The quiet of his room stretched around him like a cloak, but inside, his mind raced faster than any heartbeat. He hovered over the glowing interface of his QuestSim system, tapping through menus, reading every stat and skill description, ensuring nothing escaped his attention.
[QuestSim System]Level: 1Stats: Human BaselineQuests Available: 3Skills: NonePerks: NoneInventory: Empty
He leaned back and exhaled slowly. "Alright… first, I need to understand everything I can about this system. Every feature, every hidden mechanic, every nuance."
He began experimenting. A test of strength, a mental exercise, a small observation task—each immediately triggered a response in the system. Stats ticked upward:
[Strength +1][Observation +1][Strategic Analysis unlocked]
A faint smile crossed his face. "This… this is exactly like QuestSim. I can feel it adapting to me, tracking everything I do, rewarding me for progress."
He spent hours going over each menu, noting the hidden talents, potential skills, and perk slots. Some perks required experience points to unlock, while others triggered automatically after completing key quests. It was all laid out with perfect clarity, yet it was flexible enough that he could customize his growth.
Once he understood the system, he turned to the bigger picture. His situation.
He was reborn in the Tokyo Revengers timeline. He had full knowledge of what would happen. He knew the key players, the gangs, the tragedies that would unfold. He knew who would rise, who would fall, and most importantly… he knew the opening for his own empire.
"Valhalla," he muttered under his breath. "I'll start small, but I'll grow it into something unstoppable. Mikey and Toman are strong, but I can outmaneuver them if I play it right."
The next step was tactical—he needed a gang identity. Something that would inspire fear, loyalty, and respect from the start. He began sketching designs on a notepad, combining elements he knew would resonate: black leather, sharp insignia, hints of gold for authority, and subtle red accents to symbolize dominance.
[Gang Outfit Concept 1: Black leather jacket, gold insignia on the back, red stitching along the seams.][Gang Outfit Concept 2: Dark green bomber with black trim, angular emblem on back, subtle shoulder patches for rank.][Gang Outfit Concept 3: Jet black jacket, red angular Valhalla emblem glowing faintly under sunlight, gold clasps.]
He reviewed each design carefully, considering psychological impact, intimidation factor, and practicality. He finally settled on Concept 3—sleek, commanding, unmistakably unique. The emblem was simple but memorable: a stylized "V" with two sharp wings, meant to evoke both power and unity.
Satisfied, he added it to his system's inventory as a "template" for future recruits. The interface confirmed:
[Gang Design Template Saved: Valhalla Jacket - Level 1]
Next, he planned the recruitment strategy. Who could be the first member? Takemichi, although naïve, could be a potential ally if manipulated carefully. Strong, loyal, or ambitious students—he'd observe them, identify weaknesses, and offer them a path into something bigger.
He activated a mental checklist:
Observe potential allies discreetly.
Determine individual strengths and weaknesses.
Test loyalty subtly through small tasks.
Offer membership in Valhalla once confidence is established.
The system chimed softly, presenting a new hidden quest:
[Hidden Quest Unlocked: Lay the Foundations of Valhalla]
Objectives:
Identify at least three potential core members.
Design gang outfit and establish symbolism.
Conduct first recruitment test successfully.
A thrill ran through him. This was no ordinary school day. This was strategy, power, and influence—his first real steps toward reshaping the timeline.
By the time evening fell, he had mapped out the school grounds in his mind, noting where key players gathered, their habits, and vulnerabilities. He could anticipate interactions, overhear rumors, and even subtly manipulate events in his favor.
The MC paused and looked at his reflection once more. James Lee's striking features stared back, a mask that commanded attention, a face that would make anyone hesitate to underestimate him. Combined with his system and knowledge, he was a step ahead of everyone else.
He smirked. "Valhalla starts tonight. And by the time they know my name, they'll either be with me… or beneath me."
The city outside glowed under the fading sunlight, unaware of the storm that was about to awaken. His system pinged softly, a reminder of the first objective: [Observe and recruit first potential member.]
The path had begun. Strategy, perception, and timing were all under his control. And as the MC prepared to step out, the first threads of Valhalla were being woven into the fabric of Tokyo.