Shin's eyes, a deep, piercing brown, seemed to hold a thousand unsaid words. His dark hair was messy, framing his pale face. He stood at around 5'9" with a lean, athletic build, honed from years of hard work and struggle.
As he walked to his part-time job, Shin's mind wandered back to that fateful night. He was only 8 years old when his parents, Kenji and Yumi, were brutally murdered in front of him. The memories still lingered, echoing in his mind like a relentless nightmare.
Shin's eyes clouded over as he remembered the sound of shattering glass, the screams of his parents, and the feeling of helplessness that consumed him. He recalled the police investigation, the endless questions, and the empty promises. The killers were never caught, and Shin was left alone, adrift in a world that seemed determined to crush him.
Years went by, and Shin's uncle, Taro, took him in. But their life together was far from easy. Taro's health was in decline, and Shin had to care for him while also attending school. Despite the challenges, Shin's uncle taught him valuable lessons about perseverance and resilience.
As Shin entered his teenage years, his uncle's health began to deteriorate rapidly. Shin took on more responsibilities, working part-time jobs to support them. But despite his best efforts, his uncle passed away when Shin was 18. The loss was devastating, leaving Shin feeling lost and alone.
With no financial support, Shin had to drop out of high school and work multiple part-time jobs to survive. He attended night school, determined to graduate and build a better life. But the odds were stacked against him. Shin's life was a constant battle, a war against poverty, loneliness, and despair.
As he walked, Shin's eyes would often drift to the small, dilapidated apartment he called home. The walls were cracked, the furniture was worn, and the air was thick with the smell of mold. He thought about his parents, his uncle, and the countless people who had wronged him over the years.
Shin's phone buzzed, breaking the spell. He looked at the screen and saw a text from his boss, reminding him about his shift. He sighed, wiping away the tears that had begun to form, and continued walking.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Shin worked, attended classes, and returned home, exhausted. As he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, he felt a sense of hopelessness wash over him.
But as he drifted off to sleep, Shin's mind began to wander once more. He thought about his parents, his uncle, and the life he had been dealt. He wondered why the world was so cruel, why innocent people had to suffer, and why he'd been left to face the darkness alone.
As Shin walked through the university gates, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The sprawling campus was bustling with students, all chatting and laughing with each other. Shin, on the other hand, felt like an outsider.
He made his way to his first class of the day, a lecture on economics. As he entered the auditorium, he scanned the room for an empty seat. That's when he saw them - a group of students who seemed to take great pleasure in making his life miserable.
There was Akane Nakahara, a beautiful and popular student who seemed to have it all. She was known for her cunning and manipulative ways, and Shin had heard rumors about her ruthless tactics.
Next to Akane was Kaito Matsumoto, a hot-headed and aggressive boy who loved to bully those weaker than him. He had a particular vendetta against Shin, and took every opportunity to mock and belittle him.
On the other side of Akane was Ryota Ito, a cold and calculating boy who seemed to have no emotions whatsoever. He was known for his sharp tongue and ability to cut people down with his words.
Behind them was Sora Kawahara, a quiet and reserved boy who seemed harmless at first glance. However, Shin had discovered that Sora had a talent for spreading rumors and causing trouble behind the scenes.
Finally, there was Taro Yamada, the son of a wealthy businessman, who thought he was above the law. He had a particular dislike for Shin, and took great pleasure in reminding him of his poor background.
As the lecture began, Shin tried to focus on the professor's words, but he couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched. He glanced around the room, and caught the eye of Akane, who smiled sweetly at him.
But as the lecture progressed, Shin's anxiety grew. He knew that it was only a matter of time before one of his classmates made a comment about his poor background or his uncle's death.
And then, it happened.
Kaito leaned over to Akane and whispered something in her ear. Akane giggled and nodded, and then turned to Shin with a smirk on her face.
"Hey, Shin, I heard your uncle died in a really...interesting way," Akane said, her voice dripping with malice. "What was it again? Oh yeah, I remember - he died in a dumpster behind a fast food joint."
