Ethan Cole stood near the college gate, staring at his phone as if the numbers might change if he looked long enough.
Balance: $0.21
That was all he had.
Behind him, laughter cut through the morning air.
"Isn't that the scholarship guy?"
"Scholarship or charity case?"
"Same thing."
Ethan didn't turn around. He didn't need to. He recognized the voices—Ryan Hale and his friends. Expensive clothes, loud confidence, futures already paid for.
Ethan slipped his phone into his pocket and tried to walk past.
A hand stopped him.
"Hey," Ryan said, stepping in front of him. "You're still here?"
Ethan met his eyes for half a second, then looked away. "Move."
Ryan laughed. "Relax. I'm just surprised you haven't dropped out yet. College fees aren't cheap, you know."
Ethan's fingers tightened into fists.
He wanted to say something sharp. Something proud.
But pride didn't pay fees.
Pride didn't put food on the table.
So he stayed quiet.
Ryan clicked his tongue. "Thought so."
They walked away, already bored of him—like a background character who didn't matter.
Ethan stood there for another moment, breathing slowly, then headed toward the administration building.
The office was crowded. Parents argued softly. Students whispered nervously.
When Ethan reached the counter, the clerk glanced at him, unimpressed.
"Name?"
"Ethan Cole."
The clerk typed, frowned, then looked up. "Outstanding balance."
"I know," Ethan said quickly. "I just need two days. My part-time payment—"
"Rules are rules," the clerk cut him off. A stamp came down hard on a paper.
FINAL NOTICE.
"If the fees aren't paid within forty-eight hours," the clerk continued, "your enrollment will be suspended."
The paper slid across the counter.
Ethan stared at it, his chest tight.
Two days.
That was all the city was giving him.
By evening, dark clouds swallowed the sky.
Ethan walked home instead of taking the bus. Saving money had become a habit—one he couldn't afford to break.
Rain started suddenly, soaking his clothes within seconds. Cold water seeped into his worn shoes, each step heavier than the last.
His phone buzzed.
Mom: Salary is delayed again. I'm sorry. Are you okay?
Ethan stopped under a flickering streetlight.
Even now… she was apologizing.
He typed a reply with numb fingers.
Ethan: I'm fine. Don't worry.
The lie felt heavy.
He leaned his head back, letting the rain hit his face.
"I tried," he whispered. "I really tried."
The city answered with silence.
He stepped off the curb without looking.
A horn screamed.
Something hit him hard, knocking the breath from his lungs. The world spun. He felt weightless for a second—then pain, sharp and overwhelming.
Ethan crashed onto the wet road.
Sounds blurred. The rain felt distant now, like it was falling on someone else.
So this is it?
Is this where I end?
His vision darkened.
[Scanning…]
[Subject detected.]
[Emotional stress: Critical.]
[Compatibility confirmed.]
A strange blue light filled Ethan's sight.
[City of Levels System initializing…]
"What…?" His voice barely came out.
[Welcome, Host.]
The pain faded—slowly, unnaturally. Ethan's heartbeat steadied.
[Mission 001 Generated.]
Objective: Survive.
[Reward upon completion:]
• $50,000
• Basic Body Enhancement
Ethan froze.
Money?
Real money?
He pushed himself up, expecting agony—but his body responded smoothly. Too smoothly.
The street was empty. No car. No crowd. Just rainwater sliding toward the drain.
The blue screen hovered in front of him, calm and patient.
"Is this… real?" Ethan asked.
[This city runs on levels.]
[Those without power are invisible.]
Ethan stared at his hands. They were still shaking—but not from fear.
From excitement.
All his life, the city had looked through him. Ignored him. Stepped over him.
Slowly, a smile formed on his face.
"Then I'll level up," he said quietly.
The screen pulsed once.
[Good choice.]
[Welcome to the City of Levels.]