Everyone says that with enough effort, you can make something of your life. That if you have discipline, you can overcome your addictions. That with courage, you can conquer your fears.
But in the end, all of that is just a damn lie. Because none of it is possible without the ultimate factor:
Luck.
The luck of being born into a wealthy family and friends that can support whatever you want to do…
And me? Jung Seok-Hyun? Where do I fit in all of this?
Did I overcome my fears and doubts? Did I manage to break free from my addictions? Did I ever have the desire to succeed in life? did I have a loving family and dear friends?
Of course not.
Bedridden in a hospital, my body deteriorating from an incurable disease, there was no one beside me. Just the occasional nurse checking in to see how I was doing.
Every day, they told me I was fine.
But I could see it on their faces.
I wasn't fine.
Each passing day was hell. Even going to the bathroom or eating had become a struggle.
No one to support me. No one to say, I'm here for you. You're not alone. We'll get through this together.
No. Nothing like that. Because I had cut ties with everyone. No one would grieve my death. Not even my family.
I… I just wanted it to end. I didn't want to live anymore.
The only thing that gave me the slightest bit of hope was a novel.
"The Faded Flowers of the Villainess."
Whenever the author released a new chapter, I was the first to read it. Even after ten grueling hours at my office job, I would rush to check the updates. Even now, confined to this hospital bed, I continued reading.
But recently, the author announced that the novel would conclude in two weeks.
And with that, I made a simple, final decision:
Once the novel ends, so will I.
Two weeks passed.
The world continued moving forward, indifferent to my existence. The nurses came and went, their empty reassurances no longer reaching me. I stopped listening. I just waited.
And then, it happened.
The final chapter of The Faded Flowers of the Villainesswas released.
I stared at the words on my screen, my breath shallow, my heart beating weakly in my chest. This was it. The moment I had been waiting for. My final tether to this world.
With trembling fingers, I scrolled through the text, engraving each word into my mind.
And when I reached the last sentence—
A strange peace washed over me.
It was over.
I set my phone down beside me. My frail body, wasted away after weeks of decline, felt lighter than ever.
Gripping the cold metal of the IV pole, I pulled myself up. My muscles screamed in protest, but I ignored the pain. There was no need to endure it anymore.
Slowly, deliberately, I walked.
The hospital halls were dim, the scent of antiseptic clinging to the air. No one stopped me as I made my way up the stairwell. No one questioned the sight of a dying man dragging himself toward the rooftop.
By the time I stepped outside, the night had swallowed the city below. A gentle breeze brushed against my skin, carrying the distant hum of cars and the faint glow of neon lights.
Step by step, I moved forward—until I reached the edge.
I tightened my grip on the IV pole, my other hand reaching out toward the empty sky.
The abyss below called to me.
I took a breath.
I looked down. The wind brushed against my back.
Swallowing hard, I stepped forward.
Finally… I can die.
.
.
.
"Haa… ha…!!"
At the last moment, I stopped myself.
I couldn't do it. No—I didn't want to do it.
Fear held me back. Even after a lifetime of misery, even after deciding on this moment for weeks…
I was still afraid.
"Haha… haha… hah…Hargh..!"
Without surprise, I broke down in tears.
I had spent the past two weeks preparing for this moment. I had convinced myself I was ready.
But when it came down to it… the fear never left me.
And now, the crushing sense of failure weighed down on me like a curse.
.
.
.
I don't know how long I cried.
Eventually, my breathing evened out. My mind calmed.
I turned around, ready to return to my hospital bed and forget this ever happened.
…Huh?
A hooded figure stood a few meters away.
"…I didn't even hear him approach."
Before I could react, the man raised his hand.
Phow!
"…Huh?"
A sudden force struck my chest. My breath hitched. My body tilted—
And then, I was falling.
The wind howled in my ears. My stomach twisted as I plummeted. My arms flailed, reaching for anything—anything to hold onto.
Wide-eyed, I looked up.
The hooded man stood at the rooftop's edge, watching in silence. He didn't move. Didn't speak.
Why…?
My heart pounded in my skull.
Adrenaline flooded my veins.
I'm going to die.
Not by my choice. Not on my terms.
I had been too scared to jump—
But now, I had no choice.
The ground rushed closer, faster and faster. The city lights blurred. My body trembled against the merciless pull of gravity.
I don't want to die. I don't want to die. I don't want to die…!!
I only heard a whistle before silence reigned and then—
A sharp ringing sound.
Ding!
=☆[ Welcome to: The Faded Flowers of the Villainess ]☆=
- You will now begin a new life as the second son of the Vickelheim family:
[Derek Vickelheim]
At that moment—just before I hit the ground—
Everything went dark.