[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-return-of-the-legendary-runesmith":3,"chapter-return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-191":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Return of the Legendary Runesmith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1562516,2026,"Chapter 191 - 190- Guardian","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-191",191,"\u003Cp>Adrian was lying in his tent, reading a diary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t anything important—just his usual notes to help him stay focused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, there was only one thing on his mind, and the notes helped keep it from drifting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night was quiet. Every now and then, strong winds brushed against the tent, making strange, eerie sounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waited calmly for another hour. Then, it happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come out,\" came Ruby’s clear voice from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling, Adrian placed the diary inside the Time Chamber and stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he stepped outside, he saw Ruby holding some protective gear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wear this,\" she said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian was about to say he didn’t need it, but then she added, \"It’ll help hide your identity if someone sees you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded without arguing and took the bodysuit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Adrian put on the protective gear, he heard Ruby say,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll create a smoke blanket around the area, but be careful. Don’t wander too far, and try not to make too much noise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind,\" he replied with a small hum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already put on the helmet—only the back zipper was left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby stepped behind him and slowly pulled it up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Adrian was about to move forward, he felt a slight weight on his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her small hands held the sides of his suit, and her face gently pressed against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If something happens to you, I won’t be able to forgive myself,\" she whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the emotion in her voice, Adrian reached back and held her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll come back without a scratch. Trust me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby didn’t say anything at first. Then, without a word, she stepped away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian looked at her once before giving a firm nod and hurrying toward the crater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left behind, Ruby held her elbow with one hand and quietly muttered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn’t make a mistake... right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-------**-------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was early morning, and as usual, Allen was jogging around the academy grounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had made it a habit to train for at least two hours every morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he first entered the academy, he’d become a little cocky. But after being reminded of his weaknesses—twice—he finally understood what he needed to do to shape a better future for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why, along with his regular training, he had also started taking on a few hunting jobs on the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The academy didn’t allow students to work outside, but Allen knew that if he didn’t break a few rules, he’d never grow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, I think I can take that hound down myself... he muttered under his breath, coming to a stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered watching the headmistress during the last invasion—how she had fought off several monsters on her own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some of them were terrifying creatures, ones his old self—the version of him that had been asleep—couldn’t have even imagined standing against.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now... now he believed he had changed. He had grown stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you doing, staring at the ground like that?\" a voice cut through his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Allen looked up, snapped out of his daze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elizabeth...\" He called out, \"What do you need from me?\" The cocky young miss from Grimvale had turned completely silent for the past few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems having her ass whooped by Professor Adrian erased all that ego she had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glared at him, \"Why do I feel like you are thinking something rude about me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Allen sighed, \"Well, you are right bout that. Now, can we skip the chit-chat? I need to train.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elizabeth pouted...no one talks so rudely to her. But well, \"Can you teach me swordsmanship?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>------**------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is messed up...\" Adrian muttered as he traced the glowing symbols on the cube. His senses picked up two more cubes nearby—both about a hundred meters away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They formed a triangle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant... whatever these things were guarding had to be in the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do I have enough time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was almost morning, though the sun hadn’t risen yet. Thanks to Ruby, the whole area was hidden beneath a dark veil—her magic blending seamlessly with the eerie night of the Wasteland. But once daylight broke, that darkness would stand out like a stain. People might start asking questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I need to move fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian climbed out of the shallow crater and began heading toward the center point between the three cubes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept his revolver close to his chest, quietly attaching a silencer to the barrel. Something he’d gotten from Forgelet the last time he asked for bullets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweet girl. Always knew what he needed—sometimes before he even asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed the muzzle at the ground and pulled the trigger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>TWEEK\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silenced shot barely made a sound as the bullet struck the dirt. A small puff of dust burst up on impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian shut his eyes out of habit, even though he didn’t need to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bullet did exactly what it was meant to—digging deeper and deeper into the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>TING\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It hit something solid. Something it couldn’t break through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian opened his eyes—and through the narrow opening in the soil, he saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A steel door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heart quickening, he reached into his pouch, pulled out another bullet, and began clearing the dirt and rocks that blocked the way. His hands moved fast, driven by a mixture of fear and hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the path was clear, he jumped down and landed on top of the hidden door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chest thudded with every heartbeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This might be it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door that would finally lead him to the truth—his real identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bit his lower lip, steadying his breath. Then he grabbed the handle with both hands, planted his feet against the wall for support, and pulled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CLINK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The metallic sound echoed louder than he expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a sound followed. No footsteps. No creaking above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one had been here in a long time. That much was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave it another slow pull. The panel shifted, revealing a narrow stairway descending into pitch black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’This is stupid...’ he thought, but he couldn’t turn back now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a white stick from the Time Chamber. The moment he pulled it, a soft glow spread around him—pale and cold, but just enough to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stairs were steep. The air was thick and old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his revolver, already fitted with a teleportation bullet, and began to descend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One slow step at a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Into the dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Into the unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stairs just kept going.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step after step, deeper and deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian counted under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time he reached the thirtieth step, his boots finally touched solid ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huu... let’s see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted the glowing stick and looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was standing in a wide gallery—so wide that even a minotaur could’ve walked through without brushing the walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He crouched and touched the floor. It wasn’t metal. No rust. No decay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt... stronger. A material he couldn’t name, but it had held up for what must’ve been centuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air was still, but he could feel it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pulse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana—dense and old—coming from ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved forward, holding the glowing stick out like a torch. His eyes scanned every corner, every inch of shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gallery opened into a large chamber—almost like a hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he stepped inside—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CLINK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire space lit up, bathed in a soft golden glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian’s breath caught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something stood at the far end of the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White limbs. Circular head. Cylindrical core. Eight feet tall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A golem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It raised its head slowly, its golden eyes locking onto him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian tensed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—those golden eyes turned red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golem lunged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian barely rolled aside in time, hitting the ground hard as the golem’s massive arm slammed down where he’d just stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without wasting a second, he pulled out his revolver and fired at its foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bullet burst on impact, spreading into a web of ice that snapped around the golem’s leg, locking it in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golem paused, struggling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—glowing runes lit up across the golem’s midsection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hisssss!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam erupted from the ice as the runes activated, melting his spell in seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze sharpened, focusing on the inscription as the lines rearranged themselves with purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’It’s a fucking armament?!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That explained everything—the durability, the mana surge, the versatility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golem shattered the ice holding it back, breaking free with a violent twist of its leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Adrian could react, it extended its left arm—which snapped off from the shoulder, transforming into a spinning projectile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>FWOOOSH!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It came hurtling toward him like a cannon shell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shit—!\" Adrian threw himself sideways, his back scraping against the stone floor as the detached limb smashed into the wall behind him, leaving a crater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rolled and came up on one knee, already loading another bullet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With quick precision, he fired—this time aiming at the golem’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spell-infused bullet whistled through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the golem didn’t even flinch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its red eyes flared briefly... and then, with a low hum, it summoned a small black portal right in front of its face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bullet vanished into it—swallowed whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian froze, still crouched low. His heart pounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is he even fighting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>°°°°°°\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A\u002FN:- Thanks for reading.\u003C\u002Fp>",1554,"2026-06-06T07:53:02.436Z",1,"novelbin.me","e48f0474fee8e89031cefde3eba01881ef70036713231de9406c5463d83b183e","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-192","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-190",595,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freturn-of-the-legendary-runesmith-cover.jpg"]