Loud knocks sounded at the door, startling the young man sleeping on a small bed. He abruptly opened his eyes, confusion washing over his dark eyes as they quickly focused.
"Where am I?" he spoke aloud.
Empty bottles from various alcoholic beverages littered the area around him. As he stood, a sharp headache pierced his mind. Like film flashbacks, images began to appear before his eyes.
It was the story of an unlucky guy who got in a car accident. His mother survived but his father died. However, his mother was not in good condition either, having fallen into a coma. In addition, she was diagnosed with a serious illness they didn't know about.
Because of this, the young man named Nero began working as much as possible, dropping out of college. He sank deeper and deeper into despair and debt. At one point, he heard about an organization where he could earn a lot of money if he completed an assignment for them.
He found the organization and after signing everything, they told him they would help his mother. When the organization sent people, they began treating his mother. However, the more things went on, the more debt Nero accrued. As a result, the organization said he had to pay no matter what, or else his mother would die.
With almost 2 million coins in debt, the news came that his mother had died. As a result, he fell into despair and started drinking heavily. One morning, another person from Earth awakened in Nero's body.
"Fu...ck, it seems I got electrocuted when I was playing a game, and even died?"
When this thought came to Nero's mind, he grabbed his head and sat back down on the couch. His breathing quickened, and his eyes began to dart back and forth rapidly.
"Fu...ck, how is this even possible, transmigration to another world?"
He realized this because this world was clearly a little more advanced than Earth technologically and historically. In addition, World War III had already occurred, ending like World War II did on Earth - with nuclear weapons.
"Okay...I need to calm down. At least I'm still alive...I can live freely...or maybe not."
When he finally calmed down and thought about what he could do in this new life, he remembered the debts again, as well as one other thing.
"...."
Raising his hand, he pressed down slightly on his neck. He seemed to feel a small square object implanted under his skin.
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"And so we'll insert this device into your neck so we have confirmation of your intentions..."
The scene of the previous Nero going to the organization resurfaced. For their purposes, they had installed a chip in his neck - a miniature bomb, they told him after the surgery.
If he disobeyed them, his head would be separated from his shoulders.
".....it seems I'm not that far from death...I was just playing games...how."
As he grabbed his hair in frustration, the door suddenly knocked again.
"Nero, open up quickly!"
A deep, cold voice sounded from behind the door, making Nero tremble subconsciously before he got up and carefully opened the door.
A bald man in a black suit and sunglasses angrily pushed the door open, also pushing Nero back. Glancing around the room, the man stared at Nero by the door.
"You haven't answered the organization's calls for two days now."
Speaking, he stared at Nero without looking away. That gaze made Nero's trembling increase. He opened his mouth with difficulty and spoke in a trembling voice.
"I...I was in a bad state. I'll come to work today."
Nero lowered his head, afraid to meet the man's gaze. After a few seconds, the man left, saying as he walked away,
"Remember, if you don't do this, I'll come back again. But next time will be painful."
Nero sat trembling by the door even after it closed.
"Damn...where did I end up."
After the bomb chip was installed, Nero had to complete assignments - he had become a mercenary, albeit a very weak one. He took on non-dangerous jobs like teaching lessons by beating people up.
Finally calming himself down, Nero got up to eat something before leaving. But as soon as he stood, a small thin circular icon appeared in his field of vision.
"This is...this is..."
Seeing the save icon from the game he was playing before dying, Nero's calm evaporated. His heartbeat quickened again. This icon did not exist in the memories of the previous body owner.
Swallowing hard, Nero thought quickly.
"Is this really...or does it just seem like it...I need to think...there are no buttons or anything else here."
Since he had used keyboard buttons to activate the save feature in-game, Nero knew he had to figure out how to trigger it in the real world.
He took a deep breath and then exhaled, mentally commanding, "Quick save!"
The circle began spinning rapidly. After a few seconds, it stopped.
Seeing the icon's movement, Nero's breathing sped up again.
"So it works...I just need to check!"
He saw a phone on the table and bottles on the floor. Moving quickly, he kicked the bottles around then grabbed the phone, noting the time as 12:11. When it turned 12:12, Nero looked at the save icon.
"Quick load."
The icon spun and his vision went dark before reappearing. Nero was now closer to the door again. The bottles had reset to their original positions.
Stunned, Nero lurched forward, grabbing the phone. The time changed from 11 to 12.
"Ha...ha ha...."
Extreme excitement rose within him, bringing a broad smile to his face.
"hahahahaha..."
His irregular laughter elicited banging from the adjacent apartment. A muffled voice yelled,
"Shut up already!"
Embarrassed, Nero looked around the small kitchen and at the door before leaving the apartment, phone in hand.
Walking outside, Nero's excitement calmed. He began thinking strategically about how to use this new ability prudently, weighing the risks and rewards. His main goals were destroying the organization controlling him and establishing a new identity. However, he knew he must be careful with this powerful but unpredictable power. Methodically planning his next moves, Nero proceeded into the unfamiliar futuristic city.