Chapter 4: The Art of Negotiation
The quiet hum of the city filtered into Adam's small office. He sat cross-legged on the worn floor, his eyes fixed on the glowing system interface that floated before him. The mechanics of the desire system became clearer by the day, and with the clarity came power.
CLIENT REQUEST DETECTED. ASK FOR DETAILS: "ACCEPT A PROMOTION AT WORK SABOTAGE RIVAL." "READY TO PAY: 3 MONTHS OF LIFE ENERGY. >
Adam's eyebrows rose slightly. The client's request was not surprising - ambition was a common thread in human nature - but the payment offered was laughable.
"Three months?" he muttered. "Not worth the effort.
The system responded by flashing, presenting a new option:
you like to NEGOTIATE TERMS? YES / NO. >
A smile slowly spread across Adam's face. "Yes," he said. The interface changed and a message box appeared, now ready to be customized.
NEGOTIATION MESSAGE:
"The cost of your request is insufficient. If you can offer 8 months of life energy, your wish will be granted. Please respond with a confirmation or counteroffer.">
Adam added the terms, his fingers dancing on the light interface, and sent the negotiation. A few moments later, the system responded.
RESPONSE RECEIVED:
"I can only do 5 months. Please review the situation. »>
Adam laughed softly. "Five months is still a short time, but it's better than three." » He confirmed the agreement and the system crashed again.
REQUEST ACCEPTED. THE BEGINNING OF DESIRE. .. >
For Adam, the fulfillment of a desire did not require travel, nor physical confrontation. All it took was a single targeted order through the system.
"Sabotage the rival," Adam whispered. The energy of the system rose for a while and his wish was granted. Somewhere in the city, forces were moving unseen, running the destiny to adapt to the customer's desire.
COMPLETE. 5 MONTHS OF LIFE ENERGY ADDRESSED TO YOUR BALANCE. ENERGY REMAINING: 1 YEAR, 8 MONTHS. >
Adam leaned against the wall, his smile turning into a thoughtful expression. "No effort," he muttered. But the simplicity of the system also indicated its danger.
---
A few hours later, another notification appeared.
CLIENT REQUEST DETECTED. ASK DETAILS: "CURE A TERMINAL ILLNESS. "DONE PAYMENT: 15 YEARS OF VITAL ENERGY. >
Adam stood up. Fifteen? It was the biggest offer he had received so far.
"What's the catch?" he whispered, touching the request for more details.
BACKGROUND: LIFE HAS ALREADY BEEN REDUCED TO APPROXIMATELY 5 YEARS. >
Adam's eyes narrowed. well understood. The system wouldn't offer him such a lucrative reward without a twist. If the client only had five years to live, he couldn't afford the payment you offered.
His fingers hovered over the negotiate button.
NEGOTIATION MESSAGE:
"Your current life cannot cover the cost of your application. Please consider reducing the scope of your wish or offering an alternative payment. '>
Adam paused before sending the message, a thought crossing his mind. The client was desperate - desperation could be exploited.
Editing the message, he added:
"Alternatively, you can give me something of equal value: information, access or influence. Your illness can be cured under these conditions."
He sent the negotiations.
The customer response came quickly.
Response:
" I have no other payment. If you can save me, I will make sure you have leverage over my company, a pharmaceutical giant. I can open doors for you that no one else can. »> Adam's lips twisted into a counting smile. Impact on a company? It was a rare award and I couldn't ignore it.
"System, accept customer's offer."
ACCEPTED. SEE INITIATORS. .. >
Adam closed his eyes, concentrating on the words. "Heal the disease."
The energy surged again, the mechanisms of the system working in ways Adam could not fully understand. Somehow, the client's disease disappeared, his failing body regenerated.
REMANDE. NON-ENERGY EARNED COMPENSATION: CUSTOMER IMPACT OF USER DATA. >
Adam drew slowly, his mind racing with possibilities. Influence over a pharmaceutical company meant more than power: it meant access to resources, research, and a network that could be invaluable. "This game is bigger than I thought," he whispered, his voice filled with excitement. --- In the days that followed, the questions continued to pour in. , some trivial, some intriguing. Each negotiation brought Adam closer to mastering the intricacies of the system, and each wish granted left him hungrier for what lay ahead.
NEW CLIENT DETECTED. ASK FOR DETAILS: "DENOCATING POLITICAL CORRUPTION IN THE PRESIDENT. » READY TO PAY: 10 YEARS OF VITAL ENERGY. >
Adam studied the request carefully. Exposing the corruption could make dangerous enemies, but the payoff offered was substantial.
He leaned forward, his I smiled turning around. "Let's see what kind of deal we can make this time." »