NOVEL WEB Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Social Class
The moment Mo Chen stepped outside, the bright sunlight poured down, and he shielded his eyes as he gazed at the sky.
The clear blue sky stretched like a polished mirror, with a bright sun radiating warmth. Wispy white clouds drifted lazily in the breeze, brushing gently against the leaves on either side, which swayed softly, creating a rustling sound. Vivid flowers bloomed in brilliant colors, adding a lively touch to the scene.
It all felt so real… if he didn't already know otherwise, Mo Chen might have believed it was all real.
From the balcony, he took in the view.
It was a bustling city, with tall buildings crowding the skyline and lush trees lining the roads. The highways were packed with cars, and the streets thrived with people.
He could even faintly hear the far-off sound of sales promotions coming from a mall.
The bustling metropolis seemed worlds apart from the wastelands and ruins of the surface.
It looked just like human society before the Raptures invaded.
As Mo Chen and his team walked in, they felt stares from every direction, and the low hum of murmured conversations drifted toward them.
The crowd consisted of regular citizens and Nikkes alike.
"Are they really the ones who defeated a Tyrant-class Rapture?"
"That's amazing if it's true."
"It can't be! We haven't taken down a Tyrant in years. And last time, the advance team was completely wiped out—just a few people managed it?"
"Wait, wasn't the advance team part of Elysion's elite squad?"
"That Commander's kind of handsome."
"That's not really the point, is it…?"
"It's true. The intel came straight from the Operations Command. They're still in a meeting about it."
Everyone was curious about the Nikke squad that had defeated Black Smith. The story had already become a hot topic throughout Ark a few days ago.
But even after hearing the stories, seeing Mo Chen and his group left many still in awe.
"Looks like we're famous now," Anis commented, resting her hands behind her head and glancing at the gawking crowd, then turning to Mo Chen and the others with a playful grin.
"Hey, hero, looks like you're a hit. Lots of girls checking you out. Why don't you go say hi?"
Mo Chen ignored her teasing and took in the scene around him. Ark was even more high-tech than he had imagined.
Then he noticed an upscale neighborhood to his right with high-end condos, shopping centers, and even a golf course and amusement park—far more luxurious than the area where they stood. It was as if two completely separate worlds coexisted side by side.
But something about it was odd: the place seemed deserted, with not a soul in sight on the streets.
"What's that area?" he asked.
"Where?" Anis followed his gaze and realized what he meant. "Oh, that's the Royal Avenue."
"Royal Avenue?"
"Yeah. Well, well, our noble Commander doesn't know about it? I thought you'd live there," she teased, flashing two fingers with a smirk. "I was gonna charge a consultation fee, too."
Mo Chen: "…"
Do I look like an easy target?
Anis dropped the jokes and explained.
"Looks fancier than the city center, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, but it's so empty."
"Exactly. That's because it's reserved for the nobility."
"Nobility?"
Mo Chen froze at the term.
The concept of nobility was nearly obsolete in modern society.
"Oh, looks like our Commander really is out of touch with common affairs." Anis put on a mock scholarly tone, cleared her throat, and said, "Before I explain nobility, maybe you should understand Ark's citizen ranking system first."
According to Anis, every resident of Ark had a citizen chip implanted in them. The location varied—some had it in their brain, others in their arm or ear, but that wasn't the main point.
Only people with these chips were recognized as citizens of Ark and had the right to use Ark's basic facilities.
Without a chip, one couldn't even enter Ark, let alone use its services.
The implant itself was free, but human nature brought about competition, as people soon began customizing their chips with different materials and designs.
The priciest chips could cost billions of credits.
"Billions?" Mo Chen was taken aback.
It felt surreal.
Even in games, billions was a huge figure.
"Yep," Anis nodded, her tone turning mysterious. "Guess what happened next?"
"What?"
"With the value of chips came class distinctions within Ark, leading to the emergence of 'commoners' and 'nobles.'"
Using an expensive citizen chip designates you as a "Sovereign," while using free or low-cost chips classifies you as a "Quotidian."
In general, if you have wealth, you're considered a Sovereign; if not, you're a Quotidian.
"What's even more absurd is the chain reaction caused by these chips. Gradually, Sovereigns began enjoying a host of privileges, while Quotidians' standard of living continued to decline, often having to yield to the whims of Sovereigns," Anis explained with a shrug.
"Of course, this situation has led to widespread discontent among the people. The Central Government has advised Quotidians against fueling such unhealthy behaviors. But…"
Mo Chen added, "Once an elite class has formed, dismantling it becomes quite difficult."
Elitism exists across eras, whether ancient or modern. True equality is a myth when resources are unevenly distributed, especially in societies where certain families hold onto power for generations.
"Exactly," Anis said, giving him a wink. "Anyone with the resources to get that 'Sovereign' status isn't just going to roll over."
Mo Chen nodded in agreement.
"Yep, we're talking about people with more money than they know what to do with," Anis muttered, exasperated. "Lucky them."
Mo Chen thought, Well, that's… practical.
Over time, these Sovereigns and the oppressed Quotidians ended up divided.
Eventually, the Central Government designated a particular area of the Ark exclusively for the Sovereigns.
"Is that what Royal Avenue is?" Mo Chen asked.
No wonder it looked so luxurious.
"But it seems empty."
"That's right," Anis said with a mischievous grin, "what you're looking at is basically a glitzy promenade for designer brands. Surprised?"