The morning sun reflected on the steel-glass towers of Louse City, its light bouncing through the crowded streets like sparks on metal. In a small apartment complex buried between two tall holo-advertisement boards, a faint alarm beeped for the fifth time.
"Ugh… five more minutes…" Johnrey groaned, burying his head in the pillow.
The alarm flickered red.
"Johnrey Calden, you are already late for school," said his outdated AI clock in a flat robotic voice.
Johnrey sat up quickly, his messy red hair sticking up like a wildfire. "Oh, shoot! Why didn't you tell me earlier!?" He scrambled out of bed, tripped on his jacket, and faceplanted into the floor. "Oww! Not again!"
He hurriedly pulled on his uniform — a light black pair of pants and a grey shirt with the school logo: a glowing torch surrounded by a digital circle. He tied his shoelaces unevenly, slung his bag across his shoulder, and ran toward the door — only to come back for the snack bar he'd forgotten on the counter.
"Breakfast is important, even for losers," he muttered, half-smiling.
The door hissed open automatically as he left. Outside, the world was alive with futuristic traffic — hoverboards, floating delivery drones, and police patrol cars hovering silently above the road.
Johnrey walked down the sidewalk, humming softly. He looked at his notebook, frowning.
"Two history periods back-to-back… this day's already cursed."
Across the street, a black hovercar silently followed. Inside, two men in sleek black suits and digital visors sat quietly.
"Target confirmed," said one of them, voice deep and calm. "That's the boy who picked up the ring yesterday."
The driver nodded. "We keep our distance. No mistakes."
Unaware, Johnrey continued walking, swinging his bag carelessly and kicking an empty can that rolled down the metal walkway.
At the school gate, laughter broke out.
"Hey look! The great comedian Johnrey has arrived!" shouted one of his classmates.
"Morning, sleeping beauty!" another added.
Johnrey rubbed the back of his neck and forced a laugh. "Haha… yeah, morning to you guys too."
They laughed even harder. Johnrey sighed. "I should start a fan club at this point…"
He walked into the classroom quietly. One girl was cleaning the board, while another student wiped the window. Johnrey set his bag down on his desk, trying to look invisible.
A soft voice called, "Good morning, Johnrey."
He looked up — a calm boy with light-blue hair stood by the door, headphones hanging from his neck.
"Oh, morning, Sui." Johnrey smiled awkwardly.
Sui tilted his head. "Did you finish the history homework?"
Johnrey froze. "Uh… the what now?"
Sui sighed. "The homework that was literally due today."
Johnrey chuckled nervously. "Ahaha… about that…"
Then Sui's eyes caught the glint on Johnrey's hand. "What's that ring?"
"Oh this?" Johnrey quickly hid his hand. "It's just something I found on my way home yesterday. Nothing special."
Inside, he panicked.
(No way I'm telling him about the girl, or the shootout, or those guys with laser guns…)
Sui leaned closer, noticing the faint fire symbol carved on the crystal. "That's actually kinda cool. Red really suits you."
"Yeah, lucky me," Johnrey said, pretending confidence. "Except, you know, when teachers throw chalk at my face."
A girl called from across the room, "Hey Sui, help me with this!"
Sui nodded. "Coming!" Then he turned back to Johnrey. "If you need to copy the homework, just don't make it obvious."
Johnrey grinned. "You're the best."
As the day went on, Johnrey tried his best not to fall asleep. The teacher, an older man with mechanical glasses, glanced at him once.
"Mr. Calden, I see you're awake this time."
"Yes, sir," Johnrey said, holding back a yawn.
When class ended, a voice echoed through the school speaker:
> "Mr. Johnrey Calden, please report to the principal's office."
The classroom erupted in whispers.
"Uh oh, what'd he do this time?"
"Maybe he broke another drone again!"
"Probably sleeping in class again!"
Johnrey slumped. "Man… can I have one normal day?"
He walked through the corridor, trying to ignore the stares. When he reached the office, the principal — an old man in a smart suit with a holographic clipboard — was waiting by the door.
"Ah, Johnrey. Someone's here to see you."
Johnrey blinked. "Huh? Someone… for me?"
The principal nodded and opened the door. Inside were two tall men in black suits, their eyes hidden behind digital visors. Sleek holsters on their waists carried compact laser guns glowing faint blue.
One of them gestured politely. "Please, take a seat, Mr. Calden."
Johnrey gulped. "U-uh, sure."
He sat, nervously playing with his fingers under the table. (Who are these guys? Government? Debt collectors? Did I forget to pay rent again!?)
The taller man spoke first, voice deep and formal. "I am Roken, a bodyguard of the Ryouko family. We're here regarding an artifact — specifically, the ring on your finger."
Johnrey froze. "The… ring?"
The second man nodded. "Yes. That ring does not belong to this era."
Johnrey panicked, trying to pull it off. "You can have it! Seriously, I don't even like jewelry!"
He pulled harder. The ring didn't budge.
"What the—?!" He tugged with both hands now, wincing in frustration. "It's not coming off!"
Roken's expression didn't change. "It won't. Once worn, it becomes a part of your body. That object is known as the Inferno Ring, one of the six created during World War V."
Johnrey stared blankly. "…World War… what?"
"The world war that erased half the planet," Roken said calmly. "The rings were made by a single inventor to restore peace… but their power nearly ended humanity. After the war, they were scattered and forgotten."
Johnrey shook his head rapidly. "N-no way. That's just some myth from history class! People say it's fake!"
The second man's voice hardened. "It was never a myth. Families across the world still hunt for them. Some kill entire cities for a single lead."
Johnrey's hands trembled. "You mean people… would kill me for this stupid ring?"
"Yes," Roken said bluntly. "That is why we're here — to protect you. Please come with us to the Ryouko household. It's the safest place we can take you."
Johnrey blinked, then whispered, "You mean… I don't really get a choice, do I?"
The man gave a faint, grim smile. "I'm afraid not."
Johnrey let out a shaky sigh. "Just my luck…"
As they walked down the hall, whispers followed.
"Hey, look — it's Johnrey!"
"Wait, are those… bodyguards?"
"No way! Did he just get adopted by a billionaire or something!?"
Johnrey covered his face. "Kill me now…"
The men opened the main doors, revealing a sleek, black hovercar parked in front of the gate. Its smooth surface shimmered under the sunlight, hovering just a few inches off the ground. The doors opened automatically with a hiss.
"After you, Mr. Calden," Roken said.
Johnrey hesitated before stepping inside. The seats felt impossibly soft, adjusting automatically to his weight. He sank into it like a marshmallow.
"Whoa… this thing's comfier than my bed."
The driver adjusted the control pad. "Destination — Ryouko Estate."
The car lifted higher, floating silently before shooting down the skyway like a black arrow. City lights blurred past the window — holograms, neon signs, and flying police drones.
Johnrey stared out the window in disbelief. "So this is what rich people cars feel like…"
He looked down at his hand again. The crystal ring faintly pulsed — like a heartbeat.
He whispered under his breath, "What… did I get myself into?"
Outside, the black car disappeared into the horizon — unaware that in another rooftop nearby, a man in white armor watched through a digital scope.
"The Inferno Ring… it finally appeared."