THE GILDED LEGEND (Enternity Online)

Chapter 9 Dragon's Eye

"Hold your breath, Zara," Axel whispered softly.

A single blink, and the data world around them exploded into fragments of white light. When Axel's vision returned to normal, the scent of moss and the cold air of the Aethelgard Ruins had been replaced by the fragrance of incense and the constant clamor of the Aethelgard Central Plaza. They stood right in the middle of the deity fountain, where thousands of players usually gathered to trade or simply show off their gear.

"We're in the city center?" Zara asked, panting, her hand still gripping Axel's arm. "Axel, look ahead."

The plaza's noise suddenly dimmed, replaced by an unnerving silence. The crowd of players in front of them parted uniformly, as if a giant knife were slicing through the ranks. From that gap emerged an elite entourage wearing jet-black armor with blood-red accents. The symbol of a dragon's claw was clearly displayed on their chests.

"The Dragon Vanguard," Axel hissed.

In the middle of the formation, Liam Fury walked with a deliberate stride. He no longer looked tired as he had back in the ruins. His mage robe radiated a stable purple aura, and the magic staff in his hand glittered with gemstones. Behind him, at least twenty elite Level 200 players surrounded Axel and Zara in a perfect circular formation.

"Welcome back to civilization, Steele." Liam grinned widely, looking Axel up and down. "Or should I call you 'The Level 22 Bum' now?"

Axel didn't flinch. He could feel thousands of pairs of eyes from other players staring at them. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd.

‘Isn't that Ghostwalker? Why is his level so low?’

‘Look at his clothes, is he really starting from scratch?’

"You brought your entire circus entourage just to greet a low-level player, Liam? I'm flattered," Axel said with a flat, cutting tone.

Liam's face hardened. He stepped forward until only two meters separated them. "Don't mess with me. I know what you did in the ruins earlier. I saw the light. I felt the pressure. You stole something that wasn't yours, Steele!”

"I didn't steal anything. I just took what the system offered to anyone brave enough to let go of their comfort," Axel replied.

"Brave? You're a virus!" Liam shouted, his voice echoing across the plaza. "The Dragon Vanguard won't allow an independent player like you to ruin the server balance with vague code exploits. You are a threat to the stability of Eternity Online!”

"Stability?" Zara cut in, stepping forward beside Axel. "You mean the stability of your guild's monopoly over all the hunting zones and rare items? Don't use the word 'balance' to mask your fear of competition."

Liam turned toward Zara, his eyes narrowed with hatred. "Silence, Analyst Girl. You're just a pawn being used by this washed-up legend. Steele, hand over that Gilded integration data now, or I'll make sure your ID and your partner's ID are permanently blacklisted across all factions."

Axel felt a hot surge along his spine. His Gilded System pulsed, responding to Liam's threat with a spike of energy ready to explode. "Not now," Axel commanded internally. He gripped his own hand, which had begun to tremble from the internal energy pressure. If he unleashed Bladed Dance here, in front of thousands of witnesses, the Operator would detect it as a critical anomaly and immediately delete his account.

"You're threatening me with guild politics?" Axel laughed shortly, a laugh that didn't reach his eyes. "Have you forgotten who I am, Liam? I built my name without the help of a single major guild. You think your petty threats will make me tremble?"

"The world has changed, Steele! You're not the ruler here anymore!" Liam raised his staff, its tip glowing dark purple. "Look around you. You are surrounded by my best players. One snap of my fingers, and you'll be back at square one before you can even blink!”

The members of the Dragon Vanguard simultaneously drew their weapons. The clang of metal and the hum of magic filled the air. The spectator players backed away in fear, creating a wide empty zone in the middle of the plaza.

"Liam, stop this." Zara whispered, her eyes fixed on her system panel, which was starting to show a data interference warning. "You're drawing the attention of the central system. If you attack a low-level player in a safe zone with full force, the city guards will wipe you all out."

"I am the law in this city!" Liam roared. However, he didn't attack immediately. He knew Zara was right. Attacking in the central plaza would trigger the city's automatic defense mechanisms, controlled by the system AI.

Axel stared into Liam's eyes, searching for a crack behind the man's obsession. "You desperately want to know the secret of my power, don't you? You're afraid because you know, even with my low level, you could never touch me if I were serious."

"Arrogant words for someone who can only run and hide!" Liam gritted his teeth. "Fine. If you truly feel you still have your fangs, let's settle this the legal way. The way that will be witnessed by every resident of Eternity Online."

Liam lowered his staff, but his aura of hostility only intensified. He turned toward the crowd of players and shouted with a magically amplified voice.

"Hear ye, hear ye! Our former legend, Ghostwalker, claims he has found a way to surpass the level cap! He thinks we're all just slow garbage!"

"I never said that," Axel muttered, but his voice was drowned out by Liam's provocative cheers.

"I, Liam Fury, in the name of the Dragon Vanguard, challenge Axel Steele to an open duel in the Aethelgard Central Arena!" Liam turned back toward Axel, his face triumphant. "Tomorrow afternoon. In front of the public. If you win, I'll stop bothering you. But if you lose ... you must hand over access to your Gilded System and delete your account forever."

The plaza erupted in a low roar of speculation. This challenge was the biggest news in Eternity's history this year.

"Axel, don't," Zara whispered anxiously. "It's a trap. He has anti-Agility gear he just bought from the black market. He set all of this up."

Axel stared at Liam's outstretched hand, waiting for the agreement. He could feel the Gilded energy inside him creeping to his fingertips, as if the system itself was hungry for proof. He had to restrain himself from shattering the marble floor beneath his feet with a single stomp.

"The stakes are too small, Liam," Axel said coldly.

Liam frowned. "What do you mean?"

"If I win, I don't just want you to stop bothering me." Axel stepped forward, closing the distance until their breaths overlapped. "I want the Dragon Vanguard to disband their entire blockade at the Aethelgard Ruins and allow all independent players to enter without taxation."

Liam fell silent for a moment. That was his guild's biggest source of income. However, his thirst for the Gilded power and his wounded ego were far greater. "Deal. Tomorrow afternoon, Steele. Prepare yourself to fall deeper than when you reset your account!”

Liam signaled his men to retreat. With one arrogant wave of his hand, the Dragon Vanguard entourage left the plaza, leaving Axel and Zara in the middle of the crowd.

"Why did you accept?" Zara looked at Axel, her eyes glistening with anger and anxiety. "You're not ready, Axel! Your Gilded synchronization has only reached the first phase. If you push yourself against an elite mage in the arena, your physical body could suffer neural failure!"

Axel stared at his palm. A residue of golden light still flickered faintly there, invisible to others.

"He's right about one thing, Zara," Axel whispered softly. "I can't keep hiding. If I want to stop whatever the Operator is planning, I have to become a massive anomaly.”

Axel turned, walking through the crowd without looking back. He knew that from this moment on, every heartbeat in his real body was being staked in a deadly digital circus show.