Fragments of Divinity
"Then... does that mean there are eight levels of power? And also eight levels of race? I mean... do we have eight evolutions until we become a demigod?" Loli asked with genuine interest, briefly glancing at Lua.
"Well... becoming a demigod is not that simple. It's not enough to absorb part of your opponents' energy; you also need to find a fragment of divinity. And to increase each rank within the demigod level, you can only use fragments of the same law that you possess. If I'm not mistaken, you need ten divine fragments to become a god who controls a law."
Silvia paused, her voice taking on a more serious tone.
"That's why, even when the ten spiritual gods existed, among millions of spirits, they were the only ones for nearly millions of years. The ancient Spiritual Empire had very few demigods. I suppose humans and demons are the same... they came to our world to steal divine fragments to strengthen their people, and that's why they didn't hesitate to attack us and try to kill our goddess."
"One of the human demigods obtained his divine fragment in an ancient catacomb. He controls the divinity of light. His master gave it to him... he got two. But I destroyed one of them when it left his body," SIA mentally told Lua.
"So... does that mean Lua is a demigoddess who obtained a divine fragment?" Loli asked, focusing her gaze on her.
"Kind of. She should have control over the divinity she took... and also the title of demigod," Silvia replied, looking at her daughter.
Lua noticed everyone was watching her.
"The divine fragment? That rare magical stone I ate? Then yes... I ate eight. And I heard in my head that my title was Oni of Destruction," she said calmly.
"Eight?" Silvia stood up, staring at her intently.
"Yes," Lua confirmed, tilting her head in slight confusion.
At that moment, Lua's status panel appeared before her.
🌑 STATUS PANEL – LUA
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Name: Lua
Title: Oni of Destruction
Level: 9 | Race Level: 7
Race: ??? (Demigod)
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STATS
HP: 1,899,180
Mana: ??? / ???
Damage: ???
Defense: ???
Strength: ??? | Resistance: ???
Intelligence: ???
Speed: ???
Dexterity: ???
Luck: ??
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SKILLS
(Pasive) Fragment of destruccion (9/10)- ?????
• Crimson Demon Roar – Area-wide physical and magical destruction wave.
• Ruin Stomp – Seismic strike that knocks down and damages massively.
• Burning Blood Spear – Blood and fiery aura projectile that pierces defenses.
• Oni's Fury – Extreme physical power at the cost of life.
• Unstoppable Carnage – Rapid series of cuts ignoring physical defense.
• Crimson Aura Explosion – Detonation of accumulated aura.
• End of the World Slash – Devastating slash that splits the ground and enemies.
• Steel Storm – Continuous 360° sweep with the weapon.
• Uncontainable Devastation – Triple strike against weakened enemies.
• Sky Ripper – Jump and downward strike creating a crater.
• Annihilation Vortex – Destructive spin that pulls enemies in.
• Oni's Hand – Ethereal projection that crushes and paralyzes.
• Calm Oni's Dominion – Full mental control over berserker fury.
• Unbreakable Steel Heart – Immunity to fear, mind control, and stuns.
• Absolute Arcane Mastery – Perfect control over magic, lower cost, and higher power.
• Supreme Aura Mastery – Complete manipulation of aura in any form.
• Bound Destruction Blade – Destructive aura that extends and strengthens the weapon.
• Invincible Oni – Brief total invulnerability.
• Cataclysm Eye – Detection of weak points and energy accumulations.
• Crimson Judgment – Final mass destruction strike in an area.
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PROFESSIONS
👗 Tailor – Professional Lv. 5
🔮 Rune Creator – Professional Lv. 10
✨ Enchanter – Master Lv. 1
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Lua blinked, even more confused: she remembered only eating eight of those rare crystals, but her level indicated nine.
"Is it that surprising that I found eight? Are they that hard to get?" Sig asked.
"Extremely. There might even be a demigod who possesses the fragments you're missing. And to obtain them... you'd have to kill them and take them. With all ten, you could become a god who controls a law. In your case, it would be Destruction. Apart from the two demigod emperors of humans and demons, you would be the third in this world with that many divine fragments," Silvia replied seriously... though Lua felt her mother was hiding something.
"Lua, for precaution, don't enter the forest. The beasts won't hesitate to use all their power to kill you and devour your fragments. Even if your level is high, there's something no one knew... When the goddess created this forest, she devised a way to keep demons and humans at bay: she distributed the fragments of other gods among the most powerful beasts, ensuring they would seek more for themselves. That's why they attack relentlessly any demigod," Silvia explained.
"So, the fragments to become a demigod are in the forest?" Loli asked.
"If it were that easy... When you defeat one of those beasts, others with the same power will arrive immediately to try and take it from you. Remember: there were ten gods, and each had ten divine fragments. The goddess of life doesn't count, so there are ninety fragments left. That means there are at least ninety lesser demigod beasts. Unless those beasts have killed each other and stolen fragments... but that would only create even more powerful demigods for you to face, even if you defeat one," Silvia said, shaking her head.
"Ugh... too much chaos," Loli murmured, putting a hand to her forehead.
"But... technically, now we have a clear goal," Sig said, thoughtfully, with one hand under her chin.
"Then why didn't the goddess give the fragments to her allies to fight the human and demon invasion?" Loli asked, realizing something.
"The Spiritual Empire was too confident. They lived in peace and tranquility... and when those invaders arrived, at first they presented themselves as envoys seeking an alliance to defeat their common enemies. The Empire chose to remain neutral. But when they least expected it, they were attacked by both sides at once, with no chance to defend themselves.
The demigods of the Spiritual Empire were the first to fall, and their divine fragments were stolen almost immediately. The ascended, afraid to take risks, rejected accepting the fragments that remained under the protection of the Goddess of Life. She herself took them, and while battling the two most powerful demigods of each empire, she managed to wound them both... even though her law was not meant for battle. Only then did she take the remaining spirits and retreat into the forest to hide them."
"Well, I think it's time to end the briefing. Maybe you should focus on Tyrgash. I don't know how weak he is right now, but out of the five bosses, he possesses the greatest destructive power," Silvia warned with a serious look.
"Ah, right. It would be better to call all the players that are connected," Sig nodded as Loli joined her.
"Players... connected?" Silvia asked.
"Well... I guess I should explain where the spirits came from, shouldn't I?" Lua said, looking at her mother.
…
"Uncle Joe, where are you now?"
Sig asked through the communication pearl, which appeared in Joe's hand.
"We just left the ant cave. We're heading to the village to regroup and create a strategy," Joe replied, his eyes glowing with excitement.
"Good, hurry up. The players on this side are already preparing to have some fun," Sig said with a smile.
"Attack a boss? Of course, it'll be fun," Joe replied, quickening his pace as the rest of his group followed closely.
They arrived in just a few minutes; Joe had practically made everyone run to get there faster.
In the center of the village, a large table gathered the other players. Some were distracted with their own tasks, but in everyone's eyes, there was that spark of anticipation before a big battle.
"Finally, you made it," commented Cliff, Natasha's brother. Unlike his sister, he was quite sociable, and as soon as he entered the game, he made friends with everyone, dragging his shy sister along.
The race he had chosen at first was zombie, like Segler, but in his next evolution, he took a different path: a branch that maximized the ability Segler hated the most, Zombie Infestation. This technique infected both enemies and allies, turning them into zombies that only sought to devour whatever was closest, making them practically immortal unless their brains were destroyed. The problem was that infected allies could accidentally attack their own team... though they also became much stronger. With this mechanic, Cliff formed a group that turned into zombies to sweep everything in their path.
Later, he evolved into a race called Dark Necromancer, which no longer depended on turning allies but instead raised zombies from the ground. Still, Segler rejected his playstyle, something Rachel took advantage of to tease him, insisting that it was more useful than "being a deformed dwarf with ugly claws and teeth."
As for Natasha, she had evolved by forming a group with her brother and other players who followed him. She was now a Sylphy, an air elemental, though she was still as nervous when talking to others.
Polly, on the other hand, was still the little level 1 pixie... mainly because she spent more time dying in the sea than fighting on land. Her parents, Laura and Carl, were also level 1 pixies, but they only entered the game to sunbathe.
"Ugh, my twin sister abandoned me," Polly said, staring at Natasha's new form. She was now one meter tall, floated slightly in the air, and looked like a fairy, though her wings seemed like wind whirlpools.
"I remember she's my sister," Cliff commented, patting Polly on the head, intrigued by how small she was.
"I told you to stop touching my head! I'm not a pet," Polly protested, pulling away.
"Why do you keep looking for things in the sea? Wouldn't it be better to evolve to make yourself stronger and then search for what you want?" Cliff asked.
Polly froze, as if she had just had a revelation she had never considered before.
"You can join our group," Cliff offered.
"No way. If anything, I'd prefer Joe's giant group," Polly replied.
"Really? With all those sweaty men and... that?" Cliff joked.
"Of course. Most of them still don't have bodies and are skeletons, but I look ahead... When they get bodies like Dean and are all sweaty," Polly said casually.
"Why would they be sweaty?" Natasha asked softly.
"Because that's the point," Polly and Cliff responded in unison.
"Alright, gather up everyone. Bert and I have a strategy... though we had to kneel so Lua wouldn't punish us for making it," Sig said, drawing the group's attention.
"The Komodos seem to have more life than the ants, and according to Dean, they attack in groups spitting magma balls... and probably fire as well. Given the debuffs the boss has, it looks like they're moving slower than usual. Our plan is to split them up: first, eliminate the Komodos and then go for their leader. It would be complicated to fight them all together, especially with the Komodos protecting the boss," Bert explained seriously.
"That's why we'll form a group with Dean at the front to distract the boss. We assume that, even though he's weakened, a single hit from him could kill us. Dean is the fastest, and Liora will cast all the buffs possible on him before we leave the village. He'll keep the boss near the forest, while we draw the Komodos to the village. We're doing this for two reasons: first, because we need Liora's buffs; second, because if we die, we'll respawn instantly at the entrance, ready to keep attacking. However, we must prevent them from destroying the wall, or Lua will punish us. If they get too close... Lua will kill the Komodos, and the experience will be hers. And you know what happens then," Bert warned.
"We'll lose some levels, yes... but once the boss falls, we believe everyone who participates will hit the cap for the next evolution. So no matter how many times they die, they'll gain a lot of experience," he continued.
"And the loot?" Cliff asked, his interest piqued.
"Liora will be in the group, so you know what that means: lots of loot and with great luck. That's the third reason to bring them near the village," Sig said, giving a mischievous grin.
"We'll do it the old school way: if there's something many people want, we'll auction it off. Whoever pays the most gets it, and the money will be split equally among everyone. This is our first boss, so we don't have a system for MVP or individual damage control yet, but it's a good way to avoid arguments for now," Bert concluded.
"Well... acceptable," Cliff said, as several players nodded.
"Perfect. Then we'll form several teams, divide positions, and each one will have a leader. I'll control the battlefield and send information with my puppets, while Bert handles communication and coordination with the leaders. They'll move their teams as necessary," Sig finished.
Immediately, everyone began to organize according to their specialties and gather in their assigned groups, the tension of the upcoming battle growing in the air.