Etiquette (1)
The ability I gained after getting struck by lightning: Thunder. As the name suggests, it's one of Soul World's most notorious skills, 'Lightning.' Lightning can't be blocked even if you try— it just keeps going, and once you're electrocuted, your movements slow to a crawl. Thanks to these overpowered traits and its flashy appeal, it's incredibly popular. Most people who pick Gulaak do it just for Lightning.
'But I got it in a weird way.'
From what I remember, getting Lightning is dead simple. Just offer up some high-quality tribute, and you're done. Or get close to Kara and mooch off her help. In my case, it's the latter. She didn't exactly volunteer, but she did help out.
Still, the faith increase message, plus Chaos getting involved— that's pretty much half-confirmed. 'So it doesn't hate me after all.' It's just a prankster at heart, pretty good-natured overall. If it were evil, I'd be siding with the demons.
But Gulaak? Kinda pissed me off. Why zap a perfectly fine guy like me? Sure, I got Lightning out of it, but it could've picked a more gentlemanly method. Now I'm in a bind every time I offer tribute.
'Getting chosen by Chaos but ending up with Thunder...' That's a bit off too. Normally in Soul World, once Chaos picks you, no other god will touch you. Tributes at altars or prayers at churches? Nada. No reaction—that's how it should be. My memory's fuzzy, but I think there was even a message saying nothing happened.
'Or maybe I'm misremembering.' Like I said, memory's spotty. Could be stuff I forgot. Good is good, right? Thunder has tons of uses, and as its rank climbs, you even get 'resistance.' Meaning effects from lightning on me get reduced. Folks like Hector or Kara can straight-up convert it to mana.
'What about Gaia?' Snagging Thunder from Gulaak has me eyeing Gaia now. God of life and earth—direct healing powers. Perfect for any support role, huge demand everywhere. No harm in learning it. Difference is, no tributes for Gaia; it's all prayer. Tricky as hell. High ceiling above Gulaak's, but the grind is top-tier nightmare.
'First things first: figure out how to wield Thunder.'
I'd already told everyone I got Thunder. No reason to hide it, no need felt.
"What? You got Thunder? Like me?"
"Didn't Sivar get chosen by Lord Chaos?"
"A Chaos follower with Gulaak's blessing too?"
Everyone was shocked, naturally. Even I was surprised—what about them?
To convince them, I held out my hand instead of answering. I'd figured out how to use it while getting zapped.
Crackle! Not as strong as Kara's, but a solid bolt flickered in my palm. Uniquely, not blue—red. Close to deep crimson like my mana, but the lightning's nature made it glow bright.
"The lightning... it's red?"
"Kara's is blue, right?"
Yeonju and Grace exchanged puzzled looks. They didn't know about my red mana. Lord said keep it under wraps if possible, but these two were fine. Not the type to blab.
"Mine's blue. Probably influenced by his mana. Sivar's is red."
"Red mana? But mana is..."
"We know. Don't go blabbing, got it?"
At Kara's warning, Grace and Yeonju just nodded silently. No point spreading it—doesn't help them.
I stared at the flickering red bolt in my hand. This level? Barely enough for basic attacks. At best, infuse a weapon like with mana. With Ragnarok, power doubles easy.
Red Mana compatibility activated!
No. Hold up. Why's this popping now?
I snapped my head up at the sudden message. Right after using the bolt. Was Thunder gonna vanish too? Panic hit.
Thunder rank rises to A!
"...Oh."
Fuck yeah. Thunder's rank skyrocketed. Like my boxing jumping to B thanks to Wild Instinct. But this? A-rank. Insane growth.
Kara's probably S to SS around now. Whatever red mana's deal, it ate up that compression and refinement like candy—top results.
'At this level...'
Maybe land a hit on Lord or Lize? Thought crossed my mind. Hector's realm as a warrior's way below Lord's. But raw combat power? Just one step shy. And that step's a chasm, but still elite. I beat Hector. Sure, Berserk made it dirty, but we were even before. So yeah, effective hit on Lord possible.
'Porori's toast for sure.' Moment truce ends, skin it for leather. Damn rat bastard.
