Twenty years of study. Thousands of hours wasted. And for what? Nothing. No job. Total failure.
It wasn't that Laizer was born to fail. No… he had chosen this path himself. He wasn't like everyone else. He was honest, proud, unwilling to bow to the world's endless lies and backstabbing. That's why he was branded a failure. That's why he was alone.
What did it even mean to struggle endlessly? Memorize thousands of pages, learn formulas, sit in classrooms, all to become someone's dog—working your life away for scraps while others trample over your pride?
Laizer would rather die than surrender his dignity. Life, after all, ended the same for everyone—rich or poor, weak or strong. So why play their game?
He walked through the abandoned city streets, muttering to himself. To live by this world's rules meant lying, flattering, and obeying. Cowardice. He had always refused. Pride mattered more than anything.
And so he was alone. Hopeless. The definition of a loser, in the eyes of society.
Ahead, a massive building pierced the night sky. His first thought: suicide.
"This is it," he whispered. "Why live in a world that doesn't care? A world that punishes honesty and rewards betrayal? I'm too tired… just let me sleep."
He climbed to the top. Lights stretched endlessly, dazzling, hypnotic.
"Beautiful…" he muttered, and then… he jumped.
The wind tore past him. Thoughts raced. A life wasted, an existence hollow. A world where effort didn't matter. A world where honesty was punished.
Impact. Pain. Darkness. Silence.
Then… nothing.
"Huh? Where am I?" Laizer's eyes snapped open. "Didn't I just—?"
"Young man, you are… remarkable."
A voice, calm and deep, echoed around him. Laizer looked, but there was no one.
"Who… who are you?" he asked shakily.
"You opened the doors of heaven," the voice said. "Or rather, your strong desires did. Tell me… what was your wish before death? Why did you leap?"
Laizer's hands trembled. "I… wished for nothing. Just leave me be. If I live, I want a painless death."
"I cannot grant that," came the reply.
"What?!" he shouted, startled. "Then leave me alone!"
Suddenly, darkness changed into light. He covers his eyes.
"Little brat," said the voice, calm yet infinitely powerful, "you are not ready to see this world yet. Be patient."
Laizer felt it—the presence of something omnipotent. Fear mixed with awe.
"What… what do you want?" he asked.
"To know why you abandoned life. What desire drove you to this brink?"
Laizer's expression hardened. "I hate this world. People are scum; they cheat and lick shoes for their gain. I was one of the bestll my life, and this caused my failure. I can't compromise on my pride. That's why I chose death."
"And your wish?"
"To live in a world where effort matters. Where hard work pays off and I can become powerful with my efforts, where my hard work's fruits will be mine, no one will rip them. I want to live in a world where honest people can also become powerful ."
The voice chuckled. "I can grant that."
Laizer's heart skipped. "You… you can?"
"Yes," the voice replied. "But there is a price. Do you accept?"
Instinct was screaming: don't waste this chance. He clenched his fists hard; his heart was racing. "Tell me the price . I'll pay anything."
"The world you enter is brutal. Weakness brings death. Strength turns your sins into blessings for others. A martial world. Fight, endure, or perish."
Excitement surged through Laizer. His blood boiled. A grin spread across his face.
"I am ready. Anything… anything at all," he said, eyes wild with anticipation.
"Then sign this contract. Its text is beyond your comprehension now. You will understand in time. And take this," the voice said, extending a small, mysterious object. "A gift. Use it wisely. This is your second chance. Live as you choose."
Laizer's lips curled into a feral smile. "Old man… I will dominate this world. I will climb to the top of the food chain, no matter what it takes."
The voice only laughed softly. "We'll see. This world is far harsher than the one you left. Simple living may elude you yet."
A light appeared before his eyes. Some time later, his vision returned, and he was lying on a large and wide mountain peak. Endless forests spread as far as he could see, dense and green. A new world. A new chance. A new life.