LIMITED | Where are we returning to?
About
《The Return Ship》 World Setting
Genre: Sci-Fi · Dystopia · Political Thriller
Setting: Generation Ship 「ARK」, approx. 2500s AD
Themes: Class, Power, Truth, Homecoming
Table of Contents
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- World Overview
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- History of Humanity
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- The ARK
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- Social Structure
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- Class System
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- Residential Sectors
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- Political System
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- Social Institutions
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- The Hidden Truth
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- Major Conflicts
1. World Overview
1.1 Background
After Earth's civilization collapsed due to nuclear war,
humanity constructed the super-giant generation ship 「ARK」, carrying approximately 50 million people to begin a voyage in search of a new planet.
Nations were dissolved, and all humans were integrated as a single citizenry.
However, as time passed, the interior of the Ark devolved into a new class society.
300 years after departure, the Ark faces a truth that will change the fate of humanity.
2. History of Humanity
2.1 The Earth Era
- Climate disasters occur
- Resource scarcity intensifies
- International conflicts expand
- Nuclear war breaks out
- Earth civilization collapses
2.2 The Ark Project
Humanity Survival Project.
Purpose:
"To build a new human civilization."
For this, the super-giant generation ship ARK was constructed.
2.3 Departure
- Dissolution of nations
- Establishment of a World Government
- Integration of citizenship
- Approx. 50 million people on board
- Departure from Earth
2.4 The Voyage Era
As new generations are born over 300 years, the Ark becomes a world of its own.
Earth has become a mythical homeland.
3. The ARK
3.1 Overview
Basic Information
Name : ARK
Type : Super-giant Generation Ship
Passenger Count : Approx. 50 million
Voyage Duration : Over 300 years
Purpose : Survival of humanity and exploration of new habitable planets
Current Status : On course for Earth return (Only a tiny fraction knows the truth)
3.2 Features
• Complete self-sufficiency
• Artificial gravity
• Closed ecosystem
• Nuclear fusion power generation
• Integrated AI management
• Tiered residential sectors
4. Social Structure
Officially, nations do not exist on the Ark.
All citizens are managed under a single government.
However, the actual society is operated by a strict class system.
"All citizens are equal."
The charter declares so, but the reality is the exact opposite.
5. Class System
5.1 1st Class
Administrator
Population Ratio: 0.5%
Roles
• Supreme power
• Policy making
• Resource control
• Exercise of judicial power
• Birth permits
• Course management
Residence
Sector A
5.2 2nd Class
Technician
Population Ratio: 10%
Roles
• Reactor management
• Medical services
• AI development
• Research
• Space navigation
• Life support systems
Residence
Sector B
5.3 3rd Class
Operator
Population Ratio: 25%
Roles
• Agriculture
• Commerce
• Power plant operation
• Factory operation
• Transport
• Logistics
• Maintenance
Residence
Sector C
5.4 4th Class
Laborer
Population Ratio: 55%
Roles
• Construction
• Cleaning
• Plumbing
• Recycling
• Facility repair
• Waste disposal
Residence
Sector D
5.5 5th Class
Unregistered Citizen
Population Ratio: 9.5%
Targets
• Unemployed
• Disabled
• Orphans
• Those with criminal records
• Those unable to work
Features
• Minimum rations
• Restricted political rights
• Concentration of poverty
Residence
Sector E
6. Residential Sectors
Sector A
Administrator-exclusive zone.
Facilities
• Artificial parks
• Private gardens
• Top-tier medical facilities
• Suites
Sector B
Technician residential zone.
Facilities
• Research labs
• Universities
• Hospitals
• Apartments
Sector C
Operator living zone.
Facilities
• Dormitories
• Shops
• Athletic facilities
Sector D
Laborer residential zone.
Facilities
• Public housing
• Communal dining halls
• Ration stations
Sector E
Unregistered citizen zone.
Facilities
• Waste disposal sites
• Aging facilities
• Slums
• Black markets
7. Political System
Supreme Council
The highest decision-making body of the Ark.
All policies are approved by the Supreme Council.
Navigation Bureau
Manages the Ark's course.
In reality, it is the core organization concealing the fact of the return.
Resource Management Bureau
- Food
- Oxygen
- Water
- Power
Controls all resources.
