Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 592: Origin of Berserk Humans II

CH592 Origin of Berserk Humans II

***

Alex contemplated for a heartbeat before providing an answer.

"The fundamental components utilized to synthesize the mutagen, which granted those original Combat Warriors their cultivation potential, were extracted from the mutated genes of a Class Six Berserk Beast."

"Through my own tinkering with beast genomes, I understand that the mutagens generated by these Berserk Beasts—based on the scrolls documenting how the nature of beast genes shifts after contamination and ultimate conversion—are inheritable by their descendants."

Alex paused briefly.

Then, his perspective shifted.

"First, I must state that my expertise is quite limited. At best, I have been interpreting the fragments of wisdom found within these scrolls."

"However, this is my logical conclusion."

"Your methodology introduced a genetic element which, theoretically, is the catalyst for cultivation talent itself."

"This would account for the increased likelihood of offspring inheriting such gifts when both parents possess them."

"Simply put, the probability of inheriting the cultivation gene rises when there is a denser concentration of these genes within the hereditary pool."

"By researching various beasts, you determined they inherently produce these genes at a higher frequency than humans, which clarifies why creatures exhibit cultivation talent with far greater regularity than our own kind."

"Consequently, your proposal involved extracting these sequences and grafting them into humans lacking natural talent."

"Yet, you found that mere ingestion of beast blood was an ineffective and unreliable medium for this transfer, prompting you to isolate the specific genes responsible."

"During your investigation, you discovered these sequences were deeply embedded within the DNA of your subjects."

"Conventional extraction techniques would cause the genetic structure to collapse long before isolation could be finished."

Alex met the gaze of the stone-faced old man before proceeding.

"That lasted… until the emergence of Berserk Beasts."

"You acquired samples from a high-level Berserk Beast, didn't you?"

"From that sample, you realized the berserk corruption had uniquely distorted their original genetic blueprint."

"The corruption forced their DNA into perpetual mutation, constantly reshaping itself under the influence of that feral property."

"This degradation weakened the genetic structure, making it possible at last to harvest the required gene sequence from the beast’s broader pool."

"However, because the pool was saturated with the berserk property—the very element that enabled the extraction—it was impossible to secure the target material without also incorporating those corrupted sequences."

Alex paused, carefully considering the weight of his reasoning before speaking again.

"Given the inevitable presence of that corrupted matter, it was impossible for the resulting Combat Warriors to be free of those tainted sequences within their own genetics."

"Based on your records, Berserk Humans were not in existence during your era."

"It was only after the proliferation of Combat Warriors, and their later descendants who inherited this cursed cultivation talent, that Berserk Humans began to emerge."

"There is only one logical inference to draw here..."

Alex’s expression solidified into certainty as he stared at the motionless ancient figure.

"The berserk property was never meant for humans—it started exclusively in beasts."

"But when beast genes were grafted into humans to create the first Combat Warriors, the human lineage became susceptible to the corruption."

"Every Combat Warrior—and every soul in their lineage—now carries a latent susceptibility to berserk contamination."

"Each exposure to the berserk property increases the odds that the dormant, corrupted sequence within their bloodline will awaken."

"And when that sequence ignites, it catalyzes the transformation into the Berserk Humans we fear today."

Alex waited for a sign, but the Heavenly Venerable remained entirely stoic.

’Did I err?’

The old man’s silence made Alex hesitate.

He rapidly re-evaluated his deduction.

Then, suddenly—

Alex’s eyes sharpened with a sudden, chilling epiphany.

’Us!’ he thought.

’The members of my platoon, who aren't even from this plane, also displayed signs of berserk contamination.’

’If my theory about the lineage was correct, that should have been impossible.’

’So, either I was wrong, or...’

Alex looked at the old man, a cold dread creeping into his heart.

"The berserk property has managed to adapt to human genes?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"Proceed," the Heavenly Venerable commanded unexpectedly.

Subconsciously, Alex obeyed.

"The berserk property must have adapted to the human genome."

"This likely stems from the tainted genetic material circulating throughout the populace of this plane over thousands of years."

"Through constant interaction with these compromised sequences, the berserk property eventually evolved, learning to infect any human or humanoid, even those who possessed no prior connection to the original tainted experiments."

’In other words... this threat has outgrown Verdantis.’

’If it migrates to other worlds or planes...’

A violent shudder ran down Alex’s spine.

"You see clearly now the severity of the threat we faced—and why we gave our lives to halt it."

"And you understand why, if you accept the mantle of the Legatee, you are bound by duty to end it."

The Heavenly Venerable turned away, staring out the window.

"Finish the remaining scrolls."

"Now you grasp the true significance of knowledge."

"One man’s mistake can invite a cataclysm that spans civilizations... threatening the very survival of a species across the heavens."

"Yet, by that same measure, the intellect of one individual can be the difference between collapse and salvation."

Alex’s face grew solemn as he returned to the archives to finish his reading.

Eventually, after an untold span of time, he closed the final manuscript.

The first phase of his trial was finished.

Alex approached the Heavenly Venerable to announce his completion.

The answer was as brief as it was unexpected:

"You have succeeded."

Alex stood in shock.

"I thought there was a second half to this test?" he asked.

"The second phase was testing whether you could synthesize the information presented to you into true understanding."

"You have already demonstrated that proficiency," the Heavenly Venerable answered.

’Deducing the origins of the Berserk Humans?’

The truth finally hit home.

"Thank you for imparting this wisdom. I pledge that it will be used only by those with the strength to wield it righteously, and I will ensure it is never twisted for darker ambitions," Alex swore.

"The knowledge is yours now. Do as you will."

"Whether you act for salvation or ruin is your decision alone. It no longer involves me—I am merely dust and echoes of a forgotten age," the old man replied, waving him off.

"Be gone."

With a careless flick of his wrist, a spatial tear opened, pulling Alex within.

"I have fulfilled my purpose. It falls to you now to carry the burden of your age, just as we carried ours."

"Do not make your choice in haste."

Those final words echoed in the void just before Alex was cast out.

’I will not,’ Alex thought, drifting away.

Moments later, he stood once more before the Physique Stele.

The enigmatic guardian of the Stele Mountain stood waiting.

Alex scanned his surroundings but found his companions missing.

"You spent quite a long time in there. Your company has already moved on to occupy themselves elsewhere," the old man noted.

"That is for the best," Alex nodded.

"Indeed," the old man replied.

"Come now. Having mastered the Seven Trials of the Heaven and the Earth, you are at last eligible for the Divergent Trial of the Heavens."

He gestured, and a hidden path revealed itself, snaking up the mountain heights.

He led Alex to a final stele, which appeared modest compared to its predecessors.

"The Stele of Heavenly Secrets... your final obstacle," the man announced.

"You may proceed."

Alex nodded, stepping forward.

The old man watched him with a grave expression.

’The Divergent Trial of the Heavens... the most somber of all tests, which lays bare the core of your soul.’

’You who hold the potential to succeed as the Legatee of the Heavens and the Earth, allow the sky to peer into your heart during your darkest hour.’

Alex seated himself before the monument and channeled his Spiritual Force into the surface.

The final trial had begun.

***