"..."
Observing the vibrant hues of the Void, swirling and pulsating with a myriad of colors and patterns, I took a minute to gather my thoughts. It was a sight, unlike anything I had ever seen before.
The Mana around the Void seemed to dance and shimmer in a mesmerizing display of magical energy, casting ethereal shadows on the forest floor below.
It seems that the Void would soon break...
So... should I enter it immediately?
Nuh-uh!
Only a dumbass would try to leap into the unknown without caution. Even I knew better than that!
Anyways, caution, yes caution...
Caution is good, but sometimes preparation is even better!
Click...
With a swift flick of my wrist, I accessed the power of my Spatial Ring, quickly retrieving an ancient tome adorned with a deep shade of purple that seemed to dance with enchantment. Its cover, meticulously crafted, boasted intricate silver embellishments that gleamed with an otherworldly luminescence.
It was the Skill Book I found in the library of the Underground City.
My eyes shone with gleeful anticipation, as I supplied some of my Mana into the book, turning it into dust that fell to the grass below.
Let's see what skill I've got!
"Status!"
≈≈≈ ???????????? ≈≈≈
????????: [ ?????????? ]
????????: [ ??+ ]
????????????????: ??
??????????????: ??-
??????????????: ??+
????????: ??+
??????????: ??+
<-- ?????????? -->
[ ?????????? ?????????????????????? --> ???????? ?? ]
?? ?????????????????????? ?????????? ???????? ?????????????? ?????? ???????? ???? ???????????????????? ?????? ???????????????????? ???? ??????????????????????????.
[ ???????? ???????? --> ???????? ?? ]
???? ?????????????? ???????? ?????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ????????, ??????'?? ?????????????????????????? ???? ?????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????? ???? ???????????????? ???? ????%.
[ ???????? ?????????? --> ???????? ?? ]
?? ?????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????? ?????? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???????? ???? ???????? ?? ?????????? ???????? ?????????????? ?????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ?????????? ??????????????????????.
[ ???????? ?????????????????????? --> ???????? ?? ]
???????? ?????????? ?????????????? ?????? ???????? ???? ???????????????? ???????????? ?????????? ???? ??????????????, ?????????????? ???????? ???????? ?????????? ???????????????????????? ???? ????????????????????????.
<-- ???????????? ?????????? -->
[ ???????????? ???????????? ?????????? [ ★★ ] --> ???????????????????? ?????????????????????? ]
?? ?????????? ?????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ?????????????? ?????? ??????????????????, ?????????? ???????????? ?????????????????? ?????? ???????????????????????? ???? ?????????? ?????????????????? ?????? ??????????.
?????????? ????????????????:
" ???????????? ???????????? "
?? ???????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ?????????????? ???????????? ????????????????, ???????????????? ?????????? ???? ?????????? ?????????? ???? ??????????????.
?????????? ???? ????????????, ?????? ???????????? ???????? ???????????? ?????? ?????? ????????????????.
≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
An azure status window appeared before my face with a holographic display of my character's current statistics.
Hmmm...
I mused, glancing over the panel, and quickly noticing the new Skill I had acquired after absorbing the ancient tome.
The new Skill listed as 'Rune Enchantment' caught my attention.
According to the description, Rune Enchantment allows the user to imbue objects or weapons with magical properties by inscribing specific runes onto them.
Wait... isn't this broken?
I let out a small gasp of surprise as I read the details of the skill.
Instantly, I summoned my Authority, feeling its hilt forming a warm and comforting grip in my hand.
Without hesitation, I started experimenting with the Skill.
"..."
Touching the blade of my sword with my fingertips, I focused on activating the Rune Enchantment skill.
I concentrated on visualizing a simple rune for fire, tracing the symbol onto the blade with my finger.
However...
Tswoosh...
A faint spark of flames danced across the surface of my sword, but quickly fizzled out. For a moment the blade glowed with a faint red hue, but the enchantment quickly dissipated.
It was as if the blade had rejected the enchantment, resisting my attempts to infuse it with fire magic.
"..."
Looking at my Longsword, I frowned in confusion and frustration.
Well, it was my first time attempting to use the Rune Enchantment Skill, so it's understandable that I didn't get it right on the first try.
I can try again!
Tswoosh... Tswoosh...
I attempted a different approach, this time focusing on a rune symbolizing swiftness and speed, however, it seemed similarly unsuccessful.
"What the fuck..."
Well, that didn't go as planned.
Is this skill glitched or something? Never did I expect a skill from an ancient book to be so finicky.
Pondering for a moment, I tried to repeat the process, however, this time I supplied the enchantment with more Mana and channeled my focus into projecting my intent onto the rune.
Crack... Tswoosh...
To my astonishment, a thin shimmering trail of energy briefly illuminated the symbol I had inscribed on the blade.
