Chapter 23

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Translator: Ryuma

Chapter: 23

Chapter Title: The Electric Spirit

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The power in the Lost World wasn't limited to divinity.

For instance, the nuke and its delivery system that Seong-un had used to win his final game on Earth were scientific technology, not divinity.

Divinity and science could grow together up until the medieval era, but from the modern era onward, they tended to move in opposite directions.

'When faith in gods grows stronger, people tend to distort science. Conversely, as they become proficient in scientific technology and knowledge, they start believing less in gods.'

Because science can take over what gods used to do.

Of course, this decline was weaker in the real world—on Earth—than here.

'On Earth, no one knows if gods actually exist, but in the Lost World, the gods' ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠existence is real.'

And in the Lost World, there was a third power beyond divinity and science: 'magic.'

Magic also inversely proportional to divinity, but unlike science, it had been that way since ancient times.

'It has to be that way. Magic is an extremely personal power. In ancient times, if there was a being who could wield powerful magic, no one could stop them. A person with magic could be revered like a god. There's no reason for such a being to believe in gods.'

This power of magic naturally waned as science advanced into the modern era, with the scales tipping against it.

'But not every game reaches the modern era. I've won using magic plenty of times myself.'

Therefore, players in the Lost World had to carefully balance science and magic while playing with divinity.

Seong-un understood these game rules well and was always prepared to use magic when necessary.

'But I didn't expect to acquire magical essence this quickly.'

Among ancient ruins, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠those classified as 'magical essence ruins' were dungeons that ultimately granted magical essence.

Gaining magical essence simply meant acquiring the constitution to learn magic.

'Moreover, not just the individual who conquers the ruin, but several generations of their close bloodline are affected. In a tribal society like this, it's practically the entire tribe gaining the chance for magical essence.'

That was the dangerous part.

Gaining magical essence didn't make you a mage right away.

To use magic, you needed spells, which required ancient ruins, various ancient knowledge, or magical research.

But those with magical essence had power in itself.

They could make small flames flicker, make objects glow, or produce tiny sparks.

'This ancient ruin seems to grant electrical magical essence.'

There were hints about what kind of magical essence it gave.

In Seong-un's system window, the name of the fallen monster rat was 'Nutria Enveloped in Magical Essence.'

Selecting detailed view showed the attribute as 'Electricity.'

It could perform electric attacks on contacted opponents.

'Electricity is always useful. It's one of the better magical essences...'

The problem was that gaining magical essence came with a penalty to acquiring faith.

Rakrak would likely be the one to conquer this ancient ruin, so he would undoubtedly gain the magical essence.

Additionally, around 350 tribe members related to Rakrak would get the chance, and statistically, about three would manifest it.

'At first, they'll just think of it as mysterious power. Electrical essence has visible flair, after all.'

But Seong-un knew what would happen next.

Using magical essence ruins was a common mistake among Lost World beginners.

Beginners, obsessed with acquiring the power of 'magic,' lead their tribes to these ruins to gain magical essence.

They then focus resources on those who manifest it to level them up.

The grown individuals pass the essence to their offspring, and over generations, it strengthens.

Eventually, 'mages' appear.

'From early to mid-game, mages are one of the top classes.'

Mages wield power too much for a single individual to handle.

As they grow stronger, they can face countless enemies, gain power, and form a noble class.

Above all, since the source of their power is magic, not gods, they stop relying on gods.

The origin of magic stems from the ancient evil that's essentially 'lore bait' in the Lost World.

'That's why divinity and magical essence end up in opposition.'

From this ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠point, players effectively lose control over those with magical essence.

Divinity-based players then trigger events like 'witch hunts' or 'taboos' to curb magical essence's influence.

'In the end... you can control it somehow. But it wastes time and resources unnecessarily. Even if you gain from magical essence and mages early on, squandering resources mid-game makes it pointless.'

Players of Seong-un's caliber could balance it into their build without issues, but it was still tiring.

Whether to introduce unnecessary variables in the game was also key.

Statistics showed beginners tempted by mages lowered their win rates, but pure divinity builds had higher win rates than divinity-magic hybrids.

'Of course, I prefer plays with more variables... Should I warn Rakrak? The magical essence ruin will soon reveal its true allure and tempt him. Without a warning, with Rakrak's temperament, he'll push to the end.'

After a moment's thought, Seong-un decided against it.

While rechecking Rakrak's stats, he noticed a new unique ability that hadn't been there before.

It seemed to be gained from defeating Shunen and Aulroy's Froglins.

