"The 32nd floor in the Abaram dungeon was cleared today by Mr. Kamizawa."

"Mr. Kamizawa can you spare a few words to the aspiring dungeon divers out there listening to our program?" said the the person interviewing he number 1 dungeon diver in the world.

"Yes, I would like to caution everyone to be more careful with dungeon diving. I know it is profitable and an inspiring profession but the death rate of dungeon divers has been continuously increasing over the years." said Mr. Kamizawa

I stared on at the TV Channel 1. This was the only channel that you could watch for free in the country.

Every other channel on TV needed a subscription provider. That in itself was a fairly cheap price. Sadly not one I could afford.

I take in my room, single room small apartment in a sh*t poor country and minimum wage job that could barely afford life itself.

It must be nice to be a dungeon diver.

"So Mr. Kamizawa can you tell us a bit about the 32nd dungeon floor and the difficulties you experienced?" asked the showman

"Well Ray, you see the 32nd floors mostly covered in flames so fire resistance equipment is of essence but due to guild regulations I can't say much about the monsters inside, but I can tell you ..." 

*BAM* *BAM*

"Frank, open the damn door I know you're not at work" I heard an angry yelling from outside the door.

'Dammit, fuck!!! it's the landlord. And always this timing, can't I at least watch the rest of the program'

I wondered for a moment whether I should stay quiet and pretend I'm asleep or out of the room.

*squick* *squick*

I look at the door handle trying to be opened but unable since I stuck the key inside.

*BAM* *BAM* *BAM*

"Frank open up the damn door, I know you're inside!!!" I heard the landlord yell angrily again.

I stood up and looked myself in the mirror hanging on the wall, a slightly older teen, grown a bit chubby withered from long hours at demeaning jobs trying to survive, but still keeping that sharp gleam in the eyes.

'Dammit, our contract says she's not allowed to enter here without a notice, why is she trying to budge my door open.'

I put on a jacket and open the door. I see my landlord, or rather landlady. The old coot, always so pesky. I swear I'll move away one day.

"Okay so this is the room I wanted to show you. You can step inside and have a look you can move in by tomorrow if you like it." the landlady said

I look behind her noticing a young girl looking about bashful at the situation but saying nothing.

"Hey why are you bringing people here?" I ask her angry

"I'm kicking you out as soon as someone is willing to take this place off you. What did you think you'd stay here indefinitely freeloading?" asked the landlady before she shoved me inside bringing inside the young girl to look at the place.

My room wasn't anything special. A bed, a TV, and a mirror with a small detached bathroom on the side. A bit of a mess due to the unexpected situation, thought now this might favour me instead.

"It's a bit messy" said the young girl

"Ignore that my love. I will clean it up before you move in. I promise you it will be fixed by the time you move in." said the landlady with a gentle tone

The girl gave a look around again and looked me in the eyes for a short moment. Then quickly turned her head away and said to the landlady.

"I'll take it." my face paled

I turned to the landlady and quickly begged. " Miss Silener, please give me a few more days. My pay is coming up and I'll pay you what I owe you please!"

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"You had your chance. Pack up. If you're not out of here by the end of today I'll call the police and get you out by force." she said dismissively without a care. I could see the blank look on her face that didn't care about my life or death.

I looked on blankly and stood in place staring silently as they left the room past me, going off to sign the papers for the rent.

*Haaaaah*

"... and Mr. Kamizawa..." I switched off the TV.

'This would have never happened if it weren't for that idiot. Why did I trust him.'

I say to myself quietly thinking of that moron going off selling drugs. Why don't you just work like a normal person. Why did you do that and then ask me to bail you out.

Fuck*ng moron. I tell myself again. 20 years old with a wife and kids. How can you live like that. And even went and ditched me on everything after all that...

'Yeah. I am too trusting. Too good to my friends. That is why I decided I will keep people away. I won't care about people. It's as if every sh*tty person is attracted to me'

Now I gotta deal with this mess. Come on Frank. Start from nothing. Again. No matter how many times you fall. You can rise up. You can try again and again and again. We only need to win 1 time to succeed in life.

'Yes. no matter what happens. No matter what happens or how hard it is. As long as it is legal and morally justified I will bear through it.'