Boom!! No. Fuck. Why me, Gulaak? You spare that shitty squirrel but treat me worse than a beast?
Faith has risen!
Chaos only. Reliable.
Word that Sivar got Gulaak's blessing, Thunder, reached Lord soon enough. Luna reported right after field trip(?) wrapped. Including today's Sivar shenanigans.
"Told him not to touch others' stuff... Guess I gotta teach him again."
Lord sighed at yet another Sivar incident. Headache evident. Luna gave a wry smile. Proof he cared for the kid. Otherwise, it'd be mechanical dismissal. Living together builds bonds.
"But not without gains."
"Gains?"
"Yes."
Luna glanced around Lord's residence. Empty now—Sivar and crew out for dinner. She'd stayed to talk privately.
'Sivar takes forever eating...' Plenty of time.
"Sivar got Lord Gulaak's blessing."
"Gulaak's? Lightning?"
"Yes. Red lightning, but definitely his blessing."
"Hm. Chaos follower with Gulaak's blessing..."
Lord frowned, stumped. Even his experience didn't cover this.
"Ask Lize. She's the expert here."
"Got it. Next..."
This was key. Luna pulled a busted souvenir tower model from her pocket—the one Sivar smashed at the history hall. Lord eyed it oddly as she set it down.
"What Sivar broke today."
"Making him pay?"
"No. It's... a demon magic circle."
"......"
Air grew heavy. Lord narrowed his eyes at it. Looked like a normal tower replica, geometric patterns matching the real one. Colorless, as expected for a statue. Hard to suspect demon work.
"...Really?"
"Yes. Certain."
"You've got a knack for spotting weird stuff."
"......"
Luna stayed silent. No point explaining. Lize could confirm later—she wasn't here.
Lord examined the shards closely. Seemed ordinary.
"To verify it's demonic... Lize it is. Lucky break."
"No one else?"
"Even my trusted doc was a demon pawn. Who to trust?"
Luna bit her lip at the bitter words. Lord set it down, faced her squarely, tone grave.
"If Lize confirms, she'll act. But demons pull plans the second she stays."
"Even demons fear the saint."
"That, and timing. World's unstable."
"Unstable..."
Luna wasn't clueless—rumors abounded. Hwan Empire stirring, Santia revolution, Matra-Granada tensions boiling, skirmishes everywhere. Academy's neutral haven, but one big incident crosses no-return point.
"Demons targeting Academy makes sense. Topple the last bastion, world dives into unchecked war. Long peace means pent-up fights."
"Must it be war?"
"Talk fails, force follows. From civilization's dawn. Demons bank on it."
"Mm..."
War—distant nightmare for peace-raised Luna. Perfect timing if demons wanted human infighting. Block openly? They deny, slip away. Others call bullshit, move on.
"For now, let plans play out. Makes demons public enemy."
"...Minimize damage?"
"Cut flesh for clean surgery. Find more circles, reduce casualties."
Classic sacrifice few for many. Regrettable, but necessary. No enemy status, vicious cycle. Luna got it.
Not helpless, though. Hunt more circles, like Lord said.
"...Understood. I'll search hard."
"Good. I'll focus on antidote. Ellie's herbs work."
"How're you now?"
"Eighty percent. More rest, good as new."
Relief. Lord's violet mana made him powerhouse.
"Oh, and Sivar's adaptation phase..."
Clunk— Door flew open mid-sentence. Luna relaxed, talk done. Sivar's group poured in—as expected. But Sivar up front? Should be last. Striding boldly. Innocent face, but big build loomed like a giant.
Luna and even Lord startled as Sivar declared confidently.
"Grandpa Lord."
"Uh, yeah?"
Not just name—Grandpa. Lord's 'manners' emphasis nailed.
"Spar with me."
The follow-up? Miles from manners.
Lord blinked blankly. Others too. So out-of-left-field.
He stared, then quietly asked Luna.
"Lightning fry his brain?"
"......"
Luna speechless. Absurdity stole her words.
Meanwhile, Sivar stated his demand.
"One hit, candy."
Time for etiquette injection.