The Runic Alchemist - Chapter 543 - 543: Get Ready
[Pigmen World, Current time – 98 years after Damian left, Worldscribe’s POV.]
After the information sharing ended, and they thrashed Silverspell to no end for disappearing for such a long time and abandoning their mission, they decided on who would go back. It was Worldscribe’s turn, and everyone agreed without much fuss. The waiting, the weeks spent anticipating the return of the traveler, was the worst part of all this.
Worldscribe used her waygate cube from the lesser-used side and soon crossed the blue shimmering portal. The second her vision settled, the sight before her left her frozen. Even her breathing had stopped.
A gargantuan titanic steel golem loomed high in the sky, towering over everything beneath it, casting a long, wide shadow in the early morning light. This was what he was building? A golem that could break mountains with its punches? Could it work against the Demon Lord? Worldscribe was not sure.
Even though there was just one rank between her and the abominable Demon Lord occupying Land Breaker’s body, she felt like a clawless prey before a blood thirsty predator whenever she sensed that massive mana pressure.
If Land Breaker had always been that powerful and merely controlled his presence, Worldscribe had to reconsider what fourth rankers truly were.
“Do you have time?” Damian’s voice brought her back to reality.
She wanted to go back as soon as possible, but the truth she needed to share had to be conveyed properly. “Two hours,” she replied.
Damian just nodded, his gaze still fixed on his golem. Looking back at the massive construct, Worldscribe asked, “Do you think it will work?”
Damian looked back. “We will see soon.”
***
[Earth, Current time – 6 months 20 days since arrival, Damian’s POV.]
Damian and Worldscribe walked into the meeting hall in his London base. Letting her be there with the few people already inside, he brought everyone back for the meeting from all around the world. From Worldscribe’s demeanor, it didn’t seem like things were too dire, so he took the time to gather the others. Once they were all present, it began.
Worldscribe told them all about the crisis in the Pigmen World, the abandoned mission of the Highswords, the hottest place in their world they couldn’t enter, and Silverspell’s selfishness. They already knew about Bloodedge’s betrayal.
“Damian, we have to do something,” Sam said with urgency. Grace, Sariel, and Amy were the ones who cared the most about the Pigmen civilization. Damian didn’t want them to be wiped out either, but they were not his priority.
“The Demon Lord is not there. They can handle it themselves for a while,” Worldscribe added.
“But they don’t have to,” Sariel argued. “We can help them.”
“I will come with you this time,” Mindseer said firmly. She had taken a long time after losing Hellseeker, but it looked like she had finally left that behind.
Worldscribe just nodded. Her presence alone would be a huge help to the Pigmen civilization. Her future sight could save more lives than any powerful warrior could with their sword.
Damian already knew the Pigmen had four Transcendents. Holding the line should not be a problem for them. The problem would arise when the Black Pigmen failed again and again, and the Demon Lord himself came to finish the job. Still, not everyone around Damian cared for the fate of the Pigmen.
“Tell me about this place. How sure are you that it is the one?” Damian asked.
Worldscribe looked at him and replied, “We have searched the whole planet by now. Every place. We found many dungeons and old structures, but no sign of any kind of power or prison. That place is the only one left to explore fully.”
“Any mana signature?” Damian asked.
“No. The place is too big, and the temperature just keeps rising. We need some runic tools to investigate properly,” Worldscribe answered.
Damian nodded. The others continued questioning Worldscribe about the situation there, the numbers, and the preparations the Pigmen Kingdom had made.
Damian still had to finish his golem. They were in their mid-seventh month on Earth. In another two weeks, it would be seven months and a few days since their arrival. He could finish his work in that time. Leaving the others here for a few days, he could go back and finally complete the job. Either they would find a way home through the Sun God successfully, or Damian would deal with the Demon Lord, and the experience gained would hopefully be enough for him to reach the Transcendent Seed level. Then, after a few years of grinding in the dungeon, he could ascend again and finally go after the Sun God. He already had a lot of power through his knowledge and unique skills; he always was an exception in ranks, they weren’t a good benchmark for his strength. He just needed a fair comparison to see where he stood against a literal god.
Damian finally stood up, the chattering in the room subsiding. “I will go to the Pigmen World in two weeks. That’s approximately ten years in their time. I’ll bring the tools to explore the center of that lava region. Anyone who wants to go with Worldscribe is free to do so. The rest of you, return to your assigned regions and gather as much steel and raw iron as possible in the next two weeks. We’re done here.”
“Damian,” Karl spoke up, but Damian just signaled for him to stop, continuing, “We shouldn’t take too much time in the Pigmen World. I suggest all of you stay here, that would be the wise decision. We will be back soon. Those who want to come, prepare yourselves. This is a war far beyond your level. Anyone can die at any second.”
Everyone nodded and continued the discussion. Damian gave Worldscribe the supplies she had come for. When he handed her the new steel mana cube, she just looked at him and asked, “We failed. We abandoned the mission. We used your tools for our selfish reasons. Why would..”
Damian just shrugged his shoulders. “You did your job, even if it took a century. I know where to go directly now, and that is more than enough. As for the strength you have all been accumulating.. Are you sure any of you can ascend?”
***
[Earth, Current time – 6 months 20 days, Worldscribe’s POV.]
Worldscribe widened her eyes as she watched Damian walk away. She had reached level 400 more than twelve years ago. And she was sure, based on mana comparisons, that many others had reached this far as well. She had even leveled all her skills to their peak years ago. Yet, none of them had attained the enlightenment required to ascend further. Damian was so sure they wouldn’t ascend no matter how much time passed.
‘Does he.. know the reason?’
