*CASTLE INTERIOR - MARK'S ROOM - MORNING*
Mark gets out of bed to check his new HP status and any other updates:
He walks over to the mirror and focuses his mind to view his status:
**NAME:** Mark
**LEVEL:** 1 (still no change)
**HP:** Fully Restored
**MAX HP:** Increased to 6,200
**STRENGTH:** 12 (no change)
**MAGIC:** 6 (no change)
Mark's eyes widen at the significant increase in his MAX HP:
He feels a mix of emotions - relief at increased durability, but also concern about what triggered this growth...
Suddenly, he hears a gentle knock at the door:
Mark calls out "Enter"
The door opens, and castle attendants bring in a tray of breakfast food:
They set it down on his desk and bow before leaving quietly.
Mark eats his fill, then dives back into reading the herbalism books:
Hours pass – morning turns to afternoon, afternoon to evening...
He reads about various plants, their properties, and uses in medicine:
The day slips away unnoticed as Mark absorbs knowledge intensely.
*CASTLE INTERIOR - MARK'S ROOM - NIGHT*
The sun dips below the castle walls, plunging Mark's room into darkness:
He lights candles, continuing to read by their soft glow:
As night deepens, Mark's eyes start to feel heavy, but he persists:
Suddenly, he hears footsteps outside his door – heavy, familiar steps...
Mark's heart sinks – Kai and Ryan have come again.
The door bursts open, and the two bullies stride in, sneering:
"Time for your nightly lesson, commoner," Kai says, cracking his knuckles.
Mark's grip on his book tightens, bracing for another brutal beating...
Mark's life has become a never-ending nightmare:
Every morning:
- He wakes up, battered and bruised from the previous night's beating
- His HP fully restored overnight, a cruel mockery of his suffering
- He eats breakfast, then spends the day reading herbalism books
Every night:
- Kai and Ryan arrive, sneering and violent
- Mark gets beaten mercilessly, his body screaming in agony
- He loses consciousness, only to wake up healed again the next morning
A week of this brutal routine has taken its toll:
Mark's mind feels numb, his spirit barely clinging to hope:
*CASTLE INTERIOR - MARK'S ROOM - 7 DAYS LATER*
His status update glares at him like a twisted reward:
**NAME:** Mark
**LEVEL:** 1 (still no change)
**HP:** Fully Restored
**MAX HP:** Increased to 10,432
**STRENGTH:** 12 (no change)
**MAGIC:** 6 (no change)
Every night, after being beaten unconscious, he's also plagued by:
The same terrifying dream -
A single, horrifying creature towering over him,
Chains binding his arms and legs,
Its twisted finger digging into his eye socket...
Mark stares at his status and shudders at the recurring nightmare...
Mark walks to the castle library to return the herbalism books:
He carries the stack of worn books, intending to exchange them for new titles:
As he walks through the castle corridors, he notices eerie glances from everyone:
Guards clutch their weapon hilts tighter, eyes narrowed at him
Nobles whisper behind fans, their disgusted stares lingering on Mark
Maids and attendants hurry past, crossing themselves as if warding off evil
Mark's skin crawls under the intense loathing...
Then, he hears faint, venomous whispers – not directly spoken to him, but clearly about him:
"Pervert..."
"Molester..."
"He must be executed for his crimes..."
"Castle shame..."
"Defiler of innocence..."
Mark's heart skips a beat – what is going on?!
Mark slides the stack of herbalism books across the wooden counter:
"Returning these. Do you have any books on... advanced medicine or toxins?"
The old librarian's expression turns grave, his voice low and warning:
"Mark, son... I think you're using those books as an excuse.
What's really troubling your mind?"
He glances nervously around the library, ensuring they're alone:
"People are whispering about you in the castle... terrifying things."
Mark's heart skips a beat as the librarian leans in closer:
"Do you know what they're saying?"
Mark's blood runs cold as the old librarian's low voice whispers:
"Mark... son... I must ask you something.
Is it true... what they're accusing you of?"
He glances around nervously again, ensuring no one listens:
"The maid attendants who deliver your food... they've made horrifying claims."
Mark's eyes widen in shock as the librarian's voice barely audible:
"Did you... molest them, or worse... try to rape one of them?"
Mark feels like he's been punched in the gut, his mind reeling:
THIS IS MADNESS! HE'S BEEN BEATEN AND TORTURED BY KAI, NOT COMMITTING CRIMES!
Mark's mouth opens to defend himself:
"I didn't do anything! They've been beating me every night, this is madness!"
But before he can say more, his words trail off as he realizes he shouldn't reveal his tormentors yet...
The old librarian looks at him with a questioning expression, as if wondering who "they" are.
But Mark's chance to explain is cut off:
Four armored guards march in, their faces stern:
"Mark, son of none, you are summoned by His Majesty, the King."
One guard steps forward, voice firm:
"You must come with us immediately. The King wishes to... discuss the allegations."
Mark feels dragged towards doom as guards grip his arms:
Mark's feet scrape against the stone floor as he's dragged towards the throne room:
The guards hold him tightly, their grips bruising his arms:
Captain Valtor walks beside them, his voice loud and condemning:
"The evidence against you is overwhelming, Mark. Confession would be... wise."
Mark glares up at Captain Valtor, defiant despite his fear:
"What evidence?! I don't even know what I'm accused of!"
Captain Valtor's expression remains stern, his eyes cold and unforgiving:
"You'll learn soon enough. The King awaits."
The throne room doors come into view, guarded by two massive stone statues:
Mark's heart sinks – he's running out of time to prove his innocence...