The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the town. Jade stood outside his house, his small hands gripping the straps of his worn-out bag. His eyes, bright with the curiosity of a child, also held the weight of something older—something deeper. He wasn't just Jade, the child of this world. He was someone else too—someone with a life full of battles, decisions, and pain.
Even though he had been reborn, the memories of his past life—his time as Yūma—didn't fade away. They lived within him, a constant whisper in his mind, guiding his actions and decisions. The people of this world didn't know the truth about him. They didn't know he had once been a warrior, someone who had faced immense challenges and had gained knowledge beyond his years. And now, even in this new life, he was determined to use that knowledge to survive and protect what mattered.
Jade turned his attention to the bustling street in front of him. The town was a small, peaceful place—far removed from the chaos he had once known. The market stalls were filled with fruits and handmade goods, and children played in the streets, their laughter ringing through the air. Yet, something still felt wrong. The unease in the pit of his stomach hadn't gone away.
There's something coming.
Jade wasn't sure what, but he could feel it. His senses were sharper than they should have been for someone his age. The subtle shifts in the air, the way people looked at him, the way the town seemed a little too quiet... He wasn't blind to the undercurrents.
As he walked through the town, his sharp eyes caught a conversation between two men in the alley. One had his back turned to Jade, while the other seemed to be speaking in hushed tones.
"I heard they're coming. The Lord's men. It's time we collect on those debts."
The other man, more nervous than Jade had expected, shifted on his feet. "But the boy—he's just a kid. You think they'll buy it?"
"We don't have a choice," the first man said, a cold edge in his voice. "The Lord doesn't care. He's not looking for excuses. He wants results."
Jade's heart skipped a beat. The Lord—that name, so cold and ominous, sent a shiver down his spine. His mind raced. He had heard rumors before of a local lord using shady methods to collect debts. But this felt different. "The Lord's men", that was a new level of danger, one that Jade hadn't fully understood yet.
But he had an advantage—his memories from his past life. Yūma had been an expert at reading people, understanding their motives, and predicting their actions. He had learned how to outsmart the enemy, how to play the game when the rules were stacked against him.
He might be a child now, but his mind was still sharp, still calculating.
Jade walked closer to the men, the gravel crunching beneath his tiny shoes. They didn't notice him at first, too busy arguing. But then, just as the taller one began to turn, Jade acted.
"Excuse me," Jade called, his voice small and innocent. The men froze, their eyes snapping to him, suspicion creeping into their expressions.
"What do you want, kid?" the shorter man asked, a sneer tugging at his lips.
Jade took a step forward, careful to make himself appear as naive as possible, but his eyes never left the men's faces. He had learned the art of intimidation, even when no one realized it.
"Just wondering," Jade said, his voice soft but filled with a quiet confidence. "If you're talking about debts, maybe I could help you... understand the situation better."
The men exchanged uncertain glances. The taller one raised an eyebrow. "Help us? How, kid?"
Jade smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes. "I heard you're working for someone. The Lord, right? The one collecting debts. Well, I happen to know that there are certain... loopholes in his system. Loopholes that could make your job a lot easier."
The men stiffened, their eyes narrowing. Jade's words were nothing new—he had learned about power, manipulation, and strategy in his past life. His confidence, though youthful, was the product of many battles fought in the shadows.
"And why would you know that?" the taller man asked, suspicion growing in his voice.
Jade's gaze flickered to the ground for a moment, as though contemplating his next move. "Because I've been on the other side. I've dealt with people like him before. And I know exactly how to deal with his men. You just have to outsmart them. He's not as invincible as he seems."
For a moment, the men seemed uncertain, caught between fear and curiosity. Then, Jade leaned in, lowering his voice. "I can show you how to avoid being caught in his web. But you'll have to trust me. Trust someone who knows how to win."
The tension in the alley grew thick. The shorter man looked at the taller one, uncertainty flashing across his face. After a beat, the taller man finally spoke.
"Alright, kid. What's your plan?"
Jade's smile grew. This was it. He had the advantage now. With his past knowledge and his quick thinking, he could manipulate the situation to his favor.
"First, you need to stop going through the front door."