"Shit—"
My breath hitched, scraping in my chest. Every step sent a jolt up my legs, but stopping wasn't an option — not with those bastards still behind me.
The alley twisted ahead, slick with rain and shadows stretching like claws under the flickering streetlights.
My heart pounded, its sound drowning out everything else.
"When the hell are these idiots gonna quit?"
I risked a glance over my shoulder. Three silhouettes — big, fast, and closing in. Their footsteps slapped against the wet concrete, echoing off the walls.
Not good.
I cut hard around a corner, shoes skidding as I steadied myself against the wall. That's when I noticed it — a pile of trash and bottles scattered near the base of the wall, faintly glinting under the streetlight.
Perfect.
Still running, I bent down slightly, grabbed a few, and threw them behind me without looking.
The sharp clatter of glass echoed down the alley.
It worked — they slowed down for just a second. Maybe two.
"Stop right there, Max!"
"Boss, he's getting away!"
"Do I look blind to you?! Follow him!"
My lungs screamed. My legs felt like molten lead.
'Just a little further—'
Suddenly, the world tilted.
The ground rushed up fast, and then — thud.
Pain rippled through my ribs. I tried to move, but the edges of everything blurred and folded inward.
Then — darkness.
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Cold.
That was the first thing I felt when consciousness returned.
Cold air pressing against my wet skin.
Cold stone beneath my back.
The smell of rot and trash filled my nose.
"What the…?"
"Where the hell…?"
I pushed myself up, leaning against the wall for balance.
As I looked around, I froze.
My hands were small. Smooth. No scars.
A chill ran through me — a different kind of cold.
'No… this isn't possible.'
The last thing I remembered was—
A hollow chuckle slipped past my lips. Quiet. Almost lost in the night air.
"So, I really died, huh?"
Not that it was surprising. There was no way I could've survived that attack.
I was the weakest member of my squad — the expendable one.
I clenched my fists. The feeling of smooth skin against my palm sent a shiver through me.
'But if I'm dead… then what the hell is going on?'
Footsteps echoed from the end of the alley.
"There he is! Boss, we found him!"
I turned. Two guys stood at the alley's mouth, metal pipes glinting under the flickering light. Their shadows stretched long across the wet ground.
Then, with slower steps — deliberate and confident — a blond-haired figure emerged. His smug grin cutting through the dark like he owned the night.
I tilted my head slightly, studying them.
"Who the hell are these guys?"
He stepped closer, his smirk widening. "Looks like your luck's finally run out, huh, Maxwell Scott."
His voice tugged at a loose thread in my mind until an old memory snapped into place. My face went still.
Then recognition sparked.
This voice… this scene… I'd seen it before.
The alley, the people, the trash, even the black cat slipping past the wall — all the same.
Exactly like it was thirty years ago.
I exhaled slowly, my breath shaking.
"I see… Somehow, I've returned to my past self."
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"Oi, you deaf or what?"
The blonde's voice cut through my thoughts, carrying that same arrogance I'd long since forgotten.
I looked up, staring at his face.
Everything about him came crawling back.
Edward Hills.
One of the most loyal lapdogs of our so-called school prince.
Back then, I was a nobody — one of the losers who crushed on the school belle from a distance. That alone had been enough reason for them to make my life hell.
Enough reason to get my balls crushed by these bastards.
I looked down at my unscarred hands and clenched them tight.
'But that was the old me.'
Now?
I raised my gaze again — at Edward's smug face, at the two goons flanking him.
A different feeling stirred inside me.
Not anxiety.
Not fear.
Excitement.
Even though this body was weaker than my future self, it was still mine.
And that meant—
"I can fight back."
A slow grin tugged at my lips.
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Edward's eyes glinted with amusement, sizing me up like the loser he remembered.
I stood still, head slightly lowered, my expression unreadable.
Something in my stance had changed — but he didn't notice. Or maybe he didn't care.
He stepped closer, still grinning. "Well, today, you're—"
"Just shut the fuck up, Edward," I said flatly.
His words died in his throat. The alley fell silent except for the distant hum of cars. His eyes narrowed.
"What did you just say?"
I met his gaze. "You heard me. Shut the fuck up.
You're just a dog pretending to be a wolf — waiting for your master's whistle."
One of his goons twitched, ready to swing, but Edward raised a hand to stop him. He chuckled, shaking his head.
"I can see you've got a death wish," he said. "Fine. I'll grant it."
He moved.
A fist came hurtling toward my face. Fast.
But I was already dropping low.
The wind brushed my hair as his punch sailed past, slamming into the brick wall behind me.
A sickening crack followed.
"FUCK!" he yelled, clutching his bloodied hand.
Before he could recover, the others rushed in. Pipes slicing through the air.
The first one swung down hard. I twisted right, barely dodging — but this body was too weak, too slow.
The second didn't hesitate. His pipe came in from the side — a blur of rusted metal aimed for my ribs.
Shit—!
Pain exploded across my side as the pipe connected. White-hot agony knocked the air from my lungs.
I staggered, coughing, the metallic taste of blood creeping up my throat.
No time to stop.
I crouched low, scooping a handful of dirt and debris from the ground — then flung it straight into the second guy's face.
"ARGH! My eyes!"
He stumbled back, clawing at his face.
I didn't waste the opening.
Pushing through the pain, I lunged forward, driving my elbow into the back of his neck.
He dropped instantly, body hitting the ground with a dull thud.
"WHAT ARE YOU IDIOTS DOING?!" Edward shouted.
I ignored him, reaching down to grab one of the fallen pipes.
Not as good as a greatsword — but it'll do.
I spun it once, feeling its weight settle in my grip.
Then I wiped the blood from my lips, spitting to the side.
"Now that I have a weapon…" I muttered, raising my eyes to meet his, "let's see how tough you really are."