Chapter 1: The Unfortunate

Life was not all rainbows unless your—

Unless you are born into a good family, and have the talent, skills, and knowledge.

Unfortunately, Hans Webley did not possess anything above, he was a completely ordinary man, he only graduated high school and entered adult society as he enter various jobs to make meets end.

Although America was a wealthy nation, where its citizens were showered with wealth and power, not everyone was blessed with the same opportunity and wealth, as such they were called the unfortunate.

While it was true, Hans didn't lament, he had seen the worst in the cold street and the most unfortunate humans in other countries, he worked hard enough to provide food and shelter for himself.

A decade went by and on an unfortunate day, Hans' neighbor was raided by the police department of his town, not long after, his home was raided as well, suddenly guns were pointed at him and he was forced to raise his arms, he was cuffed while one officer spoke of his rights while another officer plant evidence in his home.

As wealthy as America was, corruption was still rampant, and Hans was one of the unfortunate who became victims of the ones who abuse their power.

Hans was sentenced to jail for 20 years, shattering his little honor, life, and future...

And after twenty years, the 52-year-old Hans Webley, silently sat on the cold floor of the street, a small paper cup in his front where he hope for the people who pass him to at least give him a sliver amount of coins they have, never in his life have a dreamt of living in the streets begging.

He blankly stared at the paper cup, some passersby kicked it to their annoyance, Hans followed his gaze on the cup, his worsening health took a huge blow to his body, the days where he drowned himself in drugs due to depression finally a blow on his body, as the cold night wind blew on the old man's face, he sigh his final breath as his suffering was finally ended...

__________

If Hans were to describe his own life; it was mediocre.

He has no ambitions, he only wanted a peaceful ordinary life, but it seems he was too blinded that he forgot what kind of monsters humans truly were, they are to step on everything to achieve their so-called "Greatness", calling whatever they destroyed a necessary sacrifice.

If he were to be given another chance in life, he will not set a mediocre goal, but a grand ambition, he will amass power and wealth to have a better life and those who surround him.

As a small half-ling stared at the bright horizon, he finally set his grand goal.

"I will be rich." A small word from a young child as he stood up and puffed his chest to make himself big while his eyes seem to sparkle, an adorable display for the adult not far from his position while his friends laugh at his display.

"Hey guys, look at Arden! He's daydreaming again!" the children of his age giggled at him, despite that, Hans—no, Arden was unbothered, he was finally out from his daydreaming and focused his attention on a little girl that made fun of him.

The said girl screamed excitedly, "Kyaaa! The half-ling is angry, everyone run for your lives!"

Arden then proceeded to catch his naughty friends, despite being a half-human and elf, the town where he was born was considerably kind to him.

Arden and his friends play til dawn as he cherished being a free kid once again, while he left whatever miserable history he had in his previous life.

__________

A/N: Hello everyone, I hope you like my new work, I'm not a native English speaker and I found deep English words hard, so I hope my use of simple words is enough for now as I improve myself.