Chapter 446 Facing Your Shadows (2)
A boy could be seen sitting on his knees. He looked dejected. It was then that the darkness increased in the dimly lit room. The shadows suddenly start dancing and whistling around him, and the temperature drops.
'Click', 'click', 'click', 'click' The sound of footsteps appeared, but as the boy looked around, hecould noto see anyone. He only saw a glimpse of a shadowy figure moving from one place to another, concealed in a cloak of inky darkness.
This continues for a while. The room takes on an eerie, foreboding atmosphere. It feels like the air is charged with uncertainty. Shadows seem to thicken around him, and a sense of unease settles in.
A figure materializes behind him; he looks back and sees that, shrouded in a hood, it is wearing a white mask with only eyes and no mouth or nose. "Why do you not trust anyone?"
Rishi stood up slowly and approached him. "I trust some people, but as for others, you already know it's in my nature."
Figgure rushed and approached him, but suddenly he took out a small folding knife and stabbed him. "Don't blame everything on nature. You are just meant to be lonely. Because of you,t I am like this; can't you trust others? It's not like everyone wants to harm you," he sobbed.
"It's not like that. I know it was like that at first, but now I have hung up. I have many people I trust; why would I let them handle my farm if I didn't trust them?" He said they discussed some more things before the suspicious self merged with him, and his soul became stronger.
A figure reminiscent of Rishi takes form, adorned with extravagance and draped in opulence. Wearing attire that exudes wealth—a tailored suit made of shimmering fabrics, adorned with glistening jewels. Golden coins with shiny and cold edges materialize around them.
It embodies avarice, with its eyes gleaming like precious gems. As it emerges, the rooms shine brightly before transforming into a luxurious, yet eerie, chamber. The air carries a tangible sense of greed and selfishness. The golden coins shimmer, casting a covetous sheen over everything, while an overwhelming atmosphere of stinginess fills the space.
Rishi heard a haughty tone: "Mine, all of this is mine. I won't share it with anyone. Why should I? I worked very hard to get it."
He turned and looked at him. "We have plenty; sharing little things won't have any effect. It will make people happy, and they will do their best, which will generate more profit."
The figure approached him with a cane and said, "More for them means less for me; I want it all. Money, Money, Money—I want it all. Ha haaa.. I want everything."
"I know what you are saying, but we already have more than enough, and I am not sharing much with others," said Rishi.
'Swish', 'swish' The golden coinstored through the air and approached Rishi. He tried to dodge, but two were able to hit his arm, leading to him feeling a burning pain.
"I hate you; you are so inefficient. You could have made millions if you used the resources available to you in the right way. Why are you so scared all the time? Money is all that matters. Asked the figure as he slammed his cane on the ground in anger.
"You don't understand me; I am not an idiot. I know how much I can earn, but it's just wealth that brings..."
"Greed and envy of others turn fortune it into misfortune." The figure completed the sentence before facepalming himself: "How old are you, kid? Which world are you living in?"
He wanted to reply, but no words came out.
Idiot, you live in a capitalistic world. While power is respected here, there is still nothing Money can't buy. Power and wealth are both interrelated. One can get the other without much effort. While influential people can snatch wealth, idiots, which barbaric world are you living in? said the figure as its eyes shone brighter.
Rishi was silent, as he had no words: "You are living in the modern world. Here, there is a government and rules. Here, connections and authority matter, while it takes a long time to have them use power. Using Money it would be very easy, and you are not someone with no background."
"Only bold people become rich; how will you make her life better if you don't have enough Money? For building wealth, the faster you start, the better." said the figure before it changed again, "Money, get it all; I want all the Money."
Rishi jumped at him and caught him tightly. "I agree with you, and you sound wise, but what's with your overly greedy attitude? It makes me think again before making up my mind."
"Argh!" screamed Rishi as he got bonked in the head by the cane. "It's because of you, bastard; I am greedy because you didn't earn much Money. After it, Rishi got schooled for a while before this self also disappeared and merged with him.
"While this version sounded like someone high on Money, I can't deny that what he said makes sense. I should build more wealth; at hard times, it can save me a lot of trouble."
'whoosh' The room changes again. A rosy smell surrounds it. A figure emerges, and the rooms seem to shrink under the weight of its presence. The air grows heavy with a palpable sense of possessiveness and insecurity. Shadows flicker like fleeting desires, and an oppressive atmosphere of love-turned-obsession fills the space.
When Rishi looked at the figure approaching him, he discovered that this one looked very handsome. A distinct air of love and control surrounds it, wearing attire reminiscent of a passionate lover—a velvet coat adorned with crimson roses, a symbol of love. Cluthed in its hand is a thin, gleaming dagger with a delicate rose motif on its pommel, representing the duality of love and danger.
Chains draped around it and moved like snakes as he moved, waiting to bite anyone that came close. It strolls like a model rampwalking; it stops near him with one hand on his back and one holding the dagger pointed at him.
He looked at him passionately and said, "She is mine, my love, and no one else's. I will do something to keep her with me." A smile appeared on his face as he said it.