Cyberpunk: Ultimate Cyborg System

Right after getting off the train, Dante took out a gas mask and put it on. At this point, the stench wasn't the only thing to worry about.

The station appeared deserted, and so was the town surrounding it. It wasn't that no one lurked in such areas, but most learned to be silent, not draw attention to themselves.

Dante walked with confident steps, keeping his gaze straight ahead to show that he was familiar with the area. That served as a deterrent to anyone looking to cause trouble, so by the time he reached the Rim, no one had stepped in his way.

Soon after, he found himself standing facing a large alloy gate. It was tall, its top masked by the smog. The lower parts were covered by rust and welded plates, as well as messy graffiti. Dante looked to his left then slowly walked to a small booth attached to the wall at the end of the gate. Beside it was a small door the frame of which seemed to have been torn and reattached countless times.

Peering inside the booth, Dante saw a man reclining in his chair, a blanket draped over his boy. Nearby, a portable heater glowed a faint orange, surrounded by empty noodle cups and soup cans. Seeing that his presence wasn't acknowledged, Dante raised his hand and knocked on the glass partition.

"Ge- huh? Wha- where am I!!?" The man almost jumped from his chair, his head snapping left and right in fright. He seemed to realize what was happening when his eyes fell on Dante, and with an annoyed grunt, he sat back in his chair.

"The hell do you want?" He asked while reaching for a nearby bottle.

"Do people come here for other reasons?"

"People don't come here, kid. Don't know what you're looking for, but you ain't finding it here."

He tried to take a big swig, but the bottle seemed to be empty, prompting him to throw it against the wall. The man had no right to turn people away. He was a gatekeeper, after all, and so long as one paid the fare, he was obliged to let them in. Dante wasn't in the mood to deal with a grumpy asshole so he just reached into his Storage and took out one of the items he picked for occasions like this.

Slamming it on the counter to draw the old man's attention, he said in a carefree tone, "Don't worry, I know my way around."

The old man glanced at him, and when he saw the twelve-pack on the counter, his eyes almost popped off.

"I see, I see." With a smile that exposed his rotten teeth, he quickly snatched the pack and hid it below the counter, grabbing an old tablet at the same time. "So this isn't your first visit?"

"Been here a couple of times. Mostly for business."

"I see, I see. Well, you can go in once you pay the fee."

He passed Dante the tablet which had a long wall of text displayed on its screen. It was a form issued by the Iron Seal Foundation, the corporation responsible for the maintenance of the walls surrounding the Pit, as well as the gates. Long story short, it's a disclaimer for all the risks one undertakes by going through the gates.

Paying the fee by scanning the QR code at the bottom would absolve the corporation from any and all responsibilities, ensuring that no one can sue them for what might happen on the other side of the wall.

"May I ask what you plan on doing in there?" The old man asked as I returned the tablet.

"Just visiting an acquaintance."

"Heh, what kind of acquaintances would you have in such a place? Take my advice, kid, cut those ties while you still can."

Dante ignored the old man's rumblings and walked over to the small door beside the booth. A couple of seconds later, it opened up and let him into a long corridor lined with security cams and sensors. A wide screen ahead displayed the words 'HOLD STILL FOR SECURITY CHECK'.

As he stood in the red square drawn on the floor, several blue lines washed over his body, moving from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head. Dante had no idea what they were checking for, since weapons were allowed through. Once the scan was over, he was allowed passage toward the door at the end of the hallway.

Arriving on the other side felt like entering a new world. For some reason, the smog was much thinner beyond the wall, allowing him to see the faraway wall. Dante walked down the gentle slope leading to the rusty gate and arrived at the empty cliff at its end. Beyond that point, the world seemed to drop, plunging into a lightless abyss.

Leaning over the rusty railing, he watched the shifting gloom for a few seconds before backing away. They say many jumped to their demise simply for daring to look for too long.

Not wanting to tempt fate, Dante ignored the bottom and instead focused on the walls curving from the platform where he stood. They joined in the distance, forming a series of rings stacked on top of each other, each one lined with terraces, platforms, and balconies that clung to the smooth shaft like barnacles on the hull of some old ship.

Buildings rose from the makeshift cliffs, most made from rusty alloy plates welded together or held by wire and rope, others carved from metal containers. Narrow pathways connected everything, but only the insane would dare to walk them, seeing how a strong gust would be all it takes to send one falling down the Pit.

Here and there, gaps of varying lengths and widths gave a glimpse at the world carved deep into the walls. Taking in the sights, Dante let out a sigh and moved his legs, slowly making his way down the slope clinging to the side of the wall.