Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 650: Fortuna’s Champions

While the full extent of the Dragon Emperor’s rewards for his beast companions following the Anima Stele trial remained somewhat unclear, at least two benefits were definitively confirmed.

The first, and most immediately noticeable, was the harmonization of the beast companions’ elemental affinities coupled with the refinement of their respective bloodlines.

Fen’s Ice, Fire, and Nature affinities found a new equilibrium, culminating in the distinct ashen hue of his fur.

Senu, in contrast, achieved a balance among her Light, Darkness, and Spatial affinities. Despite this newfound harmony, she maintained a pronounced inclination to leverage her Spatial affinity, employing it for devastating, near-unavoidable attacks.

Dread experienced a significant augmentation of his Nightmare Bloodline, manifesting as a more intimidating physique—larger, more powerfully built, and altogether more fearsome. Concurrently, his Darkness affinity appeared to deepen and intensify.

The second bestowal from the Dragon Emperor was the awakening and subsequent enhancement of each beast companion’s innate Ruler, or Alpha, nature.

Dread had already displayed a capacity to command and direct the other horses within the group, thus the evolution of his Ruler nature was not strikingly evident.

Similarly, Senu had always exuded an aura of royalty. Consequently, the emergence of her Ruler nature largely went unnoticed, overshadowed by her already potent Regal Aura ability.

Yet, for Fen, the awakening of his Alpha nature was impossible to overlook. The Culinary Wolf acquired the capability to command other wolves, irrespective of their species, provided they were not more powerful than himself.

It was through Fen’s demonstration of this newfound power that Alex became cognizant of the transformations in the other two companions as well. During this period, Senu also discovered her ability to extend dominion over all avian species, contingent upon them being weaker than her.

Interestingly, the criterion for ‘weaker’ transcended mere rank. Alex's beast companions, though early Class 3, demonstrated the capacity to command mid-Class 3 beasts, who by all technical accounts should have been superior.

This suggested that the strength requirement might pertain to actual power, irrespective of established rank.

Fen embraced his enhanced power with great enthusiasm. For a considerable time, as a wolf of unique lineage, he had almost relinquished the hope of ever forming his own pack.

Now, what was once deemed unattainable had been realized through the Dragon Emperor’s generous gift.

As for the others, Dread met the change with characteristic indifference, while Senu perceived it as a natural progression, deeming it only right that she should command all avians—they were, in her mind, inherently her subjects.

Meanwhile, the conflict continued to escalate with unyielding ferocity.

With the Fortuna Company largely reverting to close-quarters combat, the Lost Heathens managed to rally, reforming their ranks and establishing defensive positions.

Nevertheless, they were inexorably being pushed back.

The scouting contingent had concluded their task of securing the walls. Descending from the ramparts, they redirected their efforts towards eliminating any remaining adversaries along the outer perimeter of the stronghold.

Meanwhile, bolstered by Fen’s wolf pack, the Fury Knights advanced towards the heart of the settlement, carving a path through the devastation wrought by Kavakan, Mogal, and Havel.

Havel’s gaze swept across the landscape, alighting on a substantial two-storey edifice in the distance. It stood loftier and bore a more refined appearance than any other structure within the base, instantly signaling its significance to the Lost Heathens.

Without a moment’s hesitation, he altered his course towards it.

Suddenly, his advance was impeded by three opposing figures.

“Quick Draw – Flash Slash!”

Havel’s form became a blur—only to materialize behind them in the subsequent moment.

“Hold—”

One of the adversaries attempted to turn, but his vision abruptly tilted. Something struck the ground with a hollow thud.

A headless corpse entered his field of view.

‘That’s… mine.’

It was his final cognition before succumbing to oblivion.

The remaining two opponents met a similar fate—their bodies collapsed moments later, severed cleanly at the neck.

“Flash Step!”

Havel’s eyes narrowed as he detected movement ahead. In the ensuing instant, he surged forward.

