Arin returned to his small, rundown house, the weight of the money in his backpack grounding him to reality. He stood there for a moment, just taking in the familiar sight of the cracked walls and the peeling paint. It had been his home for as long as he could remember, but now, everything felt... temporary. He knew he was done with this place.
He walked inside and carefully pulled out a stack of cash from the bag. The sight of the crisp bills was enough to make his heart race. It wasn't a fortune, but it was more than enough to change his life. He counted out a few thousand, setting the rest aside for later.
With a quick glance at his reflection in the cracked mirror, Arin grabbed the money and left the house. He knew exactly where to go.
The clothing store he walked into was small but upscale. He didn't have time to waste, so he quickly found a rack of clothes that fit his new idea of himself. It wasn't long before he had a new outfit—fresh, clean, and stylish. As he changed into the new clothes, he couldn't help but feel a shift. This was the beginning of something new. He wasn't the same person who had come here months ago.
Once he was done, he looked at himself in the mirror again. The reflection staring back at him seemed like someone else entirely—someone who had control over their life. He smiled slightly before walking out of the store.
Next stop: the agent.
Arin didn't hesitate as he walked into a sleek office building in the center of the city. Inside, he found the agent who specialized in luxury real estate. The man was sharp, with a well-groomed beard and a business suit that screamed confidence. Arin didn't waste time explaining what he wanted. He handed the agent a thick envelope of cash and told him he wanted a place that was "top-tier."
The agent didn't even bat an eye at the amount. After all, the city's wealth was full of people who could pay for anything. He nodded and quickly set to work, showing Arin a selection of extravagant homes. Arin didn't need to see more than a couple before he knew which one was perfect—a massive penthouse in one of the most prestigious buildings in the city.
It was everything Arin could have imagined: expansive views of the skyline, marble floors, towering windows, and enough space to fill with anything he desired. There was no turning back.
The deal was made within hours. He signed the papers, handing over the rest of the cash to seal the deal. With the property now in his name, Arin left the agent's office, a sense of satisfaction settling over him. This was it. This was his new life.
Arin's next task was simple: get everything he owned moved.
He went back to his old house, packed up the few belongings he had—nothing more than some clothes and a few old personal items—and made the trip to the new penthouse. There were no heavy boxes to haul, no furniture to drag; everything was moved effortlessly. With his power, no one saw him coming and going, and no one questioned it.
By the time night fell, Arin was standing in the middle of his new home. The silence felt different in this space—new, empty, and waiting. The towering windows showed the lights of the city below, and the lavish, modern decor gave the room an air of sophistication.
Arin felt a sense of accomplishment wash over him, but it was tinged with something else, something that wasn't entirely comfortable. This was just the beginning. With the power he held, there were limitless possibilities ahead of him. And while the life he had now was a vast improvement, he couldn't help but wonder how far he was willing to take this.
But that was a question for another time. For now, he was content.
This was the start of something new. Something entirely his own.
Arin stood in the center of the penthouse, taking in his new surroundings. The expansive space was immaculate, everything perfectly placed. The polished marble floors, the sleek modern furniture, the soft lighting that filled the rooms—it all felt surreal. But the one thing that caught his attention the most was the bed.
It was massive. Larger than any bed he had ever imagined—king-sized, draped in soft, white linens and plush pillows. The mattress was a masterpiece of comfort, and as Arin approached it, he could feel the weight of his exhaustion settling in.
For a moment, he stood there, just staring at the bed. The last few days had been a blur of excitement, adrenaline, and new experiences. He had done more in the past 48 hours than he had in his entire life. The journey from the slums to this penthouse had been swift, and it had taken everything from him: his energy, his focus, his mind.
Without hesitation, Arin collapsed onto the bed. The softness enveloped him, and he sank into it as though it were made of clouds. For the first time in what felt like forever, he didn't have to worry about anything. There were no cracks in the walls, no clutter, no damp spots from the rain seeping through the roof. The silence of this place was different, soothing.
He stretched out, allowing the cool sheets to wrap around him. The luxury of the moment hit him, but there was no rush. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply, letting his body finally relax.
Sleep was immediate.
For the rest of the day, Arin did nothing. The bed was too comfortable, the peace of the apartment too inviting. He drifted in and out of sleep, occasionally stirring but always returning to the warmth of the covers. The sun shifted across the sky, casting golden light through the large windows, but Arin didn't care. Time had little meaning right now.
He'd spent so much of his life surviving, scrapping for a place to rest his head, but now—now he could just be.
The hours passed, but Arin didn't move. The world outside was distant, quiet. His mind wandered, filled with thoughts of what he could do next, but for now, it was enough to simply enjoy the comfort of the bed.
As night fell and the city lights glittered below, Arin finally awoke, stretching lazily. His muscles, which had been stiff from months of struggle, felt loose and content. He rolled over, staring out the window at the illuminated skyline. There was a sense of power that came with this new life. He could do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.
But for today, he had chosen to do nothing. And it was perfect.