Chapter 2

He struggled, reaching out, desperate to hold onto something—anything—but his hands grasped only air, futilely waving in the emptiness. A cold, creeping chill began to crawl up his spine, sending shivers of dread through his body. His consciousness grew foggy, as though a thick mist was slowly clouding his thoughts, making it harder and harder to focus. The only sensation that remained sharp was a deep, gnawing fear, as if an endless abyss was drawing near, a chasm with no way out.

As the darkness spread around him, Noah felt his mind begin to unravel. His limbs grew heavy, as though weighed down by invisible chains, his body sinking into an endless mire where movement was impossible. He could feel the crushing force of something far greater than himself, a relentless tide pushing him toward an unknown, bottomless void. Fear gripped him like a serpent, coiling tighter with every passing second, deepening his sense of helpless despair.

Just as his consciousness seemed to slip into the eternal blackness, a cold, low voice echoed in his ears—distant and detached, as if from another realm entirely. "Mr. Leslie, remember this: only the memories belong to you. The knowledge, character, and demeanor will all be shaped by your new identity. Good luck." The voice carried a subtle mockery and finality, ringing in his mind like the tolling of a death knell.

And then, with the last flicker of light fading away, Noah's awareness was swallowed by the infinite darkness. He felt himself falling, spiraling into an unknown, bottomless abyss—without end, without hope, only a void of darkness and despair that stretched endlessly before him.

Noah's eyes snapped open, and the world before him was entirely new. A strange light pierced his vision, causing him to blink rapidly as he tried to adjust to his surroundings. Low murmurs of conversation and the hum of a printer filled the air, accompanied by the scent of coffee and paper. Everything felt simultaneously familiar and alien, as if he had stepped into a parallel universe.

Slowly sitting up, he realized he was in a modern office. The walls were adorned with legal documents and certificates, while a sleek laptop and a stack of files sat neatly on the desk before him. Looking down at himself, he noticed he was dressed in a sharp business suit, holding a folder in his hand.

As the realization of his rebirth sank in, Noah was gripped by a wave of shock and unease. Memories of his past life remained vivid, the despair still a heavy presence in his heart. But now, he had a new identity and a new life. Eager for answers, he opened the folder, searching for clues about who he had become—Dean Harrison, 24 years old, male, a graduate of a prestigious law school with a law degree.

Noah finished reading the résumé, his mind in complete disarray. He struggled to process the information before him, trying to connect these new memories to the reality he was experiencing. Everything felt so unfamiliar, so surreal. As he sat there, still in a daze, a staff member from the law firm approached him with a smile.

“Mr. Harrison, we’ve decided to hire you early. Congratulations!” 

“W-what?” Noah stammered, caught completely off guard. 

“Yes, you can report to work tomorrow morning.” 

The words hit Noah like a hammer, shaking him to his core. He hadn’t even fully accepted the fact that he had been reborn, let alone come to terms with this new identity and the life that lay ahead. Nodding mechanically, he thanked the staff member and quickly headed to the restroom, desperate to see what he now looked like. 

Pushing open the door, he walked straight to the mirror. The reflection staring back at him was both unfamiliar and oddly familiar. Dean Harrison, 24 years old, 180 cm tall, with a medium but slightly athletic build. His features were sharp and well-defined, his gaze steady but tinged with fatigue. His short hair was neatly styled, and he wore a clean, tailored suit. Compared to the overweight figure he once was, this version of himself was undeniably more handsome—but it lacked the confidence and ambition he used to carry. 

Noah stared at his reflection, a whirlwind of emotions surging through him. He reached out, touching his face, tracing the unfamiliar features, trying to dispel the sense of alienation. Taking a deep breath, he worked to calm the turmoil within. This new appearance and identity offered him a fresh start, but they also brought immense challenges and pressures. 

After standing in silence for what felt like an eternity, he finally resolved to face reality. Leaving the restroom, his mind remained in a storm, but he knew that if he was to embrace this new identity, he needed to understand Dean Harrison thoroughly. As the messenger of the underworld had told him, “Only the memories belong to you. The knowledge, character, and demeanor will all be shaped by your new identity.” Indeed, he could already recall snippets of Dean’s legal knowledge and faint impressions of his personality, but everything else was a blank slate. With his new job starting the next morning, there was no time to waste in learning every detail about Dean Harrison. 

