"My dear mother… my Guardian Angel — the one who put so much effort into pulling me out of that dark world… now wants to drag me back there — for the sake of money."
Angelo's voice was calm but carried a faint sadness. His eyes locked on hers, as if searching for something deeper than just a reaction.
Maria's heart tightened painfully. His words made her feel as though she had done something wrong — as though she should never have brought that brochure at all.
"No, it's not like that, Angelo, I just thought—" she began, but he interrupted her with a quiet laugh.
"Take it easy, Mom, I'm just kidding.
He continued with a gentle smile,
"I wonder if you think I'm finally ready to truly end the Emperor's story — to let the past fade away once and for all. And this interview gives me the perfect chance."
Maria exhaled with a nervous laugh.
"Silly boy. I knew you'd understand your mother. But please, don't scare me like that again," she said, her voice still trembling slightly.
"All right, Mom," he replied gently, then added,
"These money can be considered my compensation — for everything this world once took from me."
Maria looked at him carefully.
"Angelo… are you sure about this? You really want to go through with it?"
He met her gaze steadily, his voice lower now, touched with something heavy yet controlled.
"Yes, Mom. I've grown up. I'm no longer that little boy who wore the mask of an Emperor. Besides, Chess is the only thing that truly holds value and meaning for me now — I no longer feel any attachment to Life Without End."
He paused for a moment, his expression darkening slightly.
"I just want to tell the whole world what that game truly did to me — the emotions it devoured, the pain it carved into my mind, and the scars it left behind.
Maria's eyes softened. For a moment, she simply looked at him in silence, her heart torn between pride and worry. Then she leaned closer and said quietly:
"I love you, Angelo… and I'll support every decision you make. Always."
Her words filled the room with warmth — fragile, sincere, and painfully human.
"Tomorrow you can call them and tell them I agree to the interview," Angelo said calmly. "But half of the payment must be made in advance."
"I'll take care of it," Maria nodded.
They finished their tea, shared the last piece of cake, washed the dishes, and then hugged before going to their rooms.
When Angelo entered his, he quietly closed the door behind him.
He moved a chair to the wardrobe, stepped on it, and reached for a dark-blue box on the top shelf.
Taking it down, he placed it on the table and slowly lifted the lid.
Inside lay a flash drive engraved in silver letters: "Life Without End."
Next to it was the virtual visor — the one Angelo had used five years ago.
It was the key — the entrance to his old profile, the profile of the Bloody Emperor, who once held the entire gaming world in fear.
For a while, Angelo stood still, the card resting in his trembling hands, as if he were arguing with himself.
"I gave you up long ago… so why can't you give me up?" he whispered quietly.
He set the card down, turned off the light, and lay on his bed.