Beyond the Apocalypse-Chapter 574: The Mark of Cain (I)

Marshal Maximo’s eyes narrowed momentarily before a flash of enlightenment coursed through them. He understood Elder Damian’s words.

Thanks to Vlad’s Darkness-Devouring Runic Formation, the Golden Sky Fortress had significantly diminished its dependence on Tier I Sky Dew, eliminating the need to accept such outrageous overpricing. However, had Maximo outright rejected the purchase without even attempting to negotiate, it could have alerted the Zanis Association that something was amiss. While the Darkness-Devouring Runic Formation was a military secret, no secret was ever perfectly contained.

"Ahhhh, thank you for the assist, Elder Damian. I sometimes carry on with these matters too hastily," Maximo admitted, not shying away from his mistake, acknowledging it, and making sure to learn from it.

The elder gave a small nod, his expression calm yet instructive. "Marshal, you are a general. Making decisions in a fraction of a second is in your blood. You are accustomed to seeing only the battlefield ahead of you, which is an invaluable trait in war. However, that perspective can be too narrow in diplomacy and intelligence matters." His tone was patient and wise, honed by thousands of years of dealing with political intrigues and manipulations.

...

Vlad had no idea what was transpiring in the throne room of the Marshal’s castle. He was currently in his residence, deep in sleep. His body was utterly exhausted, which was understandable after engaging in a series of intense battles against Voroe Sages, followed by rapidly constructing the Darkness-Devouring Runic Formation. Not to mention, his body was still riddled with wounds. Though none were severe, they still demanded a significant amount of vitality to heal and placed a heavy burden on his stamina.

Nearly fourteen hours passed before Vlad finally awoke. As soon as his eyes opened, a wide smile appeared on his face. Every wound on his body had healed completely, and he could feel his strength surging, stronger than before.

"It has been a long time since I was able to sleep so profoundly and for so long," the Depravita of Wrath murmured, his smile lingering. During the Leviathan War, he could barely afford a few hours of rest each week, and even then, he remained in a constant state of alertness. After the war, there had been a brief period of respite with Freya, but soon, the conquest began once more, filling each day with plans and schedules demanding his attention.

Here, however, he was just a warrior. His only mission was to kill enemies and grow stronger—nothing more. There was no army to lead, no governmental affairs to oversee, only the battlefield and his own progress.

Vlad briefly considered returning to the battlefield but decided against it. The journey to the Howling Chasm took six hours each way, meaning by the time he arrived, he would soon have to return to perform the following engraving of the Darkness-Devouring Runic Formation.

"It would be better to remain in the fortress until the time for the next engraving, then leave," Vlad concluded before shifting his focus to something else—the runes that would soon be carved into his body.

The Inferno Comet Runic Set had already begun losing its efficiency. While he had knowledge of much more powerful Runic Formations from his Second Past Life, knowledge alone was useless without the necessary materials—many of which were nonexistent in Terra. However, he was no longer in Terra. The Golden Sky Fortress was a massive stronghold of a super-civilization with millions of people. Acquiring resources here was simply a matter of wealth.

Vlad browsed through his vast repertoire of Runic Formations until he finally found one perfectly suited for this battlefield.

"The Mark of Cain."

It was an imposing name, and for good reason. This was not just any rune—it was a Rank 5 Runic Set, a Legendary Rune! Of course, Vlad was not yet a Legendary Runic Master, not even close. However, there existed lower versions of the Mark of Cain, designed to evolve into the full set over time.

"A.I. Chip, display the Rank 4 version of the Mark of Cain."

[Beep! Displaying information.

The Mark of Cain (Lower Version) – Rank 4 Runic Set frёeweɓηovel_coɱ

Purpose: Designed for warriors who thrive in prolonged battles, excelling in overwhelming their foes with relentless assaults and sustained endurance. The Mark of Cain Runic Set amplifies both offense and survival, making the bearer a terrifying force on the battlefield.

Runic Set Composition: The Mark of Cain comprises several interwoven runes etched into the bearer’s body. These runes work synergistically, creating a layered enhancement system that makes every strike deadlier and every wound sustained an opportunity for further empowerment.

Primary Abilities:

Laceration – The Curse of Endless Wounds

Effect: Any wound inflicted by the bearer is enhanced with a lingering, unnatural depth, making them far more difficult to heal.

Mechanism: The rune amplifies the tearing force of every attack, ensuring that even minor scratches can become grievous injuries. The wounds will resist natural healing, magical regeneration, and alchemical restoration.

Advanced Effect: Against weaker opponents, wounds will continue bleeding at an accelerated rate, draining their stamina and weakening them further in prolonged combat. Against stronger enemies, repeated strikes will cause their flesh to become more susceptible to damage over time.

Life Devour – The Cycle of Endless Battle

Effect: A portion of the vitality siphoned from inflicted wounds is absorbed by the user, restoring their stamina and minor injuries.

Mechanism: When an enemy is struck, part of their life force is channeled into the bearer’s body through the runes. This doesn’t just restore physical energy but also sharpens the user’s mental clarity, preventing battle fatigue and exhaustion.

Advanced Effect: The greater the wound inflicted, the more vitality is siphoned. Against powerful foes, multiple strikes in rapid succession will allow the bearer to maintain peak condition even in prolonged engagements.

Enhanced Strength & Stamina – The Burdenless Onslaught

Effect: Grants a continuous enhancement to both physical strength and stamina, allowing the bearer to exert overwhelming force while maintaining relentless endurance.

Mechanism: The runes inscribed into the user’s muscles and bones enhance their muscular output, providing them with unnatural force behind every strike. Simultaneously, another set of runes reinforce their endurance threshold, reducing the effects of fatigue and allowing them to fight much longer than an ordinary warrior.

Advanced Effect: This ability enables the bearer to enter a battle trance-like state where pain and exhaustion are significantly reduced, letting them fight at peak efficiency for extended periods.]

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