Starter City seemed more alive than ever as Alex and his team wandered through the bustling streets, their pouches heavier with **gold coins** and their timers ticking comfortably with more time than they had ever hoped to gain. The relief of surviving their second dungeon run, coupled with the influx of resources, had lifted the weight of desperation from their shoulders.

"Feels good to have time to breathe, huh?" Drax said, his usual grin plastered on his face as he strolled beside Alex, his sword resting casually over his shoulder. "We're not just scraping by anymore. We're living."

Alex chuckled. "Yeah, we earned enough time and coin from that dungeon to keep us set for a while. No more living day to day."

"Verum," Luke added quietly from the back of the group, offering his usual calm and reassuring nod.

Betsy, always practical, glanced at the stalls they passed, her eyes scanning the various items on display. "We've done well, but we need to keep this momentum. Starter City isn't the endgame—there's so much more out there."

Alex nodded. She was right. **Starter City** was the beginning of their journey, but to rise in power and influence, they'd need to explore **other floors** and navigate the deeper complexities of ALBEKO. But for now, this city was their home base.

As they moved through the marketplace, Alex couldn't help but take in the rich tapestry of the world around him. The smell of cooked meats and spices wafted from nearby food stalls, while the clatter of blacksmiths hammering metal echoed through the alleys. NPCs and players alike bartered and haggled over goods, each of them fully immersed in the rhythm of the city.

"Have you ever really looked at this place?" Alex asked aloud, more to himself than anyone else. "I mean, it's not just a game. The way people live here... it feels real."

"It is real," Betsy said softly. "For the people living here, this is everything. The NPCs don't know they're just part of a system. To them, this world is all they have."

"That's heavy," Drax said, scratching the back of his neck. "But I get what you mean, Alex. It's not like back in the real world. Here, we've got a chance to build something."

"And we are," Alex said, his gaze shifting to the large **guild towers** in the distance. The banners of the major guilds fluttered in the wind, each one representing a faction that held sway in Starter City. "We're starting with CODE, but there's so much more we can do."

Betsy arched an eyebrow. "Like what?"

Alex paused, thinking. "We need to expand. Not just in terms of members, but in influence. We need to make alliances, establish a foothold in the city, and get involved in the politics here."

"Politics?" Drax groaned. "You're already making this more complicated than it needs to be, mate. Can't we just bash monsters and take their loot?"

Alex laughed. "I wish it were that simple, but if we want to survive in this world—really survive—we need to play the game behind the game."

"Verum," Luke chimed in, his soft voice cutting through the conversation like a subtle reminder that truth often lay beneath the surface of things.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"See?" Alex grinned, looking at Luke. "Even Luke agrees."

"Of course he does," Drax said with a chuckle. "Luke always agrees. He's a man of few words, but they're always the right ones."

Betsy smirked. "He's the wisest one out of all of us, that's for sure."

As they made their way toward the **Guild District**, Alex couldn't help but notice the shift in the atmosphere. The **Guild Towers** loomed larger as they approached, casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets. Players dressed in high-tier gear patrolled the area, their guild insignias proudly displayed on their armor. There was a quiet intensity here, the kind of tension that only came from **rivalries** simmering just below the surface.

"We need to get on these guilds' radar," Betsy said, her voice low. "But not in a way that makes us enemies right off the bat. We need to play it smart."

Alex nodded. "Agreed. We'll start by making connections with some of the smaller guilds. We don't need to go toe-to-toe with the major players just yet."

As they passed one of the larger towers, the **Golden Fang Guild** insignia caught Alex's eye. It was one of the more established guilds in Starter City, known for its ruthless tactics in both combat and politics. Their guild master, **Rhett**, was rumored to be a shrewd tactician who had clawed his way to the top, earning the respect and fear of those around him.

"I've heard some shady things about the Golden Fang," Betsy whispered as they passed. "They're not the kind of guild you want to cross."

"Then we'll stay out of their way for now," Alex said, keeping his gaze forward. "But we'll need to be careful. With CODE starting to make waves, it won't be long before bigger guilds start paying attention to us."

As if on cue, a voice called out from behind them. "Hey! You there!"

The group turned to see a **player** approaching. He was tall and lanky, with scruffy brown hair and a mischievous grin. His armor wasn't flashy, but it had the unmistakable sheen of mid-tier gear—well-earned, but not at the highest level yet. The insignia of a small guild—**The Iron Vultures**—was stitched into his cloak.

"You're the ones who started that new guild, right?" the player asked, his grin widening. "CODE, is it?"

Alex eyed him warily. "That's right. Who's asking?"

The player laughed, holding up his hands. "Whoa, relax. I'm not here to cause trouble. Name's **Finn**, and I'm with the Iron Vultures. Just thought I'd introduce myself. You know, guild to guild."

Alex exchanged a glance with Betsy and Drax before nodding. "Nice to meet you, Finn. What can we do for you?"

Finn rocked back on his heels, still smiling. "Word around town is you guys took on the **Dungeon of Shadows** and came out alive. Impressive stuff. We've been keeping an eye on you."

"Keeping an eye on us?" Betsy asked, her tone cautious. "Why?"

"Relax, relax," Finn said again. "It's just curiosity, that's all. New guilds don't pop up every day, and when they do, it's usually a messy affair. But you guys seem different. I've got a good nose for these things."

Drax folded his arms, his expression skeptical. "So, what do you want? You fishing for something?"

Finn chuckled. "Nah, nothing like that. Just a friendly word of advice. Starter City's not as peaceful as it seems. There are eyes everywhere, and once you start making waves, the big fish are gonna notice. And trust me, not all of them are as friendly as me."

"Noted," Alex said, keeping his tone neutral. "We'll keep that in mind."

"Good. Anyway, I'll leave you to it," Finn said, giving a mock salute before turning to leave. "Just remember, if you ever need a favor, the Iron Vultures aren't far."

As Finn walked away, the group stood in silence for a moment.

"Well, that was... interesting," Drax said, scratching his head. "You think he's for real?"

Betsy shrugged. "Hard to say. But he's right about one thing—people are starting to notice us."

"Let them," Alex said, his gaze steely. "We're just getting started."

---

That night, they gathered in their newly rented **guild base**, a modest but functional building on the outskirts of the Guild District.

It wasn't much yet—barely more than a couple of rooms and a storage area—but it was theirs. The symbol of CODE hung proudly over the doorway, marking their presence in Starter City.

They sat around a wooden table, the soft glow of a lantern illuminating the room.

"So, what's the plan?" Betsy asked, leaning back in her chair. "We've got time, we've got some coin, and we've got a base. What's next?"

Alex glanced at each of them before speaking. "We keep growing. We take on more quests, more dungeons, and we start recruiting. But we do it smart. We don't want to attract too much attention too soon."

"Agreed," Betsy said. "The Golden Fang and other big guilds won't like it if we rise too quickly. We need to fly under the radar, build our strength quietly."

"Verum," Luke added, his calm voice filling the silence.

Alex smiled. "Exactly, Luke. We stay true to what we're building here. CODE is about more than just power—it's about survival, trust, and staying ahead in a world that's built to knock you down."

Drax raised his cup in a mock toast. "To CODE. May we be the glitch in the system!"

They all laughed, clinking their cups together.

But beneath the laughter, Alex knew they were standing at the edge of something much bigger. The world of ALBEKO was vast and dangerous, and they had only scratched the surface.

Tomorrow, they would dive deeper. Into the politics, the guild wars, and the true power of ALBEKO.

**CODE** was ready to rise.