What were Relics?
Relics were far more than just family heirlooms or prized possessions. To put it bluntly, they were ancient artifacts recognized by the System, imbued with power beyond comprehension.
But not just any old item could ascend to the status of a Relic. For an object to be classified as such, it had to have been wielded by powerful or significant figures from the past. Whether held by kings, queens, knights, or renegades—whether it was a sword, a ring, a suit of armor, or even a mere pen—any historically significant item had the potential to become a Relic.
These artifacts carried with them a fragment of the essence, the history, and the might of their former owners. A sword once gripped by a legendary knight could grant its new wielder unparalleled strength and combat prowess. A ring that once adorned the finger of a wise ruler might bestow wisdom and the ability to command with authority. Even a simple pen, once used by a renowned writer, could enhance creativity or charisma in its new owner. The possibilities were as varied as they were potent, making these items immeasurably valuable.
However, identifying a Relic was no simple task. After all, who would pay attention to a dusty old artifact, when their lives were at stake? It wasn't until a year later that the value of these ancient treasures began to surface.
Nikolas remembered how, in his previous life, the rumors began circulating when he was already under Yuemura's tutelage.
Yet, despite their initial obscurity, Relics would soon become game-changers. They held the power to turn the tide in battles, provide crucial advantages in the struggle for survival, and even shape the destinies of those who possessed them. Once their potential was understood, Relics became highly coveted, igniting fierce competition and deadly conflicts among survivors.
Years later, known as the Dragon King, Nikolas often pondered whether the delayed discovery of Relics was a deliberate design of the System or merely human oversight. Perhaps the System had unlocked this feature a year into the apocalypse, or maybe it had been a secret closely guarded by the remnants of the government. Whatever the reason, the impact of Relics was unmistakable.
Nikolas wasn't entirely convinced that the System was to blame. In the years that followed, Relics would become the catalysts for wars between Heavens and vast factions. When Excalibur, the legendary sword, resurfaced in Europe, it ignited a brutal conflict. Thousands fought and died in their quest to claim it, a testament to the immense power and allure of these ancient artifacts.
But that was a tale for another time. Right now, Nikolas focused on the task at hand, hoping to uncover a Relic that could help him and his family survive the impending apocalypse.
"If you find anything interesting, just buy it. I've got enough money," Nikolas said to his brother as he wandered through the dusty aisles of the store.
"Sure!" Erick grinned, fully aware that his brother had come into a small fortune by selling his game account.
The store was cluttered with ancient, forgotten items, their value obscured by time and neglect. It was hard to tell what might become a Relic in such a place. To be sure, he would need to know the history of each object, but even then, he could end up with nothing more than a cheap replica. Perhaps there were hidden gems scattered among the rusted relics, but for now, everything seemed like just another useless trinket.
[I will probably waste some money here...] Nikolas scratched his head thoughtfully.
Finding a Relic would be easier once the apocalypse began—if his hunch was correct and it wasn't the System's doing. But Balfur's store was right in the heart of downtown, and it didn't take a genius to figure out it would be overrun by zombies. Returning here would be too risky, at least for a while, and who knew what looters might have taken by then.
[It's better not to risk it, money will become useless anyway.] With that thought, Nikolas shrugged and focused on the shelves before him.
The store was a treasure trove of weapons: katanas, tantos, greatswords, bastard swords, one-handed swords, shields, spears, and halberds. There was even a rusty steel suit of armor hanging on the wall.
[Should I buy everything, just to be safe?]
As Nikolas pondered and Erick looked around, Balfur returned.
The old man reappeared with two large packs strapped to his back, a surprising feat given his frail appearance. His small, weak legs trembled under the weight, and his long white beard quivered with each step.
Nikolas quickly moved to help him, grabbing the packs and easing the burden.
"Thanks, young man! Have you found anything interesting in my humble store?" Balfur asked, smiling kindly.
They both nodded.
"I'd like to buy every single weapon and that armor. Is that possible?" Nikolas asked with a wide grin.
"And I found this ring and necklace. How much for these?" Erick added, holding up the items he had picked out.
"That's certainly possible, but it won't come cheap!" Balfur replied with a knowing smile.
"How much?" Nikolas inquired.
"Around ten thousand dollars…" Balfur answered wearily, anticipating that the price might be too steep for the boys.
