Entering the sky-piercing elevator and enduring the mechanical creaking for several dozen minutes, pushing their ears and minds to the limit, they finally arrived at the upper zone.
Gazing upward, the long-lost dazzling starry sky filled Li Wei with emotion.
Just how long has it been since he last saw the real starry sky?
Counting time, it has been two months since he was reborn into this new era. Except for that bounty mission to Changling Manor, he has been staying in the Lower District.
In the Lower District, one can't even see the sky, let alone any stars.
Shaking his head, he cast aside these inexplicable thoughts and focused his attention on driving the vehicle.
Arriving in the Upper District was like entering a different time and space.
The air is very fresh. Looking into the distance, the wind blowing from the mountains and forests brings the smell of nature, making one feel relaxed and joyful. Looking around, a large area is covered with greenery, and the roads are wide and clean. Although there are cars coming and going, it's not very congested, but you can tell it's a bustling area.
The Upper District of West Doram is very similar to the modern city in Levi's memory before his rebirth, and it is far more habitable than the former modern city, with a better environment, similar to the wealthy areas in the city.
Compared to the dirty, obscure, and dim lower levels that never see the light of day, it's a completely different world just one elevator ride away.
Westrum City doesn't explicitly define the qualitative separation between the upper and lower districts, nor does it say that people from the lower district are not allowed to come to the upper district. However, in reality, residents from the lower district rarely come up here.
What can the residents of the lower district do when they come to the upper district? Indeed, the shops, restaurants, medical facilities, environment, housing, and other industries in the upper district are far more developed than in the lower district. If possible, who wouldn't want to live here?
But the high housing prices block all hope from the lower-class people.
All these things require money to support. Even if they come to stroll around occasionally, they can't afford a meal, let alone enjoy other services.
If that's all there is to it, they can still come to enjoy the scenery. After all, the upper district looks completely different from the lower one.
However, even viewing scenery has become a luxury.
A single ride on the sky elevator costs 30 blue crystals, a price that is beyond the reach of ordinary working-class people. A skilled worker in the lower district might earn just that much in a month, and for some manual laborers, it could represent their wages for two months.
Viewing scenery? When the cost of it amounts to two or three months of sustenance, how could such scenery be affordable for the poor?
The upper district prohibits begging, vending, and various messy practices. These regulations further block the path for lower district residents to seek livelihoods in the upper district. Except for some servants catering to the wealthy, there is no room for the poor to stand their ground here.
There is no need for coercive measures or strong prohibitions. These invisible barriers and walls have clearly separated the two levels of a city without leaving any possibility.
A sigh, this is an era where class solidification has reached a terrifying level. The upper class revels in extravagant pleasures, while the lower class is shrouded in utter darkness. The vast chasm that emerges between them fills anyone wishing to change their destiny with deep despair.
To some extent, these conditions have further strengthened Li Wei's conviction. He never dreams of changing the world, but he at least needs to change his own fate.
The prosperity of the upper districts, the charm of the new era, and the vast, boundless, and mysterious world beyond the city are what he truly longs for.
...
Driving in the upper districts is a pleasure. With spacious roads, bright streetlights, and the shimmering moonlight and starlight, it is far more comfortable than driving in the lower districts.
Under normal road conditions and good surface quality, it doesn't take too long for the car to reach the Four-Leaf Clover branch.
At one o'clock in the morning, driving his "Mustang," Li Wei pulled into the parking lot of the Four-Leaf Clover branch.
Compared to Eileen's dilapidated tavern, the Clover Branch is much more impressive.
It is a six-story building standing by the roadside. Upon entering the main door, you find a lobby. Inside the lobby, there are large electronic signs that constantly update various commissions, and the completion status and levels are indicated behind each, making it easy for customers, clients, and hunters to check the details.
The lobby is equipped with rows of seats for people to rest. To the left is the employer area, staffed around the clock to accept new commissions; to the right is the hunter area, convenient for accepting missions.
In the lobby, a stern-looking middle-aged man accompanied by a young woman with short hair is standing guard. Upon seeing Judith, Levi, and Yasha entering through the door, they directly approached to greet them.
The middle-aged man spread his arms and hugged Judith, saying, "Was the journey smooth so far?"
Judith said, "Report to the minister, the trip was relatively smooth."
Always eccentric and outgoing, seemingly fearless, Judith surprisingly harbors an unexpected sense of respect for the middle-aged man in front of her.
The middle-aged man turned his head, looked at Levi, revealed a kind smile, and said, "It seems this should be Mr. Levi, the colleague from Block 17 mentioned by Erin before? Such youthful talent, Block 17 is about to produce a pride."
Levi smiled at him slightly and said, "Thank you for your praise, Mr. Mars, I've heard a lot about you. Your past experiences and excellent work at the Clover branch are very famous, even in our remote and impoverished area."
Levi did not mistake the person, this middle-aged man is the "Silver Messenger" Mars, the minister of the Clover branch.
He is indeed very famous. In the past, he was one of the top demon hunters in the guild. It is said that during a certain mission, "Silver Messenger" Mars had fought against a strong demon that once threatened the security of the entire Westudum City, saving the city and being a true hero.
In that mission, Mars was seriously injured and was silent for several years. He only made a comeback in recent years. The comeback Silver Messenger quit the frontline hunter's work and took over the work of the Clover branch in the upper district with the identity of a hero.
For a person with such a brilliant history, a name as a hero, and currently in a high position, to be able to greet a little rookie like himself who came from the broken place of the 17th Street with a pleasant expression, it has to be said that it is quite rare and indeed makes people feel good.
"Haha!" Mars laughed heartily, "What great name is there? It's just my duty to work. Come on, come on, I've been waiting for you here for a long time, and your rest area has also been prepared for you within the branch. Cai Yutong will take you there and please make sure to have a good rest for a day, and we'll talk about anything tomorrow."