A object that changes its appearance in response to magical power, and its usage varies according to specific conditions.

Valtter knew what these items were commonly called.

‘Artifacts.’

Sometimes they are also called relics depending on the inherent power or characteristics, but anyway.

Even though he didn’t know the detailed principles, Valtter could tell that Odette’s pendant activated this artifact.

And since such artifacts wouldn’t corrode over the years, its initial worn-out appearance was likely a disguised state.

Perhaps in its disguised state, it would only function as an efficient but ordinary dagger no matter what he did with it.

The artifact that had transformed into the form of a dagger, an item that would have been sold at a scrap shop for a pittance, was none other than Odette’s pendant.

‘What on earth was the purpose of this pendant?’

And what kind of person was Odette to have a magical tool that could activate such an artifact?

In different circumstances, he might have anticipated and prepared for the situation, but this time was different.

How could Valtter have expected that, after being unable to return from the snowy mountains, he would accidentally enter a cave and coincidentally pick up an artifact?

‘It was probably made for a different purpose.’

It was probably just used to activate this artifact by chance.

The pendant now seemed to have exhausted the magical power it had, and its vibration had stopped.

Valtter put the pendant back into his pocket and picked up the artifact again.

From the meticulously crafted handle to the blade, this dagger seemed to have been made with nothing overlooked, displaying a formidable appearance as if it could tear through everything at a moment’s notice.

Considering the inscription on the handle that he had read, it wasn’t too difficult to figure out how to use it.

‘Place a person on an altar large enough for them to lie down, and then use the dagger.’

Isn’t it too clear?

‘It seems to demand a sacrifice.’

Haha, a hollow laugh escaped his lips.

Whether it was amusing because he encountered something like this in a situation perfect for freezing to death, or the idea that popped into his mind was exceptionally cheerful.

If others had picked up this artifact, they probably would have had various thoughts.

Most likely, they would have first preserved their bodies to leave this place, then brought something suitable as a sacrifice, placed it on the altar, and stabbed it, as that would be the most common idea.

Whether it was a coincidence or something else, fortunately, this forest was filled with beings, both human and animal, ready to die in exchange.

But Valtter had a hunch.

‘I can’t descend this mountain.’

He had already shed too much blood.

Unable to even light a fire, if he lost consciousness, he would surely die.

Of course, if he hurried now and planned to survive, it wouldn’t be difficult, but Valtter had long lost his motivation.

The difference between finding a corpse in front of the cave and finding it inside the cave would only be a matter of time.

So ‘next’ didn’t exist for Valtter anymore.

Moreover.
‘There is no subject in this sentence.’

Valtter wasn’t deeply knowledgeable about magic or divine powers, but as a noble’s heir, he possessed a level of education that included such cultural knowledge. He knew that inscriptions on artifacts containing activation methods always referred to the ‘user.’ For example, the inscription on an artifact that could change the wearer’s appearance read as follows:

‘[Leave the left ring finger empty for the one who dreams of falsehood.]’

The meaning of this inscription was quite ambiguous. The instruction to leave the left ring finger, typically adorned with a wedding ring, empty indicated that only unmarried individuals could use this artifact. It also meant literally leaving the left ring finger empty because the artifact, in the form of a ring, operated by wearing it on the vacant left ring finger. Going a bit deeper, the inscription also conveyed a warning that the person using this artifact would never form deep relationships. A ring worn on the left ring finger symbolized a commitment, and keeping it perpetually empty implied an inability to establish the necessary trust.

In this way, artifact inscriptions often combined usage instructions with warnings to the user. Although the content might be ambiguous, there was never a case without a subject.

‘But this dagger… it only has usage instructions, and there’s no mention of the user.’

While the usage instructions were strangely clear, the absence of any mention of the user was perplexing. Does this mean the person stabbing the offering becomes the user, or is it the person stabbed by the dagger? The only way to find out in this situation is one.

‘More than anything, if I want to obtain what I desire… ordinary offerings might not be enough.’