0004: Chosen by Chaos II

They weren't meant for fingers. Each was large enough to be worn as a bangle. Their pitch-black surfaces pulsed with an eerie purple glow, intricate carvings enhancing their mysterious yet elegant design.

The moment Pain reached out, the rings vanished from his inventory.

A cold weight encircled his wrists.

His breath hitched as he looked down. Five rings on each arm. Power radiated from them in suffocating waves. A crushing pressure bore down on his chest, sending chills up his spine.

Suddenly, a crushing force slammed into him.

As the unseen force surged through his body, Pain dropped to his knees. The air crackled, his nerves burned, and a searing pain lashed through his wrists like molten iron branding on his flesh. His face was lifted to the midday sky. His brown irises dilated into two, morphing into a deep, unnatural purple. His aura twisted and darkened, tendrils of corruption spreading through him.

His veins darkened, his breath hitched. For a split second, something ancient stirred inside him, whispering in a language he couldn't comprehend.

The Rings of Ra were trying to possess his body and his consciousness teetered on the edge of collapse.

As his vision started to blur a system window flashed violently before his eyes.

{For some unknown reason, fifteen seals have just been placed on the Rings of Ra by ????}

Instantly, Pain regained control of his body. Pain gasped, clutching his chest. His eyes went back to normal and the crushing weight of the Rings was being lifted. He could still feel them on his wrists but they didn't make him want to cut off his own hands like before the system's message was made.

"Shit… that was close," he muttered, staring at the rings. "I can't reject them, but I definitely can't handle them at full power.

"Show me the info of the Rings of Ra!"

{The Rings of Ra, the Sun Monarch (sealed) :-

History info: (locked by ????)

Statistics:-

Equipment Grade: Chaos (0/15 seals lifted)

Already forcibly equipped.

Owner: Demonic Angel

Note: This equipment is a Set of 10 items. They can't be traded, dropped, stolen or discarded. If current Owner dies, they will cease to exist.}

{BONUSES:

+1000 MP / +300 HP

+50% Magical Attack Power

+100 Physical Attack Power

+300 Speed / +200 Defense

+20% MP regeneration per minute when MP is below 50%

2% chance of instant death to all enemies within a 10m radius

Reflects 5% of all physical damage received

+5% extra coins earned

10% chance to cause Destruction

Sense Attribute Unlocked (+5 SEN)

+25 Charm}

Even without checking for additional abilities, Pain couldn't stop grinning.

Even with fifteen seals suppressing their true power, the Rings were absurdly strong.

If these were the sealed bonuses, what kind of power would they grant once fully unsealed?

The Power of a God!

Enthusiastic, Pain quickly returned his attention to the other information windows. At first, he was getting even more thrilled but at a point, its contents plummeted his joy into grief. The big smile on his face quickly disappeared like a dissipating gas.

The windows showed the information below:

{SKILLS:

Chaos Protection (Lv.1): When in EXTREME danger, the Rings will activate, draining 10% HP from all enemies in the area. This attack cannot be dodged, blocked, or repelled, regardless of level or grade.

(Limit: Once per day)

(Special Effect: If an enemy attacks with their left hand, it will be destroyed.)

Byakugan Eyes (Lv.1): Grants the ability to distinguish which NPC has the best-to-worst missions.

Ring Blast (Lv.1): Shoot out one ring from your hand to hit a target. Causes 30 points of Magic Damage. Cost: 40MP per Attack}

{SPELLS:

Fireball (Lv. 1): Shoots a fireball that causes 10 Damage + 50% MAP to affected target. Cost: 5MP. Cooldown: 3secs

Lightning Blade (Lv.1): Surrounds the arm with lightning in the form of a sword. It cause 20 Damage + 100% MAP to affected target . Cost: 10MP. Cooldown: 3secs

Shadow Paralysis (Lv. 1): Grips the shadow of 1 target causing paralysis for 5secs. Requirement: Target must be at least 5 levels above you. Cost: 50MP Cooldown: 1min

Celestial Blessing (Lv. 1): Can be activated once every 168hrs. Physical Damage, Magical Damage and Speed will be multiplied by 2 for 10s. Cost: 500MP}

Pain's heart pounded In excitement, but then, another set of windows appeared.

And his excitement vanished.

{The Curses of Ra have been activated}

Pain's grin froze.

"Wait… curses?"

{CURSES:

Curse of Eternal Bond: These rings cannot be unequipped, sold, destroyed, or stolen. If you die, they disappear forever.

Curse of the BloodMonger: Every level-up requires a sacrifice. Until fulfilled, you cannot gain EXP.

Curse of the Forsaken: Resurrection is impossible even with extra lives. Death is permanent.

Hatred of the Sun: All stats are reduced by half during the day.

Aggro Calamity: Attracts all monsters within a 30m radius. The stronger they are, the more aggressive they become.

Glass Cannon: Permanent increase in Damage by 50% and decrease in Defense by 50%

Life Drain: Loses 10% HP every hour}

A deep silence filled the air.

Honestly, Pain didn't know how to feel; whether to weep or celebrate. There's no doubting the Rings' incredible power, but the curses attached were terrifying to say the least. Pain's face darkened and he trembled as he read through the holographic box again. And again. And again. His throat dried. His lips parted slightly, but the words wouldn't come out.

"No. No, no, no. What the actual fuck?!" Pain exclaimed in anger.

His furious shout echoed across the empty barn. His back hit the barn's wall as reality sank in. This wasn't just a blessing. It was a death sentence.

He was permanently marked.

Every mob around him would want him dead.

He could only level up through sacrifices, but the system didn't even say what that meant.

If Pain died, that was it. No second chances. That's the worst curse considering how dangerous he knew Rivia is.