Not far from midnight, in a dark room that appears to be an elegant office, devoid of any lamp or light, behind a fine desk there is a chair being rocked. The one responsible for occupying the chair, for a purpose not intended for its use, is an adult human man, whom any common person would say is between thirty-five and forty years old. Resting his feet against the only window the office has, he continues with his comfortable activity. While he enjoys the back-and-forth motion, his hands are placed on his chin, which he uses to support his head as he looks through the window at the stormy and rainy cold weather occurring outside.

  The man has a rather well-groomed appearance; he enjoys long black hair, which he ties back by combing it backward, a Mediterranean complexion stands out, and he possesses eyes with black irises; however, the difference between the pupils can be appreciated.

  Still observing the outside, he continues like this for a few more moments until, BAM! The office door bursts open, someone turns on the light, and a man in a suit who is already inside the office proclaims:

  —Sir! I have brought news.

  The man in the chair stands up, having a serious and cold look, and says:

  —Could you not have come a little later!?

  Shouting ridiculously:

  —You have just interrupted my sinister meditation!

  —Sorry, sir —says the man in the suit— but I thought you would want to know this as soon as possible.

  —Aahrrr, arrrr —the man in the chair throws a childish tantrum— Then tell me.

  —The Mongols succeeded in finishing off the second, without casualties or serious injuries.

  —Meh, that is no surprise, let me guess, they sent Ash, right?

  —And Dante —says the man in the suit.

  —Who?

  —The firstborn of the eighth son.

  —The waiter!? —asks the man in the chair, putting a great deal of force into his voice.

  —Y-yes… —says the man in the suit somewhat uneasy.

  After a few seconds, with a dry and indifferent expression, the man in the chair suddenly puffs out his cheeks and bursts into laughter.

  —Are you telling me that the guy who terrorized half the continent for about ten years was finished off by a waiter? —asks the man in the chair with all the intrigue in the world.

  —And the hybrid —adds the man in the suit.

  —What happened to the team Agnar had prepared? —says the man in the chair.

  The man in the suit answers in a documentary tone:

  —Oh, they were there, but at a safe distance. They were going to act if the duo failed or had to escape.

  —Well, I suppose things will be like that from now on, although I do not think they will participate in the next encounter.

  He turns halfway and positions himself before the window, contemplating the outside.

  —Why do you say that, sir?

  The man turns calmly and answers:

  —Because the next sealing is in Zhong Guo, and they will not want anyone’s help, they are too proud for that.

  —But what if they fail to contain it? —asks the man in the suit.

  —Well, in that case the intervention of Mongol would become a possibility.

  —Then… what do you want us to do?

  The man in the chair looks outside again, brings his hand to his chin and begins to repeatedly slide his thumb and index finger across it. After thinking for a moment, he tells him:

  —For now let us continue with the espionage. If we have to do something someday, there will be no problems. Now go and continue with the work.

  —Yes, Mr. President —says the man in the suit and then leaves.

  The president turns off the light and returns to his chair, begins to rock it and continues with his meditation, but this time with a slight smile.

  It is already morning and, as the sun rises, its rays penetrate through a window, which illuminates the face of a deeply sleeping Jaina who lies in her bed, naked with only the sheet covering the lower part of her body. Not being alone in the room, two people are near her, but they are playing with a console and enjoying a video game.

  Player one is Aura; she wears only a shirt and is using glasses. Player two is Ash; he is naked. The screen displays “mission complete” and Ash comments:

  —Where were these things when I was a child?

  —I suppose they did not exist, right? —Aura answers.

  —Well yes, I mean in my era you could only go out to explore the forest or read books, but I really like these things, it satisfies my thirst for violence, hahaha —Ash said.

  —Ah, well, I suppose that… is fine.

  —Do not make so much noise —says Jaina, waking up.

  —Oh, good morning, did you sleep well? —Aura says to her.

  —You know I did —she says happily— Have you been awake long? —Jaina asked.

  —Well, I got up half an hour ago, but Ash…

  —I was up all night using this device —Ash interrupts— The one I liked the most was that game called “Dark Spirit,” and I thought I had had difficult jobs, it does not compare to the evil being who made that game, although ironically I know someone who would identify with this, hahaha —Ash laughed maliciously.

