Life was boring.
That man observed people through the window from his luxurious office. A man sprinted to catch a taxi, employees of various companies crossed the street, and people walked on the pedestrian with their own thoughts. Everyone looked like ants from the top of his building.
That man had everything. He had looks, wealth and status. He was born in Golden Spoon and came from a prosperous family. He never lacked anything in his life. Only one thing was missing.
Excitement.
That man left his family after graduating from the university. He chose his own path and worked from the bottom to the top. Many struggles appeared during his early career. Nevertheless, he solved problems and handled ridiculous superiors with exceptional skills. He enjoyed the challenges and thrills of his job. His outgoing personality and brilliant intelligence made him well-known among employees.
His hard-working effort did not betray the result. It was only a matter of time before he stood at the top. He became wealthier and more famous than before. His wealth had passed his family assets, and his company expanded in different countries. He possessed everything a man wanted: a big house, a successful business, and a harmonious family. He had a beautiful wife and three children. His oldest was in high school, while his youngest was in elementary.
If only he were a modest man.
The business was not enough. That man desired more. He wanted to rule a city where he could do anything he wanted. No. That man was greedy. He wished for something more. A city turned into a country, and a country turned into the world. Yet, it was nothing but an impossible dream. He would face many consequences to achieve that.
The opportunity arose when his golf buddy gave him an invitation.
"Hey, Karl. Do you want to join this gathering?"
The man called Karl was frowning. "Paradise Star? What is it?"
"Well, I cannot tell you about that. Why don't you come by and judge it yourself?"
Karl visited the place and was disappointed. The so-called gathering was nothing but a nightclub involved in debauchery and drugs. Nothing impressive for him. He could earn women and drugs with the amount of money he had. Karl just chose not to do it.
"What do you think?" asked his friend.
"Bummer. I don't see anything special." He took his jacket and walked to the exit. "I'm going home."
"Geez, wait for a moment, would you? The main event is not here. Do you know they perform demon-summoning rituals?"
Karl stopped and turned back. He had never seen a demon-summoning ritual before. Although it was a fake ritual, it would be worth watching. Karl smiled and returned to his seat. "Perhaps I'll stick longer."
"Good choice."
They sat around until the ritual began. Karl was impressed by the staging. The demonic ceremony was authentic. They had real human sacrifice, blood and spells. He watched the performance from his seat while his friend joined the crowd. The whole place chanted unknown incantations. The combination of drugs and euphoria created an unholy rite in that place.
The ritual went well until he heard a scream from the other side of the room. A man levitated in the air, strangled by an unknown force. Karl wiped his eyes. Something was wrong with his sight. He must be affected by the drug. Karl saw a black fog gathering around the air. Yet, not one noticed the strange phenomenon. The black fog choked that man. He remained in the air until all oxygen left his lungs and dropped to the floor.
Everyone who saw the scene panicked and tried to flee. Yet, the whole room was locked. The window or door would not budge no matter how hard people pushed or kicked it. No one could leave. One by one, their lifeless body descended to the ground. Karl was horrified. He could not do anything except witness his friend die in front of him.
"Hmm, a survivor? I cannot feel a summoning sign in your soul. How interesting. You're not part of the people calling me."
The figure in front of him was not human. It was a black fog shaped like a human. Even Karl was not immune from fear. He was beyond frightened and stuttered his speech.
"What-what are you?"
The creature cackled at his words. "What a silly question. You joined a demon-summoning ritual and asked what am I?"
Karl was appaled. "You're a demon?"
"Correct. I have been summoned through enormous sacrifice and the right ritual."
Karl could not believe it. The rite was working. He was the only living person to learn the incident. It must be a sign from the devil itself.
"Well, since I'm in here, would you like to make a contract with me?" offered the demon.
"Contract?"
"I capable of granting any wish. However, I will take your soul as payment. How is that sound?"
"What if I want to rule the world?"
