Kazuo's eyes shot open as he let out a blood-curdling scream. He found himself lying in a room that was all too familiar—it was Suzuki's room. As he tried to gather his bearings, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over him. He felt his heart racing inside his chest, as if it were trying to escape. His mind was struggling to comprehend the events that had just unfolded before him. He gasped for breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he struggled to make sense of what had just happened. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his hands trembling as he clutched at the sheets.

As he lay there in the darkness, he realised that the dream had made no sense, yet it had made perfect sense at the same time. It was a paradox, a mystery that he would never fully understand. But somehow, that didn't matter.

He felt a gnawing sense of incompleteness, as if there were crucial pieces of his existence that had been lost or forgotten. He tried to recall them, but the memories remained stubbornly out of reach, as if they were deliberately hiding from him. Perhaps it was easier to ignore them and pretend that they didn't exist than to confront the uncomfortable truths they might reveal. So he pushed them away, burying them deep within his subconscious, hoping that they would stay there forever.

The sudden turn of events left Kazuo perplexed as he stood there. He couldn't quite comprehend why fate had chosen him for this peculiar experience, but he couldn't deny the sense of liberation that coursed through his veins. It was a feeling he had long forgotten, buried deep within the recesses of his soul. Yet here he was, standing in the midst of it all, basking in the newfound sense of freedom that had eluded him for so long.

Kazuo rose from the ground, his eyes fixed on the window. He moved towards it, his hand reaching for the curtain. As he pulled it aside, a gust of fresh air rushed in, filling his lungs. But the sight that greeted him was far from refreshing. It reminded him of why Suzuki had spent every last penny he had on those games. The environment had been severely damaged as a result of human activity; there was no sunlight because the enormous skyscraper swallowed up the entire sky, and large ads were floating through the air. He stood at the window, gazing down at the lifeless bodies strewn across the street below. The sight sent a jolt of recognition through him as he suddenly remembered that these people were not merely resting but were, in fact, deceased.

Amidst the bustling crowd, there were little ones scurrying about, but they seemed to go unnoticed. The throngs of people simply trudged on, heedless of the tiny figures darting beneath their feet. The children were like mere obstacles, trodden upon and pushed aside as the masses made their way through the crowded streets. Kazuo's stomach churned as he took in the gruesome scene before him. The sight was enough to make him sick to his stomach, but he managed to keep his composure thanks to Suzuki's unwavering awareness.

Kazuo moved around his small apartment, carefully closing each window and drawing the curtains closed. The outside world was shut out, leaving him in a cocoon of solitude. The only sound was the soft rustle of fabric as he pulled the curtains tightly shut, blocking out any hint of the outside world. With a deep breath, he sank onto his floor, enveloped in the peaceful stillness of his own company.

He lowered himself onto the cold, hard floor, his muscles aching from the exertion. He leaned back, feeling the rough surface against his back, and closed his eyes. The silence of the room enveloped him, broken only by the sound of his own breathing. He let out a deep sigh, his mind wandering as he tried to make sense of the events that had led him to this moment.

"Ugh, humans have really messed this world up. How did they do that?" Kazuo's lips moved silently as he contemplated his inevitable future transmigration to a new world. The thought had been weighing heavily on his mind lately, and he couldn't shake the feeling that his time in this world was limited. He wondered what the new world would be like, what kind of challenges he would face, and whether he would be able to adapt to the unfamiliar surroundings. As he continued to mumble to himself, he couldn't help but feel a sense of both excitement and trepidation at the prospect of what lay ahead.

He looked around the room, searching for a calendar to check the time left until the game closed. However, to his dismay, there wasn't a single one in the entire house.

"Huh, I can't find the calendar." . The man looked around the room, taking in the sight of the sleek, modern technology that surrounded him. "Ah, right," he said with a nod. "No more paper is in use." He was unable to resist a feeling of remembrance for the days when everything was written down on tangible sheets of paper, but he knew that this was the way of the future. With a sigh, he turned back to his computer screen and began typing away, the soft hum of the machines around him providing a soothing background noise. As the thought crossed his mind, he couldn't help but recall the value of paper in this world. It was a rare and precious commodity that was not to be taken for granted. With a deep sigh, he reached for his phone, eager to check the date.

