[{"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-552":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},148357,246,"Chapter 551: The Irregular","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-552",552,"\u003Cp>CH551 The Irregular\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The were-croc berserk human slowly turned toward the newly arrived sorcerers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the other berserk humans the group had encountered so far, this one displayed a rare clarity of awareness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not driven by blind malice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet its eyes glowed with unmistakable predatory intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t about blessed versus unblessed. Nor was it purely the berserk property compelling it to attack the uncorrupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gaze in the creature’s eyes was more than that, but also simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the look of a predator staring down at its prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We don’t have a choice,\" Hiro said, shattering any lingering hope of retreat or avoiding the battle. \"We won’t be able to find the right door without first dealing with this being.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others stared at the berserk human, solemn apprehension settling across their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bring out everything you have,\" Hiro continued. \"Don’t hold back your trump cards if you want to leave this place alive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Holy Sons and Holy Daughters were not pleased with his commanding tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they understood. This was no moment for caution or pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they couldn’t trust each other and cooperate fully, then none of them would be leaving this place alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sana of the Anima Sacred Lands reached down and patted the three pouches strapped to her waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pouches opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beams of light shot outward, arcing down before striking the ground in front of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From those beams emerged three beasts— magic beasts untouched by, or perhaps resistant to, the berserk corruption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beast carrier pouches!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing before the petite, tribal-looking woman were a purple-black panther, a flame-red gorilla, and a thin, rope-like forest-green snake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The snake immediately slipped into the grass and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sana vaulted smoothly onto the panther’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red gorilla stepped forward, placing itself between its summoner and the enemy like a living shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Jin stepped ahead, a grin stretching across his gaunt face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finally,\" he muttered. \"Worthy competition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hands blurred as they formed rapid hand seals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Vitality Reversal]!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mystic energy surged outward from Jin’s navel, flooding through his body and revitalising it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His withered frame swelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muscle and meat filled the bone, his skin tightened and rejuvenated and his posture straightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In seconds, the frail, emaciated figure transformed into a hulking seven-foot man in his physical prime— athletic, powerful, muscles thick with condensed vitality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shift was dramatic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But none of the Chosen Children reacted with surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vitality Reversal was a signature tempering technique of the Physical Tempering Holy Land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m going first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the disparity in rank, Jin chose to engage head-on— whether brave or reckless was open to interpretation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dashed toward the were-croc berserk human at the highest movement speed possible for a Third Circle Sorcerer and threw a punch, pouring his full weight and mystic energy behind the strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin’s eyes flashed in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The berserk human caught the punch effortlessly with an open palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, before Jin could react, the creature drove a fist into his abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin’s body folded like a shrimp as he was launched into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the displacement was less from the power of the blow and more from Jin’s own movement— he had jumped with the impact to reduce the damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still... the force was undeniable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using that brief opening, Jin twisted his trapped hand free from the berserk human’s grip and retreated as quickly as he had advanced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make countermeasures. It is evolved from a power-ty—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin tried to relay information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he suddenly felt something blur to his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’This speed—’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought never finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The berserk human appeared beside him and backhandedly smacked him across the face, sending the fighter-sorcerer hurtling through the air and grass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he was sent flying and rolling across the grass, Jin twisted his body mid-tumble, redirecting the momentum and forcing himself back onto his feet in one fluid motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’How is that possible? How can a power-type berserk human be that fast?’ Jin thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if answering his question, the berserk human shifted its posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It dropped into a stance resembling a runner’s starting position. The muscles along its thighs tightened visibly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The were-croc berserk human launched forward like a bullet, closing the distance faster than Jin himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’How’s that possible?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other Chosen Children found themselves asking the same question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, berserk humans were heavily biased toward a single attribute— Strength, Agility, or Vitality (or regeneration). The higher they evolved, the more extreme that bias became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature catching Jin’s full-power strike —delivered under Vitality Reversal, a technique that unleashed energy accumulated over some time in a single burst— already proved its monstrous physical strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That should have confirmed it as a strength-type.