Chapter 1: A Wasted Life (Prologue)
Night stalks the city of concrete which was beijing. Nestled in a corner was a hidden bar where many would choose to drink their sorrows away. Clean, simple interior designs, a somber melody tickling the eardrum sof many. Nightly Daydream was a bar loved by alchoholics and broken hearted fellows alike.
"More... Jian Longgg! One more glass! Glass! You heard me? Give me a drink!" Sitting comfortably on one of the single legged round chairs before the bartender's table was a drunken man wearing a business suit tapping the lathered rose wood table repeatedly. His antics came to be noticed by other people drinking silently in the bar, lost in their own reveries and bitter memories. Everyone laughed and smiled at him.
Everyone knew who Yao Guai was. An alchoholic who seem to never run out of money and is always present in the bar at night until dawn. Oftentimes, the bartender or the club owner had to drag him out during closing hours or just leave him inside. Yao Guai, just like his name was a real monster.
A monster hiding inside a human's body who knew no limit to drinking. Even russians could only nod at him in approval upon chugging twenty bottles of vodka in a short period of time with a bathroom break in between.
"Yao yao keep going!"
"Can you break your record tonight?"
People cheered. Finding fun in the man who was at the moment, drinking three more bottles of hard alchohol with no sweat.
"Lets see... 13 bottles straight without going to the bathroom. I think I can!" Yao Guai laughed. His world was spinning, voiced started becoming drowned out by his thoughts and his body was flushed red.
His body was moving on its own. His hands knew where to head, fingers know how to hold the bottles so well he could do it with just two fingers.
Badump! Badump!
His heart was beating fast that it felt painful. Frowning, he downed another bottle. But no matter how much he drank, his thoughts never went away. No, they grew clearer and more solid.
'You are a failure...'
'You're not fit for this.'
He kept on drinking, warm stinging fluid burned his throat and warmed up his already heavy stomach. Gritting his teeth, he slammed an arm onto the counter.
'Everything is your fault.'
Visions of a happy group of men and women dressed in business attires flew into mind once more. Their smiles radiated pure sincerity.
The times were so simple back then. Just a little bit of profit and they were all already too happy.
But Yao Guai... He was too greedy. Too greedy and impatient that everything soon went up in smokes and cinders.
'All I wanted was a damned major increase in sales.' His hands trembled and let go of a bottle of vodka. The bottle rolled on the counter and he watched it spin all the while drowning in regret.
He was tired... This life was already over for him. Even if he continues, it won't be the same anymore.
A woman's smile became a disappointed frown.
A man's hopes and dreams were crushed by him.
Someone innocent had his freedom robbed.
And the trust between all of them was a mere joke of the past now.
Everyone was struggling with their own issues. Yao Guai shook his head.
The bottle fell off the counter. Yao Guai yawned and rested his head against the wooden frame. Eyes closing, he still regretted everything and never found peace. If he had the power to turn back time then he would change things for the better.
A slight smile spread from his lips. The memory of a certain story reminded him of the early days of his glory. The story of a child who became the dragon king wreathed in golden scales. His story of how he rose from the bottom, using his inborn gifts and efforts to reach the top.
They were two complete opposites. Tang Wulin had succeeded in life. While Yao Guai, he failed at it. Yet both shared one common thing.
Their ends were all so pitiful.
'If I was in that world... Then maybe I could have another chance at success.' The man dreamed of another world. Where even if his talent was lacking, he would still rise and become strong. He wished for freedom, for a journey and for thrill.
"I miss all of you." He mumbled.
Yao Guai wished that they didn't leave him.
His body lost strength, falling sideways from the seat as cheers and laughter turned into silent gaping mouths and shocked eyes. Time seemed to slow to a crawl.
Crash! The bottle of vodka struck the ground, sending glass shards flying everywhere. Spilling the precious liquid inside of it.
Yao Guai's body slammed against the ground. His life had finally met its end as his body gave up on him.
Coldness chilled Yao Guai's bones. His lungs felt heavy, he felt as if he was being choked but his body could not move.
'Is this death?'
It was torture. His mind struggled to make sense of the pain filling it. He could not see but he could feel and hear.
Panicked shouts, the clicking of chains and bestial howls full of malevolent fury. Yao Guai struggled against the pain and he managed to open his eyes.
All around him was untold carnage. Men being ripped apart by large animals. And men ripping animals apart. A bloodbath that dyed the land and the trees surrounding them in deep crimson.
In the heart of chaos, Yao Guai stood dumbfoundedly. He looked at his arms and they were too pale and malnourished to even be his.
He observed the surroundings and asked himself a question.
"Where am I?"
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