Self-Summon [Demon Summoning/Evolution litRPG] Chapter 50: [1.50] Runes for Dummies (Part 1)

Read chapter 50 of Self-Summon [Demon Summoning/Evolution litRPG] by Drim on NovelPedia.

“Erm, I said I was here for Runes,” Gelic repeated herself, waving as if to get the Demon butler’s attention. Diamen had remained silent for a while after her initial inquiry, sort of looking at her, or rather, looking through her, a hint of annoyance on his face. She wasn’t sure if he’d misheard, or perhaps her presence or the subject was more bothersome than she anticipated. “Yes, I heard you,” her senior in demonhood scowled. But his face twisted into something softer, relaxing after the initial trifle. “It’s just not what I expected. Runes can be a sensitive, delicate, often heated topic amongst our kind, so it is not often broached so brazenly, at least not without either a concrete connection or a Pact. I’ll take it as the ignorance of a newborn that you would be so tactless. I am obligated to assist you regardless. What do you want to know about Runes?” “Why do Demons not like talking about it?” She veered back into his ramblings. If he’d already written her off as a dumb Imp on the topic, she may as well squeeze out whatever information she could get. “Oh, there are a variety of reasons.” Diamen seemed a bit more interested in talking now, able to flex his wisdom. “The primary reason is that many of the higher ups of Hell openly express their various vexations regarding Runes. Then the mindless masses take that and echo it, even though the vast majority of them will have never dealt with Runes at any point since they are not too common in our society, preferred by humans more than Demons. “The main complaint that gets passed around is that if Runes exist, then what are us Demons for? If Summoners can recreate our magics without us, then we’ll be out of jobs. Same for Hell. As I’m sure you’re aware by now, we are ultimately limited by our Growth Points and Racial Skills. Who we are, what we’re capable of, is set within those confines, and there isn’t much room to maneuver if we wildly want to change the choices we’ve made. If you spend your points on a Skill that can easily be replaced by a Rune, then it is seen as a waste. So as more specialties are dominated by Runes and those who create them, the Demons who followed those paths and Attunements will feel their Worth slipping. “Then there is the exclusive nature of it all. Very few Demons can make Runes. It requires high Creativity to do it well, which many see as the weakest Worth. And when a Demon successfully creates a new Rune, they aren’t likely to share it so easily. Why give away what can be profited upon? Essentially, Runes tend to be considered luxury items in Hell. They’re more common in human society, because they’ll Order us to make them if we’re able. And if a Summoner gets their hands on a good Runemaker, they’ll keep them Bound for as long as they can, seeing the value, selling them to other Sects. “That leads to much of the hushness in regards to the topic. Those who know Runes don’t want to be bothered by those who don’t.” The butler paused to give Gelic a very intentional stare, reinforcing that she was one such bother. “We might be pressured into giving the Rune designs away for less than they’re worth. Say if I were to give away the ones that I possess without permission, my master would be very cross with me, even if it were to someone he is on good terms with.” The Daemon was basically saying, “don’t ask me for them.” That much was clear. “So it’s hard to get new Runes then…?” Gelic spouted it as a question, but really she was just lamenting the process. “What about that one?” She inquired once more about the big floating emblem in the sky. “I know I can’t take a picture, but is it fine if I copy it? Will I get in trouble if I do so without Fioso’s permission?” “Well since it is available for all to see, we can not hold any sort of copyright, not that it is mine to begin with,” Diamen admitted. “That is a Rune the master purchased. I am not capable of making something that intricate. So go right ahead. If you can do it, be my guest.” The Daemon al