Arthur jolted awake.
His chest rose and fell violently as he sucked in air again and again.
"Huff…"
"Huff…"
"Huff…"
He pressed a trembling hand against his face, sweat soaking his hair and neck.
"Fuck… that shitty dream from the game again."
His eyes slowly shifted toward the gaming console sitting beside his bed. The screen was dark, yet it felt like it was staring back at him.
'That thing is the root cause.'
"Let's get rid of it," Arthur muttered. "Ever since I started playing this game, I've been having those dreams."
He stood up, grabbed the game disc, and walked outside his apartment. Without hesitation, he opened the garbage bin and threw it in.
"I hope those shitty dreams will at least stop now."
As he turned back, he checked the time on his phone.
"The hell… it's already 9 AM."
"Mr. Davis is going to kill me."
Arthur rushed back inside, sprinted to the bathroom, and hurriedly took a shower. Water splashed everywhere as he scrubbed himself clean, threw on his uniform, and tied his shoes in record time.
He was an orphan.
Life had never been easy for him. But with whatever little support he received from the orphanage and his own relentless effort, he managed to finish school. Now he worked part-time at a convenience store, saving every bit of money he could for college.
Arthur burst out of his apartment and ran through the streets.
By the time he reached the convenience store, he was already out of breath.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Davis. I'm really sorry for being late."
Mr. Davis crossed his arms and sighed.
"Seriously, Arthur. This is your third time being late for work."
"I know, sir. I'm really sorry. It won't happen again."
Mr. Davis rubbed his forehead, clearly tired.
"Alright. Enough. Get to work but make sure this doesn't happen again or I will give away your shift."
Arthur breath as he said "No please it won't happen again."
Mr.davis smiled "All right now go."
Arthur let out a relieved breath and smiled.
"Thank you."
Arthur quickly changed and got behind the counter.
As he worked, customers kept coming in and out. Many of them were schoolgirls and college girls who clearly had no urgent need to buy anything.
They lingered around, sneaking glances at him, whispering among themselves with flushed faces.
"Isn't he really handsome?"
"I swear, I only come here because of him."
Arthur had a well-built physique from years of physical work, broad shoulders, and a lean frame. His dark hair framed a sharp face, and his dark brown eyes gave him a calm yet striking look.
Seeing their reactions, Arthur sighed murmuring.
"I wish having good looks helped with paying bills. Sadly, that's not possible."
Suddenly, a teasing voice came from behind him.
"You can always start gigolo work."
Arthur's eye twitched.
He turned around and saw a girl about his age standing there, trying to hold back her laughter.
Her name was Mia.
She had short brown hair that framed her face nicely and warm brown eyes filled with mischief. She was petite, cute, and had a surprisingly good figure that caught attention easily.
She giggled after seeing Arthur's expression.
"Just look at you, getting all serious."
Arthur leaned closer and smirked.
"Why don't you become my first customer then, ma'am."
Before she could react, he stepped closer and grabbed her by the waist.
"I'll show you a good time I promise."
Mia's face instantly turned beet red.
"Kyaaaa—!"
"You pervert! Get away from me!"
Her knee came up instantly as if knowing where to attack.
Pain exploded through Arthur's groin area.
It felt like his soul left his body as he collapsed onto the floor, twitching.
Mia ran away, flustered and furious.
Arthur lay on the floor, gasping weakly.
"Aah"
"Aah"
As he said in a ragged voice.
"Yup… gigolo work is definitely off the table."
"It's too darn risky for my manhood."
The rest of the day passed uneventfully.
Arthur usually worked until 6 PM but today he was late so he had to work 3 extra hours as now it was 9pm, then he cleaned up and waved at Mr. Davis.
"Good night Mr.Davis."
"Good night Arthur."
As he stepped outside, Arthur checked his phone.
9:08 PM.
"…Shit."
He had forgotten.
4 months ago, a middle-aged man had visited the store and arthur had helped him to find appropriate supplies he was looking for. After chatting for a bit, he introduced himself as a boxing coach who had just opened a gym nearby and invited arthur to come sometimes for practice.
And as it was free arthur didn't miss it.
As the old man started traning him.
And after just a weak the man was very impressed with arthur.
