Edric swiftly flipped through the files, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed the information.
Item Description:
The Shadow Ring grants its wielder the ability to create a single shadow clone every 24 hours. Each clone possesses 10% of the original body's strength, provided the user's rank does not exceed Silver. However, summoning a new clone will immediately dispel the previous one.
A shadow clone can persist for up to one month, unless it is killed by external forces or exhausts its energy reserves. Its total energy consists of 20% of the mana pool of an average Silver-ranked mage and 20% of the internal energy of a Silver-ranked knight.
Like all clones, shadow clones are made of flesh and blood, yet they possess a unique ability—the power to shift into shadow form at will. In this state, they become invulnerable to conventional attacks, with only spells or internal energy-infused attacks capable of harming them.
Each shadow clone retains the intelligence of the original, allowing it to operate independently. However, the amount of memory and knowledge it inherits depends on the settings configured by the main body. Should an enemy capture a clone, they could attempt to interrogate or torture it for information—but they would only extract whatever the main body had permitted it to know. Notably, the destruction or suffering of a clone does not transmit pain or awareness back to the original.
History:
The Shadow Ring is a defective relic created by the Bloodstone Order of Magic. It was originally designed to produce clones at full strength, mirroring the power of a Silver-ranked mage or knight. However, the enchantment was flawed, limiting each clone’s strength to a mere 10% of its intended potential. Deemed a failure, the artifact was cast aside and placed on auction in an attempt to recover some of its lost value.
WEAKNESSES:
Due to its defective nature, the Shadow Ring has several limitations.
* Shadow clones created by the ring are immediately detectable by Great-ranked mages and above, as well as Silver-ranked knights and higher.
* There is no mental connection between the clone and the main body, meaning information cannot be shared telepathically.
* If too much memory is withheld from the clone at the moment of its creation, it may develop independent thoughts and even betray the main body.
* A new clone can only be summoned in complete darkness, requiring locations such as a specially enchanted darkroom, a deep cave, or similarly shadowed environments.
* While in its physical state, the shadow clone can exist freely in the light. However, once in shadow form, it must minimize exposure to sunlight, as prolonged contact may result in its death.
* The shadow clone always resembles the original; it is impossible to disguise it using transformation spells or other magical means.
* Although the shadow clone can cast spells, it is restricted to shadow-element magic. It cannot use spells of any other element.
* The clone has no innate magical ability except for Shadow Elementalization, a unique skill that allows it to shift into shadow form.
* While in the Shadow Elementalization state, the clone cannot carry weapons, armor, or any non-shadow objects.
RESTRICTIONS:
* The Shadow Ring can only generate a shadow clone once every 24 hours.
* Mages and knights who are attuned to light energy may experience discomfort while wearing the ring.
* The ring must remain worn at all times while a shadow clone is active; removing it will instantly dispel the clone.
* The ring cannot be worn in areas where light-element energy exceeds Great rank concentration, as the overwhelming energy may render it inactive or even destroy it.
Experimentation Results:
* Physical Composition: While in flesh form, the shadow clone is indistinguishable from an ordinary human. Autopsy reports confirm that its organs, bones, and flesh are identical to those of a real person with the same strength. It is vulnerable to all the same injuries and ailments as a normal human of its level.
* Bodily Needs: Despite being an elemental construct, while in flesh form, the shadow clone still requires food, sleep, and rest to maintain its functionality.
* Elemental Nature: The shadow element is a false element, meaning its existence is dependent on the absence of light. Because of this, the clone must avoid exposure to powerful sources of light-element energy of golden or above rank, regardless of whether it is in flesh or shadow form, as they could destabilize or destroy it.
* Reproduction: The clone can, in theory, reproduce. However, if the clone is female, natural childbirth is either impossible or extremely difficult, as a shadow clone cannot exist for more than one month. The only conceivable method of successful birth would require advanced magic to accelerate fetal development, allowing the child to be born within the clone’s limited lifespan.
After reading through tens of pages of information, Edric’s excitement soared. This Shadow Ring was perfect for him!
"I have to bid on it!" he decided without hesitation.
Even though the ring could only produce one clone at a time, its ability to 'plant the seeds' of the next generation was immensely valuable for completing his system task.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Ten minutes later, the man dressed in pristine white stepped onto the auction stage.
"Now, it's time to bid! Let the auction begin!"
"10,000,000!" Bidder Number 18.
Edric, bidder number 844, swiftly entered his bid: "20,000,000."
"40,000,000!" Bidder Number 214 countered.
"Damn it!" Edric clenched his fists.
"45,000,000!" Bidder Number 1 entered the fray.
"48,000,000!" Number 18 raised the stakes.
"50,000,000!" Number 100 responded effortlessly.
