Nodding once to the crowd below, Axton stepped away from the balcony. His mayoral address had reached its end, and as his figure disappeared behind the grand marble pillars of the estate, the murmuring crowd began to scatter.

Citizens of Atlas City—merchants, craftsmen, adventurers, and common folk—slowly drifted back to their shops, homes, and guild halls. The energy that filled the plaza moments ago began to fade into the steady hum of city life.

Inside the mayor's estate, Axton exhaled deeply. He sank into a wide, cushioned couch that seemed to swallow him whole, its soft fabric a relief after hours of standing under the sun. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to close his eyes.

He wasn't just tired from the speech; the responsibilities of running a city were far heavier than he had expected. Yet, they were also intoxicating. Power had a way of making exhaustion feel worthwhile.

After a few moments of quiet rest, Axton opened his eyes and said calmly, "Bring in the members of the Dragon Claw Guild."

The guards posted near the door gave a sharp salute before hurrying off. Axton leaned back, drumming his fingers lightly on the armrest as he thought.

'Let's see what these ambitious players want this time.'

It didn't take long before heavy boots echoed through the hallway. Moments later, the door opened, revealing Hart and the rest of the Dragon Claw Guild members.

They stepped in cautiously. Though they had met Axton several times before, his presence as mayor—his control over an entire city—carried a weight that made them stand straighter than usual.

Axton gestured casually toward the couches opposite him. "Please, sit."

They obeyed, their movements careful and respectful.

Once everyone was settled, Axton's sharp eyes moved from face to face, lingering finally on Hart.

"What was it you wanted to discuss?"

Hart swallowed lightly before speaking. "Equipment," he said, steady but formal. "We're looking to buy items from you."

Axton tilted his head slightly, studying the man's composure. His tone was even, but his eyes carried a quiet urgency.

Leaning back, Axton crossed one leg over the other. "How many items are we talking about?"

Hart didn't hesitate.

"Whatever you have," he replied. "We'll take them all."

The words hung in the air like a challenge.

Axton's gaze narrowed slightly as he observed them. 'All of them?'

Either they were desperate, or they had finally realized just how valuable his gear really was.

He smiled faintly. "You're sure you can pay for everything I offer?"

Hart glanced at his guildmates, then back at Axton.

In his mind, Trey's voice echoed. "Do whatever it takes to make Axton our ally."

Money wasn't a problem. Not for Dragon Claw. Backed by Crystal — known in-game as QueenBee — and Trey's powerful family, their resources ran deep, practically endless.

Hart straightened his posture. "Payment won't be an issue."

Axton raised an eyebrow. "Very well."

He brought up his interface.

The faint sound of a ding filled the room as his inventory unfolded before him in shimmering blue light.

With a few deft gestures, dozens — then hundreds — of items materialized into the air around him. Swords, armor sets, staffs glowing faintly with mana, rare accessories, consumables — an armory that could outfit an entire army.

Hart and his guildmates were speechless.

"What the fuck…" one of them muttered under his breath.

Another shook his head, eyes wide. "How does he even have all of this?"

The air seemed to vibrate with the faint hum of magical energy. Even for veteran players, this was a treasure hoard beyond comprehension.

Some of them exchanged glances, while others were too stunned to speak. Eventually, Hart managed to compose himself, though his mind raced with disbelief.

'Just how strong has this guy become?'

******

They spent what felt like hours negotiating. Every weapon, every piece of armor, every rare trinket had to be valued.

Axton didn't rush it. He watched Hart squirm occasionally as he adjusted the figures—raising a price here, lowering it there—until finally, they arrived at the total.

…$6 million.

Even Hart had to swallow hard at that number.

The sheer quantity of items had driven the price sky-high, but they had agreed. They would buy everything.

Axton had, of course, made some clever adjustments. The more valuable items were genuine high-grade gear—but several others had been slightly… modified.

Items he had already extracted skills from were sold at reduced stats.

To an untrained eye, the difference was negligible. To him, it was a perfect way to profit from leftovers.

He smiled politely. "So," he asked, voice calm, "what's your decision?"

Hart hesitated only a moment before opening his guild chat.

[Dragon Claw Guild Chat]

[Hart: Negotiations complete. He's offering everything for 6 mil.]

[Dragon_Trey: 6 million? For all the items?]

[Hart: Yes.]

[Dragon_Trey: Fine. Tell him we'll take it. Doesn't matter the cost. Secure the deal.]

