Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 667: Alex’s Rune-Tech Alchemy III

CH667 Alex’s Rune-Tech Alchemy III

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Nevertheless, roughly a minute into the process, a transformation finally took place.

The fluid within the vat began to emit a radiant glow.

Concurrently, the divine energy housed within the sculpted figures seemed to diminish, as if funneling into the pale golden liquid, causing it to emanate a soft, celestial luminescence.

At the same instant, Alex’s physique swayed precariously.

His countenance grew ashen, and even his normally vivid crimson eyes appeared to lose their intensity, softening to a gentler ruby hue.

Swiftly, he extended a hand, grasping the edge of the vat for stabilization.

"Are you unwell?" Zora moved with haste to support him.

Dalton Asheton and the esteemed Lady Rosa Mercier also directed gazes of concern his way. Beyond mere concern, however, their eyes betrayed undeniable astonishment.

They had never encountered a scenario where an individual not affiliated with the clergy could manipulate divine energy.

Yet, Alex had not only moved divine energy from a single divine statue but had drawn it from three distinct figures.

Even many within the clergy would struggle to achieve such a feat—at least, openly.

After all, the clergy operated under specific divine constraints tied to the deity they served. Their ability to wield divine energy was limited to that of their own god, making any interaction with, let alone control over, another deity's divine power naturally restricted.

Alex, however, seemed entirely unhindered by such limitations.

"I am merely experiencing slight dizziness. I shall recover momentarily," Alex responded.

He and Zora exchanged a fleeting, significant glance.

While Zora lacked complete knowledge of Alex's intricate plan, that single look sufficed for her to grasp that her husband was orchestrating a deliberate display. Naturally, she played her part.

Alex then seemingly 'struggled' to seat himself beside the vat, assuming a meditative posture to 'recuperate.'

Zora and the surrounding Fury soldiers promptly erected a protective cordon around him, while Dalton Asheton and Lady Rosa Mercier judiciously retreated, affording them space.

Engaging in meditation to regain depleted energy was an act of extreme vulnerability, typically not undertaken in the presence of external parties unless absolutely compelled.

This further solidified the perception of Alex's supposed 'frailty' in the minds of the two BattleBane guests.

Meanwhile—

Alex was not, in fact, meditating.

He was subtly assessing the symbol imprinted upon his hand.

Unbeknownst to the distinguished guests, Alex himself had made no direct contact or intervention with the statues.

It was Lord Bonsai who had materialized—as was his custom—to extract the divine energy and divinity from the statues.

The luminescence of the golden liquid was the result of Lord Bonsai's spectral form briefly infusing a minuscule quantity of divine energy into it before its withdrawal, thereby creating a dramatic visual effect.

The liquid itself was not some mystical or sacred concoction, as Alex had artfully led them to believe.

It was, quite simply, beast blood that had undergone meticulous purification and refinement using AetherKindle.

The beast cells and genetic material were entirely eradicated, leaving behind a refined fluid possessing the capacity to contain mana and various other energetic forms.

Essentially, it had been transformed into an artificial mana—or energy—medium.

With the blood purged of most of its original components, the residual substance exhibited an exceptionally high luminescent reactivity.

Even the slightest influx of energy would provoke a vivid glow.

Consequently, Alex succeeded in fabricating the illusion that divine energy had been channeled into the liquid, when in reality, Lord Bonsai had absorbed the vast majority of it for himself.

Could Alex have executed the entire procedure in private, shielded from prying observation? Assuredly.

So, why undertake the elaborate charade of putting on such a performance?

The reason was straightforward: how else could he possibly justify demanding a substantial price if the perceived 'difficulty' of the refinement process was not demonstrably evident to observers?

While not precisely the most ethically sound business tactic, Alex had no inclination to be remunerated inadequately simply because his proficiency rendered his work seemingly effortless.

In any event, after ascertaining that Lord Bonsai had adhered to the terms of their agreement, Alex finally 'emerged' from his mock 'meditation.'

His complexion had returned to its natural healthy tone, and his movements no longer conveyed weakness or strain.

He proceeded to the cauldron, executing a few hand seals primarily for show, while in actuality, he was instructing OmniRune to deactivate the glyphs sealing the lid.

Upon opening the cauldron, he carefully retrieved five pills from within.

"What are those?" Dalton Asheton inquired before he could restrain himself.

"These are alchemical pills," Alex stated. "It's a method I developed. It condenses the medicinal essence of the final product into a highly concentrated, sealed form, thereby preventing any degradation in potency prior to and during application."

He then turned his attention to the nearby Fury soldiers.

"Fill four barrels with this," he commanded. "And exercise caution to prevent the liquid from contacting your skin," he added as a cautionary note.

Lady Rosa clearly harbored a desire to inquire further about this novel pill method Alex had introduced so casually, but his demeanor conveyed an unmistakable message that he had no intention of offering additional explanations.

The Fury soldiers swiftly obeyed, completing the loading of the four barrels as instructed.

Meanwhile, Alex scooped a portion of the remaining amber liquid into a wooden wine cup before dropping one of the Greater Cleansing Pills into it.

The liquid erupted in violent bubbles for nearly ten seconds, only settling down afterward.

Alex then presented the cup to Dalton Asheton.

"Drink," he commanded.

Dalton’s gaze lingered on the cup for a brief moment, his expression a mix of skepticism and hesitation.

Then, as if choosing to surrender to fate, he accepted the cup and downed its entire contents in one swift gulp.

Ba-dump!

A forceful, resounding thump echoed from within Dalton’s body.

He clutched his chest, his frame doubling over sharply.

"Ahhh!!"

A guttural cry of pure agony tore from his throat.

Lady Rosa lurched back in shock, utterly unprepared for Dalton to cry out in such a manner.

A shudder ran through her as she contemplated the sheer intensity of pain required to elicit such a reaction from a Combat Master.

Dalton collapsed onto his knees, his fingers scrabbling desperately at the floor.

"Are you—"

Lady Rosa, jolted from her stunned state, moved instinctively to check on him, but Zora calmly raised an arm to halt her.

"Just watch," she stated placidly.

A sickening, malevolent black-gold energy began to ooze from Dalton’s pores.

This foul energy slithered across his skin like a living poison, slowly ascending towards his forehead.

"AHHHHH!!"

Dalton’s body arched backwards with violent force as he roared his agony towards the heavens.

The dark-gold energy concentrating on his forehead started to coalesce, forming into an unfamiliar Sigil script.

Curse.

The instant the divine curse energy of black-gold fully crystallized into the Curse Sigil upon Dalton’s brow, another energy emerged from the depths of his being—a pale, golden light.

This pale gold energy formed a distinct ring around the Curse Sigil, encasing it like a binding shackle, as if to imprison it firmly in place.

A seal.

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