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Chapter 2 - 5 ring mystery

The next night, Jace didn't go to school.

He had made up his mind — he had to know the truth about the ring.

So, he quietly left and disappeared into the cold, silent mountains.

"Useless piece of junk," Jace muttered, staring at the ring on his finger.

"I've tried everything... but nothing works. It's just—worthless."

Suddenly, a strange dizziness hit him.

His vision blurred.

"Wha—why is everything spinning…?"

His body collapsed.

---

"Find your own path... This ring is one of the five left in the world... You must earn its power."

A deep voice echoed in his fading consciousness.

---

"Hey, are you okay?"

Jace opened his eyes slowly. He was lying on a bed in a wooden cabin.

"Who are you…? Where am I?" he asked, confused.

"You were lying unconscious in the mountains. We brought you here," said a kind old man.

"Oh… I think I slipped and fainted. Thank you… Thank you all," Jace said, forcing a weak smile.

"I should go. My mom must be worried."

He rushed home.

---

"Mom, I'm back."

His mother turned around, eyes red from crying.

"Jace… we don't have any money left. Since your father passed away… things are getting worse."

"Mom, don't cry. Please… I'll do something. I promise I'll take care of everything."

---

3:00 PM — Searching for Work

Jace walked around the town.

"Sir… can I work for you? Please…"

Luckily, he got the job.

"Thank you so much, sir."

"Kid, why are you crying?" the man asked.

"I'll work hard from today," Jace replied, wiping his tears.

Two hours later, Jace's hard work increased the shop's sales.

But then… a loud roar echoed through the town.

A monster had appeared — massive, terrifying, unstoppable.

Everyone tried to fight it. People screamed. Buildings shook.

"Run!"

"Tamako, noooo!"

Blood splattered. The monster was killing everyone in sight.

Jace stood frozen. Fear gripped his heart.

Suddenly—darkness.

---

He opened his eyes.

Crowds stood around him, eyes wide with disbelief.

"Did you hear? That kid… He killed the monster in one hit!"

"What?! He's just 14! How is that even possible?!"

Jace sat up, confused.

"What are you all talking about? My head hurts... I don't remember anything."

"You punched the monster… with red and orange flames," someone said.

Jace's eyes widened. Flames?

---

"Mom!"

"I'm here, jace!"

His mother hugged him tightly, crying.

"You're okay… thank God."

The town gifted him 100,000 yen in gratitude, though his mom didn't want to take it.

But she had no choice.

They went home together.

That night, his mother tucked him in.

"Go to sleep, son. It's late."

"Okay, Mom," Jace said.

But as soon as the house went quiet…

He opened the secret room.

---

"Jace!" his mom shouted, both angry and scared.

"Why did you go in there again?!"

"Mom, I just— The rin—"

"No!" she shouted, voice trembling.

"Promise me… you'll only enter that room again when you've become as strong as your father."

Jace nodded silently.

"Okay, Mom."

"Now sleep, my brave boy..."

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