Chapter 617: Mark of Slaughter

CH617 Mark of Slaughter

***

With that brief exchange settled, Alex moved on to the main reveal.

His gaze first fell on Kavakan.

Designing something suitable for the weretiger had proven... unexpectedly tricky.

At first, Alex had considered using him as the foundation for a standard Rune Soldier configuration—

A full suite of elementary Rune Tattoos, filling all seven of Kavakan’s available Rune slots.

But—

’That’s too lazy,’ Alex thought.

More importantly, he didn’t believe Kavakan actually needed enhancements to his basic parameters.

Between his Call of the Wild technique and his lycanthropic transformation, his physical capabilities were already well-covered.

In fact, they were excessive.

But the decisive factor came down to something far simpler.

’It’s boring. It doesn’t make proper use of Rune-Tech’s new capabilities.’

So instead, Alex shifted his focus to something Kavakan lacked not in strength—

But in control.

Alex tapped on one of the projected Rune designs, expanding it to fill the entire display.

"The Mark of Slaughter," he introduced.

"This Rune Tattoo is designed to integrate seamlessly with your body, your energy... and your Intent."

"As the name suggests, it interfaces directly with your Killing Intent."

"Killing Intent naturally grows stronger with each kill— especially within short bursts of continuous combat."

He paused briefly.

"However, based on my observations during our journey, a significant portion of that energy is wasted."

Kavakan frowned slightly.

"Wasted?"

"Yes," Alex nodded.

"I estimate that as much as ninety percent of the emotional energy generated from your surge in Killing Intent dissipates almost immediately."

"Only about ten percent remains— used to temper your will and permanently strengthen your Killing Intent."

Kavakan blinked.

"Killing Intent produces energy?"

"Of course," Alex replied matter-of-factly.

"Why else would your Killing Intent amplify your combat capabilities?"

"Nothing comes from nothing."

He raised a finger slightly.

"Belief gives rise to Will."

"Will gives rise to Intent."

"And each of these —belief, will, intent— generates a form of invisible energy."

"I call it... emotional energy."

His gaze sharpened.

"Tell me, where do you think divine energy comes from? The energy that the Navi harvest from believers?"

"It’s simply a refined form of the energy from belief —faith— directed towards them."

"A purified derivative of the same underlying principle."

Alex shook his head lightly, refocusing.

"It just so happens that, with my Rune Master class, I can now do more than manipulate conventional mana and related energies."

"I can also —albeit to a limited extent— interact with this overlooked emotional energy."

He gestured towards the projection.

"The Mark of Slaughter is built around this newfound capability."

"When you generate emotional energy through your Killing Intent, the Rune Tattoo captures what would otherwise be wasted."

"It then stores it as a resource I call... Slaughter Energy."

Kavakan’s expression sharpened slightly.

"Currently, I’ve programmed this Slaughter Energy to serve three primary functions."

Alex raised a finger.

"First—it helps coalesce the energy generated by your Killing Intent."

"This improves how effectively you can channel that energy into your attacks."

He glanced at Kavakan.

"I’ve noticed you struggle to properly infuse your weapons with Killing Intent."

"This will significantly improve that."

Then his tone turned firmer.

"But don’t misunderstand. This is not a crutch. It’s rather a supplementary aid."

"If you want to increase its effectiveness, you’ll still need to improve your own control over your Killing Intent."

"But if you succeed—"

"—the power the Mark provides will also increase, right?" Kavakan interjected.

"Exactly," Alex nodded.

This was by design.

He could have made the Rune Tattoo automatically regulate and refine Kavakan’s Killing Intent—

But that would have been a mistake.

Too much interference would stunt growth.

Kavakan needed absolute control over his Killing Intent if he wished to elevate it to a higher tier.

Rather than becoming a dependency—

The Mark of Slaughter was meant to function as a reward system.

A multiplier for mastery.

Alex could already envision it—

A future where Kavakan’s Killing Intent had reached such refinement that it merged with his concepts.

’At that point, killing with nothing more than a glance —or sheer presence— wouldn’t be impossible,’ Alex thought.

He continued.

"The second function is duration extension."

"The Mark of Slaughter increases how long your Killing Intent empowerment lasts."

He folded his arms slightly.

"Based on my observations, your current enhancement lasts for roughly five minutes after your last kill."

"After that, the energy dissipates."

"This tattoo increases that duration by approximately up to fifty percent."

Kavakan’s eyes lit up slightly.

Alex continued calmly.

"It achieves this by absorbing the emotional energy your body naturally releases after the initial five-minute window."

"Then it reintroduces that energy—converted into Slaughter Energy—as a substitute fuel source."

Kavakan’s eyes lit up at that.

Alex continued,

"I initially wanted to extend the duration even further. After all, that ninety percent of dispersed emotional energy is... substantial."

"But then I realised something."

"Your body releases that excess energy for a reason."

"It cannot sustain it."

He looked directly at Kavakan.

"I believe you understand that better than I do."

Kavakan nodded.

"Killing Intent is a double-edged sword. If I push it too far, I lose myself."

He paused, thinking.

"The method I came up with... what did you call it again—"

"False Avatar method," Alex supplied.

"Yes," Kavakan nodded. "...the False Avatar method, as you described, isolates the Killing Intent to a portion of my soul."

"But if even that portion becomes overwhelmed..."

His expression darkened slightly.

"I might lose myself completely."

He exhaled.

"That would explain why my instincts react the way you described."

"I believe so as well," Alex affirmed.

"In that case, forcing a longer duration passively would be dangerous. That’s why I made the extended duration an active function."

"You will need to consciously will it into effect."

"Understood?"

"Understood," Kavakan replied firmly.

"Good."

Alex nodded once.

"That brings me to the third function."

"The Mark of Slaughter will gradually expose your body to Slaughter Energy over time, in a controlled manner."

"This should allow your body, energy, and Will to acclimatise to the effects of your Killing Intent."

He paused briefly.

"Over time, it should strengthen your tolerance... and improve your control."

A slight shrug followed.

"At least—in theory."

Kavakan blinked.

"You’re not sure?"

"I’m not," Alex replied plainly.

Kavakan looked momentarily stunned.

Alex waved it off.

"Take some time to think about it while I speak with Mogal. This Mark represents significant changes to you after all."

Kavakan nodded slowly, deep in thought.

Alex then turned his attention to the barbarian.

"For you," he said calmly, "I designed the Chains of Unyielding."

He paused—

Then added with a faint, knowing smile,

"I won’t lie."

"This is probably the strangest Rune Tattoo I’ve ever created."

A brief silence followed.

"Because..."

He stared straight at Mogal.

"Its primary function... is to weaken you."

***