Reborn with A Simulation Coin!

In this world, technology was primitive; no cameras, no forensic tools to trace back the horrors that had unfolded. If anyone stumbled upon the charred remains, they would simply assume it was the aftermath of a gang conflict, a tale of rivalries and revenge. Who would suspect a seemingly ordinary student like Harry?

"What a pity," he murmured to himself, a hint of regret dancing in his voice as the flames illuminated the night, casting shadows that danced wildly against the walls of the home he had just ransacked.

As Harry reflected on the child he had encountered just hours earlier, a flicker of emotion stirred within him. He knew that most of Jack's family were far from innocent: men and women entrenched in a world of crime; but there were exceptions. The boy had been innocent, untouched by the darkness that surrounded his family.

At first, Harry had no intention of involving himself with anyone outside of Jack and his associates. But fate had drawn him in, and now the boy had seen him. There was no turning back.

The flames roared fiercely behind him, devouring the remnants of Jack's home. Harry lingered for a moment, watching the fire consume everything. It was a fitting end, he thought, before he turned and walked away into the night.

The following day dawned bright and clear, the sun casting warm rays over the earth, making everything seem deceptively normal. Harry returned to school, his demeanor unchanged. Most of his classmates acted as if nothing had happened, except for Louis. The boy looked pale, casting furtive glances at Harry as if trying to read the unspoken story written on his face.

As they walked home together, Louis stole glances at Harry, his expression a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. It was clear he wanted to say something but hesitated, words caught in his throat.

Finally, after a long silence, Louis spoke, his voice low. "Zack," he began, using Harry's nickname. "Did you hear?"

"What is it?" Harry replied, feigning nonchalance.

"Jack's family is dead." Louis took a deep breath, his eyes searching Harry's for a reaction. "Just last night, they were all killed, and their house was burned to the ground."

Harry remained still, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly as he observed Louis. The boy was hesitant, clearly wrestling with thoughts he wasn't ready to voice.

The news of Jack's family hadn't yet spread far; the local authorities had clamped down on information to avoid panic. But Louis had the advantage, his father was the sheriff, and he had ears everywhere. It was inevitable he would connect the dots. After all, Harry had asked him about Jack's family just the day before, and now they were dead.

"Is it true?" Louis pressed, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Maybe," Harry replied coolly. "Could have been an enemy seeking revenge. People in that line of work often have many foes, right?"

Louis nodded slowly, his suspicions crystallizing into certainty. "That's good, then. It saves us a lot of trouble."

Nearby, Wendy watched the exchange with a puzzled expression, clearly lost in their conversation. She could sense the tension, but the details eluded her.

After school, Harry returned home. He had just finished his meal when he made his way to his sister Karina's room.

"I was just thinking about you," Karina said softly as he entered. Her voice was gentle, but fatigue shadowed her features. "There's a place that needs an extra pair of hands. The work is a bit... unusual, though."

Harry raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of work?"

Karina hesitated for a moment, gauging her brother's mood. "It's nothing dangerous, just a little unconventional. I thought you might want to help out."

Her tone was light, but Harry could sense an undercurrent of concern. Whatever it was, he knew she was looking out for him. He glanced back towards the window, contemplating the events of the previous night and the path that lay ahead.

"You don't have to rush into making a decision," Karina said gently, her tone reassuring.

"Just take your time," she continued, a hint of encouragement in her voice. "I only need your answer within a week."

"Okay, that sounds fair," Harry replied, nodding appreciatively. "Thank you for understanding."

"Of course," Karina said, a warm smile breaking across her face. "We're siblings, after all. It's my job to help you."

As Harry left her room, he felt a mix of gratitude and contemplation.

"What kind of work could it be?" he pondered, a frown forming on his brow.

After the events of last night, he no longer felt the financial strain he once had. Jack's family had been significantly wealthier than his own, and Harry had taken much of their possessions; valuable items that could be sold or traded. He hadn't bothered with anything too cumbersome or difficult to liquidate; even so, what he had managed to gather was impressive enough to cover his personal expenses and future tuition.

With money no longer a pressing concern, Harry's mind shifted to something else entirely.

"Aura Techniques," he mused, recalling snippets of information he had picked up recently. In addition to his regular classes, he had been digging into the knowledge surrounding this world, particularly the concept of fighters.

It was clear to him that while there were no knights in the traditional sense, there existed a profession known as fighters, held in high regard. These fighters could easily overpower several ordinary individuals, and the elite among them were said to be capable of taking down entire armies single-handedly.

Harry had come to suspect that these fighters were essentially the equivalent of knights, merely rebranded in this world.

His next goal was clear: he needed to make contact with fighters and delve into the extraordinary systems that governed their abilities.

"The places with the most fighters are martial arts Dojo," he thought, contemplating the logistics of it all. "But getting into one of those Dojo isn't easy. I wonder if I'll find any channels to access them once I start university."

In this world, martial arts Dojo were the primary institutions for training fighters, but they had a reputation for being notoriously exclusive. Even those with financial means often found it impossible to gain admission; connections seemed to be the key.

Beyond martial arts Dojo, Harry had also learned that fighters were often affiliated with gangs, which contributed to the rampant gang activity in his world. The presence of such formidable forces within these groups was a significant factor in their power and influence.

With his mind racing through possibilities, Harry knew that understanding this new landscape would be essential for his future. He was determined to navigate this complex web of fighters, gangs, and martial arts, seeking the knowledge and skills he needed to forge his own path forward.

Martial arts Dojo and gangs were the two primary pathways for ordinary people to become fighters. Yet, no matter which route one chose, the obstacles loomed large. The Dojo required connections; gatekeepers to ensure only the worthy were allowed in. Meanwhile, the gang route was fraught with its own dangers and complexities.

Harry frowned, feeling overwhelmed by the challenges ahead.

"Never mind," he muttered to himself after a moment of contemplation. "I'll focus on training for now. It won't hurt to improve myself first."

He reassured himself that it would be best to find a way forward after he reached knight level. Unlike in his previous world, he now possessed a complete Aura Technique that would allow him to practice directly to that stage.

The next day dawned like any other. Harry returned to school and settled into his courses. But this day took an unexpected turn; as soon as he arrived, he was called to the office.

Inside, Morris stood by the window, his usual stern demeanor softened by a hint of anticipation. However, there was someone else in the room; a tall, slender woman dressed in a light red shirt, her presence striking. She regarded Harry with an assessing gaze.

"Is this the child?" she asked, curiosity dancing in her eyes.

"Yes," Morris confirmed, nodding thoughtfully. "This kid is usually very obedient and shows some fighting capability. I think he could be a good fit for you."

"Determining if he's suitable for us requires more than words. We need to see his talent in action," the woman replied, her tone firm yet inviting.

Harry stood quietly to the side, a calm mask on his face, but internally he was taken aback. There was something strikingly familiar about the woman's aura, a resonance that stirred something deep within him.

"Let's take this outside and test it," she suggested, a smile breaking across her face. "By the way, I'm Ellie."

She led him to a spacious enclosed area outside the office. Upon arrival, she produced a long wooden stick and held it out to him. "Now, take one of these and attack me."

"Just like that? Attack you?" Harry asked, slightly bewildered as he picked up a stick.

"Yes, exactly that," Ellie affirmed, her demeanor encouraging. "I want to see how strong you really are before we decide on the next steps."

Harry hesitated for a moment, then nodded, determination flooding through him. He took a deep breath, focusing his mind, and prepared to give it his all.

Harry took a deep breath, nodded to Ellie, and launched his attack with the long stick. The weapon felt familiar in his hands, and he quickly found his rhythm.

The moment their sticks collided, Ellie's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Harry's strength and speed were astonishing, a display of power that far exceeded that of an average teenager. He moved with a grace and precision that was impressive, showcasing not just raw strength but also remarkable fighting skills.

Ellie watched intently, recognizing that Harry's technique was far more refined than what she would expect from someone his age. In fact, even seasoned fighters who had trained for years might struggle to match his level of combat skill.

"This isn't typical," she thought, her mind racing. A normal person couldn't achieve this level of mastery without extensive experience; probably years of life-and-death encounters. Yet Harry was just a teenager. The only conclusion she could draw was that he was a natural talent, a true genius.

After a few moments of intense sparring, Ellie finally stepped back, a smile creeping onto her face. "That's really impressive," she said, nodding in approval. "You've got great potential, but you are a bit older than I expected."

Morris, who had been watching nervously from the sidelines, leaned forward, his curiosity palpable. "So, what do you think? Can he meet the requirements?"

"Absolutely," Ellie replied, her enthusiasm evident. "He may still be a bit rough around the edges, but he has more than enough talent to make it."

Turning to Harry, she continued, "My classmate, how would you feel about joining our martial arts school?"

Harry was taken aback by the offer. The realization struck him: this was the solution Morris had been contemplating. They had gathered to discuss inviting him to their martial arts Dojo.

Though it might have just been a nominal title, the martial arts school held significant power and influence. With their backing, Harry wouldn't have to worry about interference from local gangs. It was a golden opportunity.

"Of course, I would like to join," Harry replied, his voice steady and filled with excitement.

He couldn't hide his enthusiasm. Just the day before, he had been concerned about finding a way into the martial arts world, unsure of how to navigate it. Now, here was a direct pathway opening up before him, and it felt almost too good to be true.

"Thank you for this chance," he added, a grin spreading across his face. The surprise and joy of the moment filled him with hope and determination.