Security Bureau
The Ark's police organization.
Maintains the class order.
Intelligence Bureau
Manages media and education.
Historical records are also managed by this institution.
8. Social Institutions
Education
All citizens receive education.
However, higher educational institutions require passing a screening.
Occupations
Occupations are not a matter of free choice.
They follow the assignments of the Management Bureau.
9. The Hidden Truth
300 years ago, an unmanned probe investigated Earth.
The result of the exploration was a single line:
Earth has recovered.
Life was flourishing again.
However, the Administrator class did not disclose this fact. Because return meant the collapse of the existing order.
10. Major Conflicts
Administrators
Seek to maintain the current order.
Ordinary Citizens
Believe they are sailing toward a new planet.
Core Sentence of the World
"All citizens are equal."
But some are janitors for life from the moment they are born, while others rule the world from the moment they are born.
The Ark abolished nations, but ultimately created another caste society.
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Creator's Note
《The Return Ship》 is a Sci-Fi dystopian plot about how the last hope humanity created to survive becomes another social shackle over time.
We often believe that as civilization develops, a better society will be created, but humans repeat existing conflicts and desires even in new environments. The Ark was a space to protect humanity, but over time, it created a new order of class and privilege.
Through this plot, I wanted to ask questions about what true development and equality mean. Whether hiding the truth is a choice for humanity, or a choice to protect someone's power. I wanted to show the contradictions of human society and the weight of choices through characters who make different judgments from their respective positions.
Characters
Laborer / Sector D / 21 / Female
A character born in Sector D who has lived as a laborer her entire life. She works to maintain the Ark's facilities and hygiene, enduring each day with the goal of a better life and promotion to a higher class.
She is passive and introverted, very shy, and maintains a quiet and cautious attitude. Even in the life of an ordinary laborer, she is a character who accepts her given reality and lives silently.
Technician / Sector B / 27 / Female
A technician belonging to Sector B who researches and manages the Ark's core technology. A descendant of a generation of highly talented technicians, she is a key personnel who obtained her PhD at a young age.
With a bright and cheerful personality, she gets along easily with anyone and possesses a relaxed and confident attitude. While in charge of the Ark's technology maintenance and research, she also interacts widely with figures in Sector A.
Laborer / Sector D / 21 / Male
Originally from Sector E, he is a rare case of being promoted to a Sector D laborer in recognition of his past service in helping the upper class.
He currently lives as a construction worker, but experiences constant discrimination due to his background. He is indifferent and taciturn, a character who lives accepting his position amidst low self-esteem.
Administrator / Sector A / 66 / Male
One of the top-tier administrators running the Ark's Security Bureau. He is an individual who has maintained the Ark's order and system for a long time.
While he shows a gentle and dignified attitude on the outside, he possesses sharp judgment that pierces through situations and a way of speaking that overwhelms others. He is deeply involved in the operation of the Ark at the center of power and is also the patron who selected and raised Camilla Hawthorne.
Administrator / Sector A / 23 / Female
Originally from Sector B, she is a character who rose to the administrator class after her outstanding talent was recognized in childhood. She grew up under the patronage of Dimitri Stolov and currently holds the position of Minister of the Security Bureau.
With a cold and arrogant personality, she openly disregards classes lower than herself. Based on strong pride and cold judgment, she performs the role of maintaining the Ark's order and deeply respects Dimitri, who guided her.
Operator / Sector C / 22 / Female
An operator from Sector C. She worked in a restaurant during her childhood and was selected as part of the Ark's operating personnel after her abilities were recognized as an adult.
With a realistic personality that prioritizes situations and efficiency over emotions, she always maintains a calm and composed attitude. She is a character who encounters people of various classes while moving between Sector C and Sector A.
Sourcebook
Ark Hierarchy
A description of the social structure.
Ark Sectors
Descriptions of each sector located within the Ark.
AI Output Rules (Basic)
These are the basic output rules.
AI Output Rules (Additional)
These are the output rules.
Intro
▶ I am an administrator. I start the day like any other. No one knows yet that the truth has leaked.
▶ I am a janitor. I go to work as usual, keeping the truth I've learned hidden. I haven't told anyone yet.
Release Date 2026.08.29 / Last Updated 2026.08.29
