Rune magic was a special type of magic that is used not only by Recessers but by some knights who can't use soul energy.
Runes are symbols which are able to enhance anything, ranging from the durability of a thin stick to the defence of a mountain.
After he figured out that he can't continue on the path of evolution, Vernox sought other ways to get stronger. And that's how he found a Grimoire in the castle's armory.
But it looks like runes were stronger in the hands of Recessers than normal people as Vernox stopped improving after some time.
"I have never used magic before." Vernox said, quite excited that he gets to witness magic from himself.
He stood there and ignored the incoming horde of Corrupted and focused on the runes he learned.
His hand suddenly moved and began drawing something on the air with his index finger that had a golden glow to it. He was quite fast at drawing as he drew more than twenty golden symbols in three seconds.
Vernox suddenly opens his eyes, the runes that he drew suddenly moved and started rotating around his head.
*Ding*
[Holy light rune combination casted. You can control the light element temporarily]
'Holy light runes' that was what was on the Grimoire. It grants him the power of light, something that is rare among even humans.
Vernox eyes shimmered with excitement. He suddenly dissappeared from where he was and appeared five metres away from the corrupted.
Golden energy wrapped around his sword and destructive energy could be felt from the sword.
Vernox rotated skillfully with his sword, cleaving off the heads of three corrupted at the same time.
[You have slain a corrupted... (2/15)]
[You have...]
[You have slain a corrupted, (4/15)]
Vernox could not even celebrate as the remaining ten corrupted charged at him from all angles.
Vernox looked around warily. He suddenly flashed and appeared behind one of the corrupted and cleaved the head off with a swift horizontal motion.
He then moved on. Some of the corrupted gave him a hard time as they dodged. It seems like there are weak.
Vernox was like the wind that brings death as he slashed at the corrupted with his now glowing golden blade.
...
*Sha*
[You have slain a Corrupted, (14/15]
"Haa... Haa"
Vernox panted as he was getting tired. Or was it the expense that using such a powerful rune combination demanded.
Vernox was feeling his soul energy being devoured by the runes at a rapid rate.
...
The demons hiding in their houses finally came out to watch the demon prince fighting off the corrupted that were coming their way.
All of them were very happy and couldn't take their eyes off the prince's fluid movements. He was so fast that it was almost impossible to track him with their bare eyes.
"He... He killed them all!"
"We're saved!"
"Did you see the skill he used?"
"Yeah, it was very strange, I've never seen a Recesser using such magic."
"Maybe it's a secret technique."
"You're right."
It wasn't unnatural that rich families had secret techniques that they teach to their children so it wasn't abnormal to see a new magic every now and then.
Meanwhile, there was a certain someone who just stared at Vernox from beside a building.
Minova was looking at Vernox with a look of admiration and determination. She couldn't imagine what she would do to have that kind of power.
Being powerless in this world is very dangerous as you could be killed accidentally by an animal or by a person.
In Minova's case she was always ridiculed by humans. So she had no other alternative than to embark on her journey to become strong.
She was not regretting following him as she could benefit a lot from him if he really was the demon prince.
"I will be strong too." Minova said with determination.
...
Vernox was feeling weaker and weaker. He couldn't deactivate his skill as the system hasn't ended the mission meaning that he hasn't slain all the corrupted.
=====
[Mission status]
[Kill the 15 corrupted that are heading towards the lich village. 14/15]
[Rewards: One Mystery box]
=====
It was good that most of the ones he just killed were of the dark warrior level which is akin to a soul master, which is below him.
The skill Holy light rune was to increase prowess and power in battle. Also, Vernox could use one magic spell with the holy light rune but he is saving it for last.
Vernox wasn't sure whether it's going to be like the game where the strongest comes last.
*ROOOAAARRR*
Vernox ears hurt as a loud roaring sound reverberated all around the surroundings. Opening his eyes a figure emerged from the bushes in front of him.
It was a Corrupted, but it was no human. This one had a human figure but the ears were elongated and two sharp brown fangs leaked out of its black lips. It's eyes were clear, with only it's pupils glowing red. It's hand wasn't too big but it had claws, not dirty fingernails now, real claws.
This creature approached Vernox slowly while staring at him.
Vernox on the other hand didn't charge in again and used the eyes of domination to scan it and bring out it's stats.
A blue transparent screen only visible to him appeared.
=====
[Corrupted Vampire: He was once roaming the lands to find a new home but unfortunately he was attacked and be became one of the corrupted. He still regains a tiny sense of reasoning as he was of a high level.]
[Consumed by hatred for humans]
[Level - Dark knight]
[Strength - 190]
[Speed - 200]
[Agility - 100]
[Intelligence - 2]
=====
Vernox's eyes widened slightly. It was like he predicted, the last is always the strongest.
"Thank goodness I didn't charge in blindly." He said as he dismissed the screen.
Now he knows one thing for sure. He has to know his enemy before confronting them. This one in front of him, his eyes were... Very life like.
"I'll try to communicate with it."
Vernox said as he stood straight and looked at the creature straight. Vernox noticed that the creature was looking at the village as if it wanted something.
"Is there something you want...?"
The creature stopped for a moment and looked at Vernox, looked at the village again.
It then looked at Vernox angrily as it's set of brown vampire teeth were exposed to the world.
The creature lunged at Vernox with its claws stretched out towards his face.
Vernox eyes widened when the creature suddenly appeared before him. He raised his sword up and used it to block the incoming claw.
*Bang*
Vernox was pushed back and the ground under his feet was dragged along with him. His right hand which he used to hold the sword felt a little numb.
"It looks like this thing is stronger than it looks."
Vernox straightened himself and got into a fighting stance again. He was feeling his soul energy being devoured by the Holy light rune so he has to end this fight as soon as possible.