  —How can you have so much energy? You did it with us like ten times and then you were awake all night playing? —said Jaina.

  —Yes.

  —Monster —Jaina tells him as the only word she can use to describe him without intending to offend.

  —I must say that this era is quite unusual, I mean before we all went to war, and I saw how all the soldiers, before marching, went to fornicate with as many women as possible, so that at least they would have their offspring. You know, for a normal person to go to a battlefield in those days was practically their funeral, but well, I suppose that seeing the number of people that populate the world today, many do not see the need to add more children.

  —Well, that idea is not entirely wrong, but nowadays many people have different reasons for not wanting children, and for many one of those reasons is that they cannot take care of them —said Aura.

  —What do you mean they cannot? Are they sterile like me?

  —Well, no. It is that their budget is out of range. Many have to pay rent, buying houses is more difficult now, they have to pay for diapers, medical care, school and many other things, depending on each person. And it is already hard to sustain oneself. That is why I live with Jaina.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Ash stares at Aura dryly and asks:

  —You are telling me that you are the special forces in charge of finishing off prisoners, and they do not pay you enough to afford your own homes? And I am the one they called the villain?

  Aura opens her mouth to answer those questions, but when her tongue is about to utter the first word, there is only silence. Then Aura turns her eyes away and says:

  —Damn.

  —By the way, Ash, how much will Agnar pay you for finishing off the Second? —Jaina asks.

  —Thirty thousand. Of course, I will split it with Dante… (seventy for me and thirty for him) hahaha —Ash replies.

  —What!? —Aura and Jaina shout in unison.

  —You know, now I see you as more handsome, Ash. How about you come to bed and I give you some “massages”? —Jaina insinuates.

  —Heh, nice try, woman. But my master warned me about vultures like you. Besides, I am not one of those who squander money. Oh… that reminds me: I have a matter to attend to —Ash exclaims. He stands up, gathers his clothes, gets dressed and heads toward the door, saying goodbye to the girls.

  —Did you put the tracker on him? —Jaina asks Aura.

  —Yes —she answers.

  Jaina grabs her phone and opens the application to track Ash’s location. However, minutes later, it is lost.

  Meanwhile, Ash, in the middle of the sidewalk, looks at his powered-off phone and exclaims:

  —Well, that is a shame… but soon I will have as many as I want —he throws it away and takes off flying.

  Minutes later, he stands in front of a large building. It is a bank, but not just any bank, rather one of great power and reputation: the “International Bank Alt M?ng?nii.”

  Among the employees attending clients, one employee who has just finished with her customer calls the next one forward, and moments later Ash sits in the chair and says:

  —Hello, you see… I would like to speak with the owner.

  Half an hour later, in a very elegant and modern office, a middle-aged white man, dressed in a suit, brown hair with a few gray strands and a pleasant face, is reading some documents at his glass desk, with a laptop at his side. At that moment his communicator sounds.

  —Sir, there is a man who insists on speaking with you about a contract your great-grandfather made. He says that if he is not allowed to speak with you, he will use his military authority to enter by force —his secretary informs him.

  The man, with an expression of surprise and unease, presses the button on the intercom and replies:

  —All right. Let him in. Cancel my afternoon appointment.

  The door opens and Ash walks in, greeting cheerfully:

  —Good day, my young friend. I have heard that your name is Jack, if I am not mistaken.

  —You are not mistaken. Mr…?

  —Ash —he replies— You have probably heard of me, have you not?

  —If I am honest, your name sounds familiar. Uh… what is your surname?

  —Oh, I do not have one. I am simply Ash. You see, I worked with your great-grandfather in the war. I have heard that he is dead nowadays, so the responsibility for the contract I signed with him falls upon the principal head of the family, that is to say, you.

  —Oh, well. If that is the case… do you have that contract?

  —Of course —Ash answers, and immediately takes an old paper out of his coat and hands it to Jack.

  He examines it carefully and, after a few moments, says:

  —Yes, I see this is the signature of my great-grandfather, Jack Obrekov. However, before continuing with business, I would like to know what your relationship with him was.

