Mortal Shell 2 Merrick Dialogue After Finding Proxima

After you find Proxima in Mortal Shell 2: The Forgotten Path, Merrick’s dialogue changes from his usual cryptic warnings to a short, direct acknowledgment of your discovery. He says, “You found her. The Proxima. Don’t let it go to your head — it’s a tool, not a trophy.� This is the only scripted line he delivers specifically for this event, and it does not unlock any new quest or item. The line is a simple narrative beat, confirming that the game recognizes your progress without branching into a new storyline.

Formula

This calculator works out your average pace and speed from a finish time and distance. The pace formula is:

Pace (min/km) = Finish time (minutes) ÷ Distance (km)

Speed is the reciprocal, converted to hours:

Speed (km/h) = Distance (km) ÷ (Finish time (minutes) ÷ 60)

Variables:

• t – finish time in minutes (e.g., 50 min)
• d – distance in kilometers (e.g., 10 km)
• Pace – minutes per kilometer, shown to 2 decimals
• Speed – kilometers per hour, shown to 2 decimals

Worked Example

Using the default values — a 50-minute finish over 10 km:

1. Pace = 50 ÷ 10 = 5.00 min/km
2. Speed = 10 ÷ (50 ÷ 60) = 10 ÷ 0.8333 = 12.00 km/h

So the calculator returns 5.00 min/km and 12.00 km/h. This matches the block output exactly.

Why Merrick’s Line Matters

Merrick is the first NPC you meet in Mortal Shell 2, and he acts as a guide and lore-dispenser. His dialogue is mostly static — he repeats the same warnings about the “Hollowed Woods� and the “Shattered Bell� regardless of your actions. The Proxima line is one of the few instances where the game tracks a specific item in your inventory and changes a character’s response. It’s a small but deliberate touch that rewards exploration.

The Proxima itself is a glowing shard found in the upper branches of the Whispering Tree, only accessible after you obtain the Grapple of Echoes. It serves no gameplay function — it cannot be equipped, sold, or traded. Its only purpose is to trigger this dialogue and to count toward the “Curious Collector� achievement, which requires finding all five hidden relics. So if you’re a completionist, this line is your confirmation that you’ve secured one of the five.

How to Trigger the Dialogue

The dialogue triggers automatically the next time you speak to Merrick after picking up the Proxima. You don’t need to reload the area or rest at a checkpoint. Simply walk back to his usual spot — the ruined chapel near the starting beach — and interact with him. If you picked up the Proxima before meeting Merrick for the first time (possible through sequence breaking), the line will play on your first conversation instead.

There is no time limit. You can hold the Proxima in your inventory for the entire game, and Merrick will still acknowledge it when you talk to him. The line plays once per playthrough. If you miss it, you’d need to start a new game or load a save from before picking up the shard.

Common Misconceptions

Many players assume the Proxima unlocks a secret ending or a new boss. It does not. The game’s ending is determined solely by whether you defeat the final boss, the Hollowed King, and whether you choose to absorb his essence or destroy it. The Proxima has no bearing on that choice.

Another misconception is that Merrick’s line hints at a future quest. It doesn’t. There is no quest marker, no follow-up, and no reward beyond the achievement. The line is purely flavor text, similar to how some NPCs in Dark Souls comment on key items you’ve collected. If you’re expecting a side quest, you’ll be disappointed — but if you’re a lore enthusiast, it confirms that the Proxima is one of the “five relics of the Old Faith� that Merrick mentions in his longer monologue.

Comparing Merrick’s Dialogue to Other NPCs

Merrick is the only NPC who reacts to the Proxima. The other two named characters — the Blind Maiden and the Sullen Smith — have no unique lines for any of the five relics. This makes Merrick’s acknowledgment a standout moment. It also suggests the developers intended the Proxima to be the first relic most players find, since it’s on the critical path if you explore the Whispering Tree thoroughly.

In contrast, the other relics (the Cinder Bloom, the Tidal Pearl, the Sunken Idol, and the Pale Thorn) each have a generic “You found a relic� notification but no character dialogue. So if you’re looking for meaningful NPC reactions, the Proxima is the only one that delivers.

How to Read the Result

If you’re using the pace calculator above, the result tells you your average time per kilometer. A lower pace means faster running. For example, a 5.00 min/km pace is roughly an 8-minute mile, which is a moderate recreational speed. The speed output is just the inverse — 12 km/h is about 7.5 mph. These two numbers are always reciprocals of each other, so if you only care about one, you can ignore the other.

Common mistakes include mixing up minutes and hours, or forgetting to convert seconds into minutes. For instance, a 50-minute 10K is 5:00 per km, but a 50-minute 10-mile is 5:00 per mile — a big difference. Always check your distance unit before entering it.

Limits of the Formula

The pace formula assumes a constant speed. Real runs have hills, stops, and variable effort, so your actual split times will differ. The formula also ignores elevation gain, which can make a 5.00 min/km pace feel much harder on a hilly course than on a flat one. For training purposes, use this as a rough average, not a precise predictor of performance.

For walking, the same formula works, but typical walking pace is around 12–20 min/km (3–5 km/h). If you enter a very fast time for a short distance, the calculator will still work — just remember that it’s a mathematical average, not a physiological one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Merrick say anything else after you find all five relics?
No. There is no unique dialogue for collecting all five. Merrick only acknowledges the Proxima. The other four relics are silent items.

Can you miss the Proxima permanently?
Yes. If you leave the Whispering Tree without picking it up and later progress past a certain point (after defeating the second major boss), the area becomes inaccessible. There is no way to return in the same playthrough.

Is the Proxima required for 100% completion?
Yes, it’s needed for the “Curious Collector� achievement, which requires all five relics. If you miss it, you’ll need a second playthrough.

Does the Proxima have any use in combat?
No. It’s a pure lore item. It cannot be equipped, consumed, or used as a crafting material.

What does the Proxima look like?
It’s a small, pale blue shard about the size of a thumb, glowing faintly. It sits in a bird’s nest at the top of the Whispering Tree, guarded by two Hollowed Archers.

Why did the developers add this dialogue?
It’s likely meant to reward thorough exploration and to reinforce Merrick’s role as a guide who knows about the Old Faith. It’s a small narrative payoff for a hidden item, a common design pattern in souls-like games.

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in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0 | 100000
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2