Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player

Because Kieran focused intently, the eighteen seconds elapsed at a snail's pace, but it wasn't something Kieran cursed or felt defeated about.

Analyzing the entire Seal Decryption process was a learning experience for Kieran.

Like he assumed, the nine layers of the first Supreme Cipher of Eni operated like an almightly inverse lock. Meaning, the cipher was like a master key in the shape of a lock.

As long as it detected the required symbols to undo any seal, it would only be a matter of time before the Supreme Cipher unlocked it.

Although the Ancient Rune Shard seemed complex on the surface, when it came to the Supreme Cipher of Eni, it couldn't hold a candle to it.

The simultaneous turning of the nine-layered nonagram broke down all of the elements composing the seal in a matter of seconds!

Such an experience was naturally a spectacle to Kieran. It was so captivating that during these eighteen seconds, Kieran refrained from blinking out of fear of missing the magnificence of the cipher.

Ding!

〈System: …Seal Decryption… COMPLETED!〉

Whoosh!

The moment the system revealed the completion of the process, a gust of forceful energy assaulted Kieran, forcing him to cover his face and close his eyes.

The dull shard went through a process of molting, shedding its lifeless exterior. In exchange, an exuberant surface was exposed with several amber and gold lights running through it.

When Kieran gradually opened his eyes, he felt something strange from this item.

"Oh? To think it was one of these. Your luck is truly exceptional. In the past, it was a form of the Lineage of Ancient Wisdom gracing their allies. But… such a practice has been lost or rather, we've discontinued it," Hekaina voiced.

While listening to her words, Kieran felt attracted to the Ancient Rune Shard's new form.

Eventually, his mind seemed to drown out Hekaina's words as he took a step forward and grasped the shard in his palm.

It was warm to the touch and it contained more than one type of energy, which surprised Kieran. 'There's mystic energy… Mana… a hint of Arcane Energy, but what's this final energy? I'm not familiar with it at all.'

Out of curiosity, Kieran inspected the item and the unsealed information left him slackjawed.

「 Runic Design - Imprint of Might (Special Consumable)

Item Rank: Legendary

Item Level: 100

Item Usage: When imprinted on the body using the proper methods, it will apply the following:

p - Increases natural STR by 500.

- Increases the user's ferocious presence by 20%.

- Increases Phys. Attk by 500.

- Increases the user's mass without negatively affecting one's AGI.

Requirements: 1,200 STR, 3 Constitution, High-level Engraving and Enchanting skills

Description: A runic imprint created by injecting several energies within a stable design. The byproduct of ancient practices employed by the Lineage of Ancient Wisdom. The forceful power embedded within is not to be trifled with if suitable preparations aren't made.

Note: The design will vanish once the imprint is applied to a proper vessel. 」

A Legendary Special Consumable and one that could be applied directly to the body at that!

Despite grasping the allure of the imprint, Kieran's mind traveled elsewhere. For some reason, these imprints sounded incredibly familiar. 'Surely it's not just my imagination, right? If I recall properly… a player once unearthed the effects of imprints. Supposedly, these imprints provided unimaginable advantages.'

Although the effects of this item were marvelous, it didn't reach a level that warranted an "unimaginable" description. Kieran's opinion was further reinforced by his possession of a True Relic and a Shattered Divinity Item.

Of course, Kieran couldn't ignore the fact that the Imprint of Might could provide instant gratification while the Archaic Verity Compendium and Nurturing Mystic Divinity Spark couldn't.

"Let me have a look," Hekaina said, gently performing a gesture. The Imprint of Might was embraced by her mystic energy and brought close, letting her analyze the item in greater depth.

"Although I somewhat guessed the item's identity before, it would seem the exterior was duller than I thought. I didn't expect it to be an imprint of great strength. What… would you like to do with it?"

Kieran fell silent and considered the answer. 'I have 4 points of Constitution thanks to the War Crest of Champions tempering my body, and I also have a surplus of STR, so that isn't an issue. But… it requires high-level Enchanting and Engraving skills.'

When an item referred to a high-level profession, it meant the user in question must be a peak Grandmaster Profession user at the very least.

However, enlisting the help of a Grandmaster Profession user was difficult and pretty much rivaled trying to seek an audience with some royal families.