"Ten thousand!" Erick exclaimed, his surprise evident.
The old man sighed, believing his assumption was correct. The items were indeed valuable, and as an experienced collector, he knew they were worth every penny. However, he was all too familiar with the typical reaction when he mentioned the price.
These days, not many people were willing to spend so much on old items. As a result, Balfur hadn't had a customer in months.
"Well, many of those items aren't even from Brazil, and their historical value is..." He began to justify the steep prices, but before he could finish, Nikolas interrupted him.
"We'll take good care of them!"
"I know it's not cheap, but—Wait, what?" The old man was startled. Did they really mean it? Weren't they too young to have that kind of money?
Erick, who wasn't entirely sure how much his brother actually had, gave him a curious look.
"We're big fans of history, and the medieval era is our favorite! I particularly love the Japanese Sengoku period when the samurai were at their peak. All those battles and the power struggles between the shogunates fascinate me." Nikolas didn't lie—perhaps due to Yuemura's influence, but he had a genuine passion for ancient Japanese culture.
"Me too! That's why we're learning swordsmanship at a dojo!" Erick chimed in, noticing the excitement in his brother's voice and the shared enthusiasm flickering in Balfur's eyes.
"That reminds me of my youth..." Balfur smiled to himself, surprised by the unexpected connection. It seemed he had found kindred spirits. "Samurai are indeed amazing, but I still prefer medieval knights!"
**********
Ten thousand dollars might have been spent in a few minutes, if not for the heated debate that followed Balfur's statement. The trio spent hours passionately discussing who would win in a real fight—a samurai or a knight.
Despite their fervent arguments, no conclusion was reached. Eventually, they bid farewell to their 'new' friend. After paying and collecting their goods, the Drachen brothers felt a mix of wealth and sudden poverty. The day had barely begun, and they had already spent half of their budget.
In the following hours, they went through supermarkets, purchasing anything they thought might be essential. Another six thousand dollars vanished into food, water, and other resources they would need for the uncertain days ahead.
It was fortunate that they had their father's pickup truck to haul everything. But even with the truck, space was tight, so Nikolas arranged for some items to be delivered to their house.
The sun was nearly setting by the time they got back home. As they stepped inside, the mouthwatering aroma of spaghetti bolognese filled the air, instantly making Nikolas and his brother's mouths water. Their mother, Emilia, was in the kitchen, expertly preparing dinner.
[Oh! I missed her cooking so much!] Nikolas thought. Since the day he returned, besides the joy of having his family alive, the second thing he cherished most was being able to savor his mother's dishes again. Unfortunately for him, he was on a diet. [I wonder, what mastery level will she have in the Cooking Skill?].
With that thought, he grabbed one of the many bags from the back of the car and headed into the house. Their father, who was seated on the couch watching TV, noticed them and immediately got up to help.
"What's up with all this stuff?" Reginald asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"I'm just trying to repay everything you and Mom have done for me," Nikolas replied, forcing a sincere smile. "I sold my gaming account and bought food with the money." It was the only plausible lie he could think of.
Emilia, now standing at the kitchen door, was visibly emotional, trying to hold back tears. She had always had a soft heart. Reginald, on the other hand, wasn't so easily convinced. He calmly observed the bags filled with food and water, a suspicious glint in his eyes.
Nikolas seized the moment while they were distracted to grab another bag from the car. But as soon as he reentered the house, Reginald's sharp eyes caught the odd contents of the new bag.
"So, why did you buy all those survival kits?" Reginald asked, his tone more pointed.
"For precaution!" Nikolas blurted out, the answer coming out far too quickly.
[Stupid Nikolas! That's a bullshit lie!! Even I wouldn't believe that.]He mentally kicked himself, realizing how weak the excuse sounded.
Reginald fell silent, his expression hardening as he processed the situation. The tension was thick in the air when Erick walked into the room, carrying some of the weapons they had bought at Balfur's store. The timing couldn't have been worse.
Reginald's frown deepened, and Nikolas could see the storm brewing behind his father's eyes. "And... medieval weapons?" Reginald asked slowly, rubbing his temples with his left hand, a clear sign of his rising frustration.
The man was on the verge of exploding!
At the sight of his father's rising anger, Erick backed off like a scared rabbit.
"That's because the world will end!" Erick blurted out, his voice cracking with panic.