A red-haired girl, dressed in a traditional Japanese garment adorned with scarlet butterflies, stood solemn on the top of an oak tree, gazing out at the bluish sea in the distance. Her glossy hair fluttered in the cold northern wind.

In less than a second, a large vermillion bird, surrounded by harmless fire, appeared from nowhere. Sharp, intense eyes were fixed on her. The girl simply smiled, unfazed — as if she had expected it. Seeing the enormous creature extend its golden claw, the girl chuckled, lifted her arm, swiftly grasped it, and leapt off the tree.

Holding onto the creature's sharp talon, they descended gently and landed near a beautiful wisteria tree that stood in the middle of a grassy field. Under the captivating purple blooms, a handsome man with hair as silky and long as the night rested peacefully.

The girl looked at him with such affection that a smile, reminiscent of a blooming flower, graced her lovely face. Taking a slow step towards the man, she quietly sat beside him. Unable to contain the strength of her longing, she hugged the man tightly. Her slender arms encircled his waist, sensing the warmth he radiated.

'I missed you every second,' she whispered earnestly.

The man awoke, immediately aware of the weight and presence of the person he cherished the most. Gently, he brushed the maiden's hair, playfully twirling the strands with his fingers. His bluish eyes and soft lips radiated the sweetness he held for the girl. His heart pounded so intensely, a testament to the depth of his love, that he couldn't resist placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you for not leaving me. I love you," he whispered sincerely, his enchanting voice filled with affection.

Being with him brought her the greatest happiness she had ever known. Living alongside the 'sacred animals' in this place was the most perfect life she could have imagined. Overwhelmed by joy, tears streamed down her face as she made a heartfelt vow, 'I will protect this place, our home, with you forever.'

.....

I woke up with the same dream again and let out a sigh. Each time this happened, the throbbing in my heart became increasingly perplexing. It wasn't jealousy or envy, as I had been a man living alone for years without much interest in love; instead, it was filled with pain, so profound that it felt as if I were being torn apart.

It was just a dream—a happy one, to be exact. So why did I feel this way?

A question that remains a mystery.

I got out of my wooden bed and opened the old window. The morning's chilly breeze managed to refresh my mood. I'm Nazari Eames, a simple man living alone in this run-down apartment. An orphan without relatives, friends, or a partner for 27 years. I lacked interest in the trivialities that most people felt. Ambitionless and indifferent—I was born this way.

I lived in this world, yet did not exist.

Wearing my work uniform and packing my backpack with lunch, I began another day of my monotonous existence. I woke up, worked, returned home, and slept—my daily routine on endless repeat.

If there were a job for being jobless, I'd happily apply with all sincerity. Unfortunately, this world doesn't operate that way. People must work to earn money, and money to be exchanged for food and other necessities. Such a petty cycle for a human born with nothing.

I didn't really care, to be honest. As long as I had enough to eat and a roof to sleep under, I was content.

Today's weather was so pleasant that it was ideal for lounging around. I strolled along the road, observing people with their loved ones—whether it was family, friends, classmates, colleagues, partners, or affairs. They lived their lives with a sense of purpose, each playing a role driven by their desires and goals.

Not like me.....

I overheard the sweet giggle of a little girl, happily piggybacked by her older brother on their way to school. It made me think: if I had such an important family in my life, perhaps my existence could have been more colorful than a grayish one.

A sigh escaped my lips. Regrettably, such 'what-if' scenarios were destined to remain mere fantasies.

While waiting for the traffic light to turn green, I noticed a familiar stray cat limping in the middle of the road. In an instant, a deafening noise erupted from a speeding car. My body moved on instinct, recklessly leaping to rescue the injured feline.

My frail form acted without thought, driven by a protective urge. Before I could fully comprehend, I found myself airborne, cradling the black cat in my arms.

A sharp crack echoed as I landed on my back with a resounding thud. In an instant, searing agony gripped me. I instinctively realized that fresh, thick blood was streaming from my head.

The pain was so excruciating that I understood it was only a matter of time before my life would end. Immobile, my vision blurred into a gory haze.

Ah.... so this is the end. What a heroic yet foolish way to die. Sadly, no one will mourn with this corpse, no one...

A ticklish sensation forced my heavy eyelid to stay open. I saw the cat I had saved nuzzling my hand. 'Were you thanking me? You're welcome, little fellow,' I was about to smile when it unexpectedly bit my ring finger.

''Argh!'' escaped my lips as a sharp pain shot through.

Suddenly, the cat began to meow mournfully, as if lamenting for me. The next moment, I found myself encircled by a swarm of meowing stray cats—those I had been looking after. Their collective sobs seemed like a song, bidding me farewell with gratitude.

Ah... Such a remarkable sensation. To know that I held significance for these small creatures surrounding me. For the first time in my life, I felt gratitude for not being alone. And so, I gently closed my eyes, finding peace in my passing...

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I felt heat enveloping me, accompanied by the piercing sound of screams and cries. My head throbbed, a dull ache that seemed to permeate every thought. As my fingers brushed my forehead, they encountered a warm, sticky liquid that trickled down.

What was this? And more puzzlingly, why was I able to move my limbs?

The air was suffocating, tainted with the acrid scent of burning. In my attempt to open my eyes again, the scene that greeted me was nothing short of absurd. My mouth fell open in disbelief, mirroring the ridiculousness of the situation I now found myself in.

The surroundings were bathed in a searing crimson hue—the once-dark sky now a fiery red. Villagers' panicked screams reverberated, their desperate cries drowned by the brutality of armored men. Children were wailing as they were torn from their families and tossed into cages like chattel.

The village lay ablaze, a chaotic inferno fueled by the terrifying presence of a massive creature—the dragon.

'Where am I?'

'Is this hell?'