Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 628: Unexpected Conclusion

CH628 Unexpected Conclusion

***

[First Step: Ghost Step]!

While Dalton relied on overwhelming speed and raw power, Alex chose finesse and technique—employing the elusive first step of the Abyssal Conqueror Steps to weave through the edges of Dalton’s attacks.

His sword moved with precision, deflecting and intercepting Dalton’s strikes, while his war axe pressed relentlessly, seeking every opportunity to counter.

The two men danced across the arena floor, displaying what could only be described as the pinnacle of pure martial prowess beneath the level of Sainthood.

Each clash carried weight and intent, their strikes laced with lethal edge and venom.

The force of their exchanges generated powerful gusts of wind that rippled outward, buffeting the spectators at the perimeter.

”This...” one of the BattleBanes began, only to trail off, unable to find the right words.

None of them had expected their captain to struggle against an opponent who, on paper, should have been inferior.

”The captain is actually going all out,” one of them muttered. ”He’s struggling because of the handicap... right?”

”That’s not it,” another BattleBane replied, shaking his head. ”After everything his opponent has shown, do you really think he isn’t also affected by the same handicap?”

”How is that even possible? He’s only Gold Rank,” the first argued.

”And yet, here he is—fighting our captain on equal footing,” the other countered calmly.

He turned slightly, fixing his companion with a steady gaze.

”The captain already said it, didn’t he? This isn’t a weaker opponent... it’s an equal one. Don’t underestimate him.”

Similar murmurs began to spread through the group, their disbelief gradually giving way to reluctant admiration.

Before long, the whispers reached Lady Rosa’s ears.

’Could he really be holding back as well?’ she wondered. ’How can someone so young stand on equal footing with Dalton?’

In that moment, Lady Rosa noticed a critical detail that the BattleBanes had unconsciously overlooked—Alex’s age.

He was clearly a youth, no older than his early twenties—yet he stood toe-to-toe with Dalton, a man with decades of battlefield experience.

The respect the BattleBanes had begun to develop for him had dulled their perception of this fact.

But Rosa Mercier was not so easily blinded.

Though she and Dalton did not always see eye to eye, she both knew and respected his strength.

If he was struggling against an opponent who appeared weaker on paper, then the truth was simple—

It was not Dalton who was lacking, it was his opponent who was extraordinary.

’A warrior of such calibre, at such a young age, cannot possibly come from nowhere...’ Lady Rosa mused inwardly.

’There must be a powerful force behind him to nurture such talent.’

As she recalled the unwavering confidence with which Eleanore had spoken earlier, Lady Rosa found her conclusion only strengthening.

Back in the arena, as Alex and Dalton pressed forward aggressively—each seeking to seize the advantage—Dalton’s body suddenly shuddered.

That brief lapse was all Alex needed.

He immediately capitalised on the opening, hooking Dalton’s blade aside and thrusting forward in a decisive strike.

Alex had moved purely on instinct. His entire focus was fixed on ending the fight as quickly as possible—so much so that he failed to notice Dalton’s abnormal state in time.

The exchange unfolded in a blur.

By the time Alex registered that something was wrong, his sword was already driving towards Dalton’s heart.

Then—

A hand shot out and caught the blade.

Shatter!

Alex’s eyes widened in shock as Dalton crushed the sword with his bare hand.

”I am... sorry. I can... no longer... suppress it,” Dalton said, his voice strained and fragmented. ”Defend yourself... someone will soon—”

Before he could finish, his eyes turned completely black.

His sclera, iris, and pupils—every part of them—were swallowed by an eerie, pitch-black void.

With what little clarity remained, Dalton flung his greatsword away, leaving himself unarmed.

Alex had no time to process what was happening.

It felt as though he were staring into an abyss—and before he could react—

Boom!

A violent surge of sickly grey aura erupted from Dalton’s body, blasting Alex backwards.

The very atmosphere changed.

The air around Dalton warped, thickening into something suffocating—something steeped in derangement and madness.

That ominous energy spread outward, spilling beyond the arena and engulfing the entire estate.

”Stop him!” Lady Rosa shouted urgently.

”ROAR—!”

Like a maddened beast, Dalton lunged at Alex, his fist driving forward with terrifying force.

”That’s enough,” Alex said coldly.

He dropped his weapons and raised his hand towards the incoming attack.

[Stun Current]! [Umbra Grasp]!

A crackling field of lightning erupted around Alex, discharging into Dalton’s body and momentarily stunning him.

At the same time, a massive hand of shadow rose from Dalton’s own shadow, coiling around him and locking him in place.

Dalton struggled violently, attempting to break free from the restraints binding him.

But Alex gave him no such opportunity.

Stepping in, Alex seized Dalton by the head.

[NightShock Grasp]!

The lightning and darkness mana coursing through Dalton’s body abruptly converged at Alex’s hand, fusing into Netherspark mana to fuel the spell.

Tendrils of dark lightning spread from Alex’s palm, burrowing into Dalton’s body through his veins and arteries.

Under Alex’s precise command—and guided by OmniRune’s meticulous control—the inherently lethal spell was significantly suppressed.

Rather than shutting down Dalton’s entire nervous system, as it normally would, the attack was refined to paralyse only his motor functions—bypassing his body’s natural defences entirely.

Even after Alex released his grip and Dalton collapsed to the ground, the dark lightning continued to course through his body, ensuring he remained immobilised.

”Udara!” Alex called.

While the BattleBanes remained stunned by the sudden turn of events—and by the ease with which Alex had taken control of the situation—Udara appeared at his side in an instant, handing him a vial of bluish potion.

Without hesitation—and without seeking permission—Alex forced the potion down Dalton’s throat.

”What are you doing?!”

Only then did the BattleBanes recover, their shock giving way to outrage as they shouted in unison.

Regality! Dominion! Domination! Subjugation!

Alex’s True Name stirred.

A crushing aura erupted from his body, sweeping across the arena like an invisible tide.

”Calm yourselves. I am merely saving your captain’s life,” he said, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority.

Unconsciously, the BattleBanes froze in place.

His voice allowed no defiance—only obedience.

Lady Rosa’s body trembled faintly.

’This... this presence of a ruler...’

In that moment, any lingering doubt vanished. She was ’certain’ Alex’s background was anything but ordinary.

If anything, her suspicions only spiralled further out of control.

Moments later, Captain Dalton began to regain his senses.

Noticing this, Alex withdrew his spell, allowing the paralysing currents to dissipate.

When Dalton’s awareness fully returned, his first sight was of Alex crouched over him—not a member of the BattleBane Guild.

Alex’s gaze was steady, solemn.

”What did you do... to incur the wrath of a deity to the extent that they would place such a curse upon you?” Alex asked.

The question sent a wave of shock and dread through the BattleBanes.

In an instant, weapons were drawn.

Steel flashed as they surrounded Alex—ready to fight to the death to protect their secret.

***