"60,000,000!" Number 1 bid without hesitation.
A few tense seconds passed. The auctioneer in white lifted his hand, about to finalize the sale—
"70,000,000!" Bidder Number 18 interrupted with a bold raise.
But almost instantly, Number 1 countered without hesitation.
"100,000,000!"
Edric’s jaw nearly dropped. "One hundred million silver!?"
"Even for a powerful artifact, is it truly worth that much? After all, the clone only has 10% the strength of a Silver-ranked knight or mage. One could hire dozens of Silver knights for that kind of money!"
"Whoever Number 1 is ... they have bottomless pockets!" He thought.
The auctioneer's voice rang out with excitement.
"Anyone else? Going once… going twice… Sold to Participant Number 1!"
Edric let out a defeated sigh. The Shadow Ring had slipped through his fingers.
"The next Silver-ranked item is called Ghost Shoes!" the man in white announced. "I will now send you the item's details. You have ten minutes to decide on your bid! The starting price is 20,000,000 silver, and each bid must increase by at least 2,000,000!"
Hearing the starting price, Edric immediately gave up.
"Damn it… my mere 25,000,000 silver isn’t even close to enough for these Silver-grade items."
"These people have way too much money! When I reach Legendary rank, I’ll rob them all!" he swore to himself.
With no realistic chance of buying anything valuable, Edric simply leaned back in his chair, hoping—just maybe—something useful would appear that no one else wanted.
Still, despite having no intention of bidding, he skimmed through the Ghost Shoes' details.
Item Description:
* Usability: The Ghost Shoes can be worn by anyone, regardless of rank.
* Ability: Grants the wearer invulnerability to all attacks below Gold rank for one hour per day.
* Activation: Instantaneous—activates the moment the wearer wills it. Once triggered, it cannot be deactivated until the full hour has elapsed.
* Effects:
* While in Ghost State, the wearer can pass through walls and all obstacles below Gold rank.
* The wearer must not remove the shoes during activation. If they take them off, they will become permanently trapped in Ghost State. Only a Gold-ranked spell or other Golden-tier methods can return them to normal.
* They gain the ability to fly, though their speed is relatively slow.
History:
The Ghost Shoes were crafted in the Bloodstone Order’s workshop with the intent of creating a Golden-ranked artifact. However, the attempt failed, and the shoes never crossed the threshold into true Gold-grade power. As a result, the leader of the Bloodstone Order decided to auction the item, hoping to recoup funds and make another attempt at forging a true Golden-tier version.
Weaknesses:
* While not in Ghost State, the shoes are extremely fragile—so much so that even an ordinary person with a hammer could shatter them.
* Their size is fixed and unchangeable. If a person’s feet are too large or too small, they cannot wear them unless they possess magic to alter their size.
Etc...
As Edric finished reading the details, he nodded in understanding.
"No wonder these shoes are so expensive…" he thought.
Owning them meant guaranteed survival for one hour, even if completely surrounded by countless Silver-ranked knights. It was, in essence, an extra life—as long as no Gold-ranked opponent intervened, one could simply activate Ghost State and escape.
Time passed swiftly.
The auctioneer in white raised his hand and declared, "Now, we begin the bidding! Start!"
"50,000,000!" Bidder Number 6 called out immediately.
Edric sighed in frustration.
"As expected… I don’t stand a chance at all."
For over five minutes, the bids continued, escalating to unimaginable levels.
"485,000,000!" Bidder Number 2 finally declared.
The man in white paused. Then, after a few tense moments, he called out:
"Three… two… one… Sold to Participant Number 2!"
Edric felt numb.
By now, he realized he had a far better chance of acquiring valuable items through robbery than wasting his time at this auction.
This was a nationwide event—meaning wealthy dukes, ancient noble houses, and Bloodstone family elites were all competing at the same time. How could he possibly outbid people who had accumulated wealth for generations?
Still, he wasn’t too shocked by the final price. After all, the wearer of the Ghost Shoes would be completely invulnerable to all Silver-ranked knights and mages. The price reflected its worth.
The auctioneer cleared his throat, preparing to introduce the next item.
"Our next item is a remnant of a silver rank spellbook, estimated to be hundreds of years old!
"Although the spells within are obsolete, as they require rare and forgotten materials to cast, they still hold value for scholars and collectors. After extensive research conducted by the Bloodstone Order, it has been decided that this artifact will be put up for auction!"
"Due to its limited practical use, the starting price will be set at 1,000,000 silver, with a minimum bid increase of 100,000!"
"Now, I will send you the information regarding this artifact. You have ten minutes to decide!"
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Edric, who had all but given up hope, suddenly perked up in excitement!
"A spellbook…?"
He quickly opened the detailed information, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.