Mich has just finished another night of endless work. He was a corporate slave but he accepted it as it could at least keep him alive, enough to pay his rent and food.

Throughout his life, nothing has ever been right for him. Ever since he can remember, his parents do not care much for him and fight every so often that he can't take it anymore and decides to leave the house. He couldn't be like the other kids where they can show what they’ve achieved to their parents and they’d praise their child. When he got to high school, he landed a part-time job to pay for his apartment rent, but school was pretty boring as he had nothing to look forward to and no friends to talk to. Throughout his academic years, his grade was below average as he had no motivation to do anything and as a result, even his teacher belittled him but it didn't bother him because he didn't care what other people thought.

On his way back, he stopped at a public announcement board, searching if there was something interesting. As he was scanning the board, he saw a somewhat unusual advertisement paper. The paper was scuffed and some parts of it were torn. The paper had a picture of a demonic circle and below it was written: “Boredom Conquering Your Days? We can change that!” Mich decided to go to the address mentioned in the paper as he had nothing to lose, thinking this was just a prank by some company.

The location wasn't far from where he was and he arrived a few minutes later. He entered the building mentioned in the paper. To his surprise, there were several people already gathered. Mich was still skeptical about this whole thing but at the same time felt some sort of curiosity inside him. He decided to stay put and observe what they were doing. He watched as they all lit candles around the circle and chanted some sort of incantation.

"Is this some kind of cult?" Mich thought to himself.

Mich stepped closer, planning to query the individuals in robes about changing his dull days. Just as he was about to tap one of them on the shoulder, a bright red light shone out from the circle and flames began to surge into life. The people around him were left amazed.

"We did it! Our rituals were not in vain."

"Our faith has been rewarded. We stand in the presence of greatness."

Several reactions could be heard due to their successful ritual.

At the same time, a demon emerged from the circle of people. It was a demon that had come straight out from hell. The demon was muscular and tall, almost triple the size of an average human. Its head was horned like a bull, and its skin was ashen and glowing with a fiery light. Although it was humanoid in appearance, its body seemed to be as hard as a stone.

"Greetings, mortals. Your call was...amusing. Tell me, what do you seek in exchange for your pitiful devotion?" asked the demon with a heavy and distorted voice.

"Great demon, we seek your guidance and power to change our lives for the better. Please, grant us your blessings."

"We've summoned you to bring about a better life swiftly. We eagerly await the fulfillment of our dreams."

"We summoned you, mighty one, to bring prosperity and happiness into our lives. We are ready to serve you faithfully in return."

The cultists started to bow in unison, their movements eerily synchronous. Some even prostrated themselves before the demon. Mich stumbled back, his mind reeling with shock and disbelief at the sight before him. He stood frozen and unsure of what to do next.

Whoa, look at those effects! How much budget did they spend for this trick? He was unsure whether to follow along and also prostrate in front of the otherworldly creature.

The demon noticed Mich, the only one in the crowd not bowing down to it. It was intrigued by him.

"Ah, one among you does not bow. An interesting choice, mortal. Are you a part of this gathering that has beckoned me from the abyss? And what is it that sets you apart from the rest? Speak your desires, for I sense a different purpose in your heart."

“Me?” Mich pointed to himself. “I saw this paper on my way home and decided to see for myself. Who knew technology was so advanced? This whole prank feels surreal.”

The demon glared at Mich before letting out a humorless chuckle. He seemed visibly annoyed but managed to maintain his composure. Suddenly, he launched a fireball in Mich's direction - yet the human remained unshaken by the attack.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Look man, even if you’re real, I wouldn't mind you taking my soul. I have nothing to lose anyway.” Mich opened his arms widely as if waiting to be killed by the demon.

"Well, well, mortal, you are a puzzle indeed. A soul willing to wager its very existence without hesitation. How intriguing! You offer your soul without seeking any grandiose desires in return. A rare and curious proposition, I must say." The demon thought for a bit, and a few moments later he had a smug smile on his face. "I shall offer you a deal, my odd client. I will claim your soul, but not to torment you. Instead, I'll take you away from this world and provide you with a new existence as my own avatar in another realm. You will carry out my will, and in doing so, you may discover meaning beyond the darkness that has engulfed your spirit."

Without any second thought, Mich accepted the offer. “Deal! How do I know you’re not joking?”

