The negotiation between Lowo and Ramisk had started unexpectedly, but the moment to discuss the truly relevant values for both was approaching.
Lowo, with a sharp mind and clearly calmer than usual, positioned himself in a way that demonstrated control of the situation. His behavior fluctuated between moments of coldness and irony, something that Ramisk, a skilled negotiator, noticed right away.
"Well, Lowo, shall we talk numbers now?" said Ramisk, opening a contained smile, trying to hide the worry he felt in the presence of Domi and all the laboratory's structure, which was in his hands.
Lowo stared at him, slowly shaking his head as if calculating the right answer. He was anxious, but trying not to show it. After all, he knew that any wrong move could be fatal in this negotiation. He had something valuable in his hands, and Ramisk knew that.
"Yes, let's," Lowo replied, crossing his arms and leaning slightly forward. "But I'm not here to bargain for what is rightfully mine."
Ramisk furrowed his brow, trying to catch the subliminal message in Lowo's words.
"And what exactly do you think you are entitled to here?" Ramisk asked, his voice laced with slight provocation. He knew that behind the aggression, Lowo hid vulnerabilities.
Lowo then put the first number on the table, without hesitation:
"One hundred and fifty thousand lira. Just for the time I lost waiting for this test to begin, and for the emotional toll you've caused me up to this point."
Ramisk almost laughed but held back. He knew the amount was symbolic, but he wanted to see how far Lowo would go with this. Before he could respond, Lowo continued:
"This amount is a kindness, considering the days I've spent under pressure, being mistreated by your staff. But I haven't reached the final price yet. For the life risk I'm assuming here, by being subjected to this experiment, we're talking about five hundred thousand lira. I won't accept anything less."
Ramisk didn't expect to hear that. He knew Lowo had high demands, but he didn't imagine he would be so direct and audacious. It was a significant sum, especially with Domi, the external financier, watching closely. Ramisk took a deep breath and, with a controlled smile, responded:
"Five hundred thousand lira? Don't you think that's a bit much, Lowo? I don't deny that the experiment has its risks, but the entire process is supervised by specialists. You are being treated with the best technology available. We're not playing here."
Lowo smiled back, an expression full of sarcasm.
"I'm not asking too much. I'm asking for what's fair. If something goes wrong here, I won't be able to claim anything afterward. It will be too late. That's why I prefer to secure mine now."
Ramisk realized Lowo wasn't joking. He was willing to push the negotiation to the limit, and that was concerning. But before he could respond, Mr. Domi, who had been silently observing the conversation, intervened.
"Ramisk, let me handle this," Domi said calmly, with a wave of his hand indicating that he had already thought of a solution.
Everyone in the room turned to Domi. Lowo looked at him with curiosity, while Ramisk breathed a sigh of relief for finally stepping out of the line of fire.
Domi continued, addressing Lowo:
"Lowo, I understand that you are concerned about what's at stake here. And I respect your need to secure your well-being. But let's talk business. We're here because we both know that this research could change the future for many people, including yours. And I, personally, have no problem compensating someone for their time and effort."
Domi paused, calculating his words with surgical precision. He knew he needed to be convincing without seeming like he was conceding entirely.
"One hundred thousand lira now, for the time you've already dedicated, and another four hundred thousand when the test is successfully completed. That's my best and final offer."
Lowo looked at Domi, his eyes blinking slightly as he processed the proposal. He felt the weight of the decision. On one hand, he knew he was being well compensated, but on the other, he felt there was still room for more.
"Four hundred thousand after the test?" Lowo repeated, still uncertain.
Domi nodded confidently.
— Exactly. You leave here today with one hundred thousand as an advance. And at the end, if everything goes as planned, the remaining four hundred thousand will be yours.
Lowo looked at Ramisk, waiting for a reaction, but the man remained silent, trusting Domi's leadership in that moment. Lowo then leaned forward again, the tension on his face gradually disappearing.
— Alright. Deal. — He finally agreed, though with some reluctance.
— Great — Domi responded with a slight smile. — Now we can proceed with the test without any more delays.
