Low-Tier Jobs and the First Real Viewers

When the academy rejection came through, Aiden got exactly one system message. ["Due to insufficient overall rank, you have been assigned to the municipal emergency collaboration pool. You will be dispatched to low-tier public tasks. Best wishes for your future."] The word “best wishes” read like an insult. Three days later, his first official assignment arrived. Location: Clayton City, South District, outside Dock 7 at the old flood channel. Task: Fix a drainage pump failure and evacuate three stranded workers before the storm front hits. Rank: D. Livestream: enabled. Aiden stood at the edge of the flood channel in a borrowed gray tactical rain shell, listening to the distant hum of drone spectators.