The nightclub was pulsing with energy, like a volcano on the verge of eruption. The walls shook with the bass, lights dazzled the eyes, and the crowd swayed rhythmically like ocean waves. I felt right at home. The bartender already knew my order, and within a minute, my favorite cocktail was in front of me.

“On the hunt again, Jason?” the bartender winked, placing the drink down.

“As always,” I smirked, raising my glass.

My gaze roamed the room like a lion searching for deer. One by one, the girls caught my eye, and I seamlessly joined the game, moving from one to another, laughing, joking, and flirting. Here, I was the king, and each one of them was a potential queen.

“Hey there, gorgeous,” I leaned towards a redhead dancing by the bar. “Bet you're used to leaving a trail of broken hearts.”

She laughed, tilting her head slightly.

“Think you can handle the challenge?” she responded, her eyes sparkling with interest.

“Challenges are my passion,” I smiled, offering her a drink. “Try this, it's one of my favorites.”

She took the glass, her smile widening.

“You sure know how to impress,” she admitted after a sip. “What else can you offer?”

“For someone like you, there's always something special,” I winked, feeling her interest grow.

The night swirled in a whirlwind of conversation, laughter, and music. The red-haired girl, already captivated, held my hand, but my eyes were on another in the center of the room. She practically glowed—long black hair, perfectly accentuated figure, and a look full of confidence. She was my true target for the night. With a quick wave to the redhead, I navigated through the crowd and approached the brunette.

“You dance like you're trying to drive everyone crazy,” I said, shouting over the music.

“Is it working?” she smiled, her eyes gleaming with fun. “I'm Kate.”

“Jason,” I replied, extending my hand. “Let me buy you something special.”

The night continued, and we both drank quite a bit. But alcohol didn't affect me like it did others. No matter how much I drank, I stayed focused. Kate, however, grew more relaxed and lively.

“You have an amazing car,” she said, sliding into my sports convertible.

“Just wait till you feel its power,” I grinned, starting the engine. “Ready for an adventure?”

We sped through the night city, adrenaline pumping through my veins. Despite the alcohol, my mind was clear enough to drive a leagues better than an average man drives sober. Soon, we arrived at my home—a modern mansion with sleek glass walls and huge windows offering a panoramic view of the city. The mansion stood on a hill, with a long driveway paved with stones leading to massive steel gates. Stylish lights illuminated the entrance, and well-kept gardens stretched around.

“Wow, your place is stunning,” Kate marveled as she stepped inside.

The interior was just as impressive—spacious rooms with high ceilings, marble floors, modern furniture, and artwork on the walls. In the center of the living room stood a huge aquarium with rare fish, and a chandelier made of thousands of crystals sparkled from the ceiling. Light reflected softly off the glass walls, creating a cozy atmosphere.

“The best is yet to come,” I winked at her and led her upstairs to the bedroom.

The bedroom exuded sophistication and luxury—a massive bed with a velvet cover, tall dark wood wardrobes, and mirrors reflecting every corner. But the true essence of this room revealed itself only at night.

The night passed in a storm of passion and intense emotions. Instead of tender embraces and kisses, everything turned into a brutal game. Kate found herself bound with silk ropes, her body marked by my touch, and the room echoed with the sounds of whips and moans. We delved into the dark, extreme aspects of BDSM, where pain and pleasure intertwined. She screamed, begged for more, and I, fully immersed in the process, satisfied her and my dark desires.

When it was over, Kate fell asleep, her breathing gradually calming. I lay beside her, staring at the ceiling, and the feeling of emptiness returned. Like a black hole inside me that I could never fill. No matter how many parties, no matter how many women—this feeling stayed with me, deepening every day. I sought salvation in extremes, but satisfaction eluded me, leaving me alone with this insatiable hunger. Not even the greatest masterpieces of the best chefs of the world could sate it. 

In the morning, I got up before Kate and headed to the kitchen. Cooking was always my refuge—I was not only a chef at work but also in my own kitchen, my comfort zone. I quickly and professionally mixed eggs with truffles, carefully sliced avocado, and toasted some bread. The kitchen filled with the aromas of fresh herbs and spices.

