Broken

"Acho," Jack sneezed as cold wind swiped into his body through his torn-apart hoodie.

His mood was totally down. He felt like his life had ended. If truth be told, it did.

The money he got was from his parents' lifetime savings. He lived in a rural area. For a better future, they used that to send him to the city, to get a better education. Now that all of that was finished, they might not even have the money for his sister's tuition.

The more he thought the anger he felt. 'I am so stupid! That bitch had played me. All that reading novels and criticizing the author for nothing. You can't even recognize how a human is.'

As he contemplated himself, he stopped before a zebra crossing.

Jack took his phone out and smiled to himself. 'Bitch I have your parent's number.'

He called her father's number, and shortly after, her father picked up the phone.

"Hello sir, How are you?" Jack said with great enthusiasm.

"Oh, Jack. We are doing great. It is nice to go on a vacation with your aunt." Her father's laughter came from the other side.

"Haha," Jack also laughed. "I am glad you are enjoying yourselves."

"But, Uncle. I have some serious information that I want to say to you." His voice grew deeper suddenly.

Her father also became serious."What kind of information is it?"

"It is about your daughter." The moment he said that, her father's worry rose.

He asked. "What happened to my daughter? Is she alright?"

"She is doing great, but.." Jack held off a little making him tense more. "She has arranged a party at your house. Many people have come and are doing drugs. Your daughter is being used by some guy like an item. Uncle, I am sorry, I tr- "

"What the hell are you talking about?" Jack couldn't act more as her father's yell halted him. "My daughter is the most innocent girl. I won't tolerate any further slander about her!"

This time it was Jack's turn to get shocked. He thought he would tell them everything and get her punished. However, he was getting yelled at instead.

"You were after our family's wealth all along. I knew you we- "

Peep

Jack couldn't take it anymore, so he disconnected the call.

All alone on the winter night, Jack, like a complete madman, started to laugh. "Hahahahahahaha..."

His laughter echoed around the streets, making the few passersby worried about him.

"What a joke I have become." Gradually, tears started to come out of his eyes.

He didn't do anything that could be helpful to his family. But he got succumbed to city culture and ruined his career. He still had one semester left, and he didn't know what to do.

The bank wouldn't give him any more loans; his parent's savings were already gone, and he didn't know anyone from whom he could borrow money.

He looked up at the snowy sky. "Dad, mom, your son is a failure. He couldn't do anything for you."

Screech

Suddenly a sound echoed, and he looked to the side just to see a truck slip because of ice and come crashing at him.

Seeing that, he didn't give birth to the thought of dodging. He had only one thing on his mind. He gave a forced smile with a slight tear coming down his eye.

"Even the Gods don't love me."

BANG

On December 25, 2024.

Jack Raynolds died in a truck accident.

.....

"Huh, what is this?" Jack opened his eyes just to see a clear blue sky.

"Oi, Gale. Stand up. I still have not had my fun yet." Someone's voice entered his mind. He didn't know who Gale was, but he felt a familiarity with it.

He stood up slowly just to see he had a sword in his hand and was wearing leather armor. He looked around in panic and saw the whole place was filled with people of various ages.

However, what caught his attention was that they all had red hair.

"I am here, you idiot."

Bam

All of a sudden, a punch landed on his face, making him tumble backward.

Jack looked up and saw a 17-year-old boy standing before him with a smirk on his face. He also had red hair, like everyone else.

"Come put a proper fight or are you gonna be a disgrace to Burnheart Family forever!" After saying that, the boy rushed towards him.

Jack swung his sword in panic just to see the boy dodge it effortlessly. He punched his left side this time.

Which made him stumble to his right side. His head started to get dizzy, but he still held on to his consciousness.

"Come on, Gale. Show me that courage of yours from earlier." The boy taunted him again.

Jack finally exploded. "Shut up, will ya'."

'So this is a second chance. Like all those lucky protagonists.' Jack knew what had happened.

He didn't have the time to think much as the boy had already arrived in front of him.

Jack feinted that he was attacking and took that punch in the face.

He didn't stumble back this time, he held onto himself, gritting his teeth. He let go of his sword, as he knew the boy would worry about it.

Then he gave him a surprise attack, a knuckle punch at his neck.

"Ack," The boy groaned in pain and rolled on the ground.

Jack, no, from now on, Gale.

Gale looked down at the boy and smirked at him. "See this daddy Gale's courage?"