A/n: A new start, a new beginning.
Karl sprawled out on his bed, stretching his legs in every direction until he claimed every inch of space.
He took a deep breath and sighed.
That was a long, long day.
Not that it was anything new—days like these were the norm. His job was relentless, eating up hours upon hours, demanding everything he had and then some.
Why do I even keep doing this?
The thought drifted through his mind like an old, familiar whisper. Truth be told, he didn't need to. With his savings and investments, he could walk away right now and never work another day in his life.
So why was he still here?
The question lingered, unanswered, as his body sank deeper into the mattress. His breath slowed. His muscles loosened. The tension that clung to him all day melted away.
His thoughts drifted.
Slower.
Softer.
Man, this is boring.
Then—nothing.
His mind shut off completely.
And just like that, he was gone, lost in sleep.
**
Two figures floated in an endless void, a cosmos of pure darkness stretching infinitely in all directions.
Karl stood—or rather, hung suspended—before a shadowy entity cloaked in heavy, black robes that absorbed all light. The darkness of its form was absolute, swallowing everything around it as if it were the embodiment of the void itself. Wisps of white, ghastly flames flickered around its silhouette, twisting and writhing unnaturally, casting eerie, colorless light.
Karl's mind reeled.
Where the fuck am I?
A sudden weight pulled at his legs, dragging him down, as if gravity had just shifted.
His muscles tensed. The force wasn't enough to slam him to the ground—if there even was a ground—but it was strong enough to make standing feel unnatural, like he was balancing on the edge of a cliff.
He clenched his fists, forcing his legs forward, resisting the pull.
Nah, I'm not the type who kneels.
Gritting his teeth, he shifted his balance, adjusting his weight to keep himself upright. It was awkward and uncomfortable, but it worked.
What the hell is this place?
Why can I see that thing so clearly when it's pitch black everywhere?
His mind flooded with unanswered questions, swirling in his head like a storm.
Then, the entity spoke.
"You are to be sent to another world, where your only job is to cause havoc."
The voice was rough, coarse, and absolute—like a decree carved into stone. Each word pressed down on Karl, making him feel smaller, like an ant before a god.
His brows furrowed.
Another world?
Is this an isekai?
Excitement flickered at the edge of his thoughts. He had fantasized about something like this for years—escaping the dull monotony of modern life, stepping into a world where he could carve out his own destiny.
But still—
"What do you mean by havoc?"
Better to clarify. Havoc could mean a lot of things—violence, chaos, destruction. But was it physical? Psychological? Something else entirely?
"Havoc could be anything," the entity replied. "You could massacre thousands, make one person kill another, or even spark a war between nations. The definition of havoc is yours to decide. Remember—havoc is your strength."
Karl's mind whirled.
So whatever I consider havoc… is havoc?
Breaking apart families? Corrupting a kingdom from the inside? Turning lovers against each other? Slowly dismantling a nation until nothing remained?
That's… interesting.
"What powers do I get?"
Because, obviously, an isekai needed powers.
"You will receive abilities tied to the seven deadly sins—pride, lust, gluttony, envy, sloth, greed, and wrath. How they manifest depends entirely on you."
Karl narrowed his eyes.
"User to user"?
"So there are more like me?"
The entity didn't hesitate.
"You are not special. I did not choose you. I pull random souls from the void and infuse them with my aura. Those who can withstand it survive. Those who can't die."
Karl's breath hitched.
His pulse quickened, blood rushing through his veins. His breath came sharper, faster.
This bitch almost killed me.
Never in his life had he wanted to grab someone's face and slam it into a wall more than he did now.
But he couldn't.
Just standing in the entity's presence was a struggle. His knees still ached from the pressure, and he remained in the awkward stance he had forced himself into earlier, just to stay upright.
If I had a choice, I wouldn't have thrown my life away for some half-baked adventure. This is insane. The odds were lower than fifty-fifty.
Regaining his composure, Karl opened his mouth to speak—
"So—"
The entity cut him off.
"I don't have much time."
It waved a hand.
This bit—
Karl's body betrayed him. His eyelids grew impossibly heavy, and before he could resist, his balance broke.
He fell—except there was no ground to land on.
Only darkness.
**
The chirping of birds pulled Karl from the depths of unconsciousness. His eyes fluttered open, greeted by the sight of an unfamiliar ceiling.
A few seconds passed before the realization sank in.
So that was real, huh?
I'm in another world now.
He lay there for a moment, letting the thought settle before finally pushing himself up into a sitting position.
Ah… My back hurts.
He winced, rolling his shoulders. The mattress beneath him felt stiff, a far cry from the soft, cozy beds he had grown accustomed to. Years of modern comfort had made him forget just how unforgiving primitive bedding could be.
Taking in his surroundings, he scanned the room. The walls were a rough blend of brick and stone, while the floor creaked beneath his shifting weight, made entirely of aged wood.
The room itself wasn't small, but it wasn't spacious either—just enough to be functional without feeling cramped.
His gaze landed on a door positioned at the far end of the room. Beside it, a mirror stood, with a small wooden table sitting nearby.
To his right, a window allowed soft daylight to pour in, casting long shadows across the room.
**