After a moment of deliberating over the answer, Kieran raised a question. "If I wanted to use it, would you be able to help me?"

"Help you?"

This time, it was Agatha's turn to speak and she did so with a smug smirk as if questioning why Kieran belittled their skills. "Our class is the root of all Runists, Engravers, Enchanters, and Arrayists, silly boy. So, I ask you, do you think the Head Mistress of the Mystic Sanctum is not able?"

"T-the…" Kieran tilted his head and looked at Hekaina. "You?"

Hekaina shook her head with a soft smile. "Not me."

"Agatha…?" Kieran breathed. The so-called mysterious leader of the Mystic Sanctum… was Agatha all along?!

'I suspect Isadora knew this. Why didn't she just tell me instead of having me go through all of this hassle?'

"My apologies for doubting your skill. I've only recently learned about our class, so pardon my lack of knowledge," Kieran said, barely lowering his head.

Hekaina gave Agatha a sidelong glance with her arms crossed. "Aggy, be nice to our Mystic Light. That is no way to treat, Aatrox. We must remember that his knowledge of our history and abilities is shallow."

"I…" Agatha released an exasperated gasp, shocked by how Hekaina immediately defended Kieran. "I wasn't mean!"

On the flip side, Kieran smiled faintly while looking at the relationship between Hekaina and Agatha. It was no different from the way he interacted with Scar. 'These types of relationships are where genuine emotions reside.'

"It's fine. Agatha wasn't rude," Kieran voiced, helping soothe Agatha's pouting expression.

"Anyhow, if you're sure you want to use this imprint, then I'll gladly engrave your body," Hekaina said. Her expression remained stable and unreadable.

However, Kieran somehow felt Hekaina was being far too eager. 'Is there something I'm missing here? Could Hekaina perhaps be a perverted old granny who wants to take my body?!'

"Young man…" Hekaina narrowed her eyes when she saw Kieran's eyes tremble momentarily. "What unsightly thoughts are you having? It'll naturally be a learning experience so that you may learn how to wordmance upon your body in the future. That'll remove the need for outside help."

Being on the receiving end of Hekaina's chastising made Kieran grimace and ultimately feel ashamed for his thoughts.

'Ah, so that's what it is. She's merely excited about helping me realize her aspirations quicker. Just where did my mind travel to? I think Nemean and Bastion are corrupting me. Yes, I'll blame them. Truly marvelous idea.'

"Remove your top, please. Based on the runic design's structure, it should belong somewhere on your torso. That means there must be no obstructions," Hekaina said.

Once again, Kieran was being stripped before someone of higher status.

However, unlike his experience with Isadora, who witnessed his entire body, he would only be removing his top.

Tapping the air before him a few times, Kieran's top piece along with his pendant vanished, revealing the entirety of his chiseled physique, which was a result of his increased STR and Constitution along with the refining effects of Argexes' Blood.

After a few moments, Hekaina produced a deconstructed Supreme Cipher of Eni that didn't seem to embody any of the principles Kieran learned thus far. Its only purpose was to create an environment where deep wordmancing was possible.

The Runic Design floated in the center of the deconstructed Supreme Cipher of Eni as Hekaina voiced a curt warning. "Brace yourself. If memory serves, this process isn't exactly a pleasant one."

"I'm prepared for it," Kieran swiftly replied.

"Ah… that's right, how could I forget. You have that blood and walk a path partly paved by Agrianos, the Great Destroyer," Hekaina said, causally mentioning Agrianos's title.

Kieran didn't have time to comment on such a thing before several mystic rings overlapped his body.

"Hooo…" Hekaina exhaled. Her left index finger adopted a brilliant glow as she began writing across the air. "Supreme Wordmancing: Imprinted Truths."

As Hekaina called out the name of her technique, the rings tightened until they narrowly avoided touching Kieran's skin. The encasing surrounding the imprint dissolved and floated toward Kieran's chest, producing an absurd sensation.

Despite the unusual presence, Kieran didn't panic or make a noise. The only thing that resounded was the sizzling that accompanied the searing pain radiating from his chest.

Sszzt!

While the sizzling grew loud, a shiny black design appeared in the center of his chest. The design resembled a fist holding a tiny, slender blade in a downward position but it was only vaguely similar.