Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 619: Chains of Unyielding II

619 Ray Mistero

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CH619 Chains of Unyielding II

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Click!

"Exactly." With a snap of his fingers, Alex agreed. "That’s a solid way to phrase it."

He went on,

"When applied, the Rune Tattoo will limit your power to about the Intermediate rank."

"Yet upon unleashing the accumulated power... you could potentially obliterate a Veteran rank foe in one strike."

The projected Rune Tattoo held Mogal’s gaze.

Temptation stirred within him.

Yet it also seemed a touch disappointing.

Instinctively, he shook his head.

His words were on the tip of his tongue—

Alex interrupted first.

"That’s merely a bonus, though," Alex stated evenly. "The real value of this Rune Tattoo is in its restrictive power, as I’ve noted."

Mogal’s brow furrowed.

"Elaborate, please."

Alex gave a nod.

"From observing your tempering technique... Life Essence generation isn’t just from bodily strain."

"It involves the mind too."

"Or to be exact—Willpower."

Mogal nodded, concurring.

"The technique taxes both flesh and spirit."

"Extracting Life Essence demands pressing on past utter fatigue. That calls for tremendous resolve."

"The Rune Tattoo heightens that load," Alex interjected.

Mogal’s eyes narrowed a bit.

"As mentioned, the Chains of Unyielding cap your output at around thirty percent. Yet your physical form doesn’t weaken."

He tapped the projection once more.

"Imagine it like this—your body retains its complete might. The tattoo merely blocks access beyond thirty percent."

Alex leaned in a touch.

"Normally, at Elite rank, breaking your body’s limits would take far greater exertion."

"To hit the point where willpower squeezes out Life Essence."

He halted briefly.

"Chains of Unyielding changes that... reaching the limit happens quicker. It compels your body to max out earlier."

"That’s the ‘Chain’ in its title."

Mogal’s face sharpened with interest.

Alex pressed on.

"Furthermore, the tattoo adds a psychological layer. It heightens your sense of fatigue."

"Strain hits harder, so overcoming it demands superior willpower."

Straight into Mogal’s eyes, he looked.

"Not mere strength of will... but one that’s—"

"Unyielding," Mogal completed.

"Precisely," Alex confirmed with a nod.

Silence hung briefly.

Then—

"There’s more besides."

"The Chains of Unyielding holds another feature."

"This Rune Tattoo enforces the output limit as described by integrating straight into your energy pathways," Alex clarified.

"It doesn’t merely rest on skin—it engages dynamically, controlling energy flow. Crucial point.

"Beyond enforcing restriction, it allows the tattoo sway over energy circulation."

"Thanks to this, I added what I see as its prime capability."

Mogal’s attention peaked.

"The Chains of Unyielding can precisely enhance specific body sections—right down to single muscle fibers."

Mogal’s eyes widened faintly.

"Thus guaranteeing even growth throughout your frame—tied to total progress."

Alex paused for a moment.

"No training escapes unevenness. Even in one muscle, fibers grow at different rates."

"Ordinary folk ignore it. But you, pursuing perfect physique—it’s a defect."

"Potentially deadly."

Mogal stayed quiet, face turning grave.

"This ability erases that issue," Alex went on. "The Chains of Unyielding perfects it."

"Balanced harmony across every muscle set."

Alex’s eyes intensified subtly.

’That’s hardly its top feat.’ He mused.

Unspoken was how this wove in something deeper.

The core of Heavenly Venerable’s Heaven–Earth–Man doctrine.

Accepting Chains of Unyielding opened the tattoo to all inner workings—

Internal Energy, Will, Intent... everything.

Via that entry, the Rune Tattoo would steadily refine his form.

Not only muscles, but encasing tissues too.

Total, unified advancement.

’Minimum, it’ll elevate his body to "Bearing the Burden of Man,"’ Alex pondered. ’Matching Crimson and Bronze glow in Heavenly Venerable’s system.’

’Higher phases—Weight of Earth, Will of Heaven—require design tweaks.’

’Later enhancements or extra Rune Tattoos can build the suite.’

Alex breathed out softly.

He held back those ideas.

His words already risked overload.

Let Mogal feel the effects firsthand, grasping over time.

"Well," Alex said, eyeing both, "your thoughts?"

"Ready to take on these Rune Tattoos?"

"Burdens?" Mogal denied with a headshake. "Gifts, leader."

"I accept with joy."

"Count me in," Kavakan chimed instantly.

"Perfect." Alex grinned.

"No time to waste. Let’s start now."

He pointed to the setup—a custom tattoo chair from Sanctuary space.

Materials sat prepared nearby, including a standout piece.

A gag.

Mogal and Kavakan turned slowly to Alex, faces twisting oddly.

Alex shrugged lightly.

"No obligation to use it."

A sly, shadowy smile crept across his lips.

"But believe me... you’ll wish for it."

"The procedure brings intense agony. Understatement, that."

Blame rested on a Verdantian ingredient in the Rune Tattoo ink.

It clashed badly with Eleanore’s anesthetic.

Substitutes? Rare, costly beyond reason.

Not feasible.

’They’re tough adults anyway,’ Alex pondered, wicked grin flickering.

’A bit of hurt? They’ll endure.’

—

Days later, anguished cries filled the mansion.

Chills gripped other dwellers more than once.

—

Procedure done, Mogal and Kavakan stepped out sporting fresh tattoos—bold and fearsome.

Blending Sigil essence into Rune-Tech let aesthetics shape post-function design.

OmniRune transformed intricate runes into desired visuals.

Kavakan’s—

Mark of Slaughter appeared as a huge tiger skull dominating his back—using two prime rune slots.

Mogal’s—

Chains of Unyielding formed classic Dravo patterns, coiling forearms and neck, claiming three slots.

Kavakan beamed openly.

Mogal frowned faintly.

To him, they resembled true shackles.

—

Tattoos complete, Alex ended his lengthy seclusion.

After three months, he exited the mansion at last.

***