Wof 13 Years Old ③
Relics.
They’re supernatural abilities, like skills or gifts.
In this world, Relics exist in place of magic, skills, or gifts.
Quite a few people possess Relics.
Having even one can be a ray of hope for survival in this harsh world.
I was born with four Relics.
I don’t know if it’s because I was reincarnated.
I probably never will.
I don’t even understand reincarnation itself, and it’s unclear if this is the work of some god.
There are many gods worshipped in this world, and it’s unclear which one might be responsible.
However, thanks to my four Relics, I’ve somehow managed to stay alive.
And I’ll likely never tell or teach anyone about them.
Someone once said:
Rarity steals freedom.
Even I think my four Relics are strange and abnormal.
Especially the fourth one.
I don’t desire to rise through the ranks, achieve glory, or become a hero.
I just want to live a normal, happy life in this world.
Because that’s my life.
After the ring, the next item was an unbroken iron sword.
Of course, iron sells. And this one could be sold as a sword.
The green lights revealed: first, an old belt; second, a compass engraved with intricate designs; third, a red copper dagger in mint condition; fourth, a Cornucopia Amulet, the horn of plenty.
“Alright. That’s about it for today.”
I’ll use the remaining time for excavation.
About four months ago, an earthquake struck the remote region where Hydrangea is located.
The tremors were quite strong and even affected the Dungeon.
It was closed for nearly a month until an investigation team was sent in and determined there were no abnormalities.
When I entered the Junkyard after it reopened, several garbage piles had collapsed due to the earthquake.
The number of red danger points had increased.
Amidst it all, I gasped.
There was a blue light within a white safety point.
Yes, Super Ultra Rare.
It was deep inside the garbage pile at the far right end.
The only way to get it was to dig through that mountain of trash.
Little by little, I kept digging my way inside.
I carefully concealed the entrance so only I could get in.
I made the narrow passage so that without the Relic [Danger Detection], you’d risk serious injury or death.
Death, if you were unlucky.
I’m risking my life here too.
The kids who come to this Junkyard aren’t just rivals.
They’re enemies.
Yes, enemies.
That’s why I don’t know any of their names and aren’t friendly with anyone.
Fighting is strictly forbidden in the Junkyard, but step outside, and it’s lawless.
Since I try to keep a low profile, I haven’t been attacked yet.
But it’s best to assume the danger of being targeted always exists.
You can’t survive if you’re not that cautious and timid.
I entered the garbage pile through the hidden entrance like I always do.
It’s not that spacious inside. I checked for the blue light.
The blue light shone from diagonally below me.
The light is small.
That’s proof the Super Ultra Rare item is close.
I placed my hand over the blue light.
Moving it slightly away, I used my third Relic, [Vanish].
A transparent sphere appeared in my palm.
With it, I erased the junk-like armor, shields, and broken, rusted blades.
The Relic [Vanish] can make anything it touches disappear.
This transparent sphere only appears on the palm of my dominant hand.
It stays attached to my hand, is adjustable in size, and can be as small as a marble.
At its largest, it can become the size of a basketball.
[Vanish] can distinguish what it erases.
First off, it has no effect on me.
I can decide what to erase and what not to just by thinking about it.
For example, I could erase only clothes without harming the skin.
It’s also possible to erase only a Treasure Chest without erasing its contents.
So, even if I shave things away, the Super Ultra Rare item won’t disappear.
That said, trying to clear it all at once is difficult because of the risk of the garbage pile collapsing.
I excavate patiently, carefully, bit by bit.
“…Guess I’ll call it a day. Ugh…”
I stopped because I was tired.
The blue light had become considerably stronger and clearer.
Just a little more.
I suppressed my impatience, saving the excitement for tomorrow and beyond.
I left the Junkyard, greeted the gatekeeper, Gauro-san, and headed towards a place I needed to stop by before going home.
It was on the main street heading towards the back alleys of the Slums, south of Hydrangea.
“Hey. Look.”
“Is that them? Whoa, amazing.”
“Woah… they’re more than just pretty.”
“And they’re all Tier III Seekers, right?”
Tier III?! I instinctively followed the gaze of the people talking.
There were three Seekers walking with impressive strides.
It was like that spot alone had suddenly burst into color… I felt a vividness I’d never experienced before.
The first was a beautiful Cat Beastman girl with light green hair that had white streaks. She wore a black robe, hid one eye with her hair, and carried a wooden staff.
Her two white tails, one long and one short, swayed gently.
The second was an elven beauty with long blonde hair reaching her waist.
She was clad in unique white full-body armor.
She carried a large round shield on her back. A tank, maybe?
And the third one. A beautiful girl with short, pinkish-white hair.
She had red eyes and a sleepy gaze.
She wore a black jacket with red lines… and… what… is that?
She had on something like a very futuristic and mechanical white bodysuit.
Paired with tattered jeans-like pants.
What caught my eye was the single-piece Blade hanging at her waist.
Its design wasn’t fantasy. It was sci-fi.
She definitely wasn’t from this world.
Where did she come from? The sea of stars?
Everyone, young and old, male and female, turned to look at them at least once.
They had that kind of dazzling presence.
“…?”
“!”
For just a moment, my eyes met those of the Cat Beastman girl.
But it was just a coincidence.
They continued on their way.