Ramisk, relieved, took a deep breath, but he still wasn't fully comfortable with what had just transpired. Koltz, who had been keeping his distance until then, approached with an approving air, although his serious face showed little emotion.
— So, are we all ready to continue? — Koltz asked, looking at everyone in the room.
Before anyone could respond, it was Ylsean who spoke first. With a firm and calm voice, he said:
— Everyone, calm down. Everything is under control now.
All eyes immediately turned to Ylsean, who had until then kept himself on the sidelines of the discussion. Who was he, after all? Why was he there? And, more importantly, what was his true role?
— Who are you, anyway? — Ramisk asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
Before Ylsean could answer, Domi intervened once again, raising his hand as if to silence any further questioning.
— He's here because of me. — Domi said calmly, with a mysterious smile. — And that's all you need to know.
Lowo glanced briefly at Ylsean, still intrigued. But Domi's expression was enough to make it clear that there was more to this story than anyone in the room could understand.
Everyone, including Ramisk and Lowo, understood that Domi had a greater purpose that wasn't theirs to question at that moment.
Lowo was ready. After Domi's command, the surroundings transformed. The equipment started emitting a deafening hum as the air around Lowo shaped itself into a delicate bubble. He watched with wide eyes as the colors changed before him: first a bright white, then a vibrant yellow, and finally a deep green that seemed to pulse with life.
— This is incredible! — commented Ylsean/Smile, his eyes shining with anticipation. — You're about to connect to something that few have had the chance to experience. Come on, Lowo, stay calm!
Lowo couldn't respond, trapped in his own admiration and nervousness. When the cocoon closed around him, he felt a chill run down his spine, and a wave of discomfort flooded his body.
The pains began to appear, sharp and insistent. First in his stomach, an intense cramp that seemed to want to tear him out of the experience. He tried to focus on the voices around him, but they became a distant echo.
— Lowo, are you okay? — Ylsean asked, concerned. He noticed the anxious expressions on everyone's faces.
Lowo tried to nod, but the pain was overwhelming. It spread, moving down to his feet, up his legs, and into his arms, as if every part of his body were rebelling against the experience. He closed his eyes, breathing heavily.
Then, as the pain reached his skull, a blackout overtook his mind. Before he lost consciousness, a clear and distinct voice resonated in his mind.
— Hello, my name is Sirou. Welcome to the Gold Reward Interactive System. Starting assimilation tutorial.
A blinding light surrounded him, and Lowo found himself in a vast space, illuminated by a soft light that seemed to emanate from everywhere. He no longer felt pain; instead, a sensation of lightness and energy flowed through his body.
— What's happening? — Lowo asked, though he knew the voice answering wouldn't be Ylsean's. He was confused, but something inside him pulsed with anticipation.
— You are connecting to the Sirou System — the voice replied. — Here, you will have the opportunity to access unique abilities and rewards that could change your life. To begin, you need to go through a brief tutorial.
— A tutorial? — Lowo felt more intrigued than apprehensive. — What do I need to do?
— You must choose an initial ability. Each choice will shape your path. The available options are: Energy Control, Material Manipulation, and Tactical Strategy. Which one do you want?
Lowo hesitated. He looked at the options, feeling the pressure of time dragging. What did he truly desire? He had abilities, but which ones could be enhanced?
— Energy Control! — he declared, surprising himself with his own determination. He had always felt drawn to energies, to that abstract concept of power and transformation.
— Ability selected! Starting Energy Control training — announced Sirou.
Meanwhile, outside, Ylsean watched anxiously. — Is everything okay, Lowo? Can you hear me? — his voice filled with concern and hope.
However, Lowo was far away, lost in a new reality. He could feel the energy around him, as if the very space were vibrating at his command. With every breath, the colors danced, and possibilities expanded.
— Now you're starting to understand, Lowo. The Sirou System is not just a portal; it's an extension of yourself. Accept the energy, and it will flow through you. Remember: you are not alone.
With this, Lowo felt a growing warmth in his heart. He was ready to embrace the unknown, determined to discover his true potential.