5 hours later.

I looked outside my apartment, it is night time. The weather is cloudy. I got my belongings out with me. Which is basically just some clothes and anything I can carry. Really what would I do with anything else wandering the streets without a home.

I looked on as the landlady closed the door. The cold chilling wind brushing against my face and running through my clothes giving me some chills.

The loud traffic from the cars, the dirty air. I move to the main streets meshing in the crowd of people. Passing by the dark alleyways.

I'm depressed and the world looks grey. Beggars on the street living miserably. Drunkards fighting, I hear yelling from the distance before quickly deciding to move away from the place.

I'm headed to work. Yes I don't have a home. Yes I don't have money. Yes I am tired. Yes I am depressed. Yes I haven't eaten in 5 days.

But, I have a job. And I'm getting paid in a few days. Once I have my paycheck I will be able to eat and if I am lucky find somewhere where I can sleep. If not, I could try to sleep at work or somewhere near the place, or even ask for help from one of my colleagues.

'Yes Frank, Don't give up hope. You don't trust humanity. You never got anything good from anyone. You're the only person who has actually given anything to anyone. But, you gotta try. At least try.' I tell myself. Not believing anyone would help me for even a second. But I wouldn't forgive myself either if I don't at least try.

I reached my job after a 6 hour trek. Walking all night without sleeping and being starved. I finally reach my job, just about when my shift will start to boot.

I go inside clocking in. I sit down on the table in the canteen and look around.

'Who can I talk to to help me out?' I ask myself

"Hey guys did you watch the Monster Hunters show last night. They were interviewing Mr. Kamizawa the number 1 dungeon diver who just cleared the 32nd floor in the Abaram Dungeon !!!" said Josh

"Oh yeah, man that was awesome. I wonder what resources they will find inside the 32nd floor. Do you think it will affect the market prices?" asked Tom

"No way. They have to find a mine deposit. Look at the history logs. They're mostly found on every 5th floor somewhere hidden. The chances on the other floors are a lot smaller." said Josh replying

'I knew these guys, usually follow the news and they said something about the market. maybe Forex market. A lot of the dungeon resources have been added as free trade. But you need a lot of cash to do it and skill'

"Hey guys" I go to them. " Can I sit with you for a moment" I ask, with a bit of hope in my voice.

"Hmmm, yeah, sure. They look at me a bit confused." So I heard you guys talking about the show last night. " I actually didn't hear the monster description since I was busy. Did you guys manage to catch anything?"

"Oh yeah, they found some Fire Bats and Salamanders inside. They didn't say a lot about the special monsters thought. Must be some pretty special drops from them." said Josh who seemed a bit more open than Tom for a conversation.

We talked about the show for a while and some random topics before I asked them." Guys, listen I have been meaning to ask you for a favour. Is there any chance you have a spare room at your place. I've had a bit of an issue with my rent and really need to find a place to stay asap for a few days." I said feeling a bit withered.

They looked at me for a bit. Obviously becoming uncomfortable a bit with me. " No, sorry man. But I can't do anything to help you out at this time." Said Josh. Tom just stared blankly and shook his head at me.

I guess this didn't work out.

I went around trying to speak to other colleagues before work began. Sadly none were willing to help out.

Finally it was time to start working. I went inside and started doing my job as usual. It was pretty hard work inside a warehouse and fast paced environment.

As I was doing my order mid shift. A manager came to me. "Mr. Nouman?"

I turned around looking at my manager and replied confirming my surname. "Yes"

"Mr. Nouman. You haven't been performing well the past few days. Your performance has been down by 50% of the average expectations." said my manager taking a breath before continuing.

"Mr. Nouman. I will have to dismiss you from work due to low performance. I am sorry, but this will be your last shift here." said the manager before briskly walking away leaving me too stunned to reply.

I finished my shift. And walked out of my work palce still being stunned at the events till now.

I lost my home. I lost my job. I lost a friend. I thought back, having a mid day fantasy. How would it feel like to be a dungeon diver.

I could hack monster after monster without a care in the world. I could go on TV shows, have good friends to watch my back and look people dead in the eyes without shame and knowing I am indeed standing on the top making a change in the world, being the best of myself.