Thanos didn't want to be a villain.

Chapter 182 Rune Continent - Touching the World Runes

Demacia.

This is a powerful kingdom that upholds the rule of law, boasting a glorious military record and a long-standing reputation. The Demacians revere justice, honor, and responsibility, and are almost fanatically proud of their traditions and heritage.

The capital of Demacia, Demacia City, was built on the foundation of the Anti-Magic Stone, a white rock that can suppress magical energy. It was originally built as a sanctuary for people who wanted to escape magical harm.

The Demacian army is renowned for its elite troops, with captains and generals leading the charge, followed steadfastly by the rest of the soldiers. Demacia's design philosophy is elegant yet simple and unpretentious; their armor and weapons are devoid of excessive ornamentation.

"This architectural style is very similar to that of those elves," Thor remarked, looking down at the buildings below.

"It seems like you're getting more and more impressed with elves along the way," Kratos remarked.

Dio chimed in, "There's nothing we can do about it; Alfheim is just so eye-catching."

Thor nodded. "Indeed."

Then, the three began searching for their destination: the Forbidden Magic Stone Forest.

Although the anti-magic stone has a suppressive effect on magic, it is more accurate to say that the anti-magic stone's function is to absorb and store magical energy.

"This is what they call the anti-magic stone." Kratos looked at it and felt the energy within, and subconsciously exclaimed.

"Did you find anything?"

Thor, as a pure warrior, did not know much, while Kratos, due to the needs of life and Atreus, learned a lot of magical knowledge and even learned to sense related magical energy.

"The so-called anti-magic stone is actually not a stone, but more like a plant that unconsciously absorbs magical energy to grow."

As Kratos spoke, he picked up a fallen antimagic stone and squeezed it.

"Its texture is similar to stone, but it's harder than ordinary alloys and also has unimaginable toughness. However, it has veins inside, which are more like the veins of a plant..."

Both Dio and Thor were shocked to see Kratos looking like a scholar studying him.

Kratos gives the impression of being a crazed berserker, but in the storylines of God of War 4 and 5, he is given humanity and the responsibility of a father.

But I've never felt like a researcher before!

"What's wrong?" Kratos asked, breaking a piece of the anti-magic stone in half.

Dio and Saul shook their heads.

Thor, in particular, was clutching his forehead, looking completely dazed.

I never imagined that the strongman who was once his equal would have this side to him, and I never discovered it after spending so much time with him!

They secretly worked hard behind the scenes and then amazed everyone!

Thor actually felt a sense of urgency, and under Dio's speechless expression, he nodded and sighed, "Looks like I should start working harder too!"

The little incident passed quickly, and the three of them soon began their search.

The two warriors were searching slowly in the Anti-Magic Stone Forest, but due to its unique characteristics, their search was very slow.

Meanwhile, Dio had already met with Ryze underground.

"Are you also someone who covets the power of runes?" Ryze stood still, staring at Dio expressionlessly.

Dio shook his head: "To be honest, I admire your deeds. For so many years, you have been collecting runes all by yourself without getting tired, in order to prevent the runes from harming the innocent."

Ryze seemed not to have heard Dio's words. Arcane energy flickered around him, and the runes on his purple skin emitted a bright color.

But Ryze's arcane energy flickered a few times, like a television screen going blank, before disappearing completely.

As Dio drew closer, Ryze used arcane energy more and more frequently, but no matter how Ryze used arcane energy, he was met with only deathly silence!

“But don’t be nervous. I’ll just touch the so-called runes and leave. You can pretend you never saw me and we can go back to normal, okay?” Dio said, patting Ryze on the shoulder as he passed by, before heading toward the anti-magic stone containing the runes.

Ryze stood there struggling frantically, but no matter how powerful their magic was, they couldn't break free from the invisible barrier.

Turning his head, he caught a glimpse of Dio getting closer and closer to the runes. Recalling the bewitching scenes of the rune stones he had encountered over the years, he broke out in a cold sweat.

As Dio's hand drew ever closer to the runestone, Ryze, knowing he couldn't stop it, closed his eyes in despair.

After a long pause, instead of the expected massive energy surge, Dio's calm voice rang out: "Just as I thought..."

"Having touched the World Rune Overlord, congratulations, host, you have obtained an Energy Cluster, enhancing energy utilization efficiency and applicable to all your energy attacks."

"Touching the World Rune is resolute. Congratulations, host, you have obtained an energy barrier, which enhances energy utilization efficiency and is applicable to all energy use by the host."

"Touching the world's runes is intricate. Congratulations, host, you have gained energy absorption, which enhances your energy utilization efficiency and is applicable to all your energy use."

"By touching the world's runic magic, congratulations to the host for gaining the energy tide, which enhances energy utilization efficiency and is applicable to all of the host's energy attacks."

Four cold, mechanical voices rang out, and Dio felt that his passive skills had increased again, but he felt no joy. These so-called skills were dispensable to him now.

If it were when Dio had first transmigrated, he would have been overjoyed, but now he is only calm.

However, the runestone kept muttering to itself, trying to arouse the desires deep within its heart and thus turn it into a puppet of power.

Dio wasn't too concerned about the power the runes brought him; what he was really concerned about was that the system actually recognized this mechanism. So, could he get rewards for touching strange items in other worlds?

After regaining his senses, Dio found it interesting that these runes could actually arouse his deepest desires.

It feels like Ryze is acting like a collector from Marvel comics, doing anything to collect rare and precious items. This must be the effect of the runes on Ryze.

Moreover, Dio always felt that if all the runes came together, something terrible might happen.

"So, Bard took some runestones because of this?" Dio thought for a moment, but then dismissed the idea.

Why bother thinking about these useless things? They have nothing to do with me anyway.

Dio stroked the runestone in his hand, finding its texture quite nice. If it had sharp edges and corners, and was a unique existence in this world, Dio would want to take a few home, polish them, and play with them.

Reluctantly putting the runestone back, Dio looked at Ryze, who had opened his eyes and was covered in sweat, and said, "Alright, Great Mage, don't be so nervous. Look, I've finished observing."

As Dio spoke, he released Ryze from his restraints, and Ryze stumbled and almost fell to the ground.

He then said, "Alright, hurry up and check if any rune stones are missing, or you'll accuse me of stealing your things."

Ryze, panting heavily, got up and looked at Dio, who hadn't changed at all, and then surveyed the space below.

"You're actually alright?" Ryze asked incredulously.

"What are you saying? You actually want something to happen to me?!" Dio pulled Ryze up and said in a strange tone.

Ryze seemed to realize that what he said was inappropriate and apologized.

"I'm sorry, I'm just surprised that there are actually people besides me who can ignore the allure of the rune's power."

Dio chuckled and said, "It would be terrible to keep the runestone in your hand all the time. Your method is not bad either. Imprisoning it in this stone forest can weaken the power of the world runes to the greatest extent."

"Nice idea."

Ryze smiled shyly and said, "Thank you for the compliment."