Witch Redemption

Witch Redemption Author: Desert Butcher

This is a dark journey through time. In this world, faced with truth, death, and hatred, every traveler must make a choice. And now, destruction is imminent; it's time to choose sides—to save or to seek revenge.

Volume 1 Related Settings Compilation and Supplement (1)

[Witch Summoning]

After the fall of the ancient gods, they gave final guidance to the surviving intelligent beings, a guidance that involved a bloody summoning ritual.

To summon a witch, one needs to prepare a certain number of monster corpses and monster blood. The blood is used to construct a specific magic circle. Each witch summoned requires the sacrifice of a corresponding intelligent creature. Once the ritual is successful, the sacrifice will instantly turn into blood and die, while the monster corpses and monster blood in the circle will fuse together to form a humanoid alien creature.

Currently, only a few powerful nations know the secret of sacrifice in witch summoning. This ritual allows the soul of the sacrifice to be exchanged with a creature from another world, and the ritual has an irreversible effect. Furthermore, ancient records indicate that this ritual was originally used to open a passage to another world, but unfortunately, the method for using witch summoning to open this passage was destroyed by the gods and lost forever.

The ritual for summoning witches is a top secret for all countries and is rarely revealed to outsiders. Of course, a small number of fanatical heretics may know some of the steps and be able to use incomplete summoning techniques.

Incomplete summoning can also summon a witch, but the summoned creature often has most of the non-human characteristics and no intelligence or thought. It will attack everything around it frantically based on instinct, and its strength is roughly at the platinum level according to the adventurer's level.

If it is the complete version of the witch summoning, after success, the monster's corpse will merge into a new creature, and it will also trigger further changes.

First, the blood of the sacrificed humans will melt and then coagulate, transforming into the "Libra Cross Greatsword," a weapon exclusive to witches. This greatsword is composed of an unknown substance and is confirmed to be the hardest weapon in the world. Each greatsword bears a corresponding witch's mark, representing her identity.

If the witch associated with the greatsword dies, the greatsword will gradually weather away and eventually turn to dust within one to three years.

It is known that if one knows a witch's spellbook class, then one can use this greatsword and more monster materials to perform an additional sacrifice summon. The summoned witch will inherit the deceased witch's class and mark, but her personality will be different.

Secondly, after the monster's corpse and blood merge to form a witch, some of its substances and blood will also separately form a magic book exclusive to the witch. Only the witch herself can see the contents of this magic book, and it accompanies her throughout her life. The witch must use this magic book to use her special abilities.

Each witch's grimoire also has a corresponding inscription, which is the same as the inscription on her Libra Cross Greatsword. As the witch becomes stronger, the inscription on her grimoire will also change.

Finally, all witches can summon additional class artifacts using grimoires. Once a witch advances to the Silver Grimoire level, her class artifacts and abilities can be taken away.

Once a user gains the approval of a witch's weapon, all of the witch's professions and abilities will be bestowed upon the user, resulting in a more dramatic qualitative change.

Volume 1 Related Settings Compilation and Supplement (2)

【Witch】

The transmigrators, summoned by various countries through special ceremonies, come from different worlds, with Earth being just one of them.

All witches are not human in the true sense; they possess various non-human characteristics and are very similar to mythical creatures from the mythological era.

Based on the racial classifications indicated in their magic books, they are generally: Elf race, Orc race, Fairy race, Feathered race, Raven Feather race, Elemental Elf race, Dragon race, Dragon race, Special Machine Race, Oni race, Demon race, etc.

Among them, the sub-orc race has the most diverse classifications, specifically including felines, canines, bovines, reptiles, and insects. The fairy race is similar to the elf race, and their characteristics are easily distinguishable. Although there are native inhabitants of these two corresponding races in the world, they are vastly different from the summoned witches.

Generally speaking, the most common races among witches are orcs, elves, and fairies; other races are very rare.

Among them, there are five rarest races, ranked from highest to lowest: Argonians, Dragons, Raven Feathers, Divine Feathers, and Ghosts.

As the name suggests, "witch" can be interpreted as "a woman who possesses a grimoire," and those summoned will undoubtedly possess female characteristics. However, several points are quite realistic. First, witches have the ability to completely digest, just like so-called monsters. Second, theoretically, witches can indeed intermarry with the native inhabitants of this world, but unfortunately, witches themselves do not possess the ability to reproduce and cannot produce offspring. Third, as transmigrators summoned from another world, the soul of a witch may not be that of a true woman; no one knows what kind of rough, uncouth man, or even an old man, might be behind her seemingly beautiful exterior.

