Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player

Kieran glanced in Hekaina's direction after listening to her suggestion because a primary part of the reason he came here was to uncover the effect of the Ancient Rune Shard and possibly to learn more about the Shard of Ancient Knowledge.

"That's not a bad idea. I presume you'll be helping me?" Kieran asked.

In response, Hekaina gave a faint smile. "I'd be delighted to. But in all actuality, I doubt I'll need to provide much help. You now hold a Supreme Cipher of Eni. The most I'll be doing is walking you through how to make the most of it."

Following Hekaina's words, Kieran withdrew the Shard of Ancient Knowledge followed by the Ancient Rune Shard, which compared to the Shard of Ancient Knowledge gave Kieran a more imposing feeling.

"Before we begin, let's talk about what you experienced within the Ancient Rune Oasis as it pertains to your understanding of the Nine Supreme Ciphers of Eni," Hekaina voiced.

After a brief pause, she continued. "Furthermore, let's relocate to my Chasmic Mystum Abode where the connection to the Ancient Rune Oasis is the most robust."

Kieran naturally agreed with Hekaina's suggestions.

He then followed her through the halls of the majestic citadel. As he walked through, Kieran silently marveled at what he saw.

Now that he was a Mystic Runemaster with a special set of eyes, he could see the innumerable wards layered around the compound's interior. 'If one were to call this place a stronghold, it wouldn't be the wrong use of wording.'

Everything, spanning as far as Kieran's eyes could detect, was fortified by wards outside of his knowledge.

Although he recognized the First through Sixth Syllables of Eni layered into the wards, the rest were all foreign to him, leaving him stumped.

"It looks different and fascinating, doesn't it?" Agatha remarked by Kieran's side. She noticed his expression had undergone a slight change after exiting the area that housed the Veiled Arcadia Gate.

Kieran's current expression was one of deep intrigue.

"It is," Kieran nodded, glancing toward Agatha. Her pupils continued to shimmer with the mystical glimmer of the True Unveiling Eyes.

However, Kieran's similarly activated, which created an unusual atmosphere.

"Your eyes… they're excellent. But I suppose that's what happens when you have a so-called True Relic in your possession. However, don't become pretentious, young man. You still have a vast world ahead of you," Agatha quipped with an enrapturing smirk.

At the same time, she glided her finger beneath Kieran's chin.

It was at that moment that Kieran understood the meaning of Scar's words. 'She isn't normal at all. Her attitude is one capable of enthralling any man, especially when coupled with the bizarre effects of Eni's practices. Fortunately….'

Kieran exhaled as the Fifth Syllable of Eni thrummed in his mind, releasing an appeasing ripple.

While imperfect, it helped Kieran maintain a level head.

"I wouldn't dare become complacent. Not when my eyes have been opened further I have learned that I have yet to approach the true beginning. An Intermediate Being? I mean absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things," Kieran answered.

Hekaina listened to his answer and glanced back with an amused smirk.

"You're not a simple Intermediate Being, silly boy. You're a High Human. The effects may be minuscule now, but wait until you Advance and then Awaken. You will come to realize that a High Human is a true force to be reckoned with. Much less one of your potential."

As he listened to Hekaina's statement, Kieran looked down and clenched his hand. 'Aside from my mind, my body doesn't feel much different. But I suppose a physique like mine isn't enough to embody the power of a High Human. Still…'

"Can a High Human compete with Dragons, Demons, Angels, and Titans?" Kieran questioned.

"It all depends on the High Human. If the concepts you learn are powerful enough, offsetting the gap in natural abilities isn't too difficult. But… you must also understand that like with any other race, there is a disparity in the bloodline and potential of the races you mentioned. Should you ever meet with the nobility of those races, I'd suggest retreat," Hekaina answered.

Kieran fell silent and pondered her words.

'Every race I named is considered to be Rulers and if a High Human may only compete with them given the right circumstances, it's likely that High Humans are not inherent Rulers. Should that be the case, there must be room for additional evolution.'

In his pensive state, Kieran arrived within the Chasmic Mystum Abode behind Hekaina and Agatha.

The mystical energy permeating this zone had become more refined compared to Kieran's first visit here, but Kieran felt it related to his current condition.

"Is the relationship between the Ancient Rune Oasis and the Wykins as I expected? Is it the birthplace and resting place of the Wykins," Kieran asked.

