Saw it mentioned that you start NG+ with it, but after beating the game and starting NG+ I don't have it.

Is there any significance to the colored rocks scattered here and there? They seem to be posted in strategic locations and behind enemies, but I can't find a way to interact with them.

With the Ring of Skill as proof, I've set off to see how long it takes from start to get locked into a situation where you MUST take damage to win... didn't take long: the first bat you encounter REQUIRES that you take damage, because at LV3 you won't have enough ATT to one-shot them, nor enough DEF to nullify their damage....

I think I killed all enemies in the epilogue after winning the game. Does this change something in the world? Hoped at least for a minor message. Maybe I overlooked a guy.

Feels like I've been searching forever.