ALL NOVEL Heritage (1)
Other races have appeared naturally as the result of evolution, but apart from them, there were five originally, but due to a cataclysmic event, the dwarves have gone extinct.
Leaving only Elves, Humans, Beast-kind, Demons, and Monsters out of the original six.
The six races could also be described as a spectrum that reflected the Gods, with the Elves, humans, and the Dwarves being the Sun God’s design while Beast-kind, Demons, and Monsters were of Eve’s.
The creations could be described as follows:
Elves - They are a humanoid people attuned to nature, known for their beautiful complexions, the result of their closeness with nature, and incredible intellect. Out of all the creations, they were the closest to Morn in likeness, known for their peaceful nature and kindness. Their practices are quite crude and very early in terms of technology, but their control and affinity over magic is the greatest of all races. In a way, they are an advanced society.
Humans - The human-race is the most diverse out of all the races, capable of reproducing quickly and adapting to most climates and weathers imaginable, but they don’t have many distinct features that sets them apart from every other race. They have the largest developed society out of all the races. Magic is not very common but it is possible for it to be wielded by a human.
Dwarves - Although extinct, they are recorded to be incredibly stubborn, rigid and stout in stature. They had bodies much smaller compared to that of humans and elves, but they had incredible durability and ingenuity. However, unlike the peaceful elves, they advanced quickly through technology without much regard for the consequences on nature. They were unable to control magic even until their extinction.
Beast people - As the name suggests, are people with the likeness of both humans and beasts only including Canine and Feline characteristics. Out of all the races, they repopulate the fastest, and have the second largest developed society. They inherently have the third-best affinity for magic.
Demons - Demon-kind is a mix of many of the characteristics of other races but they have no common form or likeness. No demon is the same as the other, and are individually unique. They reproduce the slowest out of every race and have no recorded society or tradition. History on them is very small and only exists in word of mouth, or old stories, thus many doubt they exist. They have great magic affinity second only to that of the elves.
Monsters. Like demons, they are a mix of the characteristics of most races, but they are the most savage of them all. Monsters reproduce quickly with their own kind, and sometimes with other kinds to create hybrids or even new species. They have no society nor wide-spread tradition, but are capable of magic, and so they are the most diverse and unpredictable race.
“...that's what I remember.” I heaved a sigh of exhaustion. The book looked at me and blinked. It felt like an acknowledging nod though.
“Splendid… but your scope is way too broad, narrow it down.” the book said with another blink, “Think about your kind.”
“How the fuck–” I felt like sighing. Like he said, I simply appeared in this world. I was not born out of the womb of a demon and I have never been raised by a demon.
Although my human mom did beat (discipline) my ass quite often when I was a kid. I had a knock for pushing her buttons. Could she be called a demon?
But if the answer lies there, I just need to think. What sets demons apart from every race?
They have no recorded society,
They have very little history,
They reproduce very slowly and are borderline extinct,
They're capable of magic—
“Magic?” I blinked, “Am I being influenced by magic?”
The book blinked. I was correct in answering the cause of my strange behavior, but just because I figured it out, doesn't mean that every single problem was solved.
Magic is a subject I have barely touched after all.
Sure, I understand that it exists. I’ve even drank some on a few occasions. But I hardly know the stuff.
“That is correct. You are being affected by magic created by your own kind.” The book said simply, “You entered the domain of an already active magic formation. In other words, you walked into the territory of another of your kind.”
“Then why did I act like that?”
“Simply put, your body instinctively was put into a state of alertness. Demons grow stronger by feasting on the power of their own kind.”
My eyes widened and my mouth fell open. Did he mean–?
“Yes, demons are cannibalistic in nature. Your body simply was driven by instinct to devour.” The blue eye began to flicker in amusement “It truly is amazing, fledgling. You wouldn’t understand unless you were raised as a demon. If you hadn’t recognized those men as magic-less humans, you would have eaten them for power.”
There was so much I didn’t know. What is my purpose? Why have I been reincarnated as a demon? Why? I just wanted to experience the game from scratch– why?!?
Why?
Why?
“Tell me.” I looked at the book resting atop a barrel, I felt incredibly shitty. “How much stronger do I have to get to survive? Especially now as a demon? What was I reincarnated in this world for, that I have to get that strong?”
“I am not sure, Demon child. But the facts remain the same, you must be willing to stake everything, all so that you can do what you wish, regardless of the purpose you have been summoned for.”
“Alright.” I just nodded in acknowledgment.
I think it was about time to stop thinking like a human.
I am Demon. I need to start acting like it.
[ Achievement Unlocked! ] [ Coming of Age! ] [Your coming of age ceremony has begun!]
“For my third question, tell me everything about the Demon Race as much as I can afford.”
I was desperately trying to form some sort of anchor within myself that I completely lost sight of who I was and where I was. I was not human anymore. I was a person yes, but not human.
It was time to let go of such naive notions. I need to wholly accept myself, now in this new world. I am a Demon now.
[ Profile: Hyun / Race: Demon / Profession: Adventurer, Scholar - (Soul-Bound Contractor), Civilian / Level: 6 ] [ Skill: Premonition ] [ Strength: 11 (+3) / Speed: 11 / Constitution: 13 (+2) / Intelligence: 20 (+2) / Wisdom: 20(+4)]
“With pleasure.” The book responded enthusiastically.
The book opened wide and the words on the pages began to morph into completely different text. A language unfamiliar to me began to make sense.