The police investigation had no leads on the case; there were no names, no suspects, nothing at all.
The situation is highly unusual, especially with city cameras and eyewitnesses present.
I soon recognized that something suspicious was occurring, and someone had probably bribed the police to conceal the evidence.
I decided to take matters into my own hands to identify the culprit.
I started to investigate, discreetly exploring the rough and impoverished parts of Mikey's neighborhood.
As I investigated the origins of people's off-market loans, I also looked into ways of acquiring weapons and firearms to seek vengeance.
Despite my efforts, I was ultimately unsuccessful in obtaining any weapons.
I compromised and went for the next available option, a scentless, invisible, and highly flammable gas.
I acquired large quantities of Methane gas tanks from various online platforms simultaneously to prevent anyone from noticing and to avoid unnecessary attention.
After gathering information from relevant individuals, I found out that Ren Slovago runs the primary loan organization in Mikey's neighborhood, which is known for having loan sharks.
After discovering the orchestrator, I sought to identify the henchmen under his command, specifically the three who shot Mikey.
In today's era, where networking and social media have a firm grip on people's public lives, it took me just a few hours of online research to identify seven suspects who I believed to be working for Ren Slovago and fit the general description of the attackers.
Afterward, a bit of monetary incentive was all it took for Mikey's neighbors, who had witnessed the crime scene from their apartment windows, to identify the three perpetrators.
If there is a greater motivator in the world than fear, it is money.
Fortunately, I didn't require financial motivation.
Anger and despair flooded my mind as I contemplated the current state of my life.
That's how I felt back then.
I couldn't stop thinking about seeking revenge.
Ever since the accident, I've made a point of visiting the hospital every day to check on Mikey. I refused to give up hope that he would awaken.
Besides this, I've been putting all of my energy into making the necessary preparations.
Approximately a month after Mikey fell into a coma, my preparations were finally complete.
...
Masouf, one of the three culprits, stepped into the old factory that Ren Slovago had bought and refurbished when he started delving into the underworld of crime and deceit.
Entering a surprisingly fancy meeting room, it appeared to be modeled after the noble concept of the Knights' Round Table.
Except here, instead of respectable knights, there was a group of unscrupulous individuals who preyed on the poor's hard-earned money replacing the knights.
Periodically, their group would hold a meeting to discuss their earnings, plans, and future expectations.
Mirroring the practices of a real public company, this approach stemmed from Ren's experience as a business advisor.
"You're late Masouf" Said Ren, the operation leader.
"My bad boss, traffic was heavy. Did the meeting start yet?" Masouf said.
"No. Now that you've arrived we can finally start", said Ren, signaling the start of their discussions.
Swiftly, 20 minutes elapsed, filled with conversation about their debt-ridden victims and strategies to maintain the discretion of their business.
"Isn't it getting a bit hard to breathe?" asked Kernie, one of the other culprits.
And before anyone could respond to him.
*BOOOOOM!*
The windowless room, saturated with a lethal amount of methane pumped in by Tony through the vents, erupted in a devastating explosion.
In an instant, all occupants met a swift and fittingly tragic demise.
Tony, strategically positioned at a safe distance, triggered the methane explosion by hurling an improvised Molotov cocktail into the room.
Before this, he had meticulously filled the vent pipes with the numerous methane gas tanks he had transported from his car.
Fortunately for him, Ren's group had opted not to station any guards around the factory to maintain discretion.
Especially not at the rear of the factory where the pipes of the factory's vents were located.
Ensuring it appeared abandoned from the outside.
Providing Tony with an advantageous situation for his plan.
When the explosion happened, Tony immediately ran to his car and started driving to his apartment.
The moment all 12 occupants of the factory lost their lives to the explosion and the subsequent fiery ruins, he received a notification inside his mind.
[Conditions satisfied]
[Reality Shifting Simulator activating]
[Shifting points: 0]
[Preparing for introductory reality shift]
Focused on escaping from the factory and returning home, Tony briefly noticed the notification but didn't give it much thought until he reached the safety of his own home.
Upon arriving home, Tony took a quick shower before succumbing to exhaustion and drifting into a deep slumber.
With a feeling of satisfaction from his accomplished revenge, Tony decided to postpone any concerns about the consequences of his actions or the possibility of experiencing a schizophrenic episode, imagining a system similar to the ones in the novels he had read, until the next day.
The following day, Tony followed his usual routine, going to work and completing his tasks. On his way home in the afternoon, he made a stop at the kiosk adjacent to his house.
There, he purchased two bottles of red wine and a large cookie wrapped in plastic.
"You can keep the change," Tony said, a sense of satisfaction washing over him as he observed the cashier's face light up with happy surprise.
"Thank you very much! Come again!" chirped the cashier cheerfully as she waved him goodbye. With a nod, Tony turned on his heel and made his way out, aware that today might mark his last visit to this kiosk.
Returning to his shabby apartment, its neglected appearance almost giving it an air of abandonment, Tony settled on the floor in front of the couch and flicked on the TV.
It was a habit he had formed during his college days, back when his cramped dorm room couldn't accommodate a couch.
Taking long swigs of wine and intermittently nibbling on a cookie, Tony listened to the news broadcast.
- "Authorities are investigating a tragic incident in Longville County, where 12 individuals lost their lives in what appears to be a terrorist attack at a local factory. Police are currently in pursuit of the perpetrator responsible for this heinous act."
Tony Glenn found himself reflecting on his past, contemplating his life thus far, and reassessing the choices and steps he had taken. Knowing that he will probably get caught soon. As, unlike a seasoned fugitive, he lacked the skills to elude the authorities.
Yet strangely, he felt indifferent about the prospect of getting caught.
- "If you have any information regarding a tall, slender brown-skinned individual with a Yin and Yang tattoo on his left arm, please report to your local police station. Your assistance could be crucial in apprehending the suspect involved in the recent terrorist attack in Longville County."
Currently, 33 years old, single, lonely, and probably depressed.
[Conditions satisfied]
[Reality Shifting Simulator activating]
[Shifting points: 1]
[Realities: (N/A)]
[Starting: Introductory reality shift (1 point)]
"Holy shit!"
Tony's life found new meaning.