Kai/Runes

The outcome and consequences were determined by how much essence he poured into the compulsion, the target's resistance, and some other unknown factors. Direct commands were difficult to impose on people who possessed strong willpower or a high resistance to mind attacks.^[7]

The compulsion did not have to be directed at an enemy. He could call upon his allies to fight harder or to hold their ground no matter what. He could instill any emotion he desired in large groups of people or, like a siren, lure them to their deaths.^[7]

Kai's call provides clarity for soldiers in battle. An Ascended would most likely be able to resist it to some degree but his terrifying ability makes it impossible for Awakened to resist. If he ever misused his power, mundane humans would happily end their lives if he asked.^[9]

Kai can send a destructive sonic wave spreading outward in a wide cone.^[12]

Sunny assessed that Kai might have the potential to become a Sovereign, despite his apparent self-doubt. While Kai's doubts seemed ill-suited for Sovereignty, Sunny reconsidered his judgment after witnessing Kai's ability to command the world. He noted that Kai's Aspect compelled him to constantly practice exerting authority, not by force like a Supreme who bend the world to their will, but by making the world willingly listen to him.^[13]

As a Supreme, his Transcendent form had become far greater.^[14]

• The fundamental benefit was the ability to share in Kai's Ascended Ability, which allowed him to reshape the world with his voice. Most people were incapable of achieving much with this power, while those with the right predisposition could achieve more.^[14]
• The ability only worked when they sang; simply speaking had no effect whatsoever. People with musical and artistic inclinations had a better chance of being receptive to the Word and becoming powerful chanters.^[14]
  • Particularly talented chanters could receive additional boons, such as enhanced vision from Kai's Awakened Ability, while a very small number could even gain the ability to fly. Although an average person could accomplish little while chanting alone, a large group chanting together could fuse their otherwise ineffective efforts and produce a powerful effect. The larger the choir, the more pronounced the changes.^[14]

After Kai killed the Dread Lord, he received the [Dragonslayer] Attribute.^[10][17] His new attribute enhanced his strength. Based on the description, it had something to do with durability and elemental resistance.^[17] His constitution as a Dragonslayer grants him a great deal of resistances against various types of attacks, especially those based on fire but the heat inside the volcano in Ravenheart is too much even for him.^[18]

Kai gained an Attribute called [Mark of Ash] in his time in Ariel's Game. Although the rings of ash that had empowered him during the game disappeared afterward, they left behind a lasting effect in the form of this Attribute. [Mark of Ash] granted Kai an affinity to ash, though the exact nature of that affinity was unclear. Among its known effects, the Attribute increased his already considerable resistance to fire and provided a minor but scaling enhancement when he was near or surrounded by intense heat. This Attribute was one of several valuable gains Kai brought back from the game, alongside his new knowledge, experience, a custom-made bow, and a quiver of masterwork enchanted arrows.^[19]