Cursed ring. Being unable to take it off is a relatively popular drawback for those Relic.
The magic sword that Luke took also seemed to make you unable to remove your hands from it while you are using it, but we Hunters call this kind of drawback Relics ăCursedă if you cannot remove it physically or if it comes back on its own even after you throw it away.
And while there are some items that have those effects to prevent you from dropping them, most of those kinds of Relics are troublesome items that bring some kind of drawback when equipped with them.
Of course, since it is a Relic, once the Magic runs out, the effect that makes it impossible to unequip disappears, but in most cases, the charge for such Relic doesnât wear off easily, and it sometimes even has the ability to recharge by itself by using the Magic power of the wielder.
Most likely, those Relics are a replication of former curses thanks to Mana Material.
As evidence of this, the best way to remove this kind of Relic was to have it purified by a priest, just like a curse.
I immediately go to Martis-sanâs shop with Tino and Liz. It has been a while since I was there because of the Supreme Martial Arts Festival and the attack ruckus.
I went there to check on the item as soon as possible, so I used the Tino effect to raise Martis-sanâs mood and showed the ring that didnât come off even though it wasnât tightly wrapped on my finger.
As soon as Martis-san heard about the situation, his cheeks twitched and his voice trembled.
âCry, youâŠâŠ Donât tell me you put this on without thinking!?â (Martis)
âNo, no, no, it is not like thatâŠâŠâ (Cry)
âYou idiot! How many years have you been using Relics!? You amateur!â (Martis)
Many Relics are unknown, and many of them are dangerous. That is why there is a profession of Relic Appraiser in this world.
Tino, who gave me the ring, turned pale due to Martis-sanâs sharp words. But Liz lightly said.
âHaaaah? Are you making fun of a Level 8, Martis-chan? How could Cry-chan put it on without thinking?â (Liz)
âNuuuhâŠâŠâŠâŠâ (Martis)
Martis-san *jirojiro* stares at my face. Following Lizâs follow-up, Tino, who had turned pale, also breathed a sigh of relief.
YupâŠâŠ Just put that on my Divine Strategies.
I crossed my arms and gave a badass smile. Being badass is convenient at times like this.
âIt is fine, just give me an appraisal quickly. I will verify if it is what I expected.â (Cry)
âLike exchanging our answers, huhâŠâŠâŠâŠ Wait a second. I have seen this before.â (Martis)
After all, Martis-san is reliable. I am glad I stayed on his good side.
When Martis-san went to the back of the counter, he brought a thick hand-made Relic Encyclopedia.
It is a secret encyclopedia that he created by continuing to appraise Relics over decades. Martis-san put down the picture book with a thud, *barabara* flipped through it and stopped at a random page he turned over.
âHere it isâŠâŠâŠâŠ Hmph. It is wooden because it is a ring created by Spirit People. Hmph, to think you would dare equip something this problematic? Where did you find it?â (Martis)
He showed me the book. There was a picture and the name of a ring that looked exactly like the one I was wearing.
There is no doubt, it is this.
âăHermit Ring (Cursed Tree Ring of Destiny)ăâŠâŠ? A ring used for training?â (Cry)
âThose are information provided by Spirit People. Only a few Relic Appraisers have been informed about thisââThey canâtâŠâŠ They couldnât stand the fact that items derived from Spirit People are circulating on the market. They are trying to retrieve them by providing us with information.â (Martis)
I seeâŠâŠâŠâŠ Oh, come on. Because of Kruz and Eliza, I canât picture Spirit People at all.
Come to think of it, Eliza said she was looking for something too.
Martis-san explains in a serious voice. I have shown him various dangerous Relics in the past, but it has been a long time since he has been this serious. âŠâŠ If I show him that treasure chest, he will be so shocked that his heart will stop.
âIn the past, among the ancient Spirit People, it seems that one with particularly strong blood and strengthââA âHigh Spirit People (High Noble)â âShrine Maiden (Miko)â created it in order to gain another dimension of power. Seriously, it just goes to show that we are not the only civilization that is up to no good.â (Martis)
Eh, could it be that I will obtain another dimension of power too? That isâŠâŠ Problematic⊠Wonât that make them ask me to join them on their next adventure?
I ask Martis-san with a little *wakuwaku* excitement.
âSo, what is the effect you think it has?â (Cry)
Martis-san took a deep breath, held his breath for a moment, and said in a serious voice.
âCry, stay calm and listen to me. This ringâŠâŠâŠâŠ Will attracts⊠Curses.â (Martis)
It willâŠâŠâŠâŠ Attracts curses, you said!?
âA âHigh Spirit People (High Noble)â âShrine Maiden (Miko)âââIn other words, it is a ring that enhances the power of a âShaman (Jujutsushi)â by receiving more powerful curses on their body. There is a similar ritual called âKodoku1â that existsââBut this is an advanced form of it. It is said that it soon became obsolete due to its excessive power of attraction, causing the death of many of the âHigh Spirit People (High Noble)â who went through this trainingââBecause it is still being passed down, there are times when it appears as a Relic like this one. Long life is not always a good thing. Cry, that thing is a hell lot nastier than you think, you know? You canât even remove it without a powerful Spirit People Shaman. It doesnât matter if you are Level 8, it is impossible for you.â (Martis)
I felt as if the impact had hit me on the head as hard as it could. I look down at the wooden ring. Tino is looking at me worriedly.
It doesnât look like this wooden ring is such a big dealââBut I see, there are such things in this world.
I stared down at the ring for a while, then held out both of my hands and asked Martis-san.
ââŠâŠâŠâŠ Hey, Martis-san. I have a silly questionââIs it possible that there are other Relics I am wearing that attract curses?â (Cry)
ââŠâŠ WhâŠâŠâŠâŠ AtâŠâŠ?â (Martis)
Even before I put this on, curses are *gungun* swarming at me. A little late for that! I canât imagine attracting even more curses!
They arenât able to come near me because there is no more space available. The curses are waiting in line for their turn!
I feel like it is going to be minus and minus makes a plus. Glad to hear that it isnât a big deal.