Rain lashed against Chen Yan's face like needles, soaking through his cheap suit as he trudged down the crowded city street. His umbrella had broken hours ago, and he hadn't bothered replacing it. Why would he? Everything else in his life was broken too.

At twenty-nine years old, Chen Yan was a complete failure. Ten years ago, he’d been a rising star: top of his class in university, charismatic, and full of plans to conquer the world. Now? Fired, dumped, broke, and drowning in debt. Even his mother’s disappointed voice echoed in his head like a cruel reminder. 

"You could’ve been someone, Chen Yan. Instead, you’re—"

"Shit," he muttered, letting the memory die as a taxi whizzed by and peppered him with muddy water.

He didn't walk anymore, but his gaze fell on the glitter of lights from downtown. A world not giving a hoot about his existence-just some faceless drone chewed up and spit out by those more cerebral and unforgivingly brutal than himself. Like Zhang Ming, his so-called best friend, who had stolen his idea of doing business and had left him with practically nothing. Or Liu Yue, his ex-girlfriend, who had dumped him for a man of more "promise".

Chen Yan lit a cigarette with shaking hands. His soaked lighter barely managed to spark. He sucked in deep and coughed hard as the smoke scratched his throat.

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"Fucking pathetic," he muttered to himself.

His legs crossed the crosswalk; his eyes were glassy. The sound of the traffic faded away. Chen Yan wasn't paying attention anymore. He didn't care about the bills that had piled up, or about the landlord threatening to throw him out on the streets. Not even about the truck barreling toward him.

Then, in an instant, blindingly bright, it was over.

---

Chen Yan blinked. He was standing-or floating?-in a strange void, with swirling lights and shifting shapes. His body felt weightless.

"Am I. dead?" he asked aloud.

A voice answered, dry and sarcastic. "Yes and no. Mostly yes. Kind of."

"What the hell?"

The voice chuckled. "Oh, relax drama queen. This is your big break! How many people get a second chance at life, huh? Now, say thank you to your new best friend: Me." 

A glowing blue screen showed in front of him. In what would remind one of a video game-like interface, text scrolled in with a bright glow. 

[Welcome to the Urban Warrior System.]

[Your life has been a colossal failure. Don’t worry, we’re here to fix that.] 

[Objective: Rewrite your fate and achieve greatness. Good luck, Chen Yan!]

Chen Yan squinted at the words, his disbelief giving way to anger. "What the fuck is this? Some kind of joke?!"

The voice replied laconically, "Oh sure, because death is so hilarious. Face it, buddy—you screwed up your first run. Lucky for you, I'm feeling charitable. We're going back. You'll get a second shot, but this time, you're playing by my rules."

"And who the hell are you supposed to be?"

The voice laughed, a sharp, mocking sound. "I'm the System. Your guide, your coach, your best shot at not dying a useless piece of trash again. And trust me, you need me more than I need you." 

Chen Yan's fists clenched. "Why should I believe any of this? It could just be some dying hallucination!" 

"Sure, sure. Because hallucinations totally feel this real."

Without warning, the void shifted. Chen Yan felt himself yanked, as if into a vortex. The voice's laughter followed him, his sight blurring. 

"Buckle up, buddy. Level One of your new life. Try not to fuck it up this time."