I wake up to a familiar sound that I can never get used to. The standard alarm sound from my phone forces me out of the covers and into an sitting positon on my bed.

There isn't really anything special about this Monday morning. It's the typical scenario where you set an alarm for 7:30 so you can make it to work on time, but you end up ignoring it and by the time you are actually ready to go, an hour has already passed. Every morning begins with this small defeat signaled by the text message from my boss telling me that I'm late.

I look around my room as my eyes are still blurry from adjusting to the light coming in through the windows. I see the plates and cup on my desk that I neglected to put in the dishwasher after dinner last night. I see my dirty clothes lying across the floor. I see the mess of cables, empty cans, and various pieces of paper on my desk.

Ignoring the mess I put on a dress shirt, pants, and throw on a tie. I look in the mirror and a somewhat sloppy but acceptable enough appearance greets me.

There isn't any time for breakfast since I'm already late, so I go to the station and get on my train. I have a 30 minute ride to work, which is enough time to read a little bit of a novel.

Right now I'm reading a book where the main character is reincarnated in another world where magic exists and every chapter is filled with stories of how the MC uses his modern knowledge combined with magic to save the world.

Novels like this are my favorite. I wish that this was how real life worked too. Everyday, I dream of a life dedicated to leveling up skills and adventuring, and then settling down with a party member and living out the rest of my time as an instructor for new adventurers.

Unfortunately for me, you could say that the world I exist in is pretty much the opposite of my dreams. This cruel world has no levels, no dungeons, and no magic. Furthermore, there isn't any exploration that's possible; I was born too late to explore the earth and too early to explore space.

And...

My thoughts are cut short as I arrive at my stop. And just as I do everyday, I walk into my company's building tired, hungry, and ready to put on a mediocre performance.