[{"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-579":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},148384,246,"Chapter 578: Enlightenment; Intent!","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-579",579,"\u003Cp>CH578 Enlightenment; Intent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ultimate Quickdraw Art: Death Phantom Razor]!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Havel gathered the last remnants of energy within his body and unleashed the ultimate art of his Quickdraw Sword Style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time seemed to slow as his blade flashed through the air with incredible speed, slicing toward the koi swimming in the pond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three simultaneous slashes failed to strike the target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Havel dropped weakly to his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His desperate attack had failed, consuming the last of the energy he had left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head hung low as he stared blankly at the sword in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain and weakness screamed through every fibre of his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet none of that occupied his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All Havel could think about was his sword... and the strange sensation he had felt when he struck just now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I felt it...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I felt something repel my blade.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I was right!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the strike had failed, Havel refused to dwell on the despair that threatened to overwhelm him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he focused on the single positive outcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His attack had indeed been faster than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And because of that increase in speed, he had finally sensed the ward protecting the koi from his strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Faster...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I have to strike even faster...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, that was easier said than done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He no longer had the strength to even rise from his kneeling position, much less lift his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minutes passed as Havel struggled to gather enough strength to stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each attempt ended the same way...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Failure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was simply too little fuel left in the tank to make a difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Havel clung stubbornly to his determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he failed now... he would starve to death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Get up!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Get up!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Get up, damn it!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He roared the words internally, over and over again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Refusing to give up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Refusing to surrender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until finally...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the depths of his desperation, Havel felt something drop into his energy pool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden spark of energy surged through his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather than question where it had come from, Havel immediately channelled the energy through his limbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he realised something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only enough for one final action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either he succeeded— and gained a chance at survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or he failed... and died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, Havel rose from his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He settled into a striking stance and prepared to unleash his attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, his teacher’s words echoed through his mind once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Death Phantom’s Razor is a tussle with the phantom of death. If you win the tussle, you live and gain the right to wield its scythe. If you lose... you die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I will survive!’ Havel roared inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, everything between him and the koi fish in the lake seemed to disappear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only him and the fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One final strike...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A desperate attack that would decide everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ultimate Quickdraw Art: Death Phantom Razor]!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same ultimate technique burst forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, there was a major difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And finally...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Havel poured every last ounce of strength into the technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, he broke through his limits and forced out a fourth simultaneous slash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shatter!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The terrifying speed required to execute the fourth strike finally allowed Havel to bypass the ward protecting the lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barrier shattered from the inside out, its defence collapsing after Havel’s blade slipped past its outer protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ward broke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seven koi fish within the pond were now completely vulnerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, there was one small problem... Havel had completely drained himself of all remaining energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lay collapsed on the bank of the lake, staring weakly at the fish swimming within the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Catching one of them would take almost no effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he did not even have the strength left to move a finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could not even maintain consciousness as his vision slowly began to blur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to pass out from starvation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had possessed even a little energy left, he might have laughed at the cruel irony of such a death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fate truly was a cruel mistress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Havel’s vision went black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or so he thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Havel’s eyes snapped open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He found himself seated inside the pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A half-eaten roast fish rested in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across from him sat the beautiful elven swordswoman, calmly eating a fish of her own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you enjoy your fish?\" the elf asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Havel stared blankly between the fish in his hand and the woman before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body felt full of energy— as though he had never collapsed from hunger at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What just happened?\" Havel could not help asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Divine Enlightenment Koi,\" the female elf replied, pointing toward the fish in Havel’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It creates an illusion of the consumer’s greatest fear in order to bring them the enlightenment they require.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Congratulations,\" she added casually. \"You have awakened your Sword Intent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not only that, you managed to cultivate it to the third stage despite only being a Second Circle. I suppose the Divine Enlightenment Koi truly lives up to its reputation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Havel stared incredulously at the fish in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’A Class 2 (Intermediate) warrior with Tier III Sword Intent?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never heard of such a treasure before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An item capable of helping someone birth their Intent was already a ground-breaking treasure in its own right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this fish could go even further, raising the newly awakened Intent to a level that broke the natural rank limitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you,\" Havel said, bowing respectfully to the woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elf waved her hand dismissively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am only fulfilling a dying wish,\" she replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked at the man before her —someone who resembled her kin, yet was clearly not— and could not help but shake her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I had intended to pass on my [Instant Horizon Sword Manual] to you,\" she said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I can already tell that you would never abandon your current technique.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is rather unfortunate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It means my sword art will be lost to history.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She let out a soft sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she lay back upon the bank of the lake, turning her back to Havel as she idly traced her fingers across the surface of the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You may leave now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your trial is over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A portal of light opened before Havel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the phantoms from the other trials, it seemed the elf was simply too lazy to personally send him away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Havel nodded and stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked toward the portal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just as he was about to step through it, he paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned back toward the woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is your name?\" he asked plainly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will remember it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I cannot tell you my name,\" the woman replied without turning around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After all, my sword art will remain lost to history because of you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Havel smiled wryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, since that old man is pretentious enough to hand out such grand titles, I suppose I can do the same,\" the woman muttered in a low voice that Havel barely managed to catch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Instant Blade Empress,\" she said suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned her head and looked back at him with a playful smirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You may remember me as the Instant Blade Empress.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Havel nodded solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I, Havel Landomas, final disciple of the Phantom Flash Swordsman of the SageShadow Plane, pay my respects to the Instant Blade Empress.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He performed a ceremonial bow of the Noble race, one that was somewhat akin to a kowtow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After completing the bow, he remained kneeling, seated upon his heels with his sword placed across his thigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have my utmost gratitude,\" he said sincerely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will never forget the favour you have done for me today and will forever carry it within my heart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only had he awakened and cultivated his Sword Intent, but he had also experienced the crucial state required to further develop the [Ultimate Quickdraw Art: Death Phantom Razor], the pinnacle technique of his sword style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a swordsman of the Phantom Quickdraw Style, such an opportunity was invaluable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could not possibly be more grateful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elf did not turn around to acknowledge his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, she casually waved her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The portal suddenly surged forward, pulling Havel into it and ejecting him from the trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sigh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After he disappeared, a quiet sigh echoed through the space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Instant Blade Empress lay on her back, staring up at the pavilion ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What use is remembering the title of someone who died centuries ago?\" she muttered, shaking her head lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze then drifted back toward the koi fish gliding lazily within the lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Phantom Flash Swordsman, huh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She murmured softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sounds like the sort of rival who might have pushed me to try harder. Perhaps I might have grown stronger than that shifty old man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And if I had, maybe I could have defended our homeland better than he did.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shook her head again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is the point of thinking about that now? I am merely a fragment left behind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since my task is finished, I may as well slumber one final time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She chuckled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To think the end of the greatest genius of the elven race would be just as dull and lazy as the life I lived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>",1547,"2026-05-29T03:49:40.181Z","2026-06-01T04:29:07.188Z",1,"novelbin.me","3c43acc9f3d8f87b5892b5906073c2798e980bebdec7a0a35d90fe31c461231a","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-580","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-578",692,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fre-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-cover.jpg"]