"Again, please put your weapons down. Let us talk like civilized people. Or else I might need to tear your f*cking heads of."
Hallmaster Delta's voice sounded polite, but his words sent a chill down Benjamin's spine. His intuition told him that the strange man was not joking. He and his two bodyguards were no match even if Hallmaster Delta appeared to be unarmed.
"Ok."
Benjamin raised his hand, gesturing for his bodyguards to lower their weapons, suppressing the tremble of his hands. How could the situation get so much out of control?
"There, isn't it much better this way? Now we can talk."
"What do you want?"
"What I want is of little importance. But I think I have something that you want, Mister Bender."
"Medicine?"
"Haha! You are insulting both of us! Isn't mere medicine below us, Mister Bender? I can offer you something much better. The secret of eternal youth. A divine gift. Something our mortal minds can't comprehend!"
Benjamin remained silent, staring at Delta's trembling pupils.
"Exactly. I can see. The desire deep in your eyes. Eternal… youth… savour this! I wouldn't make such an offer to just anyone. But you are worth it!"
"Mhm. And what do I need to pay?"
"Ahh, this is what you are concerned about? No, no need. Once you join us, you will naturally act in the hall's best interest. But there is no need to be afraid. We won't ask for your first born. We are no monsters. Hahaha!"
"Who is we?", asked Benjamin, doing his best to cope with the situation.
"We? Oh, I can only tell you about the hall after you join us. Just know that we are incredibly powerful. We are saviours. We are going to liberate this world."
"Are you criminals? Would the authorities hunt me for associating with you?"
"No… no, no. Authorities? They have no leverage over us. We are so much more! So much greater! How could we bow before mundane powers?"
For a while only Benjamin's heavy breath could be heard. Hallmaster Delta stared at him with a smile.
"Well, I will give you until tomorrow to think about it. But a small punishment is due for daring to pointing weapons at me."
"What?!"
Before Benjamin could react, Hallmaster Delta whistled sharply. One of the tattoo's covering his face moved. It turned into a black streak which shot at the two bodyguards, hitting their necks before returning to the hallmaster.
"You!"
"Don't worry, they won't die. Think about my offer."
With those words Hallmaster Delta turned around and walked towards the elevator.
Only after the bald man had disappeared did Benjamin dare to move. He carefully approached his two bodyguards, who had collapsed on the ground. Benjamin didn't touch them. He looked them up and down, remaining at a safe distance. He noticed strange wounds at the bodyguards' necks where the black tattoo had hit them.
"Are those… snakebites?"
Benjamin shivered as he murmured to himself. Black blood ran from two small holes on their necks. Benjamin tapped on his watch.
"Call an emergency."
***
An hour later Benjamin watched as his two bodyguards were heaved into the heavy, broad ambulance flying car. He had already spoken to the accompanying doctor. Even he identified the wounds as snake bites. Obviously, the doctor was more than just surprised. But as he tried to ask for more information, Benjamin remained silent. The doctor had no choice but to give up. He would relay the information to the responsible authorities. It remained to be seen how they would deal with this.
Benjamin didn't care for the doctor as long as he did his job well. After the ambulance's door closed, Benjamin entered his own car and speedily left this place. When he returned home it was already quite late.
Under Margaret's lead the staff would always have dinner prepared even if Benjamin returned late. After changing into more comfortable clothes Benjamin sat at his favourite dining table, observing the garden outside. A few well-placed lights illuminated the exotic plants to create a tranquil scene.
Benjamin's knife cut into the soft steak, causing the pinkish juice to flow. A fork pierced the flesh and brought it to Benjamin's mouth. His teeth ground down the fine beef stuffed with chemicals. The taste, both artificial and natural, covered Benjamin's tongue, sending pleasurable sensations to his brain.
Unfortunately, all of this didn't even really register as Benjamin was elsewhere with his thoughts. He went through the strange happenings of today, considering whether to accept that strange hallmaster's invitation.
