Chapter 3: The Worst Day of My Life
The rain poured heavier, as if the sky itself was mourning with me. Cold drops splattered against the window, the rhythmic drumming echoing the turmoil in my heart.
By the time I made it home, my clothes were soaked through, but I didn't care. The moment I shut the door behind me, the weight of everything that had happened came crashing down.
I had lost my job.
I had lost my girlfriend.
I had lost my future.
And now, I had nothing.
A choked sob escaped my lips, and for the first time in years, I let myself cry. The bullshit about men not crying? I threw it all out the window. Tears rolled down my face, hot and unstoppable. My chest ached, and my breaths came in ragged gasps.
I had tried my best. I had given everything. And yet, I was still discarded like garbage.
Desperate to numb the pain, I stumbled into the kitchen and yanked open the fridge. My eyes landed on the bottles of wine I had bought to celebrate with Zhao Lihua tonight.
What a joke.
Grabbing the bottles, I didn't bother with a glass—I drank straight from them. The bitter burn of alcohol slid down my throat, but it wasn't enough. Nothing could dull the ache in my chest.
I lost track of time as I drank, emptying one bottle after another. The world around me blurred, my mind drifting in and out of painful memories. I still couldn't believe she had left me for another man.
How could she be so heartless?
My phone lay on the table beside me, and for a moment, I considered calling my parents. They needed to know. But as I reached for it, hesitation gripped me.
How was I supposed to tell them?
"Hey, Mom, Dad, I lost my job and my girlfriend dumped me. Oh, and some rich asshole ruined my life."
No. I couldn't do it. I wasn't ready for their disappointment.
I leaned back against the couch, staring at the ceiling as exhaustion tugged at my mind. The room spun slightly, and I closed my eyes, trying to steady myself.
A loud crack of thunder suddenly shook the entire apartment.
The lights flickered, and I sat up, rubbing my temples. The rain outside had turned into a full-blown storm, and I realized I had no signal on my phone.
Sighing, I stumbled toward the window, hoping to find a better reception.
Just as I reached it, two small rocks suddenly flew through the air, crashing against the glass with a loud clatter.
I frowned, my alcohol-clouded mind struggling to process what had just happened.
"The hell…?"
It had to be the neighbor's kids acting up again. They were always causing trouble.
Annoyed, I bent down to pick up the rocks. "Damn brats, can't even let me sulk in peace—"
Before I could even finish my sentence, a blinding bolt of lightning struck down from the sky.
Time seemed to freeze.
The next thing I knew, an unbearable pain shot through my entire body.
Electricity coursed through my veins, and my vision turned white as if my soul was being yanked from my body. My limbs locked up, my muscles spasming uncontrollably as I fell backward.
I couldn't even scream.
My last conscious thought was simple:
Today is definitely my worst day.
---
(Dragon King System Connecting...)
1%...
20%...
30%...
49%...
59%...
80%...
100%...
(Connection completed.)
(Welcome, Host.)
My eyes fluttered open.
The pain was gone.
I was lying on something soft—not my couch, not the cold floor, but something unfamiliar. The air smelled different, crisp and clean, like a world untouched by pollution.
Was I… dead?
No, that couldn't be right.
I blinked several times, trying to adjust to my surroundings. But before I could even sit up, I heard a voice—an emotionless, robotic tone echoing in my mind.
(Congratulations, Host! You have successfully awakened the Dragon King System!)
I frowned. What the hell?
Was I hearing things? Was this some alcohol-induced hallucination?
"...Hah." A bitter laugh escaped me. "Must be the wine."
(Error! Host is in denial. Please proceed with initial activation.)
I sat up abruptly. This wasn't normal. My hangover was gone, my body felt… different. Stronger.
What the hell was going on?
I looked around and froze.
This wasn't my apartment.
The walls were made of polished jade, intricate golden dragon carvings decorating every surface. The furniture was luxurious, the kind you'd only see in ancient palaces. Outside the open balcony, I could see vast mountains covered in mist, stretching endlessly under a golden sky.
Where was I?
I turned to find a mirror nearby and stopped breathing.
The man staring back at me was not the same Long Wei who had been fired and humiliated earlier today.
His—or rather, my—hair was longer, darker, and tied in a high ponytail. My once average-looking face was now sharp and refined, my skin smooth like jade.
And my eyes—my once dull brown eyes—now glowed with a golden hue.
I reached out a trembling hand, touching my reflection. The warmth of my skin confirmed this wasn't a dream.
Panic bubbled up inside me.
"Where the hell am I?"
(Host has been transported to the Dragon Realm, the birthplace of the Divine Dragon Clan.)
My heart pounded.
"The Dragon Realm? Divine Dragon Clan? What are you talking about?"
(The Host is now the chosen heir of the Dragon King Bloodline. Your destiny is to reclaim your rightful place as ruler of this world.)
I laughed again, but this time it was hollow.
"You've got the wrong guy."
(Negative. The system has selected Host based on soul compatibility. This is your new life.)
A chill ran down my spine.
If this was real… then that meant—
I clenched my fists. Zhao Lihua, my ex-boss, that arrogant rich bastard… none of them mattered anymore.
If this was a second chance, I wouldn't waste it.
Taking a deep breath, I faced the mirror once more.
Long Wei, the corporate slave, was dead.
The Dragon King had risen.