After a few moments in that total darkness, I noticed a figure sitting silently in the shadows. It wore a dark jacket and a bright red tie — a red so vivid it looked like fresh blood.
Its face remained hidden in the darkness. Then, slowly, the figure stepped forward and spoke:
"If you can see me and stay calm, it means you have a strong spirit and an iron will. Many have seen me and lost their minds. So, tell me — what is it that you seek?"
I answered firmly, "I want everything."
It tilted its head, intrigued, and asked,
"Everything? But at what price? What do you have to offer? You know how this world works… an endless cycle of exchange. A birth here, a disappearance there. So, speak — I'm listening."
Without hesitation, I said, "I offer you my life essence."
The figure stepped back, its voice now softer but colder.
"Keep your essence… but remember well what I told you. Take this ring, and ask it for whatever you desire."
I slipped the ring onto one of my fingers. In an instant, I found myself back in the room, with Daniel standing behind me. Without a word, we left that place.
Back at my home, lying on my bed, my mind raced. What had I done? What path had I taken? But it didn't take long for the effects to show. In the blink of an eye, my life transformed — money flowed endlessly, I moved into a dream house, and soon, I was living like my wealthy friends, even surpassing them. Money, connections, cars… everything came to me with a simple thought or a gesture.
A month passed. I bathed in luxury, partied in clubs, surrounded myself with women… but deep inside, something felt wrong. I had no peace. No rest.
Then, something strange began happening. Every woman who claimed to be pregnant would suddenly deny it two days later. One by one. It was too odd to ignore. Doubt settled in my mind.
One day, I invited a young woman over. She was beautiful, everything a man could hope for. Dressed seductively, we ate, drank, and eventually went to my room. Before anything happened, she told me it was her first time. I took note of it, and soon, we crossed the line.
But afterward… nothing. No joy, no satisfaction. Just emptiness.
A week later, devastating news struck me — the young woman, the one who had shared her first experience with me, was dead.
That night, cold sweat covered my body. I finally understood the figure's words. The bigger the wish, the greater the price. Just like he said:
"The world works through endless exchange. A birth here, a disappearance there."
A cruel paradox I was beginning to grasp.
I stopped making big demands, settling for small things. But that slowly ruined my reputation as a powerful, influential man.
And one night… the figure returned.
Same dark jacket. But this time… a different tie.
And that's when I saw…
To be continued…