Chapter 136 : Feelings 3
Now both the man and Ank were sitting on chairs facing each other, the atmosphere around them calm on the surface but carrying a subtle tension underneath, because the man was clearly confused by Ank's behavior, as he knew very well that Ank was not someone who would let an opportunity like this slip away so easily, and from everything he had seen and heard about him.
Ank should have been the one pressing harder, forcing conditions, or even blackmailing him to gain more advantage, yet instead he was sitting there calmly, which only made the situation more unsettling for him.
"So Ank, my offer you already know," the man said while leaning slightly forward, trying to maintain composure even though his thoughts were still unsettled, "I will join your army and help you win at least ten sectors of the universe within one year, so tell me clearly, do you agree with it or not?"
Ank looked at him with a calm but slightly arrogant expression and replied without hesitation, "Not enough," his tone carrying a hint of superiority as if the offer in front of him did not even meet his expectations.
The man's eyes widened immediately as confusion took over his face, and he could not stop himself from raising his voice .
"What, you cannot be serious, are you, even if I use all my strength and push myself to my absolute limits, it would still take at least eight months, not six months, to achieve something like that," as he tried to argue logically and explain the reality of the situation.
But before he could continue further, Ank interrupted him without any change in his expression, "You are mistaken, I am not talking about time, I am talking about the sectors, you have to conquer at least ten more sectors," his voice steady but firm, making it clear that there was no room for negotiation in what he was demanding.
"You!" the man shouted, completely losing his calm as anger surfaced, "you are out of your mind," his frustration evident as he tried to process what Ank had just said.
"I am not out of my mind," Ank replied calmly while leaning slightly back in his chair, a mocking smile forming on his face as he continued, "you only have two options, agree or refuse, so tell me, what is your answer?"
The man clenched his fists as his thoughts raced rapidly, calculating possibilities and risks, and although he wanted time to think, he knew that delaying would only weaken his position.
"I will wait only for one minute for your answer," wasting even a little time on this matter was useless…
"Enough,"the man said immediately, cutting him off before he could continue, his tone still calm but now carrying authority.
Forty nine seconds had passed .
"I agree," the man suddenly said, as if forcing himself to accept the condition despite knowing the risk, because in truth he had no other option left.
Ank was genuinely surprised for a moment, because he had only been bluffing and teasing him, pushing him to see how far he would go, as he knew very well the man's limits and understood that while completing such a task was possible, the chances of survival were extremely low, yet despite that, the man had accepted it so easily.
"You agree," Ank said, as he studied the man's expression.
"Yes",the man replied forcefully.
"Now I am leaving, but can I ask one thing?" Ank said.
"Yes, you have already made my best day into my worst day, so ask quickly and leave," the man said with irritation, his tone half sarcastic and half resigned.
"You accepted my terms because of that girl, didn't you," Ank asked with curiosity, his eyes slightly narrowing as he tried to understand the real reason behind this decision.
"You are asking this now, yes, that is your answer," the man replied without hesitation, as if he had already accepted that there was no point in hiding it.
"And why?" Ank asked again, genuinely curious this time.
"I already told you my dream, didn't I? I wanted a family, and this is my chance to achieve that," the man said, his voice softening slightly as he spoke about something that clearly mattered to him.
"So this girl changed you," Ank said, interrupting him, his tone carrying a mix of disbelief and realization.
"I still remember how lazy you were, how the master had to force you to leave your house so you could gain some experience," Ank added, recalling the past with a faint smirk.
"You!" the man shouted again, clearly irritated by being reminded of his past, but before he could continue, Ank spoke again.
"Still, this girl helped me, so give this to her," Ank said as he casually threw a small bottle filled with yellow potion toward the man.
"Ank, you…" the man tried to say something, but Ank stopped him immediately.
"Do not thank me, this is your advance payment for your work," Ank said calmly, as if what he had just given away was nothing important.
"And tell her that she has now gained my favour, and she can summon me at any time if she needs my help," Ank continued, his tone unchanged.
"And also tell her that Ank has started liking her, so she can use my name freely from anything," he added before turning away.
"So see you again," Ank said as he prepared to leave.
"Stop, Ank," the man called out suddenly.
"For what?" Ank asked, slightly turning back.
"Ank, I want to give you advice, if you ever want to express your feelings to someone, you should give her something unique, like a ring or some jewellery," the man said, his voice calmer now, as if speaking from experience.
"Now I am done, you can go," he added.
Ank stood there for a moment, clearly confused by this unexpected advice, but he did not question it further and simply turned and left, unaware that these words would one day play an important role in his future.
The man remained there, watching Ank until he completely disappeared from his sight, and only after that did his expression change as he let out a slow breath.
"At last, I gave him advice, it did not feel right to take something this valuable as advance payment," .
He muttered to himself, shaking his head slightly.
"Ank, how stupid you were, giving immortality so easily to a mortal, even any gods know that their hatred toward you will only increase because of this,
And you even gave your protection, if even a single god finds out, my life would become hell," he continued, his tone turning serious.
"But still, I thank you," he said softly, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"Now I can live with her for eternity, and I am happy," he added, his voice filled with quiet satisfaction.
"Ank slowly, your heart is opening," he continued, looking into the distance as if thinking about something far away.
"I want to see the day when your heart truly opens for someone," he said.
"I hope that someone comes
soon," he finished, his voice fading into silence as the place returned to complete stillness.