Looking at the fading mimic, I sprinted forward, expecting loot to drop from its remains. Coins, weapons, maybe even a treasure map—anything would do!
But as the mimic's remains disappeared into glowing particles, they left behind nothing.
"What the fuck?!" I yelled, throwing my arms in the air.
I crouched down, frantically patting the ground where it had vanished. Surely there had to be something! A key, a gem—anything!
But there wasn't.
It hit me like a punch to the gut.
I failed.
"What am I supposed to show Scarface and the others now?" I muttered under my breath. My throat felt tight.
They're waiting for me back home. Waiting for proof that their faith in me wasn't misplaced. Waiting for hope.
I looked up at the living armor, still standing silently a few steps away. Its helmet tilted, almost like it was asking, What's wrong, kid?
"Everything's wrong," I spat bitterly, turning away.
I dropped to the floor, curling up with my arms wrapped around my knees. Hot tears stung my eyes as I cried, each sob cutting deeper into my pride.
While I wallowed in disappointment, I barely noticed the sound of metal clanking softly across the stone floor.
A hand patted my head.
Startled, I blinked up through blurry eyes. The living armor stood above me, now holding a small chest—like the kind princesses use for jewelry or delicate treasures.
"What's that?" I asked, wiping at my face with my sleeve.
The armor didn't answer, of course. Instead, it crouched down and opened the chest.
Inside was something glowing faintly, radiating warmth and power—a relic.
"A relic..." I whispered, my breath catching. My fingers twitched. I couldn't take my eyes off it.
It was beautiful, shaped like a small crystalline heart, pulsing with a steady rhythm like it was alive.
"You—!" I scrambled to my knees, unable to keep the excitement out of my voice. But then I stopped.
This wasn't mine to take. The armor had found it. It belonged to it, not me.
I sat back, forcing myself to think. If I wanted this relic, I'd have to trade for it. Something of equal value.
I bit my lip, wracking my brain for an idea, but before I could speak, the armor reached into the chest, lifted the relic, and extended it toward me.
My jaw dropped.
"Wait... you're giving it to me?" I stammered, staring at the relic in disbelief.
The armor nodded.
"But I don't have anything to trade for it!" I exclaimed, holding up my hands. "How about this: come with me outside. I'll find something to give you in exchange, okay?"
The armor shook its head, as if to say, Why would I want something from you?
Rude.
"Fine," I muttered, crossing my arms. "But I'm not gonna forget this."
I took the relic, its warmth spreading through my fingers as soon as I touched it. It felt... alive. Like it recognized me.
As I stared at the relic, a memory clicked into place. This was the third one. The final piece I needed.
The Ogre relic. The Relic of Neverending Frost. And now this one.
The moment the thought crossed my mind, the three relics began to glow, their light merging and growing brighter.
"What the—?!" I yelped, dropping the new relic, but it didn't hit the floor. Instead, it hovered, the other two relics flying out of my pack to join it.
The air around me crackled with energy. A searing heat ran through my body, followed by a bone-chilling cold.
"Hey! Armor dude! Is this supposed to be happening?!" I shouted, but the armor stood still, watching me as if this was all part of some plan.
I felt a sharp pain in my chest, then in my arms, my legs, my head—everywhere. My vision blurred.
"Ahh—!" I cried out, clutching my chest as I collapsed to my knees.
The relics shattered into fragments of light, each piece burrowing into my skin. My body burned, the pain overwhelming as if something inside me was breaking apart and being rebuilt.
And then, just as suddenly as it started, it stopped.
I gasped for air, my body trembling. Slowly, I pushed myself up, realizing something was different.
My hands—they weren't small and childlike anymore. They were slender, elegant, and I felt strong.
I stumbled toward the chest's reflective surface, catching sight of my reflection.
A young woman stared back at me. Her skin was as white as snow, her long hair black as night. Her crimson eyes glowed faintly, sharp and predatory.
I touched my face, my lips parting in shock. "Is that... me?"
The armor stepped forward, nodding its head slightly, as if to acknowledge what I'd become.
I wasn't just me anymore.
I was something new.
[System alert!
Succesfully evolved into hidden race, Ice Oni (Epic!)]