My heart raced with excitement as I witnessed the successful activation of the Rune Enchantment, however, my excitement was short-lived as the enchantment quickly faded away, leaving my sword back in its original state.
"I think I get it..."
The skill I received is not broken or glitched, but rather it requires massive amounts of Mana and precise manipulation of intent to properly activate.
I'm probably going to need a lot more practice and experimentation to truly master this Skill, but the potential it holds is undeniably incredible.
But wait... what if...
I quickly accessed my Spatial Ring for the second time, pulling out a weapon that I had used previously to great effect.
A sleek Katana with a black blade and matching hilt.
I marveled at its craftsmanship and remembered the numerous battles it had helped me win.
"Maybe because it's Authority, the Rune Enchantment is harder to apply..."
Looking at the Vanara Longsword, I carefully set it aside, promptly picking up my old Katana and putting it in front of me, ready to try the Rune Enchantment once again.
"Maybe I should channel my intent towards enhancing the Katana's already sharp edge, rather than trying to infuse it with a different element..."
I thought, before closing my eyes and focusing my energy on the Katana, envisioning the desired outcome of a blade that could cut through steel with ease.
Tsss...
This time, as I opened my eyes a brilliant glow emanated from the Katana, illuminating the surrounding area with ethereal light that quickly dimmed as the Rune Enchantment settled into the blade.
"It's permanent?"
I slowly ran my finger across the edge of the Katana, feeling an otherworldly sharpness that sent shivers down my spine.
Only then did I notice that more than half of my Mana had been expended in the process. It seems that I could add a permanent Rune to an item but it required a significant amount of Mana and precise control over intent.
That was probably the reason why my previous attempts at trying to activate the Rune Enchantment on the Vanara Longsword failed to yield the desired results.
I simply didn't have enough Mana and control over my intent to properly execute the enchantment.
Swish...
With a swift motion, I swung the newly enchanted Katana through the air, the blade slicing with effortless precision through the air, leaving a trail of shimmering Mana in its wake.
The power and efficacy of the enchanted Katana were undeniable.
"I should test its newfound edge on something..."
Looking around my surroundings, I spotted a fallen tree trunk that looked sturdy enough to put my newly enchanted Katana to the test.
My hands gripped the Katana tighter as excitement coursed through my veins.
I love testing my new skills and abilities ~!
Tap... Tap...
With a burst of energy, I dashed toward the tree trunk and brought the enchanted weapon down with all my might.
Thud...
The Katana effortlessly cleaved through the tree trunk as if it was butter, leaving behind a clean and precise cut that revealed the inner rings of the wood, each ring representing years of the tree's growth.
The sheer force of the enchanted Katana split the tree that was over a foot in diameter with remarkable ease, leaving a trail of splintered wood in its wake.
"Incredible!"
I stood in awe, gazing at the devastation caused by Katana's enchanted blade.
If the Runes were really this powerful, this begged the question...
Swish...
I quickly pulled up my sleeve, so my left forearm was exposed.
What if I could enhance my own physical abilities through the use of these powerful runes?
I could feel my heart pounding in excitement as the possibilities unfolded before me.
What? I'm not greedy! Just a little bit motivated to get stronger...
Okay, I might be greedy but we all are. You have no right to judge me.
Tswoosh...
As soon as I tried to etch the first rune into my forearm, a surge of pain shot through my body, forcing me to pull back.
It's not like it 'truly' hurt me since I was used to it but this was a sign that something was wrong.
I didn't want to accidentally cripple myself by messing around with ancient runes without proper knowledge or understanding of them.
I needed to practice, practice, practice and, once again, practice before I could even begin to consider the possibility of enhancing my physical abilities with these powerful runes.
However, a small smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I realized that this setback gave me another idea.
My clothes...
My clothes could serve as a canvas for these ancient runes!
With this realization, I quickly removed my jacket and laid it on the ground before putting my hands on it and beginning to trace intricate patterns onto the fabric with the tip of my finger, carefully channeling the right amount of Mana in order to imprint the rune symbol onto the material.
Tsss...
The moment I heard the faint sizzle of the fabric reacting to my Mana infusion, I knew that the enchantment was successful.
Although the runes on my jacket quickly disappeared as if they were never there, I knew that it had worked.
My jacket was now imbued with a single rune that enhanced my defensive capabilities against physical attacks.
If the amount of Mana I've invested into the Rune was accurate and precise, then the jacket could absorb 15% of the impact from any physical force, reducing the damage I would take.
However, I was more than aware that the clothes I had enchanted were not granted eternal protection.
Maybe one of the attacks thrown at me would simply rip my jacket apart, making the enchantment useless.
That could be a major issue... But only if I didn't address it!
Slumping to the ground I placed my hands on the jacket once again and focused my Mana into the fabric.
Time to reinforce my clothes~
Updat𝓮d from freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.co(m)