The city did not change.
That was the cruelest part.
The streets still glowed beneath artificial starlight, transport rails hummed above avenues, and people moved with purpose—laughing, arguing, living.
Screens flickered with advertisements tailored to rank, opportunity, and desire.
Only Noel had changed.
Or rather
The city he had lived for so long decided he no longer mattered.
The moment he stepped beyond the Arvind estate's boundary, the system finalized his status.
[Rank F : Confirmed ]
[Family acces : Revoked ]
[Financial acces: Restricted]
His communicator vibrated once, then went silent.
Noel checked his account.
Frozen.
Not empty—locked.
So they have sealed my account too. Noel muttered then with a sigh.
He said well i expected them to do this but so fast . Noel then looked down and He said . Looks like there is now only me and my clothes which are given to me .
He exhaled slowly, steadying himself. Panic would solve nothing.
It's never had and never will be then again
He started walking .
That was all he could do.
As Noel moved through the upper district, subtle shifts followed him like shadows.
Conversations paused when he passed.
A woman pulled her child closer. A man glanced at Noel's wrist interface and immediately looked away, as if contact alone carried risk.
Rank F.
Not dangerous.
Just… inconvenient.
Unwanted.
Noel face was twitching seeing the expressions of the peole .
Well i heard that f rankers have it bad but now when I am experiencing it they got it worse man . Noel said
Noel looked towards the right where a hub was .
Let's go there maybe It will cool my head .
He then entered the public transit hub.
The gate scanned him.
A red symbol flashed.
[Access denied : Rank insufficient]
Noel looking at the red sign stepped aside without protest.
What did I expected them to give me a entry there hah looks like my brain is not working properly. Noel muttered with a smile .
But his voice was cracking as if holding tears . But couldn't shed it
" Noel walked again, descending from polished streets into lower sectors where the air smelled of metal and recycled water. Here, the buildings grew closer, the light dimmer.
He stopped before a familiar tower.
The Arvind Corporate Annex.
Security drones hovered near the entrance, scanning entrants with precision. Noel approached calmly.
The nearest drone pivoted toward him.
[Identity confirmed : Noel arvind ]
[Status : Unauthorised]
A barrier shimmered into place.
Noel didn't argue.
He turned away.
Sigh .
Noel sighed I knew they wouldn't let me in well but what can I do looks like I have look in another places .
His next stop was a large shop in which he was followed by disappointment
Let's try another one . Noel didn't got demotivated he tried again but he only got same words as before .
Each interaction followed the same pattern.
Polite interest.
System scan.
Immediate withdrawal.
"I'm sorry, we don't hire Rank F."
"Our insurance won't allow it."
"You understand, it's nothing personal."
Noel stopped counting after the seventh rejection.
By evening, exhaustion settled into his bones. not physical fatigue, but something deeper.
Mental phatigue as he realised what ever effort he puts he only gets the same result Same rejection .
The city lights brightened as night fell.
"Ting ting ting "
That was when his communicator vibrated again.
[Incoming call : Meera arvind ]
Noel looked at the name for several seconds before answering.
The call connected
"Mother," Noel said his face didn't show it but he was happy nonetheless.
Her face appeared on the projection perfectly composed, perfectly distant.
"Noel," she said softly. "Are you safe?"
"Yes."
A pause .
"That's good," she replied. "I wanted to speak before the system finalized everything."
You know even if it doesn't do it my own father is there to do it .
Meera expression became sad hearing that but she still replied.
You know your father for him climbing the ranks is everything he has become so obsessed with that he doesn't care about anything else .
Silence stretched between them.
"Noel," she continued, "you must understand… This situation is complicated I can't help you much this time
Noel smiled hearing his mother words and said
It's looks complicated to you because you want to see that way . For me it's fairly simple I have been disowned . Isn't that right mother? Noel asked
Her lips tightened. "Your father believes this is best for the family."
"And you?"
She hesitated.
That hesitation was the answer.
"I can't protect you anymore," Meera said quietly. "Remaining associated with you would… affect my standing."
Noel closed his eyes.
Standing huh? In what in your social circle .
So you will be embarrassed about you son.
It's not like that Noel you have to understand it Meera tried to explain herself .
You don't have to explain your self to me just do what you want to . Noel said to meera
"I see."
"I've arranged a temporary residence," she added quickly. "Lower district housing.
It's not much, but –—
"That won't be necessary."
She looked startled. "Noel, don't be stubborn."
"I can't stay where I'm tolerated," he said calmly. "If I'm to fall, I'll fall by my own choices .
Another silence.
Then Meera nodded.
"I hope," she said, "that one day you'll understand."
Then The call ended.
Meera face disappeared and the screen also went back .
Noel turned and saw there was now again that silence.
Again it's just me all alone .
"Noel stood beneath a flickering streetlight, the city humming around him.
He tried to cry or feel sad but strangely
He felt nothing.
That frightened him more than anger ever could.
Hours passed.
Night deepened.
"Noel wandered without destination until the city thinned, buildings giving way to abandoned infrastructure—old transit lines, sealed access points, forgotten zones left behind after the system's rise.
That was when he saw it.
A notice flickering faintly on a rusted terminal.
[Restricted: Dungeon]
[Emergence detected]
[Warning: Entry below level C is advised to be stay away from there ]
Noel stopped.
A dungeon.
Unstable.
Unregulated.
Exactly the kind of place Rank F citizens were expected to avoid.
Or die in.
He laughed softly.
"Of course," he murmured.
He checked the time.
No messages.
No money.
No shelter.
No future—at least, not one approved by the system.
He turned toward the boundary marker, where warning lights pulsed weakly.
For the first time since his judgment, something stirred inside him.
Not hope.
Resolve.
"If the world has already discarded me," Noel said quietly, "then I have nothing left to lose."
"Let's gamble this time but not for money but for life .
He said in a dramatic way .
Rooong rooooong .
Noel looked towards the bracelet where .
The system chimed faintly, almost mockingly.
[Warning: Entry may result to strong injuries or death ]
Death huh? A melochlonic expression formed in Noel face that was quickly replaced.
I would be better off dead then living off like this . Noel said
He then stepped forward.
And crossed the line.
The city lights faded behind him.
Ahead—
Darkness.
"And something ancient waiting to be found.