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the speed it displayed now –the explosive acceleration, the pursuit— that wasn’t merely a strength or muscle-driven movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It put the were-croc berserk human in the leagues of Agility-type berserk humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Belonging to two natures simultaneously...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant only one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’An irregular.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conclusion surfaced in every sorcerer’s mind at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even as the realisation struck, none of them remained idle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The berserk human’s punch cut through the air, aimed squarely at Jin’s head— a blow that would certainly tear it off from his shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin watched the incoming fist as if time slowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was too fast, too close, and hence too late to dodge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Move!’ he roared inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he wouldn’t move out of the punch’s path in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, someone else moved fast enough to intercept the berserk human before the strike landed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin of the Armament Sacred Land rushed forward, forming hand seals with one hand while gripping his flexible sword with the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the final seal completed, Shin leapt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drove his blade theatrically into the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Trapping Wood Style: Creeping Entanglement]!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mystic energy surged through the blade and into the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An uncountable number of creeping vines burst from the ground, coiling upward to seize the berserk human’s punching arm and hold it in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roar!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature released a low, furious roar and forced the punch forward regardless, determined to take Jin’s head off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, for the sorcerers, the brief instant of restraint bought by Shin’s move was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin slipped past the killing blow by a hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The punch skimmed his cheek, the residual force scorching skin and driving him several steps back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The berserk human didn’t relent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It moved to finish the kill with a swiple of its tail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Wailing Grasp]! [Festering Flesh]!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ignus Pine]!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana of the Grey School cast two spells at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ghastly hands of darkness clawed out from the ground, gripping the berserk human and locking it in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin immediately used the opportunity to widen the distance. He could see the binding wouldn’t last longer than a breath so he immediately pulled away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before it broke, though, the follow-up landed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana’s second spell burrowed through the creature’s scaly hide, revealing infected, festering flesh beneath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same moment, Ken’s spell — a flame lance shaped like a pine spearhead — pierced directly into that wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A muffled grunt escaped the berserk human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana and Ken exchanged a sharp look of surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both spells should have caused far greater damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’It also has high resistance against the mystic arts.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realisation settled heavily between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before either Ariana or Ken could voice their realisation, the berserk human abruptly abandoned Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, it turned its attention toward the spellcasters. Its wounds healed and closed up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’It even has regeneration?!’ The sorcerers were aghast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The berserk human suddenly charged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, you don’t!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin moved instantly, stepping into its path, sword raised to intercept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the berserk human’s movement was abnormal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It used sudden halts and explosive dashes in rapid succession, forcing Shin to misstep. The swordsman lost his footing and fell back onto his heels as the creature slipped past him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Alex been present, one phrase would have surfaced in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ankle breaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The berserk human left Shin on the ground as it rushed toward its target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching it pass, horror flooded Shin’s thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’A berserk human... can use footwork techniques?!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humiliation burned, but still, he forced himself to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin drove his sword into the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Trapping Wood Style: Creeping Entanglement]!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vines erupted once more, racing across the terrain to halt the berserk human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other sorcerers didn’t remain idle as well. Spells flew— some to damage, others to restrain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, it worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The berserk human was bound in place by multiple effects— vines, force bindings, and other binding mystic arts layered over one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana nearly completed her escape spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the final instant, the berserk human suddenly opened its jaws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spike of condensed and hardened sand –formed in its mouth— fired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The projectile tore through Ariana’s chest, impaling her heart before the spell could activate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature’s eyes flashed with ruthless clarity as it eliminated what it perceived as the greatest threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other sorcerers shivered, dread sinking deep into their bones as they watched one of their own —a Holy Daughter equal in status to them— die before their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lifeless body struck the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reality settled over them like a weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana of the Grey School had fallen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>",1548,"2026-05-29T03:49:40.181Z","2026-06-01T04:29:07.188Z",1,"novelbin.me","a1407d89f5ae2d26385016fad5a838f0f66317ee1d211f0de005226a7a1ae858","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-553","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-551",692,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fre-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-cover.jpg"]