Relief washed over Hart's face as he saw the confirmation. He turned off the chat and looked up at Axton.

"We'll take it all," he said.

Axton's expression remained composed, but inside, his pulse quickened.

'Six million…'

The thought of that number alone was almost dizzying.

"Excellent," he replied smoothly. "Let's complete the transaction."

A notification appeared a few moments later.

*Ding*

[You have received $6,000,000.]

Axton almost burst out laughing. He wanted to jump, to shout, to celebrate. But he held it in.

Instead, he calmly transferred the items to each member of the Dragon Claw Guild. When the last piece vanished from his inventory, Axton extended his hand.

Hart stood and shook it firmly.

"Pleasure doing business with you, Mayor."

"The pleasure's mine," Axton replied with a knowing smile.

As the guild members filed out of the room, Axton finally let his composure slip.

The moment the door shut behind them, he threw his hands up in triumph.

"S-Six… million!!" he whispered, barely containing himself. His grin widened as the reality settled in.

Six million dollars for virtual items!

He leaned back in his chair, laughing quietly.

But the celebration didn't last long.

*Ding*

A new notification appeared before him.

[Player Kiran of the Grand Nexus Guild requests entry into Atlas City.]

[Note: As the city's mayor, you may choose to accept or reject this request.]

[Accept / Reject]

Axton's smile faded, replaced by a calculating expression. His eyes scanned the name again.

He recognized a name there instantly. The guild name beside it only confirmed his suspicion — Grand Nexus Guild.

Axton sighed and rubbed his temple. "Of course. Those idiots again."

His mind flashed back to his earlier encounters with them—their arrogance, their repeated failures, and especially Silva, the so-called prodigy who couldn't back up his talk.

"These troublemakers never learn," Axton muttered.

"And I'm not in the mood to babysit anyone today."

Without hesitation, he tapped [Reject].

[Player Kiran's request has been denied].

Then, opening the city's management interface, he adjusted the access permissions. From now on, only members affiliated with the Dragon Claw Guild would be allowed to teleport into Atlas City.

The reasoning was simple.

Dragon Claw had become more than just business partners—they were his allies, his source of wealth, and perhaps even the foundation of the power he was slowly building within New Eden.

"Let's keep it that way," he murmured.

******

Meanwhile, miles away, in another corner of the game world.

"Rejected?!"

Kiran's furious voice echoed through the wooden walls of the inn he occupied. He slammed his fist against the table, shaking a mug of ale onto the floor.

"Who the hell does he think he is?!" he roared. "Just because he's mayor of some damn city, he thinks he can decide who comes and goes?"

His guildmates exchanged uneasy glances.

Kiran's temper was infamous. But this time, it wasn't just anger—it was humiliation.

He had been planning this for weeks.

Axton — the player who had humiliated Grand Nexus in the newbie village — was supposed to be his next target.

Silva had failed multiple times. Now, it was Kiran's turn to redeem their guild's name.

And Axton had just shut him out.

Kiran gritted his teeth. "He thinks he can hide behind city walls? We'll see about that."

One of his guildmates spoke cautiously. "We can still teleport to other cities. Maybe we—"

"Shut it," Kiran snapped. "Atlas is where he is. And that's where I have to be."

He opened his interface, scrolling through the rankings. Axton's name glowed among the top players.

'Level 30.'

Kiran clenched his jaw. That number was rising far too fast. Every minute Axton remained untouched, he became harder to kill.

'If I don't take him down now, I might never get the chance again.'

He slammed his fist into his palm. "Fine. If he won't let me in through the front gate…"

His eyes narrowed. "Then I'll find another way."

The room fell silent. Even his guildmates didn't dare to speak.

Kiran's expression twisted into something dark.

"Enjoy your city while you can, Khan" he said coldly.

"Because soon, it's going to burn."

******

Back in Atlas City, Axton stretched and looked out the tall window of the room.

The city below was alive — streets filled with vendors, adventurers bartering, guards patrolling, banners fluttering in the breeze.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.

The $6 million deal was only the beginning.

With enough resources, he could upgrade the city, strengthen its defenses, expand trade, and maybe even carve out his own dominion across New Eden.

A slow, confident smile formed on his face.

As the sun began to set over the skyline of Atlas, golden light spilled through the windows, glinting off his armor.

Axton turned away from the view, his mind already calculating his next move.

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