With a deep breath to steel myself, I took the final steps and mounted the low dais upon which the pedestal stood. The relic was right before me now—a magnificent scepter-like rod, about three feet long. The craftsmanship was exquisite: intricate filigree of silver wound around a core of solid gold, and the head of the rod bore a large violet gemstone that seemed almost to glow from within. It looked like it was made for a king's hand.
I extended a trembling hand toward the staff… then hesitated. This was the moment of truth. If something terrible were to happen, it would be triggered when I removed this object.
But hesitation wasn't an option. If I dallied much longer, Elfriede might blast me with a fireball out of sheer impatience.
Just do it. Gritting my teeth, I firmly grasped the cool gold of the rod… and pulled.
A strange chime rang out, echoing in my head like a bell. A flicker of green text flashed across my vision:
Achievement Unlocked: "First Come, First Served" flashed a ghostly green text before my eyes.
Before I could even process the words, more text materialized:
Essence +100Blessings unlocked at Essence milestones
My eyes widened at the floating messages. Essence? Blessings? This was similar to the status screens I'd seen before, but the terminology was new. I had no time to ponder it, however.
Without warning, one of the golden snake heads adorning the staff lurched. A pair of jeweled eyes flared red, and the serpent's mouth opened directly in front of my face.
"Oh shi—"
PSSSSSHT!
A jet of hissing vapor sprayed out, engulfing my eyes and nose in an acrid cloud. I staggered back, choking.
"Gaaah!" A searing, indescribable pain ignited in my face. It felt as if molten chili peppers had been ground into my eyes, as if someone had set my sinuses on fire. Blinded by agony, I dropped the staff and clutched my face. "My eyes! Seven hells, MY EYES!"
Through the hazy red curtain of pain, I heard Elfriede shout, "Lucian!" There were more cries—panic from the others.
"Careful, Elfriede—it's dangerous!"
"What's happening?!"
I tried to blink, but my vision was a white-hot blur. Tears streamed down my cheeks, and snot poured from my burning nose. It was as though I'd walked into a poison gas chamber without a mask. A trap, of course there was a trap…
Some distant part of me recognized the bitter, sulfurous stench. Flame serpent venom. A potent irritant – one that could permanently blind, or worse.
"Get it out of here! The cavern—" someone yelled.