The System intervened in Ethan’s mind, trying to convince him to use his Gold ticket.
[You should take the risk. Who knows, maybe you’ll be lucky] said the System.
"No" said Ethan, looking at the ceiling. "I prefer to master what I have. I don’t even know what the hell to do with the power of lightning, which is relatively discreet. If you give a very flashy power, everyone would realize I’m a freak and start hunting like a dog" said Ethan.
[Haha, well, I recognize you are cautious, but soone timid won’t get far, boy, don’t forget that] said the System.
Ethan sighed, running a hand over his face. "Well, you’re right" admitted Ethan. "I’ll distract myself with my exercise. I don’t want to think about this too much. I just want to wait until I get out of this shithole. I really wish I had sothing to play with. I didn’t even get to try out the computer I bought" said Ethan.
[You can always buy it in the shop] responded the System.
"Seriously? You sell computers?" asked Ethan, feeling a slight glimr of hope.
[I sell absolutely everything you can imagine and much more that you cannot] said the System.
"Shit... Why didn’t you say that before?" asked Ethan.
[I always tell you, but you never listen. This isn’t the first ti I’ve told you that the shop has everything, but you didn’t believe . I don’t always play, you know] said the System.
Ethan grabbed his head, pulling his hair in desperation. "I could have saved myself a lot of boredom" groaned Ethan.
[I know. I enjoyed watching you try not to go crazy from loneliness, although it was very funny actually watching you suffer for a while] said the System.
Ethan stopped listening and began his exercise routine. He focused on physical exhaustion to silence the System’s voice and his own anxiety. When he finished, the notification appeared before his eyes:
[Congratulations, your 30-day training routine is finished] [Rewards for not missing a single day - 10,000 Lux] [Congratulations for surviving adversity with cunning without using the System’s powers]
Just as the last line disappeared, Ethan’s vision went completely black. Everything darkened.
When he could see again, he appeared in a room that looked like sothing out of a futuristic movie, full of strange colors and drawings that resembled ancient runes. He was seated at a gigantic table; he looked like an ant in comparison.
Across from him, a giant about ten ters tall stared intently. The giant wore jet-black armor with a cloak that billowed behind him, and on his head, a crown that shone with a white glare, contrasting violently with the pure black of his body.
Despite having him right in front of him, Ethan could not distinguish his features. It was as if his face were covered with a black veil, made entirely of dense darkness.
Ethan stared intently at the overwhelming presence before him and instinctively recoiled. It was like standing opposite a gigantic beast that could kill you at any mont. He felt the cold certainty of imminent death.
"Terrifying, isn’t it?" sounded a voice right beside him.
Ethan scread, jumped sideways in pure shock, fell on his head, and rolled across the smooth floor.
"Hahahaha, you are very funny, my disciple" said the entity that had startled him.
The voice sounded exactly like the System, but instead of the neutral female tone, it had the playful, manic inflection of the Joker.
The figure stood casually beside the massive table, entirely oblivious to Ethan’s humiliating state on the floor.
The entity was a truly beautiful humanoid, possessing flawlessly sculpted features that made him appear no older than twenty-five. His body was perfection realized; every muscle was defined and chiseled with divine precision, giving him the appearance of the most beautiful version of a contemporary idol or K-pop singer, yet infused with an ancient, decadent power. His face was sharp, and his long, flowing black hair lent him an air of profound, sensual mystery.
He was draped in a luxurious, deep purple tunic detailed with intricate golden embroidery, accessorized with heavy gold bracelets that rested loosely on his wrists. His gaze was srizing; his eyes glowed a vibrant athyst purple, shining with imnse, intoxicating power. While his individual features were distinct and sharp, his face possessed an indefinable quality, making it clear he belonged to no single human race. He radiated seduction, and every slight movent—the tilt of his head, the languid gesture of a hand—spoke of absolute, irresistible pleasure.
"I always wanted to greet you, but we had to wait for you to train enough, you know," the man continued, gesturing dismissively toward Ethan’s position. "Your body was really weak. Well, perhaps calling it weak is a complint compared to the scraps of your body."
The beautiful figure extended a hand toward Ethan, inviting him to rise.
"Allow to introduce myself" said the purple-suited man, his voice a decadent promise. "I am Athyst, the Fallen King of the Realm of Pleasure."
Ethan stamred his na. "A-Athyst..."
The being facing him offered a wide, innocent smile, like a child smiling without a single worry.
"Relax, you’ll get used to it. Take your ti, breathe," said Athyst, tilting his head. "Here, do you want sothing to drink?"
A delicate glass materialized instantly in Ethan’s hand. It held an exquisite-looking liquid of a vivid turquoise-blue color, and the crystal cup itself was lavishly adorned with small, sparkling precious stones.
Ethan held it carefully but didn’t dare drink, only bringing it to his nose to sll it with deep suspicion.
"I wouldn’t poison you, you know," said Athyst, a hint of playful mockery in his voice. "I wouldn’t sink so low. Drink with confidence."
Before Ethan could move or respond, Athyst vanished from his side and instantly reappeared, sitting casually on the shoulder of the monstrous ten-ter giant, looking like a mischievous fairy perched on a mountain.
Ethan sighed, rolling his eyes at the cheap trick. "Soone so terrifying shouldn’t need cheap tricks" muttered Ethan.
Despite his suspicion, Ethan decided to commit. He brought the jewel-encrusted glass to his lips and drank the entire cup in one gulp. Instantly, he felt his brain freeze as if he had drunk ice cream too fast, but the sensation was thousands of tis more powerful, a painful, exquisite shock.
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