The Genius Mage Was Reincarnated Into A Swordsman Family

Chapter 102: The Egg of Avarice (2)

Klaus stared in horror as the egg absorbed every bit of light in the room, plunging it into an oppressive darkness. The familiar dim light that had once flickered in his quarters was swallowed whole by the egg, leaving only a void where sight and reason struggled to remain. The black glow that had once enveloped the egg suddenly ceased, and in its place, the runes emerged—glowing, shifting symbols that seemed to be alive. They crawled across the surface of the egg, pulsating with a sinister energy that sent shivers down his spine. The air itself seemed to grow heavy, thick with a tension that made it hard to breathe. The unsettling energy emanating from the runes made Klaus’s skin prickle, his instincts screaming at him to flee, but he was rooted in place, trapped by a mix of fear and morbid curiosity.

For the first time since his rebirth, Klaus felt a pang of panic. The Ten Eyes Mantra, a safeguard against any mental intrusions, was failing him. This was something he had trusted implicitly, a cornerstone of his power that had never faltered before. Yet now, it crumbled under the weight of the egg’s influence—an influence far beyond what he had anticipated. The realization hit him like a blow, cold sweat beading on his brow. Instinctively, he cast a soundproof barrier around himself, his hands moving in a blur as he prepared to cast another protective spell. His mind raced, calculating the next move, but before he could act, Greed’s voice echoed in his mind, grim and urgent.

{Stop!}

Klaus hesitated, his pulse quickening. The abruptness of the command cut through his rising panic. "Just what are those?" he asked, his voice laced with both fear and curiosity as he stared at the runes. They were unlike anything he had ever encountered, even in his past life as an Archmage. Their presence was ominous, their energy overwhelming, ancient in a way that defied description.

{Let’s just say that I didn’t want anybody to touch what was mine,} Greed replied, his tone cryptic, hiding layers of meaning that Klaus could only begin to guess at.

"Greedy much, huh?" Klaus shot back with a mocking tone, though the bravado felt hollow. He was trying to mask his growing unease, the nagging suspicion that he had delved into something far beyond his control.

{What do you expect?} Greed retorted, his voice tinged with the same arrogance Klaus had come to expect, but there was an edge to it—something darker, more serious.

"What should I do then?" Klaus asked, feeling a rare sense of helplessness wash over him. The situation was spiraling, and for once, he had no clear path forward. The realization gnawed at him, a bitter pill that left a taste of dread in his mouth.

{Don’t touch the egg or use magic for the moment. Just wait for the runes to return to their dormant state. You’re lucky—your soul was nearly burned.}

Klaus swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. Greed’s words rang true; the eccentric sword wasn’t prone to exaggeration. The idea that his soul could have been burned—consumed by the malevolent energy of the runes—sent a fresh wave of fear through him. For a brief moment, Klaus felt a wave of relief. Perhaps he had stopped just in time, narrowly avoiding disaster.

CRACK.

"Fuck," Klaus cursed aloud as he watched a fissure appear on the egg’s surface. The sound echoed in the silence, a sharp reminder of how precarious the situation had become.

"What do I do now?" he asked, his voice trembling with panic. The egg was no longer just an object of curiosity—it was a ticking time bomb, and he had no idea how to defuse it.

{The real danger isn’t what’s inside the egg but the runes. As long as the runes remain intact, you should be fine... I think,} Greed replied, his uncertainty evident. The doubt in Greed’s voice, normally so sure and commanding, was unsettling. Despite his bravado, Greed didn’t have all his memories related to the egg. His instincts were all they had to rely on, and instincts could be wrong.

"You think?" Klaus shot back, his fear turning into frustration. He needed certainty, a plan, something more than just vague reassurances.

{Look, I don’t have all my memories. You should be thanking the Great me for even remembering the danger of the runes. And let’s not forget, it’s your own foolishness that led to this situation. I did warn you to stay away from that egg.}

Greed’s chastisement stung, but Klaus couldn’t argue. His own curiosity and, yes, greed, had brought him to this point. The irony wasn’t lost on him—Greed, the sword obsessed with power, warning him against his own reckless pursuit. He had disregarded every warning, and now, he was facing the consequences. His mind raced, searching for a solution, but the options were few, and none seemed viable.

As Klaus and Greed exchanged words, another crack echoed through the room, and a second fissure appeared on the egg. Klaus’s heart sank as he watched the cracks multiply. Each one felt like a countdown, a step closer to something irreversible.

CRACK.

At the third sound, Klaus’s dread deepened. The fissures were spreading dangerously close to the moving runes. He could feel the ominous energy intensifying, like a storm gathering before the final, devastating strike.

CRACK.

The fourth crack sent a shiver down his spine as the new fissure intersected with the runes. The egg began to glow once more, the ominous black light returning with even greater intensity. The darkness seemed to pulse, alive with malevolent intent. Klaus could feel the tension in the air as the runes started to move, creeping from the egg’s surface onto the floor, making their way toward him. Each movement was deliberate, as if the runes were aware of their purpose.

In a panic, Klaus attempted to cast a spell, his mind racing for a solution. His hands moved reflexively, but it was too late. The runes reached him, slithering up his legs and onto his skin. He could feel them spreading across his body, a cold, unnatural sensation that sent waves of fear through him. The energy was invasive, worming its way into his very being.

"What now?" Klaus demanded, his voice trembling as he tried to reach out to Greed. But there was no response. "Greed?" he called again, but the connection was severed. The sword’s presence, once a constant in his mind, was gone. A cold sweat broke out on his back as he realized the severity of his situation. He was alone, truly alone, with no guidance, no support.

The runes, once colorless as they danced across his skin, began to glow a deep red. Klaus’s breath hitched as he braced himself for the pain he knew was coming. The runes seemed to ignite a fire within him, a searing, unbearable agony that spread through his entire being.

Suddenly, the pain hit with full force. Klaus collapsed to the floor, a scream tearing from his throat. The agony was unlike anything he had ever experienced, far worse than any torture or battle wound. It wasn’t just physical; it felt as though his very soul was burning, being consumed by the runes that now pulsed with a malevolent energy.

His vision blurred as the pain intensified, his thoughts slipping away. Blood began to trickle from his ears, his eyes, and his nose, a grim testament to the damage being done to his body and soul. The world around him started to fade, the edges of reality blurring into darkness.

"AAAAAH!" Klaus screamed, his voice raw with agony. But no one could hear him. The sound barrier he had cast, meant to protect his privacy, now sealed his cries of pain from the outside world. His own spell had become his prison, trapping him in his torment with no escape.

Greed, the sword who had once been his constant companion, was silent. But deep within the void where Klaus could no longer reach, Greed was calling out, his voice filled with an unfamiliar note of fear and desperation.

{Gluttony! Please, save him!} Greed’s plea echoed into the abyss, desperate for an answer, as Klaus’s world faded into darkness.