The screen flickered to life, revealing the numbers 3/09/2135. As he pondered the closure of the game in 2138, he couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency. Only three more years remained before the game would be gone forever and he would be transmigated. But he was determined to make the most of it. Collecting the necessary materials for the future seemed like a simple task, and he was eager to see what rewards awaited him. Who knew what kind of butterfly effect fate would bestow upon him?

Kazuo settled into his chair, fingers poised over the keyboard, as he delved into the vast expanse of the internet. His eyes scanned the screen, searching for something that would capture his interest. The soft glow of the monitor illuminated his face as he lost himself in the endless possibilities that lay before him. Despite Google's continued existence, it had fallen out of favour as nanomachines became the preferred method of obtaining information.

The nanomachines were not a new term to him, as he had read most of the available stuff on Overlord in his past life.

The nanomachines were capable of making the brain work like a CPU, capable of processing information at lightning speeds. And as if that weren't enough, the nanomachines also displayed the most significant information about the person for all to see. Of course, the user had to provide this information themselves on the internet, but it was a small price to pay for the incredible power that the nanomachines granted. The user would also be able to operate electric devices without moving from their place with the assistance of the nanomachine, such as manipulating a switch or television and even changing the station on it.

As he delved deeper into his internet search, his heart sank at the grim realisation that the world's tree population had dropped to a mere hundred. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on his mind as he contemplated the devastating impact this would have on the planet's ecosystem. In this futuristic world, the air was no longer pure and natural. People relied heavily on artificial oxygen to survive. The once-abundant animals were nowhere to be seen, or so the public believed. It was a sad reality that the only way to breathe was with the help of technology.

The streets were eerily quiet, devoid of the chirping of birds or the barking of dogs. The world had become a desolate place, and the only hope for survival was to adapt to this new way of life. As the sun set on the horizon, a sense of unease settled over the city. The once-mighty government had lost its grip on power, leaving a void that was quickly filled by wealthy corporations. These behemoths of industry held all the cards, their vast resources allowing them to dictate the course of the world.

The people were left to fend for themselves, struggling to make ends meet in a world where money was the only currency that mattered. The once bustling streets were now eerily quiet; the only sounds were the distant hum of machinery and the occasional screech of tyres as a corporate convoy sped by. It was a world where the powerful ruled with an iron fist, and the weak were left to suffer. The government had become nothing more than a puppet, dancing to the tune of their corporate overlords.

And as the night fell, he could only wonder what the future held for them in this new world order. As the world continued to spin, the seven continents remained steadfast in their positions. However, the majority of them had become inhospitable to human life. The once lush and thriving landscapes had been replaced with desolate wastelands, barren of any signs of life. It was a harsh reality that the remaining inhabitants of the world had to face. They had to adapt to survive in a world that was no longer welcoming.

As he scrolled through the news feed, his eyes caught sight of something more interesting. But as he delved deeper into the article, his mind began to wander. He couldn't help but ponder over the strange phenomenon that had been plaguing him for hours. Why was he unable to recall the memories that belonged to Suzuki? It was as if they were locked away in a distant corner of his mind, inaccessible to him. The more he thought about it, the more perplexed he became.

As he sat in the dimly lit room, he pondered over the strange occurrences that had been happening to him lately. It seemed as though he had been bestowed with a gift, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was. All he knew was that he had a heightened sense of awareness and a keen intuition that seemed to guide him through life's twists and turns. He had come to the conclusion that only common sense had been transferred to him, but there were moments when memories flooded back to him, like those of the dead children on the road. The images were haunting, and he couldn't shake them off no matter how hard he tried.

They were a constant reminder of the fragility of life and the harsh realities of the world. Despite the darkness that seemed to surround him, he refused to give up. He was determined to uncover the truth behind his newfound abilities and the memories that plagued him. He knew that only by facing his fears head-on could he hope to find peace and redemption.

As time passed, he delved deeper into the intricacies of the world and discovered a great deal more. One of the most striking revelations was that gambling had been legalised as a sport. No longer was it confined to dingy back alleys or smoky casinos. Now, one could wager their entire home from the comfort of their own living room. Online gambling had become the norm, and with it came a new level of danger and popularity on the internet.

With a growling stomach, he rose from his chair and made his way to the small kitchenette. The dim light of the refrigerator illuminated his face as he opened the door, revealing a sparse collection of food items. His eyes landed on a small jar of protein paste, the only sustenance he could afford in these trying times. He reached for it and unscrewed the lid, the smell of artificial nutrients filling his nostrils. It wasn't much, but it would have to do.