"You've got quick feet and good reflexes," the man had said. "Talent like you is very rare. Keep coming from tomorrow I will train you for free ."
Free..
Hearing the world's argue was over joyed as he accepted instantly.
His usual timeing to reach the gym was 7 pm.
But today he was late by two hours.
Now he ran through the streets, breath fogging in the evening air.
By the time he reached the gym, the lights were already turning off.
He stopped before the glass doors.
"…Too late."
Inside, a few silhouettes were leaving—laughing, exhausted, alive.
His coach was also nowhere to be found.
Arthur stared at his reflection.
"Tch. Even free stuff doesn't wait for losers who are late."
He clenched his fist.
"I'll make it tomorrow. No excuses."
After that Arthur started walked toward his cheap rented apartment, hands in his pockets.
As there are also other matters in his life he was concerned off.
"It's been more than six months… and I still haven't saved even half the money I need for college."
"Maybe my life is more fucked up than the other Arthur in my dreams."
"Should I really start working as a male escort—"
He laughed out loud and shook his head.
"Yeah right."
Just then, a luxurious car passed right beside him.
Arthur stopped walking, as if mesmerized.
"Is that a Rolls Royce?"
"Wow… my second favorite car."
The car stopped nearby.
A rich-looking man stepped out first, followed by an elegant woman and a little girl who looked about seven or eight years old.
Suddenly Arthur noticed something else.
Three suspicious-looking men exited another car nearby as if they were following them and started walking towards the Rolls royce.
As One of them suddenly pulled out a gun.
"Hey—look out!"
Before Arthur could finish shouting, one of the masked men raised the gun.
Bang.
The rich man collapsed instantly, a bullet hole in his head.
Arthur's blood ran cold.
The remaining two men walked toward the woman and the little girl.
The woman stood frozen, staring at her husband's lifeless body in disbelief.
One of the men grabbed her arm.
"Come with us if you don't want your kid to end up like him."
They started dragging her away.
Suddenly, their eyes landed on Arthur.
"Keep moving, bitch."
"If you don't want to get killed."
Arthur took a deep breath.
As the realisation dawned on the woman as what was happening she came out of her daze.
As she saw no one was coming to help them her gaze turned towards arthur.
As she suddenly broke free and and ran towards him as she fell to her knees, grabbing Arthur's legs.
"Please… my daughter… save her."
"They already killed my husband. Please."
One of the men grabbed the woman by her hair and yanked her back.
"Should I make a hole through your daughter's head right here?"
The girl screamed.
"Mommy"
The woman tried to reach her but it was futile.
Yet as the crowed was gathering around them saw the dead body lying there.
They kept walking as no one looked back.
No one stopped.
No even batting an eye.
Too scared to look back.
Arthur stood frozen.
'what should i do.'
'Should i just walk away like others'
'Yeah… not my problem.'
'It doesn't concern me.'
'Yes… yes…'
'Let's go home and live that shitty life of mine.'
'That's what I should do.'
'Right'
'Right'
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his head.
Arthur grabbed it tightly.
A familiar voice echoed in his mind.
You're useless. A shame upon us.
You will never be able to measure up to anything.You will never be able to measure up to anything in your life.
His vision blurred.
As he yelled.
"Shut up"
As visions started flooding his mind.
He saw himself or the other arthur awakening an F-rank talent.
Everyone around him laughed and insulted after seeing that.
As they said at his face knowing he can hear them.
Good thing he's a good-for-nothing.
It was a huge relief, as the main family hadn't produced another monster like their other children.
The scene changed.
Arthur lay sprawled on a training ground, bruised and broken, while everyone laughed at him.
Then another vision appeared.
where he was training alone.
His body was covered in injuries.
Yet he pushed himself relentlessly.
Blood spilled from his mouth as he coughed violently.
A cold voice echoed.
Even the servants' children awaken better talents than you. Tell me—are you not ashamed dog yourself arthur ?"
You will only bring shame, Arthur.
Do not stand among your betters with that rank. You insult our ancestors merely by breathing here.
All you will ever be able to do is watch as everything gets taken from you.
That is the destiny of the weak.
So get stronger if you dont want to be treated like garbage.
The figure's face became clear.
Adrian Evan Imperius.
Arthur clenched his teeth.
"Fuck you… Father."
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A/N : -
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