Seven Ring – First Stage (Volume 2)
Chapter 2
The story begins exactly where the previous chapter ended.
Navi (thinking):
Do monsters exist in this world too? And who are these people calling "hunters"? These monsters look incredibly powerful… how can normal humans possibly fight them?
A man from the crowd:
"Don't worry. A hunter will arrive soon and kill all the monsters."
Navi:
So who exactly is this hunter? Everyone seems so confident that the monsters will be defeated.
Suddenly, a news broadcast echoes through the area.
Female News Reporter:
"Breaking News! We've just received information that the Tiger Guild has arrived at the scene. Their leader, Ms. Zoya, an A-Rank Hunter, has reached the location along with her entire team."
Zoya steps forward onto the battlefield.
Zoya:
"What's the situation here?"
Officer:
"Ma'am, an A-Rank Gate opened suddenly. We've safely evacuated all civilians from the area. The situation is now under your control."
Zoya:
"Alright. You may leave."
Officer:
"Yes, ma'am."
Zoya looks at the monsters and speaks calmly.
Zoya:
"These are poison spiders. We must stop them before they enter the city.
Team, get ready. Not a single spider should escape."
Support Team:
"Yes, ma'am!"
Zoya (raising her weapon):
"Poison spiders… you won't survive this.
Ultimate Slash!"
A massive slash cuts through the battlefield. Dozens of poison spiders are killed instantly, and even the building behind them collapses from the impact.
News Reporter:
"Incredible! Tiger Guild's leader Zoya has eliminated multiple poison spiders with a single slash! The power of her attack was so great that it even destroyed the building behind them!"
Navi (relieved):
So this is what a hunter is… I thought I might have to fight myself. The people of this world are truly powerful. I can relax a little now.
News Reporter:
"Zoya and her team are now entering the A-Rank portal to seal the gate. Will they be able to defeat the boss monster inside? Stay tuned with us for more breaking news!"
Navi:
At least I understand this world a bit better now. First, I need to find something to eat… then I'll think about what to do next.
Navi notices a group of people playing music on the street.
Navi:
They're earning money through music… maybe I can do something too.
Navi:
"Hey bro, can I join your team?"
Music Team:
"What can you do? Singing? Playing instruments? Music?"
Navi:
"No…"
Music Team:
"Then why would we keep you in our team?"
Navi:
"If there's any small job I can help with, please let me do it. In return, you can give me some money or food. I'm really hungry."
Music Team:
"We don't have any work for you. Please leave us alone and let us do our job."
Navi:
"Please tell me any way I can earn money… or at least give me something to eat."
Music Team:
"Hmm… there is one way. Portals open here every day — sometimes D-Rank, sometimes A-Rank. You can register with a team. Your job will be to collect Magic Crystals and monster materials. Hunters kill the monsters, and you collect the loot. You get paid, but it's very dangerous."
"Here, take this apple. That's all we have for now."
Navi:
"Thank you. I need to gather as much information as possible. Can you tell me where I can register?"
Music Team:
"You don't even know that? Hmm… you look Korean. It's surprising to see you here. You should go back to your own country."
Navi (shocked):
Why do they think I'm Korean…?
Navi looks at his reflection in the glass.
Navi:
What… what happened to me?! 😟
What did the system do to me…?
Scene Shift
Inside the A-Rank Portal—
Zoya lies on the ground, badly injured. Her entire team is severely wounded as well.
Standing before them is a terrifying A-Rank Boss Monster.
And the chapter ends there.