"Don't you think reading other people's thoughts is a bit rude?"
The old fox is already here. Not a moment of peace.
And he spoke again:
"Sorry, boy… I, as always, can't hold myself back. Your thoughts are like nectar, more potent than any drug."
Suddenly, a crack appeared in the sky, and from it emerged the silhouette of a winged being. Long, snow-white hair, as if woven from light, flowed downward, looking down on the world with disdain. His eyes, clear as crystal, were both captivating and frightening, and his pale face radiated cold perfection. Behind him, massive white wings unfolded, like those described in sacred texts. Each feather contained an unfathomable power of laws that no mortal could even dream of.
"Ha… Can a being as high as you not control its desires? Believers would be greatly disappointed."
Gert Keller — a creature who created this world merely for his amusement. Its inhabitants are nothing but jesters, putting on a spectacular show for their master. Believers would worship him and call him a god, but almost no one on the planet even knows of him. I am one of the few fortunate enough to have met him.
"Boy, whether you are young or grown, you still speak to me without respect or reverence," Keller said with a smile, hovering in the sky.
I really haven't been very polite with this old fox. A normal religious person in my place would bow and flatter him, but I'm a madman who refuses to play the role of a pitiful servant. That's probably why I feel like an outcast among those who strictly follow others' laws.
"If you want to take this from me, you must pay an equal price."
A bold and insignificant mortal, setting conditions for God — that's probably what he thinks. What I said was just a jab. But what he will answer intrigues me. Until now, I've given him no hint that I wanted anything.
"Ha-ha-ha… your arrogance, as always, knows no bounds, boy. But I like your audacity. I'm curious: what do you want in return? Countless riches? Rebirth? An extended life? Or something else?"
I don't know, honestly, if he's joking or speaking seriously. For an ordinary person, any of these choices would be a temptation: money — power and comfort; rebirth — a chance to fix mistakes; extended life — an opportunity to finish what was left undone. All of this tempts many, but not me. I've already had money and power — they no longer interest me. As for rebirth and extended life… even if I lived my life again, I doubt I would change anything. Extending life is pointless too — everything I wanted is already achieved. Sooner or later, choosing any of these three, I would still part with life as a mortal, losing achievements, skills, and wealth.
"The old fox doesn't interest me in anything you've mentioned above…"
At that moment, a flicker of surprise appeared on his face, but only for a moment, and then it became serious, because I know he has already read my thoughts and knows what I desire.
"Ha-ha-ha. Boy, what you desire — is it truly immortality? Or is my ability failing?"
That is exactly what I want, because only immortality can give a chance to stop being a pawn and become a more important piece on the board.