The rigid social hierarchy casts a long shadow over the lives of ordinary people like Raj. Wealthy families, basking in the privilege of their status, readily accessed the revolutionary "Memory Renovated" drug – a performance enhancer that vastly improved learning capabilities. In Raj's present, a time riddled with resource scarcity, such advancements remained a distant dream.
"Hierarchical status..." Raj sighed, the weight of the unspoken division heavy on his shoulders. This social stratification permeated every aspect of life, constantly urging commoners like him to strive for the coveted pinnacle – a place among the elite who resided in the gleaming towers that scraped the polluted sky.
A bittersweet smile touched his lips as he recalled his own pursuit of status in his previous life. Unlike most, however, his wasn't fueled by material desires or the allure of social recognition. His heart yearned to unlock the secrets of the past, the whispers buried deep within the annals of history, the mysteries that shaped Earth's complex narrative.
A jarring digital chime jolted the students from their thoughts. In a unified voice, they chorused, "Thank you, Sir," their respect evident for their amiable teacher, Mr. William. He chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, "So eager to go home, are we? Well, class dismissed. Enjoy your shortened schedule for Planetary Alliance Day!"
A wave of chatter filled the hallways as students exited, buzzing about the latest news – "The Supreme Realm," a collaboration between the leading VR companies of both Earth and the Stark Planet.
"Did you hear? The game's supposed to be mind-blowing!" one student exclaimed, his voice brimming with anticipation.
"Yeah, but exclusive access for the first two months. We'll have to wait," another replied dejectedly.
Raj listened, his heart heavy with a growing premonition. This all-encompassing virtual reality game, he feared, had the potential to become an addictive escape, drawing people away from the real world and its pressing challenges. He witnessed this very phenomenon at his own company, where employees found themselves neglecting their duties in favor of virtual adventures.
He, too, harbored a fleeting desire to explore "The Supreme Realm," but its exorbitant cost was far from attainable for a young man starting out. As time marched on, consumed by his pursuit of historical truths, Raj grew too old for such youthful pursuits. He had, however, invested in a small, third-rated guild called "Vague Commanders," a meager attempt to stay connected to the technological advancements of the time.
The vast disparity between guilds served as a stark reminder of the stratified society he lived in. The top-rated guild, a behemoth in the virtual world, boasted enough wealth to acquire ten companies like his. Whispers of even more powerful, clandestine guilds with real-world influence reached his ears, further solidifying his understanding of the complex power dynamics at play.
Regret gnawed at him. Had he immersed himself in "The Supreme Realm," perhaps he could have gleaned valuable insights, and uncovered hidden secrets. But then, a sobering thought struck him – 'It wouldn't have mattered against Kim Wentian. Absolute power trumps mere authority,' he acknowledged grimly.
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His primary focus in this life was twofold: safeguarding his family from the shadows that haunted him and avenging the injustices of his past life. "The Supreme Realm" held no power against Kim Wentian, his nemesis.
Lost in contemplation, Raj felt a gentle touch on his shoulder. He turned, his breath catching in his throat. Standing before him was a familiar face, a face that brought a flood of bittersweet memories rushing back – Alexei Zakharov, his dear friend from his previous life. Alex, as he was fondly called, had tragically lost his life two years after they met in high school. An orphan since birth, he carried the weight of a name far too grand – Alexander, "defender of mankind," a stark contrast to his gentle, timid personality.
Now, standing before him, Alex had grown into a young man, his gentle demeanor masking a surprising physical transformation. He had grown considerably, exceeding 80kg in weight.
"What is it, Raj? Anything wrong?" Alex's voice, laced with concern, shattered the silence.
Raj could only smile, a wave of warmth washing over him. He was ecstatic to see his friend again, the one who stood by him in their darkest hour. In his previous life, Alex fell victim to the machinations of the ruthless Ali, his life cut short due to another's cruelty.
"Just happy, Alex. Happy to see you, brother!" Raj declared, pulling him into a warm embrace.
After being ridiculously hugged by Raj, Alex muttered angrily, "Oi, Hero! Who's your good brother, you gay?! Quickly, release me!"
They've just started high school not long ago. They were only acquainted for only two months after a stupid teacher changed his section from 'D' to 'C'. They were not close enough for this level of intimacy.
Even if they were this close, he would never hug a man. He was born to be adored by girls.
Raj didn't loosen his hug. He looked at Alex seriously and chuckled "No matter what you're thinking, in my heart, you're always my good brother! And by the way, I'm not gay."
Naturally, Raj couldn't tell Alex about his past life. They were friends for only two years, but when nobody came forward to defend Raj. He was the one who arrived.
Because of the humiliation that day, Ali secretly instructed his men to kill Alex on the same night.
Looking at Raj's lewd gaze, Alex was stunned and couldn't help saying, "Creep!"
"Haha... me creep?" Raj pointed at himself and burst into laughter.
The famous rascal of the High school calling someone creeps. It is unbelievable.
Nevertheless, this rascal is better than those cowards.
Raj recalls the day when galactic police investigated the case of Alex's death. No one stood to point the finger at the killer except for him.
They all were afraid of Ali's retaliation.
That day, Raj learns only status and strength matter in this world. Besides, without strength, no one can achieve high status in this dog-shit era.
That's why Raj strived hard to become a successful man. When Raj suppressed the wealth and status of Ali's family in his previous life, he took revenge and silently assassinated Ali.
Nevertheless, it took him almost 20 years to suppress Ali's family after the death of his friend, Alex.
'In this life, I'll protect you, just like you protected me in the previous life.' Raj thought to himself.
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