NEW WORLD

"YOU THINK YOU CAN RUN, YOU BASTARD!"

*SLAP*

"YOU STOLE FROM US?"

*SLAP*

"I WILL SHOW YOU HELL."

I knew I would die here. But why make me suffer like this? I cried and cursed, but no one listened. Then I closed my eyes for good. Or that's what I thought...

"Huh!" I woke up in a room, neither a hospital nor my old room. The place was dirty and smelly, adorned with some risqué images on the walls and trash piled in the corner. Before I could fully grasp the situation, sharp pain surged through me, and memories of this body started flooding back.

Fat, perverted, shy, useless, rude, and dirty. Those were the descriptors of this Noah Neemr.

In this new world where martial arts reigned supreme, this pathetic little guy had chosen to squander his life in idleness.

I stood up from my bed and reluctantly examined myself in the mirror to confirm what I feared. I had hoped it was a dream or someone else's memories, but to my dismay, it was all too real.

This world was unlike the one I knew; there was no USA or France. Advanced medicine and extended lifespans were attributed not to technology but to the mastery of martial arts. Here, superhumans existed, capable of slicing through steel with swords or surviving falls from great heights with only minor injuries. Guns were obsolete when you could cleave a man in two with a single stroke.

This world thrived on the currency of power. If you were as worthless and lazy as I appeared to be, your demise was considered a contribution to society.

Unable to bear the stench any longer, I gathered the trash and stepped outside. My new residence resembled more of a rundown apartment than a proper home. It was equipped with a shower and a toilet, though.

As I emerged from the decaying building, I found myself on a quiet, well-lit street, despite the late hour.

The journey to discard the trash offered me time to contemplate my situation. Upon returning, I peeled off my sweaty clothes and indulged in a thorough shower. I meticulously cleaned every inch of this previously neglected physique.

Afterward, I settled in front of my computer, determined to learn more about my newfound world.

Noah had never bothered to comprehend this world, as his memories were riddled with explicit content and lascivious images.

A quick online search revealed the key difference. Here, people had discovered how to channel qi through their bodies, bolstering their strength, leading to the development of martial arts and a hierarchical ranking system.

For example, in the Union of Liberty States (ULS), where I resided, there were 11 states, each with its president. Every four years, these eleven Presidents engaged in combat to determine the ruler of the ULS. Democracy didn't exist, only power. Yet, the populace thrived, as everyone possessed power, and a President failing to ensure fairness would meet a swift demise.

I lived in the High Plains Republic, within Windhaven City. The state's capital was Skyridge City, and its President was Marlin Smith, a formidable King-rank warrior.

I suspected that my new home paralleled the USA of my previous world. However, such comparisons seemed inconsequential now. I had been granted a second chance, and I was determined not to squander it.

My fatigue prevented sleep, so I took the time to chart my future. The foremost priority was shedding the excess weight. Moreover, I needed to commence my martial arts journey, albeit later than most.

I initiated a warm-up routine, though my heart begged me to halt. My determination prevailed as I pushed through push-up repetitions.

1...2...3...BAM.

My muscles surrendered, exhaustion setting in, and I drifted into slumber.

Morning arrived.

I had neglected work and refrained from even notifying my employer. My savings, totaling $2,400, would provide sustenance for a while.

In the following days, I focused on intensive training, with only one meal per day. It was a grueling ordeal, but an essential one. I couldn't discern whether it was the aura phenomenon or the inherent differences in human physiology, but within a week, I shed 20 kg, with an additional 20 kg in the second week.

I reveled in my newfound enthusiasm and motivation. One evening, my neighbors mistook me for a different person. I wore a proud smile while explaining to the perplexed cops that I had merely undergone a dramatic weight loss.

In the third week, I achieved another 30 kg weight loss due to intensified training and growing accustomed to the pangs of hunger.

My physique began to reflect my diligence, unblemished by injuries, thanks to my previous military experience. The world facilitated training, with parks for running and fitness equipment easily accessible at every corner. In this world, a corpulent figure was a rarity, and with each passing day, I loathed Noah Neemr more.

Here, I wouldn't need to lose my love, as all that was required was to fight for her. Alternatively, I could face homelessness and potential demise at the hands of a gang. This world was impartial, and I cherished it.

In the final week, my weight loss slowed as I focused on building a lean physique. I now weighed 75 kg, boasting a lean body. My muscles remained modest in size, but the promise of future growth beckoned.

Upon scrutinizing my reflection in the mirror after a refreshing shower, I observed a handsome figure. My brown skin, straight short hair, and large black eyes stared back at me. A thin beard adorned my sharp face, marred only by my slight stature of 180 cm, modest in a world where heights of 200 cm and 210 cm were common.

I settled before my computer, ready to embark on my journey into martial arts, determined to make the most of this second chance at life.