"The world isn't fair."
John's father had told him that when he was just a kid, and the words had haunted him ever since.
His father had just lost his job, and it wasn't because of layoffs or incompetence. No, it was because his boss had decided to give the position to someone else—a family friend who demanded a much higher salary. John's father, who had been with the company for over a decade, was told he was "too expensive" to keep on.
John remembered the day it happened. His father had come home early, his face pale and his hands trembling. He didn't yell or cry. He just sat at the kitchen table, staring at the wall, as if he couldn't believe what had just happened.
"Why?" his father had whispered, more to himself than to anyone else. "I gave them everything. Everything."
That incident broke his father.
He didn't take it well.
He tried to fight it, of course. He went to the labor board, filed complaints, even hired a lawyer. But in the end, it was his word against the company's, and the company had deeper pockets.
From there, his life spiraled out of control. Blacklisted by other firms in the industry, he couldn't find work. He turned to drinking, then gambling, and eventually drugs. John's mother tried to help him at first, but she eventually gave up.
One day, she packed her bags and left, taking John's younger brother with her. She didn't even say goodbye.
After that, it was just John and his father.
But to be honest, John didn't love the man. He didn't even respect him. His father had become a shadow of his former self, spending his days passed out on the couch or yelling at John for no reason.
John had to grow up fast. He worked part-time jobs after school to pay the bills, cover his tuition, and even foot his father's medical expenses when he was diagnosed with heart disease. All while keeping up with his studies and taking care of the house.
But no matter how hard John worked, his father never thanked him. He never hugged him or told him he was proud. He just drank himself into a stupor and ignored John as best he could.
In fact, John couldn't remember the last time they'd had a real conversation.
That's why, when his father finally passed away, John felt… relieved.
Maybe that made him a terrible person, but his father's death lifted a weight off his shoulders. No more caretaking, no more medical bills. No more nothing!
He was free.
So, yeah, John didn't love his father or learn much from him… except that the world isn't fair and justice is a joke.
Every day, the powerful crush the weak. The rich get richer while the poor struggle. Happy endings? They don't exist in this world.
Loyalty is ignored in favor of nepotism, and hard work is overshadowed by privilege and connections.
Those who try to change the world are silenced, their voices drowned out by those who benefit from the status quo.
In a world like that, where even the tiniest sliver of hope is immediately snuffed out, is it even worth trying? What's the point?
Take him, for example. John had to drop out of college because he stood up to a professor who was plagiarizing students' work. By sheer bad luck, that professor turned out to be the dean's brother-in-law. One phone call was all it took to ruin John's future.
Now John juggled multiple low-paying jobs just to get by.
Just last night, while working a late shift as a delivery driver, he ran into his mother and her new family.
John wanted to avoid them, but he had to deliver their food. So, he took a deep breath and walked up to their door.
And guess what his mother said when she saw him after all these years?
"You're a disappointment."
Yeah, apparently, his job was beneath her new upper-class status. She said she always knew he would end up just like his father—a failure. But what did she even know about him?
So what if his life didn't turn out as planned?
So what if he wasn't exactly wealthy or successful?
One thing he sure as hell wasn't was a disappointment. In fact, he was happier than ever. And what was the key to his happiness? He had no expectations! That way, he could never be disappointed.
He had simply given up on everything.
Yes, it might sound depressing, but maybe that's the secret to true happiness. Everyone should try it. Embrace it. It's the only way one can be free!
…Anyway, the point is that quitting while one is behind is not inherently a bad thing. There is nothing to be ashamed of. As a matter of fact, giving up feels great!
So...
"Why the hell is this guy not giving up?" John growled in frustration, barely resisting the urge to throw his controller across the room.
He was in his small, cluttered apartment—a dimly lit space filled with empty takeout containers, crumpled soda cans, and a mountain of dirty laundry.
The only source of light came from the flickering screen of his old TV, to which his second-hand gaming console was connected.
He was playing a game called Eclipse Chronicles.
It was an RPG with a branching storyline, developed by an indie studio. The game had everything—immersive storytelling, challenging gameplay, stunning visuals, and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack.
Sure, it started with the typical "chosen one" trope, but it quickly evolved into something much deeper. Critics had praised it as a masterpiece, giving it an 8.7/10 rating.
But there was one catch: the game was nearly impossible to beat.
The main story took around 100 hours to complete, but achieving full completion required over 150 hours. There were multiple endings—some bittersweet, others outright tragic—but none of them were truly happy.
The developers had claimed that a "true happy ending" existed, but no one had found it yet. After six months of release, the gaming community was convinced it was a myth.
John had spent countless hours trying to unlock that ending, but no matter what he did, he always ended up facing the same outcome: defeat or destruction.
The final boss, the Eclipse King, was simply unbeatable.
No matter how strong John's character became, no matter how many allies he recruited or strategies he tried, the Eclipse King always found a way to win.
It was infuriating.
Tonight, after weeks of preparation, John had decided to give it one last shot. He had chosen the most optimal route, collected all the rare items, and maxed out his character's stats.
But just like every other time, he lost.
"Dammit!" John snapped, throwing his controller onto the couch. "Why can't I win?!"
He glared at the screen as the game's dramatic "Game Over" sequence played for what felt like the hundredth time.
This time, he had done everything right! He had followed every guide, exploited every glitch, and even stayed up all night grinding for experience points.
Still, he lost. How?!
What else could he do?!
"Fuck this!"
Feeling drained, John decided to call it a night.
He looked around his apartment—the piles of trash, the unmade bed, the sink full of dirty dishes. The once-cozy space now felt like a prison.
With a sigh, John grabbed his jacket and stepped outside. He needed some fresh air.
•••
The night was cool and quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos of the game. John walked through the empty streets, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.
He reached the park and sat on a bench, staring up at the sky. The stars were barely visible through the city's light pollution, but he didn't mind. He just needed a moment to clear his head.
As he sat there, lost in thought, he heard a faint rumbling sound. At first, he thought it was thunder, but the sky was clear.
Then he saw it.
A plane, its engines screaming, plummeting from the sky.
John's heart stopped. He tried to move, to run, but his body wouldn't obey. He could only watch in horror as the plane grew larger and larger, its shadow swallowing the park.
The last thing he saw was the blinding flash of light as the plane crashed into the ground.