Will of chaos

Pov ???:

Ding!

<[ The System reports a 68% participation rate in the bets ]>

“The profits are absurd, I can’t understand why so many Entities are joining the bets.” (me)

“My lord really left a very large business for me to manage…” (me)

Sigh

I was brought here so quickly and already swamped with work because of these bets, this is simply insane, I didn’t even have time for a cup of tea.

“(A new proposal has arrived, and I will allow you to report to our current partner.)” (Merchant)

“Sir… why do you keep leaving this work to me…?” (me)

“(Someone needs to take care of the paperwork, I can’t waste my time with this, I need to keep my mind focused on current events as well as planning future business.)” (Merchant)

“Sir, I want to resign…” (me)

“(Denied, you’re my main Avatar, I won’t let you go.)” (Merchant)

“You promised me freedom and business for eternity!” (me)

“But I spent 370 years inside a room checking, organizing, optimizing, and approving or denying trillions of deals from all spheres of Authority!” (me)

“Just when I thought I could finally stretch my legs, you dragged me into a deadly playground like this!?” (Me)

“(The terms of your contract were very clear, there’s no going back or renegotiating. I also won’t treat you badly. I even gave you a year’s vacation. Your wealth is enough to create entire galaxies.)” (Merchant)

“(The monetary wealth in your possession surpasses the accumulation of dozens of universes combined, the rare materials in your possession are also hard to find, and all this without even starting with immortality.)” (Merchant)

“I’m deeply regretting this immortality every time I see another stack of papers!” (Me)

“(I wanted to train you for a few more centuries, but I may have overdone your learning…)” (Merchant)

“Learning…?” (Me)

“(Unlike many other Entities, I possess a physical body; my need for an Avatar is not of great importance. To me, you are like a right-hand man, an assistant, and a representative.)” (Merchant)

“(Unlike many Entities, I deal with many complex situations and am involved in all spheres of existence, from a small Kingdom opening a new shop to treaties between two warring universes.)” (Merchant)

“(As my Avatar, you needed to know many languages, which was easy with me instilling this knowledge in you. You also needed to be able to adapt to different situations, which was less of a priority. You also needed to know about the multiple types of government, business models, types of agreements, how to find loopholes or avoid loopholes in all types of contracts, how to predict the possibilities of a business at different scales, the volatile understanding of value in different spheres, and how to quantify it as equitably as possible…)” (Merchant)

“(There were many things to teach, and theory alone would teach too gently, allowing you to develop ineffective habits one day. That’s why I allowed you to learn through experience, simply by giving you opportunities to develop this knowledge on your own.)” (Merchant)

“You mean you were just teaching me until now!?” (me)

“You…” (me)

Sigh

Anger surged through my blood, but there was nothing I could do. I also understand that in the Merchant’s eyes, I might seem like a novice. Only after all this work can I see how much I lacked in so many different areas. Even now, I don’t see myself as knowing everything; I just realize the areas I can still learn.

If he had told me about this way of teaching, I wouldn’t have approached my work so seriously. I would have done things differently, and instead of doing things on my own like I did, I would have sought his advice and teachings, seeing it as lessons with a teacher.

“What do you need from me now?” (Me)

“(After delivering the report on the business we have with the Chaos Bringer, stay by his side and bring him the Crimson Blood Pulse.)” (Merchant)

“Are you serious…? Have you lost your mind…!?” (Me)

“(You know, the other Avatars don’t contradict their Entities and only obey what they are ordered to do.)” (Merchant)

“If I did that, you’d probably kill me for wasting your time so far and go find another Avatar.” (Me)

“(A Merchant without a backbone and a will of their own is completely useless, regardless of their qualities.)” (Merchant)

“(But this time I need you to just obey. Being near the Bringer of Chaos will be a useful experience for you, testing your adaptation better than any other situation you could be put in… that is, if you survive.)” (Merchant)

“Wait, you just said…” (Me)

“(After joining their group, do what you think is best, as long as you don’t leave their side. Everything will depend on you… including your survival.)” (Merchant)