He wasn't intimidated by the man. With his money he could hire a small army to protect himself at all times. Although Hallmaster Delta revealed some unexplainable methods, it wasn't something a good old laser rifle couldn't solve.
However, the hallmaster's words were quite tempting to Benjamin. Delta promised him eternal youth. In Benjamin's understanding this meant a way to prolong lifespan. He didn't really doubt this. The Café of Dreams used lifespan as payment method. This was no hoax. Benjamin could feel himself getting weaker every time he bought some of the red beans.
If the café could take lifespan away, why couldn't the hallmaster grant it?
Benjamin's breathing gradually became erratic. Eternal youth. Just imagine all the things he could do with unlimited lifespan. No need to hold back when buying beans at the café. Even the pricey blue beans wouldn't be out of reach. A glimpse of the future. He could observe stock trends, political changes, discover successful products early.
And the red beans were not any weaker. They would open countless doors. He would be able to convince everyone of his opinions. A daring idea came to Benjammin's mind. What if… no! He had to stop himself for now. He was about to go mad. But the seed had already been sowed, taking root in his mind. A grand vision lay ahead. He only had to reach out and firmly grab it. Sink his teeth into it and don't let go!
Benjamin didn't notice that his hands were trembling, and the food was growing cold. He was fully revelling in his fantasies. Only when the sound of rain came from outside did he wake up. Benjamin finished his dinner, spent the rest of the evening reading, and went to bed. In his sleep he felt a nest of snakes slithering around him, eyeing him with their poisonous gazes. Benjamin turned left and right but he was unable to escape. Suddenly he sipped a cup of coffee, let out a shout, and punched the snakes to ashes.
Benjamin woke up with a start, panting heavily. What an incredibly strange dream. Breathing deeply the man looked out of the window, observing the slowly rising sun. Soon, it was time to get up. After a quick breakfast Benjamin directly headed for the company. Hallmaster Delta said he would give him time until today, but he didn't give Benjamin any method to contact him. Thus, Benjamin decided he would come to the parking tower after work, considering it the most likely place to meet Delta.
With so much on his mind, Benjamin's work efficiency wasn't great. He confirmed some decisions, agreed to some budgets, but the matter of the Mecutis market didn't make any progress. Well, if everything progressed as Benjamin expected it to, the Mecutis market soon wouldn't be a reason for worry anymore.
Evening was fast approaching. The employees were still hard at work, some even taking medicine to remain energetic. Everyone knew that the CEO was working hard and didn't expect any less from his employees. Replacing workers was just too easy in this world where jobs were scarce and even had to be secured through laws.
"Aqua, give me a performance analysis."
"Yes, Sir. Employees are performing at eight-six percent efficiency. Employee Smith has shown a ten percent reduction in writing speed compared to last week. Employee Turner has been spending three minutes longer drinking. Employee Moll has returned from her vacation, showing a ten percent increase in overall efficiency…"
While Aqua was reporting, Benjamin nodded along, his eyes wandering over the recordings of their surveillance cameras. Suddenly he froze as his eyes fell on the reception area. A person had appeared at the door, staring straight at the camera with a seemingly gentle grin on their face. It was Hallmaster Delta!
The hallmaster wore a fine suit, somehow hiding his tattoos. There was not a hint of a threatening aura as he approached the receptionist.
"Aqua, tell them to bring the visitor directly to my office. And turn off the office's surveillance. And tell them to lock the red beans away."
"Yes, Sir."
Benjamin stood behind his desk, his expression solemn. Finally, the door opened. Hallmaster Delta enter with light steps, curiously studying the office. He even sniffed audibly.
"Mister Bender! I held my word and gave you a day to consider. Now, what is your answer?"
Benjamin was surprised that Delta went directly to the point. He stared fearlessly at the man's eyes. Finally, a slight smile appeared on his lips.
"If you can grant me eternal youth, I will join you in whatever you are doing."
"Haha! I knew we would get along well!"