The Runic Artist Chapter 10: Chapter 328 - Integrity

Read chapter 10 of The Runic Artist by Ellake on NovelPedia.

Chapter 328 - Integrity A note from Ellake Kingdom Lost by DeepBlue Riley wakes up in a world that already expects something from her. She has no gear. No knowledge. No protection. Only hunger, a hostile forest, and a system that marks her as a novice and demands progress without explaining the rules. This world functions like a stripped-down game tutorial, but there are no prompts, no retries, and no safety rails. Every resource must be scavenged. Every improvement must be earned. Every mistake carries weight that does not disappear with time. Something stalks the woods at night. Something territorial. Something that remembers how this world used to work and does not like that Riley is here now. With predators closing in and an indifferent system measuring her every step, Riley must learn how this world rewards effort, punishes carelessness, and decides who deserves to keep moving forward. There are no chosen ones here. No free power. No guarantees of survival. Worlds are built. Heroes are forged. And Riley is starting from zero. What to Expect? 🧭 Hard survival progression, every win is earned, nothing is free. 🌲 A hostile, atmospheric wilderness with real danger and real consequences. 🎮 A LitRPG System that matters, hunger, injuries, skills, and choices carry weight. 🔎 Mystery-first worldbuilding, answers come slowly, and not safely. 🏰 Kingdom-building potential, starting from absolute zero. 🩸 Graphic violence & sensitive content (check warnings). >>> Try First Chapter <<< Nate’s Regalia shifted around him as he took a seat in the command room of the Golden Tide. The walls were decorated with various military standards along with paintings of various individuals all wearing the red and gold uniform. Nate didn’t ask his guide, Marshal Hondo, but he was fairly certain that the display was meant to honour fallen heroes. A room meant to inspire pride in those who had come before and to encourage others to rise to the occasion. Grand Marshal Grommir and Marshal Hondo moved off to the side of the room, remaining standing as they whispered. Nate caught a few words and knew they were discussing the disposition and number of their own forces. Things that ultimately didn’t concern him, so he refrained from listening in. That left one final person in the room and it was that individual that made his way over, casually taking a seat next to Nate. “I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced.” Grand Strategist Crastor offered his hand to Nate, which he took without issue, giving what he hoped amounted to a firm shake. “Not properly, but Grommir mentioned you. Grand Strategist Crastor, right?” “You can just call me Crastor,” offered the orc. “And you’re Nathaniel Weber, The Artist of Last Rites.” Nate blinked. “Come again?” “Oh, you didn’t know. That is what they’re calling you. The various news organisations from a number of the factions you defeated in the World Reaping. I believe they even stole the title from you. One of the cannons you made, right?” Nate nodded, trying to sink into his chair. He blamed Kiri for this. If she’d just let him call the Cannon a Shaped Destruction Beam, none of this would’ve happened. “They’ve used a few others. Painted Reaper, Faux Artist…that one is from the news suppliers that claim that you were cheating by making use of the volcano and the Peak-grade within it. But the Artist of Last Rites is the most used one.” Nate’s eyes narrowed at Crastor. It was like the Grand Strategist was trying to settle him, answering questions or thoughts before Nate voiced them. “Your suspicion is correct. Well, mostly correct. I am reading you. Your body language, heart rate, eye movement, and a few other more esoteric things.” “Such as?” asked Nate curiously. “Smell. Sounds less esoteric when you say it like that but it’s far more complicated than that. No need to get into the particulars but you could say I am something of an information sponge, absorbing everything I can see, touch, hear, smell, or taste.” Na