Chapter 1: Inauspicious Omen
Bullhorn Mountain Range, Green Curtain City, Main Entrance Gate.
The sun was two fingers above the horizon. The empty, dusty road leading out of the city was like a grey snake chasing after its golden glimmer. The vast expanse past the mountain range carried no signs of the vibrant life that flourished within the city, desolate and ugly.
This desolate atmosphere was marred suddenly when a young man in tattered robes appeared at the far end of the road. His silhouette became a line of ink highlighted by the rising sun behind him.
Black for mourning, gold of prosperity, mixed in harmony under the shadow of the underworld—his appearance certainly did not strike any auspicious bells.
The populace around the entrance of Green Curtain City frequently cast disgruntled looks at the approaching silhouette. Especially the street hawkers and shopkeepers who believed in superstitious folktales.
The young man was unaware of the displeasure he had incurred even without any contact with the city. As he drew closer to the main entrance, his eyes were glued to the welcoming plaque hung on the archway.
His face was a bit dazed, as if he couldn’t understand what was written there.
He muttered incessantly to himself like a madman, and people passing by gave him a wide berth. Had anyone paid attention to his soliloquy, they would’ve learned some interesting things.
"No, no, no, this can’t be right! I’m dreaming, I must be!
"That’s right! I binged that book for so long that I’ve started dreaming about it! But how am I so self-aware?
"Is this a lucid dream? Can I do anything I want?"