Kate appeared in the kitchen, drawn by the scents. Her eyes sparkled with pleasure at the sight of breakfast.

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“Wow, this looks amazing,” she said, sitting down at the table. “How many more talents do you have?”

“I love cooking,” I replied shortly, handing her a plate. “Enjoy your meal.”

She savored each bite, and I, sitting opposite, felt like an observer. Despite her smile, the black hole in my soul remained unfilled.

“Thank you, Jason, this was wonderful,” she said when she finished. “You keep surprising me.”

“You’re welcome,” I responded a tad more coldly than I intended.

I took my coffee cup and sipped, watching Kate still sitting at the table. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, she curiously examined the kitchen, occasionally throwing seductive glances my way, hinting at a continuation of the night's activities.

“You should go,” I finally broke the silence. “I have a lot to do today.”

Her face darkened a bit, clearly not expecting this turn of events. Her expression displayed a range of emotions, from surprise to hurt. It was unlikely anyone had ever treated Miss Charm and Sensuality this way. She was usually the one to decide when and how to end a meeting.

“Are you serious?” she asked, frowning slightly.

“Absolutely. I don’t like being distracted,” I replied, looking her straight in the eye with indifference.

She stood up, quickly averting her gaze from my cold eyes.

“Well, alright,” she said, still hoping, it seemed, for a change in my mood. “It was nice, Jason.”

I nodded, not saying a word, and pointed to the door. She hesitated for a moment, then slowly walked out. As she moved away from the kitchen, her steps grew louder, as if she was intentionally trying to get my attention. I heard her starting to get nervous, hurriedly dressing and intentionally slamming the door loudly, but I didn’t care. Her presence was no longer needed.

After Kate left, I sank into a comfortable chair by the window with a cup of coffee, enjoying the silence and the view of the morning city. Usually, I would try to quench my vague hunger with food, typically having an omelette made of seven whole eggs for breakfast, but today I didn’t feel like it. I opened my laptop and started looking for new ways to fill my void. Scrolling through countless options, my gaze stopped at extreme mountain climbing. High peaks, cold winds, and the risk that made my blood boil—this was exactly what I needed. I chose a route that promised not only a physical but also a spiritual challenge, and without hesitation, bought the tickets. Three days in the mountains, away from everything familiar—this should help, at least temporarily.

Closing the laptop, I glanced at the clock. It was time to start my workday. I got up, grabbed my jacket, and headed out to my establishment—one of the city's most prestigious restaurants.

As soon as I entered the kitchen, my colleagues greeted me with familiar smiles and greetings. Everyone knew me as a strict boss, but also an unparalleled chef who could turn any dish into a culinary masterpiece.

“Good morning, Chef,” said one of the cooks, Ernie, with a broad grin. “We have a new hire today. Her name’s Stephanie.”

I turned to where he nodded and saw her. Tall, slender, with long chestnut hair and green eyes, she looked fresh and attractive, like a morning dawn.

“Hello, Stephanie,” I said, approaching her with a charming smile. “Welcome to our team. If you need any help, feel free to ask.”

“Thank you, Jason,” she replied, blushing slightly. “I’ve been told you’re the boss here, the Executive Chef.”

She smiled, and I noticed a faint blush on her cheeks. Flirting was almost automatic for me—a way to maintain interest in people, even if I wasn't genuinely interested.

At that moment, Paul, our senior chef, and my long-time friend, passed by. He gave me a quick glance, then turned to Stephanie.

“Stephanie, be careful with our boss,” he said half-jokingly, half-seriously. “He changes girls as often as we change gloves in the kitchen.”

She laughed, but there was a hint of unease in her eyes. I smirked, understanding that Paul was just looking out for her, but his words were true.

“Stephanie, you know, you might be Jason’s tenth girl,” he added, giving me a challenging look.

“Oh, that's not so bad,” she said, laughing lightly. “It’s not surprising that such a successful person would have more than one or two companions.”

“The tenth this month,” I replied with a light smile, watching her reaction.

Her eyes widened, and she fell silent for a moment, processing what she had heard. Then she forced a strained smile, trying to keep her composure.

“Well, that’s... impressive,” she muttered.

