Yen stepped out of the company's building as the workday drew to a close. He exchanged casual goodbyes with a few colleagues he'd encountered on his way out, making his way towards his car, an exquisite black vehicle that never failed to captivate his attention.As he reached the sleek car, a sudden sneeze escaped him, disrupting the tranquility of the moment. "Achoo!" he involuntarily sneezed, standing before the vehicle, a momentary interruption in the quiet of the evening.{Bless you?} Stem responded with a tone of uncertainty, its virtual presence momentarily pondering whether offering that response was appropriate."It's fine," Yen reassured, detecting the hint of doubt in Stem's voice. He reached for the car door handle, fingers curling around the cool metal. But just as he began to pull it open, "Achoo!" he sneezed once more, his sudden sneezes adding an unexpected twist to his departure."Who the hell knows me?" Yen inquired, his frustration evident in the furrowed lines on hi
Yen settled onto his bed, gingerly tending to the fiery burn etched across his palm. The phone, a relentless puppet master in Stem's clutches, had exacted its toll.Exhaling a weary breath, Yen reached into his inventory panel, retrieving a humble pill he'd stashed away for moments like this, its curative properties designed to mend the kind of hurt he now suffered.As the pill's magic wove its soothing spell, Yen's lips curled into a triumphant grin. With every passing moment, the fiery sting in his palm yielded to a cooling relief, like an arctic breeze had taken up residence instead."For a cover-up." Yes strode over to his wardrobe, deftly retrieving a first aid kit. Being a doctor, he kept one or more of these kits for just such occasions.With a click, he popped the lid and extracted a bandage. He skillfully swathed his palm, ensuring the healing burns remained concealed beneath the gauzy wrap. It was crucial that Grey remained unaware of the remarkable speed at which his injuri
Yen descended from his car, the familiar sight of the same shop where he'd acquired his previous phone greeting him.Dressed in a silver shirt and plain black trousers cinched by a black belt, he carried an unpretentious leather cross bag slung over his shoulder. His choice of footwear was a pair of unassuming slippers that he had grown rather fond of.Before embarking on his journey to the phone shop, he surveyed his surroundings, casting a discerning gaze both left and right. With the shop situated on the ground floor of a three-story building, it beckoned effortlessly to anyone seeking its services.Yen entered the shop, his eyes sweeping across the half of the bottom floor dedicated to the display of an impressive array of new devices. He couldn't help but be taken aback by the sheer number of additions since his last visit, which had occurred just weeks ago.His thoughts teetered on the brink of vocalization. 'Were these here the last time I came?' he wondered silently, his curio
The day was young, with the sun making its slow ascent towards its zenith. It had been just a couple of hours since the company had opened for the day, and production had kicked off about an hour ago.Rotlitch was overseeing the business operations, reminiscing about the smooth day they had experienced yesterday. He hoped that today would follow a similar, hassle-free pattern.The previous day had been dedicated to production and storage. The skilled pill makers had been busy crafting pills throughout the day, and by evening, they had neatly organized and stored the finished products in Yen's office.He had requested that they keep the pills until his return, and Rotlitch had firmly decided to honor his request. After all, he lacked the capability to evaluate the quality of the pills himself.Rotlitch let out a sigh as he made his way into his office. He had just completed a round of inspection throughout the company to assess the production progress of the workers, and now he needed
Yen maintained his lotus position, each pill disappearing into his mouth with the precision of a well-practiced routine. Over time, he had consumed more than seventy percent of the pills, bringing him remarkably close to the formation of his dantian.As he continued this arduous process, a sigh escaped his lips. His progress was undeniable, but it came with its own sense of weariness. Today marked the fourth day of his dedicated effort, and the sun's gentle rise from the east painted the sky with a soft glow, signaling the arrival of a new day.Yen's mind was too engrossed in his current task to dwell on the passage of time. Despite his awareness that it was now the fourth day of his rigorous cultivation, he couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency. The weight of his responsibilities and the mounting tasks awaiting his return to work weighed heavily on him.Stem's reassuring words offered a glimmer of hope amid his worries. {The other thirty percent left will be faster than you expec
Yen surrendered himself to the embrace of slumber, his senses immersed in the blissful escape it offered. The world around him faded away, rendered insignificant by the cocoon of restful oblivion that enveloped him.In this tranquil realm, he was utterly detached from the knowledge of his mission, his duties, and the pressing concerns of the world beyond.Yet, amidst this tranquil reprieve, a sudden intrusion shattered his serenity. A sharp "Ding!" reverberated through his consciousness, momentarily jolting him from his dreams. He flinched instinctively, his brow furrowing in annoyance, but soon succumbed once more to the allure of peaceful rest, the notification and its urgency pushed aside by the pull of slumber's siren song.In the cocoon of slumber, Yen was oblivious to the world's concerns. He lay in peaceful repose, his breathing rhythmic, and his features undisturbed by any worries. Despite Stem's futile attempts to rouse him from this blissful state, Yen remained steadfast in
Yen pulled into his driveway after the long drive, and for a moment, he remained in his car, taking a deep breath as he tried to gather his thoughts. The weight of his recent achievement still hung in the air, filling him with a sense of accomplishment that was hard to ignore.With a resolute nod, he finally stepped out of his car, the door closing with a solid thud behind him. He made his way towards his apartment building, knowing that Grey was most likely waiting inside, ready for their next move.Twisting the door's handle, Yen opened the door, and the soft light from the hallway spilled into his apartment. He walked through the entrance, his footsteps muted by the plush carpeting.His eyes scanned the living room, quickly landing on Grey, who was casually reclining on one of the couches. The fifty-inch LED screen across the room illuminated Grey's relaxed posture as he watched a television show, the soft glow of the screen casting shifting shadows in the dimly lit room. It seemed
The next morning, Yen adhered to his well-worn routine, waking promptly with an unwavering commitment to his daily grind.Fully prepared for a demanding day at work, his determination to press on was unshakable. He swung his legs out of bed and navigated his way to the kitchen before tackling any other aspect of the day. The earlier bedtime the previous night had granted him a head start, and he intended to make the most of it.With methodical precision, Yen began to assemble his meals one by one, cooking in generous quantities with the anticipation that Grey would partake in the feast once he too stirred from his slumber. This foresight spared him from the need to prepare meals later in the day, a testament to his pragmatic approach to his daily responsibilities.With this in mind, Yen embarked on his cooking marathon, orchestrating each dish with a sense of purpose. He meticulously crafted enough for four servings of each meal, a testament to his meticulous planning. Over the course