NshedRana

In his first life, Damien Sterling was nothing but a fool. Naïve, trusting, and constantly manipulated by those around him, he lived his life as a tool—used, discarded, and ultimately forgotten. His kindness was repaid with betrayal, his trust exploited, and his life ended in the most humiliating way: alone, broken, and filled with regret.

But fate had a cruel twist in store.

One evening, as Damien wandered the cold streets in a daze, he saw an old woman trying to cross the road. She had always been kind to him—the only person who showed him any genuine warmth. When a truck came speeding toward him, she shoved him aside and took the hit herself.

She died.

Yet, the moment her body hit the pavement, something impossible happened. Time rewound.

Damien woke up years earlier, in his younger body—but with all the knowledge, pain, and betrayal of his past life intact. And that day, everything changed.

The Devil..

Damien Sterling stood on the same street where his foolish past self had once walked—naïve, weak, and doomed to betrayal. But this time, he wasn't the same man.

His cold, calculating mind was already at work.

He knew their weaknesses before they even knew they had them.

"No more trust. No more emotions. Only power. Only control."

The rain continued to fall, washing away the last remnants of his old self.

Damien needed money, influence, and control.

In his past life, he had spent years working for others, trying to build relationships and prove himself. That was his greatest mistake.

A secret stock deal would soon skyrocket in value—he could invest early.

A corrupt businessman was about to make an illegal move—he could blackmail him first.

A powerful politician would rise in five years—he could control him before anyone else saw his potential.

And Damien Sterling was about to take it for himself.

Across the street, Richard Vaughn—his so-called best friend—was laughing with their mutual friends. In his past life, Richard had betrayed him, stolen his business, and taken his lover.

Damien saw him for what he truly was.

"A man with ambition but no intelligence."

Richard was useful—for now. But like a broken tool, he would be discarded the moment his purpose was fulfilled.

Damien approached with a relaxed, confident smile—the same way his past self had.

"Richard," he greeted, his voice smooth.

His old friend grinned, oblivious. "Damien! Finally, you're here. We were just talking about the investment plan—are you in?"

Ah. The same investment scam that Richard had tricked him into last time.

In his past life, Damien had blindly agreed, believing in "friendship." The result? He had been swindled out of half his fortune.

This time, he smiled as if nothing had changed.

"Of course, Richard. But… let me handle the details."

"I've been studying finance a lot lately," Damien lied effortlessly. "I know a way to double our profits—faster."

Richard's greed flashed in his eyes. He was stupid enough to believe Damien.

And just like that, the man who had once betrayed him…

As Damien walked away from the meeting, he felt it.

He had baited the fool, turned the game in his favor, and laid the first stone of his empire.

Richard had no idea that this deal, which Damien would now manipulate, would eventually leave him bankrupt, powerless, and begging for mercy.

With a sharp smirk, Damien disappeared into the shadows.

The Devil Awakens