Dying

“Why hasn’t this month’s rent been paid yet?”

“Ah… that… Auntie Xu, isn’t it… isn’t it not due yet…”

“What do you mean ‘due yet’? You think your family has the right to drag your feet on rent every single month? Marrying into your luck would be eight lifetimes of misfortune! You keep this place filthy and stinking all day long! I haven’t even settled that score with you yet!”

“Auntie Xu, please don’t be angry… it’s not like we’ve ever failed to pay… I… I’ll get it for you right now?”

“Hurry up then!”

…

Opening his eyes in the cramped, oppressive darkness of a dim basement, Jiang Li overheard the conversation between the landlady and his younger sister. One side was aggressive and overbearing; the other was pleading and submissive.

“Damn it…”

Whether directed at the landlady or someone else, Jiang Li merely cursed under his breath.

Having just woken up, every inch of his body throbbed with a pain that stimulated his nerves in rhythmic pulses. It felt as if a wild beast were gnawing on his limbs and bones; he could feel his very meridians twitching in agony.

“The painkillers are losing their effectiveness again…”

He struggled to twist his body, attempting to pull himself out of the old, tattered bedding that had become sticky and matted with sweat. But even as he shook from the sheer intensity of the pain, he failed to move.

The soundproofing in the basement was abysmal. Even through the door, he could hear his sister lowering herself before the landlady at the entrance.

She was eighteen now—the age of blooming youth. Her peers were still acting out or being pampered under their parents’ protection, but she…

At such a young age, she had to drag her “burden” of an older brother through life. She worked three jobs a day, never daring to steal a nap, and had tasted all the bitterness of adulthood. Facing a cruel society, she had suppressed her emotions and filed away her personality, enduring the malice of others with a humble, bowed head.

“It’s all because of me…”

A potent mix of humiliation, rage, grievance, and resentment surged into his heart. Jiang Li’s handsome but sickly face twisted into a ghoulish snarl as he grit his teeth.

“If only I had been more cautious three years ago…”

……

Jiang Li was a transmigrator.

This was a secret that even his closest relative, his sister, did not know. Utilizing the “innate wisdom” he inherited from his past life on Earth, Jiang Li had possessed a mind far beyond his peers since childhood. It was through this intellect that he managed to take the sister he had recognized at the orphanage and escape the clutches of that scumbag director.

This world was similar to the Earth in his memories, yet fundamentally different. Though it was the same blue planet and the same era of technology, this world was a “Parade of a Hundred Demons.”

Monsters, freaks, and superpowered villains. Mecha, Magical Girls, and Superhuman Heroes.

These strange, uniquely stylized characters—both good and evil—existed here in reality, locked in an endless struggle. Under the clash of these transcendent powers, the lives of ordinary people were constantly under threat. A duel between a Magical Girl and a villain would often level an entire street. Battles between powerful espers would leave vast swathes of buildings in ruins. Even if one stayed indoors, there was always the chance a passing monster would flick its tail and reduce an entire apartment complex to rubble.

Before these “freaks,” the lives of ordinary humans were as insignificant as ants. No matter how capable the Federal Government was, they couldn’t protect the lives and property of every citizen. Therefore, if one wanted to live in peace, they first had to join the ranks of these “freaks.”

Mecha Pilots, Magical Girls, Superhuman Heroes.

Though some “strange things” had clearly entered the mix, the bottom line was: if you wanted to survive, you absolutely had to become strong.

Growing up in the orphanage, Jiang Li worked tirelessly, searching for any information related to transcendent powers. It was this sharpness that allowed him to discover the Director’s identity as a cultist at the age of sixteen, allowing him to lead his sister away in a narrow escape before they could become sacrifices to summon a demon.

The events following that were rocky, but relatively smooth. Working, surviving, training. Perhaps as a privilege of being a transmigrator, he successfully awakened an ability at the age of eighteen—Regeneration.

It wasn’t a particularly powerful ability, and a “wild” awakened individual like him couldn’t compare to the high-and-mighty academic elites. But to Jiang Li, it was a blessing from heaven. At the very least, he had the potential to become a Superhuman Hero. His life with his sister improved because of it.

