Neurolink System in the Modern World

Groaning, I reluctantly pried my eyes open, annoyance bubbling at the sound of the voice I detested most in this world.

As my blurry vision cleared, I saw the face of a beautiful blonde woman with sharp blue eyes and a fit, curvy body.

Her clingy white top accentuated the curves of her body, making it impossible to ignore.

She has a seductive, mature demeanor which was not really surprising, given her mixed heritage of korean and American. 

"What's your problem? Is that how you look at your aunt?" Her voice dripped with scorn and scrutiny.

"Sorry," the word slipped out, a reflex honed over years of enduring her mistreatment.

Beneath her outward beauty, her true character was rotten to the core.

She was Alyssa, my aunt. She might be labeled as such, but in truth, she was just 25 years old. She was the woman whom fooled my dumb uncle .

After my parents passed away when I was just 10 years old, my single uncle took me under his wing. Being the only relative around, he became my guardian and also managed our family inheritance.

The official explanation given was that my mother had left with another man, but I found it hard to accept that story.

Unfortunately, my father believed it, and not long after, he had a car accident while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Initially, my uncle was really kind and attentive.

However, everything took a turn when he crossed paths with this woman.

With the huge amount of wealth he had got from my parents, he became a prime target for what society refers to as a "gold digger."

My uncle, having had no prior dating experience, fell into her charms. It's painful to admit, but my father's side genetic predispositions weren't the best.

The situation shifted dramatically from there.

A simmering anger brewed within me, aimed not only at Alyssa, but also at my fool uncle for his foolishness and betrayal. The resentment I held for him was strong, and I couldn't help but see him as a complete idiot for falling into her trap.

"Ugh, you reek!" Alyssa's disgusted expression hit my ears.

"What the hell You're the one who doesn't give me money for soap and shampoo, and you're complaining about me stinking? I swear, I could strangle you right now," I retorted, my anger flaring. Fists clenched, I fought the urge to lash out physically.

My hand twitched, as if to slap her.

"This should teach you a lesson, you witch!"

BAM!

A resounding slap played out in my mind, but it was just a fantasy.

I knew better than to provoke her further and risk being kicked out of the house.

"Go take a bath. Your Uncle is coming back home today, so you should at least look presentable for him," she instructed, handing me a bar of generic soap and shampoo.

The unbranded soap and shampoo she offered were proof of her stinginess.

It was another reminder of how she constantly cut corners, showing no consideration for my well-being.

As she exited the room, I glanced around at the disorganized space.

The bedroom was a mess. The bed was a jumble of crumpled sheets and tossed blankets, while pillows slumped in defeat. Clothes and belongings were scattered on the floor, and a desk held a chaotic mix of wet tissue and books. The window's view was partly blocked by clutter on the sill.

It was a mess, true, but I lacked the energy to clean it up.

The weight of abandonment and mistreatment from a young age had taken its toll, often plunging me into depression. My room mirrored the turmoil within me.

"I should take my medicine," I muttered, shuffling towards the medicine cabinet to retrieve a single tablet of my antidepressant.

My only uncle was coming back?

Normally, I should have felt a bit happy about seeing my only family member, but instead, all I felt was deep, growing anger.

How could he be so blind? How did he let himself get fooled by this sneaky woman?

As my emotions clouded my thoughts, a dark idea wormed its way into my mind.

Should I just swallow all of these pills and end it?

The notion didn't seem so far-fetched. At a young age, I was a prisoner in this room, trapped in a life I despised.

School was a distant memory, crushed under the weight of nonstop bullying.

But blaming my aunt for all my school problems wasn't the whole truth. I was also picked on because of how I looked.

My reflection in the mirror showcased someone with extra weight, a face marked by acne scars, terrible posture, and eyes that struggled to focus.

Wait! Could my aunt constant contempt be linked to my appearance?

Would she treat me differently if I was attractive?

Of course, such a transformation was a pipe dream for a depressed and lazy guy like me.

'Goodbye, world,' I whispered

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THUD!

I set the antidepressant on the desk.

Suicide ? Scratch that . I'm too much of a coward to kill myself.

The thought of dying shook me, abruptly pulling me from my unsettling reverie. It wasn't that I held my life in high regard; it was just that fear of death held me back from embracing it.

I returned the bottle of antidepressants to the drawer and grabbed a water from my cluttered desk.

After downing it, I headed towards the bathroom, intending to take a soothing bath.

"Eh?" The moment I set foot on the way, a chilling sensation enveloped me. Nausea surged through my stomach. It felt as if the world had started spinning around me.

"Ahhhhhhh!" My body convulsed, and I vomited something with a metallic flavor. Then I saw it—the crimson stain on the floor.

Panic surged through me as I realized that I was looking at my own blood.

I needed help, or this could be the end of my pitiful life.

No, I would undoubtedly end up dead if someone didn't get me to the hospital right away.

I don't want to die. I'm still a virgin, goddammit!

Summoning every ounce of strength, I tried to move, but it only worsened my condition. 

THUD!

I ended up collapsing onto the floor, blood continuing to overflow in my mouth. 

No, this couldn't be how it all ended. I couldn't die like this. Tears mingled with my gasps as the pain intensified, as if a swarm of needles were piercing my stomach.

I wanted to scream, but only more blood came out.

Finally, my vision dimmed, fading away. I thought my life would flash before my eyes, showing me happy memories from my childhood.

But it didn't.

Instead of happy memories, what flashed before my eyes was a montage of the worst moments: my aunt's cruelty, my uncle's indifference, my mother's abandonment, my father's irresponsibility, my own ugly reflection, the bullying at school, the girls who turned me down, and the endless mocking from internet trolls. 

The world was unfair. I didn't deserve any of this. If I were given another chance, I would live my life differently.

I wouldn't be afraid anymore; I wouldn't remain weak. I would show them the consequences of their actions.

But reality proved to be unbearably cruel. And then, my vision faded into nothingness, and with that, my final breath escaped my lips.

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[System Activated ]