Chương 27: Three main types of Relics

Mippo raised a second finger. A faint blue spark ran across it, immediately fading into the air and leaving behind a tiny trail of cold bluish light that vanished almost instantly. — The second type of relics is Blue. He cleared his throat softly, almost ceremonially, as if preparing for a lecture he had given countless times and knew by heart. The lantern beside him crackled quietly, the golden crystal inside pulsing steadily like the heart of a small mechanical beast.

Lloyd sat across from him, pulling his legs closer beneath himself as much as his exhaustion allowed, trying not to miss a single word. — Blue relics are usually used by the Mage class. They include various crystals, staffs, and similar items—objects that interact especially well with magic. This type can also include relics containing a specific spell. Lloyd raised an eyebrow. Mippo seemed to notice the movement and continued without pause.

— Well, an example of such a relic would be something called the Black Box. Anything you place inside that box disappears forever. That type also falls under Blue relics. The crystal above them grew brighter and dimmer in subtle cycles—changes Lloyd had almost stopped noticing. Somewhere in the corridor, water dripped methodically in the distance, muffled and steady, keeping its own slow rhythm within this underground world.

The smell of rot still lingered heavily in the air, settling on the tongue with every breath, but Lloyd had grown so accustomed to it that he barely noticed it anymore. Right now, all of his attention was focused on Mippo's explanation. For the first time in a long while, he felt something resembling a normal conversation, normal company, in the middle of this nightmare.

The warm glow of the lantern at the guide's feet created a tiny island of comfort amid the darkness and dampness, and Lloyd caught himself hoping the conversation would not end—even if it was about things capable of killing him. Mippo raised a third finger. A faint green spark ran across it, briefly illuminating the green skin of his palm. — The third type of relics is Green. He pointed at his own wooden mask.

The lantern light slid across the cracks in the wood, highlighting every groove, every wrinkle, every line carved into the old, timeworn material. — This mask is one of them. My eyesight is terrible, and the mask helps me see better. Lloyd quietly muttered under his breath before he could stop himself. — Now it makes sense why he wears such a ridiculous mask. He simply doesn't have a choice... This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Mippo suddenly tilted his head as if he had heard him. The green eyes beneath the mask narrowed slightly, and there was something unexpectedly alive about the gesture, almost human despite the creature's alien nature. — Did you say something? A drop of sweat slid down Lloyd's forehead, leaving behind a thin damp trail. He nervously shook his head, trying to look as innocent as possible. — Well, alright then. I'll continue.

Mippo looked up at the green crystal illuminating the room with a steady cold light reflected in his glossy eyes as two tiny emerald points. — In general, Green relics are associated with healing, and for the most part that's true. My mask is proof of that, but... Mippo paused. His wooden head lowered slightly, the feathers atop it becoming completely still, as if he were weighing whether he should continue and ultimately deciding that he must.

During that pause, the tunnel around them felt unusually quiet—even the dripping water seemed to disappear for a moment, as though the dungeon itself was holding its breath alongside the guide. — They do more than heal. At their core, Green relics are capable of altering living beings. That can mean healing... or something far worse. A lump formed in Lloyd's throat. He swallowed, but it did little to help. The bitter taste in his mouth, already familiar after the past few hours, became even more noticeable.

For a brief moment, the image of the living corpse from the beginning of their journey flashed before his eyes—the empty eye sockets, the rotting flesh, the inhuman strength trapped inside a mutilated body. Lloyd couldn't help but wonder whether something like these Green relics had been responsible. — Well. If you survive, you'll understand their danger soon enough. Many people underestimate Green relics. If you want to live a little longer, I wouldn't recommend taking that risk.

Lloyd nodded nervously, feeling a chill run down his spine—not from the damp tunnel but from something deeper and far more unsettling. Mippo extended his hand, now displaying three straightened fingers—the pinky, ring finger, and middle finger—each carrying a faint glow that dimmed and brightened in rhythm with his words. — These three types of relics are the main ones. They're the most common, and Players use them more than any others. Something resembling a question mark appeared on Lloyd's face.

He tilted his head, recalling something Mippo had said when they first met. — If I remember correctly, didn't you say there were five? Mippo crossed his arms and nodded slowly, with the confidence of someone proud of the knowledge he possessed. — Yes, you're almost right. There are a few more types of relics. They're rare, but they do exist. The creature scratched the back of his head with a green finger against his wooden skull, which looked somewhat comical, though Lloyd decided not to comment on it this time.

The quiet tapping of wood echoed through the room with an almost musical sound, bouncing off the slimy walls in a faint reverberation. — Well, their nature is rather difficult to explain, but I'll try. Mippo cleared his throat once more—this time more seriously, as though he were genuinely preparing for something complicated. The golden lantern light at his feet flickered faintly, casting long shadows across the slick walls around them and making them twist and dance as though alive.

Somewhere deep within the tunnel, water began dripping again, steadily counting the seconds of this strange, almost comfortable pause in the middle of a rotting dungeon—a tiny oasis of peace that neither of them seemed eager to leave just yet. — And so... the fourth type of relics...