Systems for low-latency data access in distributed computing systems. A method embodiment commences upon generating a first storage area in local storage of a first computing node. Access to the first storage area is provided through the first computing node. A second storage area is generated wherein the second storage area comprises a first set of metadata that comprises local storage device locations of at least some of the local storage areas of the first storage area. A set of physical access locations of the second storage area is stored to a database that manages updates to the second set of metadata pertaining to the second storage area. Accesses to the first storage area are accomplished by querying the database to retrieve a location of the second set of metadata, and then accessing the first storage area through one or more additional levels of metadata that are node-wise collocated.