Croissant 1: Rainy Day Women

“Ugh! So trash! Why didn't he just conquer the world?!” A young man shouted as he flung a book out of a nearby window.

The young man had just finished reading a fantasy light novel with his favorite type of protagonist—the OP, unbeatable type. He had always loved stories with OP protagonists. Not only did they wield unbelievably cool magic and weapons, but they also eliminated everyone and everything that got in their way effortlessly and with style. He couldn't help but idolize them and wished he could take their place. However, all of these protagonists failed to utilize their strength to do one thing that the young man foolishly dreamed of—conquering the world.

For as long as he could remember, the young man had dreamed of one day conquering the world. There was no specific reason why he wanted to conquer the world, the romance of toppling countless enemies and seizing all the world's power for himself, was just simply thrilling.

Many people in the past had laughed or looked at him like he was crazy after he told them his dream. But he just shrugged it off and continued dreaming. However, eventually—he had to face reality.

In the modern age, conquering the world was basically impossible. No matter how capable or talented one was, there were simply too many obstacles in the modern world for one person to conquer the world. Even before the modern age, there were many figures in history who had tried to conquer the world, but it goes without saying—they all failed.

Realizing his dream was impossible to achieve, all the young man could do was read light ovels and hope one day his dream could at least be realized in the world of fiction.

After launching the light novel out of the window, the young man got up from his desk and laid on his bed.

“Man, if only I was as powerful like these OP light-novel protagonists, I would definitely conquer the world…” The young man muttered while staring at the ceiling, once again lamenting that world conquest was not only impossible for him to achieve, but also for the OP light novel protagonists.

Hmph. These authors nowadays obviously don't see the romance in world conquest. …Wait, maybe I should write my own light novel? …Nah, I'm too lazy to be an author. ...Well, whatever, I feel kinda hungry after launching that light novel out the window, so I think I'll head to the convenience store.

Deciding to go to the convenience store, the young man got up, put on a pair of sandals, lazily fixed his messy black, and left his apartmeny

The young man had recently graduated high school and was currently what you would call a ‘NEET’. In other words, he was unemployed and just spent most of his time cooped up in his room reading light novels. There wasn't any major reason as to why he was a NEET. He was just simply unmotivated. After graduating from high school, the average student would go out into the world and chase their dream. But as he realized a long time ago, his dream wasn't one that could be chased.

The young man trudged along the sidewalk, on his way to get his single daily meal at his local convenience store. For the last year since becoming a NEET, he lived on nothing but convenience store food. Why? It was simple, cheap, and convenient. Going out to eat or cooking for himself would consume time and effort that he would rather use for reading. So, convenience store food was a perfect match for his current lifestyle.

Eventually arriving in front of his local convenience store, the young man stifled a yawn and went inside. With practiced movements, he quickly found the three items he was looking for. Two energy drinks and a packaged croissant.

With his three items in hand, he lined up in front of the register. Eventually, his turn came and he placed his items on the counter. The clerk behind the counter glanced at his items and spoke to him.

“Hey there. Same old stuff?"

The clerk was a cute black-haired girl who the young man had grown used to seeing. Quite literally, he saw the clerk every single day, So it was only natural they had become friendly.

“Yeah, I had a stressful day…” The young man responded with a tired expression.

Upon hearing a person say that they ‘had a stressful day’, you would think that the person had a stressful day at work or spent the whole day studying. But, obviously, that wasn't the case for the young man. He had just simply become stressed because the OP protagonist of the light novel he was reading did not conquer the world.

“You should at least get a convenience store bento. Eating only a croissant and two energy drinks everyday isn't good for your body. You’ll collapse.” T

“Nah, I should be fine. I've been eating this everyday for the past year and I'm still healthy…I think. Besides, you know what they say, ‘What doesn't kill you makes you stronger’.” The young man smiled, a smug look on his face.

“I don't think they mean it in that way..." The cute clerk furrowed her brows, but eventually nodded. "But, okay.”

The young man paid for his items and headed back towardhis apartment with a bag in hand.

However, while walking, he noticed the clouds in the sky darkening.

Hm? Is it supposed to rain today? He thought as he gazed up at the sky.

Shaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Moments later, heavy rain began to fall.

Everyone in the surrounding area seemed to have been expecting the rain and quickly pulled out their umbrellas.

Looks like I'm the only one who didn't know it was gonna rain. ...Well, not like I care! I don't mind a free shower, courtesy of the clouds! The young man shrugged, his spirit undettered by the heavy rain.

…Maybe I should come outside more often so I can save on my water bill. …Am I a genius? The young man thought, walking through the heavy rain without a care in the world.

Eventually, he arrived at the bottom of the staircase leading up to his apartment. He placed his foot on the first step, but as he did, he felt...strange.

Huh… I feel kinda dizzy. ...Well, I havent drank any water in a couple days, so that's probably why...

Trying to shake off the dizziness, the young man slowly started to climb the staircase.

However, as he got higher and higher, the dizziness only worsened.

Wow, I feel like shit… Maybe I should take a break? The young man considered taking a break on the steps, but if he stayed in the rain any longer, he ran the risk of catching a cold. With that in mind, he slowly forced himself up the steps until finally reaching the final step.

Just… One more step… Preparing to take the final step, he mustered all his strength and tried to fight off the dizziness.

As his foot touched the final step—tragedy struck.

The steps being slick and slippery from the heavy rain along with the poor grip of his cheap sandals, made for a dangerous situation.

As he leaned his wait forward about to mount the final step—he slipped.

“Uwah!”

Before the young man could realize what had happened, he was already suspended in the air, barreling towards the ground head first.

The last thing he remembered was hitting the ground and his vision going dark.

That was the last moment of the young man's short time on Earth, aswell as the last moment his foolish dream of world conquest remained unachievable.