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M: TSIA Chapter 62: Black Magic?
🕑 Added 2025-01-20 12:43:37 +0000 UTCHowever, in practice, orthodox Paper Cutting Magic has a broader scope. This technique is not only used to create replicas but also to communicate with spirits, heal diseases, and seek blessings.
In fact, some magic users exploit this technique to curse others, although such practices are rare.
Outside the interrogation room of the New York Bureau, Lance finally came face to face with what was referred to as the "Oriental Sorcerer." The figure appeared enigmatic, and the presence of this person exuded an aura distinct from Western magic.
Lance realized that this individual might be using an unorthodox variation of Paper Cutting Magic—a branch of magic that is rarely passed down, let alone studied in modern times.
"Hmm... a bit disappointing," Lance murmured while observing the man in the interrogation room.
Paper Cutting Magic has always been an important part of the magical tradition in China, yet the man they were facing was clearly not Chinese. With his distinctive features, he appeared to be from India.
Sidney was busy interrogating the suspect inside the interrogation room, while Nancy stood beside Lance at the observation window. The two of them watched the man through the one-way glass.
With her sharp gaze, Nancy asked, "Is it because he’s not Chinese?"
"No," Lance shook his head slowly. "It's because Paper Cutting Magic is not black magic, but this man gives me a very strange impression."
Nancy looked at him with a questioning expression. "Black magic?"
Lance smiled slightly, as if explaining something simple yet important. "It's the feeling of his breath. Murky and dark. This breath does not come from Paper Cutting Magic. But even though his aura feels odd, he is not a true Sorcerer. At best, he is merely an apprentice. His ability to use magic to harm others likely comes from the assistance of something."
Nancy tilted her head, confused. "Assistance of something? What do you mean?"
Lance shrugged, his eyes still focused on the suspect. "There have been many extraordinary Sorcerers throughout history. Some of them left legacies after their deaths—artifacts, objects that hold magical power. These objects allow ordinary people to cast spells, even if they themselves do not possess magical abilities."
However, what is truly frightening is not the legacies of the Sorcerers, but the legacies of the Gods of Earth.
In ancient times, the assembly of the first gods and demons, known as the Elder Gods, dominated the earth. However, their increasingly power-hungry and corrupt existence eventually gave rise to a great threat: Atum, the God-Eater, also known as the Demiurge, the first entity created by Gaea to protect the earth. Atum hunted down and destroyed most of the Elder Gods, absorbing their essences and transforming into Demogorge, the God-Eater.
Some of the remaining Elder Gods fled to other dimensions to escape total destruction. Gaea, the Earth Mother Goddess who still resided on earth, utilized the corpses of the deceased Elder Gods to create a new generation of earth gods.
From this emerged the main pantheon known to subsequent generations: Asgard (Norse Gods), Olympus (Greek Gods), Ta-Lo (Chinese Gods), Ama or Takamagahara (Japanese Gods), Nirvana (Hindu Gods), and others.
Since then, the earth entered the Age of the Gods, where various pantheon systems began to dominate the earth, not only in physical form but also through the domination of human minds. Their existence became the center of belief, civilization, and mythology.
However, this balance was disrupted when the Celestials, giant beings considered the "Gods of Space," came to earth for the first time. They initiated the First Experiment on humanity, creating the races of Eternals and Deviants, while leaving most humans in a state of normal evolution. The arrival of the Celestials sparked new worship among humans, weakening the dominance of the earth gods' pantheon.
This situation forced the earth gods to take action. In an effort to protect their influence, the Council of Godheads was formed, consisting of representatives from various pantheons. Odin from Asgard, Zeus from Olympus, and Vishnu from Nirvana became the three main figures representing the earth gods in negotiations with the Celestials.
Finally, an agreement was reached.
The Celestials agreed not to pass judgment of destruction upon humanity for a thousand years, giving them time to evolve.
The earth gods, in return, agreed to stay away from the earthly dimension, limiting their intervention, and allowing human civilization to develop naturally without direct dominance from their divine powers.
As the earth gods departed, many artifacts were left behind on earth.
Most of the collection in the three Kamar-Taj temples originated from the God of Earth. Whenever a mythical artifact appeared in the world, its presence almost always brought about great destruction. The chaos it caused often claimed countless lives, leaving a trail of suffering in its wake.
In such turmoil, Kamar-Taj always emerged as the responsible party to address the issues. Each time they managed to quell the chaos, the collection of artifacts in Kamar-Taj grew, making it almost like a living museum of mythical objects imbued with mysterious power.
Seeing the grandeur and arrogance of Kamar-Taj, Lance could not suppress the burning envy within him. He always hoped that one day he could obtain one of those artifacts.
However, that hope seemed like a dream too far away. Lance's chances were very slim—almost nonexistent. Even so, the thought of a "big harvest" continued to haunt Lance's mind, as if it were a destiny just waiting to be realized.
At that moment, Sidney stood before a man with a questioning gaze. Sidney asked in a flat tone, yet his eyes radiated a deep curiosity. "You said you used magic to kill Juliana. Can you tell me where you learned your magic? Honestly, I've seen magic a few times myself. It's hard not to be intrigued by such fascinating abilities."
The Indian man raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting to one of arrogance. "Don't talk nonsense," the man said with a sarcastic tone. "I only said I used certain techniques on that person. But I didn't kill her with my own hands. Juliana committed suicide, and an autopsy can prove that."
