"He really did it! Hahaha!" The hunter laughed heartily.

"You really are something else, Khan."

Jackal, however, wasn't simply laughing out of joy.

He had been waiting for this very moment.

For reasons only he understood, the portal needed to open, and until it did, he had been bound to the village, unable to leave.

It was almost as though some unseen chain tethered him to the place until a player broke through the threshold and reached level 15.

And now, at long last, the chains were broken.

Jackal gave a fleeting look in the direction of the village before vanishing along with the portal. His horse also disappeared with him in a single streak of light.

The next moment, the hunter materialized in the heart of Atlas City.

The fresh air of the new city, the sight of towering walls, bustling streets, and countless spires stretched before him. Jackal exhaled deeply, savoring it.

"Finally…" he muttered, the corner of his lips curling upwards. "The city of Atlas."

*Gallop* *Gallop*

He mounted his horse without hesitation and guided it into the streets, hooves striking the stone road as he rode toward some unknown destination.

******

(Atlas City)

*Shing*

A pillar of radiant white light pierced a plaza, dazzling the crowd.

Gasps rang out as the brilliance faded, revealing Axton standing tall at its center.

His figure looked almost divine beneath the glow.

System notifications immediately filled his vision.

[Congratulations!]

[You have arrived at the City of Atlas]

[You are the first player to enter a city]

[You have received 10,000 reputation points and a world announcement]

[Do you wish to conceal your identity?]

[Yes / No]

Axton chuckled to himself. "Hide my identity? Who are they kidding? Everyone already knows I'm the only one who could have made it this far."

"No," he replied calmly.

Then his eyes widened slightly. "Damn… ten thousand reputation points? That's much more than I've ever gotten in one go."

*Ding*

[World Announcement!]

[Congratulations to player Khan for being the first to enter a city!]

[Congratulations to player Khan for receiving 10,000 reputation points!]

The announcement repeated several times, flashing across the skies of New Eden like a proclamation.

By now, however, the players scattered across the world had grown used to such feats from Axton.

His name had already become synonymous with impossible achievements.

Rather than shock, the announcement only deepened the sense of inevitability.

Of course it was him. Who else?

*Ding*

[You have gained 1,000,000 reputation points]

The familiar warmth of the 100x critical hit washed over him.

Axton's grin widened.

"Now that's what I'm talking about."

Reputation points were a currency that only mattered once a player entered a city. And now, as the very first to set foot inside Atlas, Axton had secured the sole ownership of the initial reward.

Even if another player were to enter a minute from this moment, they would receive nothing.

That privilege belonged to him alone.

*Ding*

[Reputation Store is now open!]

[Click to view]

His brow lifted. "Reputation store? What's that supposed to be?"

He tapped the icon.

*Click*

Astonishment immediately swept across his face.

Rows upon rows of items filled the virtual shelves.

Instead of coins, every price tag displayed reputation points.

"Holy crap…" he muttered.

Weapons, armor, rare consumables—all of them gleamed with different range of grades.

Some cost a mere thousand points.

Others demanded ten thousand.

And then, at the very top, prices soared into the millions.

But it wasn't the items themselves that stole his breath.

His eyes stopped on a section filled not with weapons, but with emblems — badges radiating authority.

…Positions of power.

He blinked. "You can… buy posts with reputation points?"

There it was, written clearly.

City Watch Captain, Merchant Guild Overseer, etc.

Even high-ranking political seats were listed.

The realization sent a ripple of excitement down his spine.

This game was no longer just about strength.

It was about influence.

******

While he scrolled through the store in fascination, a hard nudge struck his shoulder.

Axton turned his head, meeting the sharp gaze of a towering man clad in light armor.

His expression was cold and unyielding.

"Who are you?" the guard demanded sternly.

His hand rested casually… too casually, on the hilt of his blade.

Axton could tell instantly that this man was ready to strike at the slightest provocation.

"Are you from one of the villages?" the guard pressed, voice firm.

Axton gave a slow nod, but his mind was racing.

One wrong move and he'd be branded an intruder in the city and he had only just arrived.

Fighting a guard here would make things worse for him.

"Yes," he answered evenly. "Newbie Village #666, to be exact."

At the same time, his fingers danced through the store menu.

He didn't hesitate.

*Click* *Click*

[You purchased the position — Commander of the City Watch]

[Cost: 1,200,000 reputation points]

Axton made a bold move.

The single highest-ranking position available in the store.

He didn't just buy it to escape this sticky encounter.

Axton knew better than to underestimate what the system laid out before him.

If it was displayed, then sooner or later, he would need it.

Better to be prepared now than regret later.

A radiant insignia materialized in his palm.

Without missing a beat, he raised it before the guard's eyes.

The effect was immediate.

The man froze mid-breath, his body trembling as though struck by lightning.

A second later, his arrogance melted away, replaced by a pale face slick with sweat.

His posture crumbled, and with a loud thud, he dropped to one knee, bowing his head in deference.

"Forgive my insolence, Commander!"

Axton blinked, his mouth falling open. His mind stuttered for words.

'What… the… fuck?!'

The once menacing guard now looked like a terrified recruit begging for mercy.

Around them, the crowd watched in confusion.

Whispers spread like wildfire, citizens pointing and murmuring about the sudden appearance of a new Commander.

Axton, still reeling, slowly lowered his hand.

His pulse raced.

Just moments ago, he had been a stranger in this city.

Now, by the twist of fate and a handful of reputation points, he had reached into one of its highest positions of authority.

And he hadn't even taken his second step into Atlas.

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