The Ring of Ten Strikes
The world fears not what it sees—
but what it cannot explain.
Suspicion grew around Arcadia and Wakanda's quiet cooperation, yet no evidence surfaced. Intelligence agencies sensed change without understanding its source.
The Joint Project
Deep within an underground Arcadian laboratory, Lee Soo-yeon, Shuri, and Dorgrin began testing a joint defensive concept combining mithril and Wakandan energy-absorption properties.
Not a weapon.
A survival tool.
A ring.
Concept
The prototype featured ten small gemstones embedded along its surface.
"Each gemstone stores kinetic energy," Shuri explained.
"When overwhelmed, it fractures—neutralizing the attack."
"How many strikes?" Lee Soo-yeon asked.
"Ten."
Dorgrin added:
"The ring buries the blow within the gem."
Testing
A high-velocity projectile was fired.
A translucent energy field appeared instantly.
The projectile deflected.
One gemstone shattered into radiant dust.
The wearer remained unharmed.
"No recoil. No neural transfer," Shuri confirmed.
Lee Soo-yeon smiled.
"A shield without cost—yet not without limit."
The Name
The project was designated:
The Ring of Ten Strikes
Ten survivals.
Ten moments between life and death.
Afterward, only a ring remains.
Growing Suspicion
Global intelligence observed Arcadian defensive behavior shifts without explanation.
S.H.I.E.L.D. categorized the activity as emerging defensive technology.
HYDRA identified a widening technological gap—but refrained from action.
Approaching Truth
Lee Soo-yeon continued assembling assassination evidence, uncovering repeating patterns linking ministers to both royal deaths and the recent attempt.
"It was never a single decision," he whispered.
"It was a system."
Ending
Lee Soo-yeon wore the ring.
Not as power—but as probability.
Ten chances.
Ten boundaries between fate and survival.
Beyond the palace walls, the world speculated about Arcadia and Wakanda's silent cooperation, unaware of the technology being forged beneath the earth.
Dorgrin's hammer echoed through the mountain.
"The shield does not prevent war. It grants time."
Lee Soo-yeon gazed over the sleeping capital.
"The path to truth has begun."
End of Chapter 18