  Ash takes a seat in front of the desk and begins:

  —Well, you see… I devoted a considerable portion of my life to fighting for others in the war eighty years ago. After earning my income, I hired an accountant who lived near the border between Siberia and Mongol. I suppose you already know that that accountant was your great-grandfather. As time passed, two or three years, I began to invest my earnings, and those investments were placed in your great-grandfather’s bank and today, yours.

  —Yes, as it is stipulated in the paper —Jack confirms.

  —Exactly. So today I have come to request my dividends: what would correspond to me, the three percent.

  —I understand that you are within your rights, Mr. Ash, but it would now be difficult for me to fulfill the agreement. I mean, you have been absent for eighty years. Besides… you do not appear to be of very advanced age. Are you human?

  —Oh, no. I am a hybrid. I have the trait of living somewhat longer than a normal human. And regarding my absence… let us say I was imprisoned. Matters of war. I fully understand your situation; however, you must understand that I invested capital, and today I find myself in need of resorting to it. So, as compensation for my absence, I will refrain from claiming the amount of the last ten years.

  Jack, with some regret, informs him:

  —Mr. Ash, unfortunately that is not how things work nowadays. All the profits you did not claim were reinvested into the company.

  —Oh, really? Well… but that does not mean I cannot claim the next one, does it?

  —Well, yes. But it is only granted annually, and there are still six months remaining.

  —Could you not make an exception and advance the date?

  —I am sorry. But just as you brought the contract and came to have it enforced, I must enforce the regulations. Do not worry, I guarantee that you will have your money on the indicated date. So, that is all for today. I appreciate that you came, and it was a pleasure to meet you.

  Already outside the establishment, Ash exclaims:

  —That was unexpected… it has been a while since I lost a battle. Bankers are frightening.

  He begins to walk along the sidewalk and, speaking to himself, says:

  —Well, I should not have squandered so much gold. I only have one ingot left and Agnar has not paid me yet. If only there were a way to become rich quickly…

  Ash suddenly stops, stunned, staring into the distance. A great idea emerges. Then he looks up at the sky and, dropping to his knees, shouts:

  —У меня есть это!

  At that moment, in Aghat’s house, Dante, Nair, Aghat and Lorelai are sprawled across the living room: Nair on the couch, Aghat on the floor in front of her, Dante and Lorelai knocked out behind the couch.

  Receiving the rays of the sun on his face, Dante opens one eye. He can barely see the surroundings clearly. Dazed, he places one hand on the floor, then the other, and slowly gets up, still sleepy. He sits at the dining table, staring at nothing, waiting for his body to wake up.

  A moment later, he stands and goes to the refrigerator to look for something for breakfast. He finds a small brownie and prepares an espresso. Seated, he enjoys his breakfast in the morning light pouring through the window. From the living room, he sees Nair walking past.

  —Hello —they say to each other.

  Nair heads to the coffee machine and, after making herself a cappuccino, sits beside Dante at the table.

  —Long night —Dante remarks.

  —Yes… I did not think it would go beyond what I had planned —Nair replies— I must look terrible —she adds.

  —Nah, whatever happens to you, you always look good —Dante tells her.

  —Thanks —Nair answers shyly.

  —What are you drunks doing? —Lorelai enters bluntly. She sits down, takes Dante’s coffee and, without hesitation, drinks what is left in one gulp.

  Aghat walks in shortly after, without saying anything and still sleepy. He heads to the coffee machine, prepares an espresso and then sits at the table.

  —You know? —Aghat says— We are sitting here together after spending a night fooling around… and I love it. Maybe we will not be able to enjoy much more of this in the future. Insignificant, boring and purposeless moments… I am going to miss them.

  —Are you going to die? —Lorelai asks.

  —No. But my father always told me to enjoy these moments. And he was not wrong —Aghat says.

  —I suppose these moments are the structure of happiness, right? —Nair comments.

  —Maybe. I mean, what else could it be?

  Without thinking, Lorelai says:

  —Money, handsome men, a mansion, a super car, longer youth, having a perfect body. At least one of those things would make me very happy.

  —Well, yes, that would not be bad either.

  —I suppose each person has their own sense of happiness —Dante says.

  —And what is yours? —Nair asks, looking him in the eyes.

  Dante stares at her silently for a moment, then answers:

  —Meh, who knows? Although I do not think something material would satisfy me.

