[These two items will be paid through coins. Do you agree?]
"Yes," I answered, the word tasting like ash in my mouth. What else could I do when faced with such a blatantly greedy higher-up? I had no leverage, no alternative, and no time.
For some reason, dealing with this entity reminded me of the Nymph of the Bringold Impact—that same predatory opportunism masked as a "service." It seemed that no matter how high one ascended in the hierarchy of the universe, the itch for profit remained a universal constant.
[Alright. I will deduct the prices directly and then grant you the items,] the voice declared.
The next moment, I felt a metaphorical hole burn through my pockets. I watched my interface with a sinking heart as almost all of my coins vanished into the void, followed closely by the massive chunk of my soul points. My reserves, once a source of pride and security, were now decimated.
