Before I died, the world called me the Legendary Programmer.
That is all I have to say for my introduction.
At the age of ten, I, Allen, was considered a genius. Not the type that goes to school and aces classes.
No. I was a true genius.
Born in a ghetto, raised in the slums.
One could say I had the most miserable life on the planet.
Though, I for one, couldn't compare myself to the poor guy who begged beside me on the streets.
I once thought that I will die young, just like every other kid in the slums.
That was until I saw it for the first time.
A laptop.
It was so bright and shiny, like a light in my dark world.
I could have sworn my heart skipped a beat the moment I saw it. That was just how beautiful it was.
At that time, I wanted it by any means.
However I was too young to work most jobs, and begging couldn't get me enough money...
So I stole it.
I was a desperate kid; obviously, stealing seemed like the only option.
And that singular, pure act was what changed my life.
After I held the laptop, I soon mastered it.
And as I moved from cafe to cafe using free Wi-Fi, I learnt what people called:
Programming.
Within a few months, I was able to hack into people's accounts and steal money.
At first, I thought it was something anyone could do.
But after some reflection, I realized I was a genius.
Using my exceptional knowledge, I made a game that, once downloaded, debited $1 from the user.
It might seem like a small amount to most, but when over a million people downloaded it?
I, Allen, became a millionaire.
My life was perfect—until a strange woman appeared in it.
She was beautiful beyond reason, maybe just slightly behind my laptop, but still stunning regardless.
It seemed she and her friends had figured out my scam and tracked it to me.
She told me many things about them in an expensive cafe that smelled of wealth.
Obviously, she had found me since she was a thief herself, and I didn't know how to cover my tracks.
Apparently, she also helped me cover my tracks and bribe some officials.
At first I didn't know why she went to such lengths for me.
But it all made sense once she stretched out her hand and offered me something.
Something that would change my life.
"Join me, Allen, and become the ninth member of the Night_Hawk."
Even I had heard of the notorious organization.
The police were constantly chasing them.
I knew it was dangerous.
That was precisely why I took her hand.
I wanted to test the limits of my knowledge, and I knew the government couldn't provide that for me.
I didn't care much about good or evil. I never did.
Actually, there were few things I cared about, and one of those was technology.
And the strange woman lit a fire inside me as she spoke.
She didn't offer me money or power.
Just one promise:
"I will make you the best in the world."
Thus began my story as the world's legendary programmer.
At least I was.
Until I opened my eyes, saw a stranger's face in the mirror, and muttered the only words that fit:
"Who are you?"
That was the moment I realized...
I'd been reincarnated.