Chapter 176: Old Witchcraft

The Special Orb mission had updated in Luke’s system interface as completed—but just as the notification faded, another one appeared:

*Assassination Contract (Exclusive)*

Objective: Assassinate the Orc Lord.

[Mission Failed]

The contract had been forcefully updated. In that moment, Luke understood—this quest hadn’t come from the System alone. It had come from a god. And then, one more notification appeared, just for a moment:

[‘Too bad you rejected my mission. I was looking forward to our talk — L’]

The message vanished, and with it, all traces of the assassination contract. It had been divine in origin. Issued months ago by a god who simply signed: L.

But then—dozens of books rose into the air around Samael. He pointed toward a large table, and the volumes floated in perfect alignment, stacking themselves with eerie precision.

“Witchcraft?” Luke raised an eyebrow, bringing the conversation back on track. “You mean, like… animal sacrifice and blood rituals?”

Samael leaned back in his chair as a bottle of beer floated into his hand. “We’re going to have to dismantle a few ideas your universe planted in you. Tell me—what do you think witchcraft is?”

“Someone drawing a pentagram on the floor, surrounded by candles, chanting in Latin. That kind of thing.”

“And where did you learn that? A movie?”

“Something like that.”

Samael let out a short huff of laughter—but didn’t smile. “Understand this: your world’s culture was shaped by echoes of the multiverse. Twisted, yes—but echoes nonetheless. Haven’t you ever wondered why your species knew about elves long before discovering the existence of other universes? Or why myths of magic, fairies, and dragons are so… universal?”

Luke frowned, taking it more seriously than he expected to.

“The System,” Samael continued, “integrates each universe gradually. It molds cultural knowledge—plants seeds slowly. That way, when revelation finally comes, the shock is softened. It’s slow. But effective.”

“So… there’s television in other universes?” Luke asked, half out of reflex.

“I can’t answer that.”

“What? It’s just a dumb question.”

“And that’s exactly why I can’t answer it. You’ll understand later.”

Luke didn’t press further. But the next question slipped out anyway.

“So… there isn’t some demon named Lucifer out there?”

Samael shrugged.

“Your question is like asking if there’s a human named Peter. Odds are—yeah, somewhere. But remember: there are translations involved. The System adapts what we say into something your mind can comprehend. So when I say ‘Samael,’ it’s not really the sound I’m making. It’s the version your brain can handle. The real name? You couldn’t even process it. It’d be like trying to see a color that doesn’t exist. The System gives you the closest approximation within your reality.”

Luke went quiet for a few seconds. The more answers he got… the more questions followed. And now that time was running out, he began to realize how little he actually knew.

“My bloodline is called ‘Dark Demon’…” he said, voice quieter now. “What does that even mean?”

Samael chuckled softly. “That kind of question… your window to ask it has already closed.”

Luke felt a pang of frustration. Now that his mind was clear, now that he finally wanted to ask—he couldn’t.

“But…” Samael raised a single finger, a spark of mischief glinting in his eyes. “I’m someone who pays very close attention to the fine print in the pacts I sign. Technically, I’m forbidden from giving you direct answers. But if I were to share a random curiosity… well, then I wouldn’t be breaking any agreement, would I?”

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He winked at Luke and walked over to the table. Luke followed, focused.

“When a god becomes exceptional at something—undisputed, unparalleled—the System acknowledges it. It’s as if the deity becomes the living embodiment of that concept.”

Samael ran his fingers along the spine of one of the books.

“For instance… Lakarion. You’ve heard the name before. A god whose presence you’ve felt throughout this tutorial. He became so refined, so efficient at his craft, that the System recognized him.”

He turned to Luke, expectantly.

“What is Lakarion known for?”

Luke didn’t hesitate. “Lakarion… is the God of Assassination.”

“Correct.” Samael nodded, pleased. “That’s one of the great powers of founding a divine order. Lakarion claimed a divine-level title.”