of Endless Dream] ** Ash mused, positioned on the shop's rooftop, his gaze fixed upon an unseen screen accessible only to him. His eyes darted subtly, as if tracing invisible lines of information. To any external observer, he would appear motionless, a solitary figure amidst the bustling streets below. The towering structures in the distance stood silent, the city alive with its own distinct rhythm, while his attention was wholly captivated elsewhere. Following the acquisition of the Rune from Snow, he had entrusted her to Eva's care for playtime, confident in her safety and Eva's ability to keep her engaged. His immediate priority was absorbing the Rune and, more importantly, achieving a comprehensive understanding of the transformations Snow had undergone. Consequently, he embarked on a thorough review of all available information, meticulously examining the descriptions of every unfamiliar detail that materialized before him. ** [Race – Eternal Dream Serpent] ** [Title – Dream Harvester] [Title – Second Dreamer] ** [Bloodline of the First Dreamer] ** Upon digesting this information, Ash lapsed into profound contemplation, his state understandably one of significant upheaval. The realization dawning upon him was not to be trifled with or underestimated. The designation 'Dreamer' evoked a sense of immense antiquity, a primal existence bordering on the very inception of consciousness, akin to the first entity to ever experience a dream. Though the concept was challenging to fully encapsulate, its inherent gravity was undeniable, signaling its extraordinary nature. An intricate paradox presented itself: a sense of confusion intertwined with a peculiar clarity, as if the core meaning was straightforward, yet the sheer magnitude of its implications made complete acceptance an arduous task. Regardless of its precise nature, Ash was certain of one impending outcome: a momentous, complex, and undoubtedly perilous future event was on the horizon. {With great good luck comes the greatest bad luck.} "But looking back, when was the last time I spoke with him? Was it not? Who knows where he is now. Also, if one were to look at it, nothing too terrible has happened to me since the Old man uttered those words, right...?" For a fleeting instant, thoughts encompassing these matters occupied his mind. Alas, had Ash possessed an awareness of the loss of Elysia, he would have recognized that his misfortune had already begun to subtly impact those closest to him in ways yet unseen. Unicorn Family, Academy Students, Akumia, Elysia... "But I suppose I don't need to worry about luck anyway; I'm free from luck, aren't I?" "Right??" Ash posed this question to himself, his gaze momentarily losing focus as the thought, unanswered, continued to reverberate in his mind. His luck stat stood at 0. Even an average individual possessed a few points in luck, while those deemed unlucky registered negative values. This placed his condition entirely outside conventional parameters, rendering it undefinable as either good or bad fortune. Dismissing these introspective detours, Ash resumed his systematic examination of Snow's abilities, most of which aligned with his prior assumptions, their functions readily decipherable from their nomenclature. However, one particular ability captured his undivided attention: the Dream Vault. This was an ability capable of storing even Runes, a feat considered impossible under normal circumstances, thus marking it as exceptionally noteworthy. If memory served, Snow also possessed the capability to access Ash's Soul Vault for item storage. The explanation for her preference for her Dream Vault over the Soul Vault for storing the Rune stemmed from the time-intensive nature of the latter. Given the immense distance involved and the significant energy expenditure accompanying each use, it was impractical for urgent situations. Upon discovering she could store the Rune within her Dream Vault with minimal repercussions, she unhesitatingly selected the superior option.Ash was aware that the day would eventually arrive when he'd confront beings of immense power, not to mention their vast armies. This was because the path he had embarked upon offered no possibility of retreat. After all, his mission extended to locating the remaining Runes. Their retrieval might necessitate the use of force, and it was conceivable that some individuals might have already assimilated these Runes, rendering conflict an inescapable reality. He could not falter in his resolve. With his fists tightly clenched, a resolute flame of ambition and determination ignited within Ash's gaze. Having steeled himself, he slowly closed his eyes, venturing into his Soul Space. Without a moment's hesitation, he summoned the Sacred Trident. While its presence seemed diminished compared to his Soul Tree, Ash dismissed the thought. Then, allowing a single drop of his stored blood to fall upon the trident, he spoke softly, his voice tranquil yet laced with a hushed expectancy. "RUNE OF ....." ***