Each witch's grimoire has its own class, which can be roughly divided into four categories: warrior, support, magic, and archer. These four categories can then be further subdivided. Most witches have the warrior class, followed by archer and magic classes, while support witches are the rarest.

The level of a witch's grimoire is only one factor in determining her strength. What truly determines a witch's potential is her race, followed by her profession.

Dragonborn are the strongest; as long as their spellbook class isn't support-based, they basically have the highest potential. Elves, known for their speed, are the weakest, while the other races are quite balanced.

It's worth noting that the various nations of the continent treat witches by retrieval during the night of the Crimson Flood after they have advanced to the Silver Magic Tome, and the method of retrieval is complete extermination. Therefore, the night of the Crimson Flood is generally known as the "Witch Hunt," as the success rate of retrieving witches' weapons is highest on such a night.

In other words, strictly speaking, over the past ten thousand years, the lifespan of a witch has never exceeded one year, and each country has extremely strict control measures to prevent any witch from escaping their control. Under this perverse blockade, no witch has ever managed to escape her respective country alive.

Volume 1 Related Settings Compilation and Supplement (3)

[Grimoire]

Each summoned witch from another world possesses a grimoire that cannot be stolen by anyone, nor can it be read by anyone other than the witch herself. This grimoire accompanies the witch throughout her life and changes as the witch grows stronger, generally manifested in the color and complexity of the cover patterns.

For example, the Witch Order of the British Empire divides the spellbooks of witches at different stages. The first stage is the "Gray Mist Spellbook", which is characterized by a black cover and gray-white engravings. The second stage is the "Silver Spellbook", which is characterized by a black cover and silver engravings. The third stage is the "Gold Spellbook", which is characterized by a black cover and activated special engravings.

As for magic books of the fourth stage and above, the Empire currently has no records.

Because witches from the second stage onwards will face the danger of "witch hunting". No country will allow witches to grow to the third stage, and they will basically be eliminated in the second stage.

To date, only three witches in the official records of the British Empire have ever reached the level of "Golden Magic Book". One of them, known as the "Flame Witch", was a ruthless person who single-handedly killed many witches and heretics, and successfully hid for three years.

Each witch's grimoire records her personal information and corresponding job level. Levels 1, 10, and 30 represent the respective stages of the grimoire. Before level 10, each level increase grants a new job skill, and after level 10, a new job skill is added every 5 levels.

The level of a spellbook represents a witch's strength and speed, which cannot be expressed in data. Furthermore, each witch's growth is related to her corresponding race.

In other words, this level doesn't actually have much practical significance.

Each witch's grimoire has three initial job skills, and these job skills also have corresponding proficiency levels. When the proficiency level is accumulated to a certain value, the level will be increased, producing more powerful effects.

In addition to the witch's own personal information, each witch's natal magic book can store knowledge from any book except magic books. It has independent storage space and can store most items except for monster corpses. After meeting certain conditions, it can also unlock secondary professions related to the witch's race and profession.

【Brave】

The British Empire's titles for soldiers promoted to colonel level or above differed from those of the transmigrators. The so-called "heroes" were all native inhabitants of the original world, comprising both men and women, all selected from the lowest ranks, and each had a corresponding military rank system.

Every hero will receive a precious "divine artifact bestowal" once, and they can choose whether to accept it based on their own wishes. The reason why there is only one chance is that if the bestowal ceremony fails, the hero will die on the spot.

All heroes who successfully obtain the "Artifact" will gain at least the strength of a major general and will then be assigned to various important positions in the empire, such as the Royal Guard, Inquisitors, priests of the Witch Order, captains of the Survey Corps, captains of various fleets, and commanders of the Holy See's Radiant Cross Expeditionary Legion.

Volume 1 Related Settings Compilation and Supplement (4)

[Amazing Tool]

When a witch who has advanced to the Silver Magic Tome dies, her natal magic tome will trigger the "Ashes" effect if picked up by anyone within one hour, causing the witch's sacred artifact to fully manifest and remain permanently in this world.

This weapon, belonging to a witch, will become a divine artifact in the wielder's hands if the wielder approves of it.

In the empire, any hero who obtains a "divine artifact" is at least a major general. They perfectly inherit all the professional skills of the corresponding witch before her, and even surpass her in skill, making them extremely terrifying.

