[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage":3,"chapter-re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-114":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},148027,246,"Chapter 113: Shadow Guard","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-114",114,"\u003Cp>CH113 Shadow Guard\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The original Alex Fury had grown up at the Back Mountain Lodge, almost as if he were living in exile. He had very little contact with others his own age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The closest person to his age he encountered back then was Megan, the daughter of the lodge’s Head Maid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex had grown attached to her, always sticking close whenever she visited her mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was, in a way, the closest thing to a familial connection he had back then. And as he grew older, she became the model for what he imagined a wife would be like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hence why True_Sage thought of her as the original Alex’s first crush—though the boy himself wouldn’t have recognised it as such at the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Big Sis Megan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We don’t have much time—we still have to attend that annoying family meeting,\" Megan Fury said, her beautiful face contorting into a mildly annoyed scowl. She gestured to the tall woman behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m delivering her to you. She’s to be your Shadow Guard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shadow Guard?\" Alex blinked, visibly surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Shadow Guard was a secret protector—an elite bodyguard trained to serve from the shadows, usually assigned to the most important members of noble families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These guards were hand-selected and rigorously trained, chosen not only for talent and potential but above all else, loyalty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Shadow Guards were usually chosen directly by the one they served, to foster trust from the very beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the worst-case scenario, the guard was selected by the master’s guardian—but even then, the master and guard were introduced early, to build familiarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which made the current situation... highly unconventional, to say the least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if reading his thoughts, Megan added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She was selected and trained by your father personally. He handed her over to me so she could follow me into real battles and gain hands-on experience.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh...\" Alex nodded slowly, eyes narrowing slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to size up the mysterious woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked young—perhaps in her late teens or early twenties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly tall, almost reaching Alex’s 190cm height. Muscular and bulky, yet lithe in a deadly feminine way. Even while standing still, she radiated a strong, wild aura—her primal warrior-like braids only adding to the impression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her traits were unmistakably Amazonian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But her ink-dark skin, sharp, drop-dead gorgeous features, and elongated ears clearly marked her as having Drow (Night Elf) ancestry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t just an Amazon. Nor just a Drow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something else flowed through her blood—something more... inherent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a distinct, seductive air about her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And no, it wasn’t just because her clothing was form-fitting, leaving her toned midriff and muscular legs exposed, nor the modest but tempting bosom, nor even the thighs that looked like they could strangle a man mid-battle and mid-kiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it wasn’t just the appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was her nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of which, Alex could feel something... different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman gave off an unusual connection to nature—almost as if she could blend into the surrounding flora at will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t just an Amazon. Nor was she just a Drow. Nor just any other race Alex could name off-hand that fully explained the wild yet elegant vibes she radiated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’It’s like she isn’t just one thing... but a host of them.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My work is done,\" Megan said simply, turning on her heels to walk away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex stopped her. \"Shouldn’t you properly explain what’s going on to me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not my place to explain. Speak to your father,\" Megan replied as she pulled her hood further back and resumed her departure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex’s frown deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh,\" Megan suddenly paused. \"The meeting was called because of you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked over her shoulder, her eyes sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Word of advice... if you don’t want to constantly deal with those insects and fleas—crush them all at once.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There will be many watching... we’ll be waiting to see if you’re worthy of the position you were born into.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, she added coldly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re not... it’ll be taken from you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that, Megan walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She used some strange movement technique. Although she appeared to move slowly, she covered a shocking amount of distance with each step. Before Alex could think to reply, she had already vanished from sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her parting words echoed in his mind, deepening the furrow on his brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Megan in Alex’s memories had always been a curt person, but even so, it wasn’t like her to leave him with such cryptic, almost threatening words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, it didn’t take him long to piece together a rough idea of what to expect at the upcoming meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His ruby-red eyes darkened in shade, and a cold smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A subtle ripple of power leaked from him—a regal, commanding pressure laced with his True Name, Velkarasolmir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Regal Dominance Aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow Guard shivered unconsciously, her pupils dilating in visible shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like the calm, intellectual youth had suddenly become a ruthless warlord in front of her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as quickly as the shift happened, it vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex had regained his usual poise, that relaxed, scholarly calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I apologise for my lack of manners,\" he said smoothly. \"My name is Alex Fury. You are?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Udara,\" the Shadow Guard replied, her voice unexpectedly soft and low. There was a musical lilt, almost sultry—sounding like velvet strung through honey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lady Udara—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to continue, but she gently cut him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Udara... just Udara.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex blinked, slightly caught off-guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It feels improper to call you by name so casually. I still don’t understand what’s going on, and so... I can’t yet accept you as my Shadow Guard. I hope you understand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Udara bit her lower lip, eyes flickering with a brief flash of emotion—something close to disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gesture was unintentional, but mesmerising nonetheless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, she nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no puff of smoke. No magic flash. Just pure, terrifying grace. Her movement had both the aggression of a predator and the lethal flow of a master huntress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex was caught off-guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remained standing, awkwardly frozen, feeling... oddly like a villain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he could sense her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather—she was letting him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a high-level technique. She was deliberately allowing only him to sense her presence. A method of silent, respectful assertion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Udara had positioned herself a few feet behind him, just out of sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had taken up a protective position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without needing acceptance. Without needing permission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her actions spoke clearly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would do her duty. Whether he accepted her or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whine~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fen, resting in Alex’s arms, nudged him gently with his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re right,\" Alex chuckled softly. \"I should get going.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling wryly to himself, he remounted his steed and set off for the Ashen Castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Udara followed in silence, keeping a precise distance behind—ever the shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>**\u003C\u002Fp>",1139,"2026-05-29T03:49:10.136Z","2026-06-01T04:29:07.188Z",1,"novelbin.me","ed3d043a4631f881b3cb3da197481fff06b325280b50b7133188dfcc737b7412","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-115","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-113",692,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fre-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-cover.jpg"]