Chapter 1: Awakening from slumber
12:01 AM – AVALIN Hollywood Nightclub, Hollywood, California, America
Inside this iconic nightclub—filled with the vintage charm of ornate mirrors and a modern dance floor.
In a remote corner,
a handsome but haggard young man lay carelessly on a plush velvet bench.
The table in front of him was piled high with various drinks and snacks. Suddenly, with a jerk, he showed some movement and slowly tried to open his eyes.
But his mind was a total mess; he tried moving his body, but to no avail. It felt heavy as if it was filled with lead.
Muffled voices of people talking and dancing to loud music filled his head.
With great effort, he finally managed to open his eyes in narrow slits; but his vision was blurred, and all he could register was a cascade of colorful lights and the vintage decoration surrounding him.
He felt groggy and confused.
Just as he was struggling, he vaguely felt someone coming toward him. His eyes seemed to glue shut but with difficulty, he opened them again to see a womanly silhouette stumble next to him.
And that was the last thing he saw before his mind completely blacked out.