Chapter 55 - Always Grateful

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When Terqueo pulls some items out of his small leather pouch and places them on the bed, a look of surprise forms on Rei's face.

The items he takes out are simple: a small, old ring and a slightly dusty, worn-out notebook. However, despite their ordinary appearance, both seem to radiate a heavy aura that makes the atmosphere somewhat oppressive and stagnant.

For a brief moment, Rei realizes that only he seems to notice the change in the air; neither the elves nor Círdan or Terqueo seem to notice any change. Perhaps it's due to the ether, or even his large amount of mana, but Rei doesn't quite know why this is happening.

Inevitably, drawn by the strong attraction and energy emanating from the items, Rei approaches the bed and picks them up.

"What the...?"

"What is this? Why do I feel so oppressed? I've the feeling that something in this notebook is tugging at me."

"This ring's no different. I can feel a strong energy coming from both it and the notebook, though it's a bit weaker with the ring."

"I'm not sure if my analysis ability works on objects, but it's worth a try…"

— Analysis

Name: Ring of Amahabele

Status: Legendary

Durability: Infinite

Ability: Arcane Torrent

Attributes:

Intelligence: +10

Wisdom: +15

Strength: +2

Vitality: +1

Defense: +3

Luck: +12

Name: Arcane Notebook

Status: Undefined

Durability: Undefined

Abilities: ???

Attributes: None

"So I can use my analysis on items too... That's badass. I didn't know even items had abilities. Maybe I can use them once I equip them. This ring must be for something special."

"Now, about this notebook… Is my analysis level so low that I can't even classify it? But for some reason, I really feel uneasy and drawn to it."

After seriously thinking about it, Rei dismisses a thought that crosses his mind.

"...It can't be..."

"I must be overthinking this..."

At that moment, with his attention still focused on the items, Terqueo takes the opportunity to comment, noticing that Rei is lost in thought.

— I hope these items serve you well, Rei.

— Thanks for this, Terqueo, but… are you sure I can really take them? Aren't they important to you? — he asks, pushing the items back toward the man.

— No, no... they're yours now — Terqueo replies, pushing them back toward Rei.

— Anyway, these items don't serve me anymore. I found them in tombs and on expedition trips with my old companions.

— Honestly, every time I look at them, I think of my dead friends... I don't want to dwell on that too much, so please, just take them.

After his explanation and after Rei agrees, Terqueo tells a bit more about the items he just gave him.

— Well… it took me some time to find these, so I'll try to summarize them briefly.

— The ring was found in the tomb of Calharis, near the tomb of the great former empress Amahabele. The notebook, on the other hand, was found on the continent of Artys. I found it after falling off a cliff connecting two abandoned cities and wandered for days before finally finding a tombstone with inscriptions in a language I couldn't quite understand.

— Next to the notebook, there was this tombstone with a message in an ancient Elvish language, something like: "Eterinium and blood."

— All I really know is that the ring is classified as legendary, the highest classification I've ever found in my life. And the notebook has always been a mystery. Even specialists and experts who've analyzed it couldn't figure out what it contained.

— Compared to my life, these items are… insignificant. I hope you can use them well — he says with a small smile.

— Then I'll take them, thanks for this, man.

"That's badass! I got two items, and one of them has a legendary ability. I don't really understand much about these classifications, but it must be something extremely rare. I can't wait to try it out."

Rei thinks excitedly, and when he returns to the present, he asks Terqueo again why his group was in that area when they were attacked.

— So… what was the reason your group went to the east side? Was it just to see if there were people there who could be rescued?

With this sudden question, Círdan, who had been sitting at the head of the bed, decides to take the floor and answer for Terqueo.

— Our aim was to check the situation in the towns and villages in the east. Many of the people arriving here in critical condition come from that region — he says calmly.

— But… we didn't expect the monsters of the demonic army to still be in that area…

With that, Rei notices that neither Círdan nor Terqueo seem to want to discuss this topic further. Maybe it's because of the countless deaths, or perhaps due to the guilt they feel for the deaths of their companions.

— I get it, that's really tough. Don't worry about it if you're not comfortable talking about it. I know it just happened, but try not to blame yourselves for what went down, okay? How could you have known there were still monsters in the area?

— Anyway… — Rei comments, turning toward the door of the room.

— I'm heading out now, thanks for the items, Terqueo. If you need anything, just let me know — he says before opening the door and stepping out.

— Reiji, thanks for your help… And about that thing you mentioned before, can we talk later? — Círdan asks.

— You got it — Rei responds in a loud voice as he closes the door behind him and leaves the room.