Present-Day Tokyo
Narrator POV
Ren walked through the crowded streets of Tokyo, his hands tucked into his pockets, his expression heavy with melancholy.
My name is Ren Toshiki.
I had recently graduated from high school, and thanks to all my effort, I had finally landed a good job. The pay was decent, and the company's reputation was solid. On paper, my life looked like it was finally coming together.
But reality was far from kind.
I grew up in an orphanage. Life there was brutal. If you wanted food, you had to fight for it. No one cared whether you were hungry or hurt—only the strong survived.
Even after entering middle school, my life didn't get easier. I worked multiple part-time jobs while struggling to keep up with my studies. From the moment I learned how the world worked, my life had been nothing but a constant battle for survival.
Thankfully, my hard work paid off. A senior from my high school had recommended me to the same company he worked for, and that was how I managed to secure this job. Coincidentally, I was on my way to meet that very senior now.
Maybe things will finally start getting better, I thought bitterly.
Still, I didn't know why he wanted to meet me so suddenly. From what I had heard, he had recently gotten a girlfriend—apparently the receptionist at our company.
Just imagining him showing her off made my mouth twitch.
Figures.
Before I could sink further into my thoughts, a loud voice called out—
"Hey, Ren! Over here!!"
I looked up and spotted my senior waving enthusiastically. Standing beside him was a young, beautiful woman. I recognized her immediately—she really was the company receptionist.
I raised my hand in response and walked over to them.
We began chatting as we headed toward the restaurant.
"Ren! I'm really glad you could make it," my senior said with a bright grin.
"It's no problem, Kasama-senpai," I replied. "But I'm curious—what did you want to talk about? And who is this?"
"Oh! This is Maya—my girlfriend," Kasama said proudly. "We recently got together, and we're even thinking about marriage. I wanted to invite you to dinner and get some advice. After all, you're my favorite junior."
There was a faint smugness in his tone.
So that's it… he just wants to show off, I thought, feeling speechless.
Maya stepped forward and smiled warmly.
"Hello, you must be Ren-san. I've heard a lot about you from Kasama," she said politely.
"Hopefully it's all good things," I replied with a small laugh. "Though I've heard a few rumors about you too."
"W-Wait, rumors?! What kind of rumors?" Maya asked, shocked.
"Come on, Maya, he's just messing with you," Kasama said, laughing.
"Oh, thank goodness…" Maya sighed in relief. "I was worried for a second."
As we continued walking through the bustling crowd, sudden screams rang out.
"Someone stop him! He's gone crazy!!"
"Oh my god, he has a knife!"
"Somebody help!!"
Amid the chaos, a crazed man wielding a knife came sprinting toward us, his eyes wild with madness.
It happened in an instant.
Just as the man lunged forward—aiming straight for Kasama—
I moved.
Without thinking, I shoved Kasama out of the way.
Pain exploded through my body.
The knife pierced my stomach.
The attacker pulled the blade free and vanished into the crowd, leaving me collapsing onto the cold pavement. Blood spilled from my mouth as my vision blurred.
"REN!!" Kasama dropped to his knees beside me, panic filling his voice. "Maya, call an ambulance—now!"
"Ren, hold on! You can't die like this!" he shouted, tears streaming down his face.
I weakly opened my eyes and forced a smile.
"Hey… stupid senior," I muttered. "Try to live… a better life."
My hand slipped from his grasp.
Darkness claimed my vision.
.......
Ren's POV
I don't want to die.
I can't die like this.
My life was just starting to get better.
I refused to accept this fate.
I wanted to live.
I wanted a future.
I wanted to become stronger.
Ever since I was a child, my life had been nothing but suffering. Abandoned by my parents, thrown into a cruel orphanage where even food had to be fought over. Bullied, beaten, ignored.
Middle school was hell. I worked countless part-time jobs just to survive, barely making ends meet. I collapsed from exhaustion more times than I could count.
Even in high school, life never truly became easy.
And now—just when everything was finally turning around—
It all ended like this?
No.
I refuse.
If only I were stronger.
If only I had another chance.
I would do anything to gain power.
As my consciousness began to fade and death crept closer, a strange blue screen suddenly appeared before my eyes.
[Notification]
[Secret Mission: "The Courage of the Weak One"]
[You possess the qualifications to become a Player.]
[Do you accept?]
[Warning: If you refuse, your consciousness will permanently vanish.]
[Yes / No]
What the hell is this…?
I didn't have time to think. My mind was slipping away.
If this was just a hallucination, then I was already doomed.
But if it was real—
With the last shred of consciousness I had left, I screamed with everything I had:
"YES!"
To be continued,
Hope you guys like this like this novel.