Hello! Before you begin reading, I'd like to mention that this is only my second attempt at writing a novel.
You might find some rough edges—I'm still learning and growing as a writer. But I promise the story will improve as it unfolds!
With that said, I truly hope you enjoy this novel and have a wonderful time reading it.
Chapter 1: [Prologue]
"Born too late to explore the earth, born too early to travel the galaxy."
I furrowed my brows as I reflected on this phrase.
It was just a meme I found on the internet, but I couldn't help relating to it. This world was dull—far too mundane for someone destined to exist for only a brief moment in the vast universe. Shouldn't the gods at least grant me an exhilarating life?
I crave excitement. My mind longs for adventure, my body desires strength beyond human limits, and my heart yearns for challenges greater than what this world could offer.
But reality is suffocating.
I already had everything most people dream of—money, influence, and fame. To some, just one of these would be enough. The moment they achieved stability, their ambitions withers. They stopped striving. That kind of complacency makes my skin crawl.
But for me, it wasn't enough. This world isn't big enough.
I'd worked relentlessly to reach where I am today. It hadn't been easy, but after years of struggle, success now feels effortless—almost meaningless.
Standing before the glass window of my office, I watch as storm clouds gather over the city, darkening the sky. Lightning flickered in the distance, illuminating the streets below.
The weather is getting worse. I should finish up and head home soon.
I check my phone; the company's stocks are rising endlessly. I own one of the largest gaming companies in the world. Most of today's hit games belongs to me, though I no longer involve myself much in the day-to-day operations. Instead, I focus on writing web novels—my true passion. In just three years, I'd built a reputation as a best-selling author.
Through writing, I created what reality denied me—the ambitions I couldn't pursue, the battles I craved, and the power I wished I had. But no matter how thrilling the stories I crafted, they were just that—fiction.
And fiction could only satisfy me for so long.
"Finished."
With a sigh of relief, I uploaded my latest chapter and checked the time. 7 PM. I closed my laptop, stretched my arms, and glanced out the window. The rain was already pouring, the sound of raindrops intensifying against the glass.
I bid farewell to my employees and headed for the elevator, pressing the button for the underground parking lot. My office was on the 80th floor, so the ride down took a while. The flickering lights and distant rumble of thunder did little to unnerve me.
Then—
"Shit."
My hand pats my pockets. Wallet? Check. Phone? Check. Keys? Nowhere to be found.
Did I left them in my office? I sighed. Going back would be a hassle, and the storm was only getting worse. Good thing I had brought an umbrella. I'll just take the subway.
The station is nearly empty. Normally, it's packed, but tonight, I could count only eight people, including myself. A group of five men loiters near the far door, while an elderly woman and a middle-aged man sat in the middle of the train car.
As I stepped inside, I felt the group's eyes on me. Makes sense—I'm dressed in a tailored suit. A man like me riding public transport must have seemed odd. I ignored their stares and took a seat at the opposite end of the car.
As the train began moving, exhaustion washed over me. My eyes grew heavy. Before long, I drifted into sleep.
A sharp poke roused me.
I frowned, blinking away drowsiness. My vision cleared, and I saw a man in a black ski mask standing before me.
I glanced toward the middle of the train car—the elderly woman and the other passenger were gone. Only the group of five remained.
"Hey, sir," the masked man said, his voice dripping with fake politeness. "You've been asleep for a while. We were worried you'd miss your stop."
I glanced out the window. We were nearing the final station. Not a problem—I was getting off here anyway.
"Thanks for your concern," I replied. "But this is my stop."
The man chuckled. "Oh, is that so? Then I apologize for disturbing you."
one of them snickered. "Hey, mister! Since we woke you up, shouldn't you at least thank us?"
"Oh no, we couldn't possibly take his money," the masked man mockingly added.
"Sigh, fine."
I pulled out my wallet and, intentionally, let them see the stacks of cash inside. Their eyes widened. Jackpot.
I retrieved a few bills and handed them to the masked man. He hesitated, then greedily snatched them. But instead of thanking me, he glanced at his group and gave a subtle nod.
A signal.
They're going to rob me.
The man pulled a knife, pointing it at my chest. "Much appreciated, mister. But, you see, this ain't enough for us. How about you hand over the whole wallet?"
Despite the threat, I felt a thrill of excitement.
Finally, a bit of enjoyment.
Feigning fear, I widened my eyes. "Oh no! Please, just let me go!"
"Keh keh keh." The group grinned. "Give us the wallet, and we will."
I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing.
The masked man flinched. His group stiffened.
"Has this guy lost his mind?" one of them muttered.
"What?" I said between chuckles. "Did you rehearse that line or something? Ahahaha!"
Silence hung in the air.
Their confusion turned to anger. "Hey, you bastard! Stop fucking around—"
Before he could finish, I gripped his shoulder—hard.
"Agh!" He yelped as pain shot through his arm, his grip on the knife loosening. The blade clattered to the floor.
I snatched it mid-air. In the same motion, I yanked him toward me and held the knife to his throat, locking his body against mine.
The others froze.
A drop of sweat fell from one man's brow. Another shifted nervously.
Sigh. I could just end this here and leave.
But where was the fun in that?
With a smirk, I tossed the knife behind me.
"Big mistake," one of them growled. And lunged at me—
But I shoved the hostage forward, letting him take the hit instead. The poor bastard crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
"What the fuck?!" The rest of them stared at their fallen friend in shock.
"Why are you looking at me?" I said, shrugging. "He's the one who hit him." I pointed at the attacker.
Their faces contorted with rage.
They charged.
One by one, they fell.
The first swung wildly—too slow. I dodged and let him punch the metal pole behind me. He yelped, cradling his bruised fist. A swift kick to the head knocked him out cold.
The second leaped forward. I sidestepped, letting his momentum betray him. A well-placed strike to the neck sent him collapsing to the floor.
The third was different. His stance was solid—trained. A boxer, maybe. Too bad for him, he was predictable. I feinted, baiting an opening, then drove my shin into his ribs. A sickening crack echoed through the car. He gasped, clutching his side, then slumped into unconsciousness.
The last man? He turned and bolts. Smart choice.
I shook my head, grabbed my bag, and stepped out of the train. The storm still raged outside.
As I walked, thunder roared louder and louder—
A blinding light.
A searing pain.
Lightning struck.
Darkness swallowed me whole.
I awakened to sunlight and the scent of flowers.
The earthly smell of fresh grass and damp soil filled my nose.
I opened my eyes—
And realised I'm no longer in the world I once knew.
...
A small hill covered with green grass unfolded under the sun's rays as they chased the shadows of the earth. Birds chirped, and the sweet, floral scent of flowers—carried by the wind—drifted through their wings as they flapped toward the sunrise. Atop the hill, a boy lay beneath the shade of a tree.
His eyes opened, his black pupils dilating as he scanned the area, searching for something. He tried to move his body but could only growl in frustration from the intense pain that shot through him.
After a few steadying breaths, he mustered his will and pushed his upper body into a sitting position. His breathing shifted from rapid to calm, and he glanced down at his trembling hands and body.
But as he stared at his palms, realization struck him. The scenery before him was breathtaking—enough to make anyone's heart flutter. Some might despair at such a sight, but he felt only immense excitement.
He laughed—a manic, unrestrained laugh. Who else would laugh but him?
He could already tell: this was something that wouldn't bore him, something where he could find endless joy. That was what he was looking at.
"I never thought it would be true. I never hoped or even begged for it to be true. But here, right now, right before my very eyes... A journey full of excitement is within my reach!"