But fate loves a cruel joke.

During his first mission, a hidden monster parasite attacked him. Its potent toxicity destroyed his Regeneration ability. A mere parasite from a monster’s skin had left him heavily injured, a cripple, and had ruined his life.

Until now, he could only linger on the brink of death, gasping for air with the help of painkillers.

……

“Brother! You’re awake?”

The basement door opened. His sister, Jiang Yun, walked in with a face full of exhaustion. The moment she saw Jiang Li, she froze, looking uneasy. “Did I wake you? Or…”

Concern flashed in her eyes, her words trailing off. Jiang Li knew what she was thinking. He shook his head.

“The painkillers are fine. I just went to bed early last night.”

Jiang Li lied to his sister once again. The painkillers he took were incredibly expensive. If he developed a tolerance, he would have to increase the dosage, which would create a massive financial burden. His sister was worried about him, and he cherished that.

But Jiang Li truly didn’t want to drag her down anymore. Her hair was now dry and yellowed like wild grass, the dark circles under her eyes were heavy, and the fatigue in her expression was impossible to hide. Much of her beauty from three years ago had been masked by the grind. He didn’t know how long it had been since she’d had a good night’s sleep.

No matter how much it hurt, he had to endure. He couldn’t add to her burden.

……

“By the way, Brother.”

During lunch, by the small bedside cabinet, Jiang Yun picked at some withered, yellow vegetable leaves in a watery broth. She snuck a look at Jiang Li’s face.

“I saw a new shift at the nearby convenience store recently. It’s a night shift…”

“No. Didn’t I tell you? You aren’t allowed to work nights.”

Jiang Li’s face darkened as he refused. “The security in the Old District is too poor. You’re a girl; if something happens… In any case, no night shifts.”

“But the landlady said she’s raising the rent by two hundred next month, and Brother, your medicine is almost—” Jiang Yun spoke timidly.

“I said no!” Jiang Li’s voice unintentionally rose. “You’re already working three jobs; you’re working yourself to death, and you want to do a night shift too? Even if you’re lucky enough not to run into those monsters or thugs, what about your body? Can you handle it? Do you even care about your own health?”

Anger surged, turning Jiang Li’s pale face a flushed red. “Can you think about my feelings for once? Do I need this kind of sacrifice from you? I would rather die than—”

Before Jiang Li could finish, Jiang Yun’s calloused hand covered his mouth.

“Brother, please don’t say those things…” The girl’s eyes were red, looking as if she were about to cry. “I was wrong…”

Even in front of the difficult landlady, she had never shown such vulnerability. “Please, I don’t want to hear that word.”

Jiang Li fell silent. The room became quiet. Once his irrational anger cooled, regret set in. He wondered if it was the medication; lately, it was getting harder to control his emotions, and he often snapped at his sister for no reason. Often, his mouth moved faster than his brain, and hurtful words were out before he could react.

“Sorry.” Jiang Li lowered his head.

“It’s okay, Brother. I know it’s hard for you to control yourself right now… Ah, it’s time. I have to go to work.” Jiang Yun forced a smile, finished the food in her bowl, and picked up her tattered bag. “Remember to take your nutrients on time.”

Then, she turned and left.

As usual, Jiang Li was left alone in the cramped basement. In the stale, stifling air, he silently endured the sharp pain radiating from every part of his body. His gaze drifted aimlessly toward a yellowed newspaper clipping taped to the headboard.

[Beichuan City’s Young Genius Bravely Captures B-Class Villain; Superpower Academies Scramble to Recruit]

The academic genius in the photo wore a brilliant smile, so bright it made a “sewer rat” like Jiang Li ache with jealousy. The faucet dripped steadily, and the occasional sound of a car engine drifted from above.

In the midst of his agony, Jiang Li whispered to himself:

“Am I… really just dragging Jiang Yun down?” “Is there really any meaning in living like this?” “Hehehehehe…”

For some reason, the seductive, blurred laughter of a woman echoed in his ear. Then, it was as if someone were whispering right beside him:

[Do you want to understand the meaning of life? Do you want to… truly live?]