Rebel
Chapter 25: Ross City: Eden 13
by Lu, MarieIn the chapter *Ross City: Eden 13*, Eden finds himself in a tense confrontation with Hann, the notorious criminal leader of Ross City’s Undercity. Hann arrives at Eden’s makeshift chamber, dismisses his guards, and engages in a private conversation. He reveals that Eden’s brother is safe with the AIS, fulfilling his promise, and then surprises Eden by tossing him a purse filled with gold coins worth millions. Hann explains that the virtual currency of Ross City will soon become useless, making the gold a practical payment. Eden is stunned by the amount but wary of its implications, knowing Hann’s ruthless reputation.
Hann shocks Eden further by declaring he is free to leave whenever he wishes, despite Eden’s knowledge of Hann’s operations and location. Eden tests this claim by moving toward the door, expecting a trap, but Hann remains calm. He asserts that Eden will eventually return, drawn by a shared disdain for Ross City’s corrupt Level system and the suffering of the Undercity. Hann appeals to Eden’s desire for significance, suggesting he could escape his brother’s shadow and enact real change. Eden rejects the idea, but Hann’s words plant seeds of doubt.
The conversation takes a darker turn as Hann offers Eden a permanent position working for him, promising freedom, power, and the ability to help those he cares about, like his friend Pressa. He provides a contact number and reiterates that Eden is free to leave, emphasizing that he won’t force him to stay. Hann’s persuasive rhetoric challenges Eden’s morals, suggesting that refusing the offer would mean turning his back on a chance to reshape Ross City. Eden struggles internally, torn between his distrust of Hann and the allure of the opportunity.
Ultimately, Eden chooses to leave, stepping into the hallway where guards await to escort him. As he walks away, Hann’s haunting question lingers in his mind: *Who are you helping, exactly, by refusing my offer?* The chapter ends with Eden grappling with the weight of Hann’s proposition and the uncertain future of Ross City, leaving readers to ponder whether he will resist or succumb to Hann’s vision.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Hann offering Eden payment in gold corras instead of virtual currency?
Answer:
Hann’s choice to pay Eden in gold corras rather than virtual currency is highly symbolic and practical. He explains that Ross City’s virtual currency will soon become useless once the Level system is disabled, making tangible gold a more reliable form of wealth. This foreshadows Hann’s larger plan to dismantle the existing societal structure. Additionally, the sheer amount—potentially a million corras—represents both Hann’s immense resources and his attempt to tempt Eden with life-changing wealth, enough to secure safety for loved ones like Pressa and her father. The gold also carries moral weight, as Eden recognizes it is “dipped in the blood” of Hann’s victims, forcing him to confront the ethical implications of accepting it.2. How does Hann manipulate Eden during their conversation, and what psychological tactics does he employ?
Answer:
Hann employs several manipulative tactics to sway Eden. First, he frames Eden’s release as an act of trust, disarming suspicion by claiming, “I never intended for you to be my prisoner.” He then appeals to Eden’s ego, praising his talent and suggesting he’s been stifled living in his brother’s shadow. Hann also weaponizes Eden’s moral convictions, arguing they share a hatred for Ross City’s corrupt Level system and mistreatment of the poor. By presenting the job offer as a path to significance (“becoming one of the most prominent disrupters”), he taps into Eden’s desire for purpose. Finally, he uses reverse psychology, insisting Eden will return voluntarily—a challenge that plants doubt and curiosity, making refusal feel like self-betrayal.3. Analyze the chapter’s portrayal of power dynamics between Hann and Eden. How does their interaction subvert traditional prisoner-captor roles?
Answer:
The power dynamics between Hann and Eden defy expectations. While Hann holds literal control over Eden’s confinement, he relinquishes it by offering freedom—a move that paradoxically strengthens his influence. By dismissing the guards and framing Eden’s stay as hospitality (“the makeshift chamber he’s offered me”), Hann reframes their relationship as voluntary collaboration. Eden’s disbelief (“What kind of game do you want me to play?”) highlights how this subverts the typical prisoner-captor script. Hann further inverts the dynamic by positioning himself as a mentor figure who “sees [Eden] straight to [his] core,” exploiting Eden’s isolation and ideological frustrations. This manipulation of agency—giving Eden choices while steering his decisions—reveals Hann’s sophisticated grasp of psychological control beyond brute force.4. What internal conflict does Eden face after Hann’s offer, and how does the chapter foreshadow his potential moral crossroads?
Answer:
Eden’s internal conflict centers on his values versus his desires. While he rejects the blood money and insists, “We don’t have the same beliefs,” Hann’s arguments resonate with his deeper frustrations: feeling unseen, powerless to help Pressa, and constrained by Ross City’s inequality. The chapter foreshadows a moral crossroads through Eden’s hesitation—he memorizes Hann’s contact number despite his protests, and Hann’s final question (“Who are you helping by refusing my offer?”) lingers in his mind. This implies Eden may rationalize collaboration later, especially if Hann’s prediction of post-Level system chaos proves true. The shaking hands and whirling thoughts signal Eden’s vulnerability to Hann’s vision, setting up a future crisis of allegiance between family and radical change.5. How does the setting of Ross City’s Undercity and its Level system function as an antagonist in this chapter?
Answer:
The Level system—and the inequality it represents—acts as a silent antagonist, fueling both Hann’s rebellion and Eden’s ambivalence. Hann weaponizes Eden’s disdain for the system, citing its corruption and the suffering of the poor to justify his own extremism. The virtual currency’s impending obsolescence underscores the fragility of this society, making Hann’s gold (and his promise of a new order) more compelling. For Eden, the system’s failures are personal: it traps Pressa in the Undercity and perpetuates the “upper-class people [he] loathes.” This shared hatred creates an uneasy alignment between Eden and Hann, suggesting the true conflict isn’t just between characters, but between oppressive systems and the dangerous extremes of revolution.
Quotes
1. “I only pay in real gold corras. Soon, this place’s virtual currency will be useless after the Level system is disabled. I figure you’ll want real money instead.”
This quote highlights Hann’s calculated manipulation and foresight, showcasing his plan to dismantle Ross City’s socioeconomic structure. It introduces the impending collapse of the Level system, a central conflict in the story.
2. “Because you’ll be back… I know that you believe in the same things I believe in.”
Hann’s chilling prediction reveals his psychological manipulation of Eden, appealing to their shared disillusionment with Ross City’s corruption. This marks a pivotal moment where Eden’s internal conflict between morality and rebellion intensifies.
3. “You want to be a part of something significant, don’t you? All people with your talent desire to make a difference.”
This quote encapsulates Hann’s seductive rhetoric, targeting Eden’s deepest desires for purpose and recognition. It represents the chapter’s central theme of ideological seduction and the temptation of power.
4. “Who are you helping, exactly, by refusing my offer?”
The chapter’s haunting final line demonstrates Hann’s masterful use of moral ambiguity to destabilize Eden’s convictions. This rhetorical question lingers as both a threat and a genuine philosophical challenge about effective change.