The Nebula's Civilization

Chapter 23: Demonic Magic

Divinity wasn’t the only source of power in The Lost World. For example, the last time Sung-Woon had won the game on earth, he used nuclear weapons, which was technology rather than Divinity. Divinity and Science would grow directly proportional to each other until the Middle Ages, and in modern times, they became negatively correlated.

‘When people become faithful to their gods, they tend to distort science. On the other hand, when people become proficient with scientific technology and knowledge, they believe in God less.’

This was because Science could do what the gods could do. But this decrease in belief was still less than in the real world, Earth.

‘There’s no way to really know if gods exist on Earth, but gods are real in the Lost World.’

And in the Lost World, alongside Divinity and Science was Magic. Magic was also negatively correlated with Divinity, but it was different from Science in that the negative correlation between Magic and Divinity existed from the very start.

‘This is because Magic is its own force. Anyone or anything that used powerful magic in ancient times was unstoppable. Those who had Magic would be perceived as a god, and thus they wouldn't believe in a god.’

Magical powers naturally began to weaken and fall during modern times as science developed.

‘But not every game progresses until modern times. I’ve also secured quite a few wins with Magic.’

Therefore, it was important for players of The Lost World to not only utilize Divinity, but also balance Science and Magic well. Sung-Woon had a good understanding of these rules and always thought of using Magic if necessary.

‘But I didn’t think I would obtain Demonic Magic this quickly.’

Among the many kinds of Ancient Ruins were the Demonic Ruins, which were considered an ultimate dungeon to obtain Demonic Magic. Simply put, acquiring Demonic Magic would grant the individual the ability to learn Magic.

‘Additionally, the effect not only applies to the individual making the achievement, but also to a few generations of their close kins. Especially if it’s a clan society like Lakrak’s Clan, all members of the clan may obtain Demonic Magic.’

That was the dangerous part.

Obtaining Demonic Magic did not mean one would become a Wizard right away. In order to use Magic, spells needed to be learned, and these types of spells required research on Ancient Ruins, all kinds of Ancient Knowledge, and Magic. However, those who had Demonic Magic were powerful just by having it. They could make small flames, make objects shine, or even make sparks fly.

‘I think this Ancient Ruin will give Electrical Demonic Magic.’

There was a hint indicating what kind of Demonic Magic it was.

The system window Sung-Woon was looking at showed the name of the Rat Monster that was on the floor, which was Demonic Magic Enchanted Nutria. As Sung-Woon clicked on View More, it was shown that its magical attribute was Electricity, and that it could electrocute anyone or anything that came into direct contact with it.

‘Electricity is always useful. It's on the better side of Demonic Magic, but…’

The problem was that if Demonic Magic was obtained, there would be penalties in obtaining Faith points. Lakrak was likely to be the one to conquer the Ancient Ruin, so there was no question that Lakrak would receive the Demonic Magic. In addition to that, it was possible that the 350 Lizardmen related to Lakrak within his clan would also receive the Demonic Magic, and three out of the 350 would get it for sure.

‘They’ll just think it’s some kind of mysterious power. It’ll even seem fancy since it’s Electrical Demonic Magic.’

However, Sung-Woon knew what would happen afterwards. Making use of the Magical Ruins was a common mistake among the beginners of The Lost World. Beginners would become obsessed with the fact that they could obtain Magic and lead their tribes to Demonic Ruins just to make them obtain Demonic Magic. They would also then focus their resources on those who had the Demonic Magic and increase their XP. The cultivated individuals would pass on their Demonic Magic to their descendants, and the Demonic Magic would become stronger and stronger over the generations until finally, a Wizard emerged.

‘A Wizard is one of the best classes from the beginning to the middle stages of the game.’

Wizards had strong powers that no individual could handle. The stronger they became, the greater the number of enemies they could deal with at once, which would lead to them gaining the authority to create aristocracy. Above all, because the source of the Wizards’ powers were Magic rather than a god-given gift, they would not rely on a god. And in the Lost World, Demonic Magic stemmed from an ancient evil called ‘Red Herring’.

‘That’s why Divinity and Demonic Magic come into conflict.’

Once Wizards became that powerful, even the players would not be able to do anything to control them. Therefore, the players would invest in Witch Hunting or Taboo to decrease the influence of Demonic Magic.

‘As a result…it is possible to control the power somehow. But in the process, too much time and resources would be wasted. Such power might be a perk in the beginning, but that all becomes meaningless if resources are wasted on unnecessary things by the middle of the game.’

A player such as Sung-Woon would be able to balance Magic well, allowing him to apply it to his build with no other problems, but it was tiring to do so. Determining whether to increase or decrease unnecessary variables was also an important task in the game. According to the statistical side of things, Demonic Magic did have a lower win rate due to beginners getting overthrown by Wizards, but it was still on the higher side of things when compared to Pure Divinity or Deity Demon Blend.

‘I do aim to play with more variability, but… Should I warn Lakrak? The Demonic Ruin will start to show its true colors and try to tempt them. With his personality, he would go to the ends of the Ancient Ruin if I don’t warn him.’

Sung-Woon agonized whether to warn Lakrak, but decided not to. This was because once he checked Lakrak’s stats again, he discovered a unique ability that hadn’t been there until recently. It was likely to have appeared as Lakrak defeated Shunen and Auloi’s Frogmen.

