Seven Ring: First Stage Vol. 2
Chapter 40 – The Mad Experiment
The story continues from where it last ended.
The scene shifts to Kartik, where an intense battle is taking place between him and the Dark Shadow.
Dark Shadow:
What happened? Where did your attitude go now?
Kartik:
Ahhh…
(He deactivates his ring and starts laughing like a madman.)
Dark Shadow:
You're such a fool. You just got rid of your armor. That was what you needed the most right now.
Kartik:
Didn't you say you used a skill?
The pain you feel… I feel it too.
And the pain I feel… you feel as well.
Dark Shadow:
Hmm… what are you doing now? With that stone? Are you insane?
Kartik:
Hmm… I'm a little more insane when it comes to winning.
(Kartik smashes the stone against his own hand repeatedly. Both of them scream at the same time.)
Dark Shadow:
Have you gone mad?! You're hurting yourself just to hurt me? I can heal… what about you?!
Kartik:
Don't worry so much about me…
Seeing you care is making me emotional.
(Blood starts pouring from his hand. The ground turns completely red.)
Dark Shadow:
You're insane! I can heal!
You can't! You'll die, but I won't!
Kartik:
Oh… is that so?
Then let's see.
(Kartik suddenly cracks his own hand. A sharp cracking sound echoes—and at the same moment, the Dark Shadow's hand breaks as well.)
Kartik falls to the ground in pain. The pain becomes unbearable.
With great difficulty, he stands up and suddenly runs toward a wall—
BOOM! BOOM!
He smashes his head into it.
At the same time, the Dark Shadow clutches its head and falls to its knees.
For the first time… it starts bleeding.
Drip… drip…
Black blood falls to the ground.
Dark Shadow (shocked):
Why… am I not healing…?
The scene shifts to Kartik…
He collapses unconscious.
Suddenly, a voice echoes from behind—
Voice:
How was my performance? Hahaha…
The Dark Shadow freezes in shock.
Not because of the pain… but something else.
Fear is clearly visible on its face.
Dark Shadow:
You… were there? Then how are you here?
The scene reveals—
Standing behind it… is Kartik.
Completely unharmed.
The body lying on the ground slowly disappears.
Kartik:
Do I really look that insane to you?
That I would hurt myself just to hurt you?
You're nothing but trash.
Didn't I tell you? You're just an experiment to me.
One I test new abilities on… every single day.
This… was just another experiment.
It's a new skill.
I haven't even named it yet.
Dark Shadow:
(Thinking)
Everything I did to him…
None of it was real…?
I was trapped in an illusion this whole time…
(Its body starts trembling.)
Kartik (smiling evilly):
I feel like testing another skill…
Dark Shadow:
(Falls to his knees, grabs Kartik's feet)
Please forgive me! I'll become your slave! Just give me one chance! I can't endure this kind of torture! I'll do whatever you say—just don't kill me!
Kartik:
Hmm… I might spare you.
But on one condition.
Give me a good name for myself.
Dark Shadow:
I… I… what should I say…
Kartik:
Hurry up.
Dark Shadow:
How about… "Demon"?
Kartik:
Do I look like a demon to you?
Dark Shadow:
No… Master!
Kartik:
You're useless at this.
Now open a portal.
Go back to where you came from.
Dark Shadow:
Yes… Master.
(A portal opens, and both of them step inside.)
They arrive in front of the Evil System Window.
Evil System Window:
Master, you're back. I was worried about you.
Kartik:
Hmm… I'm back.
Evil System Window:
How was your journey?
Kartik:
Just as we expected. We were betrayed.
Dark Shadow (shocked):
They already knew…?
I thought I was using them… but they were using me all along…
Kartik:
Dark Shadow, go inside the ring.
(The ring glows, and the Dark Shadow disappears inside it.)
Evil System Window:
Did you meet that person?
Kartik:
No. He's too smart. He didn't show himself.
And we suffered a loss…
We lost ownership of the First Stage Volume book.
Now we can't make any changes to it.
Evil System Window:
Then how do we get out of here?
Kartik:
For now… I don't know.
Kartik:
Since when were you holding him?
Evil System Window:
After you left, he tried to escape, so I captured him.
The other one was powerful… he got away.
What should we do with this one?
Kartik:
I'll make him my slave.
(Kartik activates a skill and marks "KVS" on his back.)
System Notification:
Congratulations! You have successfully created a slave.
Kartik:
Good.
Now… let's see what's happening outside.
I'm getting excited.
Scene Shift – Korean Territory
A new scene appears.
A White Ghost Knight sits on a pile of dead bodies.
It's raining heavily.
His body is drenched in blood.
A sword rests in his hand.
White Ghost Knight:
I hate weak humans…
The only thing I enjoy… is the smell of blood.
Where are you… my target?
My blade is ready…
to drown in your blood.
End of Chapter 40