The demon let out an evil laugh that echoed off the walls. Its hands were curled into fists, and its eyes glowed with a fiery intent. Pain unlike anything Mich had ever experienced surged through him – it felt like his body was being squeezed in an iron grip and ripped apart from the inside out. “F-fair enough” Mich struggled to say those words.

“There, Now your soul is mine. However, I will give you one last chance to be in this world, two days to be exact. Say goodbye to any of the things you care about while you can. If there is any.” The demon looked at the cultists. “As for the rest of you… consider it done,” said the demon as it snapped its fingers. It then let out an earsplitting cackle, followed by a bright flame that engulfed it, before fading away into nothingness.

The cultists continued to bow to the circle even after the demon left. Nonstop words of gratitude could be heard. While in reality, the demon did not grant their wish…

*****

Mich spent the next day lingering around the bustling city. He wandered aimlessly through the streets, wondering if the deal he made with the demon wasn't a dream. If it was, he’d have to continue his days as a corporate slave in two days' time.

As the last day drew near, Mich was caught off guard by an unexpected sight. As he returned from a walk, he noticed that someone was lingering in front of his apartment door. She was looking at her phone and then at the door number as if to double-check she had come to the right place.

"Excuse me, do I know you?" asked Mich.

Startled, the girl stammered her response. “Uh-umm, I was looking for someone.” She gave Mich a long look. “I don't mean to be wrong, but is your name Mich Ambrose?”

Mich’s eyebrows shot up as he heard what she said, wondering how she knew his name. After all, only his colleagues from the office should have known him by that name—but this girl didn't look like she worked there. "Yes, that's me. How do you know my name?"

She paused for a moment before she finally responded, "I’m Angelica, we were never really close, but I've known you since junior high. I've watched you from a distance, and I've always been concerned."

"Concerned? Why?"

Angelica looked around, making sure there wasn't anyone nearby. “C-could we talk inside? If you don’t mind.”

Mich nodded. He unlocked his apartment door and they both went inside. His apartment wasn't big. The living room was barely large enough to accommodate a table, two chairs, and a sofa bed. A small television sat in the corner, surrounded by bookshelves that contained old collectibles from high school and colorful action figures. They sat down at the chairs, facing each other.

“So, what are you concerned about?” Mich asked, continuing where they left off.

"I saw how you struggled back then, how the teachers belittled you. But what amazed me was how you never gave up. You made it through those tough times, and here you are today."

"I... I didn't realize anyone was watching."

"I was, and I'm impressed by your resilience. That's why I wanted to find you, Mich.” She let out a warm smile.

“Find me? For what?” Mich couldn't understand why she would want to meet someone like him. After all, he was a nobody that others didn't care about.

She touched her chest lightly. There was a hint of redness on her cheek. “To make sure you don't have to experience those tough moments again without someone by your side.”

“But why? Every day I resume my life aimlessly, without a purpose. I’m a corporate slave by day, and a depressed man by night.” Mich belittled himself. “Even if you wanted to meet me, I don't deserve someone like you in my life. You’d be better off searching for someone else.”

Angelica felt a sharp stab in her heart at the news of Mich's plight. Gritting her teeth, she leaned in towards him and declared firmly, "Let me be your purpose then! I want you to have something to come back home for no matter what." Her cheeks were blushing from the intensity of her emotion.

Mich was surprised by her sudden confession, after all these times he thought that no one cared about him. He finally met someone who actually cared for him. "I...Thank you," he stuttered nervously.

“True to your name, you really are an angel sent to me, but Angelica, I-” Mich stumbled on his words momentarily. He stood up, remembering something important: that he had made a deal with a demon and, if it were real, he would die by morning's light. He wanted to keep the truth from her because if she knew, this would cause her great sorrow. But what if it was only a dream? No, He had to assume that it was true.

“But what? Do you think I’m lying!?” Angelica raised her voice. She also stood up and pressed her body against Mich’s. “Do I need to prove it to you?”

Mich was astonished by her actions. He had never experienced a sensation so comforting before. He chose to embrace her tightly in an attempt to capture the feeling even more.

Angelica wasn't surprised one bit, instead, Angelica pushed Mich down onto the bed, her face aglow in the moonlight. She looked determined and passionate, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. “Then, tonight I’ll be yours,” she said as she moved slowly, tenderly stroking Mich's face as she leaned in to kiss him.