Chapter 1: Prologue
I was pretty well-known in my world.
Before I died the first time, I was one of the most influential figures alive, and I loved going around talking about how successful I was.
It was fascinating how rich people got hooked on hearing a complete stranger tell them how he made it big. Usually middle-class folks — they were the ones who really got impressed.
I had a lot of ventures, sure, but the one job I loved the most was the one where I sold people the brief fantasy they could afford. Want to be rich? I'll tell you how. Want to win the love of your life? Pay me and I'll give you the secret.
The real trick to keeping loyal clients? Just give them enough to never become independent of you.
Like a drug dealer, handing out just the right amount for you to get addicted.
Except my business was legal.
(Well... mostly legal. I dabbled in the other kind, too.)
But hey — it's easier said than done. Even though I was kind of a big deal back then, highly respected and influential, I was never truly satisfied with life.
I knew a lot of people — that's true — but I wouldn't call any of them friends. They were just tools to get me somewhere. I had no one to call family, either. My entire luxurious life was... purposeless.
Not that I'm complaining. I was one of the best in the world. Just not the best at everything.