Life Rune

Antiquit was very kind, with no trace of authority in his tone, and he was very easy to talk to, leaving the choice to Kled.

I believed Kled would choose to return to the outside world, so I eagerly awaited his answer, but to my surprise, he casually uttered three words:

Unwilling.

If it weren't for his steady breathing, I would have even suspected that he was being threatened or controlled.

"Aren't you really going to think this over? The Old Chieftain said he won't stop you if you're willing to leave!"

"You talk too much nonsense! I'm not deaf, of course I know what the old man is saying! I've already pleaded with him, and as long as you promise not to reveal anything about this place, he'll let you leave."

"No, you..."

For a moment, I didn't know what to say. How did I end up staying? Yesterday, I was so reluctant to leave, and I even made an exception to attend the cocktail party.

Kled didn't explain, he just urged me to leave quickly, "Hurry up and go back. The Yordle world isn't as wonderful as you think. Every second you stay here will come at a huge price!"

"What huge price? Why don't you just come back with me?"

I was still holding on when there was a knock on the door. Antiquit opened the door and a Bald Man came to meet me.

Long time no see, old friend.

"Oh, I don't want to see you."

The newcomer was Ryze, who greeted Antiquit warmly, but was not very well received.

Seeing that Ryze was about the same height as me, I think I understand now. After coming to this world, we all become Yordle!

Ryze heard my question to Kled and answered it for me, "The flow of time in this world is different from the outside world, about fifty times different."

"Wait, fifty times? That means one day here is equivalent to almost two months outside?"

"Pretty much, that's how it was when I came last time."

Ryze's words left me somewhat bewildered. I've been here since morning until now, a whole day has passed, so more than twenty days have already passed in the outside world?

My goodness, no wonder Kled said that every minute and second spent here comes at a huge cost!

"Archmage, is there something you need here? Please finish your business quickly and take me back!"

"Hehe, how long have you been here?"

"I arrived this morning. It's been almost a month outside, hasn't it?"

"That's good. Luckily it wasn't ten days or half a month, otherwise people would have thought you disappeared."

After Ryze finished speaking, he sat down next to Antiquit and started reminiscing, which made me anxious. However, I quickly calmed down because I heard him talking about the Life Rune!

"Alright, old friend, we've been chatting for a while now, and three or four days have passed outside. Things are urgent now, so I'll come back another day to have a proper chat. Now, let's get the Life Rune out."

Do you know what Life Rune mean to this world?

"Boundless vitality."

"You knew that already, why did you still ask me for it?"

"I won't take it all, just give me a small piece."

The two stared at each other silently, and an awkward silence fell over the room. Finally Antiquit sighed; he knew that Antiquet wouldn't leave unless he agreed to Ryze's request.

Antiquit took a branch about the thickness of a calf from the house, then tapped it to open it, revealing a box inside.

The stones in the box were crystal clear, shimmering with a soft, emerald Shimmer, giving off an extremely soothing feeling. Could these be the Life Rune?

"How much do you want?" Antiquit's tone grew increasingly cold, despite his previously kind demeanor.

Ryze held up one finger. "Half is enough."

"What?! You want half?!" Antiquit's hair practically stood on end, his voice rising more than double.

"Yes, half is enough," Ryze repeated, showing no intention of backing down.

Antiquit scratched his head, seemingly deep in thought, while Ryze kept urging, "Hurry up, old friend, another day has passed outside."

"Ugh, you devil! Don't come back next time!"

Antiquit, in a moment of desperation, broke the stone in two, and the old man, heartbroken, refused to look at it.

Even though he had lived for countless years, he still felt an unbearable pain when his beloved child was near!

Ryze took the Riot Games- sized Life Rune, his face expressionless. He silently put the rune in his pocket, then waved to me:

Are you leaving, Yasuo?

"Of course, but... I also want some Life Rune, because I heard they're useful against the Shadow Isles."

"Hehe, no need, I've already gotten your share."

Ryze was so thoughtful! He knew we'd need Life Rune to fight the Shadow Isles, which is why he asked for so many. We really should thank him!

Ryze thanked Antiquit and then left with me. Although he didn't end up taking Kled with him, getting the Life Rune was a pleasant surprise!

Once outside, Ryze used teleportation magic to send us both out. In just a few seconds, we were back in the outside world, but instead of Bilgewater, we landed in a desert.

Ryze said he can freely enter and exit the Yordle world, but he cannot control the teleportation point, so he doesn't know where we will come out.

But it's okay, as long as I can get out, that's fine. I can't afford to waste time there!

The area is mostly empty, and I don't know exactly where I am, but it looks like Shurima. It's getting light now, so I'll just ask someone for directions when the sun comes out.

Ryze took out the Life Rune, but instead of giving me any, he gave me the whole one!

"Make good use of it. The Life Rune doesn't require any special skills to use. Take it to the Shadow Isles, and the life force will naturally counteract the death force."

"Wait, Archmage, are you planning to give me the whole thing? Aren't you going to Bilgewater?"

"I have other matters to attend to, so I'll leave that to you. But make sure you return it to me after we defeat the Shadow Isles undead. Also, if you discover Death Rune on the Shadow Isles, don't give them to anyone else; deliver them to me as well."

"Don't worry about that. If I collect the World Rune, I'll definitely give them to you. The only thing I'm afraid of is... no, we can definitely defeat the undead!"

I initially wanted to say that the Shadow Isles undead were very powerful and we weren't confident of victory, but Ryze had already given me the entire Life Rune, clearly trusting me. Backing out now would seem too cowardly!

"Alright, I'll take care of the Dark Rune. The angels have already made their move, and we must find that Vastaya named Aatrox before they do."

Are you confident you can defeat him?

"Do your best."

"Oh, by the way, Archmage, are you and Antiquit close? Why was he willing to give you the Life Rune directly? Or did you two spar, and he was no match for you?"

"Well... alright, there's still some time before dawn, so I'll tell you about the Yordle."