Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Pact with the Electric Spirit
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Pajijik said.
"So... what are the other conditions?"
Rakrak asked as if wondering why he was asking something so obvious.
"Explain why you're dangerous."
"...What?"
"If you truly possess power worth trading for, there's no reason to hide it, is there? If not, then it's not worth trading for."
At those words, Pajijik circled through the air.
"Fine. My power is worth the risk."
"What risk?"
Pajijik fluttered slowly above the heads of Rakrak's group as they walked along the dark stone bridge.
"I originate from an ancient evil."
"Ancient evil?"
"Beings that ruled this world in a very distant past... But it's so long ago that even they are forgotten, and not even the gods remember them... I can't recall my own origins either. I've simply been trapped here since some point."
"Pitiful. But I grew up an orphan too. There's no need to know exactly who birthed you. What's more important is what you'll do going forward."
"I-Is that so?"
Pajijik was flustered by Rakrak's unexpected words of comfort but continued speaking.
"Power with unknown origins intoxicates people. Because its source is unknown, they delude themselves into thinking it's entirely theirs. Even though they merely stumbled upon it. Wielding such power leads them to believe they deserve it, and once they think that, they look down on those without it."
Rakrak thought it was a bit abstract but nodded, recalling cases like Viewe and Shunen.
"So that 'demonic allure' twists people like that?"
"Yes. My power spreads indiscriminately."
Rakrak imagined what might happen if he accepted this power.
"This electric demonic power is different from what the god bestows. The god's power is ultimately chosen and judged by the god. But even a mere power from Pajijik, if held without qualification, would invite envy and jealousy from others. And if that power grows... it would even spawn those who dare defy the god."
Rakrak understood why Pajijik was dangerous.
"So, Pajijik, with that risk in mind, why should I take your power?"
"My power is strong."
"Hm."
"Destructive."
Pajijik flashed brightly.
Rakrak felt like he'd seen this light somewhere before, then realized what it was.
Thunder and lightning.
On a small scale, it was just a 'pajijik,' but if it grew, he guessed it would become full thunderbolts.
Rakrak also understood that being able to emit electricity from his body, like the monster rats, would be useful in combat.
"Tempting."
"Then you'll release the seal?"
"There are conditions."
"Conditions? Ah, I see."
Pajijik flew closer to Rakrak, as if it had anticipated this.
"You want to monopolize the power, right? I understand. It might be tricky, but I think it can be done. Though we'll need some preparations. To let one person monopolize this power requires a ritual on the level of magic..."
Rakrak cut him off.
"No, I have no intention of monopolizing the power."
"Then?"
"You said at first that the electric demonic power spreads indiscriminately. But then you said it could be monopolized by one through a ritual. If both are true, then couldn't you give it selectively to a chosen few?"
Pajijik seemed flustered again.
"Yes. I haven't tried it, but I think it's possible with a small-scale ritual. But... why bother? Unless you take all the power yourself, letting it spread indiscriminately would yield similar results."
"No, it's different."
Rakrak explained.
"If it's given only to the chosen ones, we can make it look like they've been selected by the god."
"What?"
"It becomes power with a known origin, not something from an ancient evil."
"No. It's not the god's selection. This power isn't from a god."
Rakrak gave a faint smile.
"That doesn't matter. If people believe it's power bestowed by the god, then from that moment, it becomes the god's power. What's the difference from the real thing? The chosen ones will think their power comes from the god, and that faithful belief will reach the god."
"No, that's not..."
Pajijik tried to argue but couldn't find the words.
What Rakrak said was an ironclad truth even in the Lost World system.
When those with demonic allure wielded power, thinking it mere coincidence incurred a faith resource penalty.
Conversely, even if wielding demonic allure, deluding themselves that it was power received from the god generated faith resources instead.
"And the second condition."
"Wait, there's another condition too? ...And calling me by name without permission makes it the third."
"...And the third condition."
"...Just say it."
Rakrak turned his gaze to Pajijik.
"Believe in the god too."
"...Believe in a god?"
"Not just any god. Believe in and rely on our Blue Insect God."
Pajijik flashed in refusal.
"The other conditions I can handle, but that's difficult. I'm a demonic spirit. Created by entities even older than the gods."
Rakrak lightly thumped his tail against the ground.
His companions paled at Rakrak suddenly showing discomfort.
When Jaol asked what was wrong and if his hand pain was okay, Rakrak said he was fine.
Rakrak focused on Pajijik.
"Who birthed or created you doesn't matter. What you'll do from now on does. Why do you want to be freed from the seal?"
"Because... that's how I was made. Demonic spirits want to spread their demonic allure far and wide. That's the purpose of my existence."