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‘It might be fine to just leave it to him if he has this kind of ability. There is a way to acquire both Divinity and Demonic Magic without getting penalties for either.’

So Sung-Woon decided to wait and see what happened.

***

Amid the sharp pain, Lakrak suddenly heard a voice speak to him.

‘What do you think? Do you want this kind of power?’

Lakrak looked around, but saw nothing unordinary.

“Are you okay?” Zaol asked.

Lakrak replied while using his spear to cut the neck of the Rat Monster glaring at him, “I’m okay. We should make sure to kill these Rat Monsters. Those who know how to shoot arrows, ready your bows. And those who are injured, watch the rear.”

Lakrak left the dead Rat Monsters behind and led the group.

He then heard the voice again.

‘Isn’t it an interesting power?’

Lakrak only moved his eyes this time.

‘Up here.’

Lakrak looked up and saw a wide transparent creature crackling with blue sparks hovering in the air. Its outer appearance was that of a stingray, but Lakrak, who had never seen a stingray before, didn’t know what it was.

The Electric Stingray then said, ‘I can hear you if you speak to me in your mind.’

‘Fascinating. What are you?’

‘I am the spirit that protects this ruin.’

‘Spirit? What’s a spirit? Are you invisible to everyone else?’

‘Yes. I am only visible to those with strong powers.’

Lakrak thought that was a lie, but realized this thought wasn’t communicated to the spirit.

‘Shallow thoughts are communicated, but deeper thoughts aren’t. If you really are a spirit that can distinguish those with strong powers, try to read this thought too.’?

The Electric Stingray wasn’t able to read this thought.

So Lakrak thought shallowly and said, ‘Okay. I am the strongest out of the others here. What power is it you’re talking about?’

“I’m talking about Electricity.’

‘Electricity?’

‘The power to burn other beings and create light. Sun-like light and fire-like heat. I can give you that power.’

Lakrak nodded in a subtle way that would nott seem strange to the others that were with him.

‘I’ll gladly accept it if you give it to me.’

The Electric Stingray hesitated.

‘...On one condition.’

‘It’s not given with no conditions?’

‘That is right.’

‘Then it’s a trade.’

Lakrak frowned.

‘State the conditions first when you are initiating a trade. You need to make sure to convey what you are giving me and what it is that you want from me.’

‘...I…I’m sorry.’

‘There’s no need to be sorry. Just keep it in mind for the next time. So what is the condition?’

The Electric Stingray flew closer to Lakrak, but its fluttering seemed less powerful than before.

‘I am sealed within this ruin.’

‘Sealed?’

‘It means I’m trapped. I can fly freely within this space, but I can’t go outside. I wish to be freed from this restraint, and then I can give the power of Electricity to the one who frees me.’

‘What needs to be done to set you free?’

The Electric Stingray replied, ‘It’s simple. If you go down there and kill the one guarding my seal, I become free and I can give you the power.’

‘Then would I be able to do the pzzt thing that the Rat Monster did? With the power of Electricity you give me?’

‘Of course!’

At Lakrak’s show of interest, the Electric Stingray excitedly explained, ‘That’s not it. You can train the power by continuously using it. It becomes stronger.’

‘And?’

‘The power I have is very strong, so it won’t only go to you. Other than yourself, a few others within your clan will get the power too.’

‘And?’

‘My power can be passed down to your descendants. The progress in power you’ve made won’t be directly passed down, but should your descendants continue to train their power like you do, some of those who share your blood may become stronger than you.’

‘That’s amazing.’

Lakrak expressed his true thoughts and asked about the elephant in the room.

‘So why are you trapped here?’

‘Well…it’s because…my power is too strong. People stay away from dangerous things like poison or monsters. And if they can’t stay away from it, they trap it and put it away.’

Lakrak’s face hardened.

‘Do you know?’

‘What?’

‘You just said yourself that you’re dangerous.’

‘Oh.’

Lakrak huffed.

‘You’re hiding something. Or the harm is greater than the benefits of having that power.’

‘No, that’s not true. If you have the power…’

‘Don’t lie no more. I’m warning you. I can go back right now and block the entrance to this cave that seemed to have been blocked for no apparent reason. Then I could order my warriors to prevent anyone from entering this cave and warn all the descendants of my tribe to never enter.’

The Electric Stingray was clearly in a state of panic.

‘N-No way.’

In Sung-Woon’s knowledge, the Intelligence of spirits wasn't that high. However, it wasn’t easy for individuals who entered a Demonic Ruin to resist the temptation of the spirits.

Sung-Woon then thought to himself.

‘As expected, Lakrak is acting like this because of the new ability he gained.’

[Lakrak (Warrior Lv.4/Tribal Chief Lv.3/High Priest Lv.3)

Strength 42

Intelligence 35

Sociability 38

Willpower 23

Trickery 8

Tribal Chief of Lakrak’s Clan]

Lakrak’s new unique ability was Trickery. Sung-Woon judged that this ability was likely expressed now due to Lakrak seeing through Shunen’s tricks and, in reverse, successfully attacked the Frogmen first.

‘...But I still want to have that power. Why don’t we start the deal again, Pzzt?’

‘Pzzt?’

‘That will be your name from now on.’

‘I’m not Pzzt though.’

‘My deal starts with me choosing your name. You tried to trick me, so the conditions have to be more favorable to me.’

Pzzt became sullen.

‘...Okay.’

From behind Lakrak, Sung-Woon laughed despite himself.