"Yes, but these are meant to work with our bodies. I would have liked to engrave it directly into our skin, but I lack the proper tools, so we will use the pelts of the demons. How high is your energy pool?"
While sharing information about your stats could easily be used against you, the young man and little cat wholly trusted each other, so they did not hesitate before speaking.
"My energy pool is already at 5.1."
Vlad was a little surprised, as Jormungandr’s energy pool was impressively high. It should be around five times higher than a normal Mage, showing just how important a mighty race and bloodline were in the new world order.
"That will be enough. I will connect your rune directly to your energy pool. I have many types in my mind, but due to my materials and abilities, I can only make a few basic Rank 1 Runes."
Not wanting to waste time, Vlad took several pelts from his space ring and began to engrave the runes on them.
These types of runes were much more complicated than the ones he built in the warehouse, so he failed multiple times. Luckily, there was a lot of skin and blood. Every time he failed, he got a little closer, and his skills improved.
Three days after the Abyssal Consumption Rune was created, a group emerged from the fortress. Leading the force was the young Lieutenant Mitchel. Along with him were thirty-five soldiers, twenty-five Warriors, and ten Mages.
A small yellow cat with leather armor was on the young Lieutenant’s shoulder. The leather armor was impressive, but what truly drew the soldier’s attention were the runes engraved in it.
Mitchel glanced at the small cat on his shoulder. Jormungandr had decided to position himself in that position so that it would be easier for him to protect the soldiers. It was strange for a grown adult soldier to rely on a small cat’s protection, but Mitchel was sincerely thankful, as it improved their chances of survival.
He then turned to the young man walking ten meters ahead of the group. While walking outside of the military formation would generally be unwise, Mitchel knew that this person had the power to move on his own, and he was ahead not to show off but to be able to respond to any threat that might arise.
The group’s destination was the closest town to the military base, Good Side Town, which had a population of roughly three thousand people. Of course, it was impossible to say for sure how many were still alive after all this time.
Vlad and the soldiers did not dare to run as they did not want to be depleted of energy once they reached their destination. After all, what kind of joke would it be if they reached the town and were too tired to fight, being forced to run away?
However, even though they were just jogging, due to their physical improvement after reaching Level 1, the Mages’ physical condition did not fall short of that of a well-trained athlete, and the Warriors could put even Olympic gold medalists to shame.
After a day of jogging with a few rests from time to time, the group finally saw the town. Despite the previous battle hardening their will, shock and rage appeared in their eyes as they saw the town’s streets overrun by demon beasts, blood everywhere, yet there was no human corpse.
The last part only enraged the soldiers even more as they knew the reason for the lack of corpses was those monsters eating them.
Lieutenant Mitchel’s eyes were full of rage as well, but he could keep his composure. Luckily, they had not faced enemies on the path, as all the demons around the area had either flooded the town or were part of the horde that Vlad helped kill.
However, even if they were unwounded, they were still tired from the nearly 11-hour march, and the sunlight was already fading. If they fought those demons in their current condition, it would not end well for them.
"We will rest for the night. In the morning, we will find a way to take care of the demons."
Lieutenant Mitchel’s eyes were sharp, and his voice was cold as he stared at the soldiers with a sharp and severe gaze.
"Remember, our mission is not to kill demons but to find people and resources and bring them to the fortress. Do not let your emotions cloud your training!"