“Survive what…?” (me)

“(Just hand him the Origin Relic, this is compensation for being around him during this time. If you want to build a more lasting relationship with them, seek friends, seek one or more lovers, maybe even start a business, whatever you do, do it on your own with your skills… I hope you’ll be okay…)” (Merchant)

“Merchant…!” (me)

“(I have business to attend to with Pride and some revisions on other ventures, so I leave everything in your hands, goodbye… cough… I mean, see you later.)” (Merchant)

“You damned Entity! Don’t try to run from your words!!” (me)

“What do you mean by survive!?” (me)

“Also, don’t say goodbye and fake a cough in my mind to change the sentence out of nowhere!!” (me)

“Merchant!!!” (me)

“…” (me)

Sigh!

I slump into the nearest chair, the strength draining from my body as my head falls back. I know he was just teasing me, for fun. He used to do this to my employees too, perhaps it’s under his influence.

Ding!

<[ Ladies and Gentlemen, the merchant, at the request of the Infernal Envoy, invites you to be present at a grand event ]>

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<[ You have received the Event location ]>

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<[ The Demonic Chaos Begins in 48:00 hours ]>

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<[ The Demonic Chaos Begins in 47:59 hours ]>

“…” (me)

“You knew that, that’s why you were in a hurry…” (me)

A single tear falls from my right eye as I can already foresee the abnormal amount of trouble I’m about to get myself into.

“(I’ll get out alive and well before I rub in your face an incredible deal made just by me, you miserable Entity!!!)” (me)

———————

Pov Davoth:

I was lying on my mother’s lap as she ran her hands through my hair, humming some random song.

There are few times I’ve felt so relaxed like this: the calm I feel, the happiness of these small acts, the sincere love of a mother for her child.

“(Everything is already out of my hands, so I don’t need to worry about the Ascendants anymore, I can leave everything to Zenos and Urd…)” (me)

“(For the first time in millennia, I can just rest, without worries… without enemies… just relax around those who matter to me… when was the last time I relaxed like this?)” (me)

I was tired, so tired. There were so many things to deal with for so long, always worried about something, always worried about so many responsibilities I’d taken on, but now I can relax.

“Davoth, we have problems!” (Hades)

“Talk to Urd…” (me)

“She already knows, the Ascended are here, a troop of Level 3 Ascended led by Mavor and Urak!” (Hades)

“…” (me)

My mind went blank for a second at the sudden change of pace. I stood up, my blood boiling and my head pounding, with this problem knocking on my door right now of all times.

I didn’t understand how they could find us; I didn’t even know why they’d come in person; this wasn’t something they would normally do.

They sent some Anomalous Creature or a troop of Ascended to test the waters before an attack. Perhaps if they confirmed the enemy, they could even carry out one of their plans to crush the enemy before their presence was discovered.

But for the two of them to come in person like this was very strange; it wasn’t an action I expected of them.

“How did they get so close without Urd noticing?” (me)

“It seems someone blocked them, using some technique. Urd and Lolth believe an Entity may be behind this. They may be using the Ascended as bait to test us.” (Hades)

This could really be happening. Despite their numbers, the Ascended have taken a back seat in this battle between Entities, not recognized as a priority threat by either side.

I got up from the ground and stood, my mind dwelling on the problems again only increasing my frustration.

“Great!! What else could happen!?” (me)

“You shouldn’t say that when my Master is around.” (Hades)

“…” (me)

Ding!

<[ Ladies and Gentlemen, the merchant, at the request of the Infernal Envoy, invites you to be present at a grand event ]>

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<[ You have received the location of the Event ]>

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<[ The Demonic Chaos Begins in 48:00 hours ]>

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<[ The Demonic Chaos Begins in 47:59 hours ]>

Before I could say anything to Hades, a notification suddenly rang in my head, with messages appearing before me.

“I warned you, don’t underestimate my master’s ability to attract trouble even when unconscious.” (Hades)

“I hate you all…” (me)