The demon huffed at his wish. "I can grant your wish, but it will be nothing like you imagine. You see, rules bind the world you live in. It will not have a sole ruler. The world will try to fix itself by trying to make you die in any way possible. Surely it won't be nice to be on top of the world but cannot do anything."
Karl was thinking. There were hidden meanings between those words. "Does this mean I can rule safely a different world?"
The demon was astounded by his thoughts. "You are correct. It is possible to be a single ruler in another universe."
"Can you make me the king in there?"
"Hah! Can you even pay the price for it? I doubt your soul will be enough."
"Take it all. My wealth, friend or family."
The demon was stunned. "Really? How fascinating. I have met so many humans, but you have exceeded my expectations. Humans begin to freak out when I confront them, but you are distinct. You, in fact, try to make a deal with me!"
"This is the only right way to establish mutual benefit."
"Great. Just take my hand and say-"
"Not yet. You will take my soul once you grant my wish."
"Well, aren't you a smart one?" The black fog chuckled. "I'm not the one who created this rule. A soul is an equal price for a granted wish. Besides, we need to eat soul to ease our hunger."
"How about we change it a little bit?"
"Change? Are you seriously trying to negotiate with a demon?"
"What if I switch my wish? I don't need to be the king of a world, but please transport me to that world. You can still take everything from me except my soul."
The demon was fascinated by his greed. "Fine. I will not eat your soul. However, I'll add a term. You will be reincarnated instead of transported. You must be a king on your own."
Karl chuckled. It was just like he wanted. "I still have my memories, right?"
"Well, you are not reincarnated in a normal way. Your old memory will be intact. I will receive a penalty, and my power will be halved. However..." The demon smirked. "Entertain me, human. I believe the amusement will be worthy of losing my power."
"It's a deal."
Karl took his hand and made a contract with the demon. Several months passed by, and people around him died one by one. Some of them died by accident, while some were killed in cold blood to amuse the demon. No one knew the murderer was Karl. He bought off the authorities with his money.
Rumour began to float, but he did not care. The waiting time was over. He drove to his secluded vacation house. Karl and his family spent their time in their lodging in the forest. The sound of a gunshot rang through the place that night. The screams of children unfortunately could not reach the town. What was supposed to be a vacation trip had turned into a nightmare.
His wife glared at him. She lay on the floor and held the bullet wound in her chest.
"Why..."
He smiled. "Nothing personal. You are just a stepping stone for something bigger."
Tears fell onto her cheek. She could not believe her beloved husband would kill his own family. Karl did not bother to end her since she would die from blood loss. He walked to the yard for fresh air and lighted a cigarette.
"Sorry, I'm a bit late." The demon appeared before his eyes while licking its lips. "Your children's souls are pretty tasty. They taste sweet, but the taste of fear and despair ruin it a bit."
The demon's words no longer fazed Karl. He was getting impatient. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. Now it's time to fulfil your deal."
"Are you sure you want to start from the beginning again? Many difficulties lie ahead in your future. Your life in another world will not be as great as here."
Karl chuckled. "Does it matter? As long my memory retains, I have nothing to fear."
The demon smirked. What an intriguing fellow. He would miss that man for sure. The demon bowed down to the human for the last time. "A contract is a contract. May your new life be merry."
The demon snapped his finger. That man fell into a pit of darkness and lost consciousness. When he opened his eyes, his surroundings had changed. He lay on a crib with a small hand and body. He became a baby and started his life from zero.
"Look at him! He just like you, My Lady."
"I am so glad he is born healthy."
That man received more of his memory the older he became. He finally recalled everything once he turned ten. The world where he was reincarnated was conventional. It reminded him of his original world in the past. The technology was still simple and not advanced.
It was his chance. He would take control of that world.
The demon still roamed free in Karl's previous world. He stared at the empty body of his pitiful victim. Life on earth was getting boring. He missed the interesting human who made his life more entertaining. The demon stretched his body and shifted into a different shape.
"I should go to his world. What name should I use?" The demon was thinking. "Well, he will have a new name. I will use his old identity and form from now on."