🍁Nine Ancient Obelisks

- What? No! Cursed Harranians! - This assumption somehow offended the little man. - This is the second time, the second time I've lost everything for the same reason! Long ago, I made a living by piercing, using insects that I bred myself for this purpose, but a civil war came, and I lost everything. In those years, I didn't give up and moved to Asuguh, took a new name, and started a new business, much more profitable than the previous one... And here we go again! - He laughs bitterly. - But this time, I lost not only my wealth - I managed to preserve my mind, but I lost my body. - He shows his decaying hand. - I am already undead.

—Don't be offended, you understand... —the scholar spread his hands. —You know, our world is so unstable and unfair that you should expect such blows of fate wherever you are and whatever you do. When it seems that you have finally found your cozy corner, then bam! and everything goes wrong. I also thought a lot and dreamed of many things until I found myself in the wrong time and the wrong place... Well, not exactly. —He waved his hand. —You probably won't understand, but I want to say... One of my acquaintances said that perhaps there is not only a dark side here. If you manage to preserve your body and mind, at least in their current state, then perhaps this is a unique chance in life to change everything for the third, last time? Of course, you will have to give up a lot, and in the eyes of religious people, you will become nothing more than an abomination, but if you play your cards right and, most importantly, do not do unnecessary evil, like those same Harranians, then this opportunity can even be turned to your advantage. You will have an entire eternity at your disposal to expand your knowledge, make acquaintances, conduct business, and collect valuables that your soul desires. And in the end, who knows, maybe you will find that comfortable place for yourself, or maybe scientists and people of faith will find a way to return to you what the cursed Harranians took away. At least, I would think so if I were in your place. It certainly won't be worse than being a mindless zombie. —After thinking for a moment, he adds: —And if not, and such an existence becomes an unbearable torment and burden for you, or simply impossible... There will always be people willing to relieve you of suffering.