A wave of disorientation washed over Michael. 'Did I really go back in time?' He scanned his surroundings, the familiar grime of the factory floor a stark confirmation.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?" John, his coworker, asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
"It's nothing, John," Michael replied, forcing a calm tone. He turned to his workstation, the monotonous task of loading goods offering a temporary distraction.
"Always a weirdo," John muttered, shaking his head as he moved away.
"All you lazy slackers should work faster!" A booming voice echoed through the factory. A middle-aged man, his portly figure encased in an ill-fitting black suit, strutted down the aisle, his face contorted in a perpetual scowl.
'That man again.'
Michael groaned inwardly, a familiar wave of resentment washing over him. He harbored a deep-seated loathing for the factory owner, a man whose inflated ego seemed inversely proportional to his actual worth. How could someone so corpulent, so utterly devoid of redeeming qualities, possess such an inflated sense of self-importance? The man's authority, derived solely from his ownership of the factory and his accumulation of life times, was a constant source of irritation. His oversized suit and pompous demeanor gave him the air of a failed military commander, constantly barking orders and demanding.
'So, I die tomorrow. It's surreal, knowing the exact date and the method. Should I dive back into the game? It holds no surprises, making victory a certainty. And I could settle the score with Sara.'
"Hey, you! Dopey! What are you doing? Get to work!" The fat boss's voice snapped Michael out of his reverie. He had been lost in the labyrinth of his thoughts, oblivious to the man's approach. Seeing Michael standing idle amidst the flurry of activity, the boss's face flushed with anger, and he stalked towards him with long, purposeful strides.
"Hey, fool!" He stopped directly in front of Michael, his voice a thunderous bellow.
"Yes, oh... boss!" Michael stammered, startled. He straightened up, bracing himself for the inevitable reprimand.
"Are you stupid? Everyone is working, and you're standing around like a statue! Get to work, or get out!" The boss spat, turning on his heel and stomping away.
"Asshole," Michael muttered under his breath.
The boss whirled around, his face flushed with rage. "What did you call me?"
Michael paused, his gaze drifting to the AI bracelet on his wrist, displaying his remaining life times. < 0 years, 0 months, 0 weeks, 2 days, 15 hours, 59 minutes, 48 seconds >. He sighed. 'Two days. What's there to fear? He'll just dock my life times, if he doesn't fire me outright.'
"Are you deaf?" The boss roared, drawing the attention of the entire factory floor.
Michael met the man's gaze, a flicker of defiance in his eyes. "Yeah, I called you an asshole! What are you going to do about it? Tell me!"
The boss recoiled, taken aback by Michael's outburst. "How dare you? Don't you know you owe your existence to me? If I hadn't given you a job when you were begging, you'd be nothing!"
"...And thank you for that," Michael said, his voice laced with sarcasm. "For that, I'll forgo my pay for today. I quit!" He ripped off his factory uniform and turned to leave.
"Your pay? Who wants to pay a worthless wretch like you? Get out of here and go die with your pathetic sister!"
The words struck a nerve. Michael froze. His sister, his only remaining family, was his most cherished possession. They had endured a lifetime of hardship together, their bond forged in the crucible of poverty and fear. Their mother died at her birth, and their father was murdered for his life times when Michael was just fifteen years old. They lived in constant fear of raids and violence, their lives measured in the fleeting currency of life times.
In this world, where AI had rendered traditional currency obsolete, life times were the ultimate commodity. Two hours of life times could buy a meager loaf of bread, a daily struggle for survival. They had faced these trials together, which was why he played the game in the first place, and where he was ultimately killed by Sara.
The insult to his sister, the one person he held dear, ignited a cold fury within him. He turned back, his eyes fixed on the boss.
"What? Coming back to beg?" The boss sneered.
POW!
Michael's fist connected with the boss's cheek, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"Don't you ever speak of my sister with your filthy mouth! Do it again, and you'll regret it!" Michael's voice was a low growl.
He might not possess the enhanced abilities of high-level gamers, but he knew how to throw a punch.
"Nice work!" John shouted from the crowd, a rare display of solidarity. A ripple of suppressed approval spread through the factory workers, their faces illuminated by fleeting smiles.
"Who dares?" The boss, clutching his swollen cheek, scanned the crowd, his eyes narrowed in a furious search. "You dare hit me, young man! Good, I will make sure to let you pay! Now get out of my factory!" He roared at Michael, slowly struggling to his feet.
"Who'd want to stay in this pathetic place?" Michael spat on the ground and walked away, his back straight, his gaze unwavering.
"You'll pay for this, you and your wretched sister!" The boss hissed, his voice a venomous whisper.
_
"Haa!"
Michael sighed as he walked out of the factory, the weight of his impending mortality pressing down on him. He glanced at his AI bracelet, the countdown to his death a stark reminder of his limited time.
"I should buy something good today, if I don't make it in the game. At least I should enjoy my last meal with my sister." He muttered, setting his course for the market.
He would rather walk for hours than squander his precious life times on a cab.
*
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How is the book going, like it?
* Yes
* No
* Don't care.
Welcome Guys... Please, take your time and check out my new book... You can find it in the author's thoughts, right below this text.
MC is heartless, OP, and well... Cold, and clearly an Antihero.
Check it out, it'll worth your time.
Ps: MC has two systems... Shocking right, let's see how this goes... I'll see you all in the other side.