I'm twenty-five years old.
A businessman, if you can even call it that.
If you're imagining someone wealthy, stop right there. I only started my business last year. I earn enough to survive comfortably, not enough to brag.
I don't have any outstanding traits.
I don't stand out.
I'm not particularly smart, athletic, or talented in anything.
I dropped out of college because, to me, it felt like a scam. Five more years of studying just to land a job where you work yourself to death just to get by? No thanks. Instead, I taught myself whatever skills I thought might be useful, some practical, some pointless.
"Oh."
Raindrops tapped against the pavement.
"Well, at least I don't have to worry about watering my plants."
Running a business is exhausting, but it's not boring. Before I knew it, it was already 7 p.m. Time to head home safely.
The rain had turned violent. A typhoon, maybe. Still, I wasn't too worried. I'd ridden home in worse conditions before.
Besides, I've just bought a new motorcycle.
"Hahaha… finally."
I ran my hand over the sleek frame.
"My baby. Let's go home."
Traffic was hell. Heavy rain, poor visibility, impatient drivers. I took a shortcut to avoid the main road.
Turning left, I muttered, "Let's speed things up a little."
Of course, a little meant forty kilometers per hour at most. I wasn't suicidal.
Accidents happen when you rush.
That's when I noticed it.
"Huh? What's that truck doing?!"
A massive truck barreled toward me, taking up more than its share of the road.
I hit the brakes.
The tires slipped.
"I need to move!"
I veered right.
"This'll hurt… but at least I'll survive."
Then the truck turned.
Straight at me.
"Oh shit! What the hell?!"
The headlights flooded my vision.
Too bright.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
…
"Damn it. I still don't even have a girlfriend."
I felt the impact, but no pain came.
The rain keeps pouring.
I can still feel it pounding against my body, but there's no pain.
I'm lying on the ground.
My eyes stay shut.
I'm afraid that if I open them, half of my body will be gone.
Slowly, carefully, I move my fingers.
…They respond.
My legs follow.
Still there.
I let out a shaky breath and finally open my eyes.
A dark alley greets me.
Narrow. Damp. The ground uneven beneath me.
The buildings lining both sides look old and shabby, but not abandoned. Just… worn. Like they'd been standing here far longer than they should have.
Streetlights glow faintly above.
But something's wrong.
They aren't like any streetlights I've ever seen. No bulbs. No familiar shapes. Just strange, glass-like lamps emitting a dull, steady light.
There are no cars.
No motorcycles.
No truck.
No shattered debris.
No skid marks.
"…Was it stolen?"
That thought makes no sense, but my brain is scrambling for explanations.
The road doesn't look like the one I was just on. The pavement feels different. The air smells different, less smoke, more damp earth.
I don't recognize this place.
"…Am I lost?"
The rain doesn't answer.
At least I'm still wearing my helmet and raincoat.
I push myself up, wobbling slightly, and pat my body down.
"No blood… no broken bones…"
Looks like I got lucky.
Too lucky.
My heart is still hammering against my ribs. My knees shake uncontrollably as the adrenaline drains away.
I survived.
This isn't the first time I've faced death, but that doesn't make it easier.
I try to walk.
My legs refuse.
They lock up, weak and trembling. Fear finally catching up with me.
The street is empty. No footsteps. No voices. Probably because of the rain.
"Yeah… it's probably just the rain," I mutter, more to calm myself than anything else.
That's when I spot it.
A small hut near the alley entrance. Maybe a street stall. Its roof barely holds against the rain, but it's better than standing out in the open.
Shelter first. Think later.
I stumble over and crouch beneath it.
The rain drums loudly above me.
I still can't recognize this area.
"…Am I really lost?"
"Where… am I?"
There's a wooden crate inside the stall. I sit down heavily, my body finally giving up.
The hut doesn't fully block the rain, so I keep my helmet on.
"Man… I'm drained."
My eyelids grow heavy.
Just for a moment, I tell myself.
I'll wait for the rain to stop.
Then I'll figure things out.
My thoughts blur-
And darkness gently pulls me under.