“Paul, you worry too much about me,” I said ironically, giving him a light pat on the shoulder. “Let the girl form her own opinion about me.”

“You know me,” the senior chef replied with a smile. “Just giving a heads-up.”

Suddenly, an all-encompassing female voice echoed through the air, seemingly coming from everywhere and nowhere at once. The sound was so powerful and unexpected that many people clutched their heads, trying to stave off a growing migraine.

“Attention, inhabitants of planet Earth,” the voice announced, causing all activity in the restaurant to freeze. “Your planet is undergoing irreversible changes. The Ether has been activated within its core, and life will now follow entirely new rules.”

I noticed the new waitress, Stephanie, slowly sinking to the floor, clutching her head in her hands. Her eyes were wide with horror, just like everyone else's. The restaurant guests, seated at their tables, began to panic, not understanding what was happening. Unlike them, I felt an odd sense of excitement, as if I had been expecting something like this for a long time.

At that moment, the infrastructure around us began to change. The restaurant walls, previously styled with metal elements and glass, started to transform. The metal and glass turned into mossy surfaces covered with vines and flowers. The wooden and plastic tables and chairs grew, transforming into miniature trees and bushes. Kitchen appliances were covered with vines and leaves, turning into some kind of vegetation, as if nature had decided to reclaim its own.

“What the hell?!” shouted Ernie, the chef standing next to me, as his knives began to morph into branches.

The voice continued, ignoring the chaos, “Each of you will receive magical abilities and the potential for growth. These powers will help you adapt to the new conditions and protect yourselves. And, one day, become the protectors of the Universe.”

I felt a strange sensation coursing through my body, as if something were trying to invade my mind, but couldn’t quite succeed. Suddenly, the voice changed, becoming more monotone and mechanical, as if the system was analyzing me.

“Jason Frost, system analysis,” the voice echoed in my head, as if whispering into my ear. Somehow I understood that only I heard it now. A strange glow surrounded me, as if an invisible scanner was passing over my body.

“Error… System malfunction... Mental Marking unsucessful. Jason Frost identified as a Mythic-Tier Monster, the Insatiable Ether Devourer. Activating anti-threat protocol.”

The voice abruptly turned chilling and resolute, “Jason Frost, you are personally banned from the Sentinel System. Access to the Interface blocked. Access to the Ether Code Readjustment is blocked. You are a threat to the new world. Please die at the first opportunity, or better yet, kill yourself. This would be the best for everyone. Thank you for understanding and have a not-so-nice day.”

The system seemed to crash into my mind like breaking a wall, plunging me into darkness. Sparks flickered around me like a short circuit, and the voice of the system faded, leaving me in absolute silence.

I tried to clench my fists, but my fingers felt only emptiness. With each passing second, I was consumed by an increasing sense of isolation and void. A thought flashed through my mind that I had become an outcast, a monster not accepted even by the new era of magic.

Opening my eyes, I saw the remnants of the restaurant's infrastructure, now part of the new living world. My colleagues, oblivious to my suffering, were beginning to realize their new powers, staring in awe at their glowing hands or the plants still growing out of nowhere. I felt a strange pull towards the newfound energy that surrounded us, as if something ancient and powerful within me, long starved, had finally found a path to nourishment. The thought of devouring it pervaded my consciousness, creating an overwhelming desire to touch this mysterious force and sate the hunger that I had felt my entire life. 

This energy… is this Ether the voice talked about? 

Although the system had imposed restrictions on me, I felt that my true nature surpassed them. Even though it tried to do something to me, to my mind, I felt that it failed. Instead of feeling isolated and alone, I experienced a surge of excitement and inspiration. A powerful force, ancient and long forgotten, awakened within me. This new world, filled with magic, did not reject me but rather granted me access to something greater and more significant than the so-called System. The pull towards Ether grew stronger, promising fulfillment and the revelation of my true potential. This inspiration and sense of unexplored superiority filled me with determination, and the feeling of a sharply heightened hunger drove me forward, towards consumption.

And, before I knew it, I approached the strongest source of the Ether in the vicinity… Stephanie. What I was about to do to her? I had no idea, but I was about to find out…