In a world where resources were scarce, the only sustenance available to the masses was a bland and unappetizing protein paste. It was a meagre existence, and even this basic necessity was a luxury that many could not afford. The divide between the haves and have-nots was stark, and those who were not fortunate enough to have access to the paste were left to fend for themselves. The struggle for survival was a daily battle, and the idea of enjoying a satisfying meal was nothing more than a distant dream for most.

He sat at the kitchen table, staring at the plate of food in front of him. His stomach grumbled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten all day. He picked up a piece of food and took a bite, savouring the flavour. It wasn't enough. He needed more. He continued to eat, piece after piece, until he had consumed ten in total. Finally, his hunger was satisfied.

He retraced his steps and lowered himself onto the cushioned seat, fingers poised over the keyboard. With a few clicks, the screen flickered to life, revealing the familiar interface of a gambling website.

Since he could recall his past life, he knew he possessed a unique ability that set him apart from others. He possessed a trait that made him invincible in the world of gambling. No matter how much money he wagered, he always emerged victorious. It was a gift that he had come to rely on, and it had never failed him.

Despite his best efforts, the strategy didn't seem to work when it came to live games like horse racing or sports. These events involved real humans, making it difficult to predict the outcome. However, when it came to games like poker, where luck played a larger role, he always seemed to come out on top.

Kazuo took a deep breath and gazed out at the bustling city streets below. He knew what he was about to do was risky, but he couldn't resist the thrill of testing his luck once again.

As he sat at his desk, staring at the computer screen, despite the potential risks, he couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity. The thrill of the unknown and the possibility of winning big were too enticing to ignore. He leaned back in his chair, lost in thought, wondering if he should take the plunge and try his luck at the virtual casino.

He stared at the screen of his laptop, his eyes scanning the numbers that appeared before him. The digits seemed to dance and blur together, but one thing was clear: he had a significant amount of money at his fingertips. The sum was staggering—a whopping $10,000. He couldn't help but convert it to Japanese yen in his mind, imagining the equivalent of roughly 1 million yen. It was a substantial amount, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and possibility at the thought of what he could do with it.

Suzuki was a man of humble means, but he had been wise enough to save a modest sum of money over the years. It was a stroke of luck that he had this nest egg tucked away, for he knew that life could be unpredictable and he wanted to be prepared for whatever might come his way.

He muttered under his breath, his words barely audible, "Whatever." It was a small act of defiance, a way to push back against the overwhelming sense of defeat that threatened to consume him. But even as he spoke, he knew that it was futile. The world would keep turning, and he would keep struggling to keep up. "Let's give it a try." He sat there, lost in thought, his mind racing with the possibility of making a quick fortune, and soon he stumbled upon a thrilling prospect: a game of chance that involved a simple coin toss. The wager was staggering: $1,000. It was a risk, but the potential reward was too great to ignore. He couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement as he considered the possibilities.

[Are you sure?]

{Y/N}

Kazuo sat in front of his computer, his eyes fixed on the screen. The options before him seemed endless, each one holding the promise of something new and exciting. He couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves in his stomach as he contemplated the possibilities. What if he made the wrong choice? But despite his apprehension, there was also a sense of excitement building within him.

The feeling was familiar yet distant, like a memory from a past life. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he knew it was something he hadn't felt in a long time. It reminded him of a time when he had taken a chance on a risky gamble and the rush of excitement that had come with it. As he stood there, lost in thought, he couldn't help but wonder if this was another opportunity to take a chance and see where it would lead him.

With a swift movement of his hand, he pressed down on the key marked "Y" on the keyboard. The sound of the click echoed through the room, as if marking a significant moment in time.

[The game commences.

3 . . 2 . . 1 . . . .]

[Congratulations!] As the announcement echoed through the room, he felt a sudden rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins. His heart pounded with anticipation as a surge of excitement washed over him, leaving him breathless and eager for what was to come. The news that he was the lucky winner of a grand total of $1,800 had just been delivered to him at that very moment. However, as he eagerly reached out to claim his prize, he was informed that a 20% tax had already been deducted from the winnings. Nonetheless, the thrill of victory was still tangible, and he couldn't help but revel in the moment.

"Kukkukuhahahah," he chuckled to himself, relieved that his luck had not abandoned him yet.