It is known that not every hero of the empire can successfully obtain a divine artifact. They will undergo a "divine artifact bestowal" ceremony, using their own magic to enshrine the artifact. For example, Major General Abbot of the empire, in order to obtain the professional holy artifact of Witch No. 47, endured a terrifying lightning strike for a full day and night, barely escaping death.

Once recognized by a divine artifact, it will accompany the holder throughout their life, becoming part of the magic power within them, and can be manifested at crucial moments.

Different artifacts have different characteristics and will also affect the hero himself. For example, the professional artifact of Witch No. 47 has the attribute of lightning. After Major General Aibo incorporates this artifact into his body, all his magic power will also be imbued with the attribute of lightning, indirectly amplifying his strength.

[Sealed Item]

If a witch who has advanced to the Silver Grimoire dies due to extremely strong resentment, her natal grimoire will not trigger the "Ashes" effect. Moreover, her grimoire will remain in reality, unable to be destroyed, and will undergo a certain degree of mutation.

All the sealed artifacts will be in the form of books, and each will possess only one special ability. This ability combines the race and profession of the witch in her previous life. Its use can cause miracles or even divine miracles, and the holder must pay a certain price depending on the effect it produces.

From minor ailments like dizziness and blurred vision to major illnesses requiring the sacrifice of one's own organs or soul, or even the direct sacrifice of living people, the list goes on.

Furthermore, those who possess sealed artifacts for extended periods will be influenced by the resentment attached to the artifacts, gradually becoming irritable, insane, and ultimately losing themselves.

Some of the sealed artifacts, located deep within the Witch Prison's underground world, possess resentment so powerful that it can affect intelligent beings within a radius of nearly a kilometer, turning small areas into death zones. Such terrifying sealed artifacts are generally only wielded by demigod-level powerhouses, and even then, their use carries considerable risk; only true god-level beings can fully control them.

In the Empire, any hero who wants to use a sealed artifact must apply to the Empire in advance and obtain permission. After use, the artifact must be returned intact within a certain period of time.

In the event of a special mission, or a situation that seems almost unsolvable, the Empire will even organize volunteers to serve as sacrifices for the sealed artifacts, assisting the heroes who are carrying out the mission.

Volume 1 Related Settings Compilation and Supplement (5)

The Book of All Things

The Imperial Witch Prison Sealed Artifact, classified as 083.

Effects: This device materializes the user's inner world, creating a unique, separate space in another dimension. The user can designate up to one hundred intelligent beings and pull them into their inner world. In essence, this is a form of indirect confinement; all those confined will remain in this separate space for one hour.

During this period, regardless of the strength of those imprisoned, they will be forcibly brought to the same level as the user of the sealed artifact. In other words, the strong become weaker, and the weak become stronger.

The only drawback is that the user of the sealed artifact will become a witness to this independent world, unable to attack anyone. The user will be unable to move for one hour in the independent space, his vision will cover his entire inner world, and he will witness everything as an observer. During this time, he will be in an absolutely invincible state, and no one can harm him, not even a god.

The cost: The user will be unable to move for one hour. Within one hour of the end of use, the user must sacrifice one of their arms to the Book of All Things. If the cost is not repaid in time, the user will die instantly.

Important Notes: This sealed artifact devours not only the physical body but also the soul. Each user of the Book of All Things has only two opportunities to use it in their lifetime. After the sacrifice, the severed hand cannot be regenerated by any means and will experience the illusion of a "phantom limb," suffering periodic mental anguish.

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The Book of Destiny's Judgment

A sealed artifact created after the Flame Witch Vesta Hestia killed the Witch Nos Enki.

Usage Effect: Each use is limited to three minutes. Within these three minutes, any pen can be used to record on this sealed item, rewriting events that are about to happen or have already occurred within the past half hour. This rewriting is not about changing fate through time travel, but rather about deceiving fate, using false information to conceal anything that has already happened or is about to happen, making the false information believed by anyone other than the person involved. It can be understood as a more sophisticated form of deception.

The cost: The first use requires enslaving the soul of a witch and killing her within one hour. The witch's soul can be the user's own or the user's best friend. After the second use, each use will cause great pain to the witch's soul imprisoned in the seal. Therefore, each use requires a three-day interval to allow the witch's soul in the seal to recover.

The second cost is that, affected by the resentment of the sealed artifact, the user's mental state will become irritable and easily angered, and they will suffer from insomnia and nightmares. They can also glimpse the future within 24 hours to some extent.

