The day I knew I was an artifact…
I was a child wandering around in the village when suddenly a very elegant blue flame eagle came to me.
Its blue flame gave the clouds the chill of the broad daylight sky. The blue feathers made it even more beautiful to the eyes, to the point where it mesmerized me.
Its eyes felt like they had the ability to see through my soul. The winds that resembled the heavens and earth marked the eagle as if it was flying from heaven.
But… sorry to burst the bubble — it was from the royal palace.
"Jace, the living artifact…"
"Wait, whaaat? This bird can talk? No… you… aren't a bird."
"Focus, kid. Focus. You are a living weapon…"
"Pfft… come on, is your owner an old hag or something? Telling me stories like that out of nowhere isn't cool…"
He looked at me.
"I get that you are still very young, but at least I'm awakening your artifact body. Until we meet next time… goodbye, kid."
"Waaaaiiiiiiiiiitttttt… What did you do to—haaaaaaa…?"
So the one and only question I asked was…
"WHY AM I AN ARTIFACT?!"
---
I live in a church with the church father and sisters. I don't know anything about family — just grateful to be here and… pray.
Yeah, that's what every kid is gonna blabber about if they were asked about their family situation. Except me…
Well, I don't pray too much. Not because I'm not into holy life — it's because I kinda like the show, don't tell vibe when it comes to church life.
You might think being in a church is cool, but nah — not for me. I get hit all the time. I'm blamed for every little thing I didn't do. It feels as if they were doing it intentionally.
But still… I'm a kid. I'm treated like some airheaded brat.
The sisters are living hell. Every time I see them, my blood boils.
---
So I decided to leave.
Because I don't want my blood pressure to increase these days.
Healers are too damn stupid. And in the future, they might be even sloppier jerks.
But that's not even the main reason why I ran out of there…
They planned to sell me.
I'm not a frickin' object, you know what I mean?
And with a low price that can't even buy meat for a month.
I hated church life so much that I ran away — to save myself from being sold.
I ran as fast as I could. Didn't even look back.
---
I reached a new city and people approached me, saying they'd help me find my family. It was the first time I saw people like that — they're called scammers, I guess…
The tall guy was wearing a very tall coat, and the short guy was wearing a hat.
They continued searching for my family — which I obviously lied about.
---
In the shopping grounds…
For three hours straight, we stayed searching there.
"It's almost night time. Why don't you come and stay with us for tonight?"
The tall guy held my hand when he said that. Before I could even reply, the short one held my other hand.
"Yeah, kid, we'd feel really bad letting you stay here on your own."
I was happy to comply with their offer.
---
The city is far better than the rural village I lived in. In terms of architecture and social interaction, the city is way too much better.
We finally arrived at their house. It didn't feel as shady as it looked.
So I thought maybe they meant well… right?
But even the church was hellish despite being a place that was supposed to guide people to the gods.
Casting good and bad aside, I was surprised they actually gave me a whole lot of food and money.
They said it would help me when I got back to my family.
Unfortunately… they had already put poison in my drink.
---
My body is a whole artifact. My organ systems specifically.
My eyes have this artifact named…
'Appraiser Eyes'.
I have the ability to understand attack patterns and mana systems, plus detect threats. And that includes poison detection as well.
They gave me a room — which was even more suspicious because they never had a child living with them, yet they already had one prepared.
I drank the drink. Ate my food. Slept on my bed.
---
At midnight…
The footsteps of someone echoed.
They got louder and louder.
The door slowly opened, and the shadow grew more vivid as it approached me.
Out of the blue, a punch aimed for my neck came flying.
I bounced off the bed, landing in a push-up position. As I reached the roof, I spun and curved down to his neck from above.
BOOM! SLAM!!
My punch landed on his head, but I drove it all the way into his neck until I heard his neck bones break.
Well… actually, I was made to fight.
His face was hilarious. He began coughing up blood before losing consciousness.
---
Looking closer, it was the taller guy who attacked me.
The short guy didn't even check on him — he thought it was me, well… yeah.
People are violent as hell. A punch to the neck — is that how they activate the poison? It barely affected me.
I went downstairs, trying to find something like a file storage box.
I found one — with info on some kids who had been abducted and sold.
---
I brought the files to the living room.
The short guy saw me.
"Why are you touching it again, bruh… Wait, you aren't by—wait—was the one—"
"Die, worthless jerk," I said, stabbing him with my fingers.
STABBED!!
Lightly though… lightly.
Having raw strength like metal is one thing I can do besides using my artifact body. But I consider it as my skin's ability — just like my eyes.
He fell to the ground, flabbergasted.
"How are you doing this? You're a monster."
Blood spilled everywhere. Maybe I stabbed him a little too hard to call it "lightly."
"Nope, just an artifact."
He passed out.
"What are you trying to do with the files?" he muttered.
---
I wish he could've watched the whole show… but he died.
I took all the files in the house, stole their money, and fired rainbow fireworks that only magic users and holy knights have — but I can recreate them.
So yeah… I exploded twice.
Leaving the door wide open, I took some extra cash and walked out.
The magic knights came and took the files.
I just walked away… doing nothing.
Actually, I enjoyed their company.
Dancing as a kid, of course.
---
Now then…
Where should I go?
That was the only thought I had.
I went to a bar. Sat on a chair. Leaned back. Put my small legs on the table and rested for a while.
The thought of scammers attacking so bluntly made me feel a bit arrogant.
Everyone was impressed by how I acted.
---
A beast girl came in — I'd never seen one up close. The way she walked almost felt like she was modeling.
"Ohhh… you look cute, but this isn't a place for kids, sweetie."
I copied a gentleman I once saw in the village, putting my hand on the table.
"You look cute too. Come on, sit, why don't we talk?"
She laughed her *ss off.
"Why are you laughing, baby? I'm serious. Sit and let's discuss this."
She laughed even harder, holding her stomach.
"What part of me do you think is cute? Let me—I know your series."
The room was filled with her laughter, making the guys smile.
They couldn't hold it anymore — they approached me and asked to sit.
I couldn't say no.
---
I told them crap about living with a dragon.
They laughed… until one of them said:
"Aren't you the kid who's wanted in that post?"
They showed that damn church post.
"See ya all," I said, running out fast.
---
One of the hunters shouted:
"Get back! You can't get out!"
He was big — a giant. Just looking at his palm made me feel like an insect.
"Wow, bro, if you were a beast human, you'd end up in the gorilla category."
He looked at me with disgust.
"What did you say, kid, huh?"
"Didn't you hear me? I said you're an overloaded human, bro. Don't you need external force to walk or run?"
He clung to his face in anger.
"Watch it, *sshole."
"Yeah, well, I wanna go out, but you're standing in my way trying to take me to the church. Not like I'm a monster you can hunt — besides, the one and only hobgoblin here is you…"
He punched the ground in anger.
The moment he missed me, I jumped and slammed his bald head.
BOOM!!!
He fainted.
I walked over him, got out, and walked the night.
---
Not far away, I found a restricted place. I enjoyed my time there, then left like a true king.
I ate the food I'd taken from those idiots, then walked out and entered a famous — but expensive — restaurant.
I ate as much as I could, paid for the food, and now… I'm broke.
---
How am I supposed to make money? And I'm only ten.
But then… something hopeful happened.
"Is that… the princess?"