Arcane Rune Mastery

* Type: Rare Knowledge Skill

* Description: Delve into ancient and mystical knowledge, unlocking a world beyond the perception of ordinary individuals.

* Effects:

* Comprehend Arcane Runes.

* Perform Divine Offering Rituals.

* Increased success rate of Divine Offering Rituals.

* Increased chance of obtaining Divine Knowledge upon successful ritual completion.

* Max Level: +20 Perception, +10 Intelligence, Ability to construct custom rituals by combining runes, significantly increased understanding of Divine Knowledge.

* Proficiency: 0/10000

* Proficiency Gain: Performing rituals, developing a following of believers, observing divine artifacts, listening to the voice of the divine.

Thomas immediately recognized the skill's connection to mystical knowledge, deities, rituals, and worship. His suspicions were confirmed as he produced two notebooks, one with a large eye symbol on the cover. These were the notebooks recovered from the cultist and Ghostface.

The previously indecipherable runes now rearranged themselves into understandable text. The cultist's notebook contained combat techniques and strategies, many of which were underhanded tactics. It detailed exploiting the sounds of opponents switching items, like the click of a grenade pin, the zip of a medkit, or the clank of reloading. It also included methods for adapting to the Cold-Blooded constitution.

"This must be a cultist training manual," Thomas realized. "He was newly converted, so he kept it handy for reference." He made a mental note to study it further.

Ghostface's notebook was even more intriguing:

* Why do I keep dreaming of that dark figure? The lab… what does he want me to do there?

* Damn it, I keep having these urges to learn about the lab. I almost asked Mr. Zhou again. He's already suspicious.

* I can't take it anymore. Stop talking to me in my dreams! What revival… what power… I have to tell Mr. Zhou.

* Mr. Zhou was shocked. He questioned me about the figure and took blood samples.

* So, the lab holds the key to becoming a god. Do gods even exist?

* What… something happened ninety years ago that changed the world? But it's been buried by some powerful force. What whispers… my head hurts!

* The Collector hoards valuable artifacts. He might know something about this lost history.

* Mr. Zhou is gone. This is my chance! He entrusted me with a keycard to the lab. I overheard Black Dog complaining that Mr. Zhou gave Mad Dog a map.

* So, me, Black Dog, Mad Dog, and Stephen each have a piece of what Mr. Zhou was safeguarding. He trusts no one.

* Zolo can't even handle a simple task like dealing with The Butcher!

* The rebels are guarding the city center too tightly. No opportunity there.

* Black Dog is dead! Who did it? I haven't found his stash yet. He was too cautious. And where's the key? Nothing on him.

* The Butcher is useless! He has an inside man, and he still hasn't gotten the contents of Stephen's safe. Good thing he doesn't know about me. What an idiot!

* Scorpion is doing well. I should make him a follower. Framing Caban for the attack on The Butcher, then manipulating The Butcher into attacking Mad Dog today. Clever. This is my chance to get the map from Mad Dog. One step closer to godhood. The Butcher is such a useful pawn.

"Holy shit…" Thomas was speechless. Ghostface was the mastermind behind the first disaster's events. The Butcher, whom Thomas had considered a major threat, was merely a puppet. Even Zolo, the mercenary leader, seemed connected to Ghostface. He was the one who told The Butcher about Stephen's keycard.

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"This is like some kind of twisted drama," Thomas thought. "Did the disaster lower their power but leave their scheming intact? Terrifying." And what was this event from ninety years ago?

"No wonder killing Ghostface earned me a rare title and regional renown," he realized. He had experienced the power of the Nightwalker title firsthand and had been wary of Ghostface ever since.

"Scorpion must be the guy I killed on the 20th floor. Didn't realize he was so cunning, playing everyone against each other."

Finally, Thomas understood the events of the first disaster. Ghostface never suspected his plans would end up in Thomas's possession. A grin spread across his face.

Tessia, observing Thomas's shifting expressions – shock, contemplation, realization, and now amusement – frowned slightly. "Maybe joining him was… impulsive," she thought.

Thomas turned his attention to the lab map, which could expand the Intelligence Center's capabilities. He placed it on the workstation and selected Information Connection.

A prompt appeared: Facility upgrade item detected. Absorb and upgrade?

Thomas selected YES.

The map dissolved into light and merged with the laptop. A series of flickering images flashed across the monitors, shocking both Thomas and Tessia to their core.

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