Chapter 2: First Night in a New World
The night air felt pleasantly chill, especially after the inferno I was in just yesterday.
I was sitting on top of a billboard sign, observing people passing by on the sidewalk from above.
I finally spotted a good target. A middle-aged man in a decent-looking suit stopped in front of an ATM nearby. I moved closer so I could get a better look.
He thought that nobody was watching, so he didn't even try to cover his hand as he was typing his PIN. How stupid.
Afterward, he just stuffed his wallet in his pocket and walked away.
I followed him for a moment until I could safely jump down without being noticed, behind a corner a good few steps ahead of him. I took a turn and approached him from the front. Bumped lightly into his shoulder while passing, and with a well-trained move, slid the wallet out of his pocket.
"Sorry, wasn't paying attention!" I tried to sound as genuinely apologetic as I could.
The man just clicked his tongue, annoyed, and carried on his way. He hasn't noticed anything.
I glanced around, and when I was sure that no one would see me, I jumped back onto a rooftop.
Then, I finally checked out the contents of the wallet.
Lucky!
There were two credit cards in there, but more importantly, 300 bucks!
After all, cash is all that matters. Cards are unreliable. As soon as he notices his wallet is gone, he'll call the bank to block them.
Ah, I kinda miss the good old days when cards weren't in such common use.
But the cards I picked up might still work for an hour or so, so there was no point wasting time reminiscing.
It was time to hit the clubs.
I hid the wallet in the inside pocket of my jacket and jumped back down on the sidewalk. Lightly humming, I directed my steps toward one of my usual spots.
***
It was a weekday, and it was getting pretty late, so the clubs were fairly empty.
I'd be better if I came earlier, but I needed a nap after arriving in this world. Plus a shower, and a nice outfit. My old clothes were completely ruined by all the fire and explosions I caused, torn and covered in dust and ashes. None of the fancy bars and clubs I liked to attend would let me in looking like that.
Well, anyways, it was only the first night. I should be able to stay here for a few more months, so there was no rush. I had more than enough time to have some fun.
But for tonight, I could at least get a drink or two. I really needed it. I was unable to attend a bar for over a month, after all. All that I could find in a half-ruined world was some cheap booze from an abandoned convenience store. It had its own charm, fitting the apocalyptic ambiance, but tasted horrible.
I showed one of my undamaged fake IDs to the bouncer and entered the premises. Straight away, I was hit by the loud music and colored lights.
It was even emptier than I expected. Only a few girls in skimpy dresses were swaying on the dance floor, ogled by some drunk frat boys sitting nearby.
Without sparing any of them a second glance, I went straight to the bar.
"One whiskey on the rocks."
The barman was still the same as I remembered. Well, except for being from a parallel reality and stuff.
He looked exhausted, the dark circles under his eyes much worse than mine. I used to chat with him sometimes in the previous world, and he was always saying how much he wants to quit… But there he was, still stuck here. I kinda felt bad for him. Well, thankfully he'd be free from this place soon enough. Once I destroy this world, that is.
I swiped the card absentmindedly, fully absorbed in my thoughts.
"Your card was rejected."
Huh?
The barman's monotonous voice brought me back to reality.
Damn, that guy from earlier sure noticed it fast.
I clicked my tongue, annoyed, and handed out cash instead, making sure to include a generous tip.
The guy looked me up and down and took the money without any comment.
He couldn't be bothered to care. Was paid nowhere high enough to do so.
Moreover, it's not like anyone would suspect I was using a stolen card. Dressed in fancy, brand clothes, with an expensive watch on my wrist, I looked filthy rich. Like a son from a wealthy family, drinking with daddy's money. The reason for the card being blocked? An argument with parents, most likely. That's how the others must have perceived me right now.
Of course, I didn't have rich parents. Or any parents at all. But I could easily get whatever I wanted, as I was not bound by the laws of this world. The worst that could happen was that I would need to destroy this reality a bit sooner. So yeah, I had absolutely nothing to worry about.
As I looked around, sipping my drink, I noticed a girl a few seats away glancing at me.
She was quite cute, with light brown, fizzy hair, pale skin, and freckles. Not exactly my type, but I guess she'd do.
I moved closer.
"May I get you another one?" I asked, pointing at her almost empty glass, with only a sip of some red-orange liquid remaining in it. Sex on the beach, if I were to guess.
"Mm…"
Fuck.
As soon as I looked her in the eyes, I could tell she was already completely wasted. She was barely awake at this point, with her eyes out of focus and a dreamy smile on her face.
No point chatting her up, really. By the time I took her to a hotel or something, she would be out of it. I'm not pathetic enough to bang unconscious girls. Where's the fun when they can't even respond?
So I picked up my glass and wanted to move back to my seat.
It was, however, already taken.
By a girl, with long, wavy hair, in an unnatural red color, matching her blood-red lipstick. She wore heavy eye makeup and a tight black dress that revealed her pale shoulders. Her face was average, but at least she had a sexy body.
And she was sober.
…Maybe a bit too sober.
I said next to her and was about to ask the same question as before, but as soon as I opened my mouth, I noticed a half-full glass in her hand. Red wine, it seems.
So I just cleared up my throat and took a sip of my whiskey…
Only to find out the glass was already empty.
The girl raised her eyebrow amused at my awkward behavior, but I didn't care. Yes, my social skills were lacking, so what? It was only natural. I grew up destroying the worlds after all. Any sorts of relationships with people were hard to come by. But there was no need to worry about how the people perceive me. All of them would be dead within a year or so.
"Another one!"
So, I just ordered another drink for myself.
Even without social skills, I still had my looks, confidence, and easily obtained money to rely on.
And I could already tell that seeing me completely unconcerned by the awkwardness had caught the girl's attention.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
yunjun
yunjun Hey, thanks for reading!
I'm still pretty much a newbie, but I hope you will give this story a chance! (:
If there's anything unclear, let me know in the comments.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone