The prospects of his new position as the Mayor of Atlas City were nothing short of bountiful.

The entire city — its people, soldiers, wealth, and influence — was now under his command.

But even as the thought of power coursed through him, Axton found himself quietly wondering about the boundaries of that authority.

Was this position permanent?

Or would his mayoral title vanish the moment he left the city's gates?

Could he recruit the people of Atlas — NPCs, soldiers, priests — and lead them beyond the city walls if he chose to?

Would they continue to obey his command even if he was no longer present in the city?

He had many questions bugging his mind. Yet, there was no one to provide answers.

The system had elevated him once again, but the path ahead was murky — like a vast, unexplored forest where every direction was uncertain.

Axton let out a quiet sigh and pushed those thoughts aside. There were more pressing matters that required his attention.

******

In the bustling streets of Atlas City, dozens of newly arrived players wandered aimlessly, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any quest markers.

They had come from distant newbie villages, eager to carve their names into the growing history of New Eden.

However, something felt different about Atlas.

Despite the crowd of adventurers, the city's NPCs hardly spared them a glance.

Guards stood by their posts with expressions of silent vigilance, merchants muttered distractedly, and priests hurried past with grim faces.

There was tension in the air — the kind that made even the most reckless player hesitate.

"Why isn't anyone giving out quests?" one player grumbled, his sword resting on his shoulder.

"Maybe the city's under lockdown or something?" another guessed.

"I guess this mayor's death got them all fucked up."

"But I don't have to pay for that, do I? I didn't kill the man."

"It's even more annoying since it's not under our control."

Their confusion only deepened when some NPCs they approached responded coldly or outrightly ignored them entirely.

"Please, just a small quest. Anything," a desperate archer pleaded with a passing soldier.

The man stopped only long enough to glare at him.

"The city has no time for adventurers right now. Leave us be."

That single reply spread among the crowd like wildfire. Something big was happening in Atlas. Something that had the NPCs shaken.

And then…

*Ding*

A bright digital window flashed in the sky above the city.

[World Announcement]

[Congratulations to Player Khan on becoming the new Mayor of Atlas City!]

The message echoed across the entire world of New Eden.

It repeated several times, impossible to ignore, and sent the global chat into chaos.

"What the hell?! He already became a city mayor?"

"No way. I thought only NPCs could hold those positions!"

"This game is rigged! They made it just for that guy!"

"I can't even get past level 15 and he's already running a city…"

"Mayor Khan, huh? That's insane."

******

(Star City)

Far away, in the bustling Star City, Trey had just finished one of his chain quests. He was on his way to meet an NPC merchant when the world announcement flared across the sky.

He stopped mid-step, looking up.

"Khan again, huh?" he muttered, his lips twisting into a faint smirk.

It was impressive, really — how fast that man was rising.

Every time Trey blinked since QueenBee brought his attention to that name, Axton was conquering a new frontier, achieving things no other player could dream of.

It was almost unnatural.

Shaking his head, Trey opened the Dragon Claw Guild Chat, curious about how the others were reacting.

As expected, the chat was blowing up.

[Dragon_Trey: You have to make Khan our ally, no matter what @Hart]

[QueenBee: @Dragon_Trey, We've already tried that. You know how that went. Straight down the drain.]

[Dragon_Trey: Then try again, @QueenBee. Whatever it takes. @Hart, you handle it.]

[Hart: Yes, sir.]

Trey nodded to himself, closing the chat window.

He trusted Hart's ability to handle the situation. However, Trey wasn't sure Khan was the type to be "handled."

Behind that same conversation, QueenBee exhaled sharply and slumped against the wall of her inn room.

She was tired — not physically, but mentally.

The name Khan had become a constant echo in her life. It followed her everywhere she went — in guild discussions, party strategies, even random tavern chatter.

And now he is the Mayor of Atlas City.

She rubbed the sides of her head. "Unbelievable."

That was part of the reason she didn't follow the others to Atlas City. She needed a break — space to carve her own path.

She was a healer with an A-rank talent, one of the rarest in the game. She knew her worth.

If she wanted, she could easily join any top-tier guild or start her own party. She was in a guild that was top-tier even.

But for now, she just wanted quiet.

She looked out the window, watching the sky over the city roofs. Somewhere out there, that infuriating man was turning an entire city upside down again.

******

Meanwhile, the man himself — the one who had just sent ripples through New Eden — was surprisingly calm about it all.

Axton stood in the grand hall of the mayor's estate, gazing at the holographic interface before him.

Rows of glowing text detailed his latest rewards.

[Rewards]

[You have earned 2,000 Reputation Points]

[10,000x Critical Hit Multiplier Activated]

[+20,000,000 Reputation Points Earned]

He gave a satisfied nod. "Not bad."

The mayoral title came with more than prestige — it came with influence, resources, and a growing number of choices.

But it also came with eyes watching from every corner.

Axton closed the window and turned toward the open doors of the estate.

Outside, he could already hear the distant murmur of the crowd — citizens and soldiers alike, waiting.

The entire city was eager to see the man who now wore the mantle of leadership.

He adjusted his clothes and stepped forward.

His boots echoed softly on the polished marble floor as he made his way toward the sunlight streaming through the entrance.

Every step carried a silent confidence — the confidence of someone who had once been powerless but now stood above kings.

As he emerged from the estate, the chatter grew louder.

Citizens of Atlas bowed their heads respectfully, while players watched from a distance, whispering amongst themselves.

Some in awe. Others in envy.

Axton's gaze swept over them — the city he had taken, the people who now followed him, and the endless possibilities that lay beyond.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

The system had given him a title, but power? Power was something he intended to seize on his own terms.

He raised his head high.

"People of Atlas," he began, his voice steady and clear.

"Your city will no longer live in fear or corruption. From this day forward, we rebuild — stronger than ever."

Cheers erupted through the plaza.

But beneath the applause and celebration, Axton's thoughts lingered on the questions that haunted him earlier.

Was this title truly his… or just another illusion in the game's grand design?

For now, it didn't matter.

******

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you all for the support to this point. <3

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