Return of the Legendary Runesmith

The first volume ends with the climax of the fourth arc, where Allen and the others confront a man who should not exist.

Silverhorn Abraham—a figure erased by time, yet still walking among the living. For centuries, he has clung to life through forbidden arts, trading the lives of both allies and enemies alike in his relentless pursuit of knowledge and control.

He belongs to no faction, forms no alliances, and holds no desire to rule a kingdom. His only devotion is to Nytharos, the Fallen God. Every step he takes, every sacrifice he makes, is to prepare his own body as a vessel for the god he worships.

For that reason, he eliminates anything that could threaten his mission—any variable that could become a hindrance to him or the deity he serves.

In the fourth arc, his role is clear: to eliminate the user of the Light attribute.

What follows is a devastating battle—one that not only shakes the academy, but also allows Allen to recover a lost fragment of memory… a glimpse into who he once was.

The man who once slayed the Darkness.

The one destined to bring salvation to the world once again by exterminating the Demon who would be rising in a few years.

And someone who could bring Nytharos early to the world, stands before Adrian.

Abraham.

He shouldn't have appeared here—

Not for someone like Adrian.

'Or… was it me? Did I make too much noise?'

He had.

He was foolish to think no one had eyes on him.

His curiosity, his urge to learn more about the staff, had led him straight into this trap.

"You look pale, Adrian," the man said with a smile.

He stood just a few meters away now. His yellowed teeth were clearly visible, and they reeked of rot. Adrian could barely stop his nose from twitching.

"I'm curious," Adrian said, his voice calm, even though his pulse wasn't.

"Why would the Defiler go after a staff that just... moves people around?"

A guttural laugh rumbled from the man's throat. His shoulders shook as he chuckled.

"Defiler… I like that. You know more about me than I thought."

Adrian gave a slow shrug. "You're not the only one digging into people's lives."

Abraham's smile faded. His eyes narrowed. "I doubt just digging around would tell you who I am."

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Turning your back on the world doesn't make you disappear."

That did it.

The air shifted.

A heavy darkness began to seep into the room—thick and cold. The light faded, not flickered or dimmed, but vanished… swallowed by something deeper.

Adrian tensed.

He didn't like this feeling.

The vines around his ankles began to twist. Harder. Tighter. Pain lanced through his legs, making him wince.

Then Abraham leaned in, so close that only a whisper was needed.

"I promise you," he said softly, "the pain you're about to feel won't be anything like what you've known before."

For the first time—

Adrian felt fear.

This man... no, this thing—

Was sinister.

He could take Adrian anywhere—and no one in the world would be able to find him.

Abraham raised a hand, slowly reaching toward Adrian's face. His finger was just about to touch him when—

CRACK!

Glass shattered.

Someone had burst through the window.

Abraham snapped his head around with a growl—only to see the silver-haired girl standing in the frame.

His eyes widened in surprise.

He turned back to Adrian—

"Wha—khaak!!"

He couldn't finish.

Adrian had already moved. He tilted his head to the side, and the dagger held between his teeth sliced clean across Abraham's throat.

"Kkhhaak… agh…"

The man staggered back, clutching his neck as dark, tar-like blood spilled from the wound.

Ariana didn't waste the moment—she lunged forward and aimed a punch at him.

CRACK!

But before it landed, a vine erupted from the floor and yanked her by the ankle.

"Shit!" she yelled as she crashed to the ground.

Meanwhile, the vines holding Adrian finally loosened. He broke free, keeping his eyes fixed on Abraham, who was now choking on his own blood.

The man pointed a trembling finger toward Adrian.

"You...god is dead for you ... I—I will return for you…!"

His words crumbled into nothing as shadows swallowed him, dragging him into the darkness.

Adrian watched in silence.

Then he rushed over and helped Ariana.

She cursed again and easily snapped the vine off her ankle.

"What the fuck was that shit stain?" she spat, unable to hold back her frustration—or her fear.

Even she felt it.

That presence... was wrong.

If someone like Olivia had seen that man, she probably would've fainted on the spot.

Adrian glanced down at the blood on the floor. It was already rotting through the wood.

He muttered, "An unneeded existence."

Ariana sighed, scanning the room. "We were trapped. Someone wanted to drag you here."

Adrian nodded. "Either someone at the Teleportation Center lied to us, or the Acolytes messed with the Light user."

Ariana crossed her arms. "Should we head back and question them?"

Adrian shook his head. "No. We'll send a messenger to the Academy. Let Professor Gilbert deal with it."

She paused for a moment, then agreed with a nod.

Together, they walked out of the governor's office.

Outside, Ariana spotted a few soldiers.

"I'll talk to them. Just a few minutes," she said, walking ahead.

Adrian didn't reply.

He pressed his fingers to his wrist.

His pulse was still fast.

'He was far more terrifying than how the novel described him…'

A man who cheated death. Who could become a serious threat if left alone.

And worse—

He knew about the Staff.

If that knowledge leaked out, suspicion would fall on Adrian. Eyes would turn toward him. Even if the Staff was safely locked inside the Time Chamber, there were ways to extract secrets—without torture.

Adrian's chest felt tight.

Abraham needed to be erased.

For good.

"Adrian?"

Ariana's voice broke through his thoughts.

He looked at her.

"You okay?" she asked, stepping closer. "You're sweating like crazy."

"I'm fine… I just—"

"Adrian?!"

He stumbled, and Ariana caught him before he collapsed.

Adrian could see her face twist with worry, but he had no strength to speak—no strength to stay upright.

His vision dimmed. His mind felt distant, floating away from his body.

And then—he fell.

Into the sea of his memories.

Memories long hidden, folded, and locked away.

But now, the time had come.

Time to uncover who he truly was.

Even if it was only a glimpse—

Of who he was…

And what he could become.

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.

Adrian actually stepped inside the Time Chamber for the dagger.