Ryota chimed in, his voice cold and calculating. "Yeah, that's really pathetic. I mean, who dies in a dumpster? Did he get kicked out of his own home or something?"
Sora whispered something to Taro, and they both snickered.
Kaito added his own taunt, "Hey, Shin, did your uncle die from eating too much garbage? I heard he was a real trash-eater."
Akane laughed, "Oh, that's a good one, Kaito. I bet Shin's uncle was a real expert at finding food in the trash."
Shin felt tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. He tried to hold it in, but it was no use. He stood up, his chair scraping against the floor, and ran out of the classroom, tears streaming down his face.
The room erupted in laughter and jeers, and Shin could hear Akane's voice ringing out above the rest. "Look at Shin, running away with his tail between his legs!"
Shin didn't stop running until he was out of the building, gasping for air. He leaned against the wall, his body shaking with sobs.
Why did they have to be so cruel? Why did they have to remind him of his uncle's death?
Shin's phone buzzed in his pocket, but he ignored it. He just wanted to be left alone, to wallow in his own misery.
But as he stood there, something inside of him began to stir. A spark of anger, a flame of resentment.
They thought they could break him, but they were wrong.
Shin wiped away his tears, his eyes blazing with determination.
He would show them.
He would show them all
As Shin stood against the wall, trying to catch his breath, he suddenly felt a presence behind him. He turned around, and that's when he saw him - a tall, imposing figure with piercing eyes that seemed to see right through him. The figure was dressed in a long, flowing robe that seemed to shimmer and glow in the light. He had an otherworldly aura about him, and Shin could feel a strange energy emanating from him.
"Who are you?" Shin asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
"I am a being from a realm beyond your own," the figure replied, his voice low and hypnotic. "I have been watching you, Shin. I have been watching your life, and I must say, it has been... entertaining."
Shin felt a surge of anger at the figure's words, but he tried to keep his cool. "What do you mean by entertaining?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of defiance.
The figure smiled, seemingly pleased with Shin's reaction. "I mean that your struggles, your pain, and your suffering have been... amusing to watch. But I also sense that you have a deep-seated desire for revenge against those who have wronged you."
Shin's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with thoughts of his classmates who had mocked him, who had made his life a living hell. He thought about Akane, Kaito, Ryota, Sora, and Taro, and how they had all contributed to his misery.
"Revenge," the figure whispered, its voice echoing in Shin's mind. "I can help you achieve that. I can give you the power to make them pay for what they have done to you."
Shin's eyes locked onto the figure, his heart racing with excitement and anticipation. "What do you want in return?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The figure smiled again, and this time, there was something sinister in his eyes. "I want to be entertained," he said. "I want to watch you struggle, to watch you suffer. And I want to see how far you will go to achieve your revenge."
Shin felt a shiver run down his spine as he listened to the figure's words. He thought about his classmates, and how he wanted to make them suffer. And he thought about the figure, and how he could use him to achieve his revenge.
"Before I give you the system," the figure said, its voice dripping with malice. "I must warn you of the rules. Are you prepared to listen?"
Shin nodded, his heart pounding with anticipation.
"Very well," the figure said. "Here are the rules:
Rule Number 1: You must choose the game to play.
Rule Number 2: You must play with the group chosen by the system.
Rule Number 3: Only the system can control the flow of the game.
Rule Number 4: If you tell anyone about the system, you will die.
Rule Number 5: If you wish to stop the game, you will die.
"Remember, Shin," the figure said, its voice dripping with malice. "Once you accept the system, there is no turning back. You will be bound to the system, and you will have to play by its rules."
Shin took a deep breath, weighing his options. He thought about his classmates, and how he wanted to make them suffer. And he thought about the figure, and how he could use him to achieve his revenge.
"Okay," Shin said finally, his voice firm. "I accept the system."
The figure smiled, a cold, calculating smile. "Excellent," he said. "Then let us begin."