"Ivan, your time is running out."
...
Ever since the signs of aging began to appear on Ivan, his hearing had become increasingly uncontrollable, not just due to the noisy sounds of the real world, but sometimes he would even hear strange whispers from unknown sources.
Ivan began to grow accustomed to being alone, frequently traveling to the Vatican, to the Tibetan Region, to monasteries, attempting to soothe his chaotic mind with the chants of monks.
But ultimately, this was merely addressing the symptoms, not the root of the problem.
The longer it went on, the more Ivan yearned for his once-healthy self, the self that seemed omnipotent after undergoing the transformation plan, the self that could freely eavesdrop on others' privacy.
The past and the present formed a stark contrast.
Pain was difficult enough to endure, but the torment of aging was even more unbearable; he couldn't accept himself becoming like this.
