Beyond the Apocalypse

Vlad placed the second vial onto the legendary runic pen and began his work on the legs of the white werewolf. The Depravita of Greed stood silent and resolute.

The next step was the inscription of the Storm Step Rune. This particular rune granted its bearer the ability to become momentarily intangible, transforming their body into a fleeting burst of wind. In combat, this allowed the user to reposition themselves with astonishing speed and agility.

However, the magic was not without risk. During the brief moment when the body recomposed itself, vulnerability was at its peak—any miscalculation could leave the warrior exposed. To employ this ability effectively in the heat of battle required not only mastery over the rune abilities but also superb martial skills. Fortunately, Ouroboros had honed his instincts over and over again, and his battle-hardened nature allowed him to keep battle awareness at all times.

Vlad’s focused gaze followed the graceful movements of the runic pen as it etched the intricate symbols onto the werewolf’s legs. In just under an hour, the Storm Step Rune was complete. A small smile played at the corners of Vlad’s lips; with every rune he engraved, he felt his skill improving, diminishing the mental effort required.

Without pausing to rest, Vlad reached for the third vial and loaded his legendary runic pen once more. He then turned his attention to the Light Reflexes Rune, which had to be engraved at the back of Ouroburo’s skull.

This rune was designed to enhance reaction speed, allowing its bearer to dodge, weave, and counterattack with seemingly superhuman precision. For the Lupos Tempestas Runic Set, it was imperative that the mind and body work in unison. After all, there was little benefit in having a fast body if one’s mind could not keep pace. The pen moved swiftly now, its tip dancing over the werewolf’s skin as if guided by instinct. Despite the increased pace, Vlad’s deftness ensured that every line was exact, and it took him less than an hour to complete the Light Reflexes Rune.

Buoyed by the thrill of his increasing expertise, Vlad advanced to the fourth inscription: Galeborne Charge. This rune was to be placed on the back, its lines connecting harmoniously with those already etched on the skull, arms, and legs.

Galeborne Charge was special—it stored the kinetic energy generated by the user’s movements and could later release that energy in a devastating high-speed attack. It was the only purely offensive rune of the set, and its destructive power was immnese.

Vlad’s steady hand guided the pen across Ouroburo’s back as he carved out the complex pattern that would forge the rune. The process was painstaking, but Vlad’s concentration was unbroken. He meticulously merged the new lines with the three existing runes, ensuring that the magical flows interwove perfectly. By the time he finished, a deep sense of accomplishment washed over him, even as his body hinted at fatigue.

Realizing the importance of mental and physical clarity for the final stage, Vlad allowed himself a brief respite—almost half an hour—to let his mind and body recover. During this pause, Ouroburo also allowed his body and mind to relax since being tense for so long was not easy.