Your Life for a Wish

Chapter 3: Wishing in the Shadows

Flashing neon lights reflected on the rain-soaked streets as Adam walked through the market area. The air smelled of wet concrete and street food, mingling with the distant hum of conversation. His thoughts turned to the latest evolution of the system's mechanisms, a discovery that changed everything.

He hadn't invoked the system interface this time. Instead, he had appeared in someone else's name.

"Random people," he muttered under his breath. "Anyone who wants something, no matter how funny, can connect with me."

A slight smile tugged at his lips. He was no longer just getting the energy of desires; the system was an invisible web that connected him with the life of strangers. And Adam was not one to miss such an opportunity.

REQUEST: PROTECT FROM BANG INTERRUPTION. LOCATION: AROUND THE NORTH MARKET. >

The notification flickered faintly in the corner of his vision, a reminder of the wish he had accepted. He scanned the crowded market, his eyes sharp for anything out of the ordinary. It didn't take long for him to see the problems.

A man in a suit jacket stood near a noodle station, shoulders hunched as he spoke to two handsome figures. His aggressive demeanor and silent threats were undeniable.

Adam crept through the crowd, his steps light. As he approached, parts of the conversation reached his ears.

"You're late for payment," one of the lads groaned. "The boss doesn't like excuses."

"I needed some time," the man pleaded.

Adamu stepped between them, his voice cutting through the tension. "He already said no, so why don't you go ahead?"

The bandits turned, their eyes narrowed as they assessed him.

"None of your business, kid," the taller one said.

Adam tilted his head, a slight smile playing on his lips. "It's now."

The smaller of the two fell first, a savage blow to Adam's jaw. But Adam moved with precision, the Sovereign Step guiding him like a whisper. He sat up, turned to hit the thug in the ribs. The man backed away, panting.

The older man hesitated, then charged. Adam dodged easily, grabbing the thug's arm and twisting it behind his back before pushing him face first into the booth's bench.

Both thugs groaned as they stood up, muttering curses as they walked away.

The jacketed man looked at Adam, his expression a mixture of relief and disbelief. "Who... who are you?" »

Adamu shrugged casually. "Someone who doesn't like bullies." »

Before the man could persist any longer, the system crashed.

REQUEST COMPLETED. You have gained 3 MONTHS OF DESIRABLE ENERGY. ENERGY REMAINING: 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS. >

The man's lips moved as if to thank Adam, but he hesitated. Finally he said, "I don't have much, but I can pay you..."

"There's no need," Adam interrupted abruptly. "Just stay out of trouble." »

The man glanced quickly, disappearing into the crowd.

---

Later that night, Adamu leaned against the railing of a crumbling roof as the city lay beneath him. The system flickered faintly in his vision and new notifications appeared.

NEW CUSTOMER Discover. >

REQUEST: RESOLVE A FAMILY CONFLICT. READY TO PAY: 1 MONTH OF VITAL ENERGY. >

Adam sniffed. "Family therapy? Get through it." "He waved his hand to deny the request.

CUSTOMER REQUEST DETECTED. >

REQUEST: FIND A LOST ITEM. READY TO PAY: 2 MONTHS OF VITAL ENERGY. >

His lips curled into a smile. "I am not a lost and found service." Another download.

CUSTOMER REQUEST DETECTED. >

REQUEST: DELETE RIVAL. READY TO PAY: 5 YEARS OF LIFE ENERGY. >

Adam froze. The weight of the words hung heavy in the air. This was not a petty dispute or a request for protection, this was a demand for blood.

"The system," Adam said slowly, "what happens if you refuse a request like this?" »

PENALTIES FOR REFUSAL. THE CUSTOMER will not receive a response. >

"WHAT IF I ACCEPT?"

TERMS OF DESIRE ARE MANDATORY ONCE ACCEPTED. CUSTOMER PAY FOR VITAL ENERGY AFTER THE WORK IS COMPLETED. >

Adam leaned back, his mind racing. Five years was a tempting reward, but the price to pay (his hands stained with someone else's blood) was a line he wasn't sure he was willing to cross.

His fingers hovered over the accept button, puzzled. Finally, he swiped the card to deny the request, the menu disappearing into the night.

---

In the morning, the market was buzzing with rumors of Adam's intervention. Rumors of an anonymous figure who had resisted him The gangs circulated among the vendors, their stories becoming more elaborate each time.

Adamu walked around, his hood pulled over his face. He wasn't there to attract attention, he was there to listen.

"Did you hear about the boy last night?" a shopkeeper whispered to his neighbor. "He took out two of Vargo's men like it was nothing."

"Do you think he'll come back?" the neighbor asked.

Adam's lips twisted into a smile. He didn't need to come back—the system had already connected him to this place in a way that people couldn't see.

A new notification appeared in his vision.

CUSTOMER REQUEST DETECTED. READY TO PAY: 6 MONTHS OF VITAL ENERGY. REQUEST DETAILS KNOWN WITH ACCEPTANCE. >

Adamu sighed. The game had just begun.