  BAM. A noise echoes from the entrance of the house. Someone has kicked the door. The group stiffens, stands up and goes on alert, waiting for the intruder in the kitchen. Rapid footsteps approach, reach the doorway, and Ash appears, completely agitated.

  The others relax, and Nair exclaims:

  —Ah, it is just the old man. What are you doing here?

  —There is no time to lose! It is literally gold! —he says with great energy. Then he turns to Dante and grabs him by the clothes— Come on, partner! Today we are going to be rich! Hohoho!

  Without giving quarter or waiting for a reply, he carries Dante off flying as he leaves the house. The others, who tried uselessly to stop Ash, can only watch helplessly as he takes him away.

  A few minutes later, the two stand in front of a large casino. Dante, confused and angry, demands an explanation.

  —Calm down —Ash tells him.

  —Calm down my ass! For the gods’ sake! STOP KIDNAPPING ME! —Dante shouts.

  Ash replies:

  —Look, in the end this will be worth it. From now on we will solve all the money problems you have and that we have. Just think about it: in a few hours you will be able to get whatever you want. A better house, a good vehicle, better clothes, and as the cherry on top… Nair. What do you say?

  Dante remains silent and looks at him seriously. After thinking for a moment, he says:

  —Fine, I will go along with it. And I suppose your plan has something to do with the casino, right?

  —точный —Ash answers— With your power we can predict every outcome of the roulette, blackjack and the dice. We will be rich!

  Dante, surprised yet enthusiastic, says:

  —Yes, yes, I understand. But how will my power work with this?

  Ash takes a pill from his pocket and hands it to Dante.

  —Here. It is a poison pill, painless and with a two-minute effect. You told me that when you poisoned yourself you returned to the moment just before it happened. Well, this activates when you bite it. Keep it in your mouth all the time, and a few seconds before I place the bet or start the play, you bite it. When you rewind, you tell me the result.

  —Yes, I understand. But… where did you get this?

  —Oh, it is nothing extraordinary. It is something I made with a few things from the pharmacy and cleaning products. Just bite, swallow, and soon you go to sleep.

  Skeptical, Dante looks at Ash and the pill. Not because of the casino plan, but because of what that pill will do to him. Will it truly kill him quickly and painlessly? How does that madman know how to make these things? With little to lose, except perhaps a decent state of health, Dante decides to test the pill’s effect.

  After biting and swallowing its contents, he waits a moment. His vision darkens, then he sees Ash in front of him again. With a quick movement of his tongue inside his mouth, he identifies the pill, intact between his teeth.

  —Yes, this will work —he exclaims— Let us go in.

  Not long after crossing the entrance and approaching the gaming floor, a man in a suit stops them. He is an employee in charge of scanning visitors upon entry.

  —Excuse me, sir —he says to Ash— Is it possible that you are carrying weapons?

  —Yes, I am —Ash answers.

  —Well, I must inform you that it is forbidden to enter with such objects. If you wish, you may leave them with us and claim them when you leave, provided you do not end up betting them.

  —Well, if that is all, I have no problem.

  In front of a counter guarded by two security employees, Ash places his shotgun, a dagger, several throwing knives and then takes off a belt with a pair of syringes filled with liquid. He asks:

  —Does this count?

  —Uh… yes —the man says cautiously.

  Ash manipulates the syringes, a few clicks are heard, and he separates the needles from their casings.

  —And now?

  —I suppose not. But we will keep the needles —the employee says.

  —No problem. And if there is nothing else, we will proceed to the floor —Ash concludes.

  Without wasting time, after obtaining their chips, they head straight to the game most compatible with Dante’s power: roulette.

  Of course, before betting all their chips on a single number, they run an experiment. An eccentric man has placed a moderate bet. He appears middle-aged and wears a white suit, accompanied by two beautiful women.

  There is no need to detail how he lost.

  Conveniently, that was the scenario resulting from Dante’s death after biting the pill and predicting the outcome. So, with the winning play ready, he tells Ash:

  —Let us do it.

  Ash prepares the tower of chips on the table, but before placing them on a number, the ball is launched. Dante bites the pill for the third time and, before losing his vision, he sees it: the ball has fallen on number thirteen.