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Chapter 9: Echoes of the Unknown

The relic pulsed faintly in the dim light of Emir's penthouse, its cryptic patterns glowing like a puzzle refusing to be solved. Emir sat before it, his thoughts circling endlessly. The intricate lines etched on its surface had begun to feel like a silent challenge, a mocking whisper that he wasn't clever enough to unravel its secrets. The faint hum it emitted filled the room, growing louder whenever he stared too long. He leaned forward, his fingers hovering above its surface as if daring to touch it might reveal something new. "You gave me this power," he muttered under his breath, "but for what? What's the catch?"

He shifted back into his chair, pulling out his phone to review the photos he'd taken earlier. Each one showed the map-like patterns on the relic, but beneath the surface, something else flickered—barely visible. Faint symbols, like hidden writing, teased him in the glare of his camera flash. Emir frowned, enlarging one of the photos, but the details remained elusive. He sighed heavily, closing his phone and opening the skill tree interface instead.

The room filled with the shimmering light of the ethereal display. His eyes scanned the glowing branches, landing on the next available skill: Temporal Vision. The skill's description was as vague as ever but promised the ability to glimpse possible futures. A shiver ran through him at the thought. It could be a game-changer, but the cost was astronomical—100 million credits. He let out a low whistle. "That's not just a price; that's daylight robbery," he muttered.

Even so, Emir couldn't ignore the pull of the skill tree. It felt purposeful, like every locked skill was another piece of a puzzle. His instincts told him the relic wasn't done with him yet, and the skill tree was its way of guiding him. Or perhaps taunting him. For now, though, the answers eluded him, leaving only questions and a growing sense of urgency.

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Symbols Beneath the Map

The faint symbols hidden on the relic's surface would remain a mystery for now, but their meaning would someday lead Emir to a revelation that would reshape everything he thought he knew.

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A Night at Uncle Tariq's

The rich aroma of shawarma greeted Emir as he stepped into Uncle Tariq's eatery. The cozy space was alive with chatter and laughter, its warmth a welcome contrast to the cool night outside. Uncle Tariq himself spotted Emir immediately, his booming laughter cutting through the noise. "Ah, Emir! The man with big dreams and an even bigger appetite!" Tariq exclaimed, waving him over.

Emir couldn't help but smile as he approached the counter. "What can I say? The dreams need fuel, and your shawarma does the trick."

"Double meat, extra sauce?" Tariq asked, already scribbling down the order.

"You know me too well," Emir replied, sliding into his usual seat at the corner table. The buzz of the restaurant filled his ears as he watched Tariq work, his hands moving with practiced ease.

Minutes later, Tariq joined him at the table, a steaming plate of shawarma in hand. "So," the older man began, settling into the chair opposite Emir, "how's the empire-building going? Bought any islands yet?"

"Not quite," Emir said, laughing. "But I did hit a snag with one of my projects. Zoning issues."

"Ah, bureaucracy. A universal headache," Tariq said, shaking his head. "But you'll figure it out. You always do."

Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion at a nearby table. A group of men huddled together, their voices low and urgent. Emir's gaze flicked to the table, where something wrapped in cloth sat between them. The way they guarded it reminded him of his relic.

"What's that about?" he asked, nodding toward the group.

Tariq followed his gaze and shrugged. "Regulars. Probably some family heirloom. They're always up to something."

Emir nodded but kept one eye on the men as he finished his meal. Something about their behavior nagged at him, a feeling he couldn't quite shake.

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The Mysterious Group

The men's guarded behavior hinted at a secret they carried—one that would later intersect with Emir's journey in unexpected ways.