Using the address on Dean’s ID, Noah arrived at an apartment in an old building. Standing before the door, he took a deep breath and thought, “So, this is Dean Harrison’s home—my new home.” Without hesitation, he unlocked the door and stepped inside. The apartment was small but neatly organized, a compact space where everything had its place—a humble yet well-equipped home. 

Noah looked around and noticed a family photo hanging on the wall. In the picture, Dean was smiling alongside his parents, radiating the warmth of an ordinary, loving family. Both parents appeared to be working-class, and although their circumstances didn’t seem affluent, the photo exuded a sense of harmony and affection. This gave Noah a small measure of comfort—at least this new identity came with a supportive and warm family background. 

He continued exploring the apartment and came across a variety of books and some workout equipment. The bookshelf was filled with titles on law, technology, and business news, indicating that Dean had a deep love for learning. Noah picked up a legal textbook and flipped through it, noticing the dense notes and highlighted sections that reflected Dean’s dedication and academic diligence. These books not only showcased Dean’s interests but also made it clear why he had pursued an internship as a corporate lawyer. 

The workout equipment revealed another aspect of Dean’s life: he took care of his health. However, it was evident that he wasn’t a fitness enthusiast but someone who exercised regularly to maintain a good physique and overall wellness. A few skipped sessions here and there, and his body might lose its tone—but even so, this was a stark contrast to Noah’s past self. 

In his previous life, Noah’s professional success had afforded him a life of luxury: sprawling mansions, luxury cars, and gourmet meals. However, the relentless pressure of his career took a toll on his body. Years of stress and indulgence had left him overweight and in poor health. Compared to Dean’s balanced and disciplined lifestyle, Noah’s old self felt like a warning of what unchecked ambition could do.

On a desk, Noah noticed a notebook and decided to flip through it. Inside were Dean’s personal notes and thoughts, covering a wide range of topics from legal insights to reflections on daily life. Through these pages, Noah gained a deeper understanding of Dean—his way of thinking, his dreams, and his aspirations. 

Next, Noah picked up Dean’s phone and began exploring its contents. The message list was sparse, consisting mainly of a few close friends. As he scrolled through messages and social media activity, Noah discovered that Dean wasn’t very social. He rarely attended gatherings and had a small circle of friends. Most of his time seemed to be spent at home, reading, writing, or occasionally exercising. On social media, Dean shared posts that primarily focused on legal analysis and commentary on current events, further highlighting his strong interest in these fields. 

As Noah continued exploring the apartment, he stumbled upon more clues about Dean’s personal life. Among them were photographs showing Dean with his friends. Notably, there were no female friends in any of the pictures. Social media updates and text messages also hinted that Dean’s social circle was predominantly male, with a few classmates from law school. There were no signs of a romantic relationship or any indication that Dean was dating someone. 

Noah also noticed that Dean’s diary contained almost no entries about personal relationships. Most of the journal focused on studies, work, and self-improvement, indicating that Dean placed little emphasis on his emotional life. It was clear to Noah that Dean’s priorities were firmly centered on his career and personal growth, with love and relationships taking a back seat. 

Aside from the family photo he had seen earlier, there was almost no information about Dean’s family in the apartment. Feeling a bit mentally exhausted, Noah decided to step out for a walk to clear his head. As soon as he exited the old building, the crisp morning air greeted him, bringing a refreshing sense of clarity and hope. 

Walking through the streets, Noah took in the unfamiliar yet vibrant cityscape. A mix of emotions swelled within him as he observed the bustling energy around him. Everything here was new—a clean slate filled with unknown challenges and opportunities. Despite the uncertainty, there was something invigorating about the possibilities that lay ahead.

He decided to get familiar with his surroundings first. Stepping into a nearby coffee shop, he ordered a cup of coffee and found a quiet corner to sit in. Taking out a notebook, he began jotting down his thoughts and plans. Writing had always been his way of organizing his thoughts and emotions, a habit he relied on to bring a sense of clarity and calm. At this moment, that familiarity was exactly what he needed to soothe his unease. 

“Dean Harrison,” he wrote at the top of the page. “This is my new identity, and it’s the direction of my future.” He continued, “I must adapt quickly, understand Dean’s life and work, and become a competent legal scholar.”