The streets of the city shimmered under strings of lights, and snow gently dusted the rooftops like powdered sugar on a cake. Christmas Eve had arrived, and with it came warmth, celebration, and laughter.
Children laughed as they ran through the parks with presents in hand. Lovers held hands beneath glowing trees. Music played from shops, and the scent of hot chocolate danced in the frozen air.
For everyone else, it was a night to remember.
But for Chi Yang, it was a night to forget.
He sat on a rusted park bench beneath a barren tree, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his thin coat. His black hair clung to his forehead, damp from melted snow, and his dark eyes stared blankly at the full moon above.
He was alone.
Again.
Born into the powerful Chi Family, Chi Yang was the third child in a house overflowing with expectations and prestige. His older brother was a business prodigy. His older sister was a genius in martial arts. Even his younger sister, though still a child, showed signs of talent.
And him?
He was the mistake. The outcast. The one who failed.
At just six years old, he was thrown out of the family.
Branded useless.
A disappointment.
Only his mother and sisters had tried to help him in secret—sending small amounts of money or school supplies—until the day his father found out and severed all ties.
He had survived on the streets since the age of eight.
He had fought for scraps. He had been beaten, betrayed, and broken.
But… somehow, he endured.
And in that darkness, a single light had found him.
Her.
The girl who smiled at him without pity. The girl who laughed with him, not at him. The one person who made him feel like he was worth something.
Tonight, he had planned to confess.
It had taken him a year to gather the courage. He wore his cleanest clothes. His hands shook with nerves. His heart beat with hope.
He had chosen Christmas Eve—a night for miracles.
But when she arrived… she wasn't alone.
Her hand was wrapped tightly around the arm of a tall man. A man Chi Yang knew all too well.
His older brother.
Chi Yang stood up in shock. His breath caught in his throat.
She looked surprised to see him there—but not guilty.
His brother smirked.
And then she said it:
"This is my boyfriend… and my boss. I think it's best if you forget about me."
Just like that.
No shame. No hesitation.
They walked away together, laughing.
Mocking him.
Chi Yang didn't speak. He didn't shout or cry. He just stood there in the snow.
Everything inside him went quiet.
And then—
SCREEEEECH!
A car skidded out of control on the icy road, barreling straight toward him.
He turned his head at the last moment, eyes wide.
Impact.
Silence.
When he opened his eyes again, everything was white.
There was no sound.
No cold.
No pain.
Just an infinite void of light.
"Where… am I…?" he muttered.
A voice answered from behind.
"Welcome, child."
Chi Yang turned and saw an old man dressed in flowing white robes, standing barefoot on the glowing surface.
His long white hair floated gently as if underwater, and his golden eyes were impossibly kind.
"Who… are you?" Chi Yang asked.
"I am a god. And you, Chi Yang… have died."
The words struck like thunder.
"No… I…" he whispered. "So that was real…"
The memories flooded back—her smile, the betrayal, the blinding headlights.
"You lived a cursed life," the god said softly. "Born with the lowest possible luck stat, your fate was sealed from the moment you opened your eyes."
Chi Yang clenched his fists. "Then why… why was I born at all?"
"Because even the worst fate… can change."
The god raised his hand, and a glowing blue screen appeared in front of Chi Yang.
[LUCK SYSTEM GRANTED]
"As the gods watched you suffer, our hearts were moved. You endured more pain than most souls in ten lifetimes—and yet, you didn't give up."
"Now, we offer you a second chance. A new life. And with it, a gift: the Luck System."
Chi Yang stared at the screen, stunned. "What… is this?"
"A system that will rewrite your fate," the god replied. "A tool that will turn your misfortune into opportunity. It will guide you, protect you… and reward you."
Another screen appeared, displaying three glowing choices:
1. Be reborn in a world of swords and magic.2. Relive your life on Earth starting at age six.3. Live across both worlds—Earth will be your main world, and you'll start over from age three.
"Each path has its own trials," the god said gently. "But only one will lead to your true destiny."
Chi Yang looked at the options in silence.
A long moment passed.
Then another.
And then—
"I choose… option three."
The god smiled.
"A wise choice. You will return to Earth as a three-year-old child. Your powers will awaken slowly… but your destiny will be your own to shape."
Chi Yang bowed his head. "Thank you… for giving me a second chance."
"Live well, child," the god said. "And remember—when your luck changes, so too will the world around you."
"Now… close your eyes."
Chi Yang obeyed.
And as his vision faded, the god's final words echoed in his mind:
"This time, Chi Yang… you will write your own story."
[End of Chapter 1]