My name is Ryan Smith, a twenty-three-year-old ordinary office worker. After barely finishing university, I found a random company to work for. To keep my life peaceful yet somewhat interesting, I drink a glass of milk every morning before heading to work. After spending the day at the office, I return home, take a shower, and then do an hour of exercise so my body doesn't become too stiff. After that, I play games or chat online until night falls, then lie in bed, ready to welcome a new day.
That was how Ryan Smith lived—peacefully, day after day.
However, one day after work, his colleague suddenly said:
"Don't you feel like our lives are incredibly boring? Working every day, dragging our exhausted bodies home, and then repeating the same cycle?"
Ryan packed his briefcase with an expressionless face and shook his head.
"Not really. I think it's quite peaceful..."
His colleague looked at him in surprise.
"Come on! Haven't you realized how boring you are? You're already twenty-three, and you still look like a total dork. At this rate, you might not even find a partner by the time you're forty!"
Ryan paused. The corner of his mouth twitched. He wasn't angry—his colleague's words actually made some sense. Finding someone he liked… although life might not remain as peaceful as before, perhaps it would become more interesting.
Seeing the hesitation on Ryan's face, his colleague knew his words had worked. He walked over, draped an arm over Ryan's shoulder, and whispered:
"I know a great place. Pack your things and let's go check it out."
Although Ryan was just an ordinary office worker, his interests from university hadn't changed after entering society. He still browsed Bilibili and played many recent classic games. He inwardly scoffed at his colleague's suggestive tone, but he still nodded.
After leaving the company, his colleague led him through several turns into a small alley. Looking at the storefront in front of him, which didn't even have a sign, Ryan asked:
"This isn't some kind of scam, is it? Even if we're looking for fun, we can't break the law, right?"
His colleague laughed.
"This is a themed bar that just opened recently. I only discovered it not long ago. Want to go in and take a look?"
He walked in first, and Ryan followed.
Once inside, Ryan felt as if he had entered a strange and wondrous world. Although the decor was no different from a typical bar, the customers were all dressed in fantasy costumes. There were warriors with carved patterns on their bodies wearing Amazonian outfits, and elves with pointed ears wearing green robes.
Ryan was completely dazzled by the scene.
Yes, he definitely wasn't staring at the elf's impressive figure.
The elf noticed his gaze, blushed, and turned away. His colleague laughed:
"How about it? Seems like a cosplay-themed bar. I don't recognize the characters, but who cares? The girls are pretty, right?"
Ryan rubbed his nose and nodded.
His colleague looked around and said:
"You look around on your own. I won't bother you. Have fun!"
Seeing the corner of his colleague's mouth already beginning to drool, Ryan nodded helplessly. He watched as his colleague approached the Amazonian warrior woman to strike up a conversation.
Ryan looked around again but felt out of place. He couldn't bring himself to act like that.
At that moment, he noticed the bar counter, where a young bartender was mixing drinks. The bartender's expression was extremely focused, and he didn't look like a temporary worker.
So Ryan walked over.
Although the bartender was mixing drinks with his eyes closed, as soon as Ryan sat down, he spoke:
"A first-time guest. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Ryan was stunned. He hadn't made a sound, and the bartender's eyes were still closed—how did he know?
The bartender didn't wait for an answer. He poured a scarlet liquid into a glass and pushed it toward Ryan.
"I call it 'Love in Scarlet.' I recommend it to every new guest."
Ryan nodded, picked up the glass, and took a sip.
The liquid slid down his throat, sending ripples through his previously calm emotions.
Neither of them spoke. Ryan continued taking small sips until the glass was empty.
"Very good drink. How much?"
"Two hundred Meiyue."
Ryan froze.
"Meiyue? What kind of currency is that?"
The bartender nodded calmly.
"Or a story. Any story will do, as long as it's something you've personally experienced."
Ryan hesitated. A story?
He didn't have one.
His life had always been peaceful.
"…Is Chinese currency okay?" he asked awkwardly.
The bartender frowned slightly.
"First time I've encountered a guest like this. Not a local, no confusion in his heart… yet he still managed to walk into my bar?"
Ryan was confused.
"What is this, some kind of urban legend?"
The bartender suddenly smiled.
"Since you don't have a story, I'll give you one."
Before Ryan could react, his vision blurred. He collapsed onto the bar, and his body gradually disappeared.
At that moment, the door opened.
A beautiful woman with golden hair and pointed ears walked in. She was even more stunning than the elf from earlier.
"Kyle, you're being naughty again," she said with a smile.
The bartender glanced at the wine shelf.
"What brings the honorable Elf Queen to my humble bar?"
Meanwhile, Ryan's colleague scratched his head in confusion.
"Feels like I forgot something… whatever."
Ryan Smith vanished from the real world.
---
"Ryan! Ryan! Hang in there!"
Ryan opened his eyes.
He was in a hospital room. A blonde nurse removed the IV from his hand.
"What… happened? Did I end up in the hospital after just one drink?"
Something felt wrong.
This wasn't China.
The signs were in English.
The nurse smiled.
"Officer Ryan, you're awake! The way you saved that child yesterday was so heroic!"
Ryan froze.
Officer?
At that moment, memories flooded his mind.
Ryan Smith. Orphan. Police officer. Raccoon City.
Yesterday, he shot a man—someone with lifeless eyes and strange behavior.
Ryan's heart skipped a beat.
"What year is it?" he asked.
"1998."
Ryan looked at the newspaper beside him.
Raccoon City Daily.
His face turned pale.
"…No way."
"This is… Resident Evil?!"
"I want to go home…"