1 ZERO

"Heuk!!"

I woke up gasping for breath. My heart thundered against my chest and there was a painful throbbing in my head. What the hell? What -- Where was I?

The last thing I remembered was getting hit by truck and lying in a pool of my own blood. Did I die?

I looked around me for a moment and my face morphed into confusion. This looks like somebody's room, a very messy one might I add. There was countless piles of trash scattered everywhere and the air was stale and smelled lightly of cigarettes.

"What the f***?" I muttered.

I swung my legs over the bed and couldn't help but gape at how short they were. Did I shrink?

I quickly looked for some sort of mirror but couldn't find any around. What kind of person doesn't have a single mirror in their room? Eventually, my eyes landed on what looked to be an old computer and I quickly looked at the screen to see my reflection.

Oh.My.Goodness.

Why the hell do I look like a twelve-year-old child?! And one who's seems to be on the verge of death. My limbs were so skinny you'd think they'd break the moment someone punched them. Who am I?

Suddenly, my eyes caught a shiny packet on the edge of the bed and I picked it up and read the label.

"Sleeping pills...it seems the original owner committed suicide overdosing on these," I said to myself. That's...for such a young child to take their own life...just what kind of shitty environment did you grow up in.

It was a rhetorical question. Judging from the state of the room, this person is definitely very poor and looking at the condition of this body, he might be abused as well. Someone who has no support or mental strength, I can see why this poor child wanted to take his own life.

I couldn't help but sigh. This situation completely caught me off guard -- I mean, how would anyone know they would suddenly be transported to another body. But seeing how things are, I might as well do something about it.

Obviously I can't keep living like this so the first step was to clean the room because as they say; cleanliness is next to Godliness.

I started out by gathering the trash in one corner and clearing away any stray trash on the floor. I opened the curtains and window to let some sunlight in and freshen up the room. Next, I tidied my bed and cleared empty beer bottles from the dresser. The beer bottles worried me because it must mean there was an alcoholic in the house and I doubt a nice one.

Which reminded me, I should probably see if there was anyone else in the house. Probably should've done that first.

I walked to the door and quietly opened it before sticking my head out. It looked like a cramped living room with a single couch and out-dated tv. I hesitated whether or not I should leave the room before deciding I couldn't stay in there forever.

I didn't hear any voices or movement and there was no snoring. It seems like there was only me at home but if that's so, it curious as to why the original body never thought of escaping. It can't be because they were trying to protect someone because the original owner killed himself. I don't think it has anything to do with locks or security so perhaps it isn't something physical keeping him here. It was something emotional and mental.

An attachment? Lack of knowledge? Manipulative parent? It could be any of those things but now that I'm here, I don't see any reason why I shouldn't leave. Though...I guess I cleaned the room for nothing.

Making up my mind, I quietly made my way to the door and opened it. I peaked outside and realised it was an apartment building I was in. There was no one around so without hesitating anymore, I bolted out and hurried down the stairs into the street.

Finally away from that horrid place, I couldn't help but laugh and sigh in relief...until I realised I had no backup plan.

"I guess I should've thought this through. What should I do now? No doubt if the police find me, I'll be handed over to social services which I could do but there's no guarantee what'll happen to me then. Living on the street and begging isn't any better though.

"Huuu, I'm sure there's something else I could do but I think the best option now is to go to the police. At least I'll get temporary shelter and food if they give me to social services but the downside is that my information will be forever in the system."

Hmm. What to do...

Find a job? Eh, I don't think any proper place will accept a twelve-year-old. But an improper place might.

It'll be risky but I'll live which is the main point. But where to start, no doubt one of those illegal operations should except since it'll save them unnecessary money. Steeling myself, I made my decision.

I managed to pick-pocket a bit of cash before heading to the nearest internet café. Using one of the computers, I entered the dark web using knowledge from my last life. Don't ask how I knew to get there.

There were loads of information on underground casino's, illegal auctions, you name it. I searched for a couple of locations in Japan and made my choice. It was an underground casino, not too far from here actually.

I left immediately and walked to the location. It was in a hidden alley between two buildings and at the end of the alley, there was a door on the right which I knocked on. The door opened to reveal a tall man who gave off the gangster/yakuza vibe.

"Eh? A child? The hell are you?"

"Someone who's willing to work for you provided I will be paid with food and shelter." I answered in an emotionless voice.

The man looked surprised and stared at me with suspicion. When he saw I was completely serious, he grinned and opened the door wider.

"Interesting kid. If you're here, I assume you know what we do. Betrayal or rebellion will end you." the man said in a threatening voice.

I didn't flinch and met his gaze. "I got it,"

"Very good. Come inside and I'll take you to the leader,"

And just like that, I joined a gang.

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{Major time skip in next chapter}