"It is. But it delves even deeper than that. The Ancient Rune Oasis isn't just our origin, it was once a thriving realm ruled by Eni and the Hecate. Unfortunately, the vicissitudes of time are never a pleasant adversary nor are beings of incredible intelligence," Hekaina sighed, her expression becoming pained.

"What was once a paradise for a thriving Lineage of Ancient Wisdom has now become our flickering sustenance. However, with each superior creation, it regains some of its former strength, which is why I can provide our home with a proper defense."

Kieran blinked, looking at Hekaina's genuine expression before replying, "The reason for the massive amounts of Wykin death in the past…"

"Is because the Ancient Rune Oasis was too weak. The Mystic Guardians, Keepers of Serenity, and I were all weak back then. There was nothing to reinforce the oasis," Hekaina interjected, completing Kieran's thought.

A glimmer of hope briefly flashed in Hekaina's riveting eyes, but Kieran was the one to speak first. "So that's why you believe I'm the Mystic Light. You believe the Archaic Verity Compendium can help me restore the Ancient Rune Oasis to what it once was."

Looking around the abode, Kieran soon stopped planning his gaze. "Then the Mystic Rune Colony…"

"It's a pitiful copy of what the Ancient Rune Oasis once occupied," Hekaina revealed.

It was as if a bomb went off in Kieran's mind. He now understood why the Ancient Rune Oasis was an Immaterial Plane. Though it was once part of Xenith's landscape, some inexplicable event resulted in it being severed from Xenith.

'If that's true… then the Enitic Valley of Illum bearing that humongous scar must be where the aftermath began.'

"Then Illum is?"

"Illum is the first Enchantress. The firstborn of Eni and the Hecate, however, she sacrificed herself to prepare what we thrive in today. That's why… as the current Enchantress, I aspire to reclaim Xenith's glory and rekindle the laurels of the Lineage of Ancient Wisdom," Hekaina said.

'Ah… I see. So that's the connection between Eni, the Hecate, and Illum,' Kieran inwardly thought, feeling slight relief now that he had obtained some mental closure.

A few seconds later, Hekaina moved the conversation from the reasonable tangent back to the topic at hand. "Now, relay your experiences to me."

As per instructions, Kieran relayed the events in great detail, recounting his experiences within the Rune Necropolis and the Masked Runic Garth. From there, he mentioned his encounters on the path to the Veiled Arcadia Gate.

"I see. So you did comprehend a few regular ciphers beforehand. Unlike those, however, the Nine Supreme Ciphers of Eni could be considered perfected techniques. Unlike the Mystic Ciphers that must be made from the Archaic Syllables, the Supreme Ciphers may be employed by right of a single concept."

"Conjure the first Supreme Cipher and place one of your shards on here," Hekaina directed.

She waved her hand and manifested an altar composed of deeply refined mystic motes. This action was a proficient use of wordmancing, commanding the mystic energies to form a structure of her choosing.

Kieran followed Hekaina's instructions and manifested the Supreme Cipher of Eni.

"The first Supreme Cipher of Eni is known as the Supremacy of Knowledge. Its purpose is to unbound what hides within the mysteries. It is also known as one because of the effect it produces."

"One?" Kieran muttered dubiously.

"Peer into it and you will understand."

A moment later, Kieran positioned the Supreme Cipher, which appeared in the form of a bluish-gold, crystalline nine-layered nonogram rotating in varying directions at varying speeds.

The independent movement of each layer reminded Kieran of a type of lock turning.

〈System: The «True Unveiling Eyes» and «Eyes of Profound Discerning» have interacted with one of the «Nine Supreme Ciphers of Eni» to become one.〉

〈System: …Initiating Seal Decryption… [Estimated Time: 18 seconds.]〉

'Eighteen seconds?!' Kieran's eyes widened and his mind went blank.

Even the strongest decryption ability that he had heard of would require at least a minute to unveil hidden knowledge.

What the hell was 18 seconds?! A fraction of that!

Hekaina reckoned Kieran was astonished based on the reaction he displayed. "How long did your mind estimate it will take?"

"Eighteen seconds," Kieran answered.

"Hmm, eighteen? I suppose that isn't bad. I estimate the item should be fairly powerful if it takes that long," Hekaina commented indifferently.

However, her comment made Kieran stare at Hekaina in horror. "Long?"

"Yes. If I were to accomplish it. I estimate I'd need no more than 2 seconds. But, this isn't about me, it's about you becoming proficient with your power. As you said, Eni's avatar has left you with gifts that will only appear once you are adept in wordmancing and wisdom-weaving."