The Unrivaled Holder: Rise of the Dragon Monarch

My name is Craig Luis. I'm 21 years old, a student at Shizuko University, and I live alone. No girlfriend, no grand ambitions—just taking life one day at a time.

My elder sister, whom I haven't seen in years, is the one supporting our parents. You could say I'm just drifting through life, not really worrying about much.I'm not short, and my face isn't bad either. I do well in academics, but I'm not exactly popular—especially with girls.

As I walked toward the convenience store, thinking about nothing in particular, a piercing scream shattered the evening air.

"Kyaaaaaaa!"

Panic spread through the street like wildfire. People turned their heads, their voices laced with fear.

"What was that?! What's happening?!"

I instinctively followed the source of the commotion and saw a man bolting straight toward me. In his hand—gleaming under the streetlights—a kitchen knife.

My stomach twisted. In that instant, I noticed his trajectory. He wasn't running at random—he was heading straight for Mrs. Nilda.

Mrs. Nilda, the kind elderly woman who owned the nearby flower shop, was outside, absentmindedly watering her plants, completely unaware of the impending danger.There was no time to think.I ran.

"Mrs. Nilda!" I shouted, but she didn't hear me.

Thud!

I threw myself forward, shoving her aside.

Stab!

A scorching pain tore through my back. It wasn't just pain—it was fire, burning through my body from the inside out.

My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the pavement.

My vision blurred as I caught a glimpse of the man fleeing, disappearing into the sea of horrified onlookers.

Mrs. Nilda scrambled to my side, tears streaking her wrinkled face. "Hijo! Bl-blood is pouring… the blood won't stop!

"Hijo = Son; Younger boy.Blood? Well, yeah… I'm human. If I get stabbed, of course I'll bleed.

"You're dying, yet you're still cracking jokes? What's wrong with you?!" she sobbed, her voice breaking.

The pain was unbearable, but even worse was the way she looked at me—her face pale, on the verge of collapse.

"Someone call an ambulance! Please!" she screamed, clutching me desperately.

My body felt heavy.

My mind hazy.

My breath shallow.

"If I get another chance at life…"The thought flickered in my fading consciousness.

"I'll be more careful next time."

As the pain dulled and darkness crept in, a blinding white light swallowed everything.

And with that, Craig Luis took his last breath on Earth.