'With this ability, Rakrak might just exceed expectations. There are ways to hold both divinity and magical essence without penalties from either.'

Seong-un decided to watch.

『Rakrak

Warrior Lv.4 / Tribal Chief Lv.3 / Priest Lv.3』

Rakrak felt a stinging pain, and a voice spoke to him.

'How is it? Do you want that power?'

Rakrak looked around.

He didn't see anything in particular.

Jaol said,

"Are you alright?"

Rakrak snapped the neck of the monster rat that had been glaring at him with its spear-eyes and said,

"I'm fine. These monster rats definitely need their necks broken. Warriors who know how to shoot arrows, grab your bows. The injured, guard the rear."

Rakrak left the processed monster rats behind and led the group onward.

The voice spoke again.

'Isn't it wondrous power?'

This time, Rakrak only moved his eyes.

'Up there.'

When Rakrak lifted his gaze, he spotted a broad, transparent creature swimming in the air, emitting blue sparks.

Its form resembled a ray, but Rakrak had never seen a sea ray before, so he didn't know what it was.

The electric ray said,

'If you think of speaking to me, I can hear it.'

'Impressive. What are you?'

'I am the spirit guarding this ruin.'

'Spirit? What's a spirit? Can't others see you?'

'Correct. I only appear to those with strong power.'

Rakrak thought that was a lie, but realized such thoughts weren't transmitted to the spirit.

'Surface thoughts transmit, but deep ones don't. If you truly call yourself a spirit who can discern the strong, read this thought too.'

The electric ray couldn't read Rakrak's thought.

Rakrak said with a surface thought,

'Fine. I'm the strongest here. What power do you mean?'

'Electricity.'

'Electricity?'

'The power that scorches creatures and flashes like lightning. Heat like fire, light like the sun. I can grant you that power.'

Rakrak nodded lightly, ensuring the others wouldn't find it odd.

'If you give it, I'll gratefully accept.'

The electric ray hesitated.

'...There are conditions.'

'Not giving it freely?'

'No.'

'A trade, then.'

Rakrak scowled.

'In trades, state the conditions first. Be precise about what you offer and what you want from me.'

'...S-Sorry.'

'No need to apologize. Just be careful next time. So, what are the conditions?'

The electric ray flapped weakly and floated closer than before.

'I am sealed in this ruin.'

'Sealed?'

'Imprisoned, you could say. I can move freely inside this space, but I can't leave. I want this restraint lifted, and I can bestow electrical power on the one who fulfills my wish.'

'How do I free you?'

The electric ray said,

'Simple. Go down there, kill the ruin guardian protecting my seal, and I'll be freed—and grant you power.'

'So I could do that crackling zap thing the monster rats did? That electrical power?'

'Of course!'

Excited by Rakrak's interest, the electric ray explained,

'And not just that. You can grow it by using it continuously. It'll get stronger and stronger.'

'And?'

'My power is so vast it won't fit in you alone. Not just you—some in your tribe could gain it too.'

'Also?'

'My power can pass to your descendants. Not fully intact, but repeated generations will produce offspring stronger than you in your bloodline.'

'Impressive.'

Rakrak voiced his honest impression.

At the same time, an inevitable doubt arose.

'Then why are you imprisoned?'

'Uh, because my power... is too strong. People keep dangerous things away, right? Poison or monsters. If unavoidable, they lock them up.'

Rakrak hardened his expression.

'Do you realize what you just admitted?'

'What?'

'You just admitted you're dangerous yourself.'

'Ah.'

Rakrak snorted.

'You're hiding something. Or the downsides of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that power outweigh the benefits.'

'No, that's not it. If you gain the power...'

'No more lies. I warn you—I can turn back now. Seal this cave's entrance that's been gathering dust, order my warriors to bar entry, and warn my descendants never to enter for eternity.'

The electric ray clearly panicked.

'Y-You can't do that...'

As Seong-un knew, spirits weren't highly intelligent.

But those entering magical essence ruins found it hard to resist the allure of power.

Seong-un thought,

'As expected, Rakrak's behavior must stem from the new ability he gained.'

Rakrak's new unique ability was 'Deception.'

Seong-un judged that seeing through Shunen's deception and counter-ambushing had unlocked it.

'...But I do want that power. Shall we restart the trade, Zapzap.'

'Zapzap?'

'That's your name from now on.'

'I'm not Zapzap.'

'My trades start by naming you. You tried to deceive me, so the terms favor me more.'

Zapzap looked dejected.

'...Fine.'

Unnecessarily so, but Seong-un stifled a laugh right behind them.