“I do not think that we are close enough for that relationship,” I said politely as I gently pushed her to one side.“So you are playing hard to get, Mr. Alex?” Sasha looked at me with a seductive smile. “You make me want you more.”She took out a card from her purse and handed me a golden card.“What is this?”“This card will give you all-access to all Powell Group's hotels and lodgings. You can enjoy all the food and service, on our lodgings without any payment. Just think of it as my treat to you.”“I don’t think I need this,” I replied politely, having more than enough money to eat and sleep wherever I wanted.“Please accept it, Mr. Alex. It is not a payment for your job; it's just our treat to our honorable guest.”Free stuff to eat and sleep? After not having a home, staying in a hotel for a bit wouldn’t be a problem until I found a new house. “Well, I accept this. Thank you very much.”Suddenly, I felt a killing tension around me. When someone is sensitive to energy, every tho
I stared at Sofia, puzzled. "Must I remind you that you were the one who asked for the divorce.”“You deserve it.” Sofia returned my gaze with a troubled look. "You're not selling any paintings. Everyone is talking about how poor are you.""They can hate me and talk about me all they want," I protested. "But why do you have to listen to them? I’ve never used any of your money for my daily living. I even buy and cook food for you and pay the bills. Remember, I never asked a single cent from you. Why must you judge me? Meanwhile, you freely use my money.""I make no mistake; my conscience is clear," I reaffirmed."You have no money," she shot back."So, I'm in the wrong for having no money?" A headache began to form. "Whatever. We're divorced already, and you were the one who initiated it.""Alex, I have given you many chances to prove yourself, to sell your painting, but you never want to sell any of them. You don’t deserve me.""Alright, whatever you say. Can we just finish this? I do
After Covid, my construction companies went bankrupt. "I want a divorce!" my wife yelled at me on the day we went bankrupt, blaming me for poor of money, the debts and the injustices forced upon us by others. In the turmoil, our daughter died due to a lack of money and other unbearable hardships. When I had lost everything, all I had left was my hollow soul. Then World War III erupted. Israel, Palestine, Russia, Ukraine, France, the USA, and other nations turned the globe into a stage for what seemed to be the final grand fireworks of humanity. Driven by a death wish, I joined the mercenaries. Ironically, the more I longed for death, the more adept I became at dealing death to others. I devised ruthless strategies, slaughtering countless enemies, always surviving, hoping that each battle would be my last. But somehow, I endured—war after war, year after year, just killing and surviving. After 20 years on the battlefield, I rose through the ranks and eventually became a Mar
In the muted confines of the school office, I stood before my classroom teacher, his eyes a blend of concern and disappointment. "Alex, what's gotten into you?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. "You're always the polite one, the brightest in class. Why would you hit Roger?" He leaned forward, earnestly trying to reach me through his words. ‘Who are you? A poor teacher from a small city with a low salary, always complaining about the low income, and experiencing the hardships of frugal life, yet daring to criticize this amazing Marshal?’ ‘Because I listened to you too much in my past life, I grew up poor like you.’ I clenched my fists, feeling a surge of frustration. "Roger has been bullying me and extorting money for two years," I said, my voice a low growl. "I just couldn't take it anymore." My teacher sighed deeply, his gaze softening. "Since this is your first offense, I'll only give you a warning this time. But don't let it happen again. We'll have to call both your
As I strolled out of the school gates, the familiar tune of a Bruno Mars song hummed softly under my breath. Thoughts wandered through my mind, pondering the possibilities of wealth through music. ‘I think I can sell them to some famous singer. But I need the internet. This damn small city of mine has no internet till now. I need to go to a bigger city.’ My worn backpack rested on my shoulders; it was old and ugly, as ugly as my shoes. I moved my arms rhythmically, wielding a stick as if to warm up my body. Suddenly, Roger's voice pierced the air, his finger pointing directly at me. He was flanked by ten of his friends. "Alex, don't you dare to run!" “Roger,” I yelled, “I spent last night with your mother. Fuck her hard. She screamed like a horny bitch. You might find yourself with a new stepbrother soon! Call me Step Daddy now you ungrateful brat!” Enraged, Roger commanded, “Chase him!” Assuming a defensive stance, I readied myself, holding two sticks in front of me, a skill hon
[Karma System] [Your status Health : 50 / 100 max Strength : 20 / 100 max Agility : 20 /100 max Intelligent : 60/100 max Handsomeness : 60 / 100 max First reward all status +2 Health : 52 / 100 max Strength : 22 / 100 max Agility : 22 /100 max Intelligent : 62 /100 max Handsomeness : 62 / 100 max] [New Health quest #2 Walk or run 5 miles. Push up 60 Sit up 60 Reward Strength +1] Great, as long as I can improve myself, little by little, slowly but surely, it means I'm still alive. Even a plant grows; how can humans not grow? Only the deceased remain stagnant. The seed will eventually grow into a mighty tree, and I too will someday transform into... ‘a loser….’ ‘I almost cried again; sometimes, knowing what I will become in the future, a loser, truly saddens me. There is also trauma etched into my soul.’ ‘When you live in poverty for too long, you start to believe that you cannot become rich anymore, and that is a sickness. It requires more money to pay the psychiatr
Roger's expression revealed fear, as he was used to pursuing me and giving chase. It hadn't crossed his mind that I would be the one approaching him. He remained seated at his desk, motionless, and his followers had not yet arrived. "Scared?" I closed in on his desk and delivered a sharp slap to his face with my right hand. "Are you frightened of me?" "Fuck you, Alex!" He stood in fury. "You better like this," I struck his nose a few more times, and students around let out sounds like 'oh,' 'ahh,' 'ouch.' Onlookers observed without daring to intervene. They were well aware of Roger and his followers. "You're quite audacious to invite high schoolers, aren't you?" "Summon them again, and I'll visit your class every day. Don't assume you can harm others without facing repercussions; people can strike back." I kicked him away from his seat and made him fall. I approached him, clutching his neck tightly with my arms, and uttered, "Don't assume that I won't actually kill you if you con
In a hazy daze and numbing of pain, I felt hands gently lifting me, their touch a contrast to the hot asphalt. I felt the sticky sensation of blood matting my hair and tracing a warm path down my neck. They hoisted me into a taxi, the chaos of the scene blurring around me. As the vehicle hurtled towards the nearest hospital, I could only focus on the rhythmic thumping of my heart, echoing my disarray. The taxi's journey ended abruptly, and I was met by a flurry of activity. Nurses, moving with practiced urgency, called for doctors while the world around me faded to black once more. When I next opened my eyes, the sterile, antiseptic scent of the hospital room filled my nostrils. A splitting headache gripped me, as if my skull was being cleaved in two. Alone in the dimly lit room, I surveyed my surroundings, the stillness of the night enveloping me like a shroud. Yet it was pain, an old acquaintance from my days as a soldier, that truly awakened me. It surged through me, a reminder o