If the user fails to repay the price after the first use, they will die on the spot, and their altered fate will become invalid.

Note: When this sealed item was in Li Lan's possession, it was weakened because the resentment was purified, so there was no cost to pay. However, the interval between uses was extended to seven days, and the dream prediction effect was lost.

This is a brief personal reflection on writing (Part 1)

(｀?ω?') First of all, I really want to thank everyone for your support. Volume 2 can finally be dragged to a close, albeit with great difficulty. Plus, this is my first book to reach a million words and become a flop, so it feels like a "double joy." However, with these rather dismal click numbers, I'm just short of asking, "Why did it turn out like this?"

Okay, actually, it's still the niche subject matter that's to blame, discouraging readers from the start... To put it bluntly, it might be what's commonly known as "ambition exceeding ability." The beautiful rose garden in my imagination became a delicate, miniature potted plant in the outline, but when I actually started writing, it turned into a vulgar flower, and this flower was even stuck in cow dung. That's roughly the kind of style it is. My ability couldn't control my imagination, and the self-indulgent stuff I wrote was both tedious and long-winded, so naturally, the audience was a bit small, haha.

In any case, I apologize to everyone here. Fortunately, I am capable of handling the pressure of data. Anyway, I will write two or three million words first.

Also, let's talk about updates. Some of the younger readers who just started following my work probably know that I was a "word machine" for the first half of the first volume. The reason I was able to update so quickly at the beginning was because I had accumulated 200,000 words of drafts. During the updates, I actually changed a lot of the settings and content, and almost cut half of the outline, which was also an important reason why the updates became slower and slower later on.

From roughly the time "The Flame Witch" appeared until the end of the second volume, my daily drawing style was basically like this: Don't talk to me about outlines, dramatic structure, foreshadowing, or tension; my approach is just to write whatever comes to mind, open Word and get to work.jpg

As you can imagine, sometimes when you get writer's block, it's game over. I remember there was a chapter at the end of the first volume, only about four thousand words, which I painstakingly typed out to about twelve thousand words, just because I wasn't satisfied. I cut it, rewrote it, and when I still wasn't satisfied, I cut it again. Similar situations happened many times in the second volume. Basically, those chapters where I complained about my poor writing style actually had more than eight thousand words. I revised and revised them repeatedly, but I was still not satisfied. However, I had to meet the update deadline, so I had no choice.

In addition, I usually get home around 7 or 8 pm to start writing, so sometimes, as you know, a perfectly good chapter is dragged out until almost midnight before I can finally squeeze it out.

It's a peculiar feeling, I guess. As I was writing, I had a gut feeling that the plot was going to fall apart from here on out, and that it was going to be impossible to salvage. I had this feeling in many parts of the second volume, and in the end, I didn't know if it could be salvaged. It was a feeling of helplessness, like leaving everything to fate. To paraphrase a line from "The Bible of Emperor Jean-Pierre de Janeiro," it was like, "When I don't get feedback, my hands keep shaking," and my mind goes completely blank.

Perhaps for this reason, I can sometimes understand why there are so many unfinished, abandoned, and poorly written works in the online novel circle. If the plot collapses, many writers, like me, are still a bit like Uncle B. Once it collapses, they can't continue writing no matter what, and they will think about whether to start a new book or a new genre and start over.

Side Story (1): Poor Office Worker and Rich Second-Generation European Dog Group Member

The purpose of life is to fight for one's pride; if one is poor for too long, even living becomes difficult.

Indeed, that's how it is for Li Lan. Just thinking about her meager salary of about six thousand yuan this month, two thousand yuan goes to her parents for living expenses, one thousand yuan is kept for living expenses, and another thousand yuan goes to rent and utilities... Tsk tsk, after a month, she can only save two thousand yuan!

"That's so unfair! Why can't I be a rich kid?"

Whenever Li Lan thought of this, she really wanted to slam her fist on the table and directly express her pursuit of money.

Unfortunately, making money isn't just about having a special skill; it also requires personality, willpower, character, and connections. How can someone who lacks a special skill, can't endure hardship, and has no friends—a reclusive shut-in—make money? You can't make money lying down!

"No, I need to learn how to get rich!"

I need to figure out a way to give her a good pounding! I'm not logging into any games after get off work tonight; I'll see if I can find some part-time work!

In a few days it will be the annual National Day holiday again. It just so happens that it's the end of the month and Li Lan is short of money and struggling to make ends meet. As she prepares to return to her rented single room, all she can think about is money.