Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 900: Myth, Mythos and Immortality

CH900 Myth, Mythos and Immortality

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“What? I have completed one of the requirements to reach Class 9?”

Whatever daze was in Alex’s eyes after the trance experience was wiped out by this seemingly ludicrous statement.

“How is that possible?” He couldn’t help asking.

“Reaching the Realm of Mythos is different from actually becoming a Mythos. Entering the Realm of Mythos doesn’t make one a Mythos. Yet, one cannot become a Mythos without entering the Realm of Mythos,” Uthvaazgol said.

“Class 9, as you understand it, is different from the Classes below it. Unlike the Classes before it, Class 9 doesn’t require systematic development from the previous Classes. In theory, it is possible to become a Class 9 from any rank.

“Class 9 isn’t simply a rank on the path of power. It is an identity in the sight of the Universal Natural Order. One is either a Mythos or they aren’t.

“A Mythos draws power directly from the Universal Natural Order itself. And the power they can draw is dependent on how far they have gone within the Realm of Mythos.”

Uthvaazgol paused. He raised his head to look far ahead with a distant gaze, as if he were looking at a faraway location in a far-distant time.

Then, seemingly shaking his head with pity, he looked back at Alex.

“To enter the Realm of Mythos, one must be or create something so extraordinarily unique that its likes have never been seen before—an achievement that would grant them the enlightenment that would enable them to walk through the void of the unknown in search of ‘Truth’.

“However, a Mythos is a being—a myth—that has created something unique and of great contribution to countless lives across multiple planes, or they themselves are a contribution to the Natural Order.

“Magi—the first being to master the control of Mana and the elements, and the progenitor of the magical branch on the path of power.

“Sage—the being who created spellcasting, progenitor of mages and spellcasters, and the original ‘Smartest’ being.

“Galactus—the mythical being who tempered its flesh into a plane, and from that plane birthed the beasts who became the inspiration for Body Tempering—or what you call the Warrior branch of the path of Power.

“Primodius—the first being to create and pass down bloodlines.

“Crona—the first being to invent or comprehend the concept of Interplanar travel…”

Uthvaazgol named multiple beings, each of whom had made a great contribution to the Universe as it was now.

Without Magi, perhaps the concept of ‘magic’ would not exist anywhere in the Universe.

Likewise, without Galactus, it might be impossible for myriad creatures to temper and refine their weak bodies into stronger ones. Every being would be stuck with the innate state of their bodies without any hope of advancement.

And finally, without Sage, the Spellcasting he created and his willingness to teach and spread it to myriad creatures, many magical Classes which had now become staple Classes and professions in many planes would not exist.

In fact, much of the knowledge possessed by many myriad beings came from interacting with the Natural Order through spells. Hence, without Sage and his Spellcasting, much of the knowledge existing currently would not exist.

No doubt, each of these beings was deserving of being called a myth.

However, not every Mythos necessarily brought something good to the Universe. In the grand scheme of things, however, the Mythos who perhaps brought the greatest harm to the denizens of the Universe was the creator of the divergent Deity branch of the path of power—Deimarch.

Alex shook his head.

He wasn’t about to condemn Deimarch, a being so far above his level that he didn’t have the right to do more than look up to him in awe.

He recognised that he didn’t truly understand why Deimarch created the branch. It might not necessarily have been meant to bring harm to people. After all, it was merely a method. It was the individual who used the method that was good or evil.

The same thoughts applied to the previous three Branch-creating Mythos he had thought about. It was unknown whether they were good or evil beings. Similar to the Deity branch, the three branches were methods that weren’t objectively good or evil.

There had been many evil people using any of the three branches, just as there were good people.

Alex shook himself out of his thoughts. He looked back at Uthvaazgol.

“What about you, Master? What is your Myth?” Alex asked.

Uthvaazgol raised his head grandiosely and replied, “I am the $%^& $%^&( @#$%^& {“:? #$%^&—”

“Ah!”

Alex held his head, drops of blood trickling out from his eyes and ears, causing Uthvaazgol to stop mid-speech and look at the youth with surprise.

“What just happened?” Alex asked after the throbbing pain eased away.

Uthvaazgol didn’t answer immediately, instead looking into the distance again, seemingly at something.

“I see…” He nodded to himself. “You are not allowed to learn of my myth, it would seem,” he replied to Alex.

“Huh? Why? You told me about other Mythos and their Myths,” Alex said.

“I am not sure. This is the first time I have revealed, or even could be bothered to tell, a lower being of my identity,” Uthvaazgol replied, a hint of surprise evident in his tone.

The Ancient Dragon understandably wouldn’t need to reveal his Myth to someone of a lower standing compared to him, like someone at Alex’s power rank. A lesser being couldn’t even stand in his presence if he didn’t want them to.

Even without knowing he was a mythical Class 9, no lesser being would dare, or even have the ability, to disrespect him. As such, he would have never been in a situation where he needed to tell someone of Alex’s level about his Mythos.

“If I were to guess, I would assume it has to do with the fact that Myth is a tale mixed with mystery. If the mystery is gone, then it becomes ‘history’.

“As you know, revealing my Myth to you may remove the mystery of my Myth and potentially damage my Mythos. Perhaps only when you raise yourself to a higher level, and the effect of the mystery within my Mythos is reduced, can you bear the burden of knowing my Mythos,” Uthvaazgol deduced.

He smiled. “Until then, if you are truly curious, become stronger and meet me in the Realm of Mythos.”

“Why does this ‘mystery’ matter so much? How sure are you that I am able to enter this Realm of Mythos?” Alex asked.

“Immortality…” Uthvaazgol replied grandly.

“Immortality?” Alex raised an eyebrow.

“When one reaches the Peak of the Liquid stage after becoming a Legend, their bodies are flooded with so much Mana and energy, down to their cells, that their bodies lean more towards being an energy construct than a physical one.

“By the time they cross over and head to the Solid Peak, Class 7, the distinction between physical, energy, Concept, and Law blurs, and their lifespan increases further, depending on their species, to lifespans absurd for their native species. For you humans, that is at least a thousand years or so, depending on their rank.

“At the second stage, Class 8, one gains a realisation of the Supreme Laws, and from their blessings, transcends natural death. Since the Supreme Laws are equal, a Transcendent transcends beyond Death and won’t die without… impulse.

“A Transcendent can live almost eternally, but they can be killed—relatively easily by another Transcendent.

“As for Class 9, it is almost impossible for Class 9s to die—whether through natural death or being killed. The reason for this is our Myth.

“As long as our Myths exist somewhere in the Universe, we will be reborn anew, and slowly regain our power, returning back to Mythos.”

***