"To me, you seem plenty useful. And our Blue Insect God is generous to useful beings. He might even grant your wish. Your created purpose doesn't matter. The purpose of your life isn't decided by your creators—it's decided by you yourself."
Pajijik's flight slowed gradually.
"Gods don't like demonic spirits."
"Don't judge our god by your standards."
"Will your god truly accept me?"
"If you accept all my conditions. I don't know the god's will completely, but among those who do, I know it best."
At those words, Pajijik made its decision.
"Lizardman with black scales... Truth is, I lied to you a few times."
"About what?"
"I'm not simply trapped in this ancient ruin. It's true challengers must defeat the ruin guardian, but that guardian is merely my subordinate. I rule this ruin. I also sent you the Newtria possessed by demonic allure."
"I see."
Rakrak wasn't particularly surprised.
Pajijik continued.
"Even so, I said you must defeat the guardian because..."
"I get it. The weak shouldn't have this power, right? They couldn't spread it enough."
"Exactly. Recently, a Froglin group challenged a few times. But they lacked the qualification."
Rakrak thought that was obvious.
Pajijik said.
"I deceived you. Aren't you angry?"
Rakrak shook his head. He'd half-expected it, and with no major losses yet, he wasn't one to rage over being tricked.
"I can always forgive boldly. Forgiveness isn't a warrior's virtue, but I'm also a tribal chief. For a chief, forgiveness and reconciliation are virtues."
"...Ah."
"And as a Lizardman—not just warrior, chief, or priest, but as one person—I understand you."
"Understand?"
"Living in this damp, dark place staring at monster rats all day would make anyone cranky. You need to breathe fresh air outside and see beautiful things."
At those words, Pajijik flashed brightly over and over.
Rakrak stopped and looked at it.
Pajijik said.
"I still don't know your name. What is it?"
"Rakrak."
"Rakrak, the trial is over. I accept all the conditions you stated. Do you agree?"
"Of course."
Seong-un selected 'Yes'.
"Done."
This was the only way to overcome the demonic allure's penalty.
Directly incorporating the demonic power into divinity.
If not incorporated into a divine domain, the demonic power marked each individual as 'possessed by demonic allure,' making control impossible.
But once in a domain, it became controllable.
Just like Rakrak's conditions to Pajijik, it enabled giving the demonic power to specific individuals.
"Of course, incorporating it into divinity doesn't make it true divinity. You can't level it up just because it's under divinity. There are various restrictions. But avoiding the penalty alone is a blessing, right?"
Simply breaking through a demonic ruin to gain demonic power was easy.
Rakrak's group could handle hundreds of those monster rats, and if needed, Seong-un could always burn faith for support.
But subjugating a demonic spirit was far harder.
Or rather, it was uncertain if it was even possible.
Character stats only opened the possibility, and Seong-un had gotten lucky this time.
But Seong-un didn't think it was mere luck.
"Maybe meeting you was fortune for both of us, Rakrak."
───
9 years later.
───
"...And so, the Blue Insect God bestowed the power of thunder and lightning upon Rakrak."
"Oh ho."
"That's the story of how the 'Chosen Ones' first appeared among the Black Scale Lizardmen."
Two figures stood atop a hill.
They stood before a tower made of water buffalo bones and stone markers.
This tower, with its bones piled atop lime-washed stones, was tall enough to be seen from far across the wasteland.
This bone tower had been built upon the first one Rakrak ever made long ago. It not only proved faith in the Blue Insect God but also served as a landmark for travelers.
The Black Scale Lizardman who finished the long tale lightly brushed dust from the stone marker.
This Lizardman wore layers of expensive silk fabric called 'velvet,' hinting at noble status.
"Fascinating story. But I have a question."
In contrast, the human man raising the doubt looked ragged.
He wore poorly tanned hide on his head like a hood, and his chin beard was unkempt.
"The god you believe in is an insect god, so what does it have to do with thunder and lightning?"
The Lizardman tilted his head.
He didn't seem flustered.
If anything, he acted like the question was baffling.
"What color is lightning?"
"Blue?"
"What do we call our god?"
"...Blue Insect God?"
"Exactly."
With that, the Lizardman patted the human's shoulder.
Naturally, the human had no idea what 'exactly' meant.
'Lizardmen are weird—they accept things in the strangest ways. Real oddballs.'
The man didn't think it was entirely bad.
'Maybe I can use that to my advantage.'
Hiding his intentions, the man asked.
"By the way, we haven't introduced ourselves during this long tale. What's your name?"
"Me? Owen."
The man was startled.
"Oh, I didn't realize I was in the presence of greatness."
"Greatness? You're joking. And you?"
"Me... Hold on, looks like we have uninvited guests."
A group of armed trolls was climbing the hill where the man pointed.