A One-Star Gold-ranked combatant led a retinue of Three-Star Silver-ranked subordinates, concealed within an alleyway in preparation for an ambush.

Unforeseen by them, Havel perceived their position before their preparations were complete.

Employing a sudden burst of speed, Havel traversed the wall bordering the alley, using it as a launch point to propel himself onto the rooftop above.

“Sword Intent!”

“Falling Sickle!”

He descended like a sharpened blade from the heavens, unleashing a devastating overhead cleave directly upon the Gold-ranked commander.

The swift blade severed the foe's neck precisely as he leaned out, anticipating an easy target on the street. Ironically, he became the unsuspecting prey himself, presenting his throat to the descending weapon.

Havel's sword carved through the air in a blur of motion multiple times. One by one, heads detached from bodies, falling silently to the ground. With the ambush completely neutralized, Havel—truly earning his moniker, the Head-hunter—advanced toward the imposing structure, leaving a gruesome procession of decapitated figures in his wake.

Conversely, Kavakan remained true to his nature. The formidable weretiger let out a savage roar, his dual axes decimating everything in their path at the base. Unlike Havel, he had no specific objective; his sole aim was to eliminate as many adversaries as possible. This was partly retribution for the fallen members of his raid party and partly to sate the insatiable bloodlust mirrored in his twin axes.

Slaughter Intent!

Call of the Wild!

With every life extinguished, his killing intent intensified, amplifying his power. Yet, Kavakan did not halt his brutal campaign. Refusing to let his path of destruction be impeded, the weretiger unleashed his species' inherent ability, infusing his body with immense power as he ripped through enemies indiscriminately, heedless of their rank or defenses.

Though he followed no predetermined route, instead riding the momentum of the battle, he still found his way to the core of the enemy stronghold. The adversaries, attempting to utilize their numerical advantage, began to consolidate their forces to defend their territory. Little did they realize that, by doing so, they were drawing a force of nature directly toward themselves.

Meanwhile, as the chosen Champion of the Fortuna Company—and eager to fully embrace the thrill of combat—Mogal had strategically positioned himself in the town's central plaza, deliberately becoming the center of attention. In contrast to the other two destructive forces, Mogal appeared relatively weaker due to the binding effects of the Chains of Unyielding. This deceptive appearance lured numerous enemies into attacking him without hesitation.

Mogal welcomed their onslaught.

Beast Totem – Bear!

Beast Totem – Dune Croc!

Amidst the fierce conflict, his understanding grew. He began to fluidly transition between beast totems during the heat of battle, enhancing both his speed and effectiveness with each shift. He moved seamlessly between the brute strength of the Bear for devastating blows and the hardened resilience of the Dune Croc for defense, adapting instinctively to every incoming threat.

Whenever his injuries reached critical levels, a healing spell from Eleanore would manifest upon him through Alex’s [Link] spell. Similarly, when fatigue threatened to impede him, a restorative spell would follow through the same channel. This unwavering support enabled Mogal to fight without reservation—pushing his boundaries, hardening his physique, and sharpening his skills through sheer, relentless engagement.

"Stop wasting your time! Kill him already!" a Peak Silver-ranked Lost Heathen officer bellowed in exasperation. Unable to endure the stalemate any longer, the officer charged forward himself, intent on ending what he perceived as the 'weaker' adversary.

Mogal's eyes ignited as he focused on the incoming assault.

'Let my Will be unhindered!'

One-Heart Punch!

Mogal concentrated his will, solidifying and fortifying it into a potent Intent, before thrusting his fist forward—directly meeting the enemy's incoming blade.

Shatter!

Bang!

To the officer's utter dismay, Mogal's fist pulverized the weapon upon contact, reducing it to fragments. The momentum did not cease. The punch propelled forward, striking the officer squarely in the chest—just above his heart. The impact sent a violent surge through his body, arresting his heart and causing it to cease functioning instantly.

Thud!

The man crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

***