Doom Lantern Ring

"Where do you think you're going, Doom Lantern Ring?"

Kino's eyes were sharp as he stared at the struggling ring in his hand, a hint of mockery in his voice.

This ring is actually called the Doom Lantern Ring.

[Ultraman, how do you know this name?!] The Ring of Doom exclaimed in surprise.

Since its inception, this name has never been revealed to anyone. How did Kino know it?

The Doom Lantern Ring was created by First Lantern Doom, during his travels through the multiverse. He arrived in the ancient era of Earth-3 and used a portion of his soul and consciousness, along with his unique travel lamp technology, to create this evil Lantern Ring.

It was also the first Lantern Ring born in the DC World. As it was an original product, or rather, an experiment, the Ring of Doom did not have its own lamp furnace; its power output and energy reserves depended entirely on the user.

But Huo Rong is a truly powerful being standing at the pinnacle of the multiverse.

"That's not important. What's important is whether you want to save the First Lantern?"

Kino said with a half-smile.

What exactly do you want to do?

We must be vigilant against the Ring of Doom.

"Sign this."

Kino spoke, he pulled out a contract, a sly glint in his eyes.

He harbored a secret plan, wanting to see if he could use the portion of Huo Rong's soul contained within the ring to gain control over Huo Rong's entire soul.

Although the chances are slim, there's no harm in trying.

[... the price is that the Calamity tribe submits to you; you want to control the real Calamity tribe through me.]

The Ring of Doom understood Kino's plan and vaguely sensed that the guy in front of him was definitely not Ultraman.

"That's right, would you like to think about it for a week? I can give you..."

I'll sign, but I want to change the terms.

Doom Lantern Ring immediately agreed, his tone resolute and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

If we were to ask who he hated the most, it would be the true scourge, Rong.

It was sealed within this Lantern Ring, enduring countless long years, unable to move, and completely unaware of the outside world. This torment, akin to purgatory, had long since brought it to the brink of madness.

Its only pleasure comes from wantonly torturing its hosts, watching them beg for mercy in fear and weep in despair, thus satisfying its twisted psychology.

"What are the conditions?"

Kino raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Submission isn't enough. Become a slave, lose your self-awareness, and obey your every command!"

The voice of the Doom Lantern Ring was filled with resentment and hatred.

"Are you sure you can't succeed? If you fail, you'll become my slave."

"Yes, hurry up, sign it or not?"

Kino hadn't expected this guy to be so ruthless.

Submission simply means not betraying him; it has no impact on one's self-awareness. But slavery means losing everything and becoming a complete tool.

As the contract dissipated, the Doom Lantern Ring dimmed and shut down completely, never to be restarted without Kino's command.

Kino put it away. As expected, it failed. After so many years, the soul of the calamity that split its soul back then was not the First Lantern. That part of the soul had long since become an independent individual.

However, Kino could also sense the location of Horroron, which was quite far away, in another universe. He would go find him another time.

"Kino, why did he make that choice?"

Kara asked, her expression somewhat complicated.

"Perhaps it's for revenge?"

Kino wasn't sure either; he hadn't experienced the pain of the Doom Lantern Ring and couldn't truly empathize.

After hearing about the story of the Doom Lantern Ring, Kara felt some understanding.

"Kino, come with me to see the world."

"Fine, Venom, aren't you coming out?"

Kino asked curiously, remaining silent as she clung to him.

[I won't disturb your time together; it's more comfortable sleeping on you.]

So Kino took Kara on a stroll through New York in this world.

This used to be the most prosperous city, but now...

The dilapidated streets had not been repaired for a long time, the walls were covered with strange patterns and colors painted on them, and there were pried-open doors and smashed windows everywhere.

In the alleyways of the street, a group of ragged people were huddled around a tin bucket that was emitting flames to keep warm.

Their faces were haggard, and their eyes revealed deep fear and despair.

Upon seeing Kino and Kara, they fled in terror, disappearing into the dark corners.

Under the rule of the Crime Syndicate, the country has returned to the era of the Great Depression of the 20th century.

Their code of conduct is survival of the fittest, they glorify violence and crime, and they condone or personally commit various criminal acts such as murder, robbery, and kidnapping, leading to social disorder.

The public lived in fear and anxiety, resulting in decreased public security and the economy, reduced social cohesion and trust, and a state of instability throughout society.

I passed by a bank, and inside, robbers were openly carrying away banknotes.

"Ultraman, you're interested in robbing banks now?"

The robber was Johnny Quick, and next to him was his girlfriend Atomica.

After a period of psychological adjustment, Atomica is able to face Ultraman normally.

"No, I'm just here to show Kara around my world."

Kino said calmly, without commenting on Johnny's robbery.

"That's true, considering it's just been resurrected. These two bags are for you. Although Ultraman doesn't lack these things, consider them a welcome gift for joining the Crime Syndicate."

Johnny Quick picked up the two heavy bags of banknotes from the ground and handed them to Kara without saying a word.

Kara hugged the bag of money and asked, "Why?"

"Why am I giving you money? Because you're Ultraman's older cousin."

Johnny Quick stood with his hands on his hips, hoping to build a good relationship with Kara so that if he accidentally offended Ultraman in the future, Ultraman would spare his life out of Kara's sake.

"I'm asking why you robbed us. With your status and abilities, you don't lack these things."

Kara saw the bag of money being thrown back at Johnny Quick's feet.

Johnny Quick looked at Ultraman with a puzzled expression. He assumed that Ultraman had explained the organization's operating style and rules to Kara in detail when she joined the Crime Syndicate.

"She has amnesia; it seems her brain was damaged when she died. I haven't told her anything yet."

As he spoke, Kino gave Atomica a meaningful look.

A cold sweat broke out on Atomica's back. What did he know? Owlman told him, but if he knew the truth, he would have smashed her into mincemeat long ago. Why didn't he do it? It was just pure guesswork.

Kino would never kill his future subordinate for a stranger, even if that person was Kara's counterpart.

"Okay, Ultraman won't explain, then I'll explain it to you."

Johnny Quick scratched his head helplessly.

"Because that's how the world is: the strong take all, and the weak deserve it! The peace that the world had in the past was covered up by them. What I'm doing now is no different from what those people did in the past. We're just lifting that veil of falsehood."

As for this money, I really don't need it. I don't spend money at restaurants and bars, but..."

Johnny snapped his the Snap, and an electric spark landed on the banknotes, igniting a raging fire between him and Kara.

"Doing this gives me pleasure; I enjoy watching their greedy, fearful, and longing eyes. This has always been the rule of this world, and it's also the rule of the Crime Syndicate."